Firms still slashing jobs

MSNBC.com ^ | 9/5/03 | ASSOCIATED PRESS

[Zathras]

Don't get too down.
Things ARE picking up here in Silicon Valley.

I remember 2 years ago when I called a friend at Cisco and she described the blood letting they just went through.

4000 in one day!

[1rudeboy]

Someone who seems, albeit obliquely, to be arguing for more governmental intervention in the marketplace shouldn't be asking someone who believes the opposite to justify the argument for governmental intervention in the first place.

[Poohbah]

You have no idea what you are talking about.

Curious. I've said that if (note the conditional word in there) you act elsewhere as you do here, then it's understandable why you're losing your job. If you're just putting on act, then it's not understandable.

Anyone who thinks they can divine the reason for a person's termination by reading posts isn't really worthy of a response.

Are your posts the real you, or do you just put on an act for FR?

And if you're putting on an act...why should I believe that you're actually losing your job?

[skeeter]

You don't read too good, do you?

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

Have you thought about trying to go into business for yourself?

I am in the process of setting that up now. It's only been two days since I was notified, and my termination is not effective until November. I've developed a good reputation as an expert by the company that created and markets the programming environment I use, and they are constantly beseiged by customers looking for experts. I am fortunate that I occupy a niche job with few real competitors. I also have my certification to be an instructor in the language I use, so I can alwys find work as a trainer. I am far luckier than most in my career choice.

[1rudeboy]

When is government intervention OK & when is it not?

Perhaps I read too well, and you don't understand what you are saying?

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

I am not putting on an act, but people do tend to say things on a bulletin board that they wouldn't say in front of their boss. Most people know that. Obviously you don't.

[lelio]

Someone who seems, albeit obliquely, to be arguing for more governmental intervention in the marketplace shouldn't be asking someone who believes the opposite to justify the argument for governmental intervention in the first place.

That's like saying if you ask for cops to start investing domestic violence more you can't ask them to ease up on parking violation tickets.

[Poohbah]

It's not about the specific words--it's the attitude behind them. People can and do pick up on chips on others' shoulders.

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

Don't get too down

Thanks. I am not worried. I'll find work. There are jobs available for my line of work. It's just hard watching so many decisions that don't seem to look past the end of a nose.

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

It's not about the specific words--it's the attitude behind them. People can and do pick up on chips on others' shoulders.

I agree. But after the numerous bloodlettings that have happened at this place, I can assure you my attitude no different from the other engineers. Engineers are notoriously hypercritical, and don't suffer fools easily.

[EverOnward]

offshoring is now decimating the republican base, white collar private sector middle class people. when it was low skilled manufacturing jobs, the political impact wasn't there (they were Dems anyway). the tune has changed. there is a quiet, seething anger building out there amongst these people.

The seething anger IS building -- I have voted Republican for over 20 years and voted for Pres Bush -- that won't happen next election. I'm hoping for a third party ... I'm not alone in my thinking.

[skeeter]

Perhaps I read too well, and you don't understand what you are saying?

Maybe. I believe I am saying I'm not in favor of government intervention - I'd like the government to stop subsidizing offshoring with taxpayer's dollars, and I'd like them to stop forcing wages down by replacing US workers with H1Bs.

You, by your refusal to address my point, seem to be in favor of this form of government intervention.

What did you read?

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

however, unless they are mafia dons the most senior managers of your company do not go to work every morning intending to do a bad job

It makes no difference what their intentions are. If they are incompetent, they don't deserve to govern a public company. As for going to the top, perhaps you didn't hear me when I wrote that the board and executive staff are all covering each other's arses. There are NO checks and balances.

[1rudeboy]

You, by your refusal to address my point, seem to be in favor of this form of government intervention.

You have evidence of nothing. For the record, I know little of OPIC. Nor do I care to argue with the anti-OPIC press releases that pop-up here periodically. (One would think that if someone was truly opposed to OPIC, then one would post a pro-OPIC piece and tear it to pieces).

As for immigration policy, I suppose one could argue that a H1-b Visa is an example of government intervention, if one defines "intervention" as something the government has the legal mandate to do.

[skeeter]

As for immigration policy, I suppose one could argue that a H1-b Visa is an example of government intervention, if one defines "intervention" as something the government has the legal mandate to do.

This is rich. You never fail to please.

[1rudeboy]

Make your point. I am bending-over backwards in order not to assign you the argument I think that you are making, instead believing that you should make it yourself. You simply appear content to parse words. Get on with it.

[skeeter]

"Bending over backwards"?

If someone were to recommend slapping import duties on SW imports in order to protect US programmer jobs you'd scream bloody murder, though under the constitution the congress has a "mandate" to regulate trade and apply tariffs.

Anyway, I've made my point. There are those benefiting from government intervention, and it ain't disgruntled, out of work programmers.

[oceanview]

and why is that, because he dare to state a truthful observation about what is happening with US corporate management?