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By Far the Dumbest Thing I've Read Today

Thu, 2006-07-13 04:03 — Nick Lewis

Sometimes, when I'm out to eat, a friend of mine will take a bite, grimace, and then exclaim, "uhg, this tastes terrible... try it!" I usually do in a heart beat. There's a priceless hilariity to be found in the horrid. 

Similarly, I grimaced while reading this article titled, "Why Enron Chief Was Better Than 'Philanthropists'". The title itself is like a cankorsore -- it's annoying, and hurts -- but for some reason your tounge can't leave it alone. 

Now this article suffers from numerous faults. However, what bugs me most was lines along the lines of, "Now we're supposed to be shocked and awed by Buffett's decision to give $37 billion--about 85 percent of his assets--to Bill Gates' foundation."

No Ted Rall, what shocks and awes me is that in spite of Buffet giving 37 billion dollars to Gate's charity, you believe Lay was the better of the three men. Lay is a monument to the most sickening of greed -- where Buffet and Gates have gone with their fortunes is an inspiration. How far will their combined value, which is close to 100 billion dollars go? I'll tell you this much: a lot farther than the whinny, vapid, vaguely-leftist crap you've contributed in this article.

Comments

Fri, 2006-08-11 03:50 — major_danny (not verified)

Nick you are too hard on

Nick you are too hard on Ted. He makes an interesting argument. It is like a cankersore: it needs a good brushing (painful, but it then goes away). We'll see how much Gates changes the world. I wish him all the best.

I agree with the previous comment and the one before. Lay was the most eggregious example, but many corporate rodents scurried to safety after 9/11. Look at the way firms ditched Aurther Anderson: "we've certainly enjoyed working with you but now it's time for us to leave you." Not that I feel sorry for the accountants or anything.

Office productivity software makes it possible to hire fewer workers and model cost-cutting that ruins employee's lives. Gates didn't invent that software but he refined it, marketed it, and reaped massive benefits. Someone else would have done it if he hadn't.

I really get tired of hearing people talk about "giving back to the community"! Just don't take so frickin' much in the first place, I say.

Finally, for anyone who decides to resent Bill Gates, just imagine if Steve Jobs had that much money. Ick. Scary to contemplate.

Mon, 2006-07-17 04:02 — Mark (not verified)

Ted is correct?

I'm not sure how anyone can say with any level of certainty that it isn't possible to earn any amount of money in a lifetime. To say that "no one amasses great wealth by exchanging hours for dollars" in no way supports this supposition, by the way. The largest part of a successful business person's earnings come not from exchanging hours for dollars, but rather through creating and implementing ideas that leverage his or her time and innovative capability in ways that transcend a direct money-for-hire arrangement. Wealth, sought honestly, comes through the creation of value. To put some sort of limits on potential value underestimates the power of the human mind.
Fri, 2006-07-21 04:18 — Roger (not verified)

I agree with that

You put it very well. My point was I don't think people who have amassed great wealth accomplished it by working for $x per hour. Roger
Sat, 2006-07-15 18:17 — evan (not verified)

Lay is an amelioration function

If you saw the movie Syriana you would remember a moment or two when the characters discuss how to get the big deal done. Here's a sample: Jimmy Pope"What if it involved someone at your firm? Someone way the hell above you? We'd have to have an understanding.Bennett"If he's as big as you say, when he goes down the merger will be approved."Despite himself, Jimmy is impressed.Jimmy Pope"Just like that?"Bennett"We're looking for the illusion of due-dilligence. Two criminal acts successfully prosecuted gives us that illusion." As another character in the film said, Lay got caught out in the light when the other rodents scurried off. Lay is exemplary, not an exceptionally evil man. He was on the branch that was sawed off when the others were allowed to climb down. You can read the screenplay here: http://syrianamovie.warnerbros.com/
Thu, 2006-07-13 12:54 — Roger (not verified)

Ted is correct

He said it doesn't matter how smart you are or how many hours you work etc, it isn't possible to earn $44 billion in a single lifetime. He added the caveat "honestly" but I would say it isn't possible honestly or dishonestly. The fact is, no one amasses great wealth by exchanging hours for dollars. Whether someone amasses great wealth in ways that are always ethical or moral is another question. The more wealth one creates, the more responsibility they have in managing the power attendant with such wealth. To whom much is given, much is required.