EU Trade Commissioner Enjoyed MS Hospitality 196
Brian Blessed writes "Today's edition of The Times contains a report that Peter Mandelson, the EU (European Union) Trade Commissioner, spent New Year's Eve as a guest of Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, in the Carribean on Mr Allen's luxury yacht. The story mentions the conflict of interest that this causes because of the protracted legal battle between Microsoft and the European Commission. Perhaps the Trade Commissioner has also been in a position to influence the progress of European Software Patent legislation?"
Perception vs reality. (Score:4, Insightful)
As a rule, rihc and powerful people tend to hang out with other rich and powerful people. I suspect this is more about giving the appearance of impropriety rather than any impropriety itself. Political opponents will try to make hay from this.
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:5, Insightful)
Proof Positive (Score:3, Insightful)
Eruope, our corporations thank EU.... (Score:5, Insightful)
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Let me be the first to say (Score:5, Insightful)
I don't think it's a great idea for people like this to be enjoying the luxuries of other rich influential people at all, but I doubt this is a Microsoft specific thing.
This looks more improper than it truly is.
Very nice.. (Score:3, Insightful)
Reminds me of former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young, who had quite the large collection of priceless gems, for someone who got by on a mayor's salary. There was a reason Detroit kept getting worse and worse and it couldn't all be blamed on Ford, GM and Chrysler.
Isn't Paul Allen away from Microsoft? I thought he left the company and took his billions of $ to pursue his own dreams.
Re:Let me be the first to say (Score:3, Insightful)
You may be right that...
This looks more improper than it truly is.
...but your premise is wrong. Paul Allen may no longer be on Microsoft's payroll, but as their second largest shareholder, he is thoroughly invested in all of their business matters. Troubles with the EU? Paul Allen loses money. Happy times with the EU? Paul Allen makes money.
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:4, Insightful)
Even if Paul Allen is not involved in the management of Microsoft, as a large shareholder, he still gains a lot if Mr. Mandelson decides to go easy on Microsoft.
I don't see how Allen's lack of direct involvement in MS management makes this a non-conflict of interest. Allen still has every motive to make nice with Mandelson.
Re:Eruope, our corporations thank EU.... (Score:5, Insightful)
I find it both sad and amazing that groups like the greens (which I believe have SOME valid points) rail about the corruption and power of corporations, yet their solution is to give more power to government. If you start with the premise that people are corruptable and power corrupts, how can you then endorse as a solution a greater concentration of power?
The end result is those with power will make deals between themselves to keep the power they have or to gain more.
Re:Good old Mandy (Score:3, Insightful)
"who is actually now in his third senior political incarnation"
As exemplified in your own post I'd say the guy has learned quite well.
Re:Godbye Ethics , Hello luxuary cruise (Score:3, Insightful)
I don't seem to recall the same reaction, say, in the US, when 99% of the entertainment industry's rich people invite elected officials to their yachts/homes/islands/etc for a week away. Or when European heads of state or key politicians are sitting down to extravagent meals together with the rich and famous throughout Europe. Let's face it: the only reason this is being shouted about as shocking here on slashdot is because the rich person in question has ties to Microsoft. If it was someone who owned a pile of stock in DaimlerChrysler, or Software AG, or BP, or Honda, no one would even have said a word.
Oh, and why exactly would you want a trade commissioner who doesn't have the ear, and doesn't hear from the people who back the largest companies, move around the biggest piles of money, and who are involved personally in the very trading activities that you're supposed to be understanding? A commissioner with no industry connections, or who only hangs out with the people running, say, labor unions, is going to be seriously naive, only have half the story, and definately be at odds with industry. Without those industries, there would be no point in talking about trade at all, let alone convening a commission to deal with it.
Paul Allen is out of Microsoft. Way out. (Score:3, Insightful)
You don't want to take a ride on his yacht. It might sink.
Re:Let me be the first to say (Score:1, Insightful)