Working in a big company is interesting cause there are lots of moving parts. Tracking them all down is difficult, especially when you have a full day of meetings and other things to do and when the stakeholders of the decision you’re trying to find out about are on the other side of the world in a time zone opposite of ours.
Blogger time isn’t that easy to live with when you work in a big company. That’s not an excuse, but just a fact. Already there are plenty of people who took me to task for reacting like a blogger and not waiting until I had checked with all the parties. Truth is this thing was going supernova already (it was on Instapundit before I even knew about it).
I have been talking to lots of people today, though, inside and outside of Microsoft. In every instance they asked me to keep those conversations confidential. Why? Cause we’re talking about international relations here and the lives of employees. I wish I could go into it more than that, but I can’t. Not yet. See, it’s real easy as Americans to rattle the door and ask for change, but we don’t live there. Saying “give them the finger” isn’t that easy when there are real human lives at stake. And I don’t need to spell out what I’m talking about here, do I?
One thing I’ve heard is that we spell out our terms of service very explicitly on MSN Spaces. Here in the United States we pull down stuff too at government request, like child pornography or other illegal content.
Being in the content business is not an easy one, that’s for sure.
I’ll pass more along as I can.
The other thing is I’m about to leave to go to the CES conference so getting online for the next while might be difficult.
Robert, I already have severed my relationship with Yahoo! over their incident and now I find Microsoft, via MSN, commiting an act almost as egregious in my book. While Robert Anti won’t be facing a long term at hard labor (I believe the reporter got ten years which is probably a death sentence), freedom of speech even via the internet is just as precious in my book.
I spent over thirteen years serving this country in the United States Navy. I spent half that time bouncing all over the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, so I do know that section of the world quite well including the repressive regimes. Just as I hold the regimes accountable, I hold the behavior of corporations accountable. The Toshiba case comes foremost to mind, yet another corporation that will never see any business from myself nor a single good word.
We, Microsoft and myself, have had a very nice relationship for the last ten years, including a partnership. Now I have to reconsider that relationship.
One more thing. I’m terminal as a result of disabilities due to my service in the Navy, so I have given my life for these values. Literally. A bit of economic pain here is but a small price to pay in consideration. Please pass this on to Microsoft.
Brian J. Bartlett, ET1, USN (med. ret.)
Robert, I already have severed my relationship with Yahoo! over their incident and now I find Microsoft, via MSN, commiting an act almost as egregious in my book. While Robert Anti won’t be facing a long term at hard labor (I believe the reporter got ten years which is probably a death sentence), freedom of speech even via the internet is just as precious in my book.
I spent over thirteen years serving this country in the United States Navy. I spent half that time bouncing all over the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, so I do know that section of the world quite well including the repressive regimes. Just as I hold the regimes accountable, I hold the behavior of corporations accountable. The Toshiba case comes foremost to mind, yet another corporation that will never see any business from myself nor a single good word.
We, Microsoft and myself, have had a very nice relationship for the last ten years, including a partnership. Now I have to reconsider that relationship.
One more thing. I’m terminal as a result of disabilities due to my service in the Navy, so I have given my life for these values. Literally. A bit of economic pain here is but a small price to pay in consideration. Please pass this on to Microsoft.
Brian J. Bartlett, ET1, USN (med. ret.)
The “pulling out of China” response is, I agree, a “simple” answer that ignores the full complexities of doing business in China today. But, that doesn’t end the matter. Microsoft’s generic response is also inexcusably simplistic and, moreover, unbelievable.
The company vaguely states that its “policy” is to comply with “global and local laws, norms and industry practices”. Well, ok, but what “laws” or practices or norms were involved here? Were any actually violated or “maybe” violated? Has Mr. Jing been charged or convicted? And, what will the company do if Mr. Jing is never charged with any “crime”, and/or later tired and found innocent?
Microsoft (and companies like it) provide a discretionary service and don’t need any “policies”: they have the absolute right to cave in to the whims of any country (or customer) with which it wants to do business- -at any time, and for any reason. It’s their right to make money. But, if making a profit is your guiding light (which is just fine), just say so. Citing a vague “policy” that sounds politically correct but has no real substance, no real teeth, and to which no real deference is paid, constitutes the troublesome part of what is going on here. It’s an uncomfortable position for many and try as they might, no Microsoft employee or blogger can explain away the clear hypocricy staring them in the face.
The “pulling out of China” response is, I agree, a “simple” answer that ignores the full complexities of doing business in China today. But, that doesn’t end the matter. Microsoft’s generic response is also inexcusably simplistic and, moreover, unbelievable.
The company vaguely states that its “policy” is to comply with “global and local laws, norms and industry practices”. Well, ok, but what “laws” or practices or norms were involved here? Were any actually violated or “maybe” violated? Has Mr. Jing been charged or convicted? And, what will the company do if Mr. Jing is never charged with any “crime”, and/or later tired and found innocent?
Microsoft (and companies like it) provide a discretionary service and don’t need any “policies”: they have the absolute right to cave in to the whims of any country (or customer) with which it wants to do business- -at any time, and for any reason. It’s their right to make money. But, if making a profit is your guiding light (which is just fine), just say so. Citing a vague “policy” that sounds politically correct but has no real substance, no real teeth, and to which no real deference is paid, constitutes the troublesome part of what is going on here. It’s an uncomfortable position for many and try as they might, no Microsoft employee or blogger can explain away the clear hypocricy staring them in the face.
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Ouch. Trade problems in China are not uncommon. In the flooring industry too.
Ouch. Trade problems in China are not uncommon. In the flooring industry too.
From mrs Jessica
Avenue 16,Rue13
Triechville
Abidjan Cote D’Ivoire.
Dear One God,
Sorry i do not know you very well, and i believe this is not going to cost you any inconvinence, may be I might be wrong ,however, I claim to be right towards contacting you about this I have a business proposal which I know migth interest you, I have in my possession a large sum of money which I want to invest in your country.In brief introduction, my name is Jessica Kone i am the only child of. Mr Kone a civil-servant in Ivory Coast who was killed on September 17th 2003, by the Ivoirian Militaty men, in protest that he was among the coup plotters to overtrow the government On the day my father was killed, I was with him but decided to visit my Divoced mother in her house who was lying sick in the bed, I returned back only to hear the news about his death. As a result of this, I went into his room and funds the key to his underground safe, upon opening some boxes there, I found to my surprised that my father deposited the sum of Tewnty million Dollars (US$)20,000 000) with a securty company based in ivory coast From the deposit contract entered between my father and the security company, this amount is contained in a sealed trunk box and it is registered and deposited as containing family treasure/African Arts, secondly, he deposited this funds in the name of his foreign partner without any names mentioned on it, but with my name fatu as next of Kin, even as I am writing you now, the security company is not aware that there is cash money in the trunk box. I have interest in your country and would want to invest this large amount with your company. I am asking for your assitance to help me move out the money and secure it for onward investment and to make residence arrangement for me. I have agreed to give you 10% (ten Percent ) of the total amount, including 15% share from the profits which the money will generate in future from every investment. The existence of this fortune which I have revealed to you is authentic but confidential and there is no risk involved in the cause of claiming it back from the Security Company. I have made contact with the security company informing them about the death of my father and the need for us to reclaim the consignment in their custody which they have accepted. It is for this reason that I am contacting you for help, so you should please not feel embarrased receiving this mail from me. Because of the current political situation in my country, I have resolved to moved out of the country since I might be the next terget, right now I am still in Abidjan and may leave to a nearby country should I not hear from you, in order to facilitate another arrangement and to finalize with the security company on claiming back the consignment deposited with them, should you be interested in my proposal to assist me secure this funds for investment, kindly reach me via email to enable me give you further details.your fax number and your telephone number for me to contact you,i attend Salvation church here in ivory coast.
Accept my sincere regards
while hoping to hear from you.
May God bless you.
Mrs Jessica kone
From mrs Jessica
Avenue 16,Rue13
Triechville
Abidjan Cote D’Ivoire.
Dear One God,
Sorry i do not know you very well, and i believe this is not going to cost you any inconvinence, may be I might be wrong ,however, I claim to be right towards contacting you about this I have a business proposal which I know migth interest you, I have in my possession a large sum of money which I want to invest in your country.In brief introduction, my name is Jessica Kone i am the only child of. Mr Kone a civil-servant in Ivory Coast who was killed on September 17th 2003, by the Ivoirian Militaty men, in protest that he was among the coup plotters to overtrow the government On the day my father was killed, I was with him but decided to visit my Divoced mother in her house who was lying sick in the bed, I returned back only to hear the news about his death. As a result of this, I went into his room and funds the key to his underground safe, upon opening some boxes there, I found to my surprised that my father deposited the sum of Tewnty million Dollars (US$)20,000 000) with a securty company based in ivory coast From the deposit contract entered between my father and the security company, this amount is contained in a sealed trunk box and it is registered and deposited as containing family treasure/African Arts, secondly, he deposited this funds in the name of his foreign partner without any names mentioned on it, but with my name fatu as next of Kin, even as I am writing you now, the security company is not aware that there is cash money in the trunk box. I have interest in your country and would want to invest this large amount with your company. I am asking for your assitance to help me move out the money and secure it for onward investment and to make residence arrangement for me. I have agreed to give you 10% (ten Percent ) of the total amount, including 15% share from the profits which the money will generate in future from every investment. The existence of this fortune which I have revealed to you is authentic but confidential and there is no risk involved in the cause of claiming it back from the Security Company. I have made contact with the security company informing them about the death of my father and the need for us to reclaim the consignment in their custody which they have accepted. It is for this reason that I am contacting you for help, so you should please not feel embarrased receiving this mail from me. Because of the current political situation in my country, I have resolved to moved out of the country since I might be the next terget, right now I am still in Abidjan and may leave to a nearby country should I not hear from you, in order to facilitate another arrangement and to finalize with the security company on claiming back the consignment deposited with them, should you be interested in my proposal to assist me secure this funds for investment, kindly reach me via email to enable me give you further details.your fax number and your telephone number for me to contact you,i attend Salvation church here in ivory coast.
Accept my sincere regards
while hoping to hear from you.
May God bless you.
Mrs Jessica kone
Come check out our 2007 past events’ scrapbook and read about our past events, see photos and more. 2007 event scrapbooks include Dessert First , the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer , our First Annual POH/ SF Giants Plate to Plate 5K Run/ Walk , and our Sixteenth Annual Hand to Hand Luncheon. We also have a listing of our upcoming special events listed on our special events home page.
Come check out our 2007 past events’ scrapbook and read about our past events, see photos and more. 2007 event scrapbooks include Dessert First , the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer , our First Annual POH/ SF Giants Plate to Plate 5K Run/ Walk , and our Sixteenth Annual Hand to Hand Luncheon. We also have a listing of our upcoming special events listed on our special events home page.