Thursday, September 02, 2004

Philanthropy

My 2 cents on philanthropy.
Bill Gates…Oprah… even Angelina Jolie
They call these people philanthropists (well we can call Angelina pretty much anything) .. and that may be true according to the Webster definition of the word.

Main Entry: phi·lan·thro·py
Pronunciation: -pE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -pies
Etymology: Late Latin philanthropia, from Greek philanthrOpia, from philanthrOpos loving people, from phil- + anthrOpos human being
1 : goodwill to fellowmen; especially : active effort to promote human welfare
2 a : a philanthropic act or gift b : an organization distributing or supported by philanthropic funds

Personally I beg to differ. Sure they give a lot of money to various causes and do a great deal of important work -- they also live in luxury I cannot even fathom. They give…but not so much so they couldn’t buy another car, or luxury liner or gold plated manicure set.
We give. And for us to do it – means we go without something.
Sorry Bill – I win, hands down.

Heifer.org

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