Google Goes Overtly Political

[Rob Lister]

The search for influence: Google becomes a political player

The pre-eminent provider of information is moving into the 'real' world to protect its interests

Richard Wray, communications editor
Tuesday October 24, 2006
The Guardian

Last month Washington's political set, always ready for a good gossip, were sent into a flurry of chattering by news that Google had registered a political action committee (PAC) with the US federal election commission.

The creation of Google NetPAC is a first step towards making corporate donations to support candidates seeking elected office. Its foundation less than two months before the mid-term congressional elections, plus the recent appointment of a clutch of Washington movers and shakers to Google's DC office, has observers painting the company as a possible kingmaker.

As a long time user of google, I find this sad.

Yahoo google. We had a nice run.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1930008,00.html

[for any interested, it doesn't matter what the political affiliation is]

 

[RyanRoberts]

I'm not sure how "Do no evil" can be reconciled with "Get involved in party politics".

 

[EvilSmurf]

Could it be that Google's PAC will simply give money to candidates who support legislation that Google as a company would support (such as Net Neutrality)? If so, what Google is doing is no way different from what pretty much every Fortune 500 is doing.

 

[Rob Lister]

Could it be that Google's PAC will simply give money to candidates who support legislation that Google as a company would support (such as Net Neutrality)? If so, what Google is doing is no way different from what pretty much every Fortune 500 is doing.

It certainly is stated as doing just that. All the more reason to bail, IMHO.

 

[LashL]

Could it be that Google's PAC will simply give money to candidates who support legislation that Google as a company would support (such as Net Neutrality)? If so, what Google is doing is no way different from what pretty much every Fortune 500 is doing.

This is entirely off topic but I just wanted to say that your avatar brought a broad smile to this pedant's face.

/derail

 

[Dark Jaguar]

It's nice but the longer ones need a few more frames because they scroll by too quickly.

Rule of thumb: Always put text up twice as long as you think it will take to read it.

 

[geni]

The search for influence: Google becomes a political player



As a long time user of google, I find this sad.

Yahoo google. We had a nice run.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1930008,00.html

[for any interested, it doesn't matter what the political affiliation is]

Google would be stupid to do otherwise. They have already been taken to court by the US goverment and the US goverment is takeing an increaseing interest in the internet.

 

[Marquis de Carabas]

...the US goverment is takeing an increaseing interest in the internet.

...ever since they discovered Yahoo's Congressional Page Chatroom.

 

[BPSCG]

Could it be that Google's PAC will simply give money to candidates who support legislation that Google as a company would support (such as Net Neutrality)? If so, what Google is doing is no way different from what pretty much every Fortune 500 is doing.

Agreed; what's the problem? Why shouldn't they be looking out for themselves and, as a publicly-traded corporation, the interests of their stockholders?