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)
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:2)
Good gravy! What on earth do you have to do to get sacked by the government, twice! And how can I trick the head of the FCC into it?
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:2)
2) Try to persuade another Govt. department to give passports to wealthy party contributors.
Hence his appointment as an European commisioner: to give you an idea of how un-sackable this makes him, find an accountant, sit them down, and ask them if they think an organisation with a $150 billion budget should still be using single book accounting.
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:2)
Anyone who has been involved in or around a situation like this knows the real way it goes:
" Ok, you can 'resign' now, keep your preferred stock, take your 3-6 months of severance/vacation pay, etc.. or we can make up some 'cause' to get rid of you " -- and you get jack shit unless you spend way more on attorneys than it would get you.
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:5, Funny)
Businessman: As you can see, our product...
Zookeeper: Look everybody! He's "presenting".
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:2)
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:2)
Probably. However (in most cases) the heads of two companies are perfectly free to chit chat and negotiate for their mutual benefit.
On the other hand people in government power generally are NOT free to negotiate for their personal benefit. Especially when it means abusing their power to provide someone else with special government favor and benefit.
-
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:2)
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:3, Informative)
Then, as a rule, political persons shouldn't be putting themselves in positions that will allow their opponents such room to gripe.
The article stated that this guy has done this three times before to such a degree that he was asked to step down.
Looks valid to me.
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:3, Interesting)
-- Adam Smith
I think it is relevant to this topic.
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:Perception vs reality. (Score:2)
Re:Perception vs reality. (Score:2)
But the moment you are elected or appointed to represent the interests of the people of your nation, you give up the right to associate freely with anyone you like. You have to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest.
It just sounds like Mandelso
Well, why not? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Well, why not? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Well, why not? (Score:2)
Days of old... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Days of old... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Days of old... (Score:2)
Metaphorical AND literal in this case. LOL!
Proof Positive (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Proof Positive (Score:2)
You obviously haven't paid any attention to British Politics over the last 20 years.
Re:Proof Positive (Score:2)
Eruope, our corporations thank EU.... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Eruope, our corporations thank EU.... (Score:5, Informative)
Make no mistake - economic interests have unified Europe, and political ones are only following suit.
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:Eruope, our corporations thank EU.... (Score:2)
That is the flaw in your argument. There is no good way to centralize power. Government is a necessary EVIL. The best you can accomplish is limiting its power to the least possible amount which allows civil society to function.
If the majority of power is diffuse there are no major "pressure points" for someone to bribe, cajole or threaten.
"So one can choose to centralize in a good way, or one can watch centralization occur and be left out of any power." You
Re:Eruope, our corporations thank EU.... (Score:2)
Ahhh the benefits of centralizing power. Now Microsoft only has to buy off a few flunkies in the EU as opposed to each former European country. Much better for business.
and you replied:
The business community of Europe was the driving force behind the EU, the currency change, and the new demands for change in corporate merging laws between member states.
Which pretty well proves his point: it's a lot easier for a big business to do ``business'' in the restraint-of-trade, suborning
So what else is new with politicians. (Score:3, Funny)
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.
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:Let me be the first to say (Score:5, Informative)
I work in finance, and checked Bloomberg yesterday (in order to argue Allen was a significant shareholder). Shockingly, it appears as if Paul Allen has sold almost all of his shares. Very quietly.
I tried to Google for a news story, but was unable to find one. Nevertheless, I would be very surprised if Allen had more than a small fraction of his wealth in Microsoft. (Certainly, compared to Vulture Ventures, Charter Communications, and that sports team he bought...)
Cheers,
Robert
Re:Let me be the first to say (Score:2)
Re:Let me be the first to say (Score:2)
Which leads to a very very interesting thought.
Paul Allen was a deep insider and obviously knows ALL about the tactics and abuses going on from within Microsoft, and he has quitely gotten almost all of his assets safely out of Microsoft... for a reason?? What if he was spilling the beans and giving GOOD advice to the EU Trade Commissioner on why they should nail Microsoft and how to do so?
It's pure wild speculation..
Re:Let me be the first to say (Score:2)
Do you think that perhaps he would be interested in increasing the value of those shares?
Re:Let me be the first to say (Score:2)
That's it. End. Finito. It doesn't matter what else he does, he's inextricably tied to Microsoft. Large shareholders (often large investment institutions) exert lots of influence over the long term strategy of a company.
In this case, Microsoft easily would love for software patents to exist, and this EU Commissioner is influential in making that happen... this is clearly a conflict of interest.
Not a great track record. (Score:5, Informative)
TWICE?! he was twice forced to resign over allegations of sleaze?! Wow, he either has vicious enemies or he's not so much on the up and up.
Re:Not a great track record. (Score:4, Informative)
Note, this is AFAIK and I may have missed out some salient points... but will answer your question to some degree.
Re:Not a great track record. (Score:2)
Whatever you think of his politics, he's a very shrewd operator. He's long been a close friend of [UK Prime Minister] Tony Blair, and despite the bad press (justified or otherwise) that some of his actions have drawn, he's continued a high-flying political career. His resignations have avoided a lot of the amateurish fall-out that some of his peers (David Blunkett and Clare Short, for two examples) incurred by messing up the PR, by taking him out
Re:Not a great track record. (Score:2)
Oh, I don't know about that... there are plenty of us who remember him well enough to want him out of British politics permanently. But then that's why he was handed the position in the EU - power without visibility. The hand of Tony Blair reaches far.
Re:Not a great track record. (Score:2)
Probably as far as the early hours of 6 May. After that, all bets are off. ;-)
Re:Not a great track record. (Score:2, Interesting)
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 res
Re:Not a great track record. (Score:2)
I have no idea what you just said, but my head hurts now. Hung a monkey?
Re:Not a great track record. (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Not a great track record. (Score:3, Informative)
That would only be the right past tense if they had been hanging a painting or other inanimate object. Here, one would say that the monkey was "hanged".
Re:Hanging a monkey..... (Score:2)
Re:Not a great track record. (Score:2)
Chips are cut wider than fries, and fries are usually saltier.
Re:Not a great track record. (Score:2)
invitation (Score:3, Funny)
A night to remember. (Score:5, Funny)
Mandleson and Allen gazed longingly into each other's eyes. They knew that the moment was right, and if everything was perfect, there would be magic tonight.
"Whatever shall we do, Paul?" Peter said with a coy smile.
Paul just grinned and patted his hand. "How about we go into the bedroom and
Seriously. Homoeroticism abounds in this article. Two men spending New Year's Eve on the Caribbean in a private yacht? Whoa.
Anyways, to continue the story...
It was a night to remember. The two were up all night long, engaging in passionate discourse about patent restrictions on software in Europe. They say that private bargaining is like eating at a Chinese restaurant - it's not over until everyone gets their cookies. Paul got his patent cookies, and Mandelson got his legal jibblies off.
They knew that they could tell no one, so they told their spokespeople that "there was no substantial conversation" and that they had merely exchanged pleasantries.
I like my version better.
Re:A night to remember. (Score:2)
Is that a euphemism for "cock ring"?
-
Foul play (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Foul play (Score:2)
Godbye Ethics , Hello luxuary cruise (Score:5, Informative)
Here is a man of immense power and persuasion taking what ammounts to a large bribe from microsoft and i have no doubts he was having a good drink enjoying ways to amicably let microsoft off on the fine , the opening up thing , oh and the Patent issue.
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.
I do not want large lobby groups and private industry to have a strangle hold over the european commision , and if people like this are in office then i am begining to lose hope
This will not stop me kicking up a fuss , and if you agree with me i urge you to do the same
Re:Godbye Ethics , Hello luxuary cruise (Score:2, Interesting)
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 peop
Re:Godbye Ethics , Hello luxuary cruise (Score:2)
I still strongly belive in the power people have , and letter writting campaign do work if you make it clear that this can make or break a vote.
If you recive 20k letters saying "we as your constituants , wish you to do blah or else we vote for the other guy " then politi
Re:Godbye Ethics , Hello luxuary cruise (Score:2)
Re:Godbye Ethics , Hello luxuary cruise (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Godbye Ethics , Hello luxuary cruise (Score:2)
If he had dinner with linus i would find it equaly as unforgivable (although he isnt currently in litigation agains linus), so dont try to make this an issue of the BIG EVIL MS vs The good and valiant Linux , This is an issue of ethics.
The simple reason i would want a trade commisioner who hears from the people not the big companys , Perhaps some trade decisions that would benifit the people of t
Re:Godbye Ethics , Hello luxuary cruise (Score:2)
Re:Godbye Ethics , Hello luxuary cruise (Score:2)
I understand fully where you comming from though , and trust me ive done the same thing many times here myself
*Linus* isn't in anti-trust trouble with the EU... (Score:2)
Context is important.
The question is, can you point to the means by which the company in which Allen owns a lot of stock is going to have a "strangle hold" over the commission?
Good question. How did Microsoft manage to pull it off with the US Justice Department?
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.
Mandelson has only one priority (Score:4, Interesting)
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:Mandelson has only one priority (Score:2)
Have you ever heard of Achilles from the Enders Game universe by Orson Scott Card?
Re:Mandelson has only one priority (Score:4, Funny)
This is, of course, a totally crazy conspiracy theory and would in no way be representative of the normal behavour of European commisioners (especially the stain-free* Mandelson) or founders and shareholders of Microsoft.
* talking of stains, how much do you bet they weren't just talking on this yacht on new year's eve. Mandelson is defintely gay (and known for his homosexual affairs with others in power). No idea about Allen--but maybe it was a you-give-me-a-blowjob-and-we'll-drop-charges-again st-Microsoft sort of deal.
You're probably right (Score:2)
Good old Mandy (Score:5, Informative)
First up, he was in the cabinet culminating in Trade Secretary, but had to resign after it was discovered he had taken a loan of £373,000 (about $700,000) from another minister and not declared it in the public records.
A few years later, long enough for Blair but not the rest of the population to forget, he was back "resurrected" as it were (apt, as he's also known as the Prince of Darkness) to be the Northern Ireland secretary. Guess what, not that long after it transpired he was involved with a dodgy claim by some rather wealthy businessmen to gain British passports.
He got the Trade Commissioner job by merit Blair being blind to his foibles. So, now we discover that he's been taking benefits in kind, presumably rather on the sly, from a co-founder of Microsoft that just happens to have been landed with a hefty fine by the EU.
Why am I not surprised?
More here on the esteemed gentlemans career [bbc.co.uk] if you don't like bitter and twisted British political mumblings.
Allow me to make a correction. (Score:2, Interesting)
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 thr
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:Good old Mandy (Score:5, Interesting)
Word is... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Word is... (Score:2)
Probably because Allen could get better drugs from his players on the Trailblazers.
The Octopus (Score:5, Informative)
Re:The Octopus (Score:2)
In fact, the part of the canal shown here is next to an old bridge (Brücke Levensau) across the canal (the picture is taken from the bridge, I suppose). I very often drive the hill at the waterside behind the ship down with my bicycle.
The location is only a few km (max. 2) from my home, so it was VERY funny and astonishing to see that on slashdot
OTOH, Mr.
Virgin Galactic the real reason? (Score:2, Interesting)
The Prince of darkness (Score:2, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:4, Informative)
The name is "Peter Mandelson", not Mandleson. (Score:2, Informative)
Slashdot editors can be so disgusting sometimes. The name is "Peter Mandelson", not Mandleson. BBC News Online's Nick Assinder looks at the turbulent career of Peter Mandelson [bbc.co.uk]. His "career had twice been dashed on the rocks of sleaze,
Peter Mandelson is apparently the go-to guy in the EU when someone wants something illegal done: "Mr Mandelson had come under pressure to explain his involvment in the passport application of Srichand Hinduja [i-resign.com], an Indian billionaire who, along with his brother Gopichand
Nah. That's just the Merkin spelling. :-) (Score:2)
Paul Allen is not part of MS (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Paul Allen is not part of MS (Score:2)
That doesn't tell us which MSFT stock options he directly or indirectly holds.
I hope Paul Allen (Score:5, Funny)
Welcome to reality (Score:2, Informative)
...or ramen noodles with Linus? (Score:2)
In other news.... (Score:2)
so... (Score:3, Interesting)
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.
It wouldn't be the first time... (Score:2)
Detals of Paul Allen's yacht [PowerPoint] (Score:2, Funny)
open source lobbying (Score:3, Funny)
Sack 'em both! (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Doesnt matter who he spends his time with (Score:2)
Re:Doesnt matter who he spends his time with (Score:3, Informative)
Hogwash. He is still the second largest shareholder.
Re:Doesnt matter who he spends his time with (Score:2)
Re:wrong! (Score:2)
The post said MOD flamebait not troll. (Score:2)
One man's troll and all that.