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U-Know! Forum » More Bono bashing (never enough IMO) |
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The Sea Cat 3608 posts |
Edited Sep 22, 2010, 18:41
Sep 22, 2010, 18:37
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Tax. Carbon Footprint. War Criminal Endorsement. China. Hypocrisy. Bono.
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sanshee 1080 posts |
Sep 22, 2010, 20:19
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The consequences of the recent floods in Pakistan couldn't be dealt with through better governance etc. As far as the people are concerend, yes, a less corrupt, fairer society would be ideal, but here and now they just need water, food, medicine, shelter, clothing. Yet there were some organisations (a link was put up recently) 'politicising' the whole thing. Donate. To what exactly? The Red Cross got some of my money. Would Bongo's 'One' (gah! named after that horrid song maybe?) forfeit the practical for the theoretical in this instance? If so, who would actually benefit? x
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zphage 3378 posts |
Oct 08, 2010, 15:55
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I can see from the other threads there seems to be wanton ignorance as to the nature of the tax status of Bono's ONE. The news article incorrectly spins ONE as a charity, when in actuality it is a nonprofit that can do charitable work but MUST DISPERSE 50% of its funds for political lobbying. Many here (proud of their liberal/progressive views) for their overzealous hate for Bono seem to be be willing to stand in line with Rupert Murdoch, who also uses 501(c) for his own political purposes. Once again this is an issue that plays out larger in the UK than the US, where Murdoch's media empire has great sway. Bono as an Irishman who has done well and is willing to speak out of line seems to rankle...
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Lawrence 9547 posts |
Oct 08, 2010, 17:10
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Well as much as I hate Bono I'll take him over Murdoch any day, actually. Still, Bono's STILL annoying...
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grufty jim 1978 posts |
Edited Oct 09, 2010, 11:15
Oct 08, 2010, 18:33
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I must admit that I find the vitriol that gets aimed at Bono a little mystifying. Certainly his public outbursts are occasionally cringe-worthy, and there's definitely something about his swagger that can be irritating. On top of that, I echo Merrick's sentiment that Bono's eagerness for photo-ops with the likes of Dubya Bush and Tony Blair (and saying appalling things like Blair and Brown are "the Lennon and McCartney of global development") probably do more harm than good -- the tyrants get the publicity and the magical sheen of superstardom, and Bono gets empty promises in return. If the phrase "the Lennon and McCartney of global development" actually meant anything at all, it wouldn't apply to the kind of men who launch wars of aggression. However, when taken as a whole, I don't think Bono does more harm than good in the world. Far from it. And given how many people out there genuinely do more harm than good... well, the heavy criticism levelled at Bono always seems misplaced to me. You might not like his music, which is fair enough. I do as it happens (well, there are three U2 albums that -- for me -- are honest-to-god works of genius; the rest I can take or leave), but the negativity he attracts is surely not down to people disliking his music. There's lots of music I don't enjoy, but I don't have a problem with the people making it... I just choose not to listen to them. No, the problem people have with Bono seems to be to do with his philanthropic work. It just doesn't seem to be enough for some. And yet, if you actually look at what he has done, it's little short of amazing. A recent documentary on RTE televison estimated that there are 2 million people in Africa today who have access to fresh water, medical care and education directly as a result of his work and donations. Two million people! For me; that right there is a get out of jail free card for his insufferability. He can stand on his city-sized stage and pretend to be Jesus in a different stadium every night if that's what it takes to keep him going. You, after all, don't have to buy a ticket. And the point is; that is what keeps him going. His massive ego, his messianic complex and delusions of personally changing the world... those things might make you a pain in the arse, but they help a lot when you're trying to dramatically improve the lives of millions. As for the tax issue? Once again, just like that New York Post article which completely misrepresents the facts* in order to stick the boot in, the tax issue has been greatly exaggerated. Like most businesses making hundreds of millions per year, U2 have accountants to handle the finances (though the image of Larry, Bono, Adam and The Edge sitting down in front of complicated ledgers after every show amuses me). These accountants are paid to maximise the profits from the business -- as are accountants in any business (remember, this is U2 we're talking about, not Bono's charitable works). So, in order to do their jobs properly, those accountants shifted some of the company's holdings to the Netherlands to reduce the tax liability. It's crappy that we live in a world where big business does that; but it is the world we live in... and blaming a business for acting like a business is a strange thing to do. Instead we should be rewriting the rules so that "acting like a business" involves far more social benefit, and less naked profit. Having said all that, the RTE programme made the point that Bono earns 95% of his income outside Ireland, but pays about 40% of his tax inside Ireland -- even after moving certain parts of the business overseas. So the issue is overstated, and Ireland still earns plenty from U2. Even if we didn't though... two million people with vastly improved lives because of one man's efforts? I say cut him some slack, and just switch over when he starts annoying you on the telly. ----- * The 'One' organisation is a campaigning group not a distributive charity. If you want to criticise it for failing to pass on donations to the poor, then at least be consistent and criticise Amnesty International too, for not giving their donations directly to political prisoners. Like Amnesty, like Greenpeace, like many others, 'One' uses its resources to campaign -- in their case, against poverty. And in our heavily mediated world, that tends to mean press-packs and wining-and-dining people in media, business and politics.
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Moon Cat 9577 posts |
Oct 08, 2010, 18:55
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I like a bit of U2 now and then as it happens and I do think they genuinely give "good arena" live. They are very good at it. I agree with yuo for the most part Grufty. I mean, I know that Bono has done a fuck of a lot more 'good' in the world than I have, so, as cringeworthy as he has been getting lately - and it IS much more so in the last few years - I ain't particularly gonna give him stick. Take the piss maybe, but...you know.. Thing is though, he HAS been more overtly messianic and in yer face in recent times. I always thought the rest of the band were ok with Bono saving the world as long as it didn't negativel impact on the band as such. I don't mean commercially, though sales of their last album were very poor for them - just the perception of 'em. However, I think Bono's recent schtick - all the world leaders on speed dial stuff - IS now impacting on U2 in a negative manner and I suspect, before a new album, a quite word in his shell like might be due from the other three. If he's got any sense at all and at least some perception of how many people are feeling right now, he should rein it in a bit. He can still do all his good works. But I think the appetite for multi-millionaire rockstars in the pulpit is very small right now, and if he wants U2 to still have some clout, I reckon he'd be wise to recognise that.
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dodge one 1242 posts |
Oct 08, 2010, 18:55
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Fucking THANK YOU !! D1
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Myers 151 posts |
Oct 08, 2010, 20:43
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I'm with you on that one, Jim. I don't like him or his music, but there is no denying that the man has done a lot of good for a lot of people. So I love him for that, dislike him for just about everything else.!
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keith a 9570 posts |
Oct 08, 2010, 20:43
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So what if he's helped 2 million people? He's got a big ego and I don't like him. He's had his photo taken with people I don't like. And the last few albums have been shit. Well I've not actually heard them but they sold millions so they must be. I wish he'd just let people suffer and leave me in peace. Not my views btw. Far from it. But, cutting through the chaff, isn't this the view of some folk here?
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dodge one 1242 posts |
Oct 09, 2010, 00:23
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I do not have a gay molecule in my body, but i could give you a big sloppy kiss for that. You are truly a Righteous man. Sorry it took me so long to see. I am extremely self satisfied that i was the first to bust this completely SHIT thread.
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