>But I'd like to know of examples of MVPs who criticize MS. I realize that MS is not going to pick anyone that only criticizes them, but I also feel that part of the deal is that you can't be critical (even when it is deserved). As much as I value the contribution of some of these MVPs, that's one aspect of the program that I don't like.

I assure you that plenty of MVP's criticize Microsoft. Often, though, it happens in private channels because one benefit of being an MVP is having access to ears at Microsoft.

Nonetheless, some MVP's criticize Microsoft publicly as well. The best example is probably Karl Peterson, a VB MVP who has been extremely vocal about his unhappiness with the changes in VB.NET.

Tamar