I’m sure most of you have heard about the Microsoft critical update that was released yesterday (2-10-2004) but if you look at Windows Update today you will see another Critical Update for KB833407. The reason for this “critical update”? The font Bssym7.ttf contains unacceptable symbols, namely, the swastika. As you may or may not know there was an uproar about this font containing this symbol and it was summarily removed from the font because of heat from Jewish special interest groups.


Before, this update was something that you opted to install, but now users are FORCED to remove this symbol from their computer if they want to be compliant with all “critical updates”. Personally, I think that this is bullshit (and others do to). I understand what the swastika represents to most people (especially Jewish people) but the fact of the matter is that for thousands of years the swastika was a commonly used symbol in many cultures around the world before it was used by the Nazi party. It is ridiculous that one religious organization has enough pull with Microsoft. Although I have the option to leave that critical update there forever, most users don’t really look at what updates they are installing. As long as they are critical, then they install them. Microsoft could be seen as infringing on free speech by doing this. I know that if I were a lawyer, I would jump all over that shit.