Posted on 05/07/2005 12:34:37 PM PDT by Panerai
After weeks of controversy over the issue, Microsoft has decided to return to a position of legislative support for gay and lesbian rights, at both the state and federal level.
In a letter to employees, Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer said on Friday that the company would support antidiscrimination legislation, after backing off support for a Washington state bill on the issue last month.
"After looking at the question from all sides, I've concluded that diversity in the workplace is such an important issue for our business that it should be included in our legislative agenda," Ballmer wrote in the e-mail. "I respect that there will be different viewpoints. But as CEO, I am doing what I believe is right for our company as a whole."
The issue exploded into public consciousness several weeks ago after Seattle newspaper The Stranger reported that Microsoft had backed off support for a state antidiscrimination bill after being contacted by a conservative local pastor, the Rev. Ken Hutcherson of the Antioch Bible Church.
Hutcherson, a leader in conservative religious organizations' opposition to gay marriage and nondiscrimination legislation, said he had threatened Microsoft with a boycott of the company's products if it supported the state bill. Microsoft executives later said their position on the bill was not related to the pastor's pressure, but connected to a broader company policy of avoiding taking divisive positions on "social issues."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.com ...
What discrimination?
.."funny/obscene" way of putting it.
Just once, I would like to see a CEO take the podium and say, "You know, we at XYZ Megacorp are in the business of making money by selling stuff. Our employees and shareholders range all over the political and religious spectrum, and we encourage them to become as involved as they would like in furthering causes they support. Of course, we have great interest in any legislation that has an impact on our business, and we will prudently expend corporate resources when such legislation is being considered. Other than that, from this day forward, XYZ Megacorp will take no position and spend no corporate resources on any issues other than those having a direct effect on our core business. Thank you."
Who needs to focus on software engineering anyway....just get busy with everyone else's business, eh?
Welcome to FR, btw.....
That's a pretty stupid statement, even for a newbie.
This is the FOURTH OR FIFTH POST on this,
Odd how the MSM ignores the Canadian Government meltdown,
IGNORES the recent passage of YET ANOTHER Marriage Amendment.
Where are the business stories of a publicly traded corporation funding a political campaign with stockholder money? Is this a violation of campaign laws? Is this included in their quarterly mandatory disclosures?
"Microsoft expends XXX stockholder funds in order to advocate the recreational orgasms of people with the homosexual fetish."
Don't get upset. He said most gays use Apple, not most Apple users are gay!
Microsoft likes the "reverse position."
Better not let Rush Limbaugh hear you say that.
Words well spoken...Here in Indiana, diversity is the primary focus at Indiana University and both the the University itself and the Hospital/School of Medicine are really taking a turn for the worse
Penguins for the Lord.
well well birdie what do you think of your dear micro$haft now. PUT PENGUINS IN THE PEWS!!!
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