Could you turn down $5 BILLION dollars, this guy did!

Uluru or Ayers Rock in Australia - A beautiful picture of the rock formation called Uluru or Ayers Rock in Australia.
United States
July 15, 2007 12:21pm CST
I found this article on the Sidney Morning Herald's (Australia) website. To shorten the article I'll just take selected sections.*** Jeffrey Lee is not interested in the soaring price of uranium, which could make him one of the world's richest men."This is my country. Look, it's beautiful and I fear somebody will disturb it," he says, waving his arm across a view of rocky land surrounded by Kakadu National Park, where the French energy giant Areva wants to extract 14,000 tonnes of uranium worth more than $5 billion. Mr Lee, the shy 36-year-old sole member of the Djok clan and the senior custodian of the Koongarra uranium deposit, has decided never to allow the ecologically sensitive land to be mined."There are sacred sites, there are burial sites and there are other special places out there which are my responsibility to look after," ..."I'm not interested in money. I've got a job; I can buy tucker; I can go fishing and hunting. That's all that matters to me."...***I really admire this guy. He has principles. I honestly don't know what I would do in his shoes. It would be a real test of my moral fiber!
14 people like this
23 responses
• United States
15 Jul 07
That is a really remarkable dude! I would like to think I would do the exact same thing. Though I would imagine it would be a big and hard decision. To know that for the rest of my life and my childrens childrens ects life they'd be taken care of. On the other hand - there is very little beauty left in this world and it's our responsiblity to take care of this earth. I think he made the right decision :)
2 people like this
• United States
15 Jul 07
I also think he made the right decision, I would hope I could do the same in his shoes.. however, in my shoes ... dang, I hope I never have to make a decision like that!!
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Jul 07
I am so with you on that! I like the much more simple decisions like what's for dinner or should I watch a movie or clean the house. LOL
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
16 Jul 07
He has to love this land he has and if he feels he was intrusted with it for sacred and burial site he is the care taker of this land and he feels he has to save it as it is for going in there to mine it would be such a waste of the land.SOme people dont thin k money is worth distroying burial and sacred site . Power to him and I would stand behind him all the way.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
16 Jul 07
yes long after fo rI hope he can intrust it with someone as good as him and keep it whole
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jul 07
I agree Lakota, I stand behind him too. I hope that his wishes will be carried out for as long as he is alive and long after. Thanks, :D
@academic2 (7000)
• Uganda
17 Jul 07
That is the kind of Golden incorruptible man that the world needs, he is a pure gem who loves posterity more than his own life now-he is forward looking, he is just a lone in this world of earstwhile,greedy mortals who can even kill a neighbour for a mere $10 assasination fee!I just wish he were the leader of the world!
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Jul 07
The world is sorely lacking this type of person and we'd definitely be better off with more of his type around. Putting his principles before greed, how refreshing! Thanks for your comment academic2!
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
17 Jul 07
Hello Craftcatcher, Wow you're right, Jeffrey Lee certainly is a principled man! I suspect that his decision is a little easier because he is making the decision for the whole of the Djok Clan. The decision might be much more difficult if it was his own personal property. Even so, I really respect his commitment to his clan's history. Although I do wonder if the rest of his clan feels the same way that he does? Or, if the clan would be willing to allocate a portion of the land grant to mining, so as to insure the future financial stability of the clan. I cannot say what I would do in his shoes either. $5 billion is certainly alot of money, yet history and the preservation of the clan's lifestyle is invaluable. This is a toughie for sure. I hadn't heard this anywhere else, so thanks for bringing this to our attention Craftcatcher.
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
15 Jul 07
That is a totally awesome thing to do. To turn down such a huge amount of money based on principles and convictions alone. That is really cool of him. However, I am afraid they would try other means to extract the uranium. May be go through the government and dig up some loopholes in legislation or the constitution or something. These big corporations do not really care about the environment or anything else for that matter. All they think about is profits.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jul 07
I'm afraid I don't know much (nothing) about Australian land laws and imminent domain. But I honestly hope that his wish to start a private park will keep the French or Australian government from usurping his land, at least for a very long time. I hope he has a really good lawyer that can make it iron-clad and unbreakable. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
16 Jul 07
I really hope so too. But $5 billion is a lot of money and I hope some other people don't get lured into corrupt practices by it.
1 person likes this
• Canada
16 Jul 07
Hi again, Finally having some time to fly around and visit friends' sites. Keeping up with responses has kept me busy this week. Such great additions to topics..I have read and re-read them more than once...your's included! Still having trouble picking the best of the best..but I will. Thank you for posting this Crafcatcher...it is such a refreshing change to hear of individuals like this. So much of the news is about the plunderers of the earth's natural resources. This story does create a hmmmm...let us pause for a moment, get real..and ask ourselves what we would do in a similar circumstance? I think he is a living testimony to the idea of wealthy verus abundant living. If he has all his basic needs inwardly and outwardly within the life he is living...then he has abundance and the wealth isn't the reason for him being here. Sure would like to meet him and sit down and chat. Sounds like an amazing planetary citizen! Cannot help but wonder who he is within his spiritual essence...obviously a guardian of some kind. Anyway, thanks for providing an inner smile for me today. Makes me happy to know how many people are living a conscious life and walking their talk..everyday heros that often don't represent the greater good on news coverage. Great thing about Mylot and inter-netting...we can provide other 'perspectives. Good post...great topic material. Cheers!
• United States
17 Jul 07
Hi there! Glad you came by to comment, I always enjoy reading your views. It is a true case of seeing the type of person you want to be and judging your inner self and your culture. For me, there are so many variables here. For him there isn't. I too would like to sit down and have a nice long chat with him. His views of the world would be an excellent spiritual guidepost pointed in the right direction. I'm glad you got an inner smile out of it. Cheers, :D
@Stiletto (4579)
15 Jul 07
Well good for him. I'd like to think I would do the same in his position but to be honest I'm not sure. Money like that is a huge temptation. You're right - it would be a real test of moral fibre and I have a bad feeling that I might fail! I notice he's the sole member of his clan - I wonder what will happen to the land once he's not around. At least he's only 36 so hopefully that issue won't arise for some time.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jul 07
I do hope his wishes are followed for as long as he lives and then he or someone close to him or his clan appoints a guardian or conservator to continue his wishes. It will take some good lawyers! Kudos to him for his current position. Thanks Stiletto!
@cooky28 (739)
• Australia
15 Jul 07
Well love we cant all have the things we want but there are some stupid buggers around and they are very hard to under stand,and it is a bit of a worry this day and age,lots of hugs.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Jul 07
You are correct, there are a lot of stupid buggers around. Thank the powers that be that there are a few out there who still have their head on straight! :D Thanks mate!
@shambuca (2524)
• United States
16 Jul 07
Not sure that I would do the same either- maybe just allow them to mine only in a certain area and thats it no more after that, hard to say- guess it would depend on a lot of things- but Kudos to him for doing the right thing.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jul 07
It would depend on a lot of things for me too, I hope that I'm never put into that situation. It would either show my lack of will or be my finest moment. I don't know if I want to know which would win out! LOL
@Wingedman (238)
• United States
15 Jul 07
My first words would be "Where do I sign" then next would be "Where's my check". 5 Billion dollars is more than the GDP of a lot of countries in the world. Imagine the wonderful things that you coudl do with all that money to help people. Yeah, one stretch of wilderness goes bust for it, but so much more could be done. yeah, I'd have to spend some on myself and family and friends but a lot goes to charities and scholarships. Education is something everyone shoudl have a chance to get and I'd make that a priority.
• United States
15 Jul 07
I would agree if it were a stretch of wilderness with no meaning that after mining could be restored to it's original condition. But this particular stretch has many areas that are sacred to his clan. It also contains rock paintings done by the original aborinal peoples that are possibly 10's of thousands of years old. Those could never be replaced or reconstructed to their original condition. It's a true dilemma. I definitely understand what you're saying and it's a very noble and charitable thought, and I commend you for that line of thinking. But in reality would it be possible? You would be hounded until your dying day by people trying to use you and get money from you every way they could. You and your entire family would have to go into seclusion for fear of being kidnapped. Every grifter and thief from every continent would be trying to swindle you. Thousands of people would be filing law suits against you for nonsensical reasons trying to get a piece of it. It would just be horrible I'm afraid. You and your entire family for generations would become virtual prisoners. I wish things were simple and every good intention we have could become a reality but unfortunately the greedy and evil people of the world will not let it happen. Sad really. Thanks for your comment, again I commend you for your incredibly generous way of thinking. You are a good person.
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
16 Jul 07
Wow... that must be a very special and sacred place. I would hope that, inspired by the kind of beauty that he is blessed to live in, I could do the same. I don't know for sure that I would, though, that's a pretty solid, self-contained, happy-with-his-world kind of person to resist $5B!
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Jul 07
I is a toughy gardengrrl. I would hope the same myself, I just don't know. It tends to make one stop and think of their inner self and what kind of person they truely are! Thanks!
• Canada
16 Jul 07
It looks like God gave the land to the right person to take care of!
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jul 07
Amen Coffee!
@tikensoup (227)
• Mauritius
16 Jul 07
Hello Craftcatcher, this is a great story of moral and integrity. This is very good news to know that someone like that exists somewhere. However, knowing the big money companies, they won't give up that easily. The land will somehow fall into their claws as there is too much money at stake. This is the sad reality. I think the guy won't give in but the big money corps will find their way. The government should give him protection and make the site into a national park or something of that order. But governments are as gullible as anyone.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jul 07
I agree, people like this man are few and far between. We need more. I do hope that his wishes will be followed and the big corporation won't win in the end.
@jwiz168 (140)
• Philippines
16 Jul 07
I can also turned down that much money. If the catch would do more harm than I earn $60 bucks a week. See the thing yes money makes the world go round . But does the world care about you family's sake. Its better for to earn money on my own sweat. You reap what you sow is best describe to this situation.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jul 07
"You reap what you sow".. good for you jwiz168. More people would benefit from that kind of thinking. Thanks :D
@addysmum (1225)
• Canada
15 Jul 07
Good for him. I am glad to see that someone doesn't care for money but cares for what is important to him and what is/was important to his people. So many people would have sold out. I don't know what I would have done, I would like to say I would do the same but then I would like to give my kids the world too.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Jul 07
So many things to consider in a decision like that.. I'm glad I'm not the only one who would struggle with it. Thanks addysmum!
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
15 Jul 07
It might be now that he will die for that ground. Being in the news and eveyone now knowing about the uranium the bad guys might come his way and take it. Whatever it takes. So sorry that is was found and now it is in the news. I hope he does not meet his end. Would be too sad to hear.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Jul 07
I hope that won't be the case. I don't think it will since it would take such specialized equipment to extract the uranium, very few corporations in the world could do it. I don't think anyone could get away with it, it would be way too obvious as a motive for murder if that were to happen. I hope Mr. Lee will be around for a very long time! And if his plans pan out for turning it into a permanent nature park, nobody could ever touch it. He'll need a very good lawyer to make it unchallengable, and I wish him much luck.
@lucy02 (5016)
• United States
15 Jul 07
Oh yes. I would say he is admirable. Could I turn it down? I don't know. I would probably look for a way around it without disturbing the sacred sites. That would be a big temptation.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Jul 07
I would defintely have to do some long, hard thinking about the situation. Ehhhh maybe just that one small section over there? Thanks lucy02!
@cassidy22 (2974)
• United States
18 Jul 07
Well, that makes perfect sense. If someone wanted to hand me 5 billion bucks, I'd ask what strings are attached for sure. But if they wanted to rape the land to give me that money, 'I'd say no, too. I admire him and I hope we could all aspire to be less greedy and have better morals, like him.
1 person likes this
@liranlgo (5752)
• Israel
15 Jul 07
I applause this men. I think that he is a true believer and does fallow his believes, and there are not alote of people that have this character, at least people that i know. I think that it is wonderful, and i wish that i could love life and my country and nature like this man does.
• United States
15 Jul 07
I agree, he is a true national hero in my book. It takes a special human being to think that way. I applaud him also. Thanks.
• United States
15 Jul 07
It'd be very hard to turn down that much money, but I could never look at myself if I sold out to my culture.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Jul 07
I agree, it would be a true dilemma for most of us. I'm just glad money wasn't important to him so the beautiful terrain could be perserved for future generations. Thanks!