4 ms·

This is a tricky situation. While many universally agree Trump is dangerous in his opinions and viewpoints on many issues, you can't just severe ties with an in

This is a tricky situation. While many universally agree Trump is dangerous in his opinions and viewpoints on many issues, you can't just severe ties with an investor because of their political affiliation. Thiel might be supporting a candidate with racist and bigotry views, but this is his choice. When it comes to business, you should never make things personal and I think worrying about someone's political affiliation is definitely making it personal. Might not be the most popular opinion, but I think Sam made the right call here.

sh6 10y ago
I agree, Digital. I think Sam's comment, "We shouldn’t start purging people for supporting the wrong political candidate. That’s not how things are done in this country" hits the issue spot on. If anything, maybe Mr. Thiel and Mr. Altman ought to have a serious conversation on the issue, but Thiel has undoubtedly contributed significantly to ycom.
idlewords 10y ago
By Altman's own argument, there's a line Thiel could cross that would make YC sever ties with him. All it would take is for Thiel to repeat some of the things Trump said. So having a YC partner fund hate speech is okay, as long as it's by proxy. This is a baffling stance.
- zepto 10y ago
  Perhaps Thiel dislikes the hate speech as much as you do, but dislikes Clinton's policy proposals even more.
- DigitalSea 10y ago
  There is a difference between having an opinion or stance on something and repeating racist, ignorant and bigotry statements from a candidate. As far as I know, Thiel has done nothing but make a donation, he isn't forcing his views on anyone at YC nor publicly parroting/endorsing things Trump is saying. In this instance Thiel has done nothing more than make a donation to a political candidate many don't like.
  - ceejayoz 10y ago
    > There is a difference between having an opinion or stance on something and repeating racist, ignorant and bigotry statements from a candidate. There is, indeed. Donating over a million dollars that can be used for ads repeating racist, ignorant, and bigoted Trump statements falls squarely in the latter category.
  - poshli 10y ago
    > As far as I know, Thiel has done nothing but make a donation He had the speaking slot right before Trump at the RNC convention, if I remember correctly.
sickbeard 10y ago
It's not tricky at all. YC can choose not to dump Theil and another entity can choose to criticize YC. That's part of democracy and free speech.

sh6 10y ago

I agree, Digital. I think Sam's comment, "We shouldn’t start purging people for supporting the wrong political candidate. That’s not how things are done in this country" hits the issue spot on. If anything, maybe Mr. Thiel and Mr. Altman ought to have a serious conversation on the issue, but Thiel has undoubtedly contributed significantly to ycom.

idlewords 10y ago

By Altman's own argument, there's a line Thiel could cross that would make YC sever ties with him. All it would take is for Thiel to repeat some of the things Trump said. So having a YC partner fund hate speech is okay, as long as it's by proxy. This is a baffling stance.

zepto 10y ago
Perhaps Thiel dislikes the hate speech as much as you do, but dislikes Clinton's policy proposals even more.
DigitalSea 10y ago
There is a difference between having an opinion or stance on something and repeating racist, ignorant and bigotry statements from a candidate. As far as I know, Thiel has done nothing but make a donation, he isn't forcing his views on anyone at YC nor publicly parroting/endorsing things Trump is saying. In this instance Thiel has done nothing more than make a donation to a political candidate many don't like.
- ceejayoz 10y ago
  > There is a difference between having an opinion or stance on something and repeating racist, ignorant and bigotry statements from a candidate. There is, indeed. Donating over a million dollars that can be used for ads repeating racist, ignorant, and bigoted Trump statements falls squarely in the latter category.
- poshli 10y ago
  > As far as I know, Thiel has done nothing but make a donation He had the speaking slot right before Trump at the RNC convention, if I remember correctly.

sickbeard 10y ago

It's not tricky at all. YC can choose not to dump Theil and another entity can choose to criticize YC. That's part of democracy and free speech.