Bards of the powerful (Bono and Geldof)

[Algorem]

Far from challenging the G8's role in Africa's poverty, Geldof and Bono are giving legitimacy to those responsible

George Monbiot
Tuesday June 21, 2005
The Guardian

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/development/comment/0,15709,1510826,00.html

'Hackers bombard financial networks", the Financial Times reported on Thursday. Government departments and businesses "have been bombarded with a sophisticated electronic attack for several months". It is being organised by an Asian criminal network, and is "aimed at stealing commercially and economically sensitive information". By Thursday afternoon, the story had mutated. "G8 hackers target banks and ministries", said the headline in the Evening Standard. Their purpose was "to cripple the systems as a protest before the G8 summit." The Standard advanced no evidence to justify this metamorphosis.

This is just one instance of the reams of twaddle about the dark designs of the G8 protesters codded up by the corporate press. That the same stories have been told about almost every impending public protest planned in the past 30 years and that they have invariably fallen apart under examination appears to present no impediment to their repetition. The real danger at the G8 summit is not that the protests will turn violent - the appetite for that pretty well disappeared in September 2001 - but that they will be far too polite.

Let me be more precise. The danger is that we will follow the agenda set by Bono and Bob Geldof.

The two musicians are genuinely committed to the cause of poverty reduction. They have helped secure aid and debt-relief packages worth billions of dollars. They have helped to keep the issue of global poverty on the political agenda. They have mobilised people all over the world. These are astonishing achievements, and it would be stupid to disregard them...

[The2ndWheel]

1. There are so many levels to this problem

It's just a shame.

[OneBlueSky]

2. I knew something was amiss when Geldof announced . . .

that performers at the upcoming event would be prohibited from criticizing Bush . . . as usual, Monbiot is perceptive and right on target . . .

[ChiciB1]

3. I Saw Bono On Russert And Heard Much Of The Same Stuff...

but I'm wondering if this is just to make sure The Idiot actually gets the message.

The reason I'm responding to this post is that I noticed that tonight there were quite a few programs about HIV/Aids on Sundance and Showtime channels. I have a Dish and found this pretty interesting. Also had two documentaries about same sex marriage. I've seen this type of thing happen before, when an issues is front & center.

I'm not SURE about what Bono & Geldolf are thinking, but they are doing the correct thing. The Aid is sorely needed. But I'm not sure the President of South Africa is solidly behind the efforts.

It's very late here and I'm coming down with a cold... will post something tomorrow.