Bob Bloody Geldof

[Scuby]

Is it just me who's sick of seeing him now? Just been downstairs and noticed he's on the telly again. Usually I wouldn't mind, I rarely watch the telly so don't tend to notice, but I just caught a bit where he was wandering around some African city criticising the Western media for only showing the "poor" side of Africa, and never showing the cities and the more prosperous side. All fair enough, criticise away... but how many of those images of "rich" cities did he show during his Live 8 concerts? I keep reading and seeing things that he's said and done, and can't help thinking that he's really just a bit of a hypocrite ("the media are terrible for not showing a balanced view of Africa... but I won't either") - and full of "we want" with little idea of practical solutions to problems.

Don't get me wrong, its nice that he's raised awareness of the problems, I just wish he'd stop at that rather than trying to come across as all political - thats not what he's good at!

And hasn't Gordon Brown had all his debt reduction / abolition plans for ages, long before anyone had ever heard of Live 8? I'm not all that keen on Mr Geldof's "look what I did" when most of it was sorted long before he came along...

David

[Finless]

Hmmmm. He got a rep for his involvement in Live Aid and has remained committed to the cause ...... if he didn't do anything more about it he would probably get slated for not 'carrying the thing through'.

The cause obviously means a lot to him. He is a 'THE' public figure that people recognize and he will exploit his position as much as he can to benefit the cause. Can't knock him for that.

What few bits I have seen of him on TV he talks a lot of sense. MOST importantly, I think people recognize he doesn't have any other agenda (like getting re elected) and trust him because he is genuine - he means what he says AND will say what he thinks regardless of who he is speaking to.

All in all I can only say "respect and more power to his charity elbow" and I can forgive his current over exposure in the media.

Anyway, if I get as pissed off as you sound then I'll turn over to another channel. Don't forget, if your batteries run flat in the remote you can make an analogue version of a remote with a long stick .

[Scuby]

Originally Posted by Finless

Anyway, if I get as pissed off as you sound then I'll turn over to another channel.

Not pissed off at all, just find him annoying :O( I only saw about 5 minutes of it while someone else was watching... just long enough to eat a bit of toast :O)

David

[Paul Oliver]

I think Finless for a change has been quite succinct in his appraisal (Bryan its an obscure form of lager )

But the corruption is the issue and he refuses to accept that, well bo**acks he's wrong. I have not donated cos i am not prepared to line some AFRICAN politicians pocket.

Nice rock concert though Floyd and the Who were outstanding

[Finless]

Originally Posted by Scuby

Not pissed off at all, just find him annoying :O( I only saw about 5 minutes of it while someone else was watching... just long enough to eat a bit of toast :O)

David

Yes, but you are aware of the topic. I suppose he needs to be aware of going to far and annoying people to the point that they turn off the idea. Given that this time he was not after donations and just people's awareness I guess annoying people is acceptable too?

5 mins to eat toast - are you trying to gum your way through it?

[Diving Dude]

Wow, that's a first, a sensible post from Clueless.................ooops l mean Finless.

[Finless]

Originally Posted by Paul Oliver

But the corruption is the issue and he refuses to accept that, well bo**acks he's wrong. I have not donated cos i am not prepared to line some AFRICAN politicians pocket.

Nice rock concert though Floyd and the Who were outstanding

I think he addressed the subject of corruption several times in the few programs I saw. Sadly I am a 'moral desert' and wasn't that interested to pay attention to what he said on the subject. I am aware that the G8 plans for debt relief are only to be given to countries where corruption etc are not considered to be present (or rife?). I am happy enough knowing that others are doing something about it.

The corruption issue IS a big concern but do you still let people starve or try and get aid through? I really haven't followed the situation sufficiently well to have more than a superficial opinion which can be accurately stated by saying "er".

One of my concerns is the over population of this planet. It is not a happy thought to think that if 30,000 children are dying every day through easily preventable causes then how much more over populated the world would be if the problems in Africa had been resolved 20 years ago (esp given the large families that seem to be prevalent in Africa)! That causes me some concern to even know I am thinking that!

[Paul Oliver]

[Finless]

Originally Posted by Diving Dude

Wow, that's a first, a sensible post from Clueless.................ooops l mean Finless.

FFS, I'm glad you are able to agree with me that 5 mins to eat toast is too long!

I'm going to stick a crab on one of your horns next time I see you under water .

[Paul Oliver]

I've been there and seen it. They are corrupt and our donations go into their pockets.

Sort that out and i will donate loads of money