Canada upsets U2’s Bono
p2p news / p2pnet: U2 singer Bono is “crushed” by the apparent refusal of Canadian leaders to listen to his advice.
“Bono is in Ottawa for a U2 concert but spent the day meeting with party leaders, saying he wants to appeal to the better nature of people in what he calls a better country,” says the Canadian Press (CP).
“I’m mystified, actually, by the man [Martin],” he [Bono] said.
Martin, whose Liberal government is being toppled by charges of corruption, shouldn’t worry too much, though, because Bono still likes him, he says.
But, “This is important to the Canadian people,” Bono stated. “I think the prime minister will find out if he walks away from the opportunity to (boost foreign aid) he will hear about it in the election. I am absolutely sure of that.”
Well, there you go, then.
For his part, Martin said he’d spoken with Bono on the phone for about 15 minutes on Friday morning, says CP, adding:
“His [Bono's] role is to push me forward,” Martin said.
Also read:-
Canadian Press – Bono says Martin mystifies him, urges PM to give more to Third World, November 28, 2005
November 28th, 2005 at 3:04 pm
Bono should stick to what he does best (which in my opinion he doesn’t even do that well) and make music. He has no place mandating international policy, he’s just a musician and should act as if he knows that.
November 28th, 2005 at 3:37 pm
I dis agree with the above post, EVERYONE has an obligation to fight for the poor. BUT…… Bono, convince your masters the RIAA and the like to donate THEIR money to foreign aid, they are the real thieves and corrupt. If they are the ANIMALS WHO SUE 12 year old girls and grannies!!!!
November 28th, 2005 at 6:37 pm
I agree that everyone has an obligation to fight for the poor. But why is Bono doing it? Is there something in it for him? There surely is… record sales.
As long as he is in the spotlight, many will be impressed enough by his ‘humanitarian’ actions that they will go out and buy U2’s records. He learned this early on in the band’s career when they played Live Aid. It’s just too coincidental to ignore that he makes public appearances to end 3rd world debt to coincide with U2 album and single releases. He has learned that it is the best PR campaign to sell his music especially since in the absence of these PR campains, U2 would not sell nearly as much of their recent mediocre albums. Their last descent album was Achtung Baby.
Bono should focus on the music instead. His band’s latest offerings really are terrible.
Another reason Bono should stick to music is the following. What people are not realizing is that not all charitable organizations are equal. They don’t get as much of the money or aid to the needy as some other organizations. A perfect example is Doctors Without Borders. Here is an organization that really makes a difference, yet donations to Bono’s and others organizations will not reach the needy in the same way with as much effect. A donation lost to Bono’s campaign will mean less money left for an organization like Doctors Without Borders.
Here is another fact. Since Bono is from Ireland, did you know that there is a tax shelter there for the very rich? In the last taxation year, Bono got back over 4 million dollars in tax money due to this tax shelter.
So here is the upstanding Bono in Canada trying to convince Martin to offer X% of GDP to end 3rd world debt. That money is coming out of OUR pockets. In effect he is asking all of us to pay. The question I have for him is what has he done with his 4 million he got back from the Irish government?
Bono… nothing but a shameless self promoter.
TV
November 29th, 2005 at 2:12 am
This story is missing one crucial point: Bono and U2 avoid paying income taxes on the hundreds of millions of euros they earn from their music.
“Income earned by artists, writers, composers and sculptors from the sale of their works is exempt from tax in Ireland”
Source: http://www.revenue.ie/revguide/artistexemption.htm
Despite their enormous wealth, Bono and U2 continue to exploit a 1969 tax loophole that was initiated to help struggling artists. In fact according to accounts in the Irish press, members of U2 have threatened to leave Ireland if the exchequer abolishes their tax exempt status.
Source: http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=personalFinanceNews&storyid=2005-11-03T120402Z_01_NOA343272_RTRUKOC_0_ANALYSIS-IRISH-BUDGET.xml
For a group who have forced Americans to send $25 billion tax dollars abroad and who are now pointing their fingers at Prime Minister Martin, it is utterly hypocritical of them to avoid paying income taxes. I believe that tax payers in the US and Canada would find this side of the U2 story very interesting and only wish the media would cover the real story here.
November 29th, 2005 at 2:41 am
Go Home Bono to your pints of Guiness and your potatos. We don’t need you to tell us what we should be doing. Provide us with some tax receipts proving how much you have donated. Who are you to tell us what we should be doing…Just shut up and go home.
November 29th, 2005 at 4:59 am
Hi to whoever wrote the “Awwww, poor Bono post”,
PLEASE contact me if you have the source (publication, date, anything) for that tax refund information. My name is Elizabeth and my email address is QMaebh@pacbell.net. I’d like to publicize it widely, but will need the source. Thanks.
November 29th, 2005 at 6:16 am
Hi Elizabeth,
Here is a link provided by another post below http://www.revenue.ie/revguide/artistexemption.htm
I was in error in saying there is an exemption for the rich (the exemption is for artists). Sorry, I was too busy thinking about Bono alone. ;^)
When you do publicize the info, please provide us with a link.
Thanks,
Ted
November 29th, 2005 at 6:21 am
Thanks for the links to such useful info. Hopefully more people will pay attention.
TV
November 29th, 2005 at 6:27 am
Elizabeth,
After reading the second article from the person posting below, it appears all of the rich do not pay taxes in Ireland.
Here is an excerpt:
Cowen, who last year announced a review of the rebates and exemptions, has come under increasing pressure to act after it emerged that 242 people with earnings of 100,000 to 1 million euros (67,850-678,500 pounds) had an effective tax rate of zero in 2001.
Please read the entire article so that none of the above is taken out of context.
Ted
November 29th, 2005 at 6:48 am
Hey Ted,
Do you have the link to the part about Bono recieveing a 4 million euro tax refund? If not, do you have the source (Magazine, Newspaper, etc.) and date of where you got that information? I have the links to what’s been in the press and to the Irish Tax Board’s site.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
November 29th, 2005 at 6:55 am
now, now, Bono only wants royalties going to Africa when it’s the intellectual property of pharmaceutical patent holders, not the copy righted material of musicians. Oh the hypocracy. Glad to see so much skepticism in the posts. There’s Hope!
November 29th, 2005 at 3:53 pm
I don’t really care what Bono has to say . What bothers me is PM Martin having the gall to even entertained a phone call from a (Neverwas) person like Bono. He is a Nothing a Nobody. BUT he does have money hhhmmmmm, I wonder. I am Canadian, born and raised here . Could someone please post Martin’s private phone number, I have a few bones to pick with him. I should get at least 30 mins, don’t you think, being a Canadian an all.
November 29th, 2005 at 4:59 pm
A neverwas?
Buddy – get a life.
Bono pays his taxes – over 10 million EURO last year.
Bono:
Greatest lead singer of our time – many say (including Rolling Stone – the best.).
Great humanitarian of our era.
A man of integrity, honesty and someone who actually does something.
For all of the punks who have posted completely ridiculous opinions about Bono out there… U2 make great music – and are – great businessmen. There is nothing wrong doing good business to sell your records. The problem is, where has U2, in particular Bono used the one campaign to sell records? Never. They have only shared their own stage to help millions of people dying from a preventable disease. All they do is give back.
It took a great Irishman to wake up a nation of greedy spoiled brats, who have had a silver spoon shoved up their asses since they were born.
Match it! You simply can’t.
Go Bono!
November 29th, 2005 at 6:44 pm
How and the hell can you possibly say that?
When Bono and U2 have been the most progressive band in the world when it comes to encouraging the digital use of music.
“The Edge is very pro-Napster, actually,” Bono says. “He thinks that as long as people are using their computers for music, and not playing mindless games, that’s good. My feeling,” he adds, “is that it’s cool for people to share our music — as long as no one is making money from the process. We tell people who come to our concerts that they can tape the shows if they want. I think it’s cool that people are so passionate about our music — especially about this new album, quite honestly.” – Bono in Billboard 9/30/2000
November 29th, 2005 at 7:00 pm
As a Canadian, I find this ignorant comment to be borderline racist.
A couple of things:
Bono does not drink Guiness. He prefers a Vodka and something, the odd glass of good wine.
Bono has donated millions – millions to his causes. He has also dedicated his life to this cause.
Now, Mr. Poster – what the hell have you done lately to help make the world a better place? What have you done?
Bono contributes by persauding narrow-minded politicians that this our chance to leave our mark on the world. This generation ended extreme poverty.
Guess what? It’s working. Imagine that.
November 29th, 2005 at 7:03 pm
That’s not reported correctly.
Bono, U2 and the management company all pay bid-ass taxes to the Irish government, EU and ironically – the US.
Estimated annual tax bill – close 25 million a year, not including charitable donations such as funding a new hospital in Dublin.
Feck away off ‘TV’ and go learn facts. Ignorant Canadian.
November 29th, 2005 at 7:06 pm
Wow! Somebody took a brain-fart pill and tried to comment on Bono and his efforts as a musician and as one of the most powerful people in the world.
195 million records later – Bono does his music quite well.
November 29th, 2005 at 7:57 pm
Hi Elizabeth,
Sorry, but that information I do not have in print. It was presented on MuchMoreMusic here in Canada well over 6 months ago.
I will try to see if I can find anything online.
Ted
November 30th, 2005 at 4:10 am
Greatest lead singer of our time ???? What THE HELL ARE YOU SMOKIN BUDDY. Bono got his money from dummies like you who buy his OVER PRICED CD’s and Grossly OVER PRICED concerts.
He is a Irishman from IRELAND……..so here again I say to Mr. NEVERWAS BONO ……….Keep your nose IRISH nose out of CANADA’S Business……. Your opinion is never needed or WANTED.
And you are right about one thing …..GO BONO……..HOME
November 30th, 2005 at 4:24 am
I thought he married Cher & died skiing into a tree. Sonnny Bono sucks. LOL. (Cynical sneer required)
November 30th, 2005 at 3:01 pm
Dude,
The guy that posted above you was dead on.
Bono is the great lead singer of all time – go argue that with the experts NME and Rolling Stone.
Bono has over the past few years been the most influential person the world. Non-political, a very special ability to bring people together and change things. Who else has done what he has done?
He made Canada (Paul martin) accountable to a promise he made five years ago. Canada was to meet the .07% GDP target. Martin tried to back-out, and Bono would not let him – because the .07% was a Canadian invention, as a template for world aid.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/11/29/features/U2.php
Canada got caught speaking out of both sides of it’s mouth in this area, and last week Bono deservedly blasted Martin for his dithering on the issue. His cabinet wants it, the polls show Canadians want it, the only problem is that will affect to a minor degree the annual surpluses Canada has every year.
NOBODY, has been able to what Bono has done. Whether you like him or not, his music, whatever… the reality is more people in the world know who Bono is than the American president. That’s a good thing.
If Paul Martin, or any other Canadian PM wants to hang use Bono – than there will be a price. Bono is not a cheap date. And Paul Martin is learning that very quickly….
As for Bono and U2 – there has never been a band like them, and likely never will. I personally had the pleasure of watching them in Toronto this past September, lucky enough to get into their inner circle (random thing). I had the privilege to meet Mike Stipe, Daniel Lanois, Eddie Vedder, Alan Cross and number of celebs. All said, there is no better band than U2. To believe that statement, go see a concert. Check out the Montreal reviews from this past Saturday and Monday.
Bono, you are more than welcome in my country – Canada.
December 2nd, 2005 at 8:17 pm
I never realized how racist some of you Canadians were.
December 16th, 2005 at 7:51 am
Somebody needs to do what Bonos doing. Is it going to be you? At least he’s using his celebertiy for something worthwhile, and not just sitting at a computer telling people that his latest music is crap. If it’s crap how come U2 are selling their latest album in the miillions. And it’s not because of his humanatarian work. He’s always been honest and said that his music is his first love, so why don’t you get off your ass and do something? I’ll tell you why. No one would listen to you. Who the hell are you? A reader. Can’t even post your’e name.
God Bless you anyway,
Robyn
December 16th, 2005 at 7:55 am
The last post was written by Robyn Korol. I’m know coward, I just don’t feel like registering right now. Got it!!!!!!!!
June 28th, 2007 at 11:25 am
U2 have now moved part of their operation to Holland because the Irish Government ’s tax break for them has lessened. When one of the members was asked why they moved he said that we all have to be wise as regards what we pay on tax.
This made the Irish mad with them. U2 are going round the world telling governments to give more to the poor ( which comes out of taxes) yet they want to be astute when in comes to them paying taxes!
I hope and pray that I misjudge him.