The local United Way office realized that it had never received a donation from the town's most successful lawyer, an attorney for the ACLU. The volunteer in charge of contributions called on the attorney to persuade him to contribute. "Our research shows that out of a yearly income of more than $750,000 you give not one penny to charity. Wouldn't you like to give back to your community in some way?"
The lawyer mulled this over for a moment and replied, "First, Did your research also show that my mother is dying from a long, lingering illness and she has amassed medical bills that are several times her annual income?" Somewhat taken aback, the United Way representative managed to mumble, "Um... No."
"Second, did you know that my brother, a disabled veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair?" The stricken United Way rep began to stammer out an apology but was put off. "Third, that my sister's husband died in a traffic accident," the lawyer's voice rising in indignation, "leaving her penniless with three small children?"
The embarassed United Way rep, completely humiliated, said simply, "I had no idea..." On a roll, the ACLU attorney cut him off once again, "...And I don't give any money to them, so why should I give any to you?"
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