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Member Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 665 Location: Louisiana

From your friends at Microsoft. I am unschooled in the fine points of manupulating these computers so you'll have to down load the link yourself. Sorry.
www.ussportsmen.org

Thanks Ron

Microsoft Funds Anti-Hunting Movement
Sportsmen nationwide called to take action

May 31, 2007 (National)

(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.”

“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.”

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.”

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.

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3438 Location: Illinois

You will find,after a little research,most large comapanies are severely anti freedom and spend untold amounts to ban our personal freedoms Evil or Very Mad

The only thing that can effect them is when it effects the pocketbook. Myself I will be loading Linux on this machine and if I buy another computer it will be an Apple. I have Linux mandrake that I bought and will be in the next couple of weeks redoing my computer. Bfor I retired I spent thousands of dollars with microsoft. No more. I'll take anything they give away for free, but will not spend another dollar with them. If all the sportsmen in the country switched to apple, think of the impact it could have. Every time you buy an HP, IBM, Dell or Gateway you are giving money to microsoft. I've got a scope on one deer rifle that cost the same as an Apple computer. The next time you think of buying that $2500.00 shotgun, buy an Apple computer and let everybody no why.This is our heritage and our country that they are trying to change. The sad part is, that the anti-hunters will never understand us. They will nevr get to see and hear that sound of the cock pheasant or the grouse flushing. Never get to watch the dogs working, putting there noses to the ground and then sticking there noses in the air scenting that bird. Never get to see the deer feeding on the planting you've done, or the rabbits eating dandelions. I wonder if the've ever had mourning doves at the feeders or a grouse nesting on there property. Enough from me. Do what you can. I've got to walk with my dogs in the woods.

*Last edited by fin2feather on Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:42 am; edited 1 time in total*

This is all well and good, but with the complexity of the world economy today there's no way you can avoid doing business with companies who espouse causes you don't like, or only do business with companies who's philosophies you 100% agree with. If it's not the company per se, it's a subsidiary, and that's not to mention the things we don't even know about. I'm old, I'm cynical; I gave up long ago trying to save the world. You'll drive yourself crazy trying to drive the obstacle course. As always, JMHO Very Happy

!

Fin

I didnt expect you to do anything. I'm only speaking for myself. I'm to old to go crazy, but I sure don't have to buy from somebody I don't want to. Heck, half the people don't even vote anymore.

Member Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 665 Location: Louisiana

No I cannot, I suspect, avoid all the organizations that align themselves with causes, issues, or activities with which I disagree. I can, however try. I spend a bit of time everyday continuing to be a student. It doesn't take long via this wonderful device to discover who some of my 'enemies' are and to use what little influence I have to attempt to diminish theirs.
I have the 'freedom' to do this----but more importantly, I feel have the responsibility to do so. Only the voice that is silent is not heard.