Oracle FAQ Your Portal to the Oracle Knowledge Grid
HOME | ASK QUESTION | ADD INFO | SEARCH | E-MAIL US
 

Home -> Community -> Mailing Lists -> Oracle-L -> Look's like Larry's at it again...

Look's like Larry's at it again...

From: Jesse, Rich <Rich.Jesse_at_qtiworld.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 10:35:43 -0700
Message-ID: <F001.005B66E3.20030620102025@fatcity.com>


Oracle Makes Bid to Buy State of Delaware

Software giant willing to assume state's $225 million deficit in exchange for
legislative control, naming rights

Wilmington, DE - Oracle CEO Larry Ellison today announced his intention to purchase the state of Delaware for $300 million in cash and Oracle stock. The
move comes on the heels of Oracle's bid for rival software firm PeopleSoft, and is the first time that an offer has been made to buy a U.S. territory.

Delaware governor Ruth Ann Minner responded to the bid with shock and seemed certain that the hostile takeover could be avoided.

"Oracle's bid comes as a big surprise to the government and people of
Delaware", said Minner at a press conference. "At this point, we are checking
into whether or not a company, such as Oracle, can buy a state, and whether or
not Delaware is actually for sale."

Oracle's announcement sent shockwaves through the political and economic landscape. Oracle shares dropped 8% immediately following the announcement, only to rebound and break even for the day, with heavy volume being traded. Meanwhile, government officials in Washington scrambled to look into the legality of such a purchase, and who actually currently owns Delaware.

In an afternoon press conference, Ellison seemed certain that Oracle would own
Delaware in the near future.

"The fact is that the state of Delaware is in a budget crisis that it can
not
resolve. Oracle's bid will immediately pump $300 million into the state budget, and (Oracle) will also be assuming all current Delaware debt. Call this a 'hostile takeover' if you must, but the people of this great state deserve a better future, and I will be able to give them just that."

President Bush, who was giving a speech to coal miners in Kentucky, called the
Oracle bid "interesting" and added that "49 states would be easier for me to handle than 50".

Ellison rival Tom Siebel called the move "typical", and added "Larry thinks he
can take over the world, and I guess he thinks this is a good place to start.
I personally would have targeted Vermont."

Ellison defended his decision, citing fourteen state parks, a minor league baseball franchise, an annual Nascar race in Dover, and the annual Great Delaware Kite Festival as reasons that Delaware is primed for success.

"Delaware is a state rich in tradition and excitement. None of the existing
festivals or events will be changed. I mean, who doesn't love minor league baseball and kites?"

If the takeover bid is successful, Ellison plans to place several Oracle executives in key state government positions, and is considering re-naming the
state either New Ellison or OracleLand.

[Couldn't resist, Jared! Hope it's not too OT!]

-- 
Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net
-- 
Author: Jesse, Rich
  INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Fat City Network Services    -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com
San Diego, California        -- Mailing list and web hosting services
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message
to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in
the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L
(or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from).  You may
also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).
Received on Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:35:43 CDT

Original text of this message

HOME | ASK QUESTION | ADD INFO | SEARCH | E-MAIL US