WOW. I was totally shocked to just find out that Tim Cook, CEO of Apple is giving a fundraiser for Paul Ryan and the GOP House next week in Menlo Park, California.
Knowing that Tim Cook is Gay my husband and I were very shocked to hear this. After fighting for LGBT Equal Rights and Same Sex Marriage for over 25 years this truly bothers us.
We have always owned Apple/Mac products going back 25 years. We even bought an Apple/Mac T.V. when they came out many years ago. We both have Mac Book Airs, We both always have had I-Phones and upgrade every year, We have a 27” I-Mac for our home office and I coincidentally had just ordered Apple Watches for both of us which are to arrive today. I will be sending those back.
Also, I was shocked to hear the Article say Apple pulled out of sponsoring the GOP Convention because of Trumps Racist & Bigoted Remarks, but that Tim Cook was doing this fundraiser, not Apple. When you are the CEO of Apple and Fundraise for the GOP it sends a message that Apple is fundraising for the GOP! Especially when this is a time we as Democrats are trying to win back the House.
I just sent Tim Cook an e-mail, tcook@apple.com ,asking how he could support Ryan and the GOP after all they have done to block LGBT Rights, Same Sex Marriage and now Gun Laws as of yesterday. I will be very interested to see if I actually here back. Supposedly he does read and respond to his e-mails. In reading the POLITICO article you find out that Tim Cook is actually trying to play both sides of the Political Fence-Democrat and Republican.
An Article in Politico yesterday by Tony Romm titled Apple is trying to court leaders of both parties, even at a time it is steering clear of Donald Trump.
Apple CEO Tim Cook will host a fundraiser with House Speaker Paul Ryan next week as the iPhone maker tries to strengthen its relationships with key Republicans — despite its decision to pull support for the GOP convention because of its distaste for Donald Trump.
Cook will help generate cash for Ryan at a private breakfast on June 28 in Menlo Park, Calif., along with Gary Wipfler, the company’s treasurer, according to an invite obtained by POLITICO on Monday. The money benefits not only the speaker but a joint fundraising committee aimed at helping to elect other House Republicans.
Story Continued Below:
Cook is hosting the fundraiser on his own accord, as Apple does not have a corporate political action committee like Facebook, Google and other tech giants in Silicon Valley. Still, the move reflects Apple’s desire to court Republican and Democratic officeholders alike, even at a time when it has serious reservations about Trump, the GOP's presumptive presidential nominee.
Because of Trumps remarks Apple did remove it’s support/sponsorship of the Republican National Convention in July. They have supported the DNC/RNC in past years.
Trump aside, Cook long has sought to improve his company’s relationships with Democrats and Republicans — a far different approach than that of Apple’s late co-founder Steve Jobs, who disdained Washington.
The House GOP's new 2016 policy agenda under Ryan makes a nod to consumer privacy and the need for encryption, one of Cook's priority issues.
"Tools like encryption are the bedrock of Internet security — without them, the web would be a far more dangerous place. We must work together in finding a path forward to keep our people — and our data — secure," the policy agenda says.
"The 2016 election is a critical moment for the country with a lot at stake. It shouldn’t be a surprise Paul Ryan is raising funds to defend and strengthen the House Republican majority," the aide said. "The speaker looks forward to visiting California to share the pro-growth policy agenda he and his colleagues are laying out in the House."
You can read all of the article at this link www.politico.com/… which discusses his support or President Obama and also his meetings with Republicans in May 2015, he huddled with leading Republicans, including Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), to talk patent reform and other issues. In August, Cook hosted a fundraiser for Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a major ally in the company’s calls for tax reform, in Atherton, Calif. www.politico.com/…
I wil be updating this article as I find out more information. Also, If I do receive a reply to my personal e-mail from Tim Cook I will let you know.
Paul Ryan and Tim Cook’s people did not respond back to POLITICO so I have a gut feeling I won’t hear back either…...LOL. Please Share this article with fellow Democrats and members of the LGBT Community. Thanks
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2016 · 8:49:43 PM +00:00
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Kevin1957
THIS IS MY UPDATE AT 3:45 P.M. ON JUNE 21ST.
I AM GOING TO INCLUDE MY ORIGINAL E-MAIL TO TIM COOK, HIS REPLY TO ME AND MY RESPONSE BACK. I THINK MOST READERS WILL AGREE WITH ME. THANKS
My Original E-Mail:
Hi Tim, My husband and I have been in the fight for Equal Rights and Same Sex Marriage for over 25 years. We have bought Apple/Mac products only in the past 25 years, Even an Apple/Mac TV when they made them. We both have MacBook Airs and always upgrade our I-Phones. We have a 27" I-Mac for our work desk. I just ordered 2 Apple watches which are to arrive today. I will be sending the back and go with an alternate Smart Watch.
I assumed you might be a Democrat being gay like myself and my husband as we have fought so long to get married. We are in TX and my husband retired with Texas Teacher Retirement who would not cover me until marriage was legal in Texas. I was paying a fortune do to pre-existing conditions so I was so glad all the work of the LGBT Community and Democrats along with SCOTUS finally saw Victory.
Anyway, I was so shocked to hear about your fundraiser for Ryan and the GOP. I have a feeling Apple will lose business from the LGBT Community and many many Democrats.
I hope I hear back from you, Kevin
Tim Cook’s Reply:
Hi Kevin,
Apple doesn't have a PAC and doesn't donate to candidates of any political party. I recognize this is unusual and some people disagree. Of course, Apple employees are free to donate to anyone they wish.
As for me personally, I hope my lifetime of advocacy for human rights for all people make it clear what I believe and it is this belief that guides me everyday.
Tim
My Reply back to Tim Cook:
I appreciate your reply. However when Republicans defeated the gun laws proposed by Democrats yesterday because they have the majority of the House it is just not acceptable to me as a Gay Man and Democrat to do anything that helps support and raise money for Ryan and the Republican Senate and Congress. I wish you the best personally, but as CEO of Apple you do represent the company. I'm sorry to hear of your personal support of the GOP also after their longtime efforts to defeat Same Sex Marriage and Equality for the Gay Community. I do know this will affect peoples purchases with Apple but understand it is your personal preference to do this fundraiser. Thanks, Kevin
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2016 · 9:09:17 PM +00:00
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Kevin1957
I ALSO FOLLOWED UP WITH THIS RESPONSE WHICH I MEANT TO ADD TO MY FIRST E-MAIL:
Sorry Tim, I also meant to include in my reply that after the Massacre of all our LGBT family at PULSE in Orlando last week, and then with the Senate defeating laws that keep No Fly people and stricter gun laws from passing I just don't understand how anyone in the LGBT Community could raise a dime for Republican Senators and Congressmen. It is just unconscionable. The next assault on any group or person with Assault weapons is on the Republicans. It is just so sad. Thanks again for responding to my original e-mail. Kevin
I DOUBT I’LL HEAR BACK BUT HAD TO SHARE MY FEELING ON THIS WITH HIM.
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2016 · 8:22:30 PM +00:00
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Kevin1957
UPDATE JUNE 22ND, 2016 3:20 P.M. CENTRAL TIME- TIM COOK CEO OF APPLE IS STILL HOSTING FUNDRAISER FOR PAUL RYAN AND THE GOP HOUSE! IN “FORTUNE” YESTERDAY:
I Like You, But Not Your Friend, Says Cook
Apple may not support Donald Trump's bid for the presidency, but it's not cutting its ties to the Republican Party. Apple CEO Tim Cook plans to host a fundraiser for House Speaker Paul Ryan on June 28 in Menlo Park. The news comes just a few days after Apple reportedly decided against funding or supporting the Republican Party's convention in Cleveland. Trump's inflammatory comments about topics like immigration, Islam, race-relations, and women, were apparently too controversial for Apple to go near. Additionally, Trump had sided vocally with the FBI in its fight to unlock the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters, calling on customers to boycott the company’s products until it cooperated.