NationStates Jolt Archive

On Sunday, Bono was interviewed on NBC's "Meet The Press". He was there to talk about the whole G8 thing going on and he gave his opinion on how the US and Bush are dealing with African poverty and AIDS.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8332675/

BONO: Well, I think he's done an incredible job, his administration, on AIDS. And 250,000 Africans are on antiviral drugs. They literally owe their lives to America. In one year that's being done. But it can't just be AIDS. It has to be the environment in which viruses like AIDS thrive, or malaria. I mean, 3,000 Africans die every day of a mosquito bite. Can you think about that, malaria? That's not acceptable in the 21st century and we can stop it. And water-borne illnesses--dirty water takes another 3,000 lives--children, mothers, sisters.

Yes, there's a lot of pressure on President Bush. If he, though, in his second term, is as bold in his commitments to Africa as he was in the first term, he indeed deserves a place in history in turning the fate of that continent around. If he doesn't I fear that even the good work that he has started will be forgotten by history and that really makes me very, very sad, because I worked on a lot of this stuff, the AIDS initiative and the Millennium Challenge, and really want to see--I think he deserves his place in history here. I believe he has the heart for it, but his advisors are going to have to let him go to Gleneagles with something other than timid proposals and pilot programs and rhetoric. They're going to have to let him sign, you know, a proper check. One billions dollars is all it would take to save a million lives from malaria, with bed nets, etc., $1 billion. Four billion dollars, you could change the world. From the United States, an extra commitment of $4 billion.


Thank you Bono for not being afraid to actually applaud the good that this nation does. We need more international figures to at least come out occasionally and talk about the humanitarian good we as a people do as opposed to all of this Anti Bush, Anti US rhetoric.

Good man, saying what he believes and not being browbeaten by how evil bush apparently is. In all this talk of war and imperialism it is often forgotten that the US is an extremely charitable nation.

I applaud that. Not to belittle AIDS, but it has the media spotlight at the moment. Malaria is a far more deadly disease and gets too little attention. You want to save a lot of lives? Tackle malaria.

Bono undoubtedly would be aware of which nations are doing what, and for him to praise the US on it's record on Africa is obviously an indication that Bush is doing something right.

Congratulations are also due to Bono for the aid and humanitarian work (as well as lobbying) that he has done over the last 20 years for Africa.

Good man, saying what he believes and not being browbeaten by how evil bush apparently is. In all this talk of war and imperialism it is often forgotten that the US is an extremely charitable nation.

it is charitable but think of the population and the wealth compared to the charity. it's not as charitable as it could and should be and that also includes many other nations too.

I applaud that. Not to belittle AIDS, but it has the media spotlight at the moment. Malaria is a far more deadly disease and gets too little attention. You want to save a lot of lives? Tackle malaria.

but what if a person has malaria and aids? they are both common so it wouldn't be rare to have both. how can you cure malaria if they have barely an immune system?

It always cheeses me off when I see people harping on the nasty side of America, when in fact its done so much good works through its charities. )BTW, I'm a Canadian with a *reasonably* neutral attitude towards the US Gov't..but a bias *for* Americans as people in general)

Its good to see Bono has the intelligence and wisdom to comment on these good aspects. Bitching and complaining about American policies isn't going to change the situation for the better anyway, might as well thank Bush for what good he has done.

Isn't it Bush who has had a fascination for Africa since he was a small boy anyway? I've gotten the impression he's very well informed about the continent and the complexities of its problems (beyond what would be expected of him as the Pres. of the USA)

it is charitable but think of the population and the wealth compared to the charity. it's not as charitable as it could and should be and that also includes many other nations too.


That maybe true but greed is human nature.

On a somewhat different note. I heard recently that the USA gives over 50% of the Humanitarian Aid that goes through the United Nations. Is that true? :(

it is charitable but think of the population and the wealth compared to the charity. it's not as charitable as it could and should be and that also includes many other nations too.


You shouldn't judge someones acts of charity. You belittle the contribution they make. Without American aid, I think Africa would almost have to be written off.

You shouldn't judge someones acts of charity. You belittle the contribution they make. Without American aid, I think Africa would almost have to be written off.

well considering that the whole poverty thing wasn't helped in the first place by western contries like the US then i think that they could contribute a little more. i think that the charitable acts on their part is kind and generous and they are making a big effort now which is great but it just isn't enough when people are dieing every minute from something that could be easily prevented

I think that the fact of the matter is that Africa needs all the help it can get. It can't afford to lose any aid at all.

The deal that was announced to reduce third world debt to many African nations (spearheaded by Tony Blair) was a definate step in the right direction.

Let's see if I can find the link...

Here's one (NOTE: I provide this only as evidence that there is some Debt cancelling going on. It's from the Guardian, I don't necessarily agree with all the things it says)

Guardian article (http://www.cpa.org.au/garchve05/1232edit.html)

It is indeed wonderful that he's not so blind to see that the US does do good in the world. But a lot of the people commending him for speaking out for the US would condemn him just as fast if he were speaking his opinion on Iraq.

That maybe true but greed is human nature.

On a somewhat different note. I heard recently that the USA gives over 50% of the Humanitarian Aid that goes through the United Nations. Is that true? :(

I wouldn't be surprised if that were true. A lot of people like to criticize America for everything. IMO, I think that has a lot to do with fear/misplaced envy. That is, fear that we are some evil supervillain trying to take over the world. Of course, this isn't true. I always like to think of America as having the potential to be the gentle giant in the world. Sure, we might step on a few toes once and awhile, BUT we do our best to nuture progress.

And although I don't necessarily support tax-funded charity (I think it is wrong to force people to pay for a charity or cause they may not support)), I still think Bono does a good job of at least spreading a good message, despite his wimpy music :rolleyes:

I wonder whose "billion" he is using, a North American one with nine zeroes, or a British one with twelve zeroes? Like what we call a billion, Brits call a thousand million, and their billion is our trillion. Hmm.

All I care about is Pink Floyd's return!
FUCK YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!

well considering that the whole poverty thing wasn't helped in the first place by western contries like the US then i think that they could contribute a little more. i think that the charitable acts on their part is kind and generous and they are making a big effort now which is great but it just isn't enough when people are dieing every minute from something that could be easily prevented


Have you yourself ever contributed anything at all?

Have you yourself ever contributed anything at all?


That had crossed my mind as well. Likely just biased criticism.

Good man, saying what he believes and not being browbeaten by how evil bush apparently is. In all this talk of war and imperialism it is often forgotten that the US is an extremely charitable nation.

yes, this is easy to overlook, all the press want to do is comment on the liberation of Afghanistan and Iraq and Iran (whoops, not yet). They keep mentioning the fact that the Neo-Con influence in the whitehouse is causing untold damage in the heart of america. Please make them stop.

yes, this is easy to overlook, all the press want to do is comment on the liberation of Afghanistan and Iraq and Iran (whoops, not yet). They keep mentioning the fact that the Neo-Con influence in the whitehouse is causing untold damage in the heart of america. Please make them stop.

I would if I could. I'm pretty sure there are laws SOMEwhere about completely biased and unfair news reports.

I wonder whose "billion" he is using, a North American one with nine zeroes, or a British one with twelve zeroes? Like what we call a billion, Brits call a thousand million, and their billion is our trillion. Hmm.

I'm pretty sure (But I wouldn't swear to this) the American quantity for billion is the worldwide standard, or as much as we have one, so it's like he's using that. (And this isn't a case of American imperialism, it's a case of America having the most sensible system.) I know here in Britain a lot of younger people regard a billion as a thousand million.

it is charitable but think of the population and the wealth compared to the charity. it's not as charitable as it could and should be and that also includes many other nations too.

Why should they give a higher proportion when they can give a lesser one and still be givig double the next nearest nation? I just don't understand that mentality. It's quite plain they already give more than any other nation on Earth, but oh no that's not good enough because they could be giving more. Do you give all your spare money to charity? Because you could be giving a lot more, I reckon. Having a computer and all.

but what if a person has malaria and aids? they are both common so it wouldn't be rare to have both. how can you cure malaria if they have barely an immune system?

What the hell are you talking about? If someone has both they're pretty screwed. Malaria causes a lot of deaths, and weirdly enough not all in people who have AIDS (I know, right? And there I thought all black folks had black gay poison disease!), so why should there not be a movement to stop malaria?

well considering that the whole poverty thing wasn't helped in the first place by western contries like the US then i think that they could contribute a little more. i think that the charitable acts on their part is kind and generous and they are making a big effort now which is great but it just isn't enough when people are dieing every minute from something that could be easily prevented

*coughcough* You know, the one place on the planet one can place almost zero blame on the US for it's current state is Africa. It is entirely Europe's fault; we took the slaves (Actually slavery was already a common African practise, but you know, let's not say anything that would remotely absolve ourselves of any guilt.), we exploited the continent, and we left by dividing it up into unworkable borders based not on old tribal lands, but on our own territories when we held Africa. KK. If anyone should be giving Africa more aid, it's Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Belgium.

(Snip)



*coughcough* You know, the one place on the planet one can place almost zero blame on the US for it's current state is Africa. It is entirely Europe's fault; we took the slaves (Actually slavery was already a common African practise, but you know, let's not say anything that would remotely absolve ourselves of any guilt.), we exploited the continent, and we left by dividing it up into unworkable borders based not on old tribal lands, but on our own territories when we held Africa. KK. If anyone should be giving Africa more aid, it's Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Belgium.

Hmmm I really don't know what to think about this. I cannot really disagree with all the points you make.

That had crossed my mind as well. Likely just biased criticism.


I'll not pass judgement on them just yet. I want to give them ample time to reply.

well considering that the whole poverty thing wasn't helped in the first place by western contries like the US then i think that they could contribute a little more. i think that the charitable acts on their part is kind and generous and they are making a big effort now which is great but it just isn't enough when people are dieing every minute from something that could be easily prevented

Note that most of the problems in Africa were a direct result of decolonization. Care to name a US colony in Africa?

Note that most of the problems in Africa were a direct result of decolonization. Care to name a US colony in Africa?

I was going to say Liberia but it was never a colony if I recall correctly.

Well done Bono. He seems to be more aware of diplomacy than many politicians. You don't get sympathy if you say: "If you're not anti-AIDS, you are pro-AIDS". Well done. Great future in Irish politics.

Have you yourself ever contributed anything at all?

actually, yes. i get involved in church charities and i have this thing in my account where money is atomatically taken out for certain charities. i admit that what i do certainly isn't enough but i do make an effort and i'm a student with a part-time job so i don't have all that much money anyway

*coughcough* You know, the one place on the planet one can place almost zero blame on the US for it's current state is Africa. It is entirely Europe's fault; we took the slaves (Actually slavery was already a common African practise, but you know, let's not say anything that would remotely absolve ourselves of any guilt.), we exploited the continent, and we left by dividing it up into unworkable borders based not on old tribal lands, but on our own territories when we held Africa. KK. If anyone should be giving Africa more aid, it's Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Belgium.

i said western countries, including europe and america certainly didn't help what with the unfair trade and what not as well as other countries doing that and it was europe's fault to begin with, i agree. america has more of the money and influence to help. britain, france, spain, etc should definately aid more than they are.

Note that most of the problems in Africa were a direct result of decolonization. Care to name a US colony in Africa?

The Cold War certainly didn't help, either. The US and the USSR did a lot of damage to the continent after decolonization was done.

The Cold War certainly didn't help, either. The US and the USSR did a lot of damage to the continent after decolonization was done.
No need to play it down.

actually, yes. i get involved in church charities and i have this thing in my account where money is atomatically taken out for certain charities. i admit that what i do certainly isn't enough but i do make an effort and i'm a student with a part-time job so i don't have all that much money anyway

(Snip)




That is a good thing that you are doing what you can with a limited budget.

How much money do some of the Moslem countries donate?

Rich as they are, probably not much. Their "generosity" for the tsunami victims was a pittance, if you'll recall.

Talk about uncaring - and those were fellow Moslems in Indonesia.

The Cold War certainly didn't help, either. The US and the USSR did a lot of damage to the continent after decolonization was done.

Some, yes. But Angola got more rubles than they would have gotten otherwise. And I doubt the damage was as bad as the Portugese ripping the electrical wires out of the walls when they left...

How much money do some of the Moslem countries donate?

Rich as they are, probably not much. Their "generosity" for the tsunami victims was a pittance, if you'll recall.

Talk about uncaring - and those were fellow Moslems in Indonesia.


That is a very valid question.

How much money do some of the Moslem countries donate?

Rich as they are, probably not much. Their "generosity" for the tsunami victims was a pittance, if you'll recall.

Talk about uncaring - and those were fellow Moslems in Indonesia.
Don't quote me on this, but I think moslems, as people, donated plenty. I think donating to charities is written in their religion. At first glance (or google), I have to admit, I didn't find 'moslem countries' donating much.

But hey! that's okay. The tsunami victims are missing 4 of those almost 8 billions 'the west' promised too. And what's even better, if you read the papers, the money that trickles in, doesn't really help the needy either. What a surprise...

No need to play it down.

The internal conflicts in many African nations is a result of the colonial boundaries that Europe drew. Many of the dictators that continued to oppress African nations after decolonization were supported by the US or the USSR.

Much better. :)

How much money do some of the Moslem countries donate?

Rich as they are, probably not much. Their "generosity" for the tsunami victims was a pittance, if you'll recall.

Talk about uncaring - and those were fellow Moslems in Indonesia.

True. It really makes the Middle East look bad when they claim Muslims stand as one and are all one people, yet Syria gives a tiny $10,000,000 for Tsunami relief - the same amount that Michael Schumacher gave - whilst the US, Canada and Europe gives billions, much of that from ordinary members of the public. (I don't know how much Australia and New Zealand gave, but I'll wager it's substantial. Don't forget Japan, either.)