No Man Is an Island No Matter How Rich He Is
The Century Foundation recently held a conference titled "Billionaires and Their Impact" to examine, well, billionaires. Seems like we got a lot more of them than we used to.
This year Forbes magazine listed 1,125 billionaires in the world, compared to 946 in 2007—and a measly 140 billionaires in 1986, the first year of the publication's ranking.
They're multiplying, but none of them are you so it might be a good idea to find out what they plan to do with the planet, seeing as how they own it - or think they do. You can see a bunch of videos of the conference here, including my recommendation: my buddy David Cay Johnston of the NYT talking about how billionaires who don't think they owe nobody nothin' actually owe a lot of people a lot, people without whom they would still be sweeping floors at the Hardie's.
And yes, that includes - especially includes - Senor Bill G.
(Videos are in QuickTime, which I don't know hot to post here or I'd post a couple. There's a bunch of them and some of them are...surprising.)
- Original article
- FILED UNDER: Guest Blogger
- August 7, 2008
No man is an island.
But if you take a bunch of dead guys and tie 'em together, they make a pretty good raft. - Max Cannon
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By f u bush2August 7, 2008 - 9:23pmWell shit howdy!
I think we've just found us one more use for dead mercenaries!
You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury
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By LiberalIconoclastAugust 8, 2008 - 1:47amDead Mercenaries...Mmmm... Yummy.
I like mine extra crispy.
http://tinyurl.com/ccydc
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By A GAugust 8, 2008 - 9:16amHeard any good dead merc jokes lately?
A dismembered dead mercenary is hanging on the local militia office wall. What's his name?
"Art!"
You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury
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By LiberalIconoclastAugust 8, 2008 - 2:57pmTell you what, LiberalIconoclast.
My darkest fear is that we may someday be forced to re-enact this scene here in America.
Historically, fascist takeovers involve "private armies" like Hitler's "WAFEN SS".
These BlackWater motherfuckers have already been "deployed" to keep order in our cities by President Cowboy-Hat... THE MOST LAWLESS, MOST UNCONSTITUTIONAL, MOST SECRETIVE, MOST FASCIST REGIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
=============================
It was my joke, but you know what?... I'm not laughing.
GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC.
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By A GAugust 8, 2008 - 6:05pmThey'll be the ones...
Marching us into the KBR camps. Wonder if the October Surprise this election year, will be martial law?
You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury
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By LiberalIconoclastAugust 8, 2008 - 6:20pmOctober Surprise
Oh, goody! Something to look forward to! Gee, I wonder how I'll look in an orange jumpsuit ...
"I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death."
George Carlin
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By Pookie2112August 11, 2008 - 9:21amPook, read "It Can't Happen Here".
Sinclair Lewis was remarkably prescient in his 1935 novel describing the political rise and ultimate election of a fascist leader here in America (Lewis is a Pulitzer Prize winning author who also wrote powerful classics that examined developing American culture such as "Babbit", "Elmer Gantry", and "Arrowsmith").
Lewis wrote it in just a couple of weeks of intense writing, having watched the rise of fascism in Europe. It is remarkable to note that this was a full four years before Hitler's invasion of Poland.
I read it over a year ago and have had time to think about it... It grows more powerful... Stunning, really.
It chronicles the confluence of MEDIA, EVANGELICAL RIGHT-WING POLITICS, and TRUMPTED UP TERRORISM HYSTERIA that leads to ordinary citizens being locked up and tortured in internment camps.
=======================
It can't happen here??... Yes it can.
Of course in those days, the media was radio... Today President Cowboy-Hat admonishes the Chinese, not for economic and political oppression... Not because they suppress free speech...Not for secular human rights violations...BUT BECAUSE THEY REJECT JESUS.
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis
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By A GAugust 11, 2008 - 2:44pmWill do - thanks for the tip. Going to Amazon.com right now.
If I were Monkey Boy, I'd ease up on the criticisms ... one, because he is in NO position to lecture ANYONE about human rights, economic and political oppression, and two, he certainly can't bite the hand that holds 99.9% of our debt ... and, as far as the religious bullshit - well, we can see how well 'Jesus' is doing by him, and by extension, the country ... who the fuck does he think he is??!! The arrogance is astounding.
"I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death."
George Carlin
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By Pookie2112August 11, 2008 - 3:06pmHere's your Hollywood hypocrisy for today, courtesy of CNN
Jon Voight, whom they tout as a rare conservative voice in Hollywood, apparently wrote a scathing anti-Obama, anti-democrat op-ed in a major newspaper (I can't recall which). Now some are talking about blacklisting him from movies. CNN and Voight were all up in arms about it, and I expect that it will be a new contard cause celebre today. My question is......where was CNN and Jon Voight when the Dixie Chicks were having their music pulled off their radio for their comments about Bush and the Iraq War? Where were they when Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon were blacklisted for their opposition to the war? As I recall, CNN was little different from Faux Noise at that point. The cons wanted to see their careers destroyed as retribution for questioning the god-like vision of Bush and Cheney. If Jon Voight was concerned about their blacklisting, he sure did a good job of hiding it too.
So, contards, is blacklisting good or bad? It's either good for everyone, or bad for everyone. I for one don't want to see it happen to Voight, as your political views should never, ever be a consideration for your job. I know that's an unpopular view in the current administration, especially at the Justice Department, where you apparently had to pass a very strict neocon litmus test to get or retain your job as a prosecutor. Even so, in America, NOT Amerika, we are supposed to judge your fitness for a job by your experience, abilities and skills, not your ideology. I may think Voight is being a jerk (a common theme in his life), but I defend his right to his opinion.
So contards, man up. Ready to say the blacklisting of the Dixie Chicks, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon was wrong? Or will we play the same old repub double standard game, bemoaning suggestions that Voight be blacklisted but that the blacklisting of the above performers was justified?
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By UffdaguyAugust 8, 2008 - 10:26amHere ya go, Suave
From that most 'prestigious' of newspapers ...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/28/voight/
"VOIGHT: My concerns for America
Obama sowing socialist seeds in young people:
Considering that this guy is pretty much washed up, and, since he hasn't gotten many jobs of late, he's probably hoping the Repugs hang in there so he can continue to live off the tax breaks. He knows that if Obama gets elected, he may have to go work on, the HORRORS, a soap opera, or even worse, 'Dancing with the Stars", therefore, I'm not putting too much stock in what this freak show has to say.
"I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death."
George Carlin
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By Pookie2112August 8, 2008 - 10:34amMy, my, he almost sounds like one of our numerous
mosquitos....um....I mean contard trolls. Whenever someone disagrees with his neocon viewpoint by suggesting we maybe ought to take care of American citizens instead of exploiting them for the profits of corporations, he calls them "socialists". I can't even count how many times I've earned that title on here from such esteemed "thinkers" as Q, weasy, shithedd, hatey and all their various sockpuppets and manifestations. I guess Jon must think his daughter is a socialist too, acting as a goodwill ambassador for the socialist UN. You'd think he would have raised her better, eh?
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By UffdaguyAugust 8, 2008 - 10:45amI can't take this tool seriously, anyway.
I've never really admired him as an actor and thought he was a total douche bag for saying Angelina Jolie, on national fucking TV, needs 'mental' help. This from a guy who abandoned his family for a new piece of ass and can't accept that his kids 'dislike' him for it.
All that piece is is a rehashing of the same old, boring RepugliCANT talking points. You'd think that as a actor, he would have used more creativity.
As far as the Dixie Chicks are concerned - that King of White Trash, Tobey Keith was on The Colbert Report a few months ago, when all the talk was how badly the war in Iraq was going and that the Dixie Chicks were right in what they said - Colbert asked him if he would apologize to the Chicks for his treatment of them ... and what does he say? "I'm not apologizing for my patriotism" ... I swear, I got SO pissed that I screamed at the TV, "Fuck! They never questioned YOUR patriotism, YOU QUESTIONED THEIRS!" What a fucking IDIOT this guy is.
Jesus H. CHRIST, I should be used to the RepugliCANT hypocrisy but they still managed to shock me with their inherent STUPIDITY.
"I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death."
George Carlin
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By Pookie2112August 8, 2008 - 10:55amAnd do take note...
The Chicks are still cutting CDs and getting good reviews, while Toby can't even get a gig at a Crammity "Freedumb Concert." Soon and very soon, "The Tobe" will be playing Branson, covering Lee Greenwood tunes.
You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury
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By LiberalIconoclastAugust 8, 2008 - 3:00pmToby,
Needs to hang out with Willie Nelson some more to be brought around to be the democrat that his dad taught him to be. And maybe smoke some of Willies special stash.
FREE LEONARD PELTIER
www.aimovement.org
www.layoffinhofe.com
www.autismrocks.org
www.andrewriceforoklahoma.com
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By rlm_dcbAugust 8, 2008 - 3:20pmLMAO!
"God DAMN Willie! What kinda Camel Regulars® did you give me? I got this hyar urge to vote fer that thar O-Bammy even if he is a nigra!"
You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury
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By LiberalIconoclastAugust 8, 2008 - 3:26pmOr even some special
Brownies, with an extra dash of something MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.
FREE LEONARD PELTIER
www.aimovement.org
www.layoffinhofe.com
www.autismrocks.org
www.andrewriceforoklahoma.com
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By rlm_dcbAugust 8, 2008 - 3:33pmThe Chicks are STILL kicking ass ...
I don't like country music but since that time, I've purposely bought their CD's. Gave them to my mother - she digs on that stuff.
Branson - LOL! We can only hope!
"I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death."
George Carlin
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By Pookie2112August 8, 2008 - 3:45pmIf the contards hate socialism so much
that must mean it is actually good for the majority of the people on this planet.
The way to interpet contardese is to just believe the exact opposite of what they say.
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By thaelmann37August 8, 2008 - 11:36amAs for Voight...
They should make a sequel to " Deliverance" and have him get raped in the ass this time.
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By thaelmann37August 8, 2008 - 11:39amA la "George Costanza's Opposite Day"? ;-)
NASTY visual for this early in the am (can't quite get it together yet today - missed that first cup of java this morning!).
Think he'd 'squeal like a pig?"
"I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death."
George Carlin
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By Pookie2112August 8, 2008 - 11:44amBy Pookie2112August 8, 2008 - 10:34am
The first sentence of his op-ed includes a statement regarding the importance of "programming children". Nice vision don't you think?
If Obama wins we're going socialist. Okay Jon, you reason right.
Ever think that it's Hollywood and couches overcum blacklists. Obviously daughter and son-in-law haven't been puttin' the good word.
Really, can you imagine Brad and Angelina walking into the studio and saying we want to do a stupid action moving starring both our faces, Brad's abs, Angelina's rack, the twins and grand dad. And the studio boss says "no way, pops has been blacklisted as a non-socialist."
Alternately Gibson could finance a buddy moving where Voigt and Fred Thompson play reactionary CIA agents brought out of retirement to save capitalism by teaching programmable patriots how to torture like the Viet Cong.
Do these people have any non-mockable arguments?
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By Dr_BillionaireAugust 8, 2008 - 11:58amHey, what's up, Doc?!
I nearly lost my mouthful of coffee while reading that! Gee, I always thought we 'taugh' our children to be responsible, respectful and compassionate but since Mr. Voight says I should be 'programming' my kid, I guess I've been doing it wrong all along.
Well, if my father proclaimed on national tv that I needed mental help, I think I'd be hesitant to put in a good word for him, too. Did he think his daughter would welcome him with open arms after that stupid remark?! "Blacklisted" - just an excuse for his lack of work. I'm telling you, he's staving off "Dancing with the Stars" as best he can because that's probably the ONLY kind of work flowing his way. I mean, what WAS the last movie he was in??
"Alternately Gibson could finance a buddy moving where Voigt and Fred Thompson play reactionary CIA agents brought out of retirement to save capitalism by teaching programmable patriots how to torture like the Viet Cong."
LOL - Perhaps Mel can do a cameo as Pope Pius XII for extra measure ...
No, they don't, but, hey, easy entertainment!
"I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death."
George Carlin
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By Pookie2112August 8, 2008 - 12:20pmTed Nugent can do the soundtrack.
" And Chuck Norris as the Beaver."
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By thaelmann37August 8, 2008 - 12:28pmBy Pookie2112August 8, 2008 - 12:20pm
What's up, Doc!
Well I've been engaged in a fair bit of productivity mitigation lately. Hopefully the brief vacation I started Friday will result in some minimal productivity towards the end of next week.
Isn't pope below Mel's pay grade? Maybe not. Was Pius XII sainted.
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By Dr_BillionaireAugust 9, 2008 - 8:14pmBy Dr_BillionaireAugust 9, 2008 - 8:14pm
I'll keep my fingers crossed you don't have to expend much energy on your vaca!
HELL no! The Vatican's wealth can wipe out all third world countries debt, far surpassing any amount of money Mel can make with "The Passion of the Christ" - I know he was in the process of being canonized; the Vatican has given him the title of "Venerable", which is the first step to sainthood. Yes, he was quite the 'nice' guy to the Jews ... hey, no one ever said Roman Catholics were the brightest bulbs in the box ...
"I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death."
George Carlin
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By Pookie2112August 11, 2008 - 9:21amIOKIYAR.
If all else fails, immortality can always be assured by spectacular error. ~~~John Kenneth Galbraith
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By nonexistent manAugust 8, 2008 - 12:00pmHalf Billion
If Mitt Romney and John McCain run together, they will represent more than a half billion dollars. Why would they need public financing?
And yet, it's Obama who is the elitist. Why, because Obama graduated near the top of the class at Harvard. McCain graduated 5th from the bottom out of 899 Cadets from the Navel Academy. McCain wasn't the bottom of the class, he was the bottom of EVERY class. And yet, it's Obama who is elitist.
Republican would never give their children to a doctor who graduated at the bottom of the class. They wouldn't trust him. And yet, they want to give the country over to someone who graduated at the bottom.
How come more Republicans don't name their sons Jethro and their daughters Ellie Mae? If the name fits ......
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By deanrddAugust 8, 2008 - 9:29pmYeah, I don't get it.
Somehow the son of an Admiral, who was the son of ANOTHER Admiral, who got into Annapolis because of those very same family connections (sound familiar?)...
... THEN GRADUATED IN THE BOTTOM ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT OF HIS CLASS AND PROMPTLY CRASHED TWO PLANES BECAUSE OF PILOT ERROR (yet STILL somehow was assigned to fly fighters off an aircraft carrier)
... And who HAD AN AFFAIR prior to abandoning his ailing wife (who needed him more than ever after a crippling accident)... IS TRYING TO PAINT Barak Obama, A MIDDLE CLASS KID, THE SON OF AN IMMIGRANT, RAISED BY HIS FOLKS FROM KANSAS... AS A FUCKING ELITIST.
I just don't get it.
How did the coward Bush make Kerry, the war hero, a coward?... It's MAGIC.
Just how STUPID are the American people??
Think it over, Contards.
"The beauty of democracy is that YOU GET EXACTLY THE GOVERNMENT YOU DESERVE." - AG
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By A GAugust 9, 2008 - 4:36pm