Not Good enough, Bill Gates,-- a paltry 1 million to Aids

[Valkyrie]

If he donated a billion, he'd still have 60-some billion left.

Down with Microsoft
Down with Bill Gates' Empire
---
Bill Gates Gives $100 Mln to Fight AIDS in India


NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp Chairman Bill Gates announced on Monday a $100 million grant to battle HIV/AIDS in India, which has the world's second largest number of victims of the deadly disease.

The announcement came as Gates, sporting a red Hindu "tika" mark on his forehead, began a four-day trip to India with a visit to an AIDS clinic in the Indian capital, where he talked with HIV-positive patients.

The donation -- the largest single-country grant by his charity, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation -- would provide better access to HIV prevention measures for truck drivers, migrant workers and other mobile people who are seen as vulnerable to HIV infections.

According to official figures, India has four million HIV-positive cases, the highest after South Africa. But some reports estimate the number of people afflicted in India could burgeon to 20 million by 2010.

"Mobile populations are very much at risk on AIDS and on spreading AIDS in the general population," Gates told a news conference. He said his foundation would also help remove the social stigma attached to AIDS in India.

Activists say Indians with HIV have been thrown out of their jobs or homes and even refused treatment by doctors.

Indian Health Minister Shatrughan Sinha will chair a board that will administer the anti-AIDS program, Gates said.

Helene Gayle, director of the foundation's HIV program, told Reuters the $100 million was an initial amount with no timeframe for spending. The latest contribution brings to $600 million the foundation has allocated so far on its anti-AIDS program, she added.

Earlier, Gates, received a traditional Indian welcome, as he met patients suffering from HIV/AIDS at a Naz Foundation center. The foundation is a volunteer group working to heighten awareness about the disease.

He sat cross-legged on a mattress listening to volunteers.

DEFENDS CRITICISM

Gates, the richest man in the world and whose company dominates the computer software market, will also meet leaders, businessmen and technology experts during the visit.

A government spokesman said Gates met Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and briefed him about his charity's efforts to spread AIDS awareness in India, and received assurances of government support.

Gates defended criticism that his foundation had upset people by backing the estimate that India was heading toward 20 million HIV cases. He said past estimates had proved to be low.

"There is no doubt that India has a serious problem on this front," he said.

Gates, on his third Indian visit in five years, is also expected to announce that Microsoft is stepping up its Indian software involvement, a source close to the company told Reuters.

Some 20 percent of Microsoft's engineers are of Indian origin and Gates said in a recent interview the company took a special interest in the country because of that.

Microsoft has a software center in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, one of the few outside the United States.

Gates is due to meet Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who is keen to harness software for use by India's masses.

[Mahdavikia]

Yes, he could give a lot of more. But he gives something, it's better than some other multimillionaires.

[Valkyrie]

TAX WRITE-OFF......

[Tuxie]

Quote: from Paris on 3:24 pm on Nov. 11, 2002
TAX WRITE-OFF......

Exactly.



Gates is due to meet Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who is keen to harness software for use by India's masses.

Come on,if he really wants software for the masses he would go with OpenSource software,which is usally free (as in free beer) and everyone can use it,plus it will actually give the people freedom and quality software (compared to MS software).I don't see how MS software will be of any use to the masses,they cant possibly pay for it.

[Valkyrie]

Cough it up Oprah-- you can spread it around better than that--- a measely, 600 grand. Pffttt! Quit syphoning off your "Angel Network" and taking credit for it!

Down with Corporate Write-offs!
Down fake philanthropy!
-----

Oprah Gives to College Scholarships


CLEVELAND (AP) - Talk show host Oprah Winfrey stunned a college audience with a major donation for scholarships.

While giving the keynote speech at Cuyahoga Community College's scholarship luncheon, Winfrey offered to match the $600,000 the event was expected to raise for scholarships.

She said her donation was a tribute to the dual forces that have shaped her life.

``All that I am or will ever become is because of my spiritual foundation and my educational foundation,'' Winfrey said Friday.

College President Jerry Sue Thornton was as surprised as everyone else.

``We had no idea,'' Thornton said. ``This means so much. We had to turn away students who wanted to come in the fall because we didn't have enough scholarship money.''

The two-year college has more than 20,000 students. Winfrey has been friends for 15 years with the Rev. Otis Moss, a Baptist minister who co-sponsored the luncheon.



11/10/02 14:38

[Dan Majerle]

Hold on Paris. Bill Gates had donated something like 2.6 billion dollars to aids through his Bill and Melinda Foundation. I think that is generous. Anytime somebody gives that much money, his name can't always be necessarily up for criticism.

[Navid Communist]

I mean he is rich but he pays shit loads of money too aids,universitys so on. I ain't just because TAX Write-Off

What other Multi-Milijoner would do that.

[trebboR]

Not much multi-miljoiners. Every bit helps, if that is much or not.

[Blasphemy]

how much money did you guys donate to the fight against aids?

[Valkyrie]

That is hardly the point. If any one of us donated $5 to Aids or any other social cause, we would have donated a much larger percent of our income than the 1 million Gates donated compared to the scale of his enourmous income.

He is a multi-Billionaire, not a multi-millionaire, a huge difference. He has amassed a personal fortune worth 59 billion dollars, that is larger than some whole countries economies. He will never, ever use all that money. It is criminal that he is withholding money that can be used NOW in third world countries where people are starving to death at a rate of 24,000 a day because Bill Gates has the world wealth accumulating in a bank somewhere where he doles out pitiful amounts to fool people into thinking he is a great philanthrophist.
He doesn't fool me.
Sorry, 1 million is not enough. When he gives 55 billion I will lay off. If someone can't live off of 5 billion then they shouldn't be alive anyway.

[Blasphemy]

of course it's the point. the guy didn't give 1 million, he gave 100 million. difference.... he made a huge contribution, and i think he should be credited for that, despite the fact that his standards of living will not worsen now. he has money, and a lot of it goes to different charity funds and the like. i know you don't like because he's filthy rich, but giving 100m is better that giving nothing.

[Iepilei]

Gates will have that 100 million back in a few weeks. Granted - it is a large amount of money, but he has much more he can offer.

I personally couldn't donate that much, but I would donate all that I don't need to survive. Bill is a scrawny guy, so I don't believe he needs some 30 billion to feed himself, nor his family.

[Dan Majerle]

Paris,

It was 100 million dollars not 1 million dollars as you continuasly repeat and also something like 2.6 billion dollars is an incredible amount just for aids when you consider the largest 8 or so countries agree to donate 1 billion to aids combined. Also that 2.6 billion is only to aids, he has donated millions more to other charities.

[Valkyrie]

FUCK HIM! It's a scab on his ass - What you want to award him the Nobel Peace Prize???
Fine, He donated 100 million to Aids for India, a drop in the bucket. He dumped 400 million on top of that for Microsoft technology in India. He is what is wrong with the world. He is Capitalism epitomized. Don't let the fucker off the hook.

[Iepilei]

ya gotta rembember, alot of people who post here are of kind hearts - who forgive quite easily.

I must admit, he is much more focused on philathrapy than any of his other thieving collegues.

[I Bow 4 Che]

give it to the fucking south africans for aids!

[Palmares]

Yes he gave much money to charity and so forth, but he is a complete bourgeois, thinking only for himself. He only donates to get people off his back, but I'm not saying he has no heart. Only give credit where it is merited, and it is merited, but not nearly as much credit as much of you seem to be giving him.

I will not be happy until he lives off a dollar a day. But I am content if he donates large amounts of money.

[Tuxie]

Don't forget that he ruined the whole software thing,by forcing people to pay alot for the MS products that are inferior to the free (as in free beer) alternatives (just look at Linux/GNU and Mozilla). Also,OpenSource gives people more freedom,which is very good.

[Navid Communist]

Of Course he makes that money in a week but he donats money quite much. Just Be Happy sómeone does. He could have donated more, not that 100 miljon dollers is a little amunt.

[TheLesserof2Evils]

I think the fact that he gave something should count for something, I mean look at people like Pres. Bush, he makes good money and comes from money but you dont see him giving millions away, at least Gates takes some action. Anyways, Change usually occures from within not from leaders, whether they be economic or social.

[Lefty]

hey, 100 million dollars will help the cause. As far as I'm concerned, its a good thing. He could give more, but he gives pretty constantly, I am sure he will continue to do so.

[Valkyrie]

Well, Well, Well, I never, ever, ever thought I'd see the day when Socialists line up as apologists behind such blatant capitalist opposition as Bill Gates. Soon you will be excusing George Bush, because well... good of him to allow us to buy the oil after he slaughters half the world for it.

[RedLight]

HE SHOULD GIVE MORE!!!

[TheLesserof2Evils]

First of all Bill gates has nothing to do with Bush (but I agree with you about the oil monger ticoon administration that hes apart of) however I believe that you cant say that Bill gates didn't donate enough money, what he did was philanthropic and it doesn't deserve to be harked on. I mean, if someone did something kind for you would you say, "Hey you didn't give me enough money!" No, I don't think you would, HOPEFULLY you would thank the Maker for that person and wish him fair tidings, that is if you have a good heart. I think it's childish to argue over someones philanthropic deeds.

[Valkyrie]

Actually Gates has a lot to do with Bush as he is able to run roughshod over everyone in his pursuit of capitalist exploitation and ill-gotten gain.

I WANT to see Bill Gates' good heart then he'll get my fair tiding. The one principle of communism that I always identify with is -- to each according to their need..... in his case that would mean, if he's not using it, then pass it on to someone who can... That concept surpasses any ideology.. it's fair and it makes sense. Gates is not doing that by any shot. I don't care about the money he gives away... I care about the money he is keeping.

[techguru]

hmmmmmmmmmm.......

makes me wonder, meeting with high officials, token monetary gestures...to the worlds #1 software outsourcing country, from the worlds #1 software producer. layoffs on the way?

[Dan Majerle]

Paris,

From each according to his ability to each according to his need...
In that case yes Bill Gates has donated something inproportionate to what he makes and requires to live a simple life. That i agree with you. Now how much have you donated to charity that strips you of the ability to buy unneeded consumer goods such as a myriad of dresses, shoes, etc. I'm not doubting that you have donated heaps to charity, but you have undoubtedly chosen to keep most of your money so you can spend. True? I think so. The 3 billion Gates has donated in his lifetime to charity might only be 3/70th of his personal fortune, but do you think that you have donated more than 3/70th of your fortune to charity?

[Valkyrie]

Lame Analogy Dan. My finanical situation doesn't enter into it -- The two aren't even comparable. I have no surplus, squandered or non-use money on hand. The money I use to live off of is in no way preventing millions of others from the means of procuring their own survival. However, One single person monopolizing the world's wealth does.

[techguru]

Paris, I agree. But you have to admit we are lucky if the masters toss us any peanuts at all.
shit flows downhill. money flows uphill.

[Dan Majerle]

Quote: from Paris on 8:08 am on Nov. 20, 2002
Lame Analogy Dan. My finanical situation doesn't enter into it -

Hold on you cannot separate yourself from this issue if you are criticising somebody else's lack of contribution without bothering to make a critique on your own similar position. You cannot make a judgement from the position of a higher moral authority simply because you feel a rich person has not contributed alot when you refuse to discuss your contribution. Comparisons can and should be made. The question stands. Have you donated approximately 3/70th of your fortune to charity like Bill Gates?

- [/quote]

The two aren't even comparable. I have no surplus, squandered or non-use money on hand. The money I use to live off of is in no way preventing millions of others from the means of procuring their own survival. [/quote]

How is Bill Gates depriving people from the means of procuring their own survival when he provides millions upon millions around the world with jobs. You can even argue that he is responsible for the computer revolution taking place in India as we speak. The fact that he has donated 3+ billion dollars to charity highlights that he seeks to help to a degree humanity.

[/quote]

However, One single person monopolizing the world's wealth does. [/quote]

Refer to above. Paris you cannot alienate yourself from such a discussion. Nor can you take the moral highground and be judgment. If you want to see change in the world, first you must look at yourself and be the model for change you seek upon everyone. Now until you contribute the same fraction of money that Bill Gates has, and until you reform yourself to the person you seek humanity should model itself into, then such outrageous claims such as Bill Gates is not doing enough are not valid or appropriate. It is like people against capitalism and materialism yet wear Che Guevara t-shirts. That annoys me the most!

[redstarshining]

Quote: from Dan Majerle on 10:14 am on Nov. 20, 2002

Quote: from Paris on 8:08 am on Nov. 20, 2002
Lame Analogy Dan. My finanical situation doesn't enter into it -

Hold on you cannot separate yourself from this issue if you are criticising somebody else's lack of contribution without bothering to make a critique on your own similar position. You cannot make a judgement from the position of a higher moral authority simply because you feel a rich person has not contributed alot when you refuse to discuss your contribution. Comparisons can and should be made. The question stands. Have you donated approximately 3/70th of your fortune to charity like Bill Gates?

-

The two aren't even comparable. I have no surplus, squandered or non-use money on hand. The money I use to live off of is in no way preventing millions of others from the means of procuring their own survival. [/quote]

How is Bill Gates depriving people from the means of procuring their own survival when he provides millions upon millions around the world with jobs. You can even argue that he is responsible for the computer revolution taking place in India as we speak. The fact that he has donated 3+ billion dollars to charity highlights that he seeks to help to a degree humanity.

[/quote]

However, One single person monopolizing the world's wealth does. [/quote]

Refer to above. Paris you cannot alienate yourself from such a discussion. Nor can you take the moral highground and be judgment. If you want to see change in the world, first you must look at yourself and be the model for change you seek upon everyone. Now until you contribute the same fraction of money that Bill Gates has, and until you reform yourself to the person you seek humanity should model itself into, then such outrageous claims such as Bill Gates is not doing enough are not valid or appropriate. It is like people against capitalism and materialism yet wear Che Guevara t-shirts. That annoys me the most!





[/quote]



You can be sure that M$ destroyed more jobs than it created. I have no statistics to prove that, but you know how Microsoft deals with competition. Over 90% of the OS market are in the hands of Microsoft. That's the big problem with monopolys, without M$ it would be far easier for me to find a job as a Linux system administrator or open source developer. The list of competing companies that M$ bought and/or shut down is long.
But not only the workers, even the consumers have to pay the price for monopolism. Microsoft is taking over the world with inferior products ( although some of the products made for the end consumer market are not that bad ).

Also, spending 3/70th of ones fortune for charity as a worker is very different from spending 3/70th as a multi billionaire. Well, at least he donated something.

[Dan Majerle]

Can you argue that Microsoft is a monopoly if it doesn't control more than 70% of the market and therefore by law not a monopoly? The U.S. government has broken up Microsoft to an extent and forced it to invest and rival companies stocks like Mac to stop it from having hegemony in the computer industry.
However back to the main point, Gates has donated heaps and i don't see how people can accuse him of doing too little when in fact they do even less proportionately to him.

[Exploited Class]

Quote: from Paris on 6:03 pm on Nov. 19, 2002
Well, Well, Well, I never, ever, ever thought I'd see the day when Socialists line up as apologists behind such blatant capitalist opposition as Bill Gates. Soon you will be excusing George Bush, because well... good of him to allow us to buy the oil after he slaughters half the world for it.

I am going to say it, No shit. What is going on here people? Are you socialists/ Communists or Democrats/Republicans?

This, "It could be worse he could have donated anything at all." That sounds like the people I work with, "Hey they just removed our healthcare benefits and we aren't getting raises". Their reply, "Oh well it could be worse you could have no job at all."

People are actually saying good things about one of the kings of Capitalism on a Che-Lives chat board.

All Bill Gates did today was cushion his points of love with the people. Hoping people will like him more and not think horrible things about him and his company.

As far as 2.9 Billion dollars donations through his fund, he set up the gates foundation for his wife for her to do something since she hasn't done a damn thing since she almost deystroyed Microsoft with her project Microsoft Bob. I use to work for Microsoft.

I will not say one nice thing about our masters kind and generous deeds. Unless he comes out tomorrow and says he is giving it all back and will work for the average wage of the workers, he has done nothing good. He just perpetuates this mode of control.

I don't care if he is the lesser of the evils, that he didn't have to do anything at all. Has he tried to promote national healthcare? Has he reduced his workers 40 hour work weeks? Has he given his life to promote the cause of true economic prosperity?

Godamn drop in the bucket for him, 3 Billion of 20 Billion, drop in the bucket.

Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

[TheLesserof2Evils]

Quote: from Dan Majerle on 2:46 pm on Nov. 20, 2002
Can you argue that Microsoft is a monopoly if it doesn't control more than 70% of the market and therefore by law not a monopoly? The U.S. government has broken up Microsoft to an extent and forced it to invest and rival companies stocks like Mac to stop it from having hegemony in the computer industry.
However back to the main point, Gates has donated heaps and i don't see how people can accuse him of doing too little when in fact they do even less proportionately to him.


I don't ayone could have said it better.

[redstarshining]

Quote: from Dan Majerle on 3:46 pm on Nov. 20, 2002
Can you argue that Microsoft is a monopoly if it doesn't control more than 70% of the market and therefore by law not a monopoly? The U.S. government has broken up Microsoft to an extent and forced it to invest and rival companies stocks like Mac to stop it from having hegemony in the computer industry.
However back to the main point, Gates has donated heaps and i don't see how people can accuse him of doing too little when in fact they do even less proportionately to him.


I was referring to the market for operating systems here in europe, according to a statistic I found on the internet, more than 90% of all sales of operating systems are MS products. No idea if this source is correct, and you are right that it's legally no monopoly ( neither here in the EU nor in the US ). Next time I'll have to do a little bit of research before I post :)
However, my point was that Apple is no serious competition for Microsoft, and Linux is designed for another market segment, although there have been attempts to make Linux and open source solutions more attractive for home and office users. Great idea in my opinion, but impossible as long as MS controls most of the market. Same thing with professional solutions, you will agree that Linux servers are technically just the better products, but still I can see that Microsoft is slowly taking over that market segment too.
That's why I think that Microsoft has really done more bad than good for technological development.

Donating proportionately the same amount of money would be quite hard for someone who is not very rich.

[buteo]

EC:

Very nicely said, I totally agree with you when you say that Bill Gates perpetuates capitalism and keeps it alive... Because of this fact alone, his donation to AIDS is at best an attempt to make amends for the perpetuation of an economic system that creates poverty.

But what kind of amends is made if HE IS STILL MAKING MONEY OFF OF THAT SYSTEM.

Capitalism is indirect slavery. They hold invisible whips and chains and Gates is THE biggest profiteer from this system so far.

I truly believe he perpetuates capitalism and serves as a symbol for the importance of the individual over the importance of the community. This idea will get us nowhere as people who need to be united with common goals of health and love for the environment and all life.

[techguru]

if he would have donated money to help domestic citizens that are homeless, hungry, or both, i might think that that this AIDS donation was something more than a business investment. can anyone account for what that money is actually going to? I would bet someones new palace, not food to some hungry kids mouth.

[Iepilei]

let's look at it this way, guys...

from time to time, the US does issue foriegn aid to fledgling countries. Does this excuse their actions? Considering the fact that alot of foreign aid issued to these nations are to develop governments that exceedingly anti-communist??

they're helping people in the short term - but overall they're doing nothing to help them on the WHOLE. That is the point Paris is trying to make.

It was a gain for the AIDs community, but it's a drop in the hat for Mr. Gates...

[Len]

That bastard could give away a million a day and sill have money in 200 years. He even has an underwater stereo system. Capitalism at it's finest!