ABC News Reporter has better idea for Fossett endeavor

ABC News.com ^ | 07/01/02 | Andrew Chang - ABC News

[SES1066]

"Today, Fossett's trying to do it again — and he might actually succeed this time. But he'd be hard pressed to get any sympathy from the regular Joes of the world for his previous near-death experience — or even accolades this time if he succeeds.

That's because each one of these round-the-world balloon trips, according to press reports, is estimated to have cost at least $300,000 a pop. Fossett representative Stuart Radnofsky told ABCNEWS, "We don't discuss costs."

In contrast, the average American income is roughly $30,000 a year, according to U.S. government statistics.

But the millionaire Fossett, a semi-retired Chicago stockbroker, has not just tried twice. This is his sixth attempt, and if each trip cost only $300,000 — that's a total of nearly $2 million.

Personal Pleasures

Charities like the Red Cross, World Vision and UNICEF declined to comment on what they thought about Fossett's spending habits — but $300,000 could certainly do plenty to help them."

[SES1066]

Once again, commentary appears as a news item in the press (Shocking, right?) as Mr. Chang explores how Mr. Fossett SHOULD have spent his money. No effort is made to explore how hard Mr. Fossett has worked to get to this point or where he started from. Perhaps Mr. Chang should inform us of what he is doing for all of these charities he is so hot for? I give this report an A+ for "Holier than thou" condecession!

[Phantom Lord]

And if Mr. Fossett does make it 'round the world'? Everyone say it with me...

WHO CARES!

[chance33_98]

In contrast, the average American income is roughly $30,000 a year, according to U.S. government statistics

Hmmm, I make a lot more then that - am I supposed to feel bad and give the rest to charity? Sorry about their luck.

[JohnCliftn]

Gotta admire Fosset's determination and persistence.

[Rebelbase]

Yeah, Fosset is a great role model for sticktoitivness. Anyone who would get back into a ballon gondola after plunging 29,000' through a thunderstorm into the Coral Sea has guts or is crazy, and IMO, he's not crazy.

[nravoter]

This guy makes the classic liberal/socialist mistake of thinking that, if money isn't spent in a "socially responsible" way, it disappears down a black hole.

What does it mean to say that this expedtition "costs" $300,000? It means that he had to buy the balloon (from someone who does that for a living), and pay countless others to assist him in some sort of material or administrative way.

Each of these people, then, has earned money that he or she now can spend as consumers. That's what drives the economy, not confiscating wealth and trusting the government to divide it up amongst the "deserving".

[afz400]

Wonder if Andrew Chang will question why so many organizations give $200,000 to Bill Clinton for his silly speeches. Couldn't that money be spent to help people in need?

[NautiNurse]

Heard this morning that he's got 200mph tail winds and should actually complete the voyage tomorrow! He's over the Indian Ocean now. I had chills when I heard the news. His persistence is fantastic.

Regarding ABC--they are screwed.

[skeeter]

Who is Andrew Chang and why is his opinion worth listening to?

[Ole Okie]

Wonder if Andrew Chang will question why so many organizations give $200,000 to Bill Clinton for his silly speeches. Couldn't that money be spent to help people in need?

Ooh, ooh, ooh! Now you've done it.

You done quit preachin' and gone to meddlin'.

[carton253]

I care... I want him to make it...

[nravoter]

Wonder if Andrew Chang will question why so many organizations give $200,000 to Bill Clinton for his silly speeches. Couldn't that money be spent to help people in need?

Good point. And then there's the blatant hypocrisy of rich "champagne socialists" like the Clintons, Kennedys, Kerrys, etc. trying to make the middle class feel guilty for not "sharing" and "investing" enough of our paychecks to end economic injustice, while they're sitting on huge piles of cash.

I loved when Slick and the Witch itemized their deductions: $6 for used underwear donated to charity! But kicking over 40% of my paycheck (not counting sales taxes, highway tolls, and other hidden gov't ripoffs) and having the gall to complain about it makes me greedy, or an "angry white male".

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Andy is an idiot.

mailto:andrew.chang@abc.com

[nravoter]

mailto:andrew.chang@abc.com

If I get his snail-mail address, I'm tempted to send him a copy of Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt. Of course, I'm sure he'd either throw it in the trash, or read it and maintain a good deer-in-the-headlights look for at least a week.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Actual title: A Question of Fairness

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

No need. Chang has his own economics philosophy.

From each according to the size of their bank account/portfolio, to each according to their lack of or smallness of their bank account/portfolio.

[Slicksadick]

Me too. Heres a few of his other stats. This guy knows how to have fun.
Fossett holds world records in ballooning, sailing and flying aircraft. He also swam the English Channel in 1985, placed 47th in the Iditarod dog sled race in 1992 and participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans car race in 1996.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Typical liberal, horrified that half of Americans are below the median income. :)

[carton253]

And he's almost there! I am very happy for him.

[Freeper 007]

My e-mail to Chang:

andrew.chang@abc.com



The only true question of fairness would relate to your article about Steve Fossett and his attempts at circling the world in a balloon. After reading your article I felt it was so one sided and poorly thought out that you must have woken up with a hangover and had a deadline to produce an article within the hour.

I was left wondering how anyone could finish reading such an article without seeing some glaring problems with your position.

You put in a throw away line at the end about not knowing what his charitable efforts are and then deliver a stab in the back with the comment about Mother Theresa. How about doing a little work and actually attempting to find out what charities he supports before you insuate that he does nothing. If we find out that he only supports his alma mater, are we supposed to judge him harshly because he doesn't give to "Chang approved" causes?

Have you done any articles on the Red Cross and their mismanagement of the 9/11 funds? Would it be possible for you to find out if there was a reason Fossett would choose to give to one charity over another? Of course, that would probably require you to actually interview Fossett, and since that would actually be work, I doubt that we will be seeing that article anytime soon.

Another problem relates to your perspective on the "cost" of the trips and who actually bears those costs. You write the article as an indictment of Fossett for wasting money that obviously should have gone to a charity. The insinuation is that the money has dissapeared and that Fossett has wasted some world resource that rightfully belonged to others. Fossett was not a steward of "our" money. He earned his money because he was more successful than others and made better decisions than people who earn $30,000 a year. Accordingly, he has earned the right to spend it as he sees fit. When he spends it floating around the world, the money does not just vanish into the sky. His $300,000 per attempt helps employ countless people. From the people directly involved to the people who manufacture the equipment he uses, his money has a positive impact on the economy. Of course, writing an article that actually analyzed the way his money was spent would be a lot more work than just dissmissing it as wasted. If you want to hold up the sad picture of all the things Fossett has denied UNICEF, then please tell us about the jobs you would cut in order to give Fossett's 2 million to charity.

The most glaring thing missing from your article is a comparision of spending habits in todays world. Where are the comments about organizations paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for President Clinton to come speak? Where are the lamentations about how much professional sports players earn? Is it really fair that a movie star can earn so much money for making one movie? Have you considered how many kids UNICEF could immunize with all this money?

For some reason you have singled out Fossett for a hatchet job. It is obvious that you have done no more research than a quick little search around the web and possibly some phone calls. You have ignored the way money is handled by people with wealth and you have slanted your article to make it appear as if Fossett is wasting "our" money.

Your article is a classic piece of class warfare propaganda that has absolutely no real worth at all. The only true longing I have after reading your article is for someone to put the microscope on you and your financial habits. I would love to know how much more than $30,000 a year you make. I am sure that you donate every dollar you make over the average to charities who will make sure that it gets spent properly.