[Don Joe]

As I see it, their "policy" is to abide by United States law and that some goomer within the company--either honestly or intentionally--either misinterpreted or misapplied that law.

I thought their order processing software was flagging customers with hotwords like "combat" in their company name. What am I missing here? Are you telling me that it was not an automated action taken by their order processing software? You're telling me that it was some individual who personally decided to flag the transaction because he saw the word "combat"?

If so, I must say that your theory strains credulity.

[MississippiMan]

It turns out that a manager in Dell's (DELL) export compliance department flagged the shipment as a purchase that was prohibited under U.S. law.

Is your reading not that an individual flagged it? Mine sure is.

MM

[Cyber Liberty]

"If so, I must say that your theory strains credulity."

Why does this shock you? Do you think Dell's entire order-filling system is free of human contact? That thousand-dollar orders just roll in from the internet, and robots direct the list of special-order components, then install them? And then test them? Stuff 'em into boxes, too? Dude, I have news for you: A human somewhere has to approve each and every build order, one at a time.

Talk about straining someone's credulity!