What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breaking.

[I think not]

Re: RE: What Bono has to say

Bono has as much right to influence Canadian policy as the CATO Institute does. More actually because the CATO Institute lies. They are still promoting the "Africa is full of corrupt dictators" lie, for instance. That 2/3's of the governments in Africa are democratically elected...many having been re-elected...doesn't matter to them.

Who would you rather have trying to influence your government, ITN? Some rock stars who have nothing to personally gain, or a bunch of corporate honchos looking to enrich themselves.

Bono is not a Canadian citizen hence he has no right to try and dictate Canadian policy. That is a Canadian issue. He doesn't speak for Canadians. The CATO institute is a US based non-profit. Same thing applies to them.

 

[Jay]

RE: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

Oh come on...the left uses foreign aid as a election platform, and if the right says no, were called racists etc...turns out (according to you) the money was going to western corps....did the left know this was happening?

The voter got screwed along with the tax payer.

Forgive the debts, and no more money until we see dramatic changes in politics over there.

 

[bluealberta]

Re: RE: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise bre

Oh come on...the left uses foreign aid as a election platform, and if the right says no, were called racists etc...turns out (according to you) the money was going to western corps....did the left know this was happening?

The voter got screwed along with the tax payer.

Forgive the debts, and no more money until we see dramatic changes in politics over there.

Just heard a news report that "Bono will kick Martins butt" for not giving more money sooner. God, I wish these elitist types would just do what they are good at and get out of the way.

Maybe Bono could get all the artists, actors, actresses, etc. together and convince them to give 1% of their total earnings for the past few years to African Aid. Then I would give him some credibility. Until then, it is damn easy to spend someone elses money.

 

[missile]

RE: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

There is a very strong rumor that Bono doesn't pay one cent of income tax in his native country,and that his so called foundation is a hoax. I wish he'd go back to making music!

 

[bluealberta]

Re: RE: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise bre

There is a very strong rumor that Bono doesn't pay one cent of income tax in his native country,and that his so called foundation is a hoax. I wish he'd go back to making music!

Agreed. Had not heard about his tax issue or foundation issue, probably not totally true.

 

[Reverend Blair]

Re: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

Bono is not a Canadian citizen hence he has no right to try and dictate Canadian policy. That is a Canadian issue. He doesn't speak for Canadians. The CATO institute is a US based non-profit. Same thing applies to them.

Funny...I haven't heard any of you complaining about the CATO Institute though. Or AEI. Or PNAC. Or The Fraser Institute. Nobody bats an eye when Tommy d'Aquino makes a speech or shows up at a G-8 meeting. Let Bono show up and you guys freak out though. Why?

Bono is trying to influence the same people that those places, and dozens more, regularly try to influence. It is not just Paul Martin that he is going after...it is everybody involved.

Oh come on...the left uses foreign aid as a election platform, and if the right says no, were called racists etc...turns out (according to you) the money was going to western corps....did the left know this was happening?

We've been bitching about it for years. Why the hell weren't you listening?

Forgive the debts, and no more money until we see dramatic changes in politics over there

We've already seen a dramatic change in politics over there. Did you miss the post where I pointed out that 2/3's of African governments were democratically elected? Maybe you should be aware that Lesotho charged one of their officials for being on the take. They also charged the companies that were paying him bribes. The World Bank gave some, not all, of those corporations a slap on the wrist. Western governments refused to do even that much.

Maybe the politics need to change here, Jay...maybe we need to start sending CEOs to prison for foreign corruption.

Just heard a news report that "Bono will kick Martins butt" for not giving more money sooner. God, I wish these elitist types would just do what they are good at and get out of the way.

I thought you'd like to see Martin get his butt kicked, Blue. I guess you never read that letter your party helped draft.

By the way, what's elitist about a populist movement? Since Bono is at the G-8 and has exhibited not only influence, but political acumen and the ability to understand issues, isn't it time you acknowledged that he is doing what he is good at?

 

[I think not]

Re: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

Funny...I haven't heard any of you complaining about the CATO Institute though. Or AEI. Or PNAC. Or The Fraser Institute. Nobody bats an eye when Tommy d'Aquino makes a speech or shows up at a G-8 meeting. Let Bono show up and you guys freak out though. Why?

Because those organizations do not make headlines. When they do, people will talk about it.

 

[Reverend Blair]

Re: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

There is a very strong rumor that Bono doesn't pay one cent of income tax in his native country,and that his so called foundation is a hoax. I wish he'd go back to making music!

Yup, can't shut him up, so start a rumour. Cowardly character assassination...another hallmark of the right.

 

[Reverend Blair]

Re: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

Because those organizations do not make headlines. When they do, people will talk about it.

Why don't those organisations make headlines? Their actions are in the alternative press all of the time. Why doesn't the mainstream press pick up on it? Could be because their owners are the same guys who fund the radical right's think tanks.

 

[I think not]

Re: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

Because those organizations do not make headlines. When they do, people will talk about it.

Why don't those organisations make headlines? Their actions are in the alternative press all of the time. Why doesn't the mainstream press pick up on it? Could be because their owners are the same guys who fund the radical right's think tanks.

The CBC? The BBC? Al-Jazeera? All those cater to radical right wing think tanks?

 

[bluealberta]

Re: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

By the way, what's elitist about a populist movement? Since Bono is at the G-8 and has exhibited not only influence, but political acumen and the ability to understand issues, isn't it time you acknowledged that he is doing what he is good at?

Bono is good at making music and headlines.

 

[Jay]

RE: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

Hey good for Bono...I'm a big U2 fan...I'll sing a few songs of his for you if you wish....

He is doing good work in Africa (spreading the message and keeping hope alive and putting pressure on both sides)....

"We've been bitching about it for years. Why the hell weren't you listening? "

I think you missed my point.

 

[Reverend Blair]

Re: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

The CBC? The BBC? Al-Jazeera? All those cater to radical right wing think tanks?

Oddly enough, both the BBC and CBC have done shows on the influence of right-wing think tanks and the neo-conservatives. I don't know if AJ has or not.

Bono is good at making music and headlines.

He is. He's also good at organizing people, understanding issues, and garnering public support for those issues. Don't like it? Tough titty.

"We've been bitching about it for years. Why the hell weren't you listening? "

I think you missed my point.

No, I didn't miss your point at all. I did make one of my own though.

 

[Toro]

RE: What Bono has to say

Bono on Meet the Press a few weeks ago talking about Bush's $15-billion AIDS initiative in Africa;

"I think he's done an incredible job, his Administration, on AIDS. And 250,000 Africans are on anti-viral drugs. They literally owe their lives to America."

Thank you Bono.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: What Bono has to say

Yup, and Bono said nice things about Paul Martin for a while too. Bush has gotten the carrot. If he continues to be obstructionist, he will get the stick. That will very likely happen when Bush is politically vulnerable, like during the '06 elections.

Like I said, Bono knows how to play this game.

 

[Toro]

RE: What Bono has to say

Bono won't turn the election. Bono's use isn't as a king-maker but using his celebrity to bring to attention issues he cares about. And I admire him for that, as opposed to the mindless bashing undertaken most celebrities.

Iraq won't be an issue in 06. It may be in 08 though. If the GOP has a problem in 06, it will be because of internal issues, particularly ethics. The GOP won't lose the Senate but there is risk in the House because of Tom DeLay.

 

[Jay]

RE: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

You must admit though, that's a big carrot he got.

 

[mrmom2]

Re: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

Toro knows exactly whats going to happen because he programs the electronic voting machines just look at where he's from

 

[bluealberta]

Re: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

Toro knows exactly whats going to happen because he programs the electronic voting machines just look at where he's from

So your the one, eh Toro? Keep up the good work, okay? :wink:

 

[Reverend Blair]

Re: What Bono has to say about Paul Martin's promise breakin

Bono won't turn the election.

I never said he would. I said he'd take the stick to Bush when he was most politically vulnerable. Bush getting ripped up by Bono during the 06 elections will have an effect. It may not turn the election, but it can cost enough that appointments don't go through and everything Bush touches turns to crap.

I realize that the only understanding of politics in the US is zero-sum and that soft power isn't even your political dictionary down there, but that's your problem, not Bono's.