> how come anything remotely questioning of Microsoft when there's an announcement is met with downvotes?
Selection effects! Posts about Microsoft doing something cool will attract a readership in which Microsoft fandom is over-represented, compared to the average readership of HN.
I don't agree with your characterisation. GP was complaining about downvotes to anti-MS comments, and that's nothing to do with 'attracting a readership'. More like the specific criticism of Microsoft demonstrated in this thread so far is the same tired old crap and not relevant to the actual topic.
Selection effects! Posts about Microsoft doing something cool will attract a readership in which Microsoft fandom is over-represented, compared to the average readership of HN.