Harper Blocking Progress on International Aid

[Devils'Advocate]

HEILIGENDAMM, Germany (CP) - One of the world's biggest rock stars tore a strip off Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday and accused him of blocking a meaningful deal on African aid at the G8 summit.
The leaders of the world's eight wealthiest democracies have pledged US$60 billion in aid to the world's poorest continent, but much of it consists of promises they've already made previously.
It was not the absence of new cash that most angered anti-poverty activists, but a failure to produce clear targets for the world to judge whether individual countries are keeping their aid promises.
Bono, lead singer for U2 and activist for humanitarian aid, singled out Harper for criticism and accused the prime minister of blocking a deal - a charge Harper vehemently denied.
"It's completely false and the people saying this have no proof to their allegations," Harper said at a news conference as the summit ended in Germany.
But Bono said he had numerous sources at the negotiating table. "It's as if we have the place bugged, because everybody tells us," he said.
"We know who's causing the trouble and who isn't. And we know that Canada blocked progress. We know that Harper blocked it."
He described the prime minister as out of step with Canadians who enjoy a prosperous economy and surplus public finances and would like to help others.
Harper has said he's a U2 fan but he's not at the summit to meet celebrities. His office did not respond to a phone call from Bono seeking a meeting to discuss aid for Africa. Later, it was explained that the prime minister could meet Bono at another time.
Bono said he doesn't believe the prime minister was too busy to meet with him at the summit - the leaders of the United States, Germany, France and Britain managed to do so.
"It's not the pop stars he doesn't want to meet. It's the movement that we represent," Bono said.

Rest of the article can be found here:
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/20...244332-ap.html

[transplant99]

So a singer in a rock band accuses a PM of a country about doing something that said singer has no proof of...and that equates to...

Harper Blocking Progress on International Aid

National Enquirer fans rejoice!!

And stumbled on this in the Ottawa Sun...

Answering a question in the House of Commons yesterday Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay pointed out that "Canada will double its international assistance from 2001 to 2010, with assistance to Africa also doubling in that time frame."
Canada plans to increase its Africa funding to $2.1 billion for 2008-09, from $1.05 billion in 2003-04 and African aid makes up 40% of all Canadian foreign aid. What's more, Canada's foreign aid budget is growing by 8% per year.

Those darn Cons are at it again....increasing foreign aid!! Jerks!

http://www.ottawasun.com/Comment/Edi...46674-sun.html

[killer_carlson]

Tranny, in case you haven't heard, Stephen Harper is the Anti-Christ.

[FlamingLonghorn]

Well what I don't get it is how the g8 pledged 60 billion and the us is giving 30 billion of that I don't think we are richer than all the other countries combined, are we?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Tranny, in case you haven't heard, Stephen Harper is the Anti-Christ.

And boils babies for consumption, is responsible for any climate change and is a Leaf fan....well the last one I can hold against him though.

[Resolute 14]

Bono's just crying becuase Harper had more important things to do at the G8 than listen to his whiny voice.

[Flame On]

Gee I came in and stumbled on a Harper love in. Too funny.
And I think Bono is more than just a simple band performer he probably knows more about the state of world poverty than all of the G8 leaders. It's not like it's something he only does on the odd weekend. Oh but then he is beatnik pinko commy probably

[transplant99]

Gee I came in and stumbled on a Harper love in. Too funny.

Where?

And I think Bono is more than just a simple band performer he probably knows more about the state of world poverty than all of the G8 leaders

Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't...was that ANY part of the discussion?
He claims he knows that Harper is blocking progress...yet it has been announced that Canada has increased aid. Those dont jive do they?

Oh but then he is beatnik pinko commy probably

I doubt it. Those types of people usually arent muti-millionaires that leave their countries of origin to avoid paying higher taxes.

But maybe he is....i can say I dont know.

[guzzy]

What a sad state we are becoming. We are becoming whores to the media like our brothers and sisters in the US. Today on the front page of the sun is Paris Hilton crying. Don't get me wrong I think it is a great thing to see her sorry arse in Jail but it shouldn't be front page news. The lib-left media in Ontario (also known as CP) tells us that Harper is ignoring Bono. Good for Harper. Look at what Bono did for the moron formerly known as PM Martin. He befriended Bono, popped some Bono wood for a few weeks and was stabbed in the back by Bono. If you want to mad at something, how about be angry with the fact that he is almost defending his liberal former counterpart. He is standing up for Canada. Canada gives a lot more than it receives. We have enough problems in our own house let alone to stick and fund distant neighbours. I like the fact we already give billions a year to Africa. I don't care what some overrated rockstar in Bono thinks of us. He should be glad we contribute what we do. Good on you Harper. It's about time we have a man of action in power. He has done more in 18 months for this country than the liberals did in 13 years. He has fulfilled more campaign promises in 18 months than the liberals have in 50 years. Keep your complaining Canada, it makes you look weak. It shows the drooling liberal supporters who are more like programmed robots than actual human beings.

[FireFly]

This should be in the I absolutely loathe thread, but I'm putting it here...

I absolutely loathe people who point fingers, a la Bono. You know what, Bono? If you spent half as much money actually aiding Africa as you do promoting your various fundraisers for it, you'd probably be able to buy a country. The issue isn't one you can just throw money at, something Bono apparently fails to realize. I hate jackasses like Bono.

[Azure]

And throwing money at Africa is going to help....how?

How many billions has Canada put into Africa...only to go to corrupt governments.

Looks like Bono doesn't know that throwing money at a problem doesn't solve the problem.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by guzzy

What a sad state we are becoming. We are becoming whores to the media like our brothers and sisters in the US. Today on the front page of the sun is Paris Hilton crying.

And surprise factors in where?

[Azure]

"We are aware of our responsibilities and will fulfil our obligations," German Chancellor Angela Merkel, hosting G8 leaders, told reporters on the final day of the summit.

Campaigners complain that rich nations have fallen behind on commitments made to double development aid at a summit in 2005 in Gleneagles, Scotland. Many were unimpressed with the deal.

Leaders agreed to earmark US$60 billion to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, global diseases that have devastated African peoples and their economies.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/worl.../09/2003364485

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Bono's just crying becuase Harper had more important things to do at the G8 than listen to his whiny voice.

Exactly. If you don't play the suck up to the celebrity game with Bono he's going to criticize you. He likes the world leaders hanging with him because it makes him look more important then he is. Harper doesn't give a damn about hanging out with some self-important rock star.

Bono needs to go make another album and shut the fata up.

[CaptainCrunch]

I've always said that those who can do, and those who can't sit in the background and throw critisism.

Its easy to focus on one single cause (ie foreign aid), when you don't have to concern yourself with domestic priorities, debt, infrastructure, foreign policy etc.

Bono can focus on foreign aid and Africa, and in a lot of ways its admirable, but his solution of increasing foreign aid without limits is a cheque book strategy and its shown that it dosen't work, until the humanitarian agencies actually come up with a way of ensuring that all of the money goes to shelter, and food and potable water, and medicine is there really a point in increasing aid so that some tin pot dictator can buy several dozen T-72 tanks and a new palace in the hills.

Bono to me (and I think he's a wonderful artist) comes across as a 2 dimensional mouthpiece in this.

And if a World Leader dosen't have time to meet a rockstar, then sorry the rockstar shouldn't expect him to shift his schedule. Good for Harper.

[RougeUnderoos]

I can't decide who Harper reminds me more of -- Winston Churchill or Alexander the Great. What do you guys think?


His officials explained that Canada plans to increase its Africa funding to $2.1 billion for 2008-09, from $1.05 billion in 2003-04.

But the opposition says they've only arrived at a claim to be on target by re-calculating Canada's 2005 commitment and shaving off $800 million - nearly one-third - from the $2.9 billion the Liberals promised in 2005.


Is this true? Yes or no? I don't know. I hope not.


If we promised 2.9 in '05 and are bragging about actually giving 2.1 then, well, that's nothing to be bragging about.

[Flame On]

So a singer in a rock band accuses a PM of a country .

So this statement was made in support and to validate his work in global poverty issues? Got it.
Here's one fresh off the press. Again the assumption is that it's something he dabbles in.

I've always said that those who can do, and those who can't sit in the background and throw critisism.

So if those that can do I guess there is no poverty or aids problem because it's a done deal? News flash, Harper hasn't quite solved those problems yet.
Captain you have a far more productive view of politicians than I do. To me it's the reverse. Multi millionaires that don't have to be involved that do more than just sling criticism impress me more than lip service politicians that essentially want to do the barest minimum and votes are the exclusive agenda.
I have gone off topic though. Because in this case the sentiment of the thread is right. Harper isn't an issue.
I just object to the view that politicians are somehow the standard for getting things done and someone else who quite succesfully raises awareness of an issue is somehow belittled.

[transplant99]

So this statement was made in support and to validate his work in global poverty issues? Got it

Huh? I havent said one way or another what I think of Bono's efforts...what i was intimating is that he has no proof of his claims...none.

Again..where is this Harper "love-in" that you claim?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

If we promised 2.9 in '05 and are bragging about actually giving 2.1 then, well, that's nothing to be bragging about.

The Liberals promised $2.9 billion, not "we". The Conservative government has no requirement to meet Liberal promises, and vice versa.

Canada's contribution to the African sinkhole will double over five years, that is impressive, regardless of the grandstanding of the 2nd political party or washed up singer who's band hasnt released a decent album in nearly 15 years.

[Flame On]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Huh? I havent said one way or another what I think of Bono's efforts...what i was intimating is that he has no proof of his claims...none.

Again..where is this Harper "love-in" that you claim?

Again..why did you mention he was a singer in a rock band then?
When I came into the thread the first few posts were all in defence of Harper if not his position. Poor old Harper has been maligned... awww.
Just struck me as funny. You don't share that boo hoo.