Microsoft Board Buys Space Shuttle for Bill Gates.

Microsoft_s board of directors Thursday gave Bill Gates a space shuttle as a gift in recognition of his service as CEO of the company for 25 years. According to Microsoft spokesperson Mike Murray, the gift was not in reaction to the Gulfstream V jet Apple Computer board_s gave to Steve Jobs Wednesday. "The space shuttle gift was an idea that one of our board members had months ago and it is only a coincidence that we announced it one day after the Apple announcement," said Murray. Bill Gates thus becomes the first person on earth to own a space shuttle. "This will really make it easier for me to get away from it all without having to go through customs or deal with ordinary people," Gates said. He will reportedly be using the shuttle for "reading and thinking breaks" and for family outings. The Microsoft board of directors issued a statement justifying the "bonus" to Microsoft_s shareholders by stating, "During Bill Gates tenure as CEO the value of a share of Microsoft stock increased 2 million percent, so why shouldn_t he get a space shuttle? The company will benefit from the great thoughts Bill has while he is orbiting above us."