Bill Gates: Philanthropist

[viscousmemories]

Okay, I have to say that I've been talking smack about Gates and Microsoft for years primarily because of their choking out so many little businesses in an effort to monopolize the software market and horde money.

Or so it seemed.

Now I'm starting to think... what if it was all just a trick? What if Gates horded all this wealth and choked out all those companies not because he wanted to get obscenely wealthy, but because he wanted to suck corporate America dry and give the money to the needy!

I mean seriously. This article describes some pretty damn amazing acts of philanthropy. Isn't it at least possible that he's not Satan after all?

Help me out here. I'm tryin' to find some good in the world...

[Dingfod]

Originally Posted by viscousmemories

Isn't it at least possible that he's not Satan after all?

Perhaps he just sold his soul to Satan and now he's dedicated his life to Jebus............. naw, can't be, those rich Republicans that claim to be followers o' Jebus don't seem to have a problem with accumulating... er, hoarding wealth.

[Roland98]

No, he actually does a lot in the area of infectious diseases in third world countries. Didn't know about the UNCF donation, but he's contributed quite a bit of money into TB research (as mentioned in the article) and rotavirus vaccine research, for example.

[Scotty]

I _could_ be wrong, but search back a bit and see if he did squat in that area before he got married. It isn't him, it is his wife.

Besides, the only reason I think they do those types of things is for tax reasons.

-Scott

[LadyShea]

From a practical standpoint, does it really matter WHY he does it, as long as he does it? Maybe he is just trying to make himself look good, after all the man is eccentric and odd by most standards, but those funds are needed even if they come from Satan.

[viscousmemories]

Originally Posted by Scotty

I _could_ be wrong, but search back a bit and see if he did squat in that area before he got married. It isn't him, it is his wife.

That was my thought too. Look at the name, after all. "The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation". FWIW I believe his father is the Chairman or something. Not sure about that. And yeah, IIRC when I was working in the computer field 7 yrs. ago or so his total contributions to charity amounted to less than 1% of his income. Still more than me, but not very impressive.

Originally Posted by LadyShea

From a practical standpoint, does it really matter WHY he does it, as long as he does it? Maybe he is just trying to make himself look good, after all the man is eccentric and odd by most standards, but those funds are needed even if they come from Satan.

Absolutely, I agree. I was shocked when I read that the assets of the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation dwarf those of the Rockefeller and Ford foundations. That's some awesome power for good that seems like it's actually being used for good.