Apparently Bob Geldof has some marching orders for the Prime Minister of Canada...
Geldof puts pressure on Martin to increase aid
CTV.ca News Staff
Prime Minister Paul Martin shouldn't bother going to the G-8 summit in Scotland in July unless he plans to increase aid to impoverished African nations, Bob Geldof said Tuesday.
Geldof said Canada should take leadership on this issue, and up its contributions to the levels set out by Lester B. Pearson 35 years ago. Pearson set a goal of allocating 0.7 per cent of the GDP for aid.
"There is no use in your prime minister coming to Scotland, unless he is prepared to do this deal," Geldof said to a Canadian audience via satellite Tuesday.
"If he's not prepared, stay at home. Just stay at home. Don't come.
"You're not welcome unless you are prepared to do something finally and irrevocably on behalf of the poor of this world," Geldof said.
Geldof made the comments as it was announced that the Canadian Live 8 concert would be held in Barrie, Ont., north of Toronto.
Can you believe the stones on this guy (rock pun not intended)? Who died and made him King of Ireland, anyway? Sorry, I don't remember all of us electing him President of Earth or anything. I'm sure his heart's in the right place, but how does he get his shirt on in the morning? Must button up, cause he sure as hell couldn't pull it on. Hey, Bob, the Queen of England doesn't talk to her First Ministers like that. I know you feel strongly, but you are not this guy's boss. At least be diplomatic when you're telling him how to spend my money, alright?
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I don't mind Bob Geldof holding Paul Martin's feet to the fire. It's the way he did it. Reminding Martin of his commitments ought to be done subtly. After all, this the hard-earned tax money of a sovereign nation, a country with responsibilities that might preclude, however temporarily, humanitiarian largesse, no matter how flattering. I know Bob Geldof's a big important figure who sings songs and gets cameras pointed in his face for it and all, but he's not privy to the affairs of state in PMO in Ottawa. Charity begins at home, and it is, after all, charity. Geldof forgets that. Canada is morally compelled, but not legally obliged, to donate this money. To be blunt, if the United Way showed up at my door and told me to shell out or stay put, they'd find themselves in danger of having their lips slammed in the door while they kissed my ass. That's not how you get the wallets open.
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