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Just to clarify a few things...
And someone may have already pointed this out, but communism and capitalism are economic systems, not political systems. One cannot be a capitalist AND a communist - they are considered to be mutually exclusive.

Also, being communist, in theory, does not automatically mean that you have to have your rights restricted.

Actaully, communism is the closest system that describes open source - everyone's work is donated for free for the good of the community. I don't think of the open source supporters as totalitarian, though.

As for what MS did in China, it may not be an act I support, but I'm sure every company doing business with China has to change their rules to support China's more restrictive laws. So basically, if any company is doing business with China (IBM, for example), they are guilty of the same thing.

Less directly, if you buy products made in China, you are supporting that system, so you are guilty of supporting a government that limits the rights of its citizens. Remember, in a communist society, the money goes to the government, who then doles it out to the people the way it sees fit, so buying products made in China is essentially handing money to the Chinese government.

If you decide that you can't do without the products made in China, i.e., your comfort and well-being are more important than taking a stand against a totalitarian regime, then you have shown where your loyalties reside.

Just my opinion.
Posted by: brble   Posted on: 01/04/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Microsoft censors Chinese blogger  Loverock Davidson | 01/04/06
Right, Google censored and we should ALL take a ...  Judas I. | 01/04/06
MS is not the enemy here  Michael Kelly | 01/04/06
Go to bed with dogs,  bjbrock | 01/04/06
Not the enemy just following orders...  Nullifidian | 01/04/06
Ah, but if you are going to do business with the enemy ...  Judas I. | 01/04/06
Then don't buy MS products  NonZealot | 01/04/06
This Merle Haggard, "love 'em or leave 'em" ...  Judas I. | 01/04/06
You are a selfish hypcrotic!  NonZealot | 01/04/06
Hey, chill out, NonZealot. I don't have all day to ...  Judas I. | 01/04/06
Oops, another question  NonZealot | 01/04/06
You think just because Bubba Clinton signed ...  Judas I. | 01/04/06
Hmmm  rafe01 | 01/04/06
Godwin's law has been replaced by OButterball's law  NonZealot | 01/04/06
Naw, that's already Dubya's Law:  Judas I. | 01/04/06
Then MSN should pull out of China  balsover | 01/05/06
Is MS for freedoms guaranteed  bjbrock | 01/04/06
You are confusing  NonZealot | 01/04/06
Obviously they are both.  bjbrock | 01/04/06
No confusion here.  Judas I. | 01/04/06
Interesting  rapson | 01/04/06
I look at the distinguishing  bjbrock | 01/04/06
Where is it written...  NonZealot | 01/04/06
I'm saying MS did not stand up  bjbrock | 01/04/06
Having trouble finding it in the constitution?  NonZealot | 01/04/06
Exactly, Carl:  Judas I. | 01/04/06
What is your point?  NonZealot | 01/04/06
Yes I would.  bjbrock | 01/04/06
MY point is:  Judas I. | 01/04/06
Neither of you replied to my question  NonZealot | 01/04/06
You asked for my point, I told you and I certainly ...  Judas I. | 01/04/06
Actually, thats a trick question  Monkey_MCSE | 01/04/06
OK...  rapson | 01/04/06
OK, so it's okay for MS to pen a plum contract ...  Judas I. | 01/04/06
Just to clarify a few things...  brble | 01/04/06
So, again, like other companies  Boot_Agnostic | 01/04/06
If in the US  Yehuda Mann | 01/04/06
But what does Chinese law say about a  Boot_Agnostic | 01/04/06
I believe I answered NZ's  bjbrock | 01/04/06
Yes, that you did. (NT)  Judas I. | 01/04/06
Conflict of Interest  Yehuda Mann | 01/04/06
You are violating my right to free speech unless...  NonZealot | 01/04/06
ah the letter not the spirit...  rafe01 | 01/04/06
Finally a ration response, thanks!  NonZealot | 01/04/06
..thank you...  rafe01 | 01/04/06
stop while you're ahead  Monkey_MCSE | 01/04/06
Nah, I'm still getting further ahead  NonZealot | 01/04/06
apparently you took the ...  Monkey_MCSE | 01/04/06
But people can't disagree logically  NonZealot | 01/04/06
except that....  rafe01 | 01/04/06
MS, China, etc.  jguyp725@... | 01/05/06
The new MS uniform.....  Middle of the Road | 01/05/06
Everyone's ranting about censorship by MSN...  btljooz | 01/06/06
Back it up and share it on Emule!  GreatInca | 04/19/06

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