Comments | icanseeformiles: Many people are capable of doing a wise thing, more a cunning thing, but very few a generous thing

icanseeformiles

Many people are capable of doing a wise thing, more a cunning thing, but very few a generous thing

May 03, 2004 20:03

Did any of you read about the fourth grader, Ian Sotnek, who donated half of his life savings (55 bucks) to the Georgetown Library? Way to go Ian! This kid is my hero ( Read more... )

Comments 45

risingxstar238 May 3 2004, 17:40:01 UTC

Okay look. Maybe we don't want to put the effort into making our school better because we all know that Larry Borin won't let anything pass... he isn't interested in spending any more money than he has to. So why should we fight so hard for something that we know won't pass? Besides. Not to be rude but, the only thing I see you doing is sitting on livejournal, writing entries, and insulting your town. What good is that going to do us?

icanseeformiles May 4 2004, 04:07:31 UTC

Larry Borin may be a gatekeeper, but one who can be overrun. You fight hard because it will convince others (read your parents and other voters) to support this cause. You fight hard because it is the right thing to do.

risingxstar238 May 4 2004, 13:46:40 UTC

What if we don't agree with the new library? If it goes in then where will the middle school track team run for practice? Plus, we just got a brand new library in Byfield... Why do we need a new one? How about they give that money to the school to build a track? Then maybe just maybe we won't have to run laps around the library... Just like today when Evan Sulivan fell and sprained his ankle because his foot got caught in a rutt... If we had a track then that could have been prevented and we wouldn't have lost one of our long distance runners...

imjustblond May 3 2004, 17:51:38 UTC

Personally I think a new library is a rediculous idea. Go ahead....call me unreasonable or whatever you please but it is. Why spend so much money on a library that suits this town fine? Really now, it isnt one of the most popular places in town, but if people feel the need to be in a larger library then go to the brand new Byfield library...come on people, its 2 mins away. You are right, most of us are almost adults, meaning most will be moving away. Why put so much money into a unnesissary expence? Save the money for the college years....it will be more of use. But good for that 4th grader....but do you really think he did it for the feeling of knowing he put $55 into a plan that wont go through? Or the fact he will get his picture in the newspaper? I have a sister that age...most of them only care about the newspaper and the attention....maybe he is different....but I doubt it. He is only 10.

conservative yes.....pathetic no.

jennytenny May 3 2004, 18:20:16 UTC

Although i commend this kid for donating "half of his life savings to the g-town library"...i wonder what the rest of the story is ( ... )

logz May 3 2004, 19:23:53 UTC

Like the people that help Christina Bongiorni walk/learn/live everyday ?

Yea, so stop being so anal about somethings.

icanseeformiles May 4 2004, 04:09:44 UTC

My little brother plays on Ian's soccer team. This is a sweet little brainy kid. Did he do it for the press? Maybe, but I doubt it. I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he is a generous soul. I think the rest of you should also.

jennytenny May 4 2004, 05:57:52 UTC

I think the rest of you should also.

Are you saying that you think the rest of us should all donate money to the library and the school system?

If you are, I think that is kind of ridiculous. It is the same reason why I dont donate money to the Red Cross or Cancer Funds. Most of the money that goes to "non-profits" are to pay the employees that work in the offices. The same with the money you would donate to the school or library.

If i donated time it would be much more efficient and worthwhile for both myself and for the institution. That is why I would rather volunteer at non-profit events that fund-raise than actually do the fundraising.

And don't think that i'm naive enough to not know that that money is needed for the foundation/institution to run. It is just that...my way of showing support is through action rather than money.

Peace.
Jen

Thread 6

logz May 3 2004, 19:20:43 UTC

I dont see you donating much money to the library either ?

Aren't you one of the "adults" you were talking about ?

Dont be a hypocrite, have you donated any money ?

Don't go to the grave with life unused icanseeformiles May 4 2004, 04:25:38 UTC

Several weeks ago I offered to donate a thousand dollars of my hard earned money to programs for your school. Since none of you know who I am, nor am I going to reveal that, it would be an anonymous gift. The only string attached was that you needed to take to the lead. Apparently that is not going to happen.

And yes Logan, despite being nearly the same age as you, I think I am much more of an adult. I have a lot of fun, like other kids my age, but understand my (and your) responsibility to the world. And I contribute. I may be snide, bullying and condescending under this avitar, but it is because it is the only thing that has worked to establish dialogue here.

If you are bored with life, if you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things - you don't have enough goals.

Re: Don't go to the grave with life unused jennytenny May 4 2004, 06:03:56 UTC

If you would like to be a philanthropist please read "No More Prisons" by William Upski Wimsatt and see how you should do it before you go around making people hate you so they don't even want to take your money.

You will find that the Philanthropy chapter entitled "The Greatest Art Form of the 21st Century" begins on page 104.

Peace
-Jen

ps. There are other chapters you may enjoy as well.

Re: Don't go to the grave with life unused icanseeformiles May 4 2004, 07:39:28 UTC

Thanks for the recommendation.

I hope you appreciate that here, I am not trying to be a philanthropist. I do think you would like the me that interacts with the world, rather than the bomb thrower that I can be here. But, I know it serves a purpose. I stopped posting for a while because it was draining and frustration. I do think you and others have seen a glimmer of who I really am.

Thread 6

oaknuts May 3 2004, 22:57:11 UTC

how important can it be to you anyways if your bitching about it in livejournal. Your enlightening ideas are getting old and your sarcasm isn't funny anymore. I'd quit while everyone still doesn't like you.

The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender icanseeformiles May 4 2004, 04:24:28 UTC

It used to be that the quality of a person's life was in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor. Probably not going to be the case for our generation. Our parents have sold out many of the good jobs of the future to save a few bucks at Walmart or BestBuy. Good colleges are getting tougher to get into, and good jobs are getting harder to find. I don't want to hear you or Logan bitching and complaining some day that "the rich aren't paying enough in taxes", because I will know that you did the minimal amount of work to get by during one of the most defining periods of time in your life. But I suspect I will hear it any way.

Re: The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender jennytenny May 4 2004, 11:16:05 UTC

ha ha. That makes me chuckle.
(in a good way of course)

Probably not going to be the case for our generation. Our parents have sold out many of the good jobs of the future to save a few bucks at Walmart or BestBuy. Excellent line.