[ChristmasNeeve]

I'm actually astounded that people are getting so up in arms about a person wanting to do something for charity, I swear you can't do right for doing wrong sometimes

TS I'm seriously not going to get into a debate with you on whether Bob Geldof was responsible for his ex wife and daughters drug addiction, it's revolting how you can come to that conclusion when you don't have a clue about his personal life. And anyway how could anyone be blamed for another adults poor choices?

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I'm actually astounded that people are getting so up in arms about a person wanting to do something for charity, I swear you can't do right for doing wrong sometimes

TS I'm seriously not going to get into a debate with you on whether Bob Geldof was responsible for his ex wife and daughters drug addiction, it's revolting how you can come to that conclusion when you don't have a clue about his personal life. And anyway how could anyone be blamed for another adults poor choices?

I have plenty of admiration for charitable people and have done charitable work myself. It winds me up when people pretend to be altruistic when in fact they are all about vanity and pride.

Whether or not he can in fact "save Africa with his buddies" remains to be seen. Seems unlikely, but whatever. Maybe it will help, and at least that would be a positive side-effect of his constant self promotion. But let's not pretend he is a philanthropist. He is a narcissist, and his quest has little to do with anyone but himself.

[Cherry Christmas]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

I have plenty of admiration for charitable people and have done charitable work myself. It winds me up when people pretend to be altruistic when in fact they are all about vanity and pride.

Whether or not he can in fact "save Africa with his buddies" remains to be seen. Seems unlikely, but whatever. Maybe it will help, and at least that would be a positive side-effect of his constant self promotion. But let's not pretend he is a philanthropist. He is a narcissist, and his quest has little to do with anyone but himself.

says you?

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I'm actually astounded that people are getting so up in arms about a person wanting to do something for charity, I swear you can't do right for doing wrong sometimes

TS I'm seriously not going to get into a debate with you on whether Bob Geldof was responsible for his ex wife and daughters drug addiction, it's revolting how you can come to that conclusion when you don't have a clue about his personal life. And anyway how could anyone be blamed for another adults poor choices?

He's not doing it for charity though, it's a vanity project. If he had truly altruistic intentions he wouldn't put himself front and center of it all, making himself out to be a Saint when in fact he's profiting heavily by raising his own profile. If he really wanted to help he could have just highlighted the charities and make an appeal to raise donations instead.

Charity singles are cynical things and it's not really charity if the person doing it is also benefiting from it, it's why I refuse to support them. Even if I did I can't support a song that's so patronising and ignorant.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

He's not doing it for charity though, it's a vanity project. If he had truly altruistic intentions he wouldn't put himself front and center of it all, making himself out to be a Saint when in fact he's profiting heavily by raising his own profile. If he really wanted to help he could have just highlighted the charities and make an appeal to raise donations instead.

Charity singles are cynical things and it's not really charity if the person doing it is also benefiting from it, it's why I refuse to support them. Even if I did I can't support a song that's so patronising and ignorant.

Exactly. I think when people are looking at Geldof and not understanding that he has, at least, many and varied motives when he makes his "impassioned speeches" they can't possibly be taking into account the amount of money he has made from Band Aud. He would be penniless by now with out it (he was never particularly talented) but instead, he still has an absolutely gargantuan profile. He has exploited African nations to do this. The fact that he has accidentally done some good in the process - maybe - does not absolve him of this. The man is a vulture.

Which leads me into what I said before about African scholars suggesting he makes things worse:

He has these fundraising campaigns seeking to raise money to ease the symptoms of the huge political problems in many parts of Africa. In doing so, he bolsters the world's negative perceptions of "dusty, poor" Africa and in the process worsens those political problems and as a knock on effect, deepens the issues that he's raising money to remedy. He wants to SAVE poor old Africa, he has absolutely no interest in EMPOWERING African people, and as such, he is a part of the problem. He is part of the very reason that African health infrastructure has not been able to contain Ebola. He's been a part of that problem since the early 80s. Good old bob.

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Exactly. I think when people are looking at Geldof and not understanding that he has, at least, many and varied motives when he makes his "impassioned speeches" they can't possibly be taking into account the amount of money he has made from Band Aud. He would be penniless by now with out it (he was never particularly talented) but instead, he still has an absolutely gargantuan profile. He has exploited African nations to do this. The fact that he has accidentally done some good in the process - maybe - does not absolve him of this. The man is a vulture.

Which leads me into what I said before about African scholars suggesting he makes things worse:

He has these fundraising campaigns seeking to raise money to ease the symptoms of the huge political problems in many parts of Africa. In doing so, he bolsters the world's negative perceptions of "dusty, poor" Africa and in the process worsens those political problems and as a knock on effect, deepens the issues that he's raising money to remedy. He wants to SAVE poor old Africa, he has absolutely no interest in EMPOWERING African people, and as such, he is a part of the problem. He is part of the very reason that African health infrastructure has not been able to contain Ebola. He's been a part of that problem since the early 80s. Good old bob.

I always read your posts with relish T.S. because you 'know your onions', but I'm lost here with your views on this to be honest.

Is there any proof that Geldorf has made money from Band Aid over the past 30 years, and that he'd have been 'skint' without it?

I read somewhere once that he'd made a lot of money during the 'Boomtown Rats' heyday, and that he'd invested it wisely - including in property.

I don't understand your view that he is a 'vulture' either T.S. - how?

Finally, why do you maintain that his efforts have actually exacerbated the problems in Africa?

These are genuine questions because I have the polar opposite view of Geldorf as a person, what he is trying to achieve, and his motives for doing so - and I am therefore baffled.

[ChristmasNeeve]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

He's not doing it for charity though, it's a vanity project. If he had truly altruistic intentions he wouldn't put himself front and center of it all, making himself out to be a Saint when in fact he's profiting heavily by raising his own profile. If he really wanted to help he could have just highlighted the charities and make an appeal to raise donations instead.

Charity singles are cynical things and it's not really charity if the person doing it is also benefiting from it, it's why I refuse to support them. Even if I did I can't support a song that's so patronising and ignorant.

With all due respect Dezzy you have no idea what his motivations are, you've decided that yourself for whatever reason, it doesn't make it true and why is it only proper charity if you hide your face?

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

With all due respect Dezzy you have no idea what his motivations are, you've decided that yourself for whatever reason, it doesn't make it true and why is it only proper charity if you hide your face?

It's obvious what his motivations are, he's not exactly subtle about it.

I'm not saying you have to hide your face but if you do something charitable and then make it all about you then you're obviously not doing it for the right reasons. Band Aid isn't about Africa, it's all about Bob Geldof.

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

It's obvious what his motivations are, he's not exactly subtle about it.

I'm not saying you have to hide your face but if you do something charitable and then make it all about you then you're obviously not doing it for the right reasons. Band Aid isn't about Africa, it's all about Bob Geldof.

I really don't get this logic at all, even if you detest the man, find him to be a pain in the arse whatever you still can't deny that he is putting in effort to raise both awareness and money for a cause.

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by Josy

I really don't get this logic at all, even if you detest the man, find him to be a pain in the arse whatever you still can't deny that he is putting in effort to raise both awareness and money for a cause.

Like I said before, charity singles benefit those involved more than the charity they're helping. Why do you think the X-Factor has a charity single every year? It's because it's a bit of good press, a guaranteed No1 single and it leads to a nice little VT which shows off the contestants' softer sides that'll lead to a nice bump in potential votes. Band Aid is no different, every act involved and Bob Geldof all benefit from the publicity and it's an easy No1. Charity Singles are a cynical business and all involved are profiting in some way from a tragedy which is why I never support any of them and instead donate directly to the charities themselves

[Liam-]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

It's obvious what his motivations are, he's not exactly subtle about it.

I'm not saying you have to hide your face but if you do something charitable and then make it all about you then you're obviously not doing it for the right reasons. Band Aid isn't about Africa, it's all about Bob Geldof.

This really, if someone really wanted their cause to be about the thing they're raising money for, they'd let that take center stage and be the main focus, not themselves and their own ego.

[Josy]

Originally Posted by LiamPRW

This really, if someone really wanted their cause to be about the thing they're raising money for, they'd let that take center stage and be the main focus, not themselves and their own ego.

So in what way is this single/effort not taking centre stage? Bob and Midge organised it so of course he is going to appear on shows and stuff to promote it (like any other artists promoting their work) in what other way is he making himself the main focus?

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

It's obvious what his motivations are, he's not exactly subtle about it.

I'm not saying you have to hide your face but if you do something charitable and then make it all about you then you're obviously not doing it for the right reasons. Band Aid isn't about Africa, it's all about Bob Geldof.

Exactly. Have a look at his lifestyle. That doesn't come from being the ex-lead singer of the Boomtown Rats, that comes from being Sir Bob Geldof, philanthropist and saint.

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Livia

Exactly. Have a look at his lifestyle. That doesn't come from being the ex-lead singer of the Boomtown Rats, that comes from being Sir Bob Geldof, philanthropist and saint.

I would guess a lot of his fortune comes from the multiple successful song writing and production companies he owned.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Josy

I would guess a lot of his fortune comes from the multiple successful song writing and production companies he owned.

Oh yeah, that'll be why he's still on my telly.