[eureka!]

"It's the system that needs repair."

Nope. It's the corrupt political hacks like Grayout and Lockyer that needs repair, or rather, incarceration...

[mattdono]

Wait a minute...you mean the meek and mild Oracle was doing something that was wrong!? How could this be? </sarcasm>

Ellison is an egomaniacal jerk. He, single-handedly, makes me side with Microsoft, even with their alleged misdeeds.

[John Jorsett]

FYI

[mattdono]

(((ping)))

[Grut]

The First Amendment already guarantees 'access' through the right to petition the government for redress of grievances; so what is it, exactly, that is being bought here?

[randita]

It's the system that needs repair.

No it's not. It's the Democrat Party that needs repair.

[ElkGroveDan]

Seems to me the real question is: How come it doesn't happen more often?

Hello???!!!! Listen up stupid columnist. I happens all the time!! Especially in the Davis administration. That's how they DO BUSINESS!

Someone should do a column on the SJ Merc's uncovering of Oraclegate and ask the question about honest investigative reporting, "How come it doesn't happen more often?"

[heleny]

from the title: Oracle was buying access

One problem is that access to Gray Davis costs money, not just for Oracle, but also for the teachers union, prison union, loggers, etc.
Another problem is that he makes so many policy decisions based on the money he has or might receive, instead of for a principle or for the interests of the people.

The blame should not be shifted (to Oracle, et al) away from Davis. The SF Chronicle news article yesterday was much better than today's editorial.

[stands2reason]

Here we go. Apologia for Gray Davis, opus 12, vol. xviii. "It's not his fault, the system made him do it! Everyone does it, that's just how it's done in California."