Live8 Benefit Concert

[MrsMoe]

Live8 was yesterday - for those of you who don't know about Live8, it was a free concert in the G8 countries and televised globaly to raise awareness on the starvation issues in Africa. It also was asking the G8 leaders to double their aid (US and Canada are already going to do this,) absolve African Countries debt, and relax trade regulations. Well, the majority of foreign aid goes to military spending... not the people. And for governments to forgive debt is a big issue because the major governments would lose any control they have over African countries... so it ain't gonna happen.

Celine Dion pre-taped her act because she was too busy touring (making money in Las Vegas) to be at the concert live and in person. *gag* Why bother?

Some artists seemed be very heartfelt to the cause, like Bono or Neil Young or some of the artists from Africa, others loved the publicity. You don't wear your pimped out gear like Jay-Z's 1.25 million dollar diamond necklace that he wore on stage... how tacky and disgusting.

What would really workbesides overthrowing the governments in Africa? Countries that offer foreign aid demand that a certain portion of thier foreign aid go to the people and request proof of prior year's spending before you get the next check (they do this but obviously not good enough,) rewards for African countries giving back more to the people in the form of food and healthcare, and increasing some forms of international trade would be good.

[alaspooryorick]

It is a difficult issue, mainly because the situation in Africa is pretty horrible. And as you pointed out, a lot of that money isn't really ending oppression of the people but in fact contributing to it. Also, even the funding that is going to the people isn't being spent wisely--let's face it, treating suffering people is a good thing, but it's not stopping the spread of AIDS. This partially I blame on the Vatican and their position on contraceptives, and partially on a lack of education. The money needs to be monitored and well spent, but the likelihood of both of those things happening is hard to fathom.

I'm a supporter of the cause, but it's awfully hard to pull a continent in such a bad condition out of those conditions when they can barely survive, much less create a productive society.

And regarding Live8, oh how I wish I were in London to see Pink Floyd, because at least on tv, they were easily the best band I heard all day. I was going to go to Philadelphia, but everyone backed out on me.

[Evil_Mage_Ra]

It also was asking the G8 leaders to double their aid (US and Canada are already going to do this,)
It's surprising (and delightful) that the US is taking the lead in this regard.

[Amazonis]

I do want the debt to be eradicated, however i care more about the impacts this would have on the environment rather than the people. When a country has a lot of international debt, it will have negative impacts on how they use their environment.

I wrote a topic on this a few weaks ago -
Debt releif - For People or the Environment? (http://www.ravingatheist.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=938)

[MrsMoe]

It also was asking the G8 leaders to double their aid (US and Canada are already going to do this,)
It's surprising (and delightful) that the US is taking the lead in this regard.
The US isnt' evil, it's just viewed that way. America DOES care about the rest of the world, it just typically looks after its's own interests first.

Now as far as doubling aid... is this a good thing? Sort of... but the money doesn't go to the people now as it is... so how do we know the doubled aid will be any better or just a waste of money?