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Congratulations for Apple in taking such a strong stand on a civil rights issue. Some people want to make it religious issue, but Apple is not telling any church was they should do in terms of marriage. Marriage can be either a civil matter or religious one based on the couples desires. My sincere thanks to Apple for their assistance in stopping the Mormons and other conservative religious groups from "buying" changes to the California constitution.

To the guy worried about "his" money brig used to fund opposition to prop 8 I've got news for you. Once you buy something from apple it ceases to be your money and apple can do as they please with it.
I would also respectfully suggest that these boycotters get a life and stop worrying about other folks getting married. It's none of your business and the very idea of a law banning gay marriage is abhorent!

Most religions teach the tenet "judge not, lest ye be judged", in some form or another. I applaud Apple for taking this stance. People are people regardless of preference, race or gender. The sooner this is regarded in politcal reasoning, the sooner a lot of human "problems" will be "fixed".

That's so typical of Microsoft to wuss out while Apple takes the principled stand.

As a stockholder, I don't agree AT ALL with Apple's use of it's capital, however, I won't boycott. What's the alternative? Windows? No Way!

Just a bit of extra information (which should be verified by others in the Seattle/WA region for good measure)... Microsoft did withdraw support from the anti-discrimination bill. But then later in May of 2005, they said (Ballmer specifically) that while it was too late to do anything about the current legislature (at that time), they would support a renewed effort during the next legislative year. The change of heart came about from within the company primarily, from what I remember, specifically from gay and lesbian employees who felt that the company did a disservice to itself and to those under its employ, but not taking a stance on an issue that directly affect them.

macmanga said:

I have said many times that I don't really care about the political views of the maker of a particular product I buy. What I care about most is that the product is a good one. I would rather buy a good product from someone I disagree with politically than a mediocre product from someone I agree with politically.

I realize that many people don't feel that way...

By contrast, the following note appeared on the MacInTouch website this afternoon:
"Without our knowledge or consent, Google displayed partisan political ads on this website today as part of our participation in its AdSense advertising program. This is contrary to our own advertising policy. ... I apologize for the problem, and I can assure you that we are not interested in serving as a conduit for ads that offend or mislead our visitors, regardless of type, source or impact on revenue. - Ric Ford"
Why go out of your way to offend some portion of your readers or customers? As one is quoted in the article, Steve could give a billion or so to the Cause and no one would squawk, but no, he has to have Apple do it and grandstand about it to boot.
While I don't much care about this particular "issue" -- I have no plans to marry either woman, man, dog or aardvark any time soon -- Apple's typically smug and pompous entry into the fray leaves a bad taste. Not surprised there are "no reports of dissent from Apple employees", not if they value their jobs.
As for the World Shaking Issue - in my view, it's just another turf war between two gangs of fascists: both sides of this fight want to use the power of the government to force everyone to live their way. Again, as always, the real solution would be to get the government out of the marriage business. Marriage should be a private contract, neither defined nor regulated by the State, nor should the State provide special privileges to "married" people and so discriminate against those who do not choose to marry (such as myself). Then there would be nothing to fight over, and we could maybe put some attention into some of our real problems.

I don't have as big a problem with a company taking a stand on an issue as I do with it spending company money towards such a stance. Wether or not I agree with their stance, they should not be spending company money on it. If the people on the board are so impassioned on a subject, let them spend their own money,not the company's.

LGBT people in England, Belgium, Canada, Spain and the Netherlands all have equal rights, including marriage. Society has managed to accept it and adapt. We should learn something from "BiLoves dotcom", many members here working for GLBT rights. And there are about 150 members per day and they are very active.If you come here frequently, you may find what you are looking easily and quickly.

I also applaud Apple's decision to take a stand on this critical civil rights issue. Apple is a progressive technological company taking a progressive stance on expanding civil liberties in America. Way to go!

The fewer hateful bigots using Macs, the better. Hopefully Rush will be trading his MacPros for a Dell Drono on Wednesday.