madonna at live8 = hypocrisy

[hamish]

Just bumped into her without make up

Is that from the ugly women site I once trolled into totty thread???

Perfect timing, though, strangeirish. Plastic Paddy, her number one fan, is now at breaking point. You're alright but he knows where I live.

[ThatGuy]

How is it hypocrisy? She isn't poor, why shouldn't she wear what she wants?

We're not communists, if the stars all contributed 100% of their wealth it would achieve nothing. The likes of Geldof and Bono aren't stupid, the whole point of Live 8 was to try and get people to pay attention to the reason why they were all there.

So many people are being cynical just for the sake of it.

[Ambaiste!]

Why pick on poor old Madonna? The whole thing is a load of self-serving bullsh!t. Everyone is missing the point: it's not the debt that's the problem, it's the corruption of the African leaders that's holding the country back. Nigeria squandered as much money on oil in one year as the whole of Africa has received in aid EVER. Some of these countries are sitting on immense natural resources (eg Gabon, another oil rich country bankrupted by an inept government) and would be among the richest in the world if they were managed properly. Cancelling the debt / giving more aid Africa will not even put a dent in the poverty there, let alone consign it to history, since all the money just disappears into the pockets of Mugabe and co, the people see none of it.

I wonder if Bob's singing career had worked out like it was supposed to, would he still have cared so much about Africa?

[dahamsta]

Well said ThatGuy. Ambaiste, do you seriously think there aren't going to be strings attached to the debt cancellation?

The cynicism in here is disgusting. How many of you have given up all but the bare essentials to make poverty history?

And how many of you would be calling Geldof or Bono or Madonna scumbags if they had refused to take part?

adam

[mypost]

Poverty will never be history. There will always be rich and poor people. Any debt cancelled will just give the green light for corrupt leaders to build more lavish palaces, and more extravagant lifestlyes. The people who need aid, will still go hungry. Live 8 was a PR stunt, as Africa is a basket case, that cannot be helped.

Honestly, how many people that turned up/watched the various gigs on tv, actually give a stuff about world poverty? How many people will go to the G8 summit, to pay attention to what happens?

Very few. For most, it's just an excuse for a great big booze-up while they're there.

[ThatGuy]

There will always be rich and poor, but extreme poverty does not have to exist in its current form. That is the point.

[strangeirish]

How many people will go to the G8 summit, to pay attention to what happens?

Eight! And the PR stunt, as you called it, served its purpose by bringing worldwide attention to this very important meeting.

[Thomo]

The cynicism in here is disgusting. How many of you have given up all but the bare essentials to make poverty history?

are u calling diamonds, bare essentials? i'm not suggesting she should have tried to pretend shes something shes not, but surely at a gig theoretically intended to help africa, is it not somehow wrong to be wearing something made from a rock which is causing the plight of so many africans? make trade fair my arse! tell teh ppl of siera leone that!

[dahamsta]

are u calling diamonds, bare essentials?

Did you understand the question?

EDIT: In hindsight, perhaps I've extended the point a bit further than some people would expect or understand. I /could/ have asked the cynics how many of them had given up all of the luxuries in their lives to make poverty history, since they seem to believe that Madonna should. However I stretched it a bit further, since if they're going to accuse Madonna of hypocrisy, I think they should be willing to give up all but the bare essentials.

But I still wonder how many of them have CD players, and cars, and televisions, which would be a rough equivalent of Madonna's diamonds. And I'd wonder how they actually know where Madonna's diamonds come from, since not all diamonds are conflict diamonds*. Or how much research they've done into how much of her wealth and time she's contributed to charity.

Perhaps she's contributed none, or very little. But they've made an accusation, I think they should back it up.

adam

[size=1]*In fact it would be interesting to know how they know they're real diamonds at all. Was there an intermission while audience members armed with loupes piled onto the stage to check?[/size]

[Thomo]

Did you understand the question?

yes yes i did

But I still wonder how many of them have CD players, and cars, and televisions, which would be a rough equivalent of Madonna's diamonds. And I'd wonder how they actually know where Madonna's diamonds come from, since not all diamonds are conflict diamonds*. Or how much research they've done into how much of her wealth and time she's contributed to charity.

Yes. i take your point. however, i think u may have missed mine. i was not proposing that luxuries and material things should be abandoned. however, i think perhaps, whether madonna was or was not wearing conflict diamonds, she should have not worn diamonds full stop given the contentious issue that it potentially creates. it was an innapropriate choice of wardrobe was my point.

oh, and yes i am aware of madonnas previous charity work, for the record.