Why do so many seem to hate Microsoft?

Chris Dawson's Why do I only get flamed when I support Microsoft? asks a really good question.  There are no simple answers to this question, which is truly multi-faceted but one thing is certain: a lot of the animosity directed toward Microsoft has nothing to do with Microsoft or their business practices.  I think the lack of civility we see in many reader comments merely reflects the lack of civility in our society as a whole.  We see it in Washington, D. C., we see it on the streets of America, in our music, and in our so-called news media (be it 'shock radio' or the 'fair and balanced' alternative).  Aside from their unqualified dominance of the personal computer marketplace, Microsoft is no different than any other...