Jeff Bezos, June 2000: "If I could do anything, I would like to go help explore space."

[IcyPeas]

Link to tweet

[question everything]

1. Good for him. Not many of us can follow our dreams

Shame on the ones who hate him for this.

[Marrah_Goodman]

2. Shame on us?

How about shame on you for fawning all over a rich, antiunion billionaire who got rich off treating workers like crap. Thank God he got to buy a really cool amusement ride!

[question everything]

7. He promotes science when many chose to ignore it or, worse, taking it for granted

Two years ago we watched the movie Apollo 11, made from real news film. And yes, there were several “activists” who insisted that money should be used for the poor.

Innovation and research lift all of us.

If you care you can google “every day use of innovation from space exploration,” starting with cell phones, of course, through weather reports, solar panels, light weight material and others.

His company employs more than 3,000 scientists who contribute to improving our lives.

Warehouse workers do not have to work there. If you have not heard there are very good jobs waiting for workers. I can assure you that there are not many openings for astrophysicists.

[Marrah_Goodman]

15. DU is not where I expect a post like that

No one makes them work there so fuck the workers....the rich dick totally is awesome for paying for a ride into space that advanced nothing.

[brooklynite]

17. Why is anyone without hatred for Bezos, Branson etc. "fawning"?

I take it there's only one acceptable opinion on this subject?

[Marrah_Goodman]

18. No...I am calling fawning, fawning.

Fawning does not equal lack of hatred.

[lame54]

8. You get the award for...

Most ironic name

[Blue Dawn]

3. I have no problem with this.

In fact, I find his and Elon's space endeavors pretty exciting. Good on them.

[TxGuitar]

4. With his money

Can't he pretty much do anything?

[NickB79]

5. Then he should have used his clout to get more NASA funding

His rocket trip does jack to help explore space, any more than my vacation to Mt Rushmore helps explore the Western US.

[Marrah_Goodman]

16. Exactly

[NurseJackie]

6. That's fantastic! I'm happy for him!

[tanyev]

9. Say what you will about Bezos, I am thrilled that Wally Funk got to do this.

[DBoon]

10. Then he should pay his rightful share of taxes and advocate increased funding for NASA

[jimfields33]

11. All you have to is revoke the tax law that companies can write off debt

I say it’s easier to write congress. As each warehouse is built, a profit loss is added. Keep that in mind.

[DBoon]

13. I'm sure if Bezos devoted some small part of his fortune to this, it would be quickly accomplished

much more quickly than a DU member writing a letter to Congress.

That he has not done so and has not been a public advocate for NASA's programs says volumes to me about his motivations.

[jimfields33]

14. I had to check to see if he does anything

Bezos gives 10 billion to charity a year. And a percentage of each Amazon purchase goes directly to charity. Is it enough? I don’t know. I give but definitely not 10 billion.

[brooklynite]

19. What is his rightful share?

Are you aware of any tax liability he has that hasn't been paid?

His rightful share is whatever the Congress and President decide to put in the Tax Law.

[USALiberal]

20. FFS, he is paying his legal taxes!!! Nt

[Aristus]

12. Sightseer, explorer. Not the same...

Now, if we were to send you on a one-way trip to Uranus, I'd be fine with that...

[USALiberal]

21. Jealous? Nt

[Aristus]

22. Of what?

To paraphrase John Muir, I have all the money I want, and Jeff Bezos doesn't