Microsoft Funds the Anti-Hunting Movement

(Columbus) – Microsoft has rejected a U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance request to abandon its partnership with the nation’s leading anti-hunting organization.

Microsoft, the software giant, will make a $100,000 donation to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and is partnering with the group on a pilot program called the i’m Initiative. Through the new program, whenever a Windows Live Messenger user has a conversation using i’m, Microsoft will give a portion of the program’s advertising revenue to one of ten organizations selected by the user. The HSUS is one of the choices, and there is no limit to the amount of money that can be donated.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, the nation’s leading sportsmen’s advocacy organization, has urged Microsoft to end its support of HSUS, but the company refused. According to Microsoft representative Tara Kriese, Microsoft believes the i’m Initiative is “a great way to enable people to help causes that are important to them.â€

“Microsoft is going to pour hundreds of thousands of dollars, probably more, into an organization that recently issued a manifesto that targets hunting for extinction,†said USSA President Bud Pidgeon. “If there was ever a time for sportsmen to take grassroots action, this is it.â€

Sportsmen should contact Microsoft and demand that its financial support of HSUS be terminated. Contact Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft, 1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052. Phone: (425) 882-8080. Fax: (425) 936-7329.

The Humane Society of the United States opposes all animal use, including trapping, hunting and fishing. It was a key player in the campaigns to outlaw dove hunting in Michigan, trapping in California, and black bear hunting in Colorado. The organization has created a hit list of hunting traditions that it hopes to dismantle, including bear hunting and hunting with hounds.

“The HSUS already has a multi-million dollar budget that it invests in legislative and ballot campaigns to ban trapping and hunting,†said Pidgeon. “The partnership that it has formed with Microsoft, the maker of the Xbox, will allow the organization to make money hand over fist, and continue to fund efforts to ban outdoor sports.â€

Sportsmen can make a difference in an issue like this. Companies such as Iams, General Mills, Accor Hotels, Pet Safe, Sears, and Ace Hardware ended relationships with HSUS after thousands of sportsmen levied strong protest.

In 2002, Jeep raised the ire of sportsmen when it aired a blatantly, anti-hunting commercial called the “Deer Hunter.†After a flood of sportsmen’s contacts, Jeep pulled the commercial in three days.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organization that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

Gates is another example of neuvo rich, where all of a sudden they see themselves as some kind of Meshiah to save mankind.

I always wonder how many folks he screwed over to get where he is.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Microsoft loves its money like any other corporation. You want to effect their subsidizing of anti-hunting organizations, then buy an Apple computer or a Macintosh. Then call Microsoft, and tell them why you did it.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

I will call.

The anti-hunters move just like ants. They will carry all our rights away little by little if we let them.

quote:

Originally posted by Yale:
Ladies and Gentlemen:

Microsoft loves its money like any other corporation. You want to effect their subsidizing of anti-hunting organizations, then buy an Apple computer or a Macintosh. Then call Microsoft, and tell them why you did it.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

Chris, I agree, although I am heavily DOS oriented, I am in the market for new pc's right now, for my next project office, and to replace this laptop I'm typing on. I don't know who they're hooked up with, but my next hardware will be Mac, and I'll late BG know.

Regards--Don

Don't kid yourself. Apple is far more to the Left than MS. Steve Jobs is a very prominent support of Al Gore, while MS is one of the largest contributors to the Cato Institute.

Personally, I'm a Unix guy (all flavors) and loathe most MS products with a fiery, burning passion, but the facts are the facts.

Call or write the number listed further up the thread, but buying a Mac solves nothing.

quote:

Microsoft loves its money like any other corporation. You want to effect their subsidizing of anti-hunting organizations, then buy an Apple computer or a Macintosh.

Perhaps you are unaware that:

A. Microsoft doesn't make or sell computers. It only sells software.
B. Microsoft owns a large part of Apple Computer.

For the people that know how to use Unix, etc., I'm envious. I need a computer that will work with the variety of programs I use. It happens that Microsoft makes much of the software that works best for me.

I would be all for bringing Microsoft to its knees by not buying their products. Unfortunately, Microsoft is worth billions and people that care nothing about guns or hunting out number us worldwide by a great margin. Punishing Microsoft by not using their products is like micturating in the ocean and thinking there will be a tidal wave.

Just received the following update:


U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH 43229

Ph. 614/888-4868 • Fax 614/888-0326

Website: www.ussportsmen.org • E-mail: info@ussportsmen.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Beth Ruth (614) 888-4868 ext. 214

June 6, 2007



HSUS Knows Anti-Hunting Agenda

Will Tarnish “Mainsteam†Reputation

(Columbus) – The Humane Society of the United States is trying to dodge the spotlight that is illuminating its anti-hunting agenda.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), the nation’s premier sportsmen’s advocacy organization, exposed the group’s agenda when it called on Microsoft to end an enormous fundraising project that will finance HSUS campaigns to ban hunting.

In the wake of controversy over Microsoft’s donation to the animal rights group, HSUS Executive Vice President for External Affairs Michael Markarian made claims that his group has no agenda to eliminate hunting. He all but said such a stance would be unpopular as he highlighted his organization’s healthy membership base and said, “you don’t build that type of support unless you have a mainstream mission.â€

The Humane Society of the United States tries to market itself as a ‘mainstream’ organization to which every dog and cat owner should belong, but the USSA won’t let HSUS hid the anti-hunting skeletons in its closet. Here are some recent examples of the Humane Society of the United States’ anti-hunting position:

· Led a 2006 ballot campaign to ban dove hunting in Michigan (contributing $1.6 million to the effort);

· Successfully lobbied for the cancellation of the 2006 New Jersey black bear hunt;

· Opposes hunting on National Wildlife Refuges and is a plaintiff in an ongoing federal lawsuit to ban hunting on federal lands;

· Took the lead in a 1994 ballot campaign to ban cougar hunting and bear hunting in Oregon, and has opposed recent efforts to allow hunting to control these wildlife populations;

· The organization’s Wildlife Land Trust Program permanently bans hunting and trapping on properties that come under its control.

A recent decree from HSUS President Wayne Pacelle spells out which aspects of the traditional lifestyle are next on the organization’s hit list.

Pacelle referenced HSUS opposition to hunter recruitment campaigns that encourage newcomers and children to participate in outdoor sports. He also highlighted the organization’s efforts to eliminate legal bear hunting practices and hunting with hounds.

“The Humane Society of the United States invests millions of dollars in efforts to ban hunting and trapping, and it’s time that companies like Microsoft stop adding to the warchest,†said USSA President Bud Pidgeon.

The USSA and American sportsmen have sounded off to Microsoft urging the company to end its relationship with HSUS.

On June 5, Microsoft brushed aside thousands of calls, letters and faxes it received from sportsmen and issued a statement that it “will continue its affiliation with the Humane Society of the United States.†It went on to express excitement with the partnership and tells sportsmen that it does “not plan to make changes in our relationships.â€

Sportsmen have been protesting the relationship since the USSA last week informed the conservation community of the software giant’s $100,000 commitment to the anti-hunting group. The HSUS is also to be part of a pilot fundraising venture that will generate uncapped donations.

Sportsmen should continue to contact Microsoft and demand that its financial support of HSUS be terminated. Contact Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft, 1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052. Phone: (425) 882-8080. Fax: (425) 936-7329.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organization that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

some of the more radical members of HSUS want to ban pet ownership as well. From what I have read about them, they don't have a lot of consistency as far as what their "mission" is at any given time. It seems to change to fit what ever situation they are in at the time. To put it mildly, they tend to lie a lot.

Dear Grumulkin:

Being a former securities lawyer and stock broker amongst other things, I am curious how you came to the conclusion that "Microsoft owns a large part of Apple Computer"?

My research indicates that FMR Corp, AXA, Barclays Global, State Street Corp., Vanguard Group, Inc., Wellington Managment and Janus have the biggest positions in Apple stock.

I could not find Microsoft, Bill Gates personally, his foundations or any other subsidiary as either a major stockholder or minor stockholder in Apple.

Yes, I am aware that Microsoft does not make computers, but only software. My Dell currently runs on Microsoft XP software.

You were right in that I was not clear in my description of dropping a DOS based system for the Mac OSX system, but based my market purchase move on an implication that the Apple computers will not run on the Windows software. I am not even an amateur in this realm, so am open to more information.

Nevertheless, a Form 4 does show Albert Gore, Jr. as a stock option owner in Apple, but don't you think that the boards at Vanguard, etc, with tens of millions of shares can exert more influence on Apple than "Global Warming" Al?

Sincerely,


Chris Bemis

quote:

Originally posted by Yale:
Dear Grumulkin:

Being a former securities lawyer and stock broker amongst other things, I am curious how you came to the conclusion that "Microsoft owns a large part of Apple Computer"?

My research indicates that FMR Corp, AXA, Barclays Global, State Street Corp., Vanguard Group, Inc., Wellington Managment and Janus have the biggest positions in Apple stock.

I could not find Microsoft, Bill Gates personally, his foundations or any other subsidiary as either a major stockholder or minor stockholder in Apple.

Yes, I am aware that Microsoft does not make computers, but only software. My Dell currently runs on Microsoft XP software.

You were right in that I was not clear in my description of dropping a DOS based system for the Mac OSX system, but based my market purchase move on an implication that the Apple computers will not run on the Windows software. I am not even an amateur in this realm, so am open to more information.

Nevertheless, a Form 4 does show Albert Gore, Jr. as a stock option owner in Apple, but don't you think that the boards at Vanguard, etc, with tens of millions of shares can exert more influence on Apple than "Global Warming" Al?

Sincerely,


Chris Bemis

Years ago when Apple looked as if iit might go under Microsoft invested in Apple, some say to avoid possible anti-trust litigation. But I don't think they own a large portion, if they still own any.

As to Apple's stance on the issue at hand, I have no knowledge, just been using a Mac from Day One and happy about it.

quote:

Being a former securities lawyer and stock broker amongst other things, I am curious how you came to the conclusion that "Microsoft owns a large part of Apple Computer"?

Perhaps you have better information than I do. A number of years ago, it appeard that Apple Computer might go under. Per an article I read (Business Week if I remember correctly), Microsoft provided an infusion of funds to keep it going.

Macs do have their own operating system but their share of the market currently isn't enough to threaten Microsoft. Furthermore, in my opinion, Microsoft makes the best word processing software, etc. for Macs. It's really in Microsoft's best interest to keep Apple going.

I would be all for some company giving Microsoft a bit of competion. In fact, I even bought an Apple Powerbook computer. That was a mistake. It came with very little software and what software I bought for it was pretty expensive. It is also slow. I would have been better off with a Windows machine.

Dear Grumulkin and Recoil Rob:

Thank you for your updated information. I was not in touch with Apple's problems a few years ago, and you two know more than I do.

I think you both hit the nail on the head as far as the word processing in the Mac being less than desirable.

My concern was the anti-trust angle of Microsoft's financial control over a competitor, albeit a tiny one in comparison, but we are a bit off topic.

I still feel that the way to hit the giant, Microsoft is in the pocketbook. An $100,000.00 dollar investment in a silly political position should resonate with a multi-million dollar loss of sales to hunters. Just let them know you are going somewhere else because of their stupid $100,000.00 political investment.

Shareholders are very aware, and boards, too.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

Will, more than you can count.