Like you, I'm reading about this $1.3 billion fine imposed on Microsoft by the European Union yesterday for charging rivals too much for software information and wondering, what gives this union the authority to do such a thing. What the devil is the European Union? According to their website http://europa.eu/abc/panorama/index_en.htm the union is "a unique economic and political partnership between 27 democratic European countries" and its aims are, "peace, prosperity and freedom for its 495 million citizens, in a fairer, safer world." Evidently that 'fairer and safer' world being inhabited by Bill Gates could be even "fairer and safer"...
The EU even has a commissioner for competition - Neelie Kroes. Ms. Kroes undressed Microsoft in Brussels (which always reminds me of a Men at Work song) yesterday to the tune of $1.3 billion. Not that Microsoft can't afford to fork over a mere pittance of the $14.07 billion they earned in fiscal 2007 but $1.3 billion could feed a couple of dozen countries for life. That's a bunch of bucks! Ms. Kroes put an exclamation mark to the announcement by saying "talk is cheap. Flouting the rules is expensive." ...
Barring a possible appeal by Microsoft, this fine closes the door to "bad behaviour" by the company dating back to 1998 when Sun Microsystems filed a complaint which basically said that Microsoft refused to supply information that servers needed to work with their systems. They also accused Bill Gates of having bad breath and cheap sweaters...
Okay, so the big question now is if Microsoft doesn't appeal will they pay the fine in Euro or U.S. dollars? The Euro amount would be a paltry 899 million but given the strength of the U.S. dollar these days, go U.S., Bill...
10 Timeline Memories:
- 1854] Having a grand old time: The Republican Party is organized in Ripon (WI) when 50 opponents of slavery start the new political party. Democrats, skip this video clip: http://youtube.com/watch?v=bj0vzAuHqPk ...
- 1940] Jumping it up: The first televised basketball game is aired on experimental TV station W2XBS in New York when Pittsburgh beats Fordham at Madison Square Garden. Only several hundred homes locally watch the game that features a 20-minute blackout caused by technical problems...
- 1953] Going to helix: Scientists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick discover the double-helix structure of DNA, the molecule that contains human genes in a Cambridge University laboratory. Here's Nobel laureate, Mr. Watson in a 2005 appearance telling the story of the discovery: http://youtube.com/watch?v=2HgL5OFip-0&feature=related ...
- 1960] Olympic gold: The U.S. wins its first Olympic gold medal in hockey with a 9-4 win over Czechoslovakia at the Squaw Valley (CA) games...
- 1962] Call letter change: WMGM in New York changes calls to WHN...
- 1968] 'Happy Trails': Frankie Lymon, lead singer of the Teenagers overdoses on heroin at 25. What a tremendous loss this was. Had Frankie lived he would be headlining today. Seen here is the great talent of the singing phenom: http://youtube.com/watch?v=OZhlRUnWKYQ&feature=related ...1974] Bobby Bloom dies from a self-inflicted gun shot wound at 28. "Montego Bay" was his only hit but it was a good one: http://youtube.com/watch?v=gXjVd0TeOX0 ...
- 1983] M*A*S*Hing the competition: The final episode of "M*A*S*H" draws a household rating of 60.2%. Seen in over 50 million homes it's still the highest rated show of all-time. The series started in September, 1972. Here's a TV promo for the finale seen on Oz TV: http://youtube.com/watch?v=PZiCgVm40mc ...
- 1986] Busted: Twenty-one major league players are fined or suspended including Keith Hernandez and Dave Parker in the largest drug scandal in baseball history. As you know, there's much more to come...
- 1993] Wacko in Waco: U.S. Federal agents raid the compound of the Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh in Waco (TX). The 51-day standoff will result in the killing of 4 agents and 6 Davidians, including Koresh...
- 1994] Brady bill: The Brady Law, imposing a waiting period for hand-gun purchases goes into effect...
Music Memories:
- 1967] Number One on this date: "Ruby Tuesday" - Rolling Stones. The "B" side was the controversial "Let's Spend The Night Together", banned by most stations except WRKO-FM in Boston. Our AM wouldn't sign on until March 13th. Here's a live version of "Ruby Tuesday": http://youtube.com/watch?v=9y_pMbEDlbM ...1974] "Seasons in the Sun" - Terry Jacks...
- 1984] Grammy Gold: Michael Jackson wins a record 8 Grammy's for the LP "Thriller"...
Commentary:
'Happy Trails' to: The legendary Steelers color analyst from 1970 to 2004, Myron Cope, who passed away yesterday at 79. Cope died at a nursing home in Mount Lebanon, a Pittsburgh suburb after being treated for respiratory problems and heart failure recently. The 'Terrible Towel' waved by fans was inspired by Cope, another example of a dying breed of personality sportscasters...Mr. Conservative, William F. Buckley Jr. was found dead in his Stamford (CT) home at 82. Buckley had been ill with emphysema...Two deaths in the music business to note: The passing of former Jimi Hendrix collaborator and fine musician in his own right, drummer Buddy Miles passed away from congestive heart failure at 60. Not too many people know that Buddy sang the lead on the California Raisins commercials too...And finally, belated condolences to the family of Phil Gernhard, Curb Records Sr. VP of A&R. I met Phil when I worked in Tampa at WFLA and WALT. Phil signed and produced the Royal Guardsmen and Lobo. He also worked with Jim Stafford, Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina and others. Phil, who passed away last Friday was a very fine producer who was not that well known in the music business. Phil was in his late 60's. No reason for his death was given...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Ali Larter (32), Robert Sean Leonard (39), John Turturro (51), Gilbert Gottfried (53) caution: do not play this video clip if kids are present: http://youtube.com/watch?v=f1NRBWkmP74&feature=related , Bernadette Peters (60), Joe South (68), Mario Andretti (68), Tommy Tune (69), Dean Smith (77), Gavin MacLeod (78) and Charles Durning (85)...
Timeline Countdown: 10 days until Daylight time, 22 days until the first day of spring and 27 days until opening day...
