The H-1B haters are getting scary

Our coverage of Microsoft's recent announcement that it's cutting 5,000 jobs created an angry mob of readers when Patrick Thibodeau reported that H-1B visa holders would be among those losing their jobs, but that Microsoft is under no legal obligation to lay off foreign workers ahead of U.S. workers.

As is the case whenever the subject of H-1B visas is raised, emotions ran high among readers who commented on Thibodeau's story. But the antiforeigner rhetoric seemed even more intense than usual, and the tone of the comments seemed even more hateful.

A comment that was particularly alarming came from a reader who used the forum to bring up the case of the 2007 YouTube video in which attorney Lawrence Lebowitz was providing advice on how to fill job vacancies with foreign workers. "Our goal is clearly not to find a qualified and interested U.S. worker," Lebowitz proclaimed. The outlandish demonstration of intent to abuse the system was disgusting. But not as disgusting as the reader's comment.

In a posting with the subject line "Traitors," the anonymous reader wrote that he had found Lebowitz's e-mail address. He posted it, presumably so other readers could harass Lebowitz. Yet that wasn't enough.

"Anyone know his home address so I can ask him PERSONALLY why he is a traitor to the United States?" the reader asked. "How about where he eats, what gym he goes to, where he plays golf, etc.? I would like to post all this information on a Web site containing this type of information on H-1B supporters and other treasonous acts."

I'm no fan of Lebowitz, but which is more objectionable -- a slimy lawyer or a creepy stalker? Should his comment be dismissed as the lone voice of a troubled lunatic? Consider that at this writing, 81% of the 58 people who rated the comment gave it a thumbs-up. That's just plain scary.