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Enlightenment |
Why Bono is Wrong
Evan
September 05, 2004 - 3:51 AM
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Fox carried an interview with Bono recently that raised some interesting ideas for me. Bono, the lead singer of U2, has been pushing his Aids in Africa agenda for more than five years now. I appreciate his commitment and passion, but I must say, I am not at all moved by his reasoning.
For instance, ever since 9/11 Bono has been claiming that the root cause of terrorism is poverty. I do not believe it is that obvious. Bono should well know that the IRA were not poor. Indeed most of the 9/11 terrorists were from upper middle class, educated homes. The scarier reason for the cause of terrorism is ideology, but that is a demon that most people do not want to face. No one wants to admit, like the 9/11 commission did, that this is a battle of cultures. Indeed, the terrorists are not fighting to bring wealth to their people, in many cases, they are fighting to keep them poor and uneducated. The war on terrorism is not a war over poverty.
Speaking of poverty, even though America gives more then almost all nations combined in actual dollars, Bono brings out the age old argument about percentages: �the United States is at 0.15 percent, and in the list of the richest countries and what they give to the poorest as a percentage, they are No. 22 in the list.� I am not an economist, but is Bono so sure that giving that much percentage of GDP is scaleable? Most of the countries that give a larger percentage of GDP are much smaller in both economy and population.
Bono goes on to describe how this fight could help save America�s image: �This is a chance for the United States to re-describe itself to the rest of the world, show its greatness.�
Forgive me for not accepting the idea that America some how deserves the world�s disrespect. I am not convinced that America changed. The world changed, and they are now going to have to deal with America, like it or not.
The silliest idea that Bono proposes is that America can somehow stop the Aids epidemic: �One third of Europe died in the Middle Ages to the Black Death. Imagine, say, China had a treatment for the Black Death and hadn't because it was difficult or expensive. What would we think of China now?�
China in the middle ages would have faced the same problem that America faces now, no way to distribute a cure to the people that actually need it. There was no infrastructure able to accept the incredible effort it would have taken to help Europe. But I think Bono misses the main point here, what good does it do to give medicine to a population enslaved? Or to put it another way, how can a nation too poor to feed its people benefit from medicine?
Which gets to, what is the root cause of the Aids epidemic in Africa? Is it just poverty? 40 years after colonialism, why is Africa still poor? Could it be because most of the continent is still hiding in the shadow of fascism? I believe that the root cause of the Aids epidemic is a government that is incapable of meeting the needs of the population because it does not derive it�s power from or feel the need to serve the people. Even Bono admitted this in an off hand way when he stated that he is �rooting for people that don't have a vote and for people whose faces we don't see.� Well Bono, why don�t they have a vote? Could it be that the Bush doctrine, democracy for the world, would have more effect in Africa then throwing money at corrupt autocracies?
Bono�s silliness continues: �We built Europe with the Marshall Plan which cost, by the way, 1 percent GDP over four years.� It is interesting that Bono�s arguments for why American should give more money get to the heart of the 2004 election debate. Bono wants a global welfare state but can big government solve the world�s problems? Look at welfare in this country. Welfare never really helped anyone before a benefit cap was put into place.
Bono needs to remember that after World War II, American didn�t actually build Europe, we rebuilt it; Africa doesn�t have much to rebuild, it has to be built. That is a much larger and more expensive and complicated undertaking, just look at Iraq. |
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Comments
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Anonymous
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September 24, 2004 - 5:11 PM
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Unanswered questions for Bono:
1. When criticizing The U.S. for not having enough of percentage of GDP spent "fighting AIDS", why do you not talk about the millions of dollars spent by U.S. charities? The thousands of hours donated through volunteer efforts? (e.g., the Salvation Army)
And furthermore, how much money is spent in the U.S. and by U.S. companies and foundations conducting AIDS research?? Taking care of AIDS patients here in the U.S.? Why not start running those numbers in comparison to other countries and their companies?
2. Do you not realize, Bono, that the U.S. has spent billions of dollars in Europe, S. Korea, etc, which then enables countries to NOT spend much on their own defense (a sort of American-funded defense welfare situation), thus enabling those countries to "pledge" money for things like fighting AIDS? (And note, countries pledge, and do not always follow through completely. It would be very interesting to see the current stats on this.)
3. It would be very helpful, Bono, if you were an outspoken advocate of abstinence. I have been unable to find a quote anywhere where you, Bono, support this (or even monogomous relationships), even though such behavior is proven to be effective.
4. Why, Bono, should the U.S., a country that embraces capitalism and freedom, be penalized for the socialistic policies implemented by, for example, a number of European nations? Perhaps other nations could have better economies (less unemployment and so on) if they reversed socialistic (and other leftist) policies ... and then they could afford to make matching, real-dollar contributions for fighting AIDS, regardless of percentages of GDP.
5. Finally, Bono, if terrorism and islamo-fascism prevails in Africa, what good does it do to concentrate only on fighting AIDS? Black Africans will be slaughtered, especially if they are non-Muslims. (If you doubt this, start reading some news, including news out of the Sudan.) Why are you not an outspoken advocate on both fronts: FIghting terrorism and fighting AIDS? ... Again, I can find no Bono quotes supporting the war on terrorism, not even condemnation of the documented raping done by Muslims in the Sudan.
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Anonymous
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September 23, 2004 - 1:22 AM
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go see the fox transcript, guy who posted message at 4:31 PM EDT ON SEPT 22.
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Anonymous
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September 23, 2004 - 1:21 AM
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Hey asshole(who posted a message at4:31 PM EDT), learn how to read "Right now the United States is at 0.15 percent, and in the list of the richest countries and what they give to the poorest as a percentage, they are No. 22 in the list; including private philanthropy, it makes it like No. 15" No. 15 is not high! Go to http://www.foxnews.com/story/0... This guy Evan leaves out shit on purpose!
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Anonymous
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September 22, 2004 - 11:11 PM
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I meant "the poorest Americans live like kings compared to Africans." Go to www.data.org to find out more what you can do to help the crisis in Africa. Also, go sign the petition at www.theonecampaign.org to help fight AIDS and poverty in Africa.
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Anonymous
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September 22, 2004 - 11:09 PM
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I think you're an asshole, you're close minded, selfish, and you don't care about people who are living in extreme poverty and are dying of AIDS. The poorest Americans live like kings compared to Americans. You do not understand Bono's objectives, go to www.data.org, to understand what he is trying to do!
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Anonymous
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September 22, 2004 - 5:31 PM
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The reason that Bono is wrong about the percentage that the U.S. gives to other nations is that the number he cites counts only government giving. When PRIVATE gifts are included the US rises substantially, if not to the actual top of, the per capita gift percentages.
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Anonymous
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September 22, 2004 - 4:08 PM
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I think you're being a little hard on the guy--he's simply making the point that AIDS in Africa has spread to such an extent that it makes more likely the scenario of a failed state (or more failed, I guess, given the condition of many African states), which most certainly does lead to regional instability and has the potential to become a national security issue for the United States. While I am by no means a fan of the Hollywood/rock star political animal, as they are so often full of shit, Bono to me has made some good points. From a personal POV, it also cheers me to see that he avoids preachiness and leftist stridency as well.
Furthermore, even if this issue isn't related to US national security, it is my view that the United States should do what it can, within reason, to do good around the world.
And, in summary, U2 is a good band as well. It's harder to take this sort of thing from the likes of the Dixie Chicks and Bruce Springsteen, who haven't written a hit in a long, long time.
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Anonymous
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September 22, 2004 - 2:45 PM
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right on....... so very true
bono is a well meaning dolt..
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Anonymous
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September 22, 2004 - 2:15 PM
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Oops!
http://bebere.blogspot.com/200...
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Anonymous
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September 22, 2004 - 2:14 PM
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With regards to AIDS prevention/treatment distribution being related to type of government and infrastructure - I think that you're most likely right on the money. (If you've not already seen these - please take a look at the Foreign Affairs article on "Strengthening African Leadership" from last quarter in conjunction with the TCS article on Botswana's 'AIDS Miracle')
http://bebere.blogspot.com/200...
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Anonymous
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September 19, 2004 - 9:31 PM
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i don't i think evan gets too focused. but, well i know him so... you neglect to mention the difference between irish p.o.v....
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Anonymous
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September 14, 2004 - 12:14 AM
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I always enjoy reading your insite.
-Steve
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