Hewson, We Have a Problem
Dear Bono:
Let me cut right to it.
I just finished reading your New York Times op-ed, "Ending the Poverty That Breeds Violence." Apparently this is the deal: if America (and Europe) gave more money to Africa, Africa would reach a "breakthrough" of some sort, which would help alleviate world poverty, which breeds terrorism.
You may be right. I don't think so. Crass as it sounds to say it, the 9/11 terrorists had the money for plane tickets. I don't. But, maybe we should give your plan a try.
Thing is, I don't have a lot. We get by. I spent around $4,000 on medical bills last year on top of $3,500 in health insurance. I don't own a car. I've stopped buying CDs and have taken to begging for iTunes bottlecaps here on my weblog. (No $350 U2 special edition iPod here, sorry.) I do give to "charity," so to speak. My wife sent $50 to a girl in rural Alabama we've never met in person. Like my wife, she has lupus and many other health problems yet has taken in two foster children. We sent her a gift card for clothing too ... and certainly not under threat of terrorism. We donated to the tsunami victims too. And to the local poor through the Catholic church downtown. And I'm not even Catholic.
Here's what I think. You and me together. You sing, I play. I could write a song and sell, say, ten copies. You could sing it and sell 50,000, easy. Or just send me a vocal track and I'll mix it. Or I'll send you the backing tracks and you lay a vocal over it. I mean, we could have a bake sale, but I think the song would go over better. People will pay money for ringtones, I hear.
I like U2. (Especially Adam, who plays bass in my dream band, with Johnny Marr on guitar and Mo Tucker on drums). The War album was big in my high school. The "Gloria" video was The Shit. I used to play Boy and October cassettes on road trips to my sister's college. (Complete program on both sides? Thanks, Island!) Am I going to join the U2 fan club so I can have first crack at some shitty seats in a stadium? Um, no.
This is not a publicity stunt. I don't want to be a megastar or anything of the sort. What I do want is exemption of myself and my family from statements like, "We lament - but Secretly indulge - our differences. Points of tension are points of pride. Snottiness is the new patriotism." I hold a couple of degrees in English, but I have no idea what language you're speaking there. I don't get it.
Speaking of misconceptions, I realize this proposal won't reach you. People like me don't get to talk to people like you, so that's it -- you'll have to accept the teensy-tiny check we sent for the tsunami victims as payment in full for now.
Sorry.
P.S. As long as I'm dreaming ... I think it would be a big finacial boost (not to mention a morale boost) for my city if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies could be held here in Cleveland. You know, where the museum actually is? The current setup -- I can pay ten bucks to watch the ceremony on TV at the museum itself -- is a bit of an insult. Could you put in a word? Thanks.
Let me cut right to it.
I just finished reading your New York Times op-ed, "Ending the Poverty That Breeds Violence." Apparently this is the deal: if America (and Europe) gave more money to Africa, Africa would reach a "breakthrough" of some sort, which would help alleviate world poverty, which breeds terrorism.
You may be right. I don't think so. Crass as it sounds to say it, the 9/11 terrorists had the money for plane tickets. I don't. But, maybe we should give your plan a try.
Thing is, I don't have a lot. We get by. I spent around $4,000 on medical bills last year on top of $3,500 in health insurance. I don't own a car. I've stopped buying CDs and have taken to begging for iTunes bottlecaps here on my weblog. (No $350 U2 special edition iPod here, sorry.) I do give to "charity," so to speak. My wife sent $50 to a girl in rural Alabama we've never met in person. Like my wife, she has lupus and many other health problems yet has taken in two foster children. We sent her a gift card for clothing too ... and certainly not under threat of terrorism. We donated to the tsunami victims too. And to the local poor through the Catholic church downtown. And I'm not even Catholic.
Here's what I think. You and me together. You sing, I play. I could write a song and sell, say, ten copies. You could sing it and sell 50,000, easy. Or just send me a vocal track and I'll mix it. Or I'll send you the backing tracks and you lay a vocal over it. I mean, we could have a bake sale, but I think the song would go over better. People will pay money for ringtones, I hear.
I like U2. (Especially Adam, who plays bass in my dream band, with Johnny Marr on guitar and Mo Tucker on drums). The War album was big in my high school. The "Gloria" video was The Shit. I used to play Boy and October cassettes on road trips to my sister's college. (Complete program on both sides? Thanks, Island!) Am I going to join the U2 fan club so I can have first crack at some shitty seats in a stadium? Um, no.
This is not a publicity stunt. I don't want to be a megastar or anything of the sort. What I do want is exemption of myself and my family from statements like, "We lament - but Secretly indulge - our differences. Points of tension are points of pride. Snottiness is the new patriotism." I hold a couple of degrees in English, but I have no idea what language you're speaking there. I don't get it.
Speaking of misconceptions, I realize this proposal won't reach you. People like me don't get to talk to people like you, so that's it -- you'll have to accept the teensy-tiny check we sent for the tsunami victims as payment in full for now.
Sorry.
P.S. As long as I'm dreaming ... I think it would be a big finacial boost (not to mention a morale boost) for my city if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies could be held here in Cleveland. You know, where the museum actually is? The current setup -- I can pay ten bucks to watch the ceremony on TV at the museum itself -- is a bit of an insult. Could you put in a word? Thanks.
posted by Saint Kansas at 7:57 AM
4 Comments:
What I find telling is Bono's statement: "Add Private philanthropy and it's up to 15th." Oh, we weren't talking about private philanthropy? No, Bono was just talking about government "philanthropy" (oxymoron alert). It's our government which has been put to shame by the socialist chocolate makers of Europe, who must certainly be counting as charity the support of their own citizens who have been driven into poverty by the discouraging effect of over taxation.
So Bono's op-ed is a de-facto call for socialist government and crushing, punitive taxation. I wish he had just come out and said as much from the outset.
I like U2 too--also. And I think Bono's concern for Africa commendable. But putting all America's philanthropy eggs into the government's basket will not get them to market any faster, and ultimately it will kill the golden goose.
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So well said, Joel. I remember an essay from the Hoover Institution about American vs. European attitudes, and taxation was right at the top. Most Europeans don't mind paying huge taxes because they're confident that the state will take care of their needs. We don't.
I was horrified by one particular photo from Davos: Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Kofi Annan, Tony Blair and Bono, all lined up and ready to save the word, Lord help us. Um, would it hurt to have an economist on the panel, seeing as it is the World Economic Forum?
Any U2 fans out there know by what means Africa became Bono's premiere cause?
I surfed for a robin williams throbbing python.. download and stumbled upon your stuff. I gotta say; I've been to your country and i've seen a lot of it. Your press aint free (c'mon, i'm not even gonna pretend this is up for discussion), tv is crap, you're run by corporations and traded in your liberty and power (through your votes) for what? consuming? you don't take care of the less fortunate and your health system is worse than in some "under"developed countries, you pollute the world, you've actually - voluntarily - put Bush on your throne. There is no hope. What's your problem with taxes? You guys cant think no more? is that it? With taxes - everyone contributes - as best as he can. The little you pay in tax is GIVEN away for free to Eli Lilly and Haliburton and Bush knows what. When are you guys gonna wake up?
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