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September 17, 2005

Only rocking for Africa

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Well whaddaya know.   Bob Geldof, who is organizing the Live 8 concerts to draw attention to the plight of Africa's poor, has some decent things to say about President Bush and the US.
 
GELDOF America doesn't have a lack of empathy; they just don't know the issues as well. Actually, today I had to defend the Bush Administration in France again. They refuse to accept, because of their political ideology, that he has actually done more than any American President for Africa. But it's empirically so.
 
...BONO The most important and toughest nut is still President Bush. He feels he's already doubled and tripled aid to Africa, which he has.

But he started from far too low a place. He can stand there and say he paid at the office already. He shouldn't, because he'll be left out of the history books. But it's hard for him because of the expense of the war and the debts. But I have a hunch that he will step forward with something. And it'll take somebody like him ...

YOU'RE TRYING TO LOBBY HIM RIGHT NOW, AREN'T YOU?

GELDOF We'll see if it works.

Not only does he have kind words for Bush he is prohibiting criticism of Bush——and the other usual suspects and topics——at these concerts.

LIVE 8 founder Bob Geldof is determined to see his international concerts stay focused on the plight of Africa's poor —— and not fall into cliched Bush bashing and global warming rhetoric!

Geldof has ordered show organizers and producers to redouble all efforts to keep LIVE 8 performers "on message" during the July 2 event, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

"Please remember, absolutely no ranting and raving about Bush or Blair and the Iraq war, this is not why you have been invited to appear," Geldoff said to the manager of a top recording artist, who asked not to be identified. "We want to bring Mr. Bush in, not run him away."

[Geldof tells next week's TIME magazine how Bush "has actually done more than any American President for Africa."]

"Bob wants no attention on global warming, or the war," the manager warns, "He is very determined, he does not want to lose control of the message... But we have the most unpopular American president since Nixon, soldiers are dying... you are going to see some righteous anger on stage."

But apparently not all the rock stars are as open minded and devoted as Geldof. 

[FOOTNOTE: U2's Bono has been attacked by his rock peers for associating with Bush and Blair. Fellow Irish star Sinead O'Connor says, "I think you risk losing your credibility by going to a party at Downing Street. I would draw a line at drinking wine and eating cheese with the Prime Minister."]

Yeah Sinead, stick to your principles even if it means people in Africa starve.  Or are those your principles?

Ethel C. Fenig   6 20 05