[ale] [Semi-OT] Re: More reasons to adore Microsoft

[Lightner, Jeff]

Sorry - I don't buy that argument - it is much the same one as used for child prostitution in other Asian countries.  If you don't think it a valid justification for that for moral reasons then it surely isn't for this either.

-----Original Message-----
From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of Charles Shapiro
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 11:56 AM
To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts - Yes! We run Linux!
Subject: Re: [ale] [Semi-OT] Re: More reasons to adore Microsoft

Oh boy.  I'll wear asbestos for this.

You did catch that the young man narrating his terrible story was
supporting his entire family with this job, right?

I know that I can choose not to work overtime, but if I don't work
overtime, then I am stuck with only 770 RMB [$112.67 per month] in
base wages.  This is not nearly enough to support a family.  My
parents are farmers without jobs.  They also do not have pensions.  I
also need to worry about getting married which requires a lot of
money.

What do you suppose they will do if we self-righteously boycott the
factory and it closes? It basically sucks to be poor, especially in a
poor society. This is not news. I agree that these workers are
exploited. I agree that Microsoft is helping to facilitate a cruel and
unjust work environment. But what alternatives do these people have?


-- CHS

On Thu, Apr 15, 2010 at 11:31 AM, Michael Trausch <mike at trausch.us> wrote:
> On Thu, 2010-04-15 at 11:17 -0400, Jim Kinney wrote:
>> My point in the post was not to discuss the labor laws (or total lack)
>> in China, but that Microsoft (and the list of others in the article)
>> have profited handsomely from business actions that most of us as
>> parents would object strenuously to.
>
> I think the biggest impact that it will have is none.  That said, as my
> newly-added signature indicates, I'm hopeful that that isn't the case.
>
> But most people don't really care.  They'll buy clothing, furniture,
> cars, computers, and general other stuff regardless of the conditions
> that the aforementioned items were made in.  Most people perceive
> Microsoft software as being necessary for business (my clients do, too,
> despite my efforts to convince them otherwise) and therefore, they'll
> justify the purchase and use of the software as a necessary evil of the
> world.  That turns the children into something like martyrs, and makes
> it all better, I guess.
>
> It's disgusting, IMHO.
>
>        --- Mike
>
> --
> Even if their crude and anticompetitive business practices don't make
> you think about using their software, their use of sweatshops and child
> labor should:  boycott Microsoft like you would any other amoral child
> abuser:  http://is.gd/btW8m
>
>
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