G8 aid a 'disgrace', say all-knowing pop stars

Westmonster has to admit: we were a little cynical about the overall effectiveness of 2005's Live 8 concert. That is, until we heard the glorious news: that as soon as Razorlight had finished performing their top ten hit Golden Touch, literally every child in Africa awoke to find a magical well in the middle of their village jam-packed with stardust and moonbeams. Oh - and Razorlight sold a few more records too. Coincidentally.

Live 8 organisers Bono and Bob Geldof haven't stopped there, however. They're being particularly outspoken in their condemnation of the 'failed pledges' of G8 countries. All very valid issues, sure, but are they really the remit of the chap behind I Don't Like Mondays and the bloke who thought the Pop album would be a good idea?

Bono - who has previously decreed that Africa should be made 'sexy' - stated that:

"This is a continent that is going to take off. We are their neighbours, we should be their partners. If we fail, we have no right to that special relationship. Aid is a necessary foundation for the building-blocks of the 21st century.'

Hear that chomping noise? That's what happens when soundbites are let loose.

Open message to Geldof, Bono, Pitt, Jolie etc etc: Look. We know that you care about Africa. We know that the issues concern you. They concern everyone. But why not take a moment out to realise that a) the situation in Africa needs a global realignment of priorities and politics that is unlike anything ever seen before and stems far beyond the boundaries of James-Blunt-sponsored righteous indignation, and b) maybe you should leave all this to the politicians - i.e the people elected by the fucking public to deal with such matters - and stop perpetuating our ever-more-rancid celebrity-obsessed culture by latching onto it to fuel your own egos (no matter how worthy the cause).

In further news: Natasha Bedingfield announces plans to solve the upcoming global energy crisis.

Written by C J Davies on 18 Jun 2008 11:08 PM. Permalink