Bono's alledged commitment to the poor is a sham

[Aristophanes]

But who could be more surprised than me...honestly. It's not like every anti-poverty crusader who advocates spending others' money - through coercion, no less- to 'reduce poverty' is a meretricious, fraudulent pile of scum.

A familiar paradox about leftist celebrities in the entertainment industry is that their embrace of progressivism almost never includes a wholehearted embrace of progressive taxation, i.e., the principle that the richer you get, the larger the percentage of your income you ought to pay in taxes. The latest example is U2's Bono, a committed and unusually sophisticated anti-poverty crusader who is taking surprisingly little heat for the decision by his band, U2, to relocate its music-publishing business from Ireland to the Netherlands in order to shelter its songwriting royalties from taxation.

The irony was stated in admirably stark terms by Bloomberg's Fergal O'Brien, who reported on Oct. 16: "Bono, the rock star and campaigner against Third World debt, is asking the Irish government to contribute more to Africa. At the same time, he's reducing tax payments that could help fund that aid."

[Fianóglach]

It's about time people see Bono for what he is, the shame of Ireland and a bloody clown.

[RZZZA]

wtf do I care about 1 rich prick and his money? The real issue is classism isnt it?

[Visna]

"A familiar paradox about leftist celebrities in the entertainment industry is that their embrace of progressivism almost never includes a wholehearted embrace of progressive taxation, i.e., the principle that the richer you get, the larger the percentage of your income you ought to pay in taxes. The latest example is U2's Bono, a committed and unusually sophisticated anti-poverty crusader who is taking surprisingly little heat for the decision by his band, U2, to relocate its music-publishing business from Ireland to the Netherlands in order to shelter its songwriting royalties from taxation.

The irony was stated in admirably stark terms by Bloomberg's Fergal O'Brien, who reported on Oct. 16: "Bono, the rock star and campaigner against Third World debt, is asking the Irish government to contribute more to Africa. At the same time, he's reducing tax payments that could help fund that aid."

HAHAHA. This is simply legendary stuff.
I never liked Bono or U2 much, and this is absolutely brilliant. Where did you come by this fascinating piece of news?

[Fenris]

Maybe he wants to use that extra money to give directly to the poors?

Alright, alright... :tooth:

[Erik]

"A familiar paradox about leftist celebrities in the entertainment industry is that their embrace of progressivism almost never includes a wholehearted embrace of progressive taxation, i.e., the principle that the richer you get, the larger the percentage of your income you ought to pay in taxes. The latest example is U2's Bono, a committed and unusually sophisticated anti-poverty crusader who is taking surprisingly little heat for the decision by his band, U2, to relocate its music-publishing business from Ireland to the Netherlands in order to shelter its songwriting royalties from taxation.

WTF??????

The Netherlands isn't a tax paradise.
And we do have a progressive tax system: the rich pay 52% income tax here, that's one of the highest taxes in the world.

But he picked the Netherlands to avoid progressive taxes :tooth:

I suspect he picked the Netherlands because you don't pay tax over charity here, not to avoid income taxes.

[Manji]

But he picked the Netherlands to avoid progressive taxes :tooth:

Two words: Rockstar. :tooth:

But frankly, why should some be more morally expected to be truthful and respectful of the law because they are famous? Famous people are as flawed as the rest of us, the difference being that their lifestyle is luxurious and their more basic needs won't ever be left to cater for. Meh.

[Aristophanes]

WTF??????

The Netherlands isn't a tax paradise.
And we do have a progressive tax system: the rich pay 52% income tax here, that's one of the highest taxes in the world.

But he picked the Netherlands to avoid progressive taxes :tooth:

I suspect he picked the Netherlands because you don't pay tax over charity here, not to avoid income taxes.

Way to not read!!!

...from Ireland to the Netherlands in order to shelter its songwriting royalties from taxation.

Talk about unfounded suspicions: it's funny how you'll give some people the benefit of the doubt...beyond any possible reason.

:tooth:

I like this one too:

In any case if Bono gets to spend more on charity by paying less tax then I don't see what the "hypocracy" is.

Which shows that you obviously didn't understand this:

The irony was stated in admirably stark terms by Bloomberg's Fergal O'Brien, who reported on Oct. 16: "Bono, the rock star and campaigner against Third World debt, is asking the Irish government to contribute more to Africa. At the same time, he's reducing tax payments that could help fund that aid."

[alman9898]

wtf do I care about 1 rich prick and his money? The real issue is classism isnt it?

The problem here is the smugness of some celebrities about helping the poor when they don't do ****.

[Fenris]

Or maybe he was just annoyed that the irish government was NOT spending more money for Africa, so he decided to do it himself?

Just a thought.

[Aristophanes]

Or maybe he was just annoyed that the irish government was NOT spending more money for Africa, so he decided to do it himself?

Just a thought.

Is it my imagination, or is that your imagination?

I don't remember you contorting yourself into pretzels to defend anybody differing ideologically from yourself, but, apparently, partisanship is a logic all unto itself.

[danzig]

Not much of a suprise that a celeb is hypocritical with their actions. Recently saw news article on the enviroment and celebs, out of the list only ONE actually lived what they spoke (Leonardo DiCaprio) they rest burned so much jet fuel in private jets each year that the fact they drove around in hybrid cars is joke.

[Garbarsardar]

I always suspected that in the cases of these "slash" persons, (industrialist/philanthropist;actor/model;sculptor/philosopher;raelian/depression activist) there is more in the slash that meets the eye...

[The White Knight]

I always suspected that in the cases of these "slash" persons, (industrialist/philanthropist;actor/model;sculptor/philosopher;raelian/depression activist) there is more in the slash that meets the eye...

Agreed. Hypocrits ...

[VALIS]

surprise surprise.

i always find it ironic how all these rich celebrities group together to do projects such as bandaid or liveaid to encourage the public to give away there money.but i wonder how many of these celebrities have given away there own money?

if they all contributed some of there own cash they could probably donate more money than any of the public donations combined!

i was watching a documentary about the latest 'band aid' recording,and some of these airhead celebrities didnt even know what the cause was all about or even who bob geldof was (hes a git himself)
most of these celebrities just do this for publicity and to advance there own careers so they can get there snouts in the trough.

so they can turn around to the public and say

"hey kids i care about the africans i'm a nice guy/gal.....oh by the way dont forget to buy my new album which is released soon"

they are all snakes.donate money privately and too a good charity that will send money directly too the cause (not oxfam)
dont give your money to these bimbos and opportunists.

[danzig]

i was watching a documentary about the latest 'band aid' recording,and some of these airhead celebrities didnt even know what the cause was all about or even who bob geldof was (hes a git himself)
most of these celebrities just do this for publicity and to advance there own careers so they can get there snouts in the trough.

Oh man yeah forgot about that, not sure if it was the same doc but I know saw something of 'celebs' fighting over gift baskets in the back. Mind you gift baskets to these guys contained like custom designed ipods, designer watches etc. Must be fun to fly in on a private jet, get fawned over by your 'people' walk out on stage sing a song or two and walk out with a nice gift bag full of stuff that could feed several families for a month.

they are all snakes.donate money privately and too a good charity that will send money directly too the cause (not oxfam)
dont give your money to these bimbos and opportunists.

Yep, wouldnt give a dime to those 'aid' shows...quality charity were there is accountable is the only thing Id give money too.

If any one of you won 20 million can you honestly say you would give 19 million away? I am afraid I suspect none of you would. So at the same time can I blame them for not doing what I think 99.99999999% of the population wouldn't in their position. Well no I can't human nature I am afraid.

Honestly cant say I would either, Id like to think I would but in reality I probably wouldnt. I do know would give decent amount to charity, I thank my wife for that cause 10 years ago Id probably say Id have kept every dime. She opened my eyes that cant just turn a deaf ear...that made no sense but you get the point! The difference is WE arent running around lecturing people on what they should be doing.

[Denny Crane!]

What has always got me about celebrities and I am sorry to say I imagine most of you are the same as most people I talk to are.

Now apply this to all people with lots of money. How much money does any person need to be ridiculously wealthy, not have to work and live well. Personally I think a million pounds would do it. With that million pounds wisely invested in a safe investment you can expect easily a return of 10% a year. That is 100000 pounds a year, or 8333 pounds a month. Even after tax that is one hell of an income for sitting on your backside scratching all day. You could pay a mortgage, hand out hundreds to friends and family when you feel like it. Pay for a car etc etc.

How dare a celebrity with 200 million in the bank lecture anyone on aid. They are the sign of exactly what is wrong with societal change yet they rail against the ills of global society while being the single worst thing about it. One person owning more money than any one person can spend in a lifetime and telling us all how we should give more.

If any one of you won 20 million can you honestly say you would give 19 million away? I am afraid I suspect none of you would. So at the same time can I blame them for not doing what I think 99.99999999% of the population wouldn't in their position. Well no I can't human nature I am afraid.

I can honestly say I would, and would still feel slightly guilty about keeping a million for myself.

Peter

[Tom Paine]

Seneca, you can't say you would til it has happened, sorry; until then it remains hypothetical; the most I or you can say is that I hope I would.

[Denny Crane!]

Seneca, you can't say you would til it has happened, sorry; until then it remains hypothetical; the most I or you can say is that I hope I would.

No I can I have an iron will over my actions. Can I say I wouldn't cheat on someone even if some large breasted chinese twins offered me a threesome, if I was in a relationship then yes I can. I may dump that person if it is not serious of course (asian, twins, threesome, breasts) but I cannot dump my convictions.

You can predict accurately how you will react to something like this, integrity is not a myth or dependant on circumstance.

peter

[Aristophanes]

The only charitable causes I'm really interested in involve research and development, but I would give to schools if they weren't government run. The arts are another charitable cause I would consider.[if most art these days weren't abominable and subsidized]

Also, the most effective use of our time and money is close to home: we have a better idea of the problems and challenges facing our communities than we do of those facing communities in Africa and Asia. That means that the charitable investments we make that are near to us are likely to provide better returns than those far away.