Will any candidate in America make Microsoft an issue?

[JailBush]

You can't talk about corporate corruption without mentioning Microsoft. Bill Gates and his partner in crime, Paul Allen, are two of the worst things that ever happened to Seattle. Gates and Allen are major factors in America's Education Holocaust. Microshaft software has been deemed a national security threat. It may be an even bigger threat to the millions of home computer users who are unanware of Microsoft's links with the federal government.

Yet even Linux groups are generally out to lunch when it comes to politics. All they want is a better operating system. I've so far discovered just TWO candidates in the U.S. who have made open-source software a campaign issue - myself and one of the candidates in California's Total Recall campaign.

How long will Microsoft's free ride continue?

http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/031116033533.vko1u42q

[SahaleArm]

1. Wrong forum.

Try: http://slashdot.org

[JailBush]

4. Wrong forum???

Did you read my first post??? Slashdot.org is a joke.

[SahaleArm]

6. Please substantiate.

You made two points

(1) Gates and Allen are major factors in America's Education Holocaust

(2) Microshaft software has been deemed a national security threat

Care to elaborate on either of these points?

From the NSA: http://www.nsa.gov/selinux/

[JailBush]

12. No problem.

I'm not going to take the time to find and post links, but you should be able to easily find references for some of my points below. Others are simple logic.

* * * * * * * * * *

Bill Gates contributes millions and millions of dollars to public education. Why?

The Seattle School District has continued to go downhill under Gates' benevolent philanthropy.

Though Bill Gates professes to care about education, he has remained mysteriously - amazingly - aloof from the biggest problems in education. How can someone who cares not speak out against high-stakes tests? Corrupt school officials and teachers unions? The late Superintendent John Stanford?

Bill Gates established a K-12 "Education Leadership Institute" in Seattle. Researching this alone should convince anyone who really cares that Gates is a parasite, not a friend. To head the K-12 Institute, Gates recruited the infamous Rudy Crew - one of the best examples of the "carpetbagging superintendents" that plague public education. Exactly what the K-12 Institute has ever accomplished is anyone's guess; if you can find any information, please let me know.

Gates' personal spokesman is Trevor Nielsen, formerly chief spokes-liar for the Washington Education Association, possibly America's most maligned teachers union.

When I ran for a seat on the Seattle School Board, Bill Gates Senior sent me my first computer virus ever. Obviously, the Gates's don't want any reformers making waves.

Paul Allen - who is notoriously NOT a children's advocate - bankrolled Washington State's most recent charter school initiative.

[SahaleArm]

17. Don't like Seattle school board politics?

Gates is Chairman of Microsoft not the super of the Seattle public school district. He may have hired people you don't like but that doesn't make him responsible for the school board's failures.

K-12 Institute has ever accomplished is anyone's guess

Yet you're blaming Gates for failures in public school education.

Gates' personal spokesman is Trevor Nielsen, formerly chief spokes-liar for the Washington Education Association, possibly America's most maligned teachers union.

Sounds like you don't like the Washington Education Association.

When I ran for a seat on the Seattle School Board, Bill Gates Senior sent me my first computer virus ever. Obviously, the Gates's don't want any reformers making waves.

And they're out to get you:eyes:?

[JailBush]

19. Huh???

"Gates is Chairman of Microsoft not the super of the Seattle public school district. He may have hired people you don't like but that doesn't make him responsible for the school board's failures."

He may have hired people I "don't like"??? He hired people who are STUPID and/or CORRUPT. I would expect any individual who lavishes as much money and attention on a cause as Bill Gates does to at least HAVE A CLUE.

ME: "K-12 Institute has ever accomplished is anyone's guess"

"Yet you're blaming Gates for failures in public school education."

Your statement doesn't make sense. Delete the word "yet" and it sounds better. I certainly don't blame Bill Gates ALONE for education's failures; he's just one of many corporate wh*res who are ruining our schools.

"Sounds like you don't like the Washington Education Association."

Good assessment. It did nothing but stab me in the back during the sixteen years I spent in education, and its scandals were a constant embarrassment for teachers. What a crock.

"And they're out to get you:eyes:?"

What does "you:eyes:" mean? You're beginning to sound like a Seattle School Board apologist. Where do you live - Seattle?

[SahaleArm]

20. Not to be patronizing but...

notice the big picture of the space needle to the left;-)? I do in fact live in Seattle and enjoy playing the role of skeptic. Although you may have intimate knowledge of school board politics, your argument sounds more like a conspiricy than reality. The problem is that it is constructed around personal opinion and conjecture.

[JailBush]

21. Personal Opinion, Supported by Logic and Facts

"Although you may have intimate knowledge of school board politics, your argument sounds more like a conspiricy than reality. The problem is that it is constructed around personal opinion and conjecture."

FACT: Bill Gates contributes millions of dollars to public education.

FACT: Seattle's public schools use Windows computers.

FACT: For the above two reasons alone, it isn't considered polite to criticize Bill Gates.

FACT: The Seattle School District is run by corporations, through the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and Alliance for Education. Check out their board of directors at http://www.alliance4ed.org.

FACT: Seattle's corporations are corrupt. That isn't just opinion; it's based on such FACTS as Microsoft's illegal monopoly, Paul Allen's Sound Transit shenanigans, Nordstromgate and on and on.

Public education is my main beat and biggest beef - how can we hope to take back America when people don't even have a clue about their own local school boards? The last election was possibly the worst in Seattle history. It's hard to imagine that Seattle's public schools could sink any lower, but they are.

[SahaleArm]

24. Loosely tied together facts do not make a cogent argument.

These facts are not directly tied, the argument is being made through transitive implications. The Seattle school board still has the final say in what happens, even over the Alliance for Education; and no one is proposing private/religious school vouchers. Can you tell me why you think that Seattle schools are corrupt, outside of corporate donations, and what is the result?

[JailBush]

26. It really isn't hard to figure out.

"These facts are not directly tied, the argument is being made through transitive implications."

Are you a professional propagandist? What on Earth are you talking about?

"The Seattle school board still has the final say in what happens, even over the Alliance for Education;"

Oh, really? Care to back that up with FACTS?

"And no one is proposing private/religious school vouchers."

They don't have to; Seattle's schools have already been effectively privatized while the city's foolish liberals campaign against school choice. But we may get school choice anyway; that's quite likely what high-stakes tests are all about - they're designed to make students fail, and failure gives the government an excuse to take over our schools.

"Can you tell me why you think that Seattle schools are corrupt, outside of corporate donations, and what is the result?"

Why do I think Seattle's schools are corrupt? That's like asking why I think George W. Bush is corrupt!

The most potent icon of Seattle Schools corruption is the late Supt. John Stanford. Another example is Supt. Joseph Olchefske, who was up to his eyeballs in corruption even before the district lost millions of dollars, after which he retired to his ranch near Cle Elum - still drawing a salary.

Or how about Ricardo Cruz, who fled Seattle City Light because of a scandal and was given a job as director of personnel for Seattle Schools, where he was promptly caught up in more scandals, until he became a King County Deputy Prosecutor, after which he made the papers as he was caught up in yet another scandal in another county?

Do you know anything about such historic figures as Philip Swain and Judge Gary Little? Do you know about their relations with such characters as Barbara Schaad Lamphere (currently on the Seattle School Board) and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's favorite attorey, Camden Hall?

Have you ever heard the term "Black Mafia"? If not, are you familiar with Alice "Hurricane" Houston, who lost several million dollars, drove some of Seattle's best principals away and contributed to a teachers strike - then filed a discrimination lawsuit when she didn't get a pay raise?

Hey, did you know that students who bring plastic guns to school can get expelled, but pulling a REAL gun on people on a school campus merely gets you a slap on the wrist if your name is James Kelly, and you work for the Seattle Chamber of Commerce?

And how about Clint Webb, who got high on cocaine and kidnapped and murdered his landlord BEFORE he got hired by Seattle Schools, after which he collected sick leave pay while in jail on other charges, until he was finally busted for having sex with a student?

If you worked for the district, you would know that the Seattle Education Association is as worthless as tits on a boar. If you did a little research, as I have, you'd know it's frighteningly corrupt. Speaking of which, why did the SEA help the Seattle Chamber of Commerce ram a disgusting new contract down teachers' throats, but they won't lift a finger to overhaul the principals' contract - which is frequently cited as an excuse for not holding even the most derelict principals accountable?

How about school board member Michael Preston, who lost his gambling license and didn't even live in Seattle, or Ellen Roe, who blew the whistle on a derelict principal who was a borderline pedophile - AFTER he was nailed for having sex with students?

I could go on and on and on, but if you don't get it by now, you never will. You asked what the results are.

Well, the teachers shortage and revolving door policy can be seen as an example of corporate downsizing nationwide. Some 40 teachers fled Rainier Beach High School alone. I worked at Dearborn Park Elementary School more than five years ago when it was taken over by a derelict principal who is STILL spawning refugees. A greater percentage of Seattle parents send their children to private shools than any other major U.S. city but Honolulu.

Millions of levy dollars are regularly illegally diverted. Visit the Seattle Weekly and do a search for "The Olchefske Files." Many principals and teachers have been nailed for embezzling school funds, though that doesn't mean they're disciplined; indeed, they can be hired back as consultants.

Did I mention privatization? If not, did you know that school bus drivers were privatized a year or two ago? Did you know that ALL the kitchens in Seattle's public schools are being privatized? Have you seen the CRAP these privatized services feed kids? Do you know anything about Don Nielsen, former Seattle Schools assistant superintendent Arlene Ackerman and their joint for-profit venture, TeachFirst? How about Flexcar?

Did you know that Dick Lilly - possibly the worst education reporter in the Pacific Northwest - went from the Seattle Times to spokesman for Mayor Paul Schell (do you need me to list some FACTS proving he's corrupt, too?) then on to the Seattle School Board?

Don't believe everything you read about education in the Seattle Times, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Weekly, The Stranger or community newspapers. And since there aren't many other sources of information, you're going to have to start paying closer attention to school issues and using a little logic.

[SahaleArm]

27. Name throwing aside.

Background information helps back your argument immensely:).

(1) Are you in any way still involved with the Seattle school system?

(2) Who controls the Seattle teachers union, the bus drivers union, and why aren't these issues exposed?

(3) Does the school board not have the final say under local/state law?

All research into Seattle education corruption leads to either your site (http://www.jail4bush.org/education/) or to (http://www.geobop.com/education/):evilgrin:

[JailBush]

28. More Answers

1. Am I still involved with the district? Yes. I worked for the district fof sixteen years, functioned as a whistle-blower for the last six or seven years, then got laid off last year. I've run for public office three times and maintain Seattle's biggest education reform website. It's out of commission at the moment, but I hope to have my revised site online soon.

2. Corporations control EVERYTHING in Seattle. I've even heard other teachers complain abuot the Seattle teachers union (SEA) being in bed with the Seattle School Board, and the school board is obviously in bed with corporations.

Why aren't these issues exposed? Because no one cares. Even you noted that all research into Seattle education corruption leads to my websites. Focus on any single scandal and see what information you can find other than media accounts. Or pretend you want to write a report on the Seattle Education Association, with information about its chief officials. Where would you start? Let me save you a trip to the Seattle Public Library - there's nothing there. See how much you can learn from their website - not much.

The former chief executive officer was arguably the most hated individual among Seattle teachers. His name is Roger Erskine, and he's now working for Bill Gates (indirectly, at least). He was replaced by a woman from Everett who's extremely secretive; you never see her name in the papers, though she's on the Alliance for Education's board of directors.

I think the real power broker is Kraig Peck, a monumental jerk who's also nearly invisible. The president is a teacher named John Dunn - a collaborator.

Why don't you call SEA and ask them for the names of their officials, their salaries and benefits? They get BIG bonuses for autos and mileage, even though they spend most of their time hiding in their offices.

3. Does the school board have the final say under local/state law? Officially, perhaps. But they're working for higher powers. They certainly don't work for teachers or parents. Nancy Waldman (an extraordinary turd) is married to the Mariners' attorney. Dick Lilly represents the Seattle Times. Irene Stewart - just elected - is a member of Greg Nickels' administration. Brita Butler-Wall and Sally Soriano - also just elected - represent the Green Party of Seattle, which is just as corrupt as the King County Democrats.

And it isn't just about education. The "Education Mafia" carries tremendous clout during election campaigns.

[SahaleArm]

29. Easy to ignore Seattle corruption.

The list goes on: I-695, Light-Rail, Allen's Trolley, Seahawk Stadium, Sound Transit, Boeing 7E7...

Choosing four of the School Board's seven members comes at a critical time for the 47,000-student district. For the past 12 months, the board has been faced with damaging budget errors, the departure of Superintendent Joseph Olchefske and the collapse of the search for his successor. Interim chief Raj Manhas was handed a one-year contract.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001783440_seaskuls5m.html

What's your take on the three new school board members?

---------------------------------------------

B-)

While phony "activists" babble about Coca Cola (a weapon of mass distraction), I tackle the Axis of Evil: The Seattle School Board, Seattle Education Association, Alliance for Education, Seattle media and Mayor Greg Nickels' office.

My issues include regime change, a GENUINE independent audit (or NO to February's school levy), WASL boycott, PUNISHMENT for corrupt school officials, and open-source software (Linux, Mozilla, etc.) - the cheaper, safer, more ethical and patriotic alternative to monopolistic, buggy virus magnets masquerading as software.

My campaign is also a forum on Osama Dubya Bush, whose "No Child Left Alive Act" punishes children even more severely than Seattle's Vichy Democrats do. If you REALLY want to un-Select America's biggest traitor in 2004, vote for the webmaster of Jail4Bush NOW.

Forget ALL the Seattle media and clueless citizens and do your own research

[JailBush]

30. DANGER!

The media have been crowing about the monumental upset that Campaign 2003 gave us, with angry voters trashing the incumbents. But the very fact that the corporate media are gloating over this "victory" is cause for alarm.

In fact, I believe the entire campaign was one big conspiracy. I know that word invites attacks, but there's really no better term.

As a three-time candidate for public office in Seattle, I could tell you all kinds of stories about the dirty tricks that await would be reformers. It's simply unthinkable that ONE good candidate, let alone half a dozen, could sail into office with so little opposition from the media and Big Business.

The school board candidates have been widely praised as "outsiders" by both the mainstream media and Geov Parrish. Yet Irene Stewart is a member of Greg Nickels' administration! Even more astonishing, the Seattle School Board appointed Stewart to a committee! I can't remember the reference offhand, but type "Irene Stewart" + "Seattle School Board" into the archives of the Seattle Times and P-I and you can probably find it.

I corresponded with Brita Butler-Wall years ago, begging her to join me in calling for an INDEPENDENT AUDIT of the Seattle School District. She tap danced around the issue just like a politician. Yet she had the gall to campaign on a "Fiscal Accountability" platform AFTER the school board lost millions of dollars.

Another thing to consider is "Strippergate." Yes, it was sleazy, and I'm glad someone was held accountable. But does anyone really think Strippergate is Seattle's biggest issue? Does it even rank in the top 100?

Brita Butler-Wall has long focused on advertising on schools to divert attention from bigger issues. Similarly, I think the Seattle media promoted Strippergate to divert the public's attention from the corporate crime wave that's swirling all around us.

Keep an eye on all the newly appointed candidates. They may say the right things, and it's possible we'll even see a few token changes - removing Coca Cola vending machines from schools, for example. But I guarantee things are not going to improve. I gurantee that all the new school board members will campaign for the next school levy, without reminding the voters that the school district has STILL not been honestly audited. (Allowing the school board to recruit its favorite auditor is like asking Laura Bush to investigate George.)

[SahaleArm]

31. Right here.

Seattle School Board District 6: Stewart has chance to put political links to work

She's seen as 'very involved, very thoughtful'

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/145698_stewart28.html

http://www.irenestewart.com/

[JailBush]

33. EXACTLY

Irene Stewart has connections to PAUL SCHELL and GREG NICKELS, and she's praised by the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER. That alone should make any reasonable person ask questions.

And did you check out her campaign website? I mean, couldn't the lady find a few issues?

[SahaleArm]

34. The best part.

From Irene's website:

As a parent and community activist, I understand the need to reach out and invite meaningful family and community involvement in education, to make public schools the hubs of each neighborhood, and to generate productive two-way communication that supports student learning.

Amost as good as one of the Marxist Partys claiming we should follow the revolutionary examples of Cuba. Does anyone believe this stuff?

----------------------------------------------

BTW your voter pamphlet was quite amusing:).

[JailBush]

37. Thanks.

"BTW your voter pamphlet was quite amusing:)"

I'm actually quite proud of it. Though the establishment treated me like a big joke (as always), my campaign was actually quite vicious. If either my anti-Bush or anti-Microsoft pitch was picked up by the public or other candidates, it could have really made waves.

I'd LOVE to see several candidates put Microsoft on the ballot during Campaign 2004. Targeting Bill Gates in his own backyard could do a lot to awaken people nationwide.

[SahaleArm]

39. Anti-Bush plays better in Seattle.

Linux is a non-starter when compared to union corruption. If you really want to effect change then you'll have to temper the rhetoric. Of course you could just play the role of contrarian ala Andrew Cockburn:evilgrin:

[JailBush]

40. Union Corruption?

"Linux is a non-starter when compared to union corruption."

I wasn't aware that anyone in Seattle cared about union corruption. Teachers have made some efforts to reform the Seattle Education Association, but they were very feeble and the vast majority didn't care. I thought Boeing's scandals would incite a rebellion, but I was wrong.

"If you really want to effect change then you'll have to temper the rhetoric. Of course you could just play the role of contrarian ala Andrew Cockburn."

It's really hard to figure out how to fix anything in this city. Getting elected was virtually impossible years ago, due to a lethal combination of establishment corruption and public apathy and stupidity. Therefore, I use my campaigns largely to awaken voters and inspire a few people to join the cause.

I like to speak out very strong partly to get attention but also to chip away at Seattle's stupid "civility" barrier. Even the anti-Bush platform has been co-opted by the establishment. That last protest was a joke.

[SahaleArm]

41. The average Seattle protestor...

doesn't know what they're protesting. The sad truth is most are there to join a cause or to be 'part of something'.

[JailBush]

42. Amen

They attend some sort of vigil where they hold hands and feel good about each other, then go home and watch TV. I've tried to talk politics with protestors and the people who stand on sidewalks promoting causes or gathering signatures. I don't think I can recall a single intelligent conversation I've had with any of them.

[tritsofme]

2. Bill Gates is a card carrying member of the BFEE!

Donor Information

Name: William Gates
Redmond WA

Type: Individual
Date: Wednesday, September 03, 2003
Aggregate YTD: $2,000.00
Amount: $2,000.00
Employer: Microsoft Corp.
Occupation: CEO

http://www.georgewbush.com/Donors/donordetail.aspx?id=283888

[SahaleArm]

25. Puget Sound Contributors.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/politics/contributions/search.pl

Just type in names, zip codes, or companies.

[Occulus]

3. No, RIGHT forum.

This issue pertains directly to the BBV issue- the heart of each is secret software code.

Micro$oft ought to be required by law to divulge the whole of its Windows codebase. Yup- every single line.

Our government computers use Windows. By default, that should make it open to public inspection in full.

GM to military: Trust us, the brakes work.

Military: Can we take 'em apart or get the plans to perform battlefield repairs?

GM: No, the brake design is a trade secret.


By the way: this is one of Diebold's assertions. This is certainly the correct forum for this issue.

[JailBush]

5. Diebold rocks!

Diebold might be just the ticket to convince the public that Microsoft is a major political issue. I'd LOVE to see candidates who make election reform an issue add Microsoft to their agenda.

[Wonk]

7. Agreed.

A computer without a Microsoft operating system is like a dog without bricks tied to its head.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

8. While I agree with you

I'm not sure it would be a winning issue politically. A lot of people have drunk the Microsoft Koolaid.

[SahaleArm]

9. Easy to Demonize Gates.

Somehow Rich=Evil: http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/business/5100883.htm

Notice all the conspiricy stories about Soros.

[tritsofme]

10. Its easy to demonize him when he contributes personally to *

[SahaleArm]

11. Check out the article.

I don't think shrub would agree to wealth redistribution.

[tritsofme]

14. It doesnt negate the fact that he helped in the effort for 4 more years

of *

[SahaleArm]

15. I won't argue that.

:)

[JailBush]

16. There's nothing inherently wrong with being rich, BUT

most rich people are evil - at least most rich corporate executives.

Bill Gates' Senior Estate Tax battle is a big joke. It serves the same purpose as Bill Gates' philanthropy: It's designed to make the public think, "Hey, this guy isn't all that bad!"

Given the Gates' world famous contempt for consumers, competition, the law and public education, why should we believe he really cares about the Estate Tax? It's easy to PRETEND to fight for a cause without breaking a sweat.

Even if Bill Gates Senior was serious about his Estate Tax campaign, so what? The Gates live in another universe, where the basic laws of economics don't appply. Their only major concern is keeping Microsoft #1.

You should see Bill Gates Sernior's picture on the cover of a recent issue of the corrupt Seattle Weekly. The big dork is dressed like a medieval Italian under the heading, "Can the Rich be Good?" It's apparently designed as a connection to Bill Gates' purchase of some of Michelangelo's works. Bill Gates Senior is a CORRUPT CORPORATE ATTORNEY. He and Bill both associate with some of Seattle's biggest scum.

Finally, if the Gates are truly such wonderful community activists, why are their issues nearly limited to the Estate Tax and AIDS in Africa? Their philanthropy and noble causes are as flawed as their software.

[Wonk]

18. He had a nice interview on Bill Moyers NOW awhile back...

I don't hate the guy, just many of his company's practices.

171 M quicktime

12 M mp3

http://www.pbs.org/now/transcript/transcript219_full.html

[JailBush]

13. That's why we're getting our butts kicked!

We allow the public to be brainwashed, then complain that we can't tackle a certain issue because the public has been brainwashed. When do we take a stand?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

22. When do we take a stand? After we get elected.

[JailBush]

23. Yeah, right.

That's what the Democrats said during Campaign 2002. That's what they said during Campaign 2003. Thanks a lot.

Sorry, but I'm not buying into that BS any more. For me, every day is campaign season, and campaigning means speaking the truth and taking a stand.

[izzie]

32. I am not going to read all that mess but....

why bring it up? It is just another big busiess doing what they all seem to do. Put their hands into the tax payers pocket and get away with it and no one in congress, any side, will do a thing.(well a very few)If endless war do not bring us down good old greed will. Even an empire can not do these two things. Keep the troops every place for control of those countrie and try to keep your POP under control at home and paying for it all.It has never worked for long.

[JailBush]

35. Why bring it up?

It's just another example of business as usual?

In a similar spirit, why vote?

[thebigidea]

36. unless you can boil it down to a few words, people won't care

I'm extremely glad your RPG thread was vaporized, though. That one would've been quoted on 535345 different RW sites and radio programs as an example of "how Bush hatred is turning violent."

In fact, I bet they'll be trying out that tactic during the campaign once their minions cause some trouble at protests.

[JailBush]

38. So who cares?

"Unless you can boil it down to a few words, people won't care."

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah... that's the same claptrap I hear every day.

1. Most campaign issues ARE boiled down to a few words.

2. At the same time, candidates could and should write lengthier articles for the tiny percentage of Americans who are intelligent and DO care. Even if you can't mobilize the sheeple, you can accomplish a lot by inspiring a few new activists.

"I'm extremely glad your RPG thread was vaporized, though. That one would've been quoted on 535345 different RW sites and radio programs as an example of "how Bush hatred is turning violent."

Hmmmm... I'll have to post some more provocative items on my websites so I can get some publicity without exposing DU to any danger.

"In fact, I bet they'll be trying out that tactic during the campaign once their minions cause some trouble at protests."

That's a given. And if no protesters cause trouble, they'll just assign some undercover agents the job of causing trouble while posing as activists. It sure worked during Seattle's WTO protest.