GOOGLE: A corporate coward

I applaud Mr. Black’s well-considered comments in the 7-19-19 Cd’A Press regarding the small cadre of Google employees who used their personal beliefs to force their employer to cancel a U.S. Department of Defense contract.

From a national security perspective, Mr. Black is right on target. It has long been part of the U.S. code governing commerce that no business can operate against the security interests of our nation. Ironically, that code does not likely contain a section requiring a U.S.-based company to help our nation when called upon, simply because it was unimaginable that would happen. Well, now it has. Google has quite literally chosen not to help the U.S. government maintain defensive superiority in a dangerous world. Thanks.

I feel Google has broken the contract of being a good corporate citizen of the US, and that they should have some consequences. They benefit from the largesse of the American taxpayers by having a favorable tax structure that allows them to shelter their income against taxation in ways we individual Americans cannot. In my opinion, along with that benefit comes an expectation they will act on our behalf when asked and compensated, in the same way that millions of Americans rise up to risk their very lives in support of our mutual national defense when asked.

Shame on Google for a cowardly action by turning their back on us. Citizenship is a package of two-way benefits, and only a selfish and traitorous corporation would see things like Google does. Disgusting, but I’m glad they displayed their true colors in peacetime, versus when it really might have damaged us.

DOUG MILLER

Hayden