Jeff

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:22:01 -0800

I'm glad you posted about this and would like to add a few comments. It is an important article for people to read. Microsoft is the most widely held stock by socially responsible funds. If you read my article Citizen Microsoft in 2004, you know that MSFT doesn't represent a very high bar for the definition of responsible. So, if the Gates' are going to review the investments I expect they will set the bar at the level at which the kinds of companies they own don't get them written up in another article in the LA Times. The sad thing that is lost here is that the Gates Foundation's portfolio is not much different than most people's mutual fund holdings. You are just as evil an investor as they are. The issue here is much more about why our laws allow corporations to harm individuals and pollute without having to pay the penalties. Unfortunately, Gates is blinded by the success his participation in the capitalist system has brought him - and is not very enlightened in the area of corporate responsibility - just look at Microsoft's practices to see this. I do hope that we broaden the discussion here. p.s. If you want an overview of socially responsible investing to see some of the avenues open to people and foundations investing small or large amounts, check out Investing for Change.

Jeff

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:19:18 -0800

Seattlest: L.A. Times vs. The Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation

Jeff

Jeff