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Newbie2
Guest
I feel sorry for you if you really believe that one can buy happiness.
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Al_Masetti
Guest
Soros could wipe out malaria which kills millions each year.
But then, he might have to bring back some limited use of DDT and that would be politically incorrect.
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YADA
Guest
George Soros could do much, but I do not believe that he does … in the end many charities exist merely to spend money and most of that not on the purposes for which they exist bit to benefit the persons who work for the charity …
Much of Soros’ expenditures are spent to affect [effect] policies and politics of governance around the world … not to truly empower people to sise above poverty … that is just my observation … as clicking around his sites illustrates …
I could not find a finacial report on the amount of money that goes to the real work of the charities and how much goes to over head … I am sure there is one … lots of information and advocasy … no real reports of “accomplishments” that I could find … lots of words, lots of programs …
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vern_humphrey
Guest
Soros spends his money buying something that is worth more than money – power.
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Just_wondering
Guest
So, if babies should be aborted to prevent their suffering and to guarantee that they go to heaven, where does that leave the rest of us? Life involves suffering. It also involves great joy and hard work and love and birth and death and tears. So to avoid suffering, we should give up on all the other trials and pleasures of life?
These days, I am suffering. I have little money, I live far from my friends, family, and loved ones, and I’m lonely and tired. Perhaps the priest should shoot me as I’m leaving the confessional, to put me out of my misery and send me to heaven. That would end my suffering. Problem solved!
I certainly hope other people don’t share your way of thinking. I love my life, despite the suffering in it. There’s a green tree outside my window that brings me great pleasure to look at. I am in love with a wonderful man, and in a few months I will be able to live near him, and later marry him.
I plan to be successful in the future. I give a few dollars to the poor now, but later I hope to be able to give more generously. I want to build homes for the homeless and teach skills to refugees and struggling immigrants.
We do not need to be rich in order to contribute to society. We do not need to live a life free of suffering in order to have a life worth living. Suffering is natural. Abortion is unnatural. 'nuff said.
These days, I am suffering. I have little money, I live far from my friends, family, and loved ones, and I’m lonely and tired. Perhaps the priest should shoot me as I’m leaving the confessional, to put me out of my misery and send me to heaven. That would end my suffering. Problem solved!
I certainly hope other people don’t share your way of thinking. I love my life, despite the suffering in it. There’s a green tree outside my window that brings me great pleasure to look at. I am in love with a wonderful man, and in a few months I will be able to live near him, and later marry him.
I plan to be successful in the future. I give a few dollars to the poor now, but later I hope to be able to give more generously. I want to build homes for the homeless and teach skills to refugees and struggling immigrants.
We do not need to be rich in order to contribute to society. We do not need to live a life free of suffering in order to have a life worth living. Suffering is natural. Abortion is unnatural. 'nuff said.
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Ridgerunner
Guest
Unfortunately, there is a lot of truth in that. He does not trust democratic processes, and says so. He is quite open about using his money to support movements that are often contrary to the will of majorities, but which support his ideas.
He is a speculator by trade, a man who manipulates markets. He creates nothing. He excuses his predatory adventures by claiming that someone would have caused financial crises (which he clearly does) if he hadn’t gotten there first. He’s just a self-justifying predator, who frankly admits that he causes a lot of suffering, which he most certainly does.
Yes, I would rather see him spend every dime he has on luxuries if that would keep him from using it to harm people as he does.
His kind of philanthropy, the world could do without.
Back on topic, one of the most wrenching books I have ever read is “City of Joy”, a book about the poorest of the poor in India. The poverty is simply beyond belief and I, for one, am all for the growth in Indian prosperity even if it does cause me to buy a subcompact (I just hate them) someday, add insulation to my house and burn wood, which I do some and could do entirely for heat if it came to that. (Or do one of those well systems like Vern Humphrey)
But the truly remarkable thing about the book is the joy those people have, despite their poverty, and the human kindness among them. They would not agree at all that their lives are not worth living. Not at all.
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ribozyme
Guest
Would you say that about most hedge fund managers who spend their days researching (and some use computer models) and buying and selling securities?
Soros DID NOT cause the Asian Finanacial Crisis, but he did exploit an inefficiency in the Pound Sterling in 1992 by shorting pounds to by German Marks when he made a 10 billion dollar bet against the Pound.
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Ridgerunner
Guest
I am not an expert on hedge funds. I can certainly research it, though, which sometime or other, I will do.
But you know, there is a difference between a speculator who studies the market and places bets on outcomes (not especially admirable, in my book) and a person who actually causes outcomes that causes others to lose. He isn’t a speculator, he’s a manipulator.
A lot of people would disagree with your excusing him from causing the Asian Tiger crash. Actually, though, but not in his defense, he combined with other big money people to do it. He didn’t do it alone, but in conspiracy. I know he says the Asian currencies were overvalued and would have been devalued anyway. But even if he’s right about that, he was the one (with his fellow conspirators) who actually triggered it. It’s a bit like taking money out of the purse of a careless lady who left it on the counter then excusing myself by saying someone else would have taken it anyway if I hadn’t. Worse, it’s like distracting the lady so she leaves her purse on the counter, then taking it.
Please do not tell me that short sellers don’t often cause losses to be greater than they otherwise would be. That’s part of the game. Soros laughably argued that he actually supported the Asian currencies by buying them back when they tanked. That’s part of short selling. You borrow the item in question, sell, sell, sell and break those who are trying to hold on. But you always have to buy the item back in the end to fill the short. As lame an excuse as I have ever read. Supporting Asian currencies indeed!
He does admit to causing the devaluation of the pound singlehandedly. He doesn’t admit to having caused huge financial losses in many countries, including the U.S., in doing it, though he did. He does admit he caused a lot of suffering in England. He excuses it again, with the “purse on the counter” argument. That doesn’t wash. Maybe somebody else would have picked up the purse, maybe not. Maybe the lady would have reclaimed the purse before it was stolen.
His words: "When I sold sterling short in 1992, the Bank of England was on the other side of my transactions, and I was in effect taking money out of the pockets of British taxpayers. But if I had tried to take social consequences into account, it would have thrown off my risk-reward calculation, and my profits would have been reduced. "
At least he told the truth that time, though more than the British taxpayers were harmed in the deal.
You’re worshipping a golden skunk.
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blessedtoo
Guest
Could this be part of your problem? It’s quite impossible to truly empathize with the poor if you refuse to interact with them, or any other “real” human being. It’s difficult to understand your true place in the scheme of life if you spend all your time immersed in the lives of other people who are completely removed from your reality. It is tempting to turn famous personalities into idols or gods when you have no balance, no real people to keep you grounded in reality.
There is a greater poverty than simply the lack of money or wealth. Being poor in spirit is the bigger tragedy.
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mapleoak
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vern_humphrey
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There are those who care so much about the poor that they prefer to kill them, rather than witness their suffering (but they aren’t willing to work to alleviate their suffering.)
I am impressed by such people. But not favorably.
I am impressed by such people. But not favorably.
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YADA
Guest
I find many of the “famous” and very “rich” have charities and run around the world discussing how much they “do”
But as this article points out … having name recognition, tons of money and a “charity” does not always mean that charity abounds …
news.com.au/story/0,23599,23654627-2,00.html
That is why I only donate to charitable organizations who place a premium of effort in directing monies recieved to the “good” intended …
While this article states that 75% of collections should go to the purpose intended … I look for charities that direct 90% or more … leaving overhead 10% or less …if I give a dollar $] to aid an unwed mother, then a minimum of 90 cents should get to the mother and child … the same with homelessness and hunger …
And in that way, my hard earned money can be shared and produce the most good for society. It is sad that ribozyme feels so bereft of the good gifts God provides that they cannot share those gifts with others keepng them selfishly tight to their heart … if they could learn to share, freely without fear of what is lost, they would find out how rewarding and fullfilling sharing can be … how the gifts are multiplied …
I am reminded about the boy with a few fish and a loave of bread… if that boy had told Jesus to go find George Soros instead of taking his meager food supply … would Jesus have been abe to feed the 5000? If he had found George, George might have told Jesus he would not help feed the people for just that onemeal but he woud set up an organization to study world hunger instead …
But as this article points out … having name recognition, tons of money and a “charity” does not always mean that charity abounds …
news.com.au/story/0,23599,23654627-2,00.html
That is why I only donate to charitable organizations who place a premium of effort in directing monies recieved to the “good” intended …
While this article states that 75% of collections should go to the purpose intended … I look for charities that direct 90% or more … leaving overhead 10% or less …if I give a dollar $] to aid an unwed mother, then a minimum of 90 cents should get to the mother and child … the same with homelessness and hunger …
And in that way, my hard earned money can be shared and produce the most good for society. It is sad that ribozyme feels so bereft of the good gifts God provides that they cannot share those gifts with others keepng them selfishly tight to their heart … if they could learn to share, freely without fear of what is lost, they would find out how rewarding and fullfilling sharing can be … how the gifts are multiplied …
I am reminded about the boy with a few fish and a loave of bread… if that boy had told Jesus to go find George Soros instead of taking his meager food supply … would Jesus have been abe to feed the 5000? If he had found George, George might have told Jesus he would not help feed the people for just that onemeal but he woud set up an organization to study world hunger instead …
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Al_Masetti
Guest
Your last sentence was great … setting up an organization to study world hunger … yes … let’s do lunch.
Excellent.
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StevenFrancis
Guest
We have no authority to predict or determine before a person is even born what their life should be like. What they may or may not encounter. What purpose and point there will be to their existence. Consider for a moment your own existience. Were the conditions surrounding your birth perfect in everyway? Did you not suffer as you grew? Have disadvantages or handicaps to overcome? What percentage of the Lord’s children born in the world do you suppose are born without suffering and obstacles to overcome in their lives? Shall we determine that in order to save a child from a life of poverty that we should just end their lives? Then shall we begin to decide that it is too difficult to grow up with Downs syndrome, and in the name of humanity, euthenize these poor children before they’re subjected to life’s cruelties? I have known many Downs syndrome children who brought much more joy to this world, then I feel I will ever be able to. Yet, I was allowed to live. I was born into poverty. I never completely escaped it, but I am of some use to many people in this life. I’ve struggled. I am quite grateful that I was given the right to my struggles, and that my mother didn’t kill me and vacuum me from her womb. Life’s been hard, but it was mine to live, and I have enjoyed it. We do no one a favor by snatching the gift of life from them. It is not mercy. Under any circumstance. It is arrogance, and a violation of the commandment and natural law not to murder.
Peace,
Steven
Peace,
Steven
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StevenFrancis
Guest
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