Topic: How much is Star Wars worth?

[Jack Morris]

The answer is simply ASTOUNDING!

http://finance.yahoo.com/

I might add that landspeeders are already a real deal, thanks to the info that my friend Jerry provided. Here is a look at some other technologies we may very well see in our lifetime.

http://biz.yahoo.com/weekend/science_1.html

Here's Jerry's Skycar, which could be considered a landspeeder, too bad the cops can't go that fast, hehehehehehehe. Can you imagine pulling into a gas station in one of these babies? 

http://www.moller.com/

I also like the less polluting rotary engine for jetskis, believe me, I've ridden one for many a time on Lake Travis in Austin, but polluting machines they are. 

http://www.freedom-motors.com/

[J. Carney]

My cousin has about 300 shares of Moller Int'l.

He's going to help me set up an account this week, and I'm picking up a bit myself.

[Jack Morris]

Move over Shrek and Spiderman and Middle Earth, I have NO DOUBT The Force will push this opening weekend skyhigh for a record.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050521/film_star_wars_box_office.html

Ya know why I respect George Lucas so much? Look at the cast for the final film, bring back any memories from the 70's and 80's?  That's called LOYALTY my friends.

[J. Carney]

Move over Shrek and Spiderman and Middle Earth, I have NO DOUBT The Force will push this opening weekend skyhigh for a record.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050521/film_star_wars_box_office.html

Ya know why I respect George Lucas so much? Look at the cast for the final film, bring back any memories from the 70's and 80's?  That's called LOYALTY my friends.

Yeah, it was really nice of him to bring back the original Chewie and J.E.J. to reprise their roles.

[Iceman]

J.E.J?

EDIT: James Earl Jones. Sorry, mental cramp.

[Dash Jones]

Hmm, it seems that Lucas's fortunes have actually gone down in the past 5 years I think.  In 2000 if I recall correctly he was worth 5 Billion.  I wonder what occurred especially since Star Wars is being released, I would have thought it would have gone up.

[J. Carney]

Hmm, it seems that Lucas's fortunes have actually gone down in the past 5 years I think.  In 2000 if I recall correctly he was worth 5 Billion.  I wonder what occurred especially since Star Wars is being released, I would have thought it would have gone up.

Spend money to make money. Even if he financed each of these movies with his own money, he'll make it many times over in the next few decades, Dash. The original Star Wars is IIRC the highest grossing movie franchise in the history of mankind. Lucas made $5 billion off it. So he loses $1 billion to ake another $5 billion... he don't care, the money keeps rolling in.

[Jack Morris]

I might add that the original Star Wars only cost a little over a million dollars to make, if I recall correctly?

God I wish I had taken better care of the original board game and my original comic books.  I even had the flashlight lightsaber that had a long plastic tube, mine was a rarity as the blade was green, turns out that Luke's saber was green later in the movies! 

Side note, those first flashlight lightsabers were developed by a normal dad who made one for his kid in his garage, the other kids loved it so much and wanted one so bad he approached Lucas for a merchandising contract with Lucasfilm and got it granted. Needless to say, that dad and kid got set up with BUKU bucks, and let's not forget that shortly after SW was released, inflation really kicked our butt and if you had money you had it made!

[Jack Morris]

As for Lucas net worth going down? I imagine he is enjoying life and not worried about a billion or two, and from what I heard he is like the CEO of Frontline Maritime, some people do not hunger for more and more money, and they are very generous. I think I would be very happy with my pension and a million dollars in assets, I imagine George is more than happy with being set for life. 

Now Bill Gates and the Wal-Fart family on the other hand, you cannot satiate their thirst for more money or power. 

[Ultraprophet]

As for Lucas net worth going down? I imagine he is enjoying life and not worried about a billion or two, and from what I heard he is like the CEO of Frontline Maritime, some people do not hunger for more and more money, and they are very generous. I think I would be very happy with my pension and a million dollars in assets, I imagine George is more than happy with being set for life. 

Now Bill Gates and the Wal-Fart family on the other hand, you cannot satiate their thirst for more money or power. 

 Bill Gates , whatever his failings , donates large sums of money left and right , and has said virtually his entire fortune will be donated to humanitarian causes at his death . He may have problems , but a lack of philanthropy isn't one of them.

[J. Carney]

As for Lucas net worth going down? I imagine he is enjoying life and not worried about a billion or two, and from what I heard he is like the CEO of Frontline Maritime, some people do not hunger for more and more money, and they are very generous. I think I would be very happy with my pension and a million dollars in assets, I imagine George is more than happy with being set for life. 

Now Bill Gates and the Wal-Fart family on the other hand, you cannot satiate their thirst for more money or power. 

 Bill Gates , whatever his failings , donates large sums of money left and right , and has said virtually his entire fortune will be donated to humanitarian causes at his death . He may have problems , but a lack of philanthropy isn't one of them.

Never allow percieved generosity to be confused with true philanthropy.

Gates gives away a lot of that money for tax write offs, favors, and to promote a good public image with which to cover his butt with regards tohis shadier dealings.

Al Capone, if you'll recall, was a generous giver as well.

[Jack Morris]

The co-founder of Intel spent 4 million a DAY for over half a decade on humanitarian and social issues.

Warren Buffet, the jedi-master of investing in the stock markets, has already stated his billions will go to humanitarian purposes.

[GE-Raven]

Never allow percieved generosity to be confused with true philanthropy.

Gates gives away a lot of that money for tax write offs, favors, and to promote a good public image with which to cover his butt with regards tohis shadier dealings.

Al Capone, if you'll recall, was a generous giver as well.

Patently False.  The Bill and Linda Gates foundation has done more to further educational growth than any other single source (including federal and state government).  He pretty much single handedly provided the money and resources to allow thousands of k-12 schools to offer educational opportunities that would never have come to be if it were up to school boards, state and federal funding.

BTW... In the year of the "bubble bust" for tech stocks Bill Gates lost 28% of his net worth.  His response?  He tripled his giving in the same year.

Say what you want about his business practices, as a phlanthropist, he is second to none... and I don't know many people that lose nearly 30% of their wealth and decide to triple the amount they are giving to charity.

GE-Raven

[Dash Jones]

How many multi billionares do you know?

As Sam Walton stated when his stocks went down...(summarized)he's not any less rich as he owns the same amount of assets it's just your perception of it.

PS:  Just thought you should think about that.

However, I do agree Gates is better than just about any others with what he gives...and overall despite what others may think, is a bit more family oriented and US oriented in many things (which also makes some foreigners a little nervous).  Now the people under him...and also those running some of his assets and businesses...I can't say the same.  In fact some of them are down right theives and liars in my book...but they are saavy business men who keep MS in business...

[Jack Morris]

Second to none? Now he is really second. 

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=2265132005

They also just gave away their "dividends." Bill is not so stupid as to touch any of his assets like Gordon or Warren.  supporting schools? maybe up north, but down here in Texas we have a "Robin hood" law, which means that people from nice cities like austin, San antonio, Dallas, get to take part of their school taxes and fork it over to the border cities that are educating the Mexican nationals children. So it winds up screwing us over. Bill should go take a look along the border and go pay their school bills, IMO.

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=MSFT&d=t

$1.18 in dividends is chump change. But not when you literally own most of the company  .

[J. Carney]

Patently False.  The Bill and Linda Gates foundation has done more to further educational growth than any other single source (including federal and state government).  He pretty much single handedly provided the money and resources to allow thousands of k-12 schools to offer educational opportunities that would never have come to be if it were up to school boards, state and federal funding.

BTW... In the year of the "bubble bust" for tech stocks Bill Gates lost 28% of his net worth.  His response?  He tripled his giving in the same year.

Say what you want about his business practices, as a phlanthropist, he is second to none... and I don't know many people that lose nearly 30% of their wealth and decide to triple the amount they are giving to charity.

GE-Raven

Uhm, a multi-billionare that knows the best way to make up for the shortfall in money made is to throw as much money into 'charitable donations' so as to keep from being taxed for it, and also to get that back as a write off.

He gave more to charity to save more for himself.

As I said...

Al Capone, if you'll recall, was a generous giver as well.

I trust no one that screws people over on a daily basis and then claims to be a 'rightious man' and 'charitable.'

Bill Gates looks out for Bill Gates.

[Jack Morris]

True dat J.C., I'll give my pitiful dividends away and "look good" any day of the week AND take my tax break, as that is a tax deductible donation baby!

Back to the topic though. Anyone been to Best Buy lately? they got these cool looking lightsabers that make noise and light up, but man, 150 dollars a piece? Made in China at that. I do not think so! Seems Lucas is getting in on the outsourcing in manufacturing and cashing in on us folks back home too.

Whatever happened to the good ole days? Remember back in the late 70's, the flashlight with colored lenses and a long piece of plastic attached and it was a lightsaber? Guess who designed it? An American dad who worked in plastics, he made it in the garage for his son who wanted a lightsaber. The neighbors kids wanted one, and before you know it, it spread like wildfire (I owned one). Lucas caught wind and made him a deal. They were instant millionaires. That is one smart dad.

[J. Carney]

Back to the topic though. Anyone been to Best Buy lately? they got these cool looking lightsabers that make noise and light up, but man, 150 dollars a piece?

Yeah, I seen a whole pisspot full of them at the RotS premire... they were in the hands of adults dressed like Darth Vader (one in a full armor suit), a score of Force witches, multiple dozens of Obi-wans (old and young versions) and hundreds of general crazies with no costumes but a really cool toy.

[Jack Morris]

They could have made the speaker system for the sounds when you move it louder too, IMO.

[GE-Raven]

Second to none? Now he is really second. 

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=2265132005

They also just gave away their "dividends." Bill is not so stupid as to touch any of his assets like Gordon or Warren.  supporting schools? maybe up north, but down here in Texas we have a "Robin hood" law, which means that people from nice cities like austin, San antonio, Dallas, get to take part of their school taxes and fork it over to the border cities that are educating the Mexican nationals children. So it winds up screwing us over. Bill should go take a look along the border and go pay their school bills, IMO.

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=MSFT&d=t

$1.18 in dividends is chump change. But not when you literally own most of the company  .

This year...  However later in the article it points out that their Total is still 4x what 2nd place has given.  16 Billion POUNDS  (32 billion dollars roughly)... That is a lot of money... and far more than he would "have to give" for any form of tax purpose...

But I can see you two prefer to demonize a philanthropist rather than recognize one...  Which your are free to do... However in my eyes it is unseemly at best.  Maybe it is self-motivated... but who cares... he is still giving...

Better than what can be said for many.

GE-Raven

[J. Carney]

But I can see you two prefer to demonize a philanthropist rather than recognize one...  Which your are free to do... However in my eyes it is unseemly at best.  Maybe it is self-motivated... but who cares... he is still giving...

Better than what can be said for many.

GE-Raven

I follow what Jesus said when it comes to charity... those that give much only for the publicity and benifits their actions generate are not truely giving anything, while those who give minutely with no desire for recognition or return are giving much.

[Jack Morris]

Right on J.C., we know Pharisees when we see em. 

[GE-Raven]

I follow what Jesus said when it comes to charity... those that give much only for the publicity and benifits their actions generate are not truely giving anything, while those who give minutely with no desire for recognition or return are giving much.

I follow him when he says... Judge not lest thou be judged...

I prefer that all giving was done anonymously... but I also realize that in todays business/tax world that would be sheer stupidity... by declaring it... you have more to give, and therefore can be more helpful.  How often have you seen a press conference given by the gates as they make their donations?  I have never seen or heard of it... but when the public information of how much their non-profit foundation gets from the benefactors is researched... then papers have their story.

So is it Bill and Linda's fault that everyone knows... or our fault for listend when the information is given out?

Sure looks to me like you two aren't giving a real benefit of the doubt... It almost seems like you want to hate them.  Guess I will double up on the loving of my neighbor for ya?

Fair enough?

GE-Raven

[Jack Morris]

When they get taxed as much as the middle class and poor, then I will ease up. That 15% capital gains on dividends was NOT a present for us normal folk, it was for the rich, we do not count. In the words of a GS-13 with IRS here in Austin "Jack, you are just a number, like I am, we do not count."

[J. Carney]

Raven, we will continue to agree to disagree here.

If he's TRUELY giving to be giving, then he wouldn't need to bother the IRS with all those nasty tax deductions. I don't give a lot- I'm VERY selective of my causees, I'll admitt- but I have NEVER claimed a tax credit for anything except being oversees in a war zone or being a student.

NEVER ONCE have I written off my donations to a church, the Shriner's Hospital, Salvation Army, or any other charitable group.

Somehow, I don't see the Gates being that 'cheerful' in their giving... and they would miss a million a lot less than I mis a couple hundred and some old clothes.

[GE-Raven]

When they get taxed as much as the middle class and poor, then I will ease up. That 15% capital gains on dividends was NOT a present for us normal folk, it was for the rich, we do not count. In the words of a GS-13 with IRS here in Austin "Jack, you are just a number, like I am, we do not count."

Jack... you are aware who shoulders the tax burden right?  Right!?!?

Bill Gates, Microsoft, etc... are just part of the equation, but anyone who thinks the "Middle class" support the budget is a not really thinking at all.  Go look up who pays all the taxes and then come back and say that again.  Sure you can argue that taxes are "passed on" to consumer, but guess what... the biggest "consumers" are corporations as well.  In the end the Rich pay a lot more tax as a percentage of income then I will EVER dream of.

GE-Raven

[Jack Morris]

Yeah right... Explain the wage gaps according to everyone, including the C.I.A.? Oh noooo, not another C.I.A. plot against Bush? 

It's all in Quarks, should we be concerned about the U.S. Budget? Nah, let's just keep spending, is why my other bro-in-law got no pay raise since 2001, seems some people like touching funds for other projects instead of what they were designed for, especially since oil hit highs, and TX has a trust fund, that got raped, period.

[GE-Raven]

Yeah right... Explain the wage gaps according to everyone, including the C.I.A.? Oh noooo, not another C.I.A. plot against Bush? 

It's all in Quarks, should we be concerned about the U.S. Budget? Nah, let's just keep spending, is why my other bro-in-law got no pay raise since 2001, seems some people like touching funds for other projects instead of what they were designed for, especially since oil hit highs, and TX has a trust fund, that got raped, period.

I see... since some business CEO types = Evil

ALL businsess CEO type = Evil

Of course if any of the above made anysense to me... it might be more valuable... Not sure how the CIA, Bush, Quarks, U.S. Budget, etc have anything to do with the philanthropy of the Richest of the Rich, of course when you have nothing but sheer unadulterated spite as your arguement, it helps to throw in as many topics as possible.

Don't you think?

GE-Raven

[The Bar-Abbas Anomaly]

Raven, we will continue to agree to disagree here.

If he's TRUELY giving to be giving, then he wouldn't need to bother the IRS with all those nasty tax deductions. I don't give a lot- I'm VERY selective of my causees, I'll admitt- but I have NEVER claimed a tax credit for anything except being oversees in a war zone or being a student.

NEVER ONCE have I written off my donations to a church, the Shriner's Hospital, Salvation Army, or any other charitable group.

Somehow, I don't see the Gates being that 'cheerful' in their giving... and they would miss a million a lot less than I mis a couple hundred and some old clothes.

While it's very noble of you to give the Federal Government more than you are required to, JC,  it's not logical to judge the motives of anyone who does not follow your personal rule.  In fact, I'd say your personal rule is rather foolish, but you're welcome to it.

I think you presume too much when you try to judge motives.  We Christians are only allowed to judge actions at face value, and let God deal with the Intent of the Heart.

[GE-Raven]

While it's very noble of you to give the Federal Government more than you are required to, JC,  it's not logical to judge the motives of anyone who does not follow your personal rule.  In fact, I'd say your personal rule is rather foolish, but you're welcome to it.

I think you presume too much when you try to judge motives.  We Christians are only allowed to judge actions at face value, and let God deal with the Intent of the Heart.

Um... what he said.

 

GE-Raven

[Jack Morris]

You stated rich pay the most, so I threw the CIA facts THAT STATE OTHERWISE. 

[GE-Raven]

You stated rich pay the most, so I threw the CIA facts THAT STATE OTHERWISE. 

Well 1 out of 6 isn't bad... Link please?

Or source... Last study I saw was 80% of tax burden on top 5% of wealthy (off top of head, but even if I am WAY off it isn't even close to being the middle class by a majority)

GE-Raven

[The Bar-Abbas Anomaly]

 

I think you're way off on those numbers, Raven.  The middle class always has, and always will shoulder the lions share of the tax burden.

It's where the money is, after all.

Not to say that the rich don't pay more in percentage of income and FAR more in actual dollars, but their totals don't come close to the middle, say, 70% of wage earners.

No links to back this up.  It's just the way it is.   

[GE-Raven]

Meh... maybe I will find the info I am looking for (most everythin has tax rates) if I do though I will start a new thread in Hot and Spicy.  Think this one got a little out of the usual "tame" nature of this place.

GE-Raven