Gates' charity and Google Street View draw reader comments

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Germany and Bill Gates' charity agenda

Kraemer is right. Gates is taking money away from the government and the right of elected leaders to decide how much to spend on what. It is a throw-back to a distant past when the church or a king could turn benevolent or not at will. -- Tony, Great Britain

On one hand, it makes sense what Bill Gates is doing, but at the same time it doesn't. Helping the world by helping others is great! But one has to be very careful how you help people! You should help people help themselves. And if Bill Gates wants to give his money away, then that's his decision. But to get other people to do the same? That's another issue! He must be on a mission to lower the net-wealth of the uber-rich. Maybe he's trying to create a classless world. -- Tim, USA

"I find this to be a troubling development," said Kraemer. "Who has given these people the authority to decide where such huge amounts of money should be spent?" Exactly what authority do they need to give away THEIR OWN money? That is ridiculous to even suggest. -- Ted, USA
 

"Microsoft founder Bill Gates convinced dozens of American billionaires to give away at least half of their fortune to charity in June. German politicians say their nation's wealthy should follow suit. But will they?" The whole idea is to make the rich, richer. -- Leon, USA

Google plans to launch Street View Germany by year's end

I love Google in general. However, I agree with the Germans; I wish I could make them stay away from MY neighborhood. -- Nina, USA

It is seriously more harmful than useful. It is inviting more evil and strangers to the inside of your bedroom, and those behind this project are masters in the business of deceit. If the program allows blockage of one's home, but what about your neighbors' numbers? Consider not allowing this badly-intended project and keep your family safe and your household clean. -- Kim, Canada

The British government has never had much regard for its citizens' welfare or rights. I'm relying on the EU to protect me. Incidentally, when you buy a computer, the operating system should be optional. Come on EU regulators. I'm relying on you to save me the cost of buying 'Windows' TM, when I only use Linux. -- Robyn, Great Britain

Google should probably allow people to write them and state that they don't want their house to be viewable. However, you shouldn't worry about Google. Most of their images are quite bad, and you can't make anything out. At least in America, I have found Microsoft and Bing maps have much better "spying," "birds-eye" applications. I did take a look at Berlin, Germany, and those pictures are pretty darn clear. -- Don, USA

They should be banned. They are foreigners. They can just get out. Why let them do that? What is the purpose? What service do they provide us? -- Fred, Australia