Microsoft's Ties to the Radical Right

The more I hear about the inside story at Microsoft, the worse it gets. Now, it appears that social conservative Ralph Reed is being paid $20,000 a month as a consultant for Microsoft. Reed has close ties to the White House and evangelist Pat Robertson.

It’s starting to look to me that Microsoft is trying to take cover on this issue. They want to look like they are progressive. They want to look like they are supportive of the vast diversity of their employees. But you know what? When all is said and done, you are judged by the actions you take. Microsoft made a conscious decision to withdraw support for a bill that would have protected people from being fired for being gay.

What does that tell you about Microsoft? What does it tell you about the commitment of Microsoft and Bill Gates to the principles of fairness and equality?

In my book, not a hell of a lot.

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WASHINGTON -- Microsoft Corp. is paying social conservative Ralph Reed $20,000 a month as a consultant, triggering complaints that the well-connected Republican with close ties to the White House and to evangelist Pat Robertson may have persuaded the company to oppose gay rights legislation.

Reed, who got his start in politics by running the Christian Coalition for Robertson and who had a senior role in President Bush’s 2004 campaign, is a leading figure in the social conservative movement that spearheaded opposition to gay marriage, stem cell research, abortion, gambling and other issues.

Microsoft spokesman Mark Murray said the company has hired Reed on several occasions to provide advice on “trade and competition issues.” He said Reed’s relationship as a consultant with the software company extends back “several years.”

Reed’s history with Microsoft, coupled with Microsoft’s reversal on a gay rights bill for the state, unleashed a vocal backlash against the company yesterday. The bill, which would have made it illegal to discriminate against gays and lesbians in housing, employment and insurance, failed in the state Senate last week by a single vote. Supporters said that Microsoft’s shift tipped the scales. (source)