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notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 3445
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:51 am: | 
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I've never been a fan of any Microsoft product, but you've gotta give it up for Bill, who along with his wife has become one of the greatest sources of philanthropy the world has ever known. He announced that he will gradually transition to a part-time job at Microsoft so he can focus more on his charities. Now THAT's a guy who deserves respect and praise.
link |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11848
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:02 am: |
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The announcement made me think of some of the 19th Century robber barons, most notably Andrew Carnegie, who gave away a lot of their fortunes. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8075
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:06 am: |
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I have great respect on his philosphy about who "owns" his money and his kids' not necessarily being entitled to inherit it.
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eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1522
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:20 am: |
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I actually think he can make a real difference. He's creative and driven enough to look for real solutions and is not interested in just throwing money at problems. I wish him the best of luck - not that he'll need it. |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2357
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:23 am: |
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I wish more gazillionaires recognized their own responsibility to give back. I hope he is an inspiration to others in such a position.
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Chris Prenovost
Citizen
Username: Chris_prenovost
Post Number: 972
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:33 am: |
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You know, this is just what the third world needs now. More people. |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1872
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:40 am: |
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I wish more gazillionaires recognized their own responsibility to give back. I hope he is an inspiration to others in such a position.
Pippi, I'm only one person. I'm giving my billions away as fast as I can! |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8077
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:44 am: |
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I am now ashamed of using mine for garden compost.  I could just buy tomatos.... |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 3388
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 10:43 am: |
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This past Friday's BusinessWeek cover story is on Bill Gates and his attempts at school reform. Very interesting. One has to give him credit for at least bringing attention to this issue, along with many others.
http://tinyurl.com/e5dmb |
TomD
Citizen
Username: Tomd
Post Number: 471
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 11:08 am: |
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Hopefully he'll be a model for others...maybe if Gates keeps getting great press it will drive people like Larry Ellison (and his absurd ego) to do the same.
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notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 3458
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 11:51 am: |
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I just read that Angelina Jolie gives a third of her income to charity. Good for her (and the recipients)! |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14758
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 4:17 pm: |
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Gates's relatively recent level of philanthropy comes after some criticism for his earlier lower level. He gave less of his wealth than previous hyper-rich people, and he was making more than his predecessors, even after adjusted for inflation.
But I do give him credit for coming around and for his most recent announcement. I think he will do a lot of good in the world.
I don't like most of his products, and I don't like some of Microsoft's business practices. I think Bill Gates is a brilliant marketeer and a mediocre software designer. But he gets a lot of credit for his vision for the ubiquity of computing. Most of us poo-poo'd his predictions. He was right and we were wrong. Now that his foundation will address education, I think he can use his visions well. I will probably trust him. (As if I have a choice!)
So my disdain for him has waned, and now I admire him and appreciate him. Go Bill!
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