An Espresso Shot [7-15-05]: How Effective Can Bono's Campaign Be?
There is an interesting post at World Mag Blog that claims Bono's campaign to end poverty doesn't go far enough to make a lasting difference. Here's an excerpt:
The post mentions how Laura Bush addressed the issue by focussing on the sexual promiscuity problem in Africa and how that issue must be dealt with in order to make any real headway in curbing the AIDS epidemic in that country. I tend to agree with that and, though I applaud Bono's passion and efforts, unless these issues are dealt with on that level, giving money and retiring debts will be like putting a bandaid over a severed artery.
Personally, I think Laura and Bono would make a good team heading up an effort to comprehensively deal with the problem. Maybe when W asks me, I'll tell him!
First Lady Laura Bush knows something Bono and his musical sidekicks don't: The African crisis is in Africa and about more than wiping out debt. Trendy links on Bono's website one.org enable you to "Sign a Declaration," "Wear the Wristband," "Email a Friend," and "Ask President Bush to Fight Poverty." Personal sacrifice and direct involvement are not part of this campaign. Read the rest here.Though the tone of that post is rather critical, I don't intend for this to be a criticism of Bono because he is actually doing something...a lot of something. Further, I have not yet gone to his website to see what all is involved in his plan (though I am going to do so), but if it is merely asking governments to retire debts and give additional money, I think there might be something to the claim.
The post mentions how Laura Bush addressed the issue by focussing on the sexual promiscuity problem in Africa and how that issue must be dealt with in order to make any real headway in curbing the AIDS epidemic in that country. I tend to agree with that and, though I applaud Bono's passion and efforts, unless these issues are dealt with on that level, giving money and retiring debts will be like putting a bandaid over a severed artery.
Personally, I think Laura and Bono would make a good team heading up an effort to comprehensively deal with the problem. Maybe when W asks me, I'll tell him!
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 7/15/2005 01:15:00 PM
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2 Comments:
One of the things the World Mag person does not understand is that both pieces are needed. I felt the person does not like Bono's idea and wants to take a cheap swipe at it (probably due to latent guilt or politics).
I agree that Laura and Bono would work well together and probably see each other as helpful.
The World Mag person does not understand that Bono is using these aims to gather popular support for Africa in general. he wants it on the radars of politicians and citizens.
By asking people to sign a declaration or wear a band he involves them at a small lvel, but a few will move beyond this.
Look at Bono's relationship with Bush, Blair, and the rest of the G8 Leaders. His attempts have brought many of them along. He knows what he is doing and it is bearing much fruit, long term. I am sad this person cannot see beyond his predjudices to the greater good of many people working on different pieces of a huge pie.
The sad fact of the matter is that "debt relief" itself is a crock. These lending organizations in reality wrote off their debts as uncollectible a long time ago. They keep these debts on their books though, and claim they'd be insolvent if the debts aren't covered. The reason they've asked for more money ($50 billion) is so that they don't lose any money and actually make the money back that they lost on bad debts.
Bush's Millenium Challenge Account goes the right direction and gives out grants (not loans) and gives measurements to help bring about real change. The problem is that it's underfunded, and people don't like that it gives so little to these countries anyway (you have to start with small projects and hold governments accountable in these countries. Just throwing more money at them won't work).
I admire Bono's heart, and his determination. I also think he understands that some of the African governments have no intention of helping their people and therefore shouldn't just be given blank checks. I do wish he'd call for more activism from people, and set up ways for real people to help on real projects.
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