Posted on 06/09/2007 6:06:55 AM PDT by Clive
Prime Minister Stephen Harper getting bashed by Bono yesterday dominated the news from the closing day of the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm, Germany.
Besides being miffed that Harper -- who claims to be a U2 fan -- couldn't fit a meeting with the international rock star into his schedule earlier in the week, Bono accused Harper of "blocking" a deal on African aid at the G8 summit.
The leaders of the world's eight most prosperous democracies pledged $60 billion in aid to the world's least prosperous countries which is largely a reiteration of promises already made.
But Bono -- who flies around the world urging western democracies to use taxpayer dollars to forgive Third World debt on the one hand and then moves his business from Ireland to avoid paying taxes on the other -- is singing from the wrong song-sheet when it comes to slamming Canada and its commitment to helping Africa.
Firstly, Harper emphatically denied he blocked any deal and pointed out that Canada is the only G8 country on track to meet its commitments to Africa made in Gleneagles, Scotland two years ago.
In fact, Canada is ahead of schedule to meet its commitment.
"We happen to believe that when it comes to aid money that the full framework of accountability is very important," said Harper who praised the aid framework that will ensure foreign aid dollars go towards helping poor people and not enriching an African despot.
Right. Canadians want to help Africans with AIDS to stay alive using anti-retroviral drugs and to help them gain better access to education and clean water.
Answering a question in the House of Commons yesterday Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay pointed out that "Canada will double its international assistance from 2001 to 2010, with assistance to Africa also doubling in that time frame."
Canada plans to increase its Africa funding to $2.1 billion for 2008-09, from $1.05 billion in 2003-04 and African aid makes up 40% of all Canadian foreign aid. What's more, Canada's foreign aid budget is growing by 8% per year.
It can always be argued more can be done for the world's poor. But bashing a country that's doubling its foreign aid seems to be hitting the wrong note.
-
Maybe this is why Harper won’t meet with an ill-informed, rock star, loud-mouth, politician/activist wannabe. Why waste valuable time?
Typical liberal
It just shows you the complete denial of facts or anything else other than their own fantasies Bono and others have.
These people don’t think. They just act and it’s usually emotionally.
Why exactly does this pop singer feel that he is qualified enough to engage in high level negotiations with world leaders and demand that they meet with him whenever the urge strikes him. Personally, I wouldn’t give him the time of day, much less sit and listen to his rantings about Africa. He just needs to shut up and sing!
It is because he "feels" rather than think
If he thought (thinks) about it, he would realize almost nobody cares what he thinks, they care that he can sing.
It's the same disease Paris Hilton has, SICS (Self Important Celebrity Syndrome )
SHUT UP & SING!
Thank you.
He should go back to signing with Cher.
Maybe because the Bush administration decided, early on, to include him on official foreign trips by the Treasury Secretary. They may have just been starstruck, but they gave Bono credibility in th eyes of the world for years to come.
Government is serious business and when Government officials use it to satisfy their own personal groupie fantasies there are serious consequences.
Please send me a FReepmail to get on or off this Canada ping list.
This may be hasty. For his faults, Bono has a singular determination to help Africa. While the left has repeatedly tried to co-opt him for other causes, he has refused, staying on that one issue.
Importantly, the left had a severe anxiety attack when he said that “George W. Bush has done more for Africa than any other US President.”
I might also well note that while Harper might be honest in his statement of accountability being essential to aid, that argument has often been used by politicians to *pretend* to do something, while actually wasting time and money. It rates right up there with “forming a commission to study the problem”, instead of actually *doing* anything.
As far as taxation goes, for years, Ireland had suffered from artists and writers leaving its poverty stricken shores, so brilliantly eliminated most taxation on such people. It had the desired effect, returning the arts to Ireland in force.
But then Ireland, at the behest of the EU, has decided to tax artists again, and at a WHOPPING 42% tax rate. Since Bono and U2 earn 90% of their income OUTSIDE of Ireland, it would be damn foolish of them to keep their assets there.
Just because you like to give to charity doesn’t mean you are hypocritical because you don’t like to pay fat taxes.
Bono is a mucking foron.
LOL. Very funny.
Hey Mister Bono,
What part of the U.S. Consitution states that the federal government of the United States can give my taxes as alms to foreign countries or to help fund foreign governments like the Palestinians? What part? I have yet to find it, maybe you could tell me.
If I feel like giving to your little cause that’s one thing. However, my taxes are to be used for Federal spending like National Defense and Interstate Roads, not as handouts to foreigners.
He supports Green Peace which are very radical. His first sympathies are to the left despite his millions in the bank. If he is worried about the spread of AIDS in Africa then it may be more than the practice of safe sex — it might also be an argument against rampant hedonism and that with hedonism you get consequences like higher rates of sexual promiscuity, divorce, STD, etc. All under the banner what? Leftist liberation tendencies. Check the peep hole sideshow that you get with U2’s latest Live in Sydney DVD and you get an idea of who are attracted to this lifestyle and their high moral thoughts on everything.
Like Soros and a great number of leftists Bono is still a hypocrite who expects the masses to live up to a high standard but who themselves fall short. If Bono actually took the money he is saving from leaving Ireland and gave it away to the Africans then I would applaud him. But he doesn't. The reason is greed not necessity. The money Bono is saving means nothing to him who has already everything. What can that money get him? More shirts, shades maybe eat better.
“While the left has repeatedly tried to co-opt him for other causes, he has refused, staying on that one issue.”
Bono supports Green Peace whose members are very radical. His first sympathies are to the left despite his millions in the bank. If he is worried about the spread of AIDS in Africa then the cure for AIDS may be more than the practice of safe sex — it might also involve an argument against rampant hedonism. With unchecked hedonism you get consequences like higher rates of sexual promiscuity, divorce, STD, etc. All under the banner of what? Leftist liberation. Check the peep hole sideshow that you get with U2’s latest Live in Sydney DVD and you get an idea of who are attracted to this lifestyle and their high regards for everything low.
Like Soros and a great number of leftists Bono is still a hypocrite who expects the masses to live up to a high standard but who themselves fall short. If Bono actually took the money he is saving from leaving Ireland and gave it away to the Africans then I would applaud him. But he doesn’t. The reason is greed not necessity. The money Bono is saving means nothing to a person like himself who has already everything. What can that money get him? More shirts, shades, maybe eat better...
Geez, the nerve of those economists and other elected officials. Why wasn’t Madonna invited to the G-8 Summit? Where was Britney?
Now they have angered Bono!
Next thing you know, they’ll stop taking calls from Paris Hilton!
How will anything ever get done?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.