I hope everyone had great holidays.
Foundations of the Wealthy. Today’s blog was inspired by an article about conservatives and Bill Gates. I read a poll conducted in 2020 that found 44% of the Republicans polled believed Bill Gates was a proponent of COVID vaccinations because the vaccinations were being used to implant microchips to track people.
I became curious about the accomplishments of the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation. I did not look to the mainstream media. I used AI in the expectation of getting facts not commentary.
The current number of foundation employees: 2,026
Total grant payments since inception (through Q4 2023): $77.6 billion (2)
Total 2023 Charitable Support: $7.7 billion (3)
Total 2022 Charitable Support: $7.0 billion (3)
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates total giving to the foundation from inception through 2023: $59.5 billion
Warren Buffett total giving to the foundation from 2006 through 2023: $39.3 billion
Foundation Trust Endowment as of December 31, 2023: $75.2 billion
This foundation makes major contributions to the Global Fund, which is one of the most effective charities in the world. Over the past two decades, programs supported by the Global Fund have reduced the death toll from AIDS, TB, and malaria by more than half and thus saving more than 50 million lives.
They also give generously within the US to a wide variety of programs.
The response piqued my curiosity about other wealthy men. I googled the Elon Musk Foundation.
I found the Musk Foundation supports four distinct areas: renewable energy research and advocacy, human space exploration research and advocacy, paediatric research, and science and engineering education. The foundation has donated millions to schools, enabling them to acquire state-of-the art equipment and develop innovative curricula.
Some critics may claim his donations aid Tesla’s development; however, I believe the donations reflect his interests. I welcome his generosity for renewable energy and other interests.
My curiosity turned to the Trump Foundation. I did not know what I would find. I had curiosity, not an agenda. Trump has been charitable in various ways but his foundation was discontinued when an investigation uncovered inappropriate use of funds. The Wikipedia entry is an interesting read.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_J._Trump_Foundation#Overview
Sojourners. My next topic grew out of a conversation with my lunch group. Every Friday, two “centrist” and six thoughtful conservatives share “food, faith, and whatever” over lunch at a different restaurant.
Last Friday a discussion of foreign student’s rights occurred. One person suggested that foreign students should not expect freedom of speech to protest nor due process. After all, they are guests in our country. To me that makes them sojourners.
After I left the luncheon, since we are men of faith, I decided to see what the Bible said about sojourners. Among the many verses were the following:
“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
Exodus 23:9 ESV
“You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
Leviticus 19:33 ESV
“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.
“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19:34 ESV
You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 24:22 ESV
You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the Lord your God.”
Deuteronomy 1:16 ESV
And I charged your judges at that time, ‘Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him.
Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
“‘Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
Please note, I did not “cherry pick” one verse out of context. I listed several verses. I leave it to you to decide how people of faith should treat sojourners.
This and That
Scary News. Even someone who dislikes 60 Minutes for political reasons should watch the segment on bird flu that was shown last Sunday, April 20. I had no idea of the extent of the danger for animals in addition to birds. I was also unaware of the danger to humans. I highly recommend watching the segment.
A synopsis:
CBS’ 60 Minutes Examines Bird Flu Epidemic | Food Processing
The segment:
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/bird-flu-sunday-on-60-minutes
Distinctions are Important. I continue to be discouraged by Democratic responses to our nation’s problems. However, I was pleased with Senator Van Hollen and his role in the Garcia immigration. He has made it clear he is not defending the man. If given due process and then deported, he would support the deportation. He is fighting for due process. The very important distinction between fighting for the man and fighting for due process is the kind of thinking we need and that I support.
Thomas Sowell. Conservative friends have encouraged me to read and follow Thomas Sowell. I have great respect for him and enjoy his thoughts. I found the recent article about Sowell’s opinion on tariffs to be interesting.
Legendary economist says Trump’s tariffs could replay ‘devastating history’
Good News
I have been to Lake Michigan and had no idea about quicksand.
Man Gets Trapped In Quicksand Again, This Time He Emerges With A Girlfriend
Heartwarming
Answered Prayer: Baby Given Weeks To Live Saved By Generous Stranger
She’s Helping College Students Start Strong, One Laundry Basket At A Time
Peace
Jerry
0 Comments