Turner called king of U.S. landowners
By RICHARD L. ELDREDGE | Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 01:43 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

If you own 45,000 bison, you need a place to put them.

America’s 100 largest landowners are celebrated in the latest issue of The Land Report (the Magazine of the American Landowner), and Captain Outrageous, Ted Turner, is No.1, with 2 million acres in Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, New Mexico, Argentina and Tierra del Fuego.


In the special “America’s Largest Landowner” issue (sort of The Land Report’s combo “Sexiest Man Alive”/”Swimsuit Issue”), editor Eric O’Keefe explains that the subject is especially timely in today’s economic environment.


“It boils down to this,” O’Keefe writes. “When was the last time a credit default swap brought down a forest?”

Which brings us to Turner, a man who’s made a fortune over the years and openly admits to losing one in recent years as well.

The Land Report reprints an excerpt from his new memoir, “Call Me Ted,” where Turner explains that his South American purchases were motivated by a desire to find warm fly-fishing locales, where he could retreat during the North American winters.

And natch, the former owner of the MGM film library also takes the opportunity to quote from his favorite epic flick.

“I’m often reminded of Scarlett O’Hara’s father in ‘Gone With the Wind,’ ” he writes.

“He told her, ‘Why, the land’s the only thing in the world worth working for, worth fighting for, worth dying for, because it’s the only thing that lasts.’ I’ve realized this to be true, and I’m proud to know that I’ve done what I can to make sure that my land is protected.”

Also on the list are Amazon.com’s Jeff Bezos (No. 23), Denver Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke (No. 10), and the Adams brothers, Danny, Doug and Larry, of Atlanta (No. 88).

I find that the older I get, the more contempt I have for people that live excessively.


Who needs to own 2 million acres of land? Really, who needs that?

JerseyKRS said:

I saw him on 60 minutes a few weeks ago, and actually most of this land is used as game preserves and is undeveloped, if I recall correctly. I'd rather someone that's conservation minded to own it ANY day.

SCNDLS said:

He's doin' it for nature, I'll allow it...

not that I know the guy, because I don't, but I doubt Mr. Turner owns it for that reason. It is convenient for him to do that IMO. I tend to believe if his empire was riding on it, he'd develop that land in a new york minute.


But I'm just a cynical old man, don't listen to me.

JerseyKRS said:

Awww c'mon now, you got to beliiieeeve... you know, release the goood and all that. The man is one of those guys who is trying his damndest to save that NormRockwellian America we all know... He's also one of America's great skippers so he's alright in my book.

RenHoek said:

And he's lost about a BILLION dollars before and didn't resort to cashing in on his land. He's had a lot of that land for decades too and lives mostly in Montana or South Dakota or some other place with buffalo. So I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt that he is doing it for altruistic reasons.

SCNDLS said:

I see your point. Again, I can't say because I don't know him. Philanthropic isn't the one of the first words that comes to my mind when you mention Mr. Turner, hence my doubt.

Now let's talk about tits and ass before Luv4u moves this to P&R....

JerseyKRS said:

Okay, show me your tits.

JerseyKRS said:

If i owned 2 million acres, i would build you and Erin a house 1.999million acres away from me

JerseyKRS said:

he's been trying to do an undevoloped strip of land from Canada to the Mexican border so animals have a place to get away.

mdiver said:

buckin' for sainthood eh? '09 is off to a SUPER start... But hey, at least you're buildin'em a house...


stupid caps edit
[Edited 1/6/09 13:48pm]

JerseyKRS said:

Can it be 2 million acres of tits & ass? THAT I'd like to see!!

RenHoek said:

Oh i love em....just not near me.....she is dangerous with knives and she smells of gun oil

mdiver said:

That is so fuckin' HOT!!!

Jers have I mentioned what a lucky bastid you are?

RenHoek said:

I love those 2.....i wish we lived nearer

mdiver said:

weren't you "Coming to America" anytime soon to live??

RenHoek said:

We were there for thanksgiving and we will be back for good in 09....watch this space.....

We have sorted a house on Delaware and the tax links back to the UK for my business make it a great place to be.

mdiver said:

Delaware & Taxes are truly quite nice! That's AWESOME! Due to economic consideration we've pushed our Tour Italia to 2010 and we want to do the East Coast in '09, what with Obama in da muffukin' house and all... Let me know if you need Blinds & Drapes!

RenHoek said:

Done dealio bro, i have my first contractor


Just FYI though.....what the missus says goes.....

mdiver said:

Oh, but I am that good...

www.downtown-interiors.com

mdiver said:

Well we are also waiting on Immigration to get there asses in gear. Cannot do anything until that mofo is sorted.

RenHoek said:

#1 You are hired
#2 Even if i didnt know you the answer to "do you want downtown?" is ALWAYS YES

shanti0608 said:

Ahhh immigration I remember it well but that was BEFORE 9/11... I'm sure it must be 10 times the hell it was before then... We had such a bitch of a time with that...

mdiver said:

Groovy man!

RenHoek said:

It is insane...everyone assumes it should be easy since we are married. That don't mean shit anymore.

mdiver said:

Phil and Val are two of the nicest, most generous people I have ever met. Phil has offered his help to me on more than one occasion, without reservation, and for that I consider him one of my true, real life friends.






I'm drunk.

JerseyKRS said:

I hate you motherfucker

mdiver said:

I meant every word of it.

Well, I'm not drunk yet, but I'm trying
[Edited 1/6/09 15:57pm]