Apparently, that melodramatic proclaimer of outrageously twisted opinion, Linus Torvalds, thinks anyone who criticises Microsoft for their unethical (and even criminal) behaviour, is suffering some kind of "disease" (although he fails to specify). I, however, will specify the disease that fuels Torvalds' hatred of Microsoft critics ... it's called "pragmatism".

"I may make jokes about Microsoft at times, but at the same time, I think the Microsoft hatred is a disease. I believe in open development, and that very much involves not just making the source open, but also not shutting other people and companies out.

There are 'extremists' in the free software world, but that's one major reason why I don't call what I do 'free software' any more. I don't want to be associated with the people for whom it's about exclusion and hatred."

Having just read yet another article concerning Microsoft's unethical behaviour, I think I may have the perfect response to Torvalds' rather blinkered diatribe:

Microsoft's chief Washington lobbyist has been convening regular meetings attended by the company's outside consultants that have become known by some beltway insiders as "screw Google" meetings, DailyFinance has learned.

The meetings are part of an ongoing campaign by Microsoft (MSFT), other Google (GOOG) opponents, and hired third parties to discredit the Web search leader, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the matter.

"Microsoft is at the center of a group of companies who see Google as a threat to them in some combination of business and policy," said a source familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity to avoid retribution. "The effort is designed make Google look like the big high-tech bad guy here."

So it seems Microsoft is waging a "hate" campaign against Google. Of course, this is hardly the first hate campaign Microsoft has waged: Consider their previous battles with Sun, Novell (pre-SuSE), Netscape, Apple, RealNetworks, and ... well let's face it - anyone who isn't Microsoft. At least Free Software advocates have friends. Microsoft, it seems, has none, unless you count Linus Torvalds, that is.

In light of this latest reminder of where the real source of all this "hatred" lies, here's my response to Linus "disease" Torvalds:

I may make jokes about Google at times, but at the same time, I think that Microsoft's hatred of Google is a disease. I believe in a Free Market, and that very much involves not just keeping the market balanced, but also not shutting other people and companies out with monopolies.

There are ‘extremists’ in the proprietary software world, and that’s one major reason why I don’t use Microsoft's software any more. I don’t want to be associated with the people for whom it’s about exclusion and hatred.

Yes, "exclusion and hatred" sums up Microsoft perfectly.

Thanks Linus.