“Decades ago, Jobs was a private citizen until teaming up in 1976 with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne to establish Apple Computer Inc. Since then, and especially in recent years—following his return to lead the company through the darkest period in its history—Jobs has become the face of Apple and a celebrity,” Bolaji Ojo writes for EE Times.
“Peter Oppenheimer seems to think otherwise. The Apple chief financial officer and senior vice president sought—during a conference call on the company’s latest quarterly results—to dismiss questions raised in the media about the health of his boss,” Ojo writes. “Jobs’ health, according to Oppenheimer, ‘is a private matter,’ adding ‘Steve loves Apple. He serves as the CEO at the pleasure of Apple’s board and has no plans to leave Apple.'”
Ojo writes, “Oppenheimer is wrong, and his comments indicate Apple’s management either isn’t willing to admit publicly how Jobs’ persona has merged into the company’s image or perhaps, fearing the impact of admitting the obvious, the executives would rather downplay very public fears of the impact on Apple if anything were to happen to Jobs.”
MacDailyNews Take: We don’t know what Oppenheimer thinks; he’s merely saying exactly what Jobs told him to say.
Ojo continues, “Jobs is no more a private individual than Mickey Mouse is just another stuffed animal. Jobs is a legend in the personal computing world, and increasingly in the consumer electronics market where he is credited with helping to drive much needed change in interactive wireless communications with the iPhone and in digital music with the iPod and iTunes. But the consequences of Jobs’ health extends way beyond his immediate family. For that reason alone, Jobs’ health is a matter of interest to all Apple stakeholders.”
MacDailyNews Take: There are a lot of things that Apple shareholders would like to know. That does not mean they have a right to be told.
Ojo lists six reasons why he believes that Steve Jobs’ health is not a private matter:
1. Speculation about Jobs’ health is hurting Apple’s stock price and can affect relationships with key suppliers and partners.
2. After returning in 1997, Jobs gave Apple a new lease on life following one of the most dismal periods in its history.
3. Apple’s lofty market valuation depends upon the perception that Jobs is the innovative spirit behind the company.
4. Apple has experienced huge revenue and profits growth under Jobs.
5. Apple is still vulnerable.
6. There’s no clear [successor] to Jobs in Apple’s current executive ranks.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: What does #2 (or some others in his list) have to do with why Jobs health is not a private matter? You don’t need “six reasons.” The argument boils down simply: Steve Jobs’ value to Apple either somehow eliminates his right to privacy regarding medical conditions or it doesn’t. Take your pick.
For further information via The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights:
• Your Health Information Privacy Rights
• Privacy and Your Health Information
“Once again,…”
No, more like the umpteeth time, Chatty Cathy. Haven’t you gotten the point already? Not every cares what you think.
“…it’s time to move past this morbid obsession some of you have for Steve’s health.”
Stuff it, Amp, you are free not to engage in debate it the topic disturbs you. Here’s a hint, fanboi, if the headline contains the words “Jobs” and either “health” or “cancer” don’t click. Believe me, this will preserve your frail and tender sensitivities.
Now, Mr. Ojo, close your eyes. Done? Now you can see all you are entitled to know.
“Not every cares what you think.”
Not every cares? Never mind. You stopped making sense months ago.
Face a mirror, asschunk, if you can stomach it.
I’ve skimmed some of your lonely, pathetic posts that trail dozens of posters.
You’re beyond help, Afib.
Bluefin,
I’m doing fine, thanks. Hope to get back to work in a couple of weeks. I think even if I was rich I’d go nuts without a job.
I just had another doctors appointment this morning and they gave me a copy of their privacy practices. It’s four pages of very fine print.
It says “We are required by law to make sure that medical information that identifies you is kept private.”
Followed by: “We reserve the right to change this notice. We reserve the right to make the revised or changed notice effective for health information we already have about you as well as any information we receive in the future.”
Research: “Under certain circumstances, we may use and disclose medical information about you for research purposes.”
” We will ALMOST always ask for your specific permission if the researcher will have access to your name, address or other information that reveals who you are …”
As required by law: “We will disclose medical information about you when required to do so by federal, state or local law.”
Lawsuits and disputes: “If you are involved in a lawsuit or dispute, we may disclose medical information about you in response to a court or administrative order.”
Law Enforcement: “We may release medical information if asked to do so by a law-enforcement official …” followed by a six different reasons.
Some of the other reasons are under the categories of: Organ and tissue donation, military and veterans, workers’ compensation, public health risks, health oversight activities, coroners, medical examiners and funeral directors, national security and intelligence activities, protective services for the President and others, Department of State, parental access, and if I am an inmate of a correctional institution.
Now, I have the right to request restrictions on who gets my information. But, they are not required to agree to my request!
Oh, and I have a right to a paper copy of this notice. Big friggin’ whopee!
It seems like none of these things are really uniform from different doctors or institutions.
And this doesn’t even account for the potential of all of these people and organizations to accidentally lose or have our info stolen.
I guess all of this has nothing to do with Steve Jobs, but I still think our so-called privacy in ANY matter in this day and age is a very tenuous thing.
So why the constant chatter, Amp? Obviously, it is you who has the obsession.
@Sir Bill…
Glad to hear the good news.
I had 4 appointments at the same hospital in the same day on Tues.
I filled out the forms. In one dept they had a different form than the other 3. At the SAME hospital???
Is it any wonder that people say healthcare is screwy here???
I just googled KGB…
Turns out he’s the only one who doesn’t know KGB is a now defunct and archaic organ.
Bluefin,
Yeah, ya gotta love our healthcare system. But I guess it beats being dead. Unless you use Vista.