Trust-Busting

This week Microsoft will begin an international appeals process over the legality of sanctions that were imposed on them by the European Union over antitrust violations. Two years ago the EU ruled that Microsoft was in violation of antitrust laws concerning its packaging of Windows XP along with certain software applications. It ordered Microsoft to share its software coding and proprietary information with its competitors to soften its monopolistic dominance on the market. Microsoft is attempting to persuade the EU not to enforce the $615 million in fines it was supposed to pay. However the moral of this story is: don't over look the EU as a challenge to American hegemony and dominance in the world. Gone are the days when the world looks to the U.S. alone economic, and political dominance. America is still the dominant military leader in the world, but the days of rule by hard power are over. In society today soft power is emerging as the new driving force behind becoming a Superpower. Today's Europe is no longer a partitioned and divided continent as it was just 20-30 years ago. European nations of all sizes are realizing that by unifying on an economic front, they can together match and in some cases overpower the U.S. The world was shocked with the pull that the EU has over such cases as the Microsoft ruling, as well as for the rejection of the GE-Honeywell merger back in 2001. Americans were puzzled at how much power the EU had, not because of their ruling, but because these are all American companies that were being controlled by Europe. With 25 member nations, and many on the waiting list including Turkey, the extremely successful implementation of the Euro in 12 of its member countries, creation of a European Rapid Reactionary Force, a centralized capital in Brussels, and growing support of the European population, Europe will continue to strengthen and slowly eat away at America's status as the worlds only superpower......

Yesterday the Pistons easily beat the Bucks in their first game of the NBA playoffs; they are off today and meet again tomorrow night for game 2. The Red Wings suffered a tough playoff defeat yesterday at home to the Edmonton Oilers. The series is evened at 1-1, and they will face off tomorrow in Edmonton. The Tigers swept the Mariners last night and improved on their very successful west coast road trip. Detroit is headed into Anaheim tonight to try and maintain their 5 game win streak.