$15 million for baby pictures? Say what?!

Who is it for you to decide how someone wants to spend their charitable contributions? Regardless of the destination of such monies (if indeed it happens), it's totally up to them and no one else.

Have you ever been out of this country or researched what's going on around the world (think globally)? Americans (on occasion myself included) complain about our sad life's; and even in the worse of conditions you could possibly conceive of happening here, it's still paradise compared to other parts of the world. I work and live a pretty ok middle class life and yes there have been impacts with costs of gasoline and food but also I am thankful everyday for work and a roof over my head. It's not always easy though I persevere and move forward.

I agree that it's disheartening sometimes because it does seem we are not focusing on our own countries needs though at the same time we as Americans have the freedom to make our own choices and make something of ourselves. Our country as a whole has big problems but you really can overcome obstacles here, you just have to work at it. Try saying that in some of the countries where help is truly needed. Americans as a whole have it really good compared to the rest of the world.

For those down on their luck, kicking the smoking habit might be a good start to save a few bucks...

Okay-- ignore that last post. I redid the article. Here you go: http://jennifer-troupe.newsvine.com/_news/2008/07/31/1710245-should-celebs-sell-baby-photos-

Lkessler- in my hometown, we're sending prisoners home with a bill now (like they can afford it?) where did you get that figure? I want to read that story, please.

Ok, I tried this yesterday, JL, but here it is again--the figure about prisoners is below the one for firefighters in NYC. All in all, sad that 15 million is paid for pictures--when there are so many other good things that kind of money could be used for. And then again, my point--no wonder criminals have a revolving door in our system.

DISCLAIMER: These figures come from the article itself, and therefore it is copyrighted by MSNBC and I hold absolutely no right to any of the items below--thank you!
--------PORTION TAKEN FROM ARTICLE BEGINS BELOW--------------

But $15 million for baby photos? Fifteen million could buy:

Health care for about 1,250 families of four for a year. Approximately 12,500 tanks of diesel fuel for 18-wheelers (based on 300-gallon tank).
One worthless New York Yankee, and change (Carl Pavano makes $11 million). About 1,875,000 bushels of corn. Almost four Kobe Bryant forgiveness rings.
Approximately 75 three-bedroom homes in Stockton, Calif.
Approximately seven three-bedroom homes in Beverly Hills, Calif.
About 13,600 Apple laptop computers.
Five 30-second commercials during the next Super Bowl.
Approximately seven to 15 blast-resistant vehicles for soldiers in Iraq, depending on size of the vehicles and how they are equipped.
About 220 new public-school teachers in the state of South Dakota — and that's if you doubled the average salary for a teacher in that state, which is the lowest in the nation at roughly $34,000.
About 1,500 bottles of 1966 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Romanee St. Vivant.
Somewhere between 4.28 million and 7.5 million bottles of Charles Shaw, depending on the region.
One year of tuition, room and board, and books for 333 students to attend Ivy League universities.
A two-week supply of Plumpy'nut peanut food paste for about 2,142,857 malnourished children in Africa.
Angelina Jolie to star in your film, depending on the project.
Average weddings for between 300 and 750 couples, depending on area of the country.
Slightly less than one-third of the breeding rights to Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown.
Roughly 11,540 seven-day Hawaiian cruises.
About 105,633 bottles of Viagra (90 pills in each bottle, 90 mg).
About 412 new firefighters in New York City.
About 349 prisoners kept behind bars for one year.
Approximately 7,500 babies provided with disposable diapers from birth through potty training.
One anchor for the "CBS Evening News" for one year.
The care and feeding of 15,000 dogs and 15,000 cats for one year.
The annual salaries for just over 88 U.S. senators.
Somewhere around 25,000 pairs of Jimmy Choo pumps.
About 2,500 Gibson Jimmy Page Signature Les Paul Custom guitars.
Approximately 20 cities hosting the Olympic Torch (with costs coming mostly from police overtime).
The training of 10 Air Force pilots.
Breakfasts for roughly 11,111,000 school children nationwide for one school year under the federal government's School Breakfast Program.
One year of cable television for about 300,000 people.
Knee-replacement surgeries for approximately 882 patients performed in top-tier U.S. hospitals.
Knee-replacement surgeries for approximately 3,000 patients performed in top-tier hospitals in India.
Subscriptions to People magazine for about 131,578 new subscribers (based on 45 percent discount off the newsstand price).
Live-in nannies for 288 couples with newborn twins for one year (based on fee of $700 per week for one baby plus another $300 per week as a twin supplement).

damn

I know. I'm still flabbergasted.