The Winklevoss Twins are in the fight that defines the comic book version of the American spirit. Is justice just a word that we learn to say as part of the Pledge of Allegiance? Well, following the way the courts have responded to civil and criminal cases ever since the beginning of the United States legal system, we could answer that question with a big "yes".
The Winklevoss Twins have been in court with Facebook for half of a decade now and they keep losing. some would say that their out of court settlement was a victory. This might be true if it were about money, which they claim it isn't.
But, I can understand the stance they have taken. How many times are we going to let the guys with the guns, the money, the power, or the courts in their pocket walk away with all of the fruits from our labor? I think it's about time that a stop was put to this big bully mentality. It seems to me, after reading Jessica Guynn's article in The Times, that all they are looking for is some good 'ole fashioned Justice.
So, you are rich, famous, and are the king of a new empire... That you stole! You already snatched yourself a place in the world through devious tactics, theft and lies. My question to Zuckerberg (and George Bush) is, what is so hard about just saying sorry and splitting the profit?
Sure, America loves to see someone walk away with a few scraps after crying and complaining for a few years, after someone else rolls off in a Bentley, the lion share of the purse and no public shame. I think that if this battle over millions of dollars goes in favor of the Winklevoss brothers it will be a good slap in the face for Zuckerberg and other corporate crooks that prey on the ideas and labor of others.
After all is said and done, I feel that, just to be an example, the courts should check Zuckerberg and make him come clean. When we as Americans stand behind corruption, we are sending a message to children, each other and other countries (that might aspire to be like us) that it is okay. And when we do that we can only expect for that same corruption to return to us like a boomerang in some shape or form.
I would like to make one thing clear, I don't really care whether these Harvard kids get any more money or not. I do however care about the point they are trying to make and what it should mean to all of us.
When the court decision is made and everyone goes home to log on to Facebook, there is one thing that we can all agree on... We never should have switched from Myspace.
