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Martin mystifies Bono? Who does Bono think he is? He is a musician, he sings songs, so what? What gives him the right to tell Paul Martin how to spend Canadian tax dollars. Bono has been doing this crap for years. He got Cretien to give an extra $20 million to Africa a few years ago, that is wrong. The problem I have with this is: how many Canadians live payday to pay day? How many kids go without proper clothing and meals because their parents do not have enough money to make ends meet? Bono has all the money he needs, this fool was flown to Ottawa in his personal helicopter to have a meeting with the PM (couple years ago). How many of us can afford our own helicopter? Bono should clean up his own back yard before he shoots his foolish mouth off about how Canada spends money. Bono does not live pay day to pay day like many Canadians, maybe that big mouth, hypocrite should try to support a family in Canada making minimum wage and then see where he wants his tax dollars being spent. Yes, there are allot of starving children in other countries, but guess what? There is still poverty in Canada, we should look after our own people first.

   

Except that poverty here is nothing like it is in Africa and other such places.

   

I'm kind of torn on this. I'm glad Bono is using his fame and fortune to help others. Most people wouldn't bother. Does he merit a press conference in the press gallery of Parliment Hill? After all, I didn't elect him to anything. Only around election time, I guess.

We are filthy rich compared to Lower Elbonia. $20 million means far more to them than it does to us. But does that mean a new Maybach for Dictator Du Jour, or real changes to the people of Lower Elbonia? And at what cost to our own poor and hungry?

   

He does, does he?

Surf around on Yahoo or google and see where Bono lives.

Or go to the next U2 tour and see how many $$$$ they squander putting on a production to further line thier pockets.

Or better yet, let's talk about DATA (Debt, Aids, Trade in Africa). Bono's organisation that was established "to raise awareness about Africa's unpayable debts, uncontrolled spread of AIDS and unfair trade rules that hurt the countries' poor citizens"

Raise Awareness?!? Just to be clear, that means that not a single dime from DATA actually gets to African poor people or buys loaf one for those starving in Africa. In fact, the only real benefit of DATA is shameless self promotion of celebs like Bono seeking to self gratify through image management.

You want to help Africans? Give your money to Mediciens sans Frontiers or the Red Cross. Better yet, join one of those organisations or a dozen others that actually help people.

Don't feed Bono's promotion machine, or his ego.

   

   

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The fact that Bono appeared on stage at Martin's inaugeration as Prime Minister in exchange for a commitment from Martin that he would make African poverty a priority is what gives him the right. Martin, of course, reneged on that after using Bono to add some glamour to his campaign. Bono is now rightfully pissed off. Although I don't know why that's a surprise to Bono. Jack Layton also found out the hard way what a promise from Paul Martin and the Liberals is worth.



Why is that wrong? Chretien was a big boy. He could have said no. Lot's of people come to the government with their hand out for their pet causes. If you've got a problem with the fact that Chretien gave your money away, your battle is with the Liberals, not Bono.



Give me a break. Poverty is relative. And poverty in Canada, where even the poorest people own VCR's, is trivial compared to that which affects the Third World.

If you're so concerned about poverty in Canada, then give away all YOUR money to the homeless.

Just because we don't have every single minor instance of disparity or unfairness sorted out in this country doesn't mean we can't do something for other parts of the world.

   

Bono's not from around here. He doesn't know the standard operating procedure: Libs make a promise, then break it or ignore it soon after.

   

I agree. I’m a fence sitter as well in regards to this issue. Developing nations face horrendous living conditions, omnipresent disease, deplorable tribalism and a vicious circle of poverty. They also face significant governmental corruption (yes, I realize this is a sweeping generalization, but I acknowledge its limitations for the post’s sake), geopolitical squabbling, tribalism (again) and massive cultural issues that often run counter to democratic ideals and mix economy tenets. I’ve never been a proponent of just throwing money at the situation in the hopes that it will resolve itself. Should eradicating Third World poverty be a priority? Of course, but it’s the strategies and tactics that become the problem.

My other issue is with rock stars behaving like elected officials. Bono has no electorate. He’s also has no Parliament or Congress to be accountable to and nor does have to weigh in on other issues (both foreign and domestic) that concern his nation. His crusade is seemingly singular and that taints his myopic worldview. His mission is commendable and I support his efforts, but lose the sanctimonious attitude and while the money is relative, it is still within the Prime Minister’s discretion to choose policy courses and how to implement those initiatives.

If Bono can’t comprehend the Machiavellian world of politics, then he should stick to music (which I like) and partisan press conferences. They are much less dirty.

   

Yep I agree.

OK, a little bit misquoted... but my thoughts are that Bono is far more interested in promoting himself than the plight of Africans.

Although he is at least using his star power to bring some awareness to a global issue (instead of just selling purfume - I'm looking at you Britanny and Jennifer...)

He should shut his flapping yap when it comes to how Canadian elected officials are going to spend my tax dollars.

   

Do you feel the same way about a certain former US ambassador to Canada?

   

I have said it here before. When that fag Bono starts paying taxes here, then he can whine about how we spend. Until then SHUT THE F UP

   

I submit to you that the US has a more vested stake in how Canada chooses to defend itself than Bono does on how Canada chooses to dole out foreign assistance to Africa.

That notwithstanding, the US is a country, with elected representatives responsible to the electorate of that nation, who, through foreign relations have highlighted thier own national concerns regarding Canadian defence policy. Let's also not forget that Canada and the US share somewhere in the neighbourhood of 80 bilateral defence agreements. If any nation on the planet should be allowed to comment on Canada's defence policy than it is the US. Before you ask, I also think that it's fair to say this is a two way street.

Much like Canada does when it tries to diplomatically persuade North Korea that pursuing a nuclear armament policy is wrong. Or if you prefer an example closer to home, when Canada uses diplomatic pressure to persuade the US not to pursue a missle defence umbrella. Do you feel that Canada shouldn't use diplomatic pressure to help stop the global proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or the weaponization of space?

   

EXACTLY!!!!

And Motorcyclyboy, I am paying allot of money to the government in taxes, is it wrong for me to want this money to stay in Canada? The way you defend this dipstick Bono, maybe you could dig a little deeper and give ALL your money to the less fortunate.

   

Good response.

As to your questions, no I don't feel that way. But I would sumbit that such diplomatic overtures don't require other nations to spend any of their tax revenues.

   

In these cases no it wouldn't.

But there are examples where diplomatic pressures would ask that foreign governments spend thier tax revenues - furthering women's rights in the Middle East for example. Think of the knock on infrastructure costs that would need to be implemented simply to allow women to drive or go to school. It isn't as simple as just saying 'OK'. There are millions in additional costs that go along with a project of that scope.

Either way, I still think Bono is an unaccountable loud mouth looking for handouts when he doesn't direct enough of his own considerable wealth or the proceeds of his bogus foundation to the cause he so vehemently 'supports'.

   

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