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Should Microsoft receive harsher penalties?
<p>I am very disappointed with the Feds settlement. Fortunately nine
<br>states' AG's agree with me. I have sent the following to the states'
<br>AG's dissatisfied with the terms of the USDOJ settlement agreement.
<p>"It seems to me that Microsoft has indulged in not only anti-trust
<br>violations but racketeering as well. Is this a possible avenue of
<br>approaching their abuses?"
<p>As you can see, my position well exceeds current prosecution parameters.
<br>Even if you don't agree with my extreme position, but desire more
<br>vigorous prosecution, I urge you to write to the Attorneys General
to
<br>inform them of your support. You don’t have to reside in these states
to
<br>write them. Write to all of them if you wish. The Attorneys General
<br>exist to provide services to their constituency. I believe that for
the
<br>most part they take this responsibility very seriously. They want to
get
<br>the bad guys. It is my opinion that Microsoft, Gates, Ballmer, et al,
<br>are the bad guys.
<p>Below are the email addresses of the nine states Attorneys General
<br>dedicated to continuing with more stringent anti-trust prosecution.
<br>Included is USDOJ address to express your displeasure to the Feds.
For
<br>international readers I have included a link to a USDOJ website listing
<br>other countries who are undertaking anti-trust action.
<p> Please include your name and address. This contributes to your
<br>authenticity. They may want to send you a snail mail confirmation.
<br>Please put it in your own words.
<p>A formulation was made years ago by various entities like newspapers,
<br>magazines, politicians, and such. They figured that for every person
who
<br>bothered to write to them represented X amount of people who didn’t
take
<br>the time and effort to write but shared similar opinions. X can equal
<br>anywhere from one thousand to ten thousand depending the specific
<br>circumstances of the recipient. So, as you can see, the simple act
of
<br>writing can have a multiplier effect. That’s why your single
<br>contribution is so important.
<p> If you agree that Microsoft has gotten off too lightly, I plead
with
<br>you to take a few minutes, write to the Attorneys General and make
your
<br>opinions known. When we’re all using Microsoft Windows at least you’ll
<br>be able to console yourself by knowing that you at least tried to resist
<br>Microsoft hegemony.
<p> This is the time to strike. They believe that they have hornswoggled
<br>a sweet deal. Their guard is down, if just a bit. This is far
from
<br>over.
<p>California: <a href="microsoftcomments@doj.ca.gov">microsoftcomments@doj.ca.gov</a>
<p>Connecticut: <a href="attorney.general@po.state.ct.us">attorney.general@po.state.ct.us</a>
<p>Florida: <a href="ag@oag.state.fl.us">ag@oag.state.fl.us</a>
<p>Iowa: <a href="webteam@ag.state.ia.us">webteam@ag.state.ia.us</a>
<p>Kansas: <a href="GENERAL@ksag.org">GENERAL@ksag.org</a>
<p>Massachusetts: <a href="tom.reilly@ago.state.ma.us">tom.reilly@ago.state.ma.us</a>
<p>Minnesota: <a href="attorney.general@state.mn.us">attorney.general@state.mn.us</a>
<p>Utah: <a href="uag@att.state.ut.us">uag@att.state.ut.us</a>
<p>West Virginia: <a href="consumer@mail.wvnet.edu">consumer@mail.wvnet.edu</a>
<p>US Dept of Justice-Microsoft anti-trust comments:
<br><a href="Microsoft.atr@usdoj.gov
">Microsoft.atr@usdoj.gov</a>
<p>US Dept of Justice-other sites worldwide:
<br><a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/contact/otheratr.htm">http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/contact/otheratr.htm</a>
<p> This is a real opportunity for those of us
who want more stringent
<br>prosecution. Before, Microsoft had only to have one team of lawyers
to
<br>deal with the Feds. Now, their efforts will be diluted by virtue of
<br>having to confront nine different government entities. The time to
<br>express your opinion is now. Together we can have a positive impact
on
<br>the future of computing if only we take the time to express our opinions
<br>to those who hold the public trust.
<p>Best regards,
<br>Christian Loweth</html>