(Mark) Cuban wants Bush to scrap inaugural ball

[rainbow4321]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D87FGHTG0.html

Mark Cuban wants President Bush to downsize his inaugural ball and send the $40 million or so in savings to tsunami victims in Asia.

The billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks is urging readers of his Web log ask contact politicians to reset their priorities.
"Mr. President, it's time to show that leadership. It's time to set an example," wrote Cuban. "Cancel all but the most basic inauguration requirements."

Inaugural events — paid for by private donations and not public funds — include black-tie balls, a parade and star-powered events.
"Instead of shaking hands all night and being driven from party to party, send them a thank you card letting them know that the corporate and individual donations that had been earmarked for fun was now going to help more people than they could ever imagine," Cuban wrote.


http://www.blogmaverick.com/entry/1234000260025530/

[Pithlet]

1. It will never happen.

Those people deserved it, in their eyes.

[itzamirakul]

2. BINGO!

U hit nail on head! :)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. I love it!

[Erika]

4. I don't think W will forego

his exaltment for armor for our troops. It's not in his history for such action or sacrifice.

[LeftyMom]

5. Mark your calendars, for I am about to say something nice about Mark Cuban

He's absolutely right. This isn't the time and it's inappropriate.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

6. I love Mark Cuban

Anyone smart enough to hire Don Nelson is good enough for me.

I know he's done some stupid things (Cuban that is), but he's always outspoken and sometimes dead-on, like this time.

[TomClash]

7. No way Bush cancels

He wants to "party like it's 1899."

[Catchawave]

10. LOL....great minds think alike....I was thinking more

"party like it's 1861" :nuke:

[slor]

8. Is this a attempt to give the chimp a cover story...

since they have only raised $18 million for $40 million worth of planned activities?

[Catchawave]

13. I saw that shortfall.....wow.....

...alot of CEO's are coming to their senses, eh?

Since we're at war, I've always hoped that Bush would do the right thing and have a basic swearing in the Oval Office, donate the party funds to the troops or tsunami relief....a basic sensitive and compassionate message to the world....?

No-oh-oh. He's fallen below Paris Hilton on my respect meter :dunce:

[leesa]

18. The CEOs have already received everything they bought him for

Why should they pony up any more?

[underpants]

9. NOTE-Cuban IS a completely self made man

I understand that he does what he does out of a FANS love for the game and for promotion reasons.

Cuban started by selling trashbags door to door as a teenager (sort of like the marching band sold stuff but this was only for himself).

He went to Indiana University and saw that he couldn't afford tuition the next semester so he sent out a chain letter on campus. Okay maybe not the highest moral ground to stand on but it worked.

After graduating he started his on computer/software service business. He didn't actually own a computer when he made his first sale. He made the sale by promising outrageous turnaround at a very low price (it was just him so anything he did was money right to him). He got half the money upfront on the first sale and went out and bought a computer and the software manuals he needed. He repeatedly stayed up through the night reading what he needed to and working. C++? oh sure I can write that (might as well have been Portuguese to him) he went and got a book and did what he needed to and finished the next day or shortly there after.

His buddies and he couldn't understand why they couldn't see IU basketball games in Texas (he had relocated) so he (they) created software that allowed you to at least LISTEN to the hometown announcers of most any college b-ball game....for a subscription price. He sold BROADCAST (I think that was the name of it) for $8 Billion or something like that. I saw a forum with he and Dan Schnyder and Cuban was hilarious-he never negotiated the sale, they made an offer and he quickly figured "Yeah that's enough for me to do anything I want" and signed right there. CASH MONEY and he was OUT!

He bought the Mavericks and turned a basketball team with a horrible history in a football town and region into a success. The ridiculed him for the towels but he knew that the money was the money if he could give players creature comforts (you should see the technology in each locker) they would sign with Dallas.

Oh and he routinely sits in the nose bleed seats with fans AND gives away tickets to whole sections to the Boys and Girls Club and like organizations.

Good for him.

[henslee]

11. I am a huge Cuban Fan. Yeah he misfires often but so do most of my buddies

[goodbody]

19. My opinion of Cuban turned positive after

I saw him on a political talkshow -- I'm pretty sure it was on CNN when they used to have that Talk Back Live show around noon.

For awhile, all I heard from Cuban was smack talk about the Lakers when they were on their title runs, and he came across as an envious, petty owner just spewing the same 'ol, same 'ol tiresome mantras about the alleged evils of the Lakers. BUT, his candor and his exactness that I saw in that show when he was holding his ground against a rabid RW'er spewing the made-up Bushie talking points really impressed me. He wasn't necessarily disrespectful, but more commanding and strident, and his points were dead-on. He stunned his opponent with his candor. That's when I saw his integrity and always have taken his comments in a different light.

But this move on his part is awesome. Excellent!

[Massachusetts]

12. He gets it

Although Mark Cuban is viewed by some as an egotist, one has to look beneath the surface to find the real person. It is refreshing to hear someone who has the money and influence state the obvious to the monarchs.IMO:smoke:

[StaggerLee]

14. yes!

I didn't like Cuban at all mainly because of some outrageous comments that he's made in the past but this...this changes a lot in my opinion on him.

Cuban is no fool not by any stretch. And I have nothing but respect for the team that he owns. (I'm a Piston fan btw- and no I wasn't at the big brawl at the Palace either...)

Thank you Underpants you've enlightened me with some important facts about this man.

[underpants]

15. The more people hear about this the worse the inauguration will look

IT should be appalling anyway to see the uber riche prancing around with the state of things as they are.

[anarchy1999]

16. Cuban hits the ball out of the park!

I love the guy. I love his passion and his "outspoken" ways.

Go Mark, GO!

Yes, he is arrogant, but his arrogance has heart.

[catgirl]

17. A call to write to your editors

At least the repug readers may come to the realization
that Bush is irrational.

[anarchy1999]

20. Just another Bush billionaire. He doesn't give a shit because he has too

much. He's probably already thrown millions at the "relief" effort.

But I still do respect his call to call off the outrageous display of a party in Washington to celebrate another criminal victory. He Knows.

[Sleepless In NY]

21. catgirl very good idea!

We should all do that! Troops without armour, Tsunami victims, 50 million could be used in so many better ways. Good for Mark Cuban! Very decent of him to speak out, we should all do the same.

[Carolab]

22. Yes. Point out the misplaced priorities and abuse of funds. n/t