Elon Musk

[Leisher]

Strong, strong agreement with Elon here.

Giving away all that money without strings is almost the least effective way help people. I only think donating it all to a single political party would be less effective. Had she dropped it from the sky, she would have helped more people.

As Musk says,

“The biggest challenge I find with my foundation is trying to give money away in a way that is truly beneficial to people,” he added. “It’s very easy to give money away to get the appearance of goodness. It is very difficult to give money away for the reality of goodness. Very difficult.”

Seriously, why are liberal white women so fucking stupid?

Melinda French Gates has also been openly frustrated with her fellow billionaire class, saying those who previously signed the Giving Pledge—a promise for the ultrawealthy to give away the majority of their wealth—could be doing more.

More than 250 of the world’s wealthiest have signed the pledge, but many have so far failed to live up to it. One of those is Warren Buffett, whose son Howard has sounded downright Muskian in saying it’s “not so easy to give away money” if you want to do it right.

Maybe do a little research into charities and see how many of them get rated as being terrible due to the miniscule amount of money that actually makes it to the people that need help?

Here's a thought, how about stopping with the performative donations of money that you really don't know where it ends up, and instead give your TIME? You're both unemployed and have all the time in the world. Run your charitable giving like a business. Create jobs by hiring accountants you can send to audit charities as a condition of getting your money. Personally visit them and the people/communities/animals they help.

“We have the old adage, actions speak louder than words,”

I agree with you completely. Unfortunately, your actions show that you have no understanding of human nature and you mismanage money.

[TheCatt]

Maybe do a little research into charities and see how many of them get rated as being terrible due to the miniscule amount of money that actually makes it to the people that need help?

Yes, I doubt people with the resources of MFG or Scott would ever look into a charity.

Create jobs by hiring accountants you can send to audit charities as a condition of getting your money.

Charities are largely already audited, with reports available.

Personally visit them and the people/communities/animals they help.

They have, if you read up on them.

Your attack feels baseless.

Elon claims it's "hard" but it's really just greed.

[Leisher]

Yes, I doubt people with the resources of MFG or Scott would ever look into a charity.

Well, MFG had one... Did she part ways with it when she parted ways with her, alleged, pedophile husband?

They can afford to hire people to look into them. Hell, they can hire people to ensure their money is properly handled.

Charities are largely already audited, with reports available.

I am aware. They need to do that to maintain their charity status. However, charities have been known to pay ridiculous sums of money to employees, while still qualifying as charities because some of the money gets to the people in need. Somehow, despite many of these charities being on lists created by watchdog groups, they still get funding. Sometimes the grift is big enough that people behind the charities just disappear.

Remember that Susan...whatever charity that the NFL worked with?

And why I personally get triggered: The United Way. They now claim that $.85 of every dollar gets to the actual level of charity...They do not specifically say people in need...but back when I was giving them a grand willy nilly every year (ironically, it was when I was single because my far left wife would NEVER give a charity that much), it turned out to be $.10. I'm sure they've cleaned house since then, but there's a reason why they were fucking EVERYWHERE back in the day and now, not so much.

They have, if you read up on them.

There is a huge, huge difference between a scheduled visit and a pop in. Scheduled visits result in dog and pony shows. I remember when they spray painted the bushes green at the front gate of my base in NM when a high ranking general was visiting.

Should normal people do this? Fuck no. Trust the public audits. However, these women are playing with sums of money that people murder one another over. They have to understand this and behave accordingly.

Your attack feels baseless.

She has given away over $26B all by herself. Show me the impact. She could have sent 239Kish people to a 4 year college (Think about that for a minute. College is WAY too fucking expensive.). She could have given 712,000 rescued animals lifetime homes. She could have funded 10 yards of California's high speed rail!

$1.5-2 TRILLION spent ending disease and famine in Africa. How's that going?

Money given away rarely results in good things. You have to really be careful that the money is spent not just helping, but equipping, training, and preparing people for when the free money ends.

All I see are two smug twats sitting in their ivory mansions pretending they did something of note so they can feel good about it. Elon's 100% right that the money they've given away is about feels, not actually getting results.

Elon claims it's "hard" but it's really just greed.

You could absolutely be right about greed, but it's genuinely really fucking hard when it's that much money. The temptation is way too high. Go post on FB tonight that you won the lottery and check back in with us in 6 months. You'll have discovered an entire other tree's worth of family all wanting to reconnect. Friends you haven't spoken to in years will be DMing you. Old GFs and random hotties will be throwing themselves at you...hmmm...might be worth an experiment...for science!

It's super easy to just hand out cash, but if you want it to actually be effective, it truly is difficult.

That stupid pledge among the uber rich is nothing more than a promise to transfer their wealth to others. I, too, would have signed it and then ignored it. The majority of people are too stupid to know what to do with money, and I've yet to see a single government spend it effectively.

[TheCatt]

However, charities have been known to pay ridiculous sums of money to employees, while still qualifying as charities because some of the money gets to the people in need.

These details are in the audited reports. I know, because I've read them. If you think these women don't know the details, I don't know what to tell you.

The United Way.

Ugh. I've only ever given them money because you were supposed to do that at a job I had, and it was political. Yeah, also not a big fan of them.

However, these women are playing with sums of money that people murder one another over. They have to understand this and behave accordingly.

I am sure they have people who do this.

All I see are two smug twats sitting in their ivory mansions pretending they did something of note so they can feel good about it. Elon's 100% right that the money they've given away is about feels, not actually getting results.

I love how the women have some amount of data, Elon has none, but Elon's right.

It's super easy to just hand out cash, but if you want it to actually be effective, it truly is difficult.

Guess he isn't so smart after all.

[Leisher]

These details are in the audited reports. I know, because I've read them.

Ditto. I got interested in this stuff after the United Way thing. It's a massive trigger for me. I look at it as the most in need people, and so any corruption is done by the lowest bottom feeders possible. It's really sets me off.

And again, if you want to defend them, great, but while doing so you cannot brush aside the trillions that have been wasted. You've got to at least address it.

Ugh. I've only ever given them money because you were supposed to do that at a job I had, and it was political. Yeah, also not a big fan of them.

FYI: Make-A-Wish and St. Jude's are go to charities for me. No scandals ever. Always pass audits with flying colors. Etc.

As for the rest, it's not just about who looks into things for them and yada yada yada. It's about doing things correctly to ensure nothing bad happens. Again, show me their impact. I guarantee you'll be disappointed that it's not more. $26B is a fuckton of money to just give away with no strings attached (specifically said that way in the article). You can give that amount of money away, but it has to be done properly. That's my big hang up with this billion dollar giveaway. I'd bet anything a lot more of that money is going to places neither would be happy about.

Honestly, the best charity would be to create jobs...

"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime." Any charities (not aimed at the dying) that don't live by that are wastes of money.

As for Elon, I wish you two would get a room already.

And you're not allowed to argue with me. It's my birthday dammit! Let me be irrationally upset at stupid charity donations as you are at Elon.

[TheCatt]

And again, if you want to defend them, great, but while doing so you cannot brush aside the trillions that have been wasted. You've got to at least address it.

I don't think trillions are wasted. I think the needs are massive, especially in America. Cuz America sucks if your poor.

And you're not allowed to argue with me. It's my birthday dammit!

To be fair, I was arguing yesterday, not today. You're the one arguing on your birthday!

[Leisher]

I don't think trillions are wasted.

I do. Not just lost to corruption, but spent on things with only short term payoff. One thing I think we'd both be in agreement on is that most charities aren't run by the most effective leadership. Mainly because they're all running corporations.

It's why Africa is still a giant shithole. Too much money goes to short term feel good things and not long term solutions.

I think the needs are massive, especially in America.

Totally agree. I like the idea of fixing home first. "Please put your mask on before helping others."

Cuz America sucks if your poor.

True, but it's crazy that poor in America is wealthy almost everywhere else.

[TheCatt]

Ahead of their reported wedding this weekend, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have announced a $26 million donation to 20 charities across the US.
The charities include food banks, educational and music programs, children hospitals, an animal cruelty organization, and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

[Leisher]

Weird to donate to animal cruelty. Personally, I'm against it.

This donation is a PR move, not a "look at how much better I am than you" thing.

"OMG, you spent how much on your wedding?"
"Yes, but I also donated that much to charity."

How long do you give this marriage? I say it's over in about 6 years when Travis gets caught cheating and Taylor will get a new album out of it.

[TheCatt]

This donation is a PR move, not a "look at how much better I am than you" thing.

Yeah, they probably don't care about shit. Which is obvious because of all the money they donated.

[Leisher]

This donation is a PR move, not a "look at how much better I am than you" thing.

Yeah, they probably don't care about shit. Which is obvious because of all the money they donated.

PR works!

Celebrity weddings often face public backlash when extravagant displays of wealth and exclusive private parties disrupt local communities, clash with wealth inequality, or result in severe logistical disruptions. Specific, highly publicized incidents highlight these public frustrations.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez (Venice, Italy): The couple's star-studded weekend gala faced intense criticism from local Venetians and critics who protested against the government and the couple, citing concerns over overtourism, high housing costs, and massive displays of wealth. Protesters used banners to condemn the use of a historic city as a private venue while local residents struggled.

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner (Palermo, Sicily): The couple's three-day celebration, reportedly worth $1.73 million, sparked significant pushback from Palermo locals. Residents accused authorities of prioritizing a private celebrity event over community needs, as the festivities resulted in closed public squares, restricted roads, and local graffiti stating, "Palermo is not for rent".

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce (New York City, NY): Rumors and reported permits surrounding a massive, highly exclusive wedding celebration in Madison Square Garden caused tension. The potential closure of streets for a private celebrity event prompted online backlash from fans and critics questioning whether A-listers should cause major civic disruptions.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds (Mount Pleasant, SC): Years after their 2012 ceremony at the historic Boone Hall Plantation, the couple faced retrospective backlash from critics who pointed out that the property is a former slave plantation, raising awareness about the cultural insensitivity of using such venues for celebrations.

They're not even married yet and Gemini is already listing their wedding as facing public backlash.

[TheCatt]

hey're not even married yet and Gemini is already listing their wedding as facing public backlash.

People have been complaining about the closures for weeks.

[Leisher]

Sure, but it's also going to infuriate a lot of people that a multimillion dollar wedding is being held when others are struggling to put food on the table. Just like they do with all the other ones. Thus, the specifically timed charitable donation.

[TheCatt]

Sure, but it's also going to infuriate a lot of people that a multimillion dollar wedding is being held when others are struggling to put food on the table. Just like they do with all the other ones. Thus, the specifically timed charitable donation.

First time in America?

[TheCatt]

I say it's over in about 6 years when Travis gets caught cheating and Taylor will get a new album out of it.

Damn.

Can I take the over? $100?

[Leisher]

First time in America?

Nope. That's why I know their charitable donation was less about helping people and more about PR.

Damn.

Can I take the over? $100?

I know, I'm being a bit mean, but let's be honest here. Swift is a billionaire woman who portrays herself to be left on the political spectrum, has a history of not keeping men happy, and travels a lot. Kelse is a professional athlete who has a history of cheating, travels a lot, and is very much on the right of the political spectrum.

Call me crazy, but I doubt the billionaire feminist is going to be able to fill the gap left in the pro athlete's life when he retires. Plus, do you know how many women are going to be throwing themselves at him? Stealing Taylor Swift's husband is instant fame.

[TheCatt]

Kelse is a professional athlete who has a history of cheating, travels a lot, and is very much on the right of the political spectrum.

I've never thought that through his words or actions. I think he leans left.

C'mon. $100 - July 4th, 2032.

[Leisher]

I've never thought that through his words or actions. I think he leans left.

No, he's done some things that have really pissed off Swift's leftie fans. I know he attended something Trump related. My far, far left wife is not a fan. Although, she's not a huge Swift fan either because of the private flights and lack of using her platform to politic.

[TheCatt]

I've never thought that through his words or actions. I think he leans left.

No, he's done some things that have really pissed off Swift's leftie fans. I know he attended something Trump related. My far, far left wife is not a fan. Although, she's not a huge Swift fan either because of the private flights and lack of using her platform to politic.

He's definitely left-leaning by actions. Though, being a moderate leftie would piss off a lot of far lefties. He didn't condemn Buttner or whatever, which probably pissed of your wife.

[Leisher]

I'll ask her tomorrow.

To be fair, it might just be because he's a man.