how can people like gordon brown, tony blair, bono and bob geldof justify making poverty in africa history...?

Question

and throw money at african countries, whilst at the same time turning a blind eye to what is happening in zimbabwe right now? having seen the horrific pictures of morgan tsvangirai's face, i wonder whether events such as live aid, live 8 and campaigns such as make poverty history are a total scam. how can you possibly throw money at african nations, when those which have dictatorial regimes continue to mistreat it's own people? what should blair and co do about this situation? does the west have a responsibility to the zimbabwean people in getting rid of an evil despot, in the same way that they did with saddam hussein out in iraq or not? are blair and bush really africa's saviours- or it is just a load of bull? by the way, no silly answers

to sheldon- this is not a silly question and btw, i've seen more sillier ones than this. if you have nothing constructive to say on the matter, then why bother posting your views on here

rockerchick- all i am doing is expressing my point of view, which everyone is entitled to do and besides, what gives you the right to judge me? you don't know me that well enough to form your opinions on me so don't try to make this out to be personal. got it?

nickie- i agree with you 110% with the comments that you have posted

tinamon3- yes i saw hotel rwanda 2 years ago in the cinema. that was a terrific film, as it highlighted not just the rwandan genocide that took place 13 years ago, but in that it also reminds us of the current problems people face in places such as zimbabwe, for eg

Answer 1

You do realize that the only reason Bush or Blair or any of the "8" have even given a single damn about Africa is because of Bono? This man has made it his mission though music since about 1976 to help these dying and starving children who are in this situation due to greedy politicians hoarding money that the USA has given them to aid these conditions. Bono, along with Bob Geldof, have used their names to help end the debt that Africa owes to the super powers. Because of the debt that was slowly being paid back, money wasn't being put out to help these men women and children of the African nations. In the 80's with the outbreak of AIDS, that was just another killer of man. The heavy concentration being in Africa. Everything has a way of cycling itself around, and if AIDS and Malaria aren't being prevented, how long before it spreads to the US (or wherever you are)? It's already made its way around the Globe, but luckily most of us live in a country where we have some sort of health plan (good or bad that it may be) where we can get treatments and vaccinations. People mock Bono for giving speeches about children dying from a mosquito bite, but my God, if you had/have a child how would it make you feel knowing that is going to be your child's demise. Or, worse yet, a mosquito that just bit someone infected with the AIDS virus?

This was Bono's cause. He chose to fight for it and due to determination and love, he gets things accomplished and it doesn't cost us a dime if we don't want it to. Now, if there is an issue that you feel passionately about, maybe YOU should try to do something to fight about that cause an enlist a celebrity to help out.

Keep in mind that Bono has been fighting for the end of poverty and social injustice since before the days of U2 or The Hype. It has taken him 30 years to get it accomplished, but it was due to perserverence and love in his heart and he will keep on fighting until there is no fight left, so no, he should not quit and get on to a more "popular" cause, that's for someone else to step up and do.

Answer 2

Good question.

I think it's asking too much to expect pop singers to turn around a countries fortunes.

As for the money people give to fund-raising events- I think that goes to show how much & how many people want to help Africa.

World leaders could do great things if they really, really wanted to... so when nothing or little gets done to bring about healthy change/s, I query their motives & actions...

re: Zimbabwe: I just don't understand why they don't send in the SAS. Aim: Capture the evil despot & all his henchmen. Be over before anyone knew!

Therefore so much easier to save a whole heap of grief, save countless millions of lives, & improve the fortunes of entire nations (overnight?)

Couldn't the USA & UK have organised that in Iraq too?

Just think- no collateral damage, nobody made homeless, the savings to economies- the money spent on bombs, bullets, missiles etc., etc., put towards providing food & water & health & education projects...

Answer 3

They are not a scam. It's just that there are SO MANY problems in the world that you can't expect everything to be taken care of at once. Bono, in particular, has put his focus on AIDS in Africa. It doesn't mean he and others don't care about what's going on in Zimbabwe and other places. I wouldn't call it "turning a blind eye."

I think, like other social issues, this one needs to get out there. People need to know about it because you're right, it shouldn't be happening.

Making poverty history isn't going to happen all at once. Every little bit of effort to stop it helps.

Answer 4

If Zimbabwe was rich in oil then they would definitely do something.
Part of the problem out there is the government took over most of the farms and have given them to military bosses and judges who have no interest in farming them. Inflation is running at 1600% and likely to reach 4000%. The president is getting on a bit now so I reckon they are waiting and hoping that he'll go soon either voluntarily or by force. In the mean time people are starving.

Answer 5

I've said it before and I'll say it again! Africa is the arsehole of the world. This may sound harsh considering all the innocents sufferingf and dying, but putting money in there is like pouring it down the sink! NOTHING is geting better! People like Mugabe continue to act like animals. Poverty and Aids are endemic, and the rest of the continents leaders fail to take any action against the rogues. Because that's what most of them are! Rogues and genocidal maniacs!

Answer 6

No silly answers but a silly question???
Sorry!!
To be serious, is T Blair and co throwing money at Mugabe I thought they were just doing sod all about getting rid of the horrible chap and why stick Geldof in the same camp as afore mentioned politicians!
As for the rest of Africa maybe it's a political guilt trip caused by amongst things the Slave and more recently the Diamond trade which have decimated African economy's and killed and impoverished thousands.

Answer 7

A lot of countries give Africa money but with all the correction of their governments it never reaches the people. Nothing will help Africa.

Answer 8

History tells us Africa never learns, This issue has been going on for years. Corruption seems to be the order of the day there. I never give money to charities supporting Africa for this reason.

Answer 9

Poverty in Africa: People have to be seen to be doing something.
Zimbabwe: The West put Mugabe in power in the first place.

Answer 10

I would recommend everyone to see the film called hotel Rwanda.It really opened my eyes to how something can escalate and people be in denial of political under currants until they find themselves right in the middle of it.