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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Politics / Teh Internets Google Announces Its Support of Referendum 71

Posted by David Schmader on Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 1:09 PM

Yesterday the powers that be at Google released a statement in support of Washington State's domestic-partnership-rights-protecting Referendum 71, which was featured in full on Techflash.com:

Google has a reputation for actively participating in policy debates surrounding information access, technology and energy. However, we do not generally take positions on social, legal or political issues that arise beyond our normal, day-to-day business. With that said, there are issues that are so important and so clear cut that we feel compelled to lend our voice. Supporting Referendum 71 is one of those issues.

To be clear, we respect the strongly-held beliefs that people have on both sides of this argument. Nevertheless, we see this debate as one that comes down to equality, plain and simple. If we believe in equal protection under the law we must, in our view, support a man or woman's right to enjoy the legal benefits of domestic partnerships — no matter whom they love.

For the residents of Washington who want for themselves or their children the right to engage in domestic partnerships, we urge the voters of this state to APPROVE Referendum 71.

Good for Google, whose statement of support is heartening.

Nevertheless, talk is cheap, and since Microsoft backed up their support with $100,000, I'm sticking with Bing for the time being.

Speaking of which: Happy birthday to Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates!

Comments (8) RSS

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Bing is great if you're a Canuck.

Didn't they announce this yesterday?

Posted by Will in Seattle

on October 28, 2009 at 1:16 PM

So what's the search engine of choice for bigots?

Posted by shabadoo on October 28, 2009 at 2:01 PM

@2, I don't think they actually use the Internet search for stuff and learn new information... they only follow links pre-approved by their hate-mongering leaders.

Posted by lily on October 28, 2009 at 2:15 PM

4 Comment Pulled (Spam) Comment Policy

first the 9/11 fiasco, now this... Google is really messin' with people's minds! :)

Posted by Beetlecat on October 28, 2009 at 3:41 PM

We also learned this week that Microsoft has be sloughing one billion in tax dollars by registering sales in Nevada instead of Washington.

http://gladiator-antivirus.com/forum/ind…

Google all the way baby.

Posted by oldmanandthesea

on October 28, 2009 at 4:37 PM

Yes, but why does Google "respect the strongly-held beliefs that people have on both sides of this argument"?

Why respect bigots? And why make a point of stating that you respect bigots?

Posted by Funky Monkey on October 28, 2009 at 4:40 PM

@7: Because they might be pink, but their money is green.

Posted by Monty on October 28, 2009 at 7:09 PM