Bono speaks to George Bush

[QC]

Generally speaking, I don't like famous activists. Actually, I don't really like any activists, but it is probably fair to say that I despise famous ones. I often dismiss them solely because they are famous. I rationalize that there is literally nothing about their fame that gains them respect for their opinions. In fact, it is IMHO usually quite the opposite: their fame makes them especially unfit to render an opinion about world issues. Their lives are fake, a fairy tale, dissimilar from most of our experiences and understandings. With the above said, I would like you to read this. Warning: it is long. What are your thoughts?<br /><br /> Bono's remarks at The National Prayer Breakfast

 

[alden135]

Re: Bono speaks to George Bush

Wow, I need more coffee , I thought the thread title said "Bondo speaks to George Bush."

 

[QC]

Re: Bono speaks to George Bush

LOL @ Alden. I would be drawn to a Bondo speaks . . . thread too. Still LOLing . . .

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Bono speaks to George Bush

Alden.... me too! Where are my reading glasses!<br /><br />BTW congrats on hitting 1K posts!

 

[alden135]

Re: Bono speaks to George Bush

Originally posted by Bob_VT:<br /> <br />BTW congrats on hitting 1K posts!

Thanks Bob, I guess now I'm a fully qualified marine mechanic.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Bono speaks to George Bush

I thought what he said was... interesting. The way he puts it, 1% sounds like nothing to come up with. I'm curious, did he give this speech in Europe, or Russia, or China? How many "percent" are they giving?<br /><br />I think throwing more money into the hands of warlords and dictators will accomplish nothing. Imagine if the UN actually did something?

 

[goatherder]

Re: Bono speaks to George Bush

It's an awesome speech, with awesome implications. I think he did a good job, and if it causes people to pray, to think then their actions may bring about the will of God. Though I'm not sure that that will look like what Bono thinks it will.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bono speaks to George Bush

Originally posted by alden:<br /> Wow, I need more coffee , I thought the thread title said "Bondo speaks to George Bush."

Originally posted by QC:<br /> LOL @ Alden. I would be drawn to a Bondo speaks . . . thread too. Still LOLing . . .

Originally posted by Bob_VT:<br /> Alden.... me too! Where are my reading glasses!<br /><br />BTW congrats on hitting 1K posts!

<br />Ayuh,.......<br /><br />OK,..... I'll Lie,.......<br />I talk to GW most Every Night......<br />Gotta keep him imformed about what the Common Man,........<br />With Common Sense Thinks.............

 

[heycods]

Re: Bono speaks to George Bush

I kinda liked what he said. but he harped a lot on africa, It aint much better in mexico and cent america, Im for taking care of our nabors first.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Bono speaks to George Bush

Africa is a good talking point, but as heycods points out, it is all over the world. Most of you know I do a good bit of work in Africa also. What Bono said was accurate, and very well put. I am impressed with what he said at the Prayer Breakfast.<br /><br />When dealing with the poorer countries, however, it is important HOW you give aid. There is already a begger mentality in most of these places, and if money is just given, it reinforces the ideolog of "we are poor and the whole world owes us. We will keep asking and you better keep giving." It is more important to build a sense of self worth and "we can do it" mentality in the people.<br /><br />I worked with some that when we first met they were asking for handouts and made comments like, "we can't do anything. When the white man ruled we had planes, trains, etc. But when we took over, we lost everything. We don't have the intelligence to build a plane, or do new things." I even had one of those "Billie Bass" singing mounted bass and they could not believe that the white man could come up with something so wonderful (I gave it to one of the men and he took it home and sold admission tickets to see his singing fish)!<br /><br />As I worked with these people they came to understand they were every bit as smart - in most cases smarter - than I am. I pointed out that most of them could speak 4 - 10 different languages, and I can only speak 1. With education they learned THEY could do things and didn't need handouts, just opportunities.<br /><br />So, yes, I agree with Bono, but let's give them education and opportunities, not blank checks.

 

[QC]

Re: Bono speaks to George Bush

I agree with everything said on this thread so far, especially the Bondo stuff <br /><br />RF, I believe it was in DC.<br /><br />I had originally dismissed Bono for the reasons stated above AND the "just throw money at it" mentality. But I think his words were especially good and I was amazed that he a) took a moral approach (I assumed he was a God bashing liberal) and b) that he applauded the War on Terror (at least I think he did). Considering that he is Irish, maybe I should have had more of an open mind in the past. The Irish have had more experience with Terror than most of us have.<br /><br />aspeck,<br /><br />Your comments blow me away. I have a second cousin who is an MD and has spent almost his entire career in Africa. I am gonna have to ask him if his experience is similar. I am embarrassed, I don't know where he has worked and I don't know anything else either. I'll bet most Americans have reacted in the same way when thinking about Africa. Out of sight, out of mind.<br /><br />I have worked and vacationed a lot in Mexico and some in South America. The disparity between rich and poor is mind boggling, so heycods is all over this too.<br /><br />Financial equality is impossible and undesirable. I think Marx had some ideas about that. Frankly, there can be no up without down, no good without evil, no rich without poor . . . With that said, attempts to lift those that need it most are especially honorable. My hat is off to you aspeck and to Bono! This is where Hollywood should exert their power, lifting the truly destitute. Not bashing America and the equally honorable fight against evil.