Bono, Geldof slam Canada as a 'laggard' on African aid
- Thread starter CBC News
- Start date
From my understanding, Ireland has very big tax breaks for artists/entertainers. And Live Aid brought Geldof a level of public awareness that he wasn't even in the ballpark with before; meaning increased album sales, more people coming to concerts, etc.
As for Bono, it's very hard to take someone like him seriously...you know, someone who paid around 2 grand to have his favorite hat flown to him first class. That money could have gone a long way with starving kids in Africa too.
Mr. Rock Star is just having a temper tantrum that someone won't grovel to his every demand. Suck it up, buttercup.
some here are reminding me of a time when a certain couple stayed in bed for peace in the Sutton hotel here in tarawna.
All was groovy till this local journalist suit walked in and started in on Lennon about this was all about money. Some wanted to boot the guy from the scene. Lennon said no and showed the guy for what he was.
Dissing Geldolf and Bono for useing their time for good is absurd.
Geldof doesn't make his dough due to charity fundraising. 50 million is absurd inuendo to push round making like he is skimming , or making that from his cause against poverty.
what about Gabriel. He wrote a song Biko and thus started the whole demise of aparthied in South Africa.and he kept the profit from it.
It's boredom right yer all just bored ?
All was groovy till this local journalist suit walked in and started in on Lennon about this was all about money. Some wanted to boot the guy from the scene. Lennon said no and showed the guy for what he was.
Dissing Geldolf and Bono for useing their time for good is absurd.
Geldof doesn't make his dough due to charity fundraising. 50 million is absurd inuendo to push round making like he is skimming , or making that from his cause against poverty.
what about Gabriel. He wrote a song Biko and thus started the whole demise of aparthied in South Africa.and he kept the profit from it.
It's boredom right yer all just bored ?
Last edited:
Great, so each PM can just say "Well, that was the last guy. Canada doesn't keep commitments made by previous PMs". Their word becomes meaningless.
Either way, it doesn't really matter. They are grateful for one time gifts in any amount and happy to let people do the love a sister thing if they have $450 all at once.
A country that is under pressure of heavy debt is very close to economic failure. Once failed, they are open to extremists, wars rage constantly and atrocities abound. Where do you think the African debt came from? Does Canada own anything for dumping arms into Africa for so many years?
How much does it matter who the messenger is? If it was the Pope would it only apply to Catholics? If it was Clinton would it only apply to American Dems?
Does it really matter who is telling you that Africa is failing and since were one of the lucky countries to be loaded to the gills wealth wise, we should help out?
An agreement is an agreement and one has been made on behalf of our country. No matter how you feel about the politicians who made that agreement, they were acting on Canada's behalf at the time and like the greatest generation will tell you, you live up to your obligations and agreements, not weasel out of them and whine about it.
Honestly if Bob Geldof were to tell you about some 8 year old girls being gang rapped but thugs around the corner in an alley, would you be so upset that Bob Geldof gets his picture in the paper for raising the alarm or would you just go do something about it?
How much does it matter who the messenger is? If it was the Pope would it only apply to Catholics? If it was Clinton would it only apply to American Dems?
Does it really matter who is telling you that Africa is failing and since were one of the lucky countries to be loaded to the gills wealth wise, we should help out?
An agreement is an agreement and one has been made on behalf of our country. No matter how you feel about the politicians who made that agreement, they were acting on Canada's behalf at the time and like the greatest generation will tell you, you live up to your obligations and agreements, not weasel out of them and whine about it.
Honestly if Bob Geldof were to tell you about some 8 year old girls being gang rapped but thugs around the corner in an alley, would you be so upset that Bob Geldof gets his picture in the paper for raising the alarm or would you just go do something about it?
I think each incoming PM has done it. Back in 1993, Creitien failed to live up to the Government of Canada's commentment (via contract) for some helecoptors. Cost Canadian taxpayers dearly in settlements (and we didn't get the helecoptors).
Each PM has to balance his own books. If Canadians want more money for other programs (like the environment), the money needs to come from somewhere. Personally, I would not want to pay more taxes for aid to Africa. Of course, I have the position that the committement should not have been made in the first place. The problems with Africa (in my opinion) can not be solved with money. And it should not be the role of government to give it. Live Aid SHOULD have been a $100/ticket affair with proceeds going to Africa if money for Africa was the goal. But, like I just said, Africa's problems cannot be solved with just money.
Unfortunately when the warmongers went to Somalia they found that the old saying nature hates a vacuum applies to corrupt warlords and failed countries. That they got their butts kicked out of the country by those very people they were there to intimidate speaks volumes.
Not that there was a reduction in arms sales, or that there was talk on the effectiveness of choosing missions based upon photo ops.
Maybe once 20 or so Africans train in Nigeria to enact terrorism in America, someone will get it into their heads that turning away from the problem didn't solve anything.
As long as Geldof isn't the one doing the raping, of course I would listen to him. If he happened to be a serial rapist, I'd still listen but call him a hypocrite.
I think I'll drive my Cadillac on down to the local shelter. There are some homeless people there who have plenty of spare change...much more than most Africans. I'm sure I can convince them to give up their spare change for the people of Africa. :roll:
Yup, but what I meant was are we just gonna send our money in individually or try to pool five people and send in the whole 450?