Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Mageth · 02-08-2003, 04:48 PM

Sorry Mageth, but the admiral specifically mentioned Gates and Turner.

Yes, but you broadened the field when you said "..any other people in the history of the world."

I was pointing out that there are other contenders for the title of "greatest philanthropists"; and when considered percent of actual net worth given, in particular, I think others may be considered greater philanthropists than either Gates or Turner. But in time one or both of them may well contend in that aspect, as well.

Don't get me wrong; Turner and Gates both give a lot, and are to be commended for that.

Here's the Ted Turner Foundation Ted lost between 7 and 8 billion in the stock market recently.

Gates' net worth was once over $100 billion, and is now more like $50 billion, due to the high-tech stock market woes.

ybnormal · 02-08-2003, 04:52 PM

What would you do?

Off the top of my head?

First, I would immediately hire Bill Clinton to gather and hire the right people who would start a quiet campaign to unseat GW Bush and reclaim the Senate in the next election using any and all means one can possibly imagine. In short I would, for lack of a better word, buy the elections.

Second, if I could not outright takeover a leading law college, I would donate enough to have significant influence in its selection process and its future, and I would also found a Constitutional law college with the express purpose of graduating atheists on scholarships who dream of being Federal judges. In the meantime, I would overload the court system with lawsuits of Church State Separation issues and xian political organizations with tax-free status.

Third, I would quietly purchase enough stock in one of the major media empires, say AOL Time Warner, for a full takeover of its content with the express purpose of getting in the face of every human on the planet.

If I had additional funds, I would use front organizations to quietly takeover an existing string of large xian inner city churches and charities for the express purpose of eventually replacing their doctrine while still being able to suck up as much Faith Based tax money as possible into secular coffers and be prepared to fight it thru to the Supreme Court.

OK! Have at it!

Mad Kally · 02-08-2003, 05:01 PM

Quote:

posted by Mageth:
Gates' net worth was once over $100 billion, and is now more like $50 billion, due to the high-tech stock market woes.

Oh yeah, $50 billion is just chump change.

When a child dies every thirty seconds of Malaria, 30,000 to 40,000 children die every day of preventable causes, I think I would like to make a little dent in that. Sort of like Bill and Melinda. (Source: World Heath Organization)

Sorry Mageth, I should know better than to quote something I heard on TV. Especially when I can't find the source.

The Admiral · 02-08-2003, 05:01 PM

ybnormal

Excellent. Far better than my feeble suggestions. Now, where can we get the money?

The Admiral

Mad Kally · 02-08-2003, 05:06 PM

Write a letter to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

fando · 02-08-2003, 05:07 PM

Well, we can print the money. There are lots of smart atheists with capable knowledge...

Something will have to be done about the inflation though.

Mageth · 02-08-2003, 05:16 PM

Oh yeah, $50 billion is just chump change.

Did I say it was "chump change?" I think you're reading me wrong here...

When a child dies every thirty seconds of Malaria, 30,000 to 40,000 children die every day of preventable causes, I think I would like to make a little dent in that. Sort of like Bill and Melinda. (Source: World Heath Organization)

Me too. And guess what? Both you and I can make a dent by donating to organizations dedicated to find solutions to those causes. Just like Bill and Melinda. Well, maybe not as large a chunk o' change, but every donation is worthwhile.

Personally, I consider anyone who contributes a significant chunk of their income to a worthy cause a "philanthropist" just as worthy of praise as Gates, Turner, or any of those other rich people I mentioned. (And I consider you worthy of praise for the work you do, BTW).

Mad Kally · 02-08-2003, 05:19 PM

Mageth,
I have told at least a dozen times on this website about the organizations I donate to. Do I really need to brag about it?

If you feel the need, go right ahead.

Thanks foir the compliment Mageth, but my patients die. I like to donate for people to live. IIRC, you have a family member who is a DAV.

The Admiral · 02-08-2003, 05:28 PM

Actually, none of the above suggestions, including my own, worthy as they may be, address the root cause of human misery. Ignorance and superstition are the root. I include religion within the category of superstition. Nothing that Gates or Turner or anyone has done has impacted this problem. Perhaps Carnagie came closest. After a career of oppressing labor and gaining billions in the process he spent a lot of money endowing libraries. Gates and Turner, for all the money they have spent have done nothing more than stick a bandaid on here and there.

The Admiral

Mageth · 02-08-2003, 05:29 PM

Mageth,
I have told at least a dozen times on this website about the organizations I donate to. Do I really need to brag about it?

If you feel the need, go right ahead.

Kally, you're totally missing the intent of my posts on this thread. I did not mean to imply that you don't donate, or to brag about any donations that I may have made. I was merely trying to point out that the "little guys" that donate money to such causes are just as commendable as the "big guys."

Peace.

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02-08-2003, 04:48 PM	#11
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Sorry Mageth, but the admiral specifically mentioned Gates and Turner. Yes, but you broadened the field when you said "..any other people in the history of the world." I was pointing out that there are other contenders for the title of "greatest philanthropists"; and when considered percent of actual net worth given, in particular, I think others may be considered greater philanthropists than either Gates or Turner. But in time one or both of them may well contend in that aspect, as well. Don't get me wrong; Turner and Gates both give a lot, and are to be commended for that. Here's the Ted Turner Foundation Ted lost between 7 and 8 billion in the stock market recently. Gates' net worth was once over $100 billion, and is now more like $50 billion, due to the high-tech stock market woes.

02-08-2003, 04:52 PM	#12
ybnormal Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 430	What would you do? Off the top of my head? First, I would immediately hire Bill Clinton to gather and hire the right people who would start a quiet campaign to unseat GW Bush and reclaim the Senate in the next election using any and all means one can possibly imagine. In short I would, for lack of a better word, buy the elections. Second, if I could not outright takeover a leading law college, I would donate enough to have significant influence in its selection process and its future, and I would also found a Constitutional law college with the express purpose of graduating atheists on scholarships who dream of being Federal judges. In the meantime, I would overload the court system with lawsuits of Church State Separation issues and xian political organizations with tax-free status. Third, I would quietly purchase enough stock in one of the major media empires, say AOL Time Warner, for a full takeover of its content with the express purpose of getting in the face of every human on the planet. If I had additional funds, I would use front organizations to quietly takeover an existing string of large xian inner city churches and charities for the express purpose of eventually replacing their doctrine while still being able to suck up as much Faith Based tax money as possible into secular coffers and be prepared to fight it thru to the Supreme Court. OK! Have at it!

02-08-2003, 05:01 PM	#14
The Admiral Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Racine, Wi. USA Posts: 768	ybnormal Excellent. Far better than my feeble suggestions. Now, where can we get the money? The Admiral

02-08-2003, 05:06 PM	#15
Mad Kally Banned Join Date: May 2001 Location: LALA Land in California Posts: 3,764	Write a letter to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

02-08-2003, 05:07 PM	#16
fando Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Los Angeles Area Posts: 1,372	Well, we can print the money. There are lots of smart atheists with capable knowledge... Something will have to be done about the inflation though.

02-08-2003, 05:16 PM	#17
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Oh yeah, $50 billion is just chump change. Did I say it was "chump change?" I think you're reading me wrong here... When a child dies every thirty seconds of Malaria, 30,000 to 40,000 children die every day of preventable causes, I think I would like to make a little dent in that. Sort of like Bill and Melinda. (Source: World Heath Organization) Me too. And guess what? Both you and I can make a dent by donating to organizations dedicated to find solutions to those causes. Just like Bill and Melinda. Well, maybe not as large a chunk o' change, but every donation is worthwhile. Personally, I consider anyone who contributes a significant chunk of their income to a worthy cause a "philanthropist" just as worthy of praise as Gates, Turner, or any of those other rich people I mentioned. (And I consider you worthy of praise for the work you do, BTW).

02-08-2003, 05:19 PM	#18
Mad Kally Banned Join Date: May 2001 Location: LALA Land in California Posts: 3,764	Mageth, I have told at least a dozen times on this website about the organizations I donate to. Do I really need to brag about it? If you feel the need, go right ahead. Thanks foir the compliment Mageth, but my patients die. I like to donate for people to live. IIRC, you have a family member who is a DAV.

02-08-2003, 05:28 PM	#19
The Admiral Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Racine, Wi. USA Posts: 768	Actually, none of the above suggestions, including my own, worthy as they may be, address the root cause of human misery. Ignorance and superstition are the root. I include religion within the category of superstition. Nothing that Gates or Turner or anyone has done has impacted this problem. Perhaps Carnagie came closest. After a career of oppressing labor and gaining billions in the process he spent a lot of money endowing libraries. Gates and Turner, for all the money they have spent have done nothing more than stick a bandaid on here and there. The Admiral

02-08-2003, 05:29 PM	#20
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Mageth, I have told at least a dozen times on this website about the organizations I donate to. Do I really need to brag about it? If you feel the need, go right ahead. Kally, you're totally missing the intent of my posts on this thread. I did not mean to imply that you don't donate, or to brag about any donations that I may have made. I was merely trying to point out that the "little guys" that donate money to such causes are just as commendable as the "big guys." Peace.

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