What Pushes My Buttons

"Money is like manure..."

If that's the case I'm "shit out of luck". Da dum dum. Thank you thank you. I'll be here all week. Try the veal.

The full quote is: "Money is like manure, it should be spread around." Which is one of the best quotes I've heard in a long time. It comes courtesy of one of the most generous persons to ever walk the face of this earth: Brooke Astor.



Astor, who married the son of wealthy investor John Jacob Astor, just passed away at the age of 105. Her career was spent being a philantrophist and contributer to society's greater good. She took her husband's fortune and spread the wealth throughout NYC over the years, spending up to $200 million to fund such projects as the New York Public Library, Carnegie Hall, the Museum of Natural History, Central Park, the Bronx Zoo, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the one closest to my heart, the Apollo Theatre.

While she was very wealthy, she was always approachable by anyone, rich or poor. If only other wealthy (like Leona Helmsley) contributed like Brooke did the world be a much better place. "I grew up feeling that the most important thing in life was to have good manners and to enhance the lives of others", Brooke was quoted saying in 1992. That's pretty much my creedo too.

So here's to you, Mrs. Astor. Even though your last days were apparently spent sleeping on an urine infested couch and children fighting over your estate, you will be truly missed by all New Yorkers!