Harper to Bono: Drop dead

FB, I wasn't trying to be sarcastic (well, I was with the Carrot Top remark, but that should have been so obvious that no one in his right mind would call it a passive-aggressive attempt). I am serious, just so it is clear. He's a singer. That shouldn't buy anyone entree into the G8 Summit, nor does it put him on par with the democratically-elected leaders of the handful of most powerful countries in the world, who are literally trying to deal with ALL of the world's problems (which compete for resources), not a handful of causes they are passionate about and have time to champion in between social commitments. And unlike Bono, those leaders have a mandate to play the role of policy maker by virtue of the fact that they were elected. No sarcasm attempted or meant when I point that out. No matter how many times he's traveled to Africa or how passionate he personally is about third-world problems, he's not unique in caring and he's not unique in having visited Africa hundreds of times. I'm not sure what you want me to say. I'm certainly not being sarcastic when I applaud his concern about the spread of AIDs and about the pervasive poverty crippling the third world. I applaud the focus he has tried to bring to those things. I also find it pretentious when he makes it a story that the Canadian PM won't meet with him at the G8 Summit, as if he's owed meetings with world leaders.

It's also simplistic for anyone to believe there is an easy solution to the problems in Africa and that Bono holds any answers. For one thing, it isn't like Bono can really offer anything practical by way of real solutions other than to implore more foreign aid. And there are all kinds of issues with the foreign aid already going to Africa, not the least of which is the corruption that inevitably keeps it from reaching the people who need it. Even so, there is a serious argument to be made that the Western world does not give enough money. But it's also simplistic to conclude that the money is sitting there ready to go and all of those leaders at the G8 summit are evil men who get off on people dying of AIDs and malaria and from third world poverty. The money has to come from somewhere and that is what Stephen Harper is dealing with that Bono isn't. Bono can't tell Stephen Harper anything that he--and dozens of Canadian analysts and diplomats--don't already know. Again, no sarcasm intended. Harper could most certainly give Bono a lesson about scarce resources, the fact that when it comes to taxation you are going to piss off as many people as you please and the totality of the world's problems (and Canada's needs), which are all competing for those tax dollars. Because that is what Harper is dealing with every day. It's why HE was invited to the G8 summit, not a bunch of rock and roll singers.

It's admirable and nice that Bono brings attention to some of the world's problems by shining his celebrity on them. He could really have the greatest impact by finding a way to get corrupt African leaders to let money and aid in without skimming most of it (good luck) and then writing a big personal check. Wasn't it Bono who moved his business operations to the Netherlands to cut his tax bill in half and save himself a couple of hundred million? Guess what. That is where foreign aid comes from.

 

I'm sorry you feel that way, Pube. Really.

 

That's pretty cool, jg. I knew nothing about the foundation or the prize until you posted that. Mo Ibrahim totally gets it. An actual African who has had success (the members of his board all seem impressive too) and actually has a decent idea for attacking one of the problems that contributes to Sub-Saharan Africa's inability to help itself and make better use of the foreign aid that is sent that way.