Live 8 didn't raise any money for starving or diseased Africans. It did raise quite a bit of cash for already wealthy entertainers. According to HMV, UK sales of greatest hits packages increased 1343 percent for Pink Floyd, 863 percent for The Who, and 500 percent for Annie Lennox. Just for appearing, performers received $12,000 "goodie bags"--an amount larger than the per capita GDP of every African nation--that included Bertolucci watches and Hugo Boss duffel bags.
Live 8 was not a charitable event, but a racket designed to persuade G8 governments to force taxpayers to make contributions to African governments. While liberals generally have no problem with such coercion, some do have a problem with Live 8. "Good God, this is a moral crime," writes left-wing writer Eric Alterman. "All that money available just for the asking--all those lives that could be saved by people who won’t miss the money--and these guys won't even bother to ask? They won’t even allow charities to canvass the audience. Turns out the concert is NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING but moral vanity, and the exploitation of starving, sick Africans, by pampered, rich as**oles and their self-interested corporate sponsors rather than their potential salvation. This is really unspeakably shameful."
What? No reported increase in the sale of Boomtown Rats anthologies?
Life can be so unfair!
Dan:
You should promote an all-day polka festival to "raise awareness" to the fact that most rock stars are pompous jackasses. If Bono et al really gave a damn about poverty in Africa, they would have sent contributions OF THEIR OWN MONEY to reputable charities.
Live 8 ain't nuthin' but extortion!
The Left believes that demonstrations of moral high mindedness matter more than actual results in allevating the poverty in Africa. Personally, I stopped giving to charities a long time ago since there's no way to account for how your money is spent and often the money is spent unwisely. Money, like morality, is best practiced close to home.
I agree with your first sentence, Eric. This Live 8 fiasco epitomizes their worship of intent and motive over results. They are a bunch of self-flattering know-nothings.
But your second point seems more like an attempt to justify selfishness. The fact is that there are organizations which oversee the legitimacy of charities, and many charities do produce results. Just because some are corrupt doesn't mean the entire idea of philanthropy is misguided.
You know I find it odd that these people are calling for an "end to poverty." It seems that many time people have worked for an end to poverty, only to produce more poor people. Perhaps we should turn to the words of Jesus on this who warned us that the poor will always be with us. It's unlikely that poverty can be abolished, but if it is abolished, it will be through development, not through socialism.
