[tubavil]

If you don't like HP's stance, don't buy thier products. It is as simple as that.

It's not that simple.

HP's stance is now prevalent throughout the high tech industry and not just with huge employers.

Try being in mid to late career with a few hundred thousand in 401K, options, and profit sharing plans, and then being FORCED by HR to attend 'diversity' classes and then being FORCED to sign a post-employment, binding, LEGAL agreement that says you have attended the classes, agree with EVERYTHING, and agree that violating any element is grounds for immediate termination.

Note that it is *impossible* NOT to violate these agreements. Among other things they say violations are not limited to verbal or written transgressions. A "look" or "attitude" is sufficient for violation. Worse, the ONLY criterion for someone to be 'offended' is an ALLEGED PERCEPTION. Complaints are anonymous and must be followed up by a FORMAL HR investigation, lest they be sued by the 'offended' party.

One has the option of refusing to sign: losing all investments, being thrown into a rotten economy with few prospects, putting one's family in jeopardy, all late in life. But is that really a choice?

If you are a heterosexual, white, christian, male, you are screwed by definition at the outset. That's before you even get to the radical liberal courts that surround high-tech areas (SEA, Bay Area, Boston). This of course is the whole point of 'diversity' - the destruction of the heterosexual, white, male, Christian element.

In sum, it is not that simple.

[kittymyrib]

"We must obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29. It's not always an easy thing to do if you are a true Christian instead of a poser. That's how thousands of years of martyrdom have come about...and it is definitely not over.
However, we can do the things we can now to express our faith. I do not have to buy anything from a company that fires Christians because they have witnessed to the truth of God's Word, the Word which Jesus said is unchangeable until He returns.

[Looking for Diogenes]

One has the option of refusing to sign: losing all investments, being thrown into a rotten economy with few prospects, putting one's family in jeopardy, all late in life. But is that really a choice?

You sound like a candidate for unionization.

[NCPAC]

For customers, it IS that simple. Buy from a competitor or don't buy. As a customer, you always have some choice - even if it is simply to not buy.

I take it you signed agreements like those you described? No offense, tubvail, but if that's the case you DID have a choice there, as well. Not an easy one, granted, but a choice nonetheless.