Liveaid8 - Who cares....

[Blunt]

Ok.. it's been 20 years since the first LiveAid but
who cares? Yes, people are starving in Africa,
but honestly, what can we do. By donating money, most of it is going to the corrupt governemnt to by guns aways.
Look at all the civil wars in Africa. The money will not even reach the people who need.

And as for giving 0.7 of GDP to Africa.. I don't think so.
We've already wiped out billions dollars of debt.

What do you think?

[danfromwaterloo]

Agreed. I'm more than willing to help the people of Africa, but we've been collectively burnt too many times by dictators and despots from Africa who take what little we give them and spend it on wars! What Africa needs is reform, not funding!

[biosh]

Trying to help is worse than doing nothing. I think we should open up humane execution booths in the major cities and large villages of all African countries (except South Africa, of course)...

:idea:

[bluetroll]

i agree with your comments... and it's true... everyone does know that the punk military leaders run the countries....

but this event raises awareness.... maybe the money was put into good hands.... they could indeed execute all the friggin dictators.... and give those war torn countries some peace....

[hagbard]

put me in the IDGAF category.

[Blunt]

How are the African nations different from China, India?
These were once very poor countries.. and they managed to pull themselves up. Why can the African countries do it too?
I don't want my money go to Africa, it will not help them at all. Screw the 0.7% pledge.

[devious9191]

The only cure for Africa is outside intervention. As has been mentioned, money that is supposed to be going to Africa for aid ends up in the hands of the dictators (similar to NK), whose last concern is their starving citizens, since they're eating steak every night. The solution? The people of Africa obviously can't aid themselves.

The UN sits back while there is mass genocide in Rwanda and Sudan, and aid money is used to buy more guns and soldiers. Doesn't it make sense that before more money is given for aid, that these countries are put under stable government rule, preferably democracy? And if the UN isn't willing or able to do it, who's going to do it?

[ichpen]

If the money's going to NGOs and charities who have a presence and feet on the ground then I'm all in favour.

I think it's a little unfair to suggest that wiping out the debt will be enough to get Africa started. Considering thousands of kids die of starvation each day it'll take time and money to reverse this trend.

[Webslinger]

The money will not even reach the people who need.

You're mistaken. In Uganda, the poverty action fund has used the money freed up from debt relief for development purposes--to pay for schools and health care. And the process is completely transparent; everyone can see where the money goes. Moreover, those who do not comply with the conditions set for debt relief and aid will not receive any funds. This is just one example.



http://www.data.org/whyafrica/whatworks/

Recently, the U.K. drop 20 million pounds in aid to Eithiopia because 36 civillians were killed by police. Aid isn't going to go unless there is a clear and transparent process.

No one involved with Live 8 is interested in seeing money go to corrupt politicians.

http://www.atu2.com/news/article.src?ID=3942&Key=&Year=2005&Cat=

"Bono insisted the deal being drawn up for Gleneagles would involve clear and transparent monitoring of the way aid cash is spent, to avoid a repetition of past abuses in which African leaders lavished money intended for the poor on their own palaces and military."


And this was just in 2001:

http://www.jubilee2000uk.org/worldnews/northamerica/bono_addresses_harvard.htm

"If I could tell you about one remarkable man in rural Uganda named Dr. Kabira. In 1999, measles - a disease that's almost unheard of in the U.S. - killed hundreds of kids in Dr. Kabira's district. Now, thanks to debt relief, he's got an additional $6,000 from the state, enough for him to employ two new nurses and buy two new bicycles so they can get around the district and immunize children. Last year, measles was a killer. This year, Dr. Kabira saw less than ten cases."

[Menace]

African nations should learn from China, India, Vietname. Of course, with helps from the rich nations. Live 8 or Live Fcuk wouldn't do a darn thing. Just another big outdoorsy concert where weeds for free :D

[runamuck]

everybody feels good when they help others.. the promotoers, the bands, organizers, the host town.. even the people who stress out getting their butts to the concerts...

let them feel good for the moment

[Neb]

They shoudl jsut give the money putting to put on this "free" concert to Africa, what's the point of having a concert to tell ppl proverty is an issue in 3rd world country. I think that is common knowledge by now. yes poor country needs money.

[ichpen]

They shoudl jsut give the money putting to put on this "free" concert to Africa, what's the point of having a concert to tell ppl proverty is an issue in 3rd world country. I think that is common knowledge by now. yes poor country needs money.

Publicity = exposure = more donations = more money for Africa. Pure and simple. Worked before.

[milk]

I'm all for helping Africa but Bob Geldof needs to shut the f*** up.

"There's no use in the prime minister coming to Scotland unless he's prepared to do this deal," Geldof said. "Unless he's prepared, he should stay at home. Don't come. You're not welcome unless you're prepared to do something finally."

What are Geldof's concerns? All he has to do is go around telling people that poverty stinks. The Government of Canada has to deal with a $180 billion budget which provides services for the country and infrastructure. Increasing foreign aid by a few billion dollars means that that money has to be taken out of somewhere else like education, health care or social services - does he think these sectors will just freely give up all that money they need? Geldof just has to take care of himself while the Canadian government has to take care of 35 million people.

I'll also add that Dave Toycen, president of World Vision Canada, and a lot of other nonprofit organizations are idiots because they'll never be happy. Canada can give a billion dollars to foreign aid and World Vision will still be complaining that that isn't enough. Of course, if they never complained then the public will think that there's no problem anymore and donations will dry up.

[biosh]

I'm all for helping Africa but Bob Geldof needs to shut the f*** up.
It's true - we should all keep quiet and listen to our corporate masters...

:idea:

[neilson]

1985: We saved Ethopia.

2005: We're gonna save Darfur, once and for all damnit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE ARE THE WORLD!!!!!!!!
WE ARE THE CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!

[rb]

Heres another question, once the debt has gone, should we lend them money again ?

[MizTEcK]

no, my money isnt going anywhere but me... I'm poor enough to have thousands of dollars in debt :cry:

[north77]

put me in the IDGAF category.

ditto :D

[Menace]

Without corporate masters, this world is still in the pre-industrial revolution.

It's true - we should all keep quiet and listen to our corporate masters...

:idea:

[simplyno]

I'm all for helping Africa but Bob Geldof needs to shut the f*** up.

"There's no use in the prime minister coming to Scotland unless he's prepared to do this deal," Geldof said. "Unless he's prepared, he should stay at home. Don't come. You're not welcome unless you're prepared to do something finally."

What are Geldof's concerns? All he has to do is go around telling people that poverty stinks. The Government of Canada has to deal with a $180 billion budget which provides services for the country and infrastructure. Increasing foreign aid by a few billion dollars means that that money has to be taken out of somewhere else like education, health care or social services - does he think these sectors will just freely give up all that money they need? Geldof just has to take care of himself while the Canadian government has to take care of 35 million people.



Yeah I totally agree. I hate Geldof with a passion.

I really think the Live 8 concerts are a waste of time. They should have at least charged for the tickets. I can guarantee people would have still paid big bucks to go see some huge artists. Well anyways, onto the .7% that they want the G8 countries to donate to Africa. I was watching on CBC and apparantely for Canada to reach that mark we would have to spend $15 billion each year. Sounds like a lot... but to put it in perspective... Canada spends $13 billion for defense each year. So we'd be spending more money on 3rd world countries... than we spend in defense of our own country. I dont know about you, but that sure as hell doesn't make sense to me.

I honestly think its about time to give up on Africa and let things run their course. Now I know thats harsh but think of how many billions and maybe even trillions of dollars that the well-off countries have already donated to this cause..... and look where its got us....nowhere. When the European countries were starting out, they weren't stable and they also had dictators at one time or another and yet they still managed to propser. They did this without any outside help or "donations". I think Africa has to find a way to live on their own without any outside support or die. It's that simple.

[eelfliw]

Instead of asking Paul Martin to fork out 0.7% of our GDP in tax dollars. Geldof should start with record companies. Try to get record company executives to pay out of their own pocket what amounts to 0.7% of their company's gross revenue.

Besides, our tax money should go first & formost to our own social programs.

[MrDisco]

I think Africa has to find a way to live on their own without any outside support or die. It's that simple.

big words coming from someone who lives in a rich country. what we should be doing is helping these countries remove the regime in power and by providing aid directly to foundations who do make a difference.

[eelfliw]

big words coming from someone who lives in a rich country. what we should be doing is helping these countries remove the regime in power and by providing aid directly to foundations who do make a difference.
I think the Americans are already doing that in Iraq & Afghanistan.