People are starving and we're whining about the geriatric lineup of Live 8? Misses the point. Better to ask: Does this do any good beyond boosting the careers of the participants?
P.J. O'Rourke takes a run at rock star philanthropism in his book, Give War a Chance.
In a chapter called Fiddling While Africa Starves, he says that a small nuclear bomb placed directly under a corrupt African dictator would do more to end poverty than "a whole U.S. defence budget of canned goods."
Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page has some thoughts on the matter. His band plays the Canadian Live 8 concert in Barrie on Saturday. He agrees with P.J. Sort of.
"Those are strong words, but in a way the point is correct in the sense that economic policies make those things happen - lack of economic policy and policies that are always punitive to the impoverished countries. As for debt forgiveness, yes, it's our money, but right now we're watching people drown and our policy says, 'That's OK, we'll let you drown because you didn't learn to swim.' "
That's not exactly what Paul Martin said to get Bob Geldof on his case, of course. Page is bugged by the decision not to have the Canadian Live 8 take place on Parliament Hill.
"I think that sends a message that we're not paying attention to what you're saying and we're not going to step up to the table to meet your demands/requests for 0.7% GDP going to foreign aid or debt forgiveness or any of those things, at least on Make Poverty History's terms. But I think the important thing about the gig is that it's putting some responsibility on the shoulders of government rather than always NGOs (non-governmental organizations).
"Last time when they did Live Aid, it was all done through NGOs, which have great people in the field and the best intentions, but when the walls of government are impenetrable they can't do anything. Food rotted in ports and they couldn't get relief to the right people."
Organizers are not literally trying to feed people this time. Donations will not be accepted, phone lines will not be open. "Awareness" is the goal of Live 8.
Page laughs, "People are so used to pulling out their Visas that they don't know how to react to this show because it's not a fundraiser. If you really send some money out, send some money to your local food bank. We're trying to get rid of poverty. There's poverty all across Canada, too."
If you're interested in catching some of the Live 8 concerts but don't have the heart to sit through both Elton John and Bon Jovi, two local radio stations are offering edited versions of Saturday's Make Poverty History concerts. From 6 p.m. to midnight, the Bear 100.3 FM will run highlights from all the events, with music from bands like Coldplay, U2 and Our Lady Peace. E-Z Rock, meanwhile, will air sets from Elton John, Paul McCartney, Sting and the like, from 6-9 p.m.
Full Live 8 Coverage
