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"By using Arabic numerals you are helping terrorists." As long as Mozilla products do not feature a "Not to be used by gays" warning, whatever Eich does in his

"By using Arabic numerals you are helping terrorists." As long as Mozilla products do not feature a "Not to be used by gays" warning, whatever Eich does in his time is irrelevant. He's free to spend his money in any way he likes. What prevented the authors of this article to spend $1000 to counterbalance Eich's contribution if they are so concerned?

trentmb 13y ago
> What prevented the authors of this article to spend $1000 to counterbalance Eich's contribution if they are so concerned? Outrage is cheaper and gets more attention. Kinda like when a toddler throws a tantrum.
- crummy 13y ago
  Depending on their sales it may not be cheaper.
Delenda 13y ago
> What prevented the authors of this article to spend $1000 to counterbalance Eich's contribution if they are so concerned? So only people who pay for their rights deserve them. Noted.
- vsviridov 13y ago
  Helloooo... This is in USA. Does the word "lobbying" ring a bell?
  - alexqgb 13y ago
    Lobbying is fine. After all, a representative government can't function if talking to your representatives is a crime. The problem is not the right to deliver petitions. It's the practice of doing so with cash (or check!) included.
    - vsviridov 13y ago
      Huh, lobbying, in my view, these days is nothing but paying people lots of money to steer their decisions... Otherwise why bother doing it...
- NAFV_P 13y ago
  Irrespective of the proposition in question, Mr Eich debited $1000 to the influence of politics. His financial position gives him more political leverage than myself. Bang on, you read my mind.
ceejayoz 13y ago
> What prevented the authors of this article to spend $1000 to counterbalance Eich's contribution if they are so concerned? Who says they didn't?
- vsviridov 13y ago
  And if they did - good for them. Did Eich imply that he wants special treatment because he donated - probably not. Do the authors imply that they want special treatment because of this - it looks to me that way. Again, they are free and welcome to boycott whomever they wish.
  - ceejayoz 13y ago
    > Did Eich imply that he wants special treatment because he donated - probably not. I'd say he likely wants special treatment for his particular brand of religious views. > Do the authors imply that they want special treatment because of this - it looks to me that way. What special treatment are they requesting?
Blahah 13y ago
> whatever Eich does in his time is irrelevant Of course it isn't. If he was backdooring JS crypto libraries for the NSA, or shooting orphans, or selling crack, that would be seriously inappropriate behaviour and he would lose his job for it. Many people might consider it inappropriate to be fighting against gay marriage - it's not just a political issue, it's a moral one.
- yeukhon 13y ago
  Many people might consider it inappropriate to be fighting against gay marriage - it's not just a political issue, it's a moral one. Yet, we are forcing everyone to take a stand on this "moral" issue.
  - Blahah 13y ago
    How is everyone being forced to take a stand? People who don't care don't have to do anything.
    - yeukhon 13y ago
      Here is how I interpret it. If today Brendan says he will pick No Opinion to "Should Bills of Rights be included in the Constitution of the United States", then should he be held accountable for his decision? He can either support Bills of Rights, against Bills of Rights, or he can do nothing about it, in which case is pretty much in the same camp as the opposition. The only difference is he chose to not care and yet he will probably be judged for not helping human rights. And human rights, to many is a worthwhile ethic cause. Not an individual morality debate; just as gay advocates would think gay rights is a basic right of human. If Brendan chose to say "I have no opinion" he is neither against nor supporting gay rights but his decision will disappoint the gay advocates in which case the advocates will not be happy with Mozilla. Therefore, everyone has to take a stand even if it were "I don't have any opinion."
  - npizzolato 13y ago
    No one is being forced to take a stand. Eich chose to take his own stand by donating $1000 in support of Prop 8. It is completely fair to judge him for that action.
pessimizer 13y ago
Because it's not about the $1000 (and you didn't honestly think it was.) With your prescription of discriminated against minorities offsetting the donations of bigots to parties who would fortify or extend that discrimination, gay people would also have to worry about bankruptcy. There's at least 5 bigots for each gay person.
- vsviridov 13y ago
  It's only a matter of time. Maybe universal gay marriage will not be achieved in my lifetime but it will be achieved. If people have power to bring it closer with their efforts or monetary contributions - they are welcome to do so, but it is still quite inevitable. This topic might hold relevance and controversy for now, but ultimately - it is not. Just another footnote in history.

trentmb 13y ago

> What prevented the authors of this article to spend $1000 to counterbalance Eich's contribution if they are so concerned? Outrage is cheaper and gets more attention. Kinda like when a toddler throws a tantrum.

crummy 13y ago
Depending on their sales it may not be cheaper.

Delenda 13y ago

> What prevented the authors of this article to spend $1000 to counterbalance Eich's contribution if they are so concerned? So only people who pay for their rights deserve them. Noted.

vsviridov 13y ago
Helloooo... This is in USA. Does the word "lobbying" ring a bell?
- alexqgb 13y ago
  Lobbying is fine. After all, a representative government can't function if talking to your representatives is a crime. The problem is not the right to deliver petitions. It's the practice of doing so with cash (or check!) included.
  - vsviridov 13y ago
    Huh, lobbying, in my view, these days is nothing but paying people lots of money to steer their decisions... Otherwise why bother doing it...
NAFV_P 13y ago
Irrespective of the proposition in question, Mr Eich debited $1000 to the influence of politics. His financial position gives him more political leverage than myself. Bang on, you read my mind.

ceejayoz 13y ago

> What prevented the authors of this article to spend $1000 to counterbalance Eich's contribution if they are so concerned? Who says they didn't?

vsviridov 13y ago
And if they did - good for them. Did Eich imply that he wants special treatment because he donated - probably not. Do the authors imply that they want special treatment because of this - it looks to me that way. Again, they are free and welcome to boycott whomever they wish.
- ceejayoz 13y ago
  > Did Eich imply that he wants special treatment because he donated - probably not. I'd say he likely wants special treatment for his particular brand of religious views. > Do the authors imply that they want special treatment because of this - it looks to me that way. What special treatment are they requesting?

Blahah 13y ago

> whatever Eich does in his time is irrelevant Of course it isn't. If he was backdooring JS crypto libraries for the NSA, or shooting orphans, or selling crack, that would be seriously inappropriate behaviour and he would lose his job for it. Many people might consider it inappropriate to be fighting against gay marriage - it's not just a political issue, it's a moral one.

yeukhon 13y ago
Many people might consider it inappropriate to be fighting against gay marriage - it's not just a political issue, it's a moral one. Yet, we are forcing everyone to take a stand on this "moral" issue.
- Blahah 13y ago
  How is everyone being forced to take a stand? People who don't care don't have to do anything.
  - yeukhon 13y ago
    Here is how I interpret it. If today Brendan says he will pick No Opinion to "Should Bills of Rights be included in the Constitution of the United States", then should he be held accountable for his decision? He can either support Bills of Rights, against Bills of Rights, or he can do nothing about it, in which case is pretty much in the same camp as the opposition. The only difference is he chose to not care and yet he will probably be judged for not helping human rights. And human rights, to many is a worthwhile ethic cause. Not an individual morality debate; just as gay advocates would think gay rights is a basic right of human. If Brendan chose to say "I have no opinion" he is neither against nor supporting gay rights but his decision will disappoint the gay advocates in which case the advocates will not be happy with Mozilla. Therefore, everyone has to take a stand even if it were "I don't have any opinion."
- npizzolato 13y ago
  No one is being forced to take a stand. Eich chose to take his own stand by donating $1000 in support of Prop 8. It is completely fair to judge him for that action.

pessimizer 13y ago

Because it's not about the $1000 (and you didn't honestly think it was.) With your prescription of discriminated against minorities offsetting the donations of bigots to parties who would fortify or extend that discrimination, gay people would also have to worry about bankruptcy. There's at least 5 bigots for each gay person.

vsviridov 13y ago
It's only a matter of time. Maybe universal gay marriage will not be achieved in my lifetime but it will be achieved. If people have power to bring it closer with their efforts or monetary contributions - they are welcome to do so, but it is still quite inevitable. This topic might hold relevance and controversy for now, but ultimately - it is not. Just another footnote in history.