2005年NPR美国国家公共电台五月-Gay Rights Law Divided Microsoft, Gates S
时间：2019-01-08 作者：英语课 分类：2005年NPR美国国家公共电台
英语课
Microsoft founder 1 Bill Gates is explaining his company's position on gay rights legislation. The company has been attacked over its actions on lack of them on a proposal to ban discrimination/ against homosexuals. The bill was before legislature in Washington state where the giant cooperation is based. The measure failed in the State Senate by a single vote. Microsoft chose not to support the bill and a conservative minister claimed credit for pressuring the company. Employees protest the lack of action. In an interview with NPR, Bill Gates said that even though his company did not support the bill, he personally does.
Gates : "We were in one of the first to have the anti-discrimination requirements, to have the domestic partner benefits, and we hope we've set a good example on that.”
Reporter: “Were you surprised to learn what your company's position was?”
Gates: um, I haven't followed that particular state legislation. There is this question on ,say, a broad social issue, you know, take the most controversial of all, sometimes like abortion 2. Do companies get in and take positions on that? I think there are some of these issues,and when you have customers, shareholders 3 and employees , strongly on both sides of an issue that the company will not take position on. This one, if it comes up again, we’re gonna go through a process and, you know, make sure that we are choosing to take position or not for the right reasons.”
Reporter: So in you view, was it a mistake to make the steps on the gay rights bill that you did, changing your support?
Gates; We didn’t change. We chose not to get involved in that, people could know what we stand for as a company in terms of anti-discrimination. They can also know we won't necessarily take position on every social issue that comes up.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates says the company will check with employees in the future before taking positions on some issues. Gates sat down for a wide-ranging conversation and tomorrow on morning edition , we will hear him speak about education, innovation and his changing company.
Gates : "We were in one of the first to have the anti-discrimination requirements, to have the domestic partner benefits, and we hope we've set a good example on that.”
Reporter: “Were you surprised to learn what your company's position was?”
Gates: um, I haven't followed that particular state legislation. There is this question on ,say, a broad social issue, you know, take the most controversial of all, sometimes like abortion 2. Do companies get in and take positions on that? I think there are some of these issues,and when you have customers, shareholders 3 and employees , strongly on both sides of an issue that the company will not take position on. This one, if it comes up again, we’re gonna go through a process and, you know, make sure that we are choosing to take position or not for the right reasons.”
Reporter: So in you view, was it a mistake to make the steps on the gay rights bill that you did, changing your support?
Gates; We didn’t change. We chose not to get involved in that, people could know what we stand for as a company in terms of anti-discrimination. They can also know we won't necessarily take position on every social issue that comes up.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates says the company will check with employees in the future before taking positions on some issues. Gates sat down for a wide-ranging conversation and tomorrow on morning edition , we will hear him speak about education, innovation and his changing company.
n.创始者，缔造者
- He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
- According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。
n.流产，堕胎
- She had an abortion at the women's health clinic.她在妇女保健医院做了流产手术。
- A number of considerations have led her to have a wilful abortion.多种考虑使她执意堕胎。
n.股东( shareholder的名词复数 )
- The meeting was attended by 90% of shareholders. 90%的股东出席了会议。
- the company's fiduciary duty to its shareholders 公司对股东负有的受托责任