[Fpryor]

There is NOTHING wrong with choosing to participate or not with companies depending upon who/what those companies support. We are free to avoid patronizing companies that fund madrassas, or partner with right wing dictatorships or pollute the environment. The easily offended have a long history of boycotting the sponsors of television shows they don't like. They also have a long history of bombarding those sponsors with multiple calls and letters from a small group of people attempting to appear to represent a more widely held point of view than they actually do.
What we are learning about voter suppression seems to indicate that people who can tell right from wrong are actually in the majority in this country and the reason they frequently do not carry the day the in the democratic process is because of apathy (or perhaps the assumption that everyone else feels the same way they do) and the dedication of people who do not know right from wrong and their shameless tendency to game the system.
Apple may lose some customers to Microsoft because a courageous public stance against needless discrimination. They will gain many more. Bravo.
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[Flemming]

I do personally agree with the Apple standpoint. But:
I think Apple should choose a much more globalized view and start supporting human rights where it really matters. I mean in some of the mediocre states in Africa our the Middle East.
But: I guess it will be hard to get Apple to think of itself not only as a US company.

[doglesby]

“I don’t want to have my hard earned money wasted on this cause that I do not believe in.”
That's ridiculous. His hard-earned money goes to the products he purchases. Next he'll complain that his money was wasted on a product design that never went to market or an ad he doesn't care for.

[BeSensible]

When a company takes such a stand, that has nothing to do with its core business, it is a risk that
1. Doesn't make business sense
2. May alienate customers unnecessarily
3. Add a level to the decision to buy their products
Prop 8 is a people issue, not a technical issue. I am very disappointed that Apple embroiled itself in it!

[jessepps]

As a stockholder, I resent and object to MY money being spent for this cause.

[Schneb]

>Most religions teach the tenet "judge not, lest ye be judged"
Ignorant statement if you know Greek. And most major religions do not teach this unless they hold to the words of Jesus Christ. The literal translation is "condemn no one to hell, lest you be condemned to hell." It means that there is only ONE Judge who has this power of ruling. Not you, and not I.

[bry]

Same sex marriage is an attack on the family and on freedom of religious expression. No matter how bad you want to believe that it doesn't affect families, that just isn't the case. Ask the parents of the kindergartners who went to the lesbian wedding in San Francisco. Also, I think this parent would strongly disagree:
http://link.brightco...ctid=1819819843
Once it's legal, it's only a matter of time before someone sues because some minister won't "marry" them. Heaven forbid (not pun intended) if you say you disagree with this. Someone will end up in jail or end up being sued for expressing their opinion. Mark my words.
Marriage was set up by communities/governments primarily as a protection of kids, the future of these communities. How does gay "marriage" protect kids? It doesn't. It's a direct assault on children.

[DisabledTrucker]

At first I wasn't going to even acknowledge this article with a response at all but, I felt I could not keep my mouth shut any longer on it. That being said, I have to say I am in the group that has a dillema here, do we continue supporting the only computer/operating system that we like or do we switch to something we cannot bare to think of using because of this?!? Here Apple is having some problems with Quality control issues and needs to be spending it's money on more important things like improving it's operating system by hiring more programmers or it's hardware designs and a lot less on touchy issues such as this one that alienates 98% of it's supporters.
If Apple was contributing 400,000 X as much on it's more important issues than it was on this obviously ignorant one, such as doing away with the DRM issue, then maybe it wouldn't have been such a bad thing. If they could explain that the money come from employee's and not from the company's cauffers, then maybe then I and others could see it as a non-issue and it would make it easier to swallow as then my and others money is NOT being used for an issue that is close to our hearts that we fought hard in our states to say "YES" to only to be slapped in the face by a company that try to like so deeply, that in their state is shouting "NO" to. If they really wanted to spend money on a political issue why not something like removing the restrictions to be President from where one has to be born here to be President to one that is more in line with the bill of rights and allows anyone to be President that has lived here at least 35 years and is a Citizen of the country not just born here so people like their Governor could become President someday. (I am one who would rather see Arnold as President than the two morons currently in the lead for it and he is the one who is getting my write in vote for this election today!!!)
Apple, Inc, I want you to know that I will NOT be spending any money on your products for the next year as a result of this issue and in boycott of this but, I cannot say that I will stay away from your products forever as I don't have a choice in the matter, at least not yet. With your release of Snow Leopard and other fine products due out after the holidays, (I'm sure,) that I will be salivating over, and was looking forwards to upgrading to, I will postpone my upgrades until at least 2010 because of this and will refrain from suggesting your products to others as well during this time.

[JimCnSF]

I'd like to hear us discuss a more interesting story, namely, will companies that did not stand up against prop 8 face consequences?

[biff]

Wow for a locked thread there sure are a lot of additional responses being submitted.
Overall I feel proud that a company I admire and whose products I use has taken a stand that I agree with. Others will differ. Complain to them if you like; boycott them if you feel you need to; shareholders ask the board to discipline Steve Jobs or sell your shares if you really feel strongly about it but realize that there will be people who don't share your view. (I had to restrain myself from using the term "many people" since others keep using it to give weight to their statements without any factual support as to what "many" actually means.) I certainly don't see this as having any noticeable impact on Apple's bottom line as I believe that most people won't know or care about this. Wall Street may be too busy to notice but I haven't seen any comments from analysts changing their opinion about Apple's shares due to to this.
I also don't see Apple using its funds to support this issue as being any different then them donating money to a politician. In fact this is probably more honourable as they have choosen to support one side rather than giving money to two opposing politicians as some companies do.
As for those who see this as an attack on children or "traditional" marriage (there's another word that gives me shivers, along with "family values") I still don't see what you are concerned about. It seems to me that the institution of marriage that you so value is also so valued by homosexuals that they want to join the club - what's wrong about that? Aren't they helping to support the love and commitment that marriage entails? Or are you against love and commitment?
As for children - isn't it better that they grow up in a loving and caring environment no matter what sex their parents are? The interview with the Mass. couple, which was not doubt well funded and well scripted, misses the point. While I have to support their right to a different point of view and their responsibility for their children's education even if I don't agree with them, they have to realize that they live in a state that supports gay marriage. If they don't like that they either choose a different way to educate their kids or they move to a place where they feel more comfortable. After all that's what led the pilgrims to Plymouth Rock and the Mormons to Utah - religious freedom.
And that's where the entire issue comes crashing down - separation of church and state. If the state (and inherently the majority of it's citizens) supports gay marriage then that's how it is. Religious views should only influence public policy where a plurality of voters share the same views. Fundamental human rights and equality should still be paramount.

[samdgadii]

To the applauders of Apple in this matter, take a step back and understand what the disagreement is about and stop the insane ignorance. It's not about being against the changing of marriage definition, but its about ethics. For instance.
"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."
- Thats immature thinking. Osama Bin Ladin earned his wealth and his rise to power came by way of corporate money through a construction company he owned and he used that construction company money to help fund Al-Quada, terrorist recruitment, terror acts and seize control over the Talaban and Afhganastan; all in his protest on the cival rights against America with their involvement in other countries and protest against non-islamic rule. So your saying as long as Osama Bin Ladin's construction company did good work building my house than I don't care about what they do politically with the power the money earns them? You should care about what company's do, cause your money may just fund it and by not caring you are allowing corporations to help run a nation, city, state or town and rendering the power which is designed to be in the peoples hands to the corporations. It's like being a sheep headed to a slaughter if we the people let corporations have rule. As well, as why would we in America care about giving Middle Eastern nations billions of dollars a year for oil whom harbor terrorist and have terrorist who would like to see America (which includes your children) harmed? Agh, who cares what they do with the money, long as we get the oil. That kind of attitude can be devistating.
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.
- More immaturity. Yes once I purchase a product or service the money paid for it now belongs to whom provided the product or service. But if I would of never given them the money, then they wouldn't have it to fund such things... now would they? Dur, so them in turn it is "Your money supporting such things." And if you disagree with the way they use the money, then you have a right to not offer your money to them, as well as feel badly that your buying their product or service is allowing them to do things you disagree with on a personal note. So why buy a Miami Heat product knowing they are going to use the money to steal Shaq away from the L.A Lakers and kill the Lakers' chance at winning the championship, when you yourself are a Lakers fan?
One day we'll look back on this issue as equivalent of the civil rights movement of the early 21st century. Bravo, Apple, for taking a stand
- As the son of a father who was barred from resturaunts because he was black. The grandson of a great-great grandmother who was born the same year that slavery was abolished, the comparison of gay rights to the civil rights movement is offensive. People of my fellow race were brutally injured and lots even killed for it. Gay's are benefiting off the countless life's that were lost and millions badly injured of the black race in their fight for civil rights. Gays should be thanking black people in America for doing so, so that now they themselves would have the opportunity to protest for their rights, they should not be comparing themselves to the black civil rights movements. It's offensive and the concept is not true.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged (Matthew 7:1).”
- Actually, that scripture has nothing to do with the debate in question. Matthew 7:1, is about NOT judging people to eternal damnation (Hell). Meaning, I can't judge a gay person to being doomed for Hell, cause that judgement is left to God, and God alone. Only God can judge each of us individually in that matter; ie, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." John 7:24; "JUDGE not according to the appearance, but JUDGE righteous judgment" - is the scripture that would apply here. It is all of our individual right to judge, but only on non-eternal matters. For instance, you can judge someone according to their morals and behavior by what it is you see them act and put on display and you have a right to contest on wiether or not its wrong or right. But what the scripture is saying, is when you do judge in that way (which is permissable) do it according to rightousness. For instance, just because someone smokes crack, doesn't mean that I should label them as a horrible person. And that goes for all people including gays. We all judge people and we do it everyday weither your a christian or a non-religious person. We start judging people from the moment we see them. We are always judging... what we see and what we hear. Our judgement is what gives us all our own personal moral and convictions, so every human being does it, and Jesus said its permissable for us to be individual judges on those matters, but just do it according to rightousness and not bigotry or discrimination. Beyond that; if your a christian than you have a right to judge according to scripture about how you personally feel about moral issues such as gay marriage or homosexual acts as a whole, amongst other things such as abortion. But having a judgement on those acts doesn't mean your suppose to condemn the person or persons and especially to eternal damnation. For instance, I can say that homosexuality is wrong, period point blank, but that doesn't mean I discriminate against gays or condemn them to an eternal fire. But my judgement on homosexuality is still right. Get it?
I'm a firm believer in corporations staying out of political affairs and legislation, otherwise we lose our country being a free nation and give ourselves over to corporal law. That goes for lobbyist too. If Apple wants to support legislative affairs, then it needs to donate or even start its own not for profit organization to fund and be a part of such things or Jobs can donate his support on his own dime and time. Just as I am a believer that churches as a organization should stay out of legislative affairs. I do not support Pastors backing political candidates from the pulpits, and I don't expect corporations to do such things either. Those kinds of things such be seperate entities, less we become a corporal or religious backed nation where democracy is taken away from the people. For all the canadians tossing in their support... Stay in canada! Your countries do not have the blessings of what instills the true form of democracy, so you have no valid points in how America's democracy should work. I would hate to live in canada or anywhere else under a restricted and watched liberty where you really can't do what you want. I have friends that live in canada, so I know the contrast between us and other semi-democractic nations. Your countries may not have some of the problems as us, but I trade being able to be truly free, than a government controlled democracy any day. A place where government has more say over what I can and can not do more than I do, is not America.
This coming from a Christian with a gay sister, who believes homosexuality is wrong and in the Biblical sense there is no such thing as a gay marriage. Yet, giving homosexual marriages being a legal right under the law is not a problem for me. Long as they know that by the terms of the government you have equal rights as me in my marriage, but by no means is your marriage equal to mines according to how I describe marriage in reference to my faith. For christians a marriage is a vow we keep to God for a lifetime, not a vow we say to our partner because we just love them and want a monogamous relationship with them. But we love our partner's so much that we're willing to vow it to God for a life long commitment. And I don't think people these days understand just how much love it takes to vow a vow to God! And that's the concern most have about allowing gay marriage. Those for gay marriages need to understand that that is how the opposing side feels and stop being so simple and disrespectful of their sincere beliefs. And those against gay marriages, need to understand that it is not the end of all that is holy and is not going to be a direct attack against our christian marriages. If those who are in support of gay marriages would stop trying to be so insensative and ignorant on the matter and people's personal beliefs, then I bet you would see less opposition from them.
I am with one of the other posters who said they will still use Apple products, but their personal enthusism for Apple will no longer be there. And I'm doing that not because Apple supports gay marriage, but because Apple is putting its company into legislative affiars, which I see as a threat against our democracy as a nation. And I would feel and do the same thing if they had corporally put their support in favor of gay marriages, just as I have turned my back on some churches in the same manner. It was wrong for the Mormon church to toss it's money into the legislative process as well. Let the people run the democracy and leave your business's out of it! Period! To all those who support and applaud Apple for this, just wait till corporations start weighing in on more influience on our legislative laws, they already have too much influeince as it is, which I bet you don't even understand how your personal freedom and life has been affected.

[Jason Snell]

A bug in our system prevented us from locking this thread properly. It is being locked again. This time with a padlock.