Meet Bono? I'm not interested, says PM

sanctus

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That's like saying you shouldn't be allowed to protest the Iraq war because President Bush doesn't have to answer to you since you aren't a citizen of the US or of Iraq.

He has to answer to the world when Canada's word becomes meaningless. It is an international issue, not a national one. He has to answer to me and to you.
Stop writing it's like this or it's like that. It's like this, the leader of any country is not obligated to rush into the arms of every celebrity who demands an audience. End of story.
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

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I think the purpose of his meeting is relevant. The purpose was to discuss why Canada chose to reneg on its promise. That matters to me. Sorry if I misinterpreted your comment that the PM should just do what's best for Canadians. It sounded to me like you think Canada shouldn't meet it's commitments to aid that it made a few years ago. Is that the case?

Bono is not a Canadian. He is not a foreign diplomat on a visit. He is a rock star from Ireland. The PM does not have, nor is required, to meet with him.

Perhaps Bono, could organize a worldwide series of concerts -- Harper Aid -- to further his cause of a meeting.
 

sanctus

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He doesn't but considering who it was it might have done him some good to show he was up to the task.

not that he necessarily was.

and you shouldn't hide behind labels like that. he may be a rock star but they both drew a lot of compliments for being well versed in the issues from those they met with at the last summit.

What do you mean considering who he is? He's a frickin' Irish rock star!! What is wrong with you people that you think it is necessary for a leader of any country to meet with every celebrity who demands an audience?
 

tracy

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Stop writing it's like this or it's like that. It's like this, the leader of any country is not obligated to rush into the arms of every celebrity who demands an audience. End of story.

As long as I'm obeying the terms of this board I'll write whatever I like, thank you very much. As far as I knew we were all entitled to that.

If you don't care about the reason for the meeting, that's your business. I have every right to care.
 

tracy

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Bono is not a Canadian. He is not a foreign diplomat on a visit. He is a rock star from Ireland. The PM does not have, nor is required, to meet with him.

Perhaps Bono, could organize a worldwide series of concerts -- Harper Aid -- to further his cause of a meeting.

I believe I specifically agreed he isn't obligated to meet with anyone.
 

BitWhys

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What do you mean considering who he is? He's a frickin' Irish rock star!! What is wrong with you people that you think it is necessary for a leader of any country to meet with every celebrity who demands an audience?

my oh my. which part is it that makes his opinion invalid even though he got an invite to the summit in the first place? I hope its just the fact that he's only a lowly a rock star.

and if you read again you'll notice I didn't say he had to.
 

sanctus

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As long as I'm obeying the terms of this board I'll write whatever I like, thank you very much. As far as I knew we were all entitled to that.

If you don't care about the reason for the meeting, that's your business. I have every right to care.
You keep inserting other points into what I am suggesting. It's quite cut and dried Tracy The leader of a country is NOT required to rush into the arms of any celebrity who desires a meeting with him. Period.(
 

sanctus

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my oh my. which part is it that makes his opinion invalid even though he got an invite to the summit in the first place? I hope its just the fact that he's only a lowly a rock star.

and if you read again you'll notice I didn't say he had to.
I never suggested his opinion was invalid. I am only saying it is not necessary for our PM to meet with him just because Bono thinks his opinion is as relevant as the leaders of the G8.
 

BitWhys

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I never suggested his opinion was invalid. I am only saying it is not necessary for our PM to meet with him just because Bono thinks his opinion is as relevant as the leaders of the G8.

you mean it isn't? its not like he crashed the party.

so much for democracy.

jealousy will get you nowhere, padre. you should know that by now.
 
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Unforgiven

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You keep inserting other points into what I am suggesting. It's quite cut and dried Tracy The leader of a country is NOT required to rush into the arms of any celebrity who desires a meeting with him. Period.(

A good leader looks beyond the messenger to see the message.
 

#juan

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It isn't about meeting a rock star. It's about explaining why Canada has "recalculated" the commitment we made a few years ago to aiding the poorest people on earth (recalculated meaning deciding we'd give less than we promised).

Why does the Canadian PM have to explain anything to this twit. The Prime minister of Canada is the only one who can say what Canada can or can't afford at any given time. It is up to Canada, not some loud mouthed rock star how much we give, and when we give it.
 

sanctus

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Why does the Canadian PM have to explain anything to this twit. The Prime minister of Canada is the only one who can say what Canada can or can't afford at any given time. It is up to Canada, not some loud mouthed rock star how much we give, and when we give it.
Thank the good Lord, I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one who thought this way!!!
 

BitWhys

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A good leader looks beyond the messenger to see the message.

good point. not to pick on you...

If weren't for the work of the likes of Bono and Geuldof the chances of the G8 even discussing Africa would be pretty damn slim. Of couse it wasn't an obligation but choosing not to meet with individuals who have effectively become representatives of civil society doesn't necessarily work in one's favour no matter how much the rhetorical protectors of official power protest.
 
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missile

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Bono has his own little charitable foundation , but has never taken any money out of it for needy nations or persons, Plus, he has never even paid any Irish income tax! I suspect his band must have another collection of tunes about to go on sale.
 

tracy

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You keep inserting other points into what I am suggesting. It's quite cut and dried Tracy The leader of a country is NOT required to rush into the arms of any celebrity who desires a meeting with him. Period.(

For the third time on this thread: I agree with that! Can I be any clearer on that point? He doesn't HAVE to do anything he doesn't want to. I DO care about the reason Bono wanted to meet with him though. I DO think that matters. I DO care about that issue. I DO want to know why he is pledging less money than was promised before. He isn't going to exlpain it directly to me even though I am a Canadian citizen, so I'm fine getting that message through a meeting with anyone (even an Irish rock star- gasp!).
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

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For the third time on this thread: I agree with that! Can I be any clearer on that point? He doesn't HAVE to do anything he doesn't want to. I DO care about the reason Bono wanted to meet with him though. I DO think that matters. I DO care about that issue. I DO want to know why he is pledging less money than was promised before. He isn't going to exlpain it directly to me even though I am a Canadian citizen, so I'm fine getting that message through a meeting with anyone (even an Irish rock star- gasp!).

If you agree with the point, what are you arguing about?

As for your concerns, perhaps you could write him a letter (or your MP). This particular meeting ain't happening.
 

tracy

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Why does the Canadian PM have to explain anything to this twit. The Prime minister of Canada is the only one who can say what Canada can or can't afford at any given time. It is up to Canada, not some loud mouthed rock star how much we give, and when we give it.

He has to explain it to me. No one is telling us how much we should give, we promised that amount. I think people do have a right to question why we don't live up to our international commitments but I wasn't invited to the G8 summit, so I'd take that message through an activist if that's who he wants to do it through or a press conference or a plain old speech or whatever. The messenger isn't what's important to me. Sanctus feels that's the main point of this thread and he may be right. I just think it's a distraction from the real issue. We can focus on Bono and rock stars and celebrities and how annoying they are with their stupid causes, but I still care more about the actual cause than the guy trying to bring attention to it.
 

tracy

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If you agree with the point, what are you arguing about?

As for your concerns, perhaps you could write him a letter (or your MP). This particular meeting ain't happening.

I'm arguing that Harper should explain why he's scaled back our commitment to aid and that it doesn't matter if he does that to Bono or someone else. I'm arguing that Bono isn't the point.
 
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I'm arguing that Harper should explain why he's scaled back our commitment to aid and that it doesn't matter if he does that to Bono or someone else. I'm arguing that Bono isn't the point.
Yeah i saw that....why badger her sanctus by ignoring her angle on the thing just to keep makeing your point...

But Tracy, Harper is prolly useing the Bono thing in the media to hide behind not addressing your point which a lot of people want to see him do. Look at how people here think "ya why should he meet Bono". It's cheap political tactics