EU Trade Commissioner Enjoyed MS Hospitality

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?"

Days of old...

[Anonymous Coward]

What happened to cut-throat politics and business? "If you scratch my back, I still won't scratch yours, but thanks for the scratch."

Mandelson has only one priority

[l-ascorbic]

..his own power.
For those who are not familiar with him, Peter Mandelson is one of the most skilled, cynical and cunning politicians in recent British history. A true heir to Macchiavelli's crown, he has shown himself unparelleled in his ability to attain and retain power. The guy has been sacked from the British cabinet on two occasions, but still managed to emerge with his acreer intact. His trick is to make himself invaluable as the right hand man of the guy with the power. First Blair, now Barrosso. He is not the sort to be bought by Microsoft. He will stay close to them just as long as they are useful to him and no longer. I think this a case where the cynical MS lobbyists have met their match.

Re:Perception vs reality.

[stinerman]

"People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices."

-- Adam Smith

I think it is relevant to this topic.

Virgin Galactic the real reason?

[StacyWebb]

Does it not make more sense that the meeting, would involve Allen's role in Virgin Galactic (owned by Richard Branson you remember him, british guy)not his ties with Microsoft and their role in the EU.

Re:Not a great track record.

[tyroneking]

He is sometimes an idiot (getting people to co-sign mortgages) AND he's gay (which earns him enemies for sadly obvious reasons) AND he is a friend of Tony Blair (which earns him enemies from his own side).
Nonetheless he did help to architect Labour's first election win for many years and I think he had a good reputation within his local constituency (Hartlepool - where they hung a monkey because they thought he was invading Frenchman- a long time ago of course but still very funny).
He has been forced to resign a couple of times but usually for incidents blown-out-of-proportion by his enemies, but unfortunately for incidents just like this one.
if he's doing anything wrong this will surely be the end for him.

I like him 'cause he's as stupid as I am.

From the Guardian profile:
- Neil Kinncok: "He's not half as good as he thinks he is and not half as bad as everyone else thinks he is."

Re:Godbye Ethics , Hello luxuary cruise

[bmalek]

Tonight i am going to write a letter to my MEP and urge that they raise a question as to whether he should be thrown out of this position imediatly , and at the very lest that he get some awnsers as to why he thought this behaviour beffiting of a politican.

The fact is that no matter where one lives this type of behaviour is exactly how politicians act. While we the people may not like it, this type of behaviour is seen as "normal" and practically "accepted" by today's society. The fact is that most people don't care whose pocket politicians are in as long as they follow the N.I.M.B.Y. (look up George Carlin) approach to the area they represent.

While writing letters and protesting people online may make one feel better, the only real way to eforce change is to act. The problem is that because the politicians have all the money already, your voice is often removed from the public view.

FYI

[Anonymous Coward]

In the UK Peter Mandleson was referred to in some sections of the British Media as 'The Prince of Darkness'. I'll leave it up to /. readers to guess why. He could also be called the 'Comeback King.' He has had to resign twice from high ranking British government positions due to misdemeanors yet has rebounded on both occasions. See http://www.answers.com/topic/peter-mandelson for details. He is a man to watch closely.

Allow me to make a correction.

[kahei]

Hoho, Mandelson never learns.

That is _so_ cute! Cute but annoying.

Pull up a pouffe, son, and allow me to explain. He has learned that he can get away with anything -- because who's going to demand honesty? You? The Labor Party?? He knows you'll vote for whatever keeps the Evil Capitalists away. He's adapted well to the environment you have created for him. A+ for learning, Mr. Mandelson!

You, like the rest of the British public, have failed to learn, preferring the 'bluebottle trying to fly through a closed window' model. This is because as a community you have the self-preservation instincts of a kamikaze plane full of lemmings.

All clear? Recap: he and his freinds are exploiting you and your peers to a degree quite unprecedented in the last 100 years in the UK -- and you are tutting fondly because 'he never learns'. The next phase of this process is extinction.

so...

[mr_tommy]

Mandleson resigned from the British Cabinet twice for sleaze related activities; it's nice to see that times don't change the man, and he can really stand on his moral podium in Brussels.

Re:Good old Mandy

[advocate_one]

I am convinced that Mandelson has got the "goods" on some aspect of Tony Blair's past... it's the only explanation for why he keeps getting called back despite his many indiscretions.

Zonk, you're an idiot

[Anonymous Coward]

Paul Allen is not affiliated with Microsoft any longer and is not a major shareholder:

sez Yahoo [yahoo.com]

You may want to revise the incorrect headline.

Frickin' slashdot "editors."