live8, G8, 'make poverty history'...

[swimini]

does any of this mean anything to you where you live? its been constantly in the news over here and does seem to be making a difference, at least in terms of awareness, but as always I am interested in what people in other countries think- particularly you american types.

[swimini]

guess the global imapct intentions of Mr. Geldof have fallen short of the mark. there are concerts all over the world today, theres one in philadelphia with Will Smith, Scisssor sisters Linkin Park and Jay z puls loads more, all with the intention of raising awareness about the issues in Africa and forcing the leaders of the G8 countries to do something to help. are people protesting there? is there national coverage? what do you think?

[AChimp]

I honestly don't give a shit about Africa, and I'm Canadian.

[kellychaos]

Selfish Canadians! They charge import taxes on LaBatt when I'm only 3 miles away in Michigan.

[Dole]

I just watched about two mins of geldof then madonna and vomited through my own eyes. My probably ignorant view: its good sentiment, but does seem like another chance for the west to feel incredibly self-righteous by portraying africa yet again as a completely helpless continent - plus it gives people like Blair to look incredibly sanctimonius and smug.

[soundtest]

I for one applaud our shining stars for using their power to benefit their fellow man. They are making us all aware of what's really going on in the world, and passing that message on through their music. And now that Tibet is safe and everyone everywhere knows it's Christmas, I'm glad to see them focus their talents on a new effort - bravo!

[theapportioner]

Have we become -so- cynical? It's not going to lead to drastic change but it was a good gesture at least.

Although it's sadly not suprising that yet another missing white person case eats up as many as, if not more headlines, here in the states. Apparently minorities don't get abducted/go missing.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

It was a nice gesture, but what was the substance of it all? I honestly didn't follow it very closely, was the point to raise money for charities and NGOs in Afirca, or was it simply just to "encourage" the G8 to relieve debt....?

It seems like it'll take more than that, and I disagree with Dole on Tony Blair's position on the problem. I saw him on some shitty MTV forum, and he was quite pragmatic and reasonable about Africa, and he acknowledged the fact that ultimately Africa is in Africa's hands, and the "eight men" can only assist in that responsibility.

Forgive me Dole, I know you dislike Tony Blair, but I'd take him anyday over what we have. At least when he screws up he does so with eloquence and grace.

[theapportioner]

I think they specifically did not want money - rather they wanted "names and faces". It's basically a very coordinated rally or protest.

[Miss Modular]

Originally Posted by KevinTheOmnivore

Forgive me Dole, I know you dislike Tony Blair, but I'd take him anyday over what we have. At least when he screws up he does so with eloquence and grace.

<rant>
Not to mention he actually allows his citizens to criticize him, as opposed to our President's bogus "Town Hall" meetings.
</rant>

[ScruU2wice]

not as much of a rant as an incredibly valid point.

[Dole]

Yes, he's better than George Bush - but that's not much of a recommendation...that like saying he is better than being disemboweled with a spike.
He is a good, convincing public speaker but also a completely fraudulent hypocrite obsessed with his own place in history and prepared to sell out everything the Labour party once stood for - and I voted for him once!

[kahljorn]

What about the poverty in america? For fucks sake. I'm on food stamps. Food stamps are great by the way, they give you 254 dollars a month. I've seriously never eatten better in my LIFE. But all the same, my girlfriend and I have been trying to find jobs for like three weeks, we live in the republican capitol of California. There's only like ten fucking job openings here(for stuff we can do). This counties is one of those crazy largest food producing counties, along with oil(we give our oil to los angeles, then buy it back). But we pay 2.43 a gallon. And there's only ten jobs here. Unless you want to make minimum wage.

My girlfriend was going to get a job as a receptionist/accountant, for knight's pumping which is some septic tank emptying company. Everywhere you go in this town you see little signs for them, especially in new construction areas. They wanted someone to answer all the phones, take care of everything in the office, PLUS do their accounting, and be bilingual, for 8 dollars an hour. What the fuck is that.

It's hilarious, because they know finding jobs is hard right now, so they pay people less, and get better employees for less. And things are getting worse, because companies keep moving oversees. America's supposed to be the buying power or what the fuck ever, but everyone's going poor/er. How are we going to buy anything with no money and no jobs? It makes no sense. I hope they all lose money.
I'm addicted to consumerism.
I put snow peas in my salad.

[Royal Tenenbaum]

Get a fucking job or shut the fuck up.

[Big McLargehuge]

i bet it is real easy to get a job over in the socialist paradise you live in, after all weren't you born and raised to do what ever it is you do?

[kahljorn]

Yea, you dirty winterpegian slutwhore socialist. You're just going to get banged by some rich american who goes to canada for a skiing vacation and bear his child and try to sue him but your stupid socialist government will laugh at you and say, "No, you're a dirty whore, it's your job to get fucked then have ugly children who end up being used as chicken feed for dirty american swine". That's right, pigs CAN own chickens!

[GAsux]

I wish I had the links but I actually read two stories that were critical of the love fest. One basically followed the line that the concert was set up to strictly channel the fundraising. My understanding is there was some kind of ban or at least limits on corporate sponsorship in order to make the handful of sponsors appear above their peers by being more involved.

More telling was an article which in essence polled the opinions of folks all over Africa. While most were flattered by the concern, they felt that the G8 impact was minimal. Eliminating debt and donating money would not eliminate the corruption that has crippled the continent. Virtually every respondent indicated they would have been better served with efforts to improve basic infrastructure, education, etc.

They kind of viewed it as the rich getting richer and felt like it didn't matter how much Madonna or the Pet Shop Boys babbled because at the end of the day they'd still be living in their impoverished towns with no change to their daily lives.

It reminded me a lot of the "Choose or Die" nonsense.

[Krythor]

Maybe an invasion would work! Then the blacks can have their stupid money and we can get back to making our own right guys.

The aimless cynicism of this board is unbelievable sometimes.

[Sethomas]

Kahl's posts make me glad for having read The Wealth of Nations. The socialist in me just cries.

[Chojin]

Originally Posted by Krythor

The aimless cynicism of this board is unbelievable sometimes.

Yes, who would have expected such a thing from a site called I-Mockery?

[Krythor]

The key word was 'aimless.'

[Chojin]

The term 'mockery' is pretty broad.

[Ant10708]

You better just listen Kry. Chojin is a VET on this board and Helm is hilarious.

[Helm]

Listen, Ant guy, I can teach you to be funny if you want, 'cause I'm hilarious.

Step 1: Stop whining.

[Ant10708]

Being funny is to hard already.