Well for the moment but that will soon run out and more will be needed. Then what? I don't see 9/11 or Afghanistan as the price of doing business do you?
Bono, Geldof slam Canada as a 'laggard' on African aid
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Well for the moment but that will soon run out and more will be needed. Then what? I don't see 9/11 or Afghanistan as the price of doing business do you?
I think Geldof has shot himself in the foot.......at least in a small way. I personally wouldn't buy any music he was even remotely connected with. A lot of Canadians feel the same way. We won't make him go broke or anything but the Canadian market is significant. Canadians sure as hell don't have to be ashamed of the amount of foreign aid that this country gives every year no matter what that blowhard says.
I put part of my original post in bold so that you can clearly see that I am in fact interested in the message. That doesn't mean he isn't still a hypocrite.
There is an interview with "BONO" in the german publication "der spiegel". Google bono and der spiegel for a link. I am not savvy enough to provide a direct link or I would.One of the points that Harper pursued was that countries that recieved aid should be held accountable for how it is spent.Fair enough. Read the interview and ponder bono's attitude towards accountability.
This one? I think he takes a realist's position on most topics. Accountability for aid money is essential. At the same time, we shouldn't ignore people suffering because they don't have perfect government officials yet. The money should just bypass those officials.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,398076,00.html
SPIEGEL: This government has never been democratic. The elections last summer were supposed to be the first democratic ones in the history of the country.
Bono: Aid flows are being withdrawn now. And the movement I belong to is part of the reason why the British government has pulled out of Ethiopia. We have to have a very simple standard of doing business, which is: If you are not tackling corruption, if you are not allowing civil society to do their job, we are not giving you any money. Outside of famine, and outside of those kinds of catastrophes, which need money pumped in no matter who's in charge. We are not marching the streets to redecorate presidential palaces for anyone.
It is easy to cherrypick . My point is that bono seems to believe that spending MY money in Africa is admirable and morally superior even if it is wasted. That is quite easy to say when you are not worrying about the next rent or mortgage payment. From the interview, I believe that he is marching the streets in his regal robes to pour aid in to Africa and it doesn't matter who benefits as long as he lies down at night in his $i,000 hotel room and feels good about himself.
It's easy to be cynical about a celebrity talking about charity. I completely get that, but even if it is just to make himself feel good or he's a hypocrite or a stupid jacka$$, I think he's right if he feels that the richest nations in the world should help the poorest. That idea goes beyond politics. There is a saying about much being expected from those who have been given a lot. We have been blessed simply by being born in Canada. That doesn't mean we don't deserve what we've worked for, just that we should also try to help those working hard to improve their lives who were born into much more difficult circumstances.
Our government pledged a small amount of our overall wealth to Africa all on its own. I'm sure they didn't do it because Bono told them to. You aren't going to miss your rent or your next meal because of it and neither am I. I don't have a mortgage mind you, only the rich could buy a home where I live
, but I still think I can spare less than 1% of what I earn.I wonder how much of that money could be paid for by getting rid of the Senate and paying that same money into Africa? I bet you wouldn't even touched if you have trouble paying your rent. Income would be too low. Unless it's you that chooses to live in a $1000 hotel room.
Hey,I'm all for sending senate salaries to Africa,sheet ,let's send the senators themselves to Africa. The rest of your reply though is a bit incomprehensible. Try again,cheers.
I guess if it's just you and me it's moot. Any other takers out there? We need three more people. Bit?
I could live with that. It certainly is a more worthy cause than paying some deadbeat to nap all day.