up until a few years ago, i thought the words philanthropist and polygamist were one in the same. i assumed that if you're philanthropist, then you must be rich. because you're rich, you can easily find multiple women to marry. and because you care a great deal about humankind, then it's only natural that you'd want multiple wives. and because you're rich, you're above the law. so if you're rich and a good person, then you get to have multiple wives. if you're rich and don't have multiple wives, then you're probably not that charitable. i thought all philanthropists had multiple wives. i thought all polygamists were rich.

this was my logic.

then i saw a story about a polygamist in Utah arrested for well, polygamy. he was a hillbilly who lived on some dirt farm with 5 wives. he looked more like a charity case than one who gives to charities. i think i made a comment like "how the hell did that hick become a philanthropist? he doesn't look like he helps people at all."

i got a blank stares in return, followed by "what the hell are you talking about?"