Mackenzie Scott.
Buffet
Jose Andres
Buffet before Gates? I mean, really?
Once again, Bill “palled around with Epstein after conviction” Gates.
Back to Stephen King. He’s got a potential claim to greatest living American AUTHOR, but Greatest Living American? No.
-“BB”-
I’m going to have to think on this for a day or so, but I certainly think that Jose Andres’ willingness to mobilize an army to feed starving people in disaster and war zones irrespective of politics and in the face of continuing threats to their own lives merits survival in this thread for a few more rounds. Donating money, writing books, and inspiring people are all well and good, but keeping people alive when you may be the one thing standing between them and starvation, that has to count for something.
I agree, I don’t understand why Andres has been attracting so many votes, but at least he has made it this far.
For reasons discussed earlier, I am voting for Mackenzie Scott.
Scott
Sticking with the black spot for Stephen King
'ven more so in that I’m a bit flummoxed that Spielberg has predeceased him.
YMMV
It’s far enough in that I think it’s arguable to vote him off. Making billions happy through art that only a few could do vs millions fed which many could do if so inclined is a place where reasonable minds could disagree. Millions fed vs talk show host, not so much.
My view of Jesse Jackson is pretty much as a self-promoter, but I’ll admit I’m not as knowledgeable about his civil rights work and will refrain for that reason.
I’ll go Mark Kelly. Being an astronaut and senator are impressive compared to the general population, but not compared to all options. Gotta stand out in some real way.
I’m going with MacKenzie Scott this round. It’s wonderful that she gives away trucks full of money, and pledged to continue giving away more, but so have Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Author? So is Stephen King. Supporter of causes I support? Yeah, but so are most of the remaining nominees. Sorry, MacKenzie, you’re good, possibly great, but not the greatest living American.
Jumping on the Mackenzie Scott bandwagon
There’s no real low-hanging fruit any more, but Mackenzie Scott seems a little further down the branch.
Buffet
Scott
Our votes this round:
José Andrés: Humanitarian, chef - 3 votes
Warren Buffett: Level-headed billionaire - 2 votes
Mark Kelly: Senator, astronaut, aviator - 1 vote
Stephen King: Great American writer - 2 votes
MacKenzie Scott: Philanthropist, prize-winning novelist - 7 votes
MacKenzie Scott, who married well and has since done a lot of good, is gone.
Our remaining nominees:
José Andrés: Humanitarian, chef
Joe Biden: President, uniter, overcomer
Warren Buffett: Level-headed billionaire
Bob Dylan: Poet of generation
Anthony Fauci: Physician, immunologist, scientist
Bill Gates: Futurist, philanthropist, billionaire
Jesse Jackson: Civil rights leader
Mark Kelly: Senator, astronaut, aviator
Stephen King: Great American writer
Barack Obama: President, statesman, lawyer
Dolly Parton: Artist, humanitarian
Bernie Sanders: Democratic Socialist leader
Bruce Springsteen: Singer, songwriter, activist
Elizabeth Warren: Fighting political foes
Eliminated
- Jim Gaffigan: Comedian, author, commentator
- Craig Ferguson: Polymath, director-writer, comedian
- Mitt Romney: Senator, impeachment juror
- Buzz Aldrin: Second on Moon
- Taylor Swift: Musician, songwriter, icon
- Tim Walz: Honorable political messenger
- Simon Biles: GOAT gymnast
- Judy Blume: Children’s literature icon
- Amanda Gorman: Poet, activist, prodigy
- Jim Lovell: Apollo 13 astronaut
- Spike Lee: Filmmaker, Knicks fan
- Janet Yellen: Economist, Treasury secretary
- Magic Johnson: Superstar, survivor, inspiration
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Athlete, writer, activist
- Amory Lovins: Physicist, energy activist
- Steven Spielberg: Director, writer, entertainer
- MacKenzie Scott: Philanthropist, prize-winning novelist
Voting for our next round will end at noon EST on Weds. July 23.
Sticking with José Andrés.
Buffet
Springsteen
Stephen King