Is Bill Gates a Traitor?

In "CyberWar:  The Next Threat to National Security and What To Do About It", Richard A. Clarke, former advisor to several U.S. presidents on the issue of cybersecurity, mentions that Bill Gates and Microsoft gave the Chinese government the source code for Windows.  But, Mr. Gates refused to give the same source code for Windows when the Pentagon asked for it.  Windows, as everyone knows, is full of bugs and security holes.  The Chinese government was free to modify the security and encryption parts of the code; while the U.S. military can not.  And, Mr. Gates calls himself an upright U.S. citizen?

Mr. Clarke goes into many issues about cybersecurity.  Most of which I agree with from personal experience.  But, I have never been a national advisor of cybersecurity.  My experiences are with corporations.  Small manufacturers and ISPs.  But, I know the industry and the technology.  I know what logic bombs are.  Seen them programmed.  Unplugged modems to prevent access so that there would only be data communication when a scheduled data exchange was to take place.

I must agree that our national infrastructure and networks are not secure.  But, could be, without much effort.  Just some care and work.  And, as loath as I am to admit it, the large ISPs should be packet sniffing for viruses; shutting down botnets until users fix their systems.  In fact, ISPs block other ISPs that have spammers until the culprit is shut down.  We need to take some measures and have guidelines.

As for Operating Systems, certainly our military and even individuals or corporations could do with better security than we currently have with Windows.  The Open Source solution is technologically and militarily a good one.  Plus, plus, it would be cheaper on the U.S. taxpayer.  ...  So, now how do you feel when Mr. Gates told the U.S. military, that if they start using Open Source operating systems (like Unix or Linux) then; he will no longer support the Windows he sold the U.S. military?  (As Mr. Clarke stated.)

I do not support the current atmosphere of tax the rich.  Paying your fair share means a flat tax.  Not twice or 10 times what someone else pays.  Rich people work hard too.  I believe many people are just jealous and blinded by their jealousies.  Without belief in a God or a good attitude, how can one be happy with what one has?  Try to make as good a life as possible for themselves--by hard work, providence, prudence, saving, frugality and other admirable traits.  Stealing is wrong.  Making theft legal is still stealing. Need convincing?  Let them steal from you or the fruits of your hard work.  Let them tax you excessively.

All of that preaching is not to say, that there aren't rough industrialists, capitalists, entrepreneurs, free market sharks, who do not give a damn about the next guy or customer.  "Let the customers be damned!" was one railroad mogul's cry.  (Vanderbuilt)

Scalping customers is wrong.  Fraud is wrong.

Mr. Gates' fortune in a large part, has been made from U.S. tax dollars.  Mr. Gates is a U.S. citizen.  Our military's defenses are compromised.  He dares threaten the military with malicious breach of contract!  While I have no intention of comparing the Chinese to the Nazis, I do intend to compare Mr. Gates to Nelson Rockefeller, who sold fuel to the Nazis during World War II.  Do I really need to explain that was illegal and the crime of treason?  Secretary of the Treasury, Morgenthau wanted to arrest Mr. Rockefeller for treason.  That was within his jurisdiction.  Nelson Rockefeller threatened not to deliver fuel to the U.S. Army if Morganthau arrested him.  FDR told Morgenthau not to pursue the matter.  Because, it would put FDR in the position of having to seize Rockefeller's oil by public domain.  An action President Roosevelt did not want to do.

In my opinion, Mr. Gates may have gotten away with his treason.  But, we the citizens and consumers can protest.  We can use open source software as much as possible.  Or, buy an Apple, iPad, Mac.  Tell people why.  Let Mr. Gates know.  He's lost your sale because you feel he is a traitor and unAmerican.