[aclug-L] Re: [Fwd: Urge the States not to accept a weak settlement!]

[Tom Hull <thull@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Clint Brubakken wrote:
> 
> For those interested in the MS - US settlement, I'm not sure if KS is
> one of the states suing though.

Kansas is one of the states suing Microsoft. Tom Miller (AG of Iowa)
has been the lead spokesman for the states. It is interesting that
Microsoft and the US DOJ had been close to a settlement before Judge
Jackson ruled, but the state AG's managed to derail it. One of the
curious things about Jackson's trial procedures is that he tried to
keep the states out of the proceedings, and one of the consequences
is that the DOJ introduced very little evidence of monetary damages.
It was only during summation where the states were able to talk about
money. (Which is, after all, probably why they're in this.) So I don't
think this is over, but it won't hurt to squawk a bit.

Also, FWIW, almost all of the political clout that brought Microsoft
to trial was brought forth by Republicans. The lawyer who put the
original case together had been a clerk for Sandra O'Connor, and it
was Senator Hatch (R-Utah) who held hearings to put pressure on the
DOJ to bring the case. Prominent advocates of the case have included
Robert Bork and Kenneth Starr. John Heilemann's book, "Pride Before
the Fall", is good background on the case.

You can write Attorney General Carla Stovall at: GENERAL@xxxxxxxx
You can write Governor Bill Graves at: governor@xxxxxxx

You should include your name, street address, and phone number in
mail addressed to political authorities, since this helps separate
your message from spam. (The Governor's office specifically asks
for this information.)

> -----Forwarded Message-----
> 
> From: Rick Ross <jlnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: cabrubak@xxxxxxx
> Subject: Urge the States not to accept a weak settlement!
> Date: 01 Nov 2001 12:15:05 -0500
> 
> Dear Clint,
> 
> Major news outlets are reporting that the US Department of
> Justice and Microsoft have reached tentative agreement on a
> settlement to the government's high-profile antitrust case. In
> effect, it appears that Microsoft is about to walk away with a
> slap on the wrist.
> 
> The wild card in the settlement may be the 18 States who are
> also prosecuting the case, and there are signs that the States
> want more appropriately stringent remedies as part of any
> settlement.
> 
> I urge you to call or write your State Governor and Attorney
> General to ask them to hold a staunch line and not to give in to
> the pressure to settle. I have included links below to help you
> easily find the various Governors and Attorneys General.
> 
> Microsoft has used its monopoly illegally to harm the Java
> technology we support, so we know first-hand what the problem
> is. We, the community of Java developers, have felt the stinging
> impact of Microsoft's illegal behavior. Its consequences in the
> future may be even more severe if this weak legal precedent is
> established.
> 
> Your State leaders may not understand the full dimension of the
> issues, and they need to hear from concerned individuals like
> you that effective, continuing prosecution of the case can and
> will make a difference.
> 
> It may not be too late, so please act now. Our voices may not be
> sufficient to change the final outcome at this stage, but if we
> do nothing then they definitely will not.
> 
> Warm regards,
> 
> Rick Ross
> Founder of JavaLobby
> rick@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.javalobby.org

-- 
/*
 *  Tom Hull * thull at kscable.com * http://www.tomhull.com/
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