Re:will this eat into the black panthers' membersh (Score 1)

Well, I'll tell you one type of person that's going to get involved.. ME!

Microsoft clearly states that I don't have to agree with them to join, so I think I will. I know this just adds to their number of supporters count, but I think I'll sign up to distribute petitions, attend town meetings, and distribute flyers as well.

I'll kindly ask people not to sign the petition I'm bringing around, and clearly explain why to them as well.

I'll go to the town meetings, and say "As a proud member of FIN, I believe that Microsoft needs to be broken up, but that I believe that they would innovate more effectively if they were segmented into three pieces".

..And the flyers.. Well, I figure I can use them to heat my home on cold winter nights.

I can see a great many reasons why many competent linux advocates might want to join FIN. If most of their membership/volunteers were people from slashdot, I imagine that it could be difficult for them to accomplish anything. It'd also be keen to point out to your local and state representatives that 1/2 of the members of FIN also believe that Microsoft would innovate better as seperate companies :).