Slog
News & ArtsFriday, April 8, 2011
Books Top Gun Meets Revenge of the Nerds
Posted by Paul Constant on Fri, Apr 8, 2011 at 1:19 PM
For those who are annoyed with my suggestions that Amazon could still contribute more to local literary arts, I would like to share with you this post on Geekwire, which reveals that Jeff Bezos owns a military-grade fighter jet:
A quick search indicates that [Bezos's Star Trek-themed wealth management entity] Zefram LLC also manage Poplar Glen LLC, the owner of record of a Dassault Falcon 900EX, a French-built corporate jet that’s also a favorite of the Italian Air Force and other military operators. Wikipedia pegs the price of a used Falcon 900 at $18,000,000-$40,000,000.
Don't get me wrong: I'm really grateful that Amazon contributed $25,000 this year to Hugo House's Youth Programs, among other literary causes. But I'm just saying that even at the lowest end of the price spectrum, that contribution to young writers is about .14% of what Bezos paid for that jet.
3
Not to detract from your perfectly valid point, but the Falcon is not a fighter jet, it's a corporate cruiser. The militaries probably use it as a cruiser too. Like the Canadian made Dash 8. It's an executive jet used by the Canadian Forces for transporting generals, dignitaries, the PM and so on.
6
What would you consider an acceptable percentage? I'm not saying that it wouldn't be nice if Bezos gave away more of his money to charity, but to me your arguement seems like "This is a rich guy, he should give more money away to charities that I think are important". If I was in his position, I wouldn't have given any money to local authors and instead have put it towards helping struggling nations in Africa.
7
Risky hobby for wealthy playboys. One example: Gary Levitz, former drug smuggler and scion of the Levitz Furniture family, was killed at the Reno Air Races in 1999 flying a modified P-51. He also owned a tangerine F-86 Sabrejet at one point.
8
@3, what do you mean, just look at it - it's not just clearly a fighter jet - it's a stealth bomber too, and a helicopter boat submarine. I see Rusty Venture and Brock Samson in that cockpit - this must be the next-gen X-1!
Shit, he's divebombing Hugo House with it for not producing more bestsellers to bolster his stock price - look out!
http://www.aerospace-technology.com/proj…
Shit, he's divebombing Hugo House with it for not producing more bestsellers to bolster his stock price - look out!
http://www.aerospace-technology.com/proj…
9
Ungrateful bastard! This was just ONE donation. Im sure thry donate more to other charities throughout the year.
WHat have YOU donated this year, Paul?
WHat have YOU donated this year, Paul?
10
@ 6 - How about phrasing it this way: "He's a rich guy, he should give more money away to organizations that support the very people (authors!) who enabled his vast wealth"?
12
@10 To be fair he has also enabled a lot of authors to make money too. It's not like either was doing the other a favor.
Bezos does give to charity. I know for example he has donated 10 million to immunotherapy research.
Bezos does give to charity. I know for example he has donated 10 million to immunotherapy research.
13
@10 - What you're arguing seems more like a tax than a charitable donation.
Let's say I become a fabulously wealthy doctor because I finally figured out how to make someone's penis larger. If I decide to voluntarily give my money to a charitable organization, why should I be pressured into giving it towards medical research? What if I felt strongly about Tibet or animal rights?
By arguing that your charitable donations should be focused on the area which gave you your source of income, I feel you're actually hurting the areas which are in more dire need of charity. While the rich get richer(Amazon giving money to authors), the poor's situation deteriorates because most worthy causes don't have many people making tons of money off them(problems in Africa, homelessness, drug rehab, etc).
Let's say I become a fabulously wealthy doctor because I finally figured out how to make someone's penis larger. If I decide to voluntarily give my money to a charitable organization, why should I be pressured into giving it towards medical research? What if I felt strongly about Tibet or animal rights?
By arguing that your charitable donations should be focused on the area which gave you your source of income, I feel you're actually hurting the areas which are in more dire need of charity. While the rich get richer(Amazon giving money to authors), the poor's situation deteriorates because most worthy causes don't have many people making tons of money off them(problems in Africa, homelessness, drug rehab, etc).
14
So it's not enough that a rich person gives money to charity -- he has to give it to the RIGHT charity, as judged by Paul Constant.
By that reasoning, Steve Jobs should give more money to hipsters who love to rock the latest in cool technology.
That or the kids in China who assemble his pricey gadgets.
By that reasoning, Steve Jobs should give more money to hipsters who love to rock the latest in cool technology.
That or the kids in China who assemble his pricey gadgets.
15
So, what's the point? Are we talking about how Amazon spends its money, or how Jeff Bezos does? They aren't the same thing.
16
Bonus - here's the actual "fighter jet" belonging to Poplar Glen LLC:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smartjunco/…
A corporation having a private jet - unbelievable!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smartjunco/…
A corporation having a private jet - unbelievable!
17
@13 the same argument that Billionaires from the Sudan use to live tax-free in Monaco 9 months of the year after being educated and helped to create their wealth by the starving folks.
You're in good company.
Right up there with your comrades from the former pre-WWII Germany.
You're in good company.
Right up there with your comrades from the former pre-WWII Germany.
18
Yeah, I don't think we should be talking about charitable contributions until we talk about taxes on rich people and Jeff Bezos HATES taxes on rich people. But I am pretty sure he could still buy that jet after he paid his income tax to Washington State.
19
@17 - What? Seriously... what?
Your post makes absolutely no sense, and I think you finished it off by comparing me to Hitler. I'll take that as reinforcement that I'm on the right path.
Your post makes absolutely no sense, and I think you finished it off by comparing me to Hitler. I'll take that as reinforcement that I'm on the right path.
20
Yeah. 'Fighter Jet?"
You know there is this thing called Google. It's got pictures and stuff. Five seconds research would have dispelled the idea that this is a "fighter jet" or "fighter jet grade" or what the fuck ever.
You know there is this thing called Google. It's got pictures and stuff. Five seconds research would have dispelled the idea that this is a "fighter jet" or "fighter jet grade" or what the fuck ever.
21
I think this is just so silly, especially for someone who claims to read a lot. I'll let you decide who I'm talking about.
22
Owning a Falcon 900 makes you employ at minimum four people directly, and dozens indirectly. Any job in the business aviation industry will employ highly skilled blue collar, unionized jobs. Don't be quick to bash people who own business jets... I know of many Seattle millionaires/billionaires who have much bigger and flashier planes they don't necessary need. The Falcon 900 is just right.
23
Owning a Falcon 900 makes you employ at minimum four people directly, and dozens indirectly. Any job in the business aviation industry will employ highly skilled, blue collar, unionized jobs. Don't be quick to bash people who own business jets... I know of many Seattle millionaires/billionaires who have much bigger and flashier planes they don't necessary need. The Falcon 900 is just right.
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
Hating People Doesn't Make Them Thinner by Jen Graves
-
Los Angeles Gay Bar Bans Bachelorette Parties Until Marriage Equality Is Attained by David Schmader
-
Fill in the Blank by Grant Brissey
-
This Reminds Me of the Great Calculator Scare of the Late '70s/Early '80s by David Schmader
-
The Sunday Morning News by Unpaid Intern
-
Idiot Tries to Defend Bigoted Anti-Gay-Marriage Preacher on Anderson Cooper by Paul Constant
-
Six Moms with Too Much Time on Their Hands and a Shitty Website Decide to Fight Gay Superheroes by Paul Constant
-
The Saturday Morning News by Unpaid Intern
-
Former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-WY) Says Members of His Party Have Rocks for Brains by Charles Mudede
-
What the Hell Is Wrong With Seattle's Pride Parade? by Dominic Holden
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (23) RSS