Comments on: Tom Perkins: The Captain Of Capitalism

Tells 60 Minutes Correspondent Lesley Stahl He Regrets Quitting HP's Board

[janah3]

I was struck by the ironic contrast between a story about a man with mega millions who spends it to by "toys", with another tragic story about endangered elephants in africa being slaughtered for their ivory by poachers who need the money so they can eat. I would have liked to know what causes Mr. Perkins supports, if any, other than his own ego with all his money. We need more Bill Gates in the world.

[ast3484]

If we are lucky, maybe Tom Perkins will fall flat on that smug face of his. Shame on him for being so greedy and proud of it.

[pwcgoldfish]

Apparently a few of you didn''t watch the entire show or have selective hearing during the Tom Perkins interview. He clearly stated that he was embarassed to disclose the price of the S/Y Maltese Falcon. In addition he stated he grew up in the Great Depression and saw how it affected his family. He also admitted that he did have an ego.

There is an entire industry for yachting and chartering a yacht. The world''s rich & famous spend millions on yachts to own on their own or charter them for vacations, i.e. Rupert Murdoch, Tiger Woods, Paul Allen and Dan Rather. Ever read an issue of People magazine; it is always referring to hollywood stars chartering yachts during their vacation. I''ll even bet that Ms. Stahl has chartered a yacht before; she was just acting like she didn''t know what was going on.

Someday google the likes of: Carribean Yacht Charter, Rikki Davis Yachts, Churchill Yacht Partners or Yacht Charters and learn more about this pastime. I bet many of you will someday team up with friends and charter a yacht for a vacation--maybe even the Maltese Falcon is the yacht you may choose to charter for your vacation.

In the meantime -- Happy sailing Mr. Perkins---you''ve earned it.

[jmanning85]

I completely enjoyed the story on Mr Perkins. I love the fact that he enjoys life to the fullest. That man has worked very hard for his money--it was not handed to him on a silver platter--he earned it. It is his money and he should be allowed to spend it has he sees fit with out answering or apologizing to anyone. Everyone in this country has the potential to do as well as Mr Perkins--if you are whining about not having enough money--do something about it. Don''t blame him for his having money and not you. Do I wish I had more money---of course, but I have enough to have a roof over my head, a couple of vehicles and for my daughter to have a wonderful education from Penn State. My husband and I work very hard for our money and enjoy spending it how ever we want. So----Good for you Tom Perkins--you keep enjoying life and spending your money how you see fit. As for all the crybabies out there--grow up!!

[crezo]

I can not believe 60 minutes would do a story like this . This is an outrage that this man has all this money and is selfish with it. How can one man be so egotistical. This man does not even care about the people starving or that can not even support themselves. He staed that he was poor growing up, if that is true why does he not give some of his money back to the community.

I found this man to be arrogant, selfish and not very responsible with his money. He acts like a 5 year old.

How dare 60 minutes give this man time to show off his wealth to the world. They should be trying to fcus on news worthy stories rather then people who want to flaunt what they have.

I can not stand Rich selfish people who blow their money on *** when there are so many people in this world who struggle just to get a roof over their heads and a full belly each day.

You should be ashamed of letting this man on your program. i am ashamed for you. This is a sick man who does not deserve the money he has !!!!!!!

[mavillcr]

Thank God for William Buffett and Melinda & Bill Gates!

[faith4me2-2009]

I wonder where Mr Perkins family is from originally. I know the name is English but I am curious where he grew up and parents etc.

[twin90s]

I never heard of Mr Perkins and though I agree that the cost of the ship is outrageous, I would guess that the software that he developed for running her has applications that would be useful in other places.
I loved her design and the idea that there is someone who would spend tons of bucks to cherish her and not let her get old and rot. His accomplishments far outweigh mine in this world and I''m sure the footprints he leaves on this earth will far outlast mine.

[bptsj]

Tom Perkins made it sound as if venture capital started in Silicon Valley with him. Ever hear of Fairchild and Arthur Rock? That was a decade before Tom Perkins time.

I was surprised at how shallow he came across. I thought it was sad indeed.

[ssmithnc99]

I was a bit confused by the idea you were attempting to convey in your profile of Tom Perkins. Were you simply pandering to his ego and power in an attempt to get into his good graces (and finances) or was the show bought by Mr. Perkins and the broadcast actually just an hour long infomercial for conspicuous consumption.
I%u2019m sure that watching the show across the country there were hundreds of thousands of folks like me who prior to the show were focused on unimportant things like how to keep a roof over our families heads. Now we can all rest, relieved to know that Tom Perkins had $300million to buy himself the biggest yacht in the world to compensate and feed his ego.

[wpmallow]

Why is the yacht registration British?

[kiba1]

L. Stalhl should have asked Mr. Perkins why he got so upset in the board meeting? Or, What was his opinion on HP''s-vision, direction etc.? The interview was really about a man who up-ended a female exec. that lost her freakin mind. He has a lot of money and he should be able to spend it the way he wants....I''m sure he gives plenty to just causes...As anyone would with all that money.

[sandymboise]

And your point is...? Leslie Stahl''s interview with Tom Perkins was totally unfair to Mr. Perkins. There are countless individuals of wealth in the world whose lives are not unlike Mr. Perkins'' in the accumulation of wealth and trophy possessions. The point of this interview seemed to be an attempt to embarrass Mr. Perkins in public. Mr. Perkins was gracious and amiable to Ms. Stahl''s pointless confrontation about the yacht and his spending habits. The report of incidents involving the HP women executives seemed an afterthought and was poorly woven into the story. Ms. Stahl''s attempt at "gotcha" journalism "got" no one but her.

[suesid58]

Ok so Tom Perkins'' yacht cost somewhere in the range of $200 million, and an elephant''s tusk goes for about $500. The elephants in Chad are being killed by people who are hungry, poor, and desperate. Mr. Perkins could save 400,000 elephants if he''d donate the price of his boat to feed the people who are killing them. He wouldn''t miss the money, and I''m thinkin'' maybe that empty space in his heart he seems to be trying to fill with expensive toys might just get a bit smaller.

[raven12512]

I think Leslie Stahl should take a long vacation. Her last two interviews have been horrible. The direction of her interviews are meant for people like Brittany Spears, or Lindsay Lohan. I thought 60 Minutes was supposed to be a thought provoking, intelligent investigative news show, but now I feel like I am watching Entertainment Tonight or Current Affair. Please do something, it is agonizing to watch her interview someone. Her interviews seem to parallel the way the American media shows are headed, down the tubes of sensationalism. Please set a higher intellectual standard with your show.

[edoardo09]

To 60 Minutes:

I love it and have loved it since community college days in the 70s, when the prof gave us extra credit for watching and writing a brief summary of the show to bribe us into being aware of current events. thanks for all of your years of effort.

I respect all of the staff, but am concerned with the recent interviews by Leslie Stahl of Sarkozy and Tom Perkins. Sarkozy was somewhat skittish and I don''t think Leslie really had him on the ropes about his wife, but why, why with all of the important issues facing France and Sarkozy does the status of his marriage rate as "the must ask question?" In my optinion it appeared meddling and senseless. Tonight''s interview with Tom Perkins was another instance of Leslie asking why "he had to have the biggest, most expensive things..." referring to his yacht? Why not ask him about what makes him tick? It would be infinitely more interesting as opposed to badgering him about how much the yacht cost? $100m, $300M...The ultra rich spend their money...that''s what they do with it. Everyone knows this.

I remain a loyal 60 MINUTES fan, going on my 36th year.

Thank you

[mcrico-2009]

I found Leslie''s report on Mr. Perkin''s very biased. I felt that as citizen of this democratic nation he has the right to buy whatever he chooses to buy with his hard earned money. I woundered how Ms. Leslie would feel if I a second grade teacher in an inner city school would start questioning her on how she spends her money on jewels, designers gowns etc. I think she lost the mark on this report which is one more reason why I choose to skip your show when she is on.

[mistered45]

Leslie''s report was so focused on Mr. Perkin''s "toys" and spending that she failed to recognize the wealth and countless jobs that he and his peers created. I think Leslie should travel to Washington and expose the congressmen and the billions they have wasted on "pork".

[mayamy]

I think this story is one of the most blatantly skewed that I''ve seen in a long time. Leslie''s entire "spin" on the story was about his ego, lack of humility, etc. I didn''t see one instance of this in his actual behavior. In fact, she tried to net him into admitting his ego; which he admitted in a very un-egotistical way. I think this piece was ridiculous. While I also think that the number of extraordinarily expensive "toys" he has is also ridiculous, this piece missed the boat on good journalism.