Another socialist blog

You will recall that Microsoft successfully dodged the consequences of its proven violations of antitrust law by the time-tested means of bribing politicians. The scandal continues. The top antitrust official at the Justice Department is none other than Thomas O. Barnett, who until 2004 was a top antitrust partner at the law firm that represented —wait for it—Microsoft! The firm handled several antitrust disputes for Microsoft, though Justice claims Barnett never worked on Microsoft matters. The NY Times says that “Ethics lawyers ultimately cleared his involvement” in Microsoft-related matters at the Justice Department, which makes me think they have an impaired sense of smell.

Barnett, in an unprecedented move, has sent a memo to state attorneys general supporting Microsoft against accusations of anticompetitive conduct brought by Google. This is not atypical; the Bush administration has repeatedly defended Microsoft against such accusations.

One thing I’ll say for the Bushies: when you buy ‘em they stay bought.