[joeysteele]

Well anyone who can get this Chancellor to forego the tax on a project is doing pretty good for me.

I do,I admit find Bob Geldof annoying at times but I think from all I have heard from the time,as I wasn't born then, that the first 'Band Aid' record and concert was an amazing project that not only raised massive funds but was greatly entertaining for the masses too.

This project now I also agree with him on, no one really knows for sure where ebola will get to or how bad it could get.
Music is a major way to reach masses of people and despite all that has so far been done,it is still a possible threat worldwide.
So all the help and projects that can be done to raise more funding can only be a welcome and good thing.

I won't really go into his Daughter,as a Parent, he will be tormented likely at what happened to her,going through all sorts of emotions.

He can come across as arrogant and demanding but he clearly believes in some causes so sets out to do what he can.
He does seem to have the knack of being able to bring musicians into his projects such as this with ease.
So well done to him and I am glad it is being so strongly supported too.

It is easy to criticise those who organise and plan projects to help with causes or emergencies that arise at any time but as someone said, buy the recording and support it or choose to avoid the whole process,that is everyones right to do.

I doubt I could ever organise and set up something like this that will bring in loads of voluntary funding for anything and although I don't greatly care for Bob Geldof,I will always give him credit for his efforts on this and other things he has done in the past too.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

He does seem to have the knack of being able to bring musicians into his projects such as this with ease.

Have you read about what happened with Adele, Joey? He contacted her for this and she politely declined and made a separate (large) donation... so he went to the press shaming her for it, making her out to be irresponsible and selfish.

That is his "knack" - guilting people into doing these things for him by slandering their public image by painting them as uncaring and uncharitable if they don't immediately jump at the chance to be a part of his "projects". We could all have the same "knack", if we cared to be bullying *******s. Could we not?

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Have you read about what happened with Adele, Joey? He contacted her for this and she politely declined and made a separate (large) donation... so he went to the press shaming her for it, making her out to be irresponsible and selfish.

That is his "knack" - guilting people into doing these things for him by slandering their public image by painting them as uncaring and uncharitable if they don't immediately jump at the chance to be a part of his "projects". We could all have the same "knack", if we cared to be bullying *******s. Could we not?

Have you not read Marsh's post on this and followed up with a simple google search to confirm if this malicious report that you are spreading is true?

http://news.sky.com/story/1374910/bo...-aid-song-snub

Bob Geldof has told Sky News that reports Adele snubbed the recording of the new Band Aid 30 single are "complete nonsense".

It had been claimed that the singer had been approached about appearing on Do They Know It's Christmas? alongside a host of other huge music stars but was a no-show.

Geldof said rumours he had phoned her 100 times were totally untrue: "I didn't call Adele at all because I don't have her number.

"There is no snub. I am only aware of this this morning, it's nonsense. Complete nonsense."

Geldof also used some colourful language to express his opinion about those who have criticised Band Aid's legacy and the musicians involved.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Have you not read Marsh's post on this and followed up with a simple google search to confirm if this malicious report that you are spreading is true?

http://news.sky.com/story/1374910/bo...-aid-song-snub

Bob Geldof has told Sky News that reports Adele snubbed the recording of the new Band Aid 30 single are "complete nonsense".

It had been claimed that the singer had been approached about appearing on Do They Know It's Christmas? alongside a host of other huge music stars but was a no-show.

Geldof said rumours he had phoned her 100 times were totally untrue: "I didn't call Adele at all because I don't have her number.

"There is no snub. I am only aware of this this morning, it's nonsense. Complete nonsense."

Geldof also used some colourful language to express his opinion about those who have criticised Band Aid's legacy and the musicians involved.

Oh sorry, I didn't realise that Marsh said that Google said that Bob Geldof said that Bob Geldof didn't say he had a problem with Adele not taking part. If Bob Geldof said that Bob Geldof is nice then I guess he must be. Because Bob Geldof also said that Bob Geldof always tells the truth.

Infallible.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Oh sorry, I didn't realise that Marsh said that Google said that Bob Geldof said that Bob Geldof didn't say he had a problem with Adele not taking part. If Bob Geldof said that Bob Geldof is nice then I guess he must be. Because Bob Geldof also said that Bob Geldof always tells the truth.

Infallible.

Excuse me? I have put in a link from a reputable source! yes of course Bob Geldof might have lied but there is no proof to say he did unless you have a link confirming that it happened? can you link to your source please?

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Oh sorry, I didn't realise that Marsh said that Google said that Bob Geldof said that Bob Geldof didn't say he had a problem with Adele not taking part. If Bob Geldof said that Bob Geldof is nice then I guess he must be. Because Bob Geldof also said that Bob Geldof always tells the truth.

Infallible.

Because you're cynical thoughts about a man you don't know are more substantial than what comes out of the man's own mouth? Ok then.

[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?

[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.

[Cherie]

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.

[Niamh.]

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.

[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.

[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.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Its the fact that not only do we give hundreds of millions to Africa but we have also done more this year than any nation to help with money, supplies and people. Its 3 small african countries that have no proper sweage system, are backward and superstitious and have poor infrastructure.

This assuaging ones concious vanity project is misguided and patronising

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

Its the fact that not only do we give hundreds of millions to Africa but we have also done more this year than any nation to help with money, supplies and people. Its 3 small african countries that have no proper sweage system, are backward and superstitious and have poor infrastructure.

This assuaging ones concious vanity project is misguided and patronising

so don't buy the single if you're that cynical

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

so don't buy the single if you're that cynical

Thats is factual and not cynicism.

Geldof is using mawkisk misguided popularism to misinform and exploit

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

Its the fact that not only do we give hundreds of millions to Africa but we have also done more this year than any nation to help with money, supplies and people. Its 3 small african countries that have no proper sweage system, are backward and superstitious and have poor infrastructure.

This assuaging ones concious vanity project is misguided and patronising

The 'causal' points you are making to seemingly justify your argument against Bob Geldorf's latest charity efforts, are some of the very issues which he is hoping to address with the proceeds of his efforts.

The Great Fire which decimated London in 1666, the Black Death which decimated Europe in 1348 and the 1918 'Spanish' Flue Epidemic which killed millions of people, all had 'causes'. 'Causes' which - had they been correctly addressed at the time - would have prevented a great percentage of the catastrophic results of such disasters.

This is all that Geldorf is trying to do - address the causes of the virus in order to prevent its spread, and reduce its devastating effects.

It may well be true, that "we give hundreds of millions to Africa" and that "we have also done more this year than any nation to help with money, supplies and people." - but it is obviously not enough, because not only is the epidemic still spreading, but the atrocious environmental conditions which facilitate the eruption and spread of Ebola are - as you, yourself point out - still largely unchanged.

This being so, how can anyone legitimately criticise this poor guy for at least trying to address this world threatening problem?

As for this being his 'vanity project' - what a load of baloney.

If Bob was the self-seeking egotist he is being made out to be on here, then he would be on every chat show, every comedy panel show, in the CBB house and in the Jungle as a 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here'.

Geldorf is a thoroughly decent, caring and sincere human being who is a very private person in real life, and like Bono, Midge Ure and others, he utilises his still valid celebrity status - not for his own benefit in the ways mentioned above - but fot the benefit of millions of other human beings who sadly live pathetically, dreadful existences in sub-human conditions.

What's more, the sooner this terrible virus is conquered, the safer every last one of us will be, because, in a world of jet travel, it is ludicrous to smugly believe that it is only "3 small african countries" so distance precludes any threat to us.

And finally, not only have we all the great good fortune to have enough in our pocket to buy the record if we want to, we are also able to simply not buy it if we don't want to, and that's all there is to it really, isn't it?

[Liam-]

If he wants to work on a project to help him through the loss of his daughter and make money for a good cause at the same time, then good on him.. but i won't buy the single because I refuse to give money towards anything with that mans name plastered all over it, Instead of buying the single and inflating his ego even more so than it already is, I'd rather give money straight to the cause, or some other charity that i have more knowledge of where the money is going to go.

[Kizzy]

Right so now he is responsible for ebola?... wow.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Right so now he is responsible for ebola?... wow.

Time to bow out, no links, nothing factual just an opinion, I guess he won't be buying the single, incidentally neither will I but I won't be judging those that do.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Time to bow out, no links, nothing factual just an opinion, I guess he won't be buying the single, incidentally neither will I but I won't be judging those that do.

I can't be bothered finding his exact quote regarding Adele because I'm on my phone. Soz. The rest, yes, is opinion which I'm as entitled to state as those lining up to lick Geldof's bumhole are but what can I say? No, I can't provide links to "prove" that he's a self serving narcissist. No more than I can send you a link to "prove" that the bird I saw at the park yesterday was a duck. I just know what a duck looks, walks, and quacks like.