CSE Activists Meet with NC’s Deputy Attorney General

“I see a problem with the increasing intrusiveness of government into all parts of our lives.”
– Jeannette Brooks, CSE Activist and Visitor to Attorney General’s office

Raleigh, NC – Seven CSE staff and activists met with North Carolina Deputy Attorney General Alan Hirsch last night in his office. The purpose of the meeting was to explain to Mr. Hirsch how CSE consumer activists felt about government-sponsored lawsuit abuse in their state, particularly the Microsoft antitrust lawsuit, to which North Carolina is a party.


NC CSE Activists deliver farecards to Deputy Attorney General
Alan Hirsch stating their opposition to NC’s lawsuit against Microsoft Corp.

During the 25-minute meeting, Mr. Hirsch was introduced to the reasons why North Carolina consumers are opposed to this type of lawsuit abuse: “I see a problem with the increasing intrusiveness of government into all parts of our lives,” said one activist. One activist pointed out that “There are four people in my family, all around the country, who don’t work for Microsoft, who make a living for their families based on software products and software that works with Microsoft. A Break-up is too big a role for the government in our economy.”

The NC CSE activists also handed Mr. Hirsch 53 fair cards to Attorney General Michael Easley protesting antitrust lawsuit abuse. The postcards where filled out by concerned North Carolina consumers, including Richard Vinroot, Republican Gubernatorial candidate.

“I am very impressed that there is a group of citizens who would take time out and learn about these issues,” said Mr. Hirsch. Mr. Hirsch also emphasized during the meeting that Attorney General Easley did not favor a remedy that would break up Microsoft, that the US Justice Department had pushed for the radical break-up remedy. He said that North Carolina “stayed on the suit so that it could have influence in the debate.” The CSE activists made it clear that if you sign onto the lawsuit, you are a part of it, and they prefer not to be part of it.