A perfect example of why U2's Bono is full of it

[Double Down]

Among developed nations, Ireland has the third highest poverty rate in the world. 24 percent of kids live in homes that are below the poverty line. Lately, Bono has been asking the Irish government to give more money toward debt relief in Africa, but at the same time, because of Ireland's tax rates, he and U2 decided to move the band's music publishing company to the Netherlands to reduce the tax burden on their royalties. They made about $110 million last year.

And by the way, Ireland's tax rates are about average, not even close to being the highest in the European Union.

http://bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&refer=home&sid=aef6sR60oDgM

I'm all for being financially smart, and U2 has that right, but don't go around lecturing governments about how we can all do more to end poverty in the world when you won't even contribute you share. Where does Bono think the money comes from? Government money trees?

But by all means, let's put him on the cover of Newsweek and TIME, and talk about giving him the Nobel Prize.


And yes, I did get this off Slate.com.

http://www.slate.com/id/2152580/

 

[Buck]

Now you're in for it. A lot of people around here get apoplectic when you comment on or question Bono about this.

 

[Double Down]

Good. Perhaps maybe we can also discuss why they're the most over-rated band of the last 20 years.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Hey D_B, welcome to early October...

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/32554/

 

[Evil Bastard (aka Chris_L)]

Stay and pay a 42% tax or move the "business" and pay substantially less. Considering that Bono says 90% of the revenue comes from outside Ireland - what's the big deal?

Think about it - why should the Irish government get almost half the royalties? Even the Catholic church doesn't ask for more than 10%

 

[Buck]

Because the Irish gov't could use it for social programs and African debt relief.

 

[Evil Bastard (aka Chris_L)]

Because the Irish gov't could use it for social programs and African debt relief.

If it was going for beer - then that would be one thing.

BTW - Question: What do you call a pretty girl in Ireland?









A: Tourist

 

[Boom_70]

Now you're in for it. A lot of people around here get apoplectic when you comment on or question Bono about this.

Only if Boom posted it. Then the whole sj effete liberal elite comes to Bono's defense as they did when Boom posted story 3 weeks ago.

Thread is gone now - too bad as it would be fun to pull up some of the convoluted arguments that the likes of Pastor made justifying why it was ok for bono not to pay taxes.

Here is a fine example of the fallout:

The guy has more money than he could spend in a million years. He could wipe his ass on Boom's face and throw Boom a diamond necklace to say thank you.

It could be a political statement against the Irish government or taxing bodies. It could be his financial manager's decision. Or, hell, he just might want it somewhere else.

Even if it's to keep a little more of the money he makes, he's entitled to protect his money just as anyone else is. He happens to spend more of his own money on charity work than probably any celebrity in history. I'd rather give him my money than give it to any government on the planet.

 

[Double Down]

Boom, I'm a snoty liberal and I often think you're somewhat of a knucklehead, but I agree with you on this one.

 

[DyePack]

The last time I dared to question Bono, I think pube started responding harshly.

My feeling is still the same: He can do what he pleases with his millions, including moving out of Ireland. Then he can STFU. Even his band members roll their eyes sometimes.

 

[Boom_70]

Boom, I'm a snoty liberal and I often think you're somewhat of a knucklehead, but I agree with you on this one.

Its a beautiful day.

 

[Columbo]

Ahhhh..... the small minds are at it again.

Let me know when you donate one millionth of either a) the time or b) the money he has helping those he doesn't know.

 

[DyePack]

Can we subtract the money he just took away from his countrymen?

 

[Columbo]

Can we subtract the money he just took away from his countrymen?

Do whatever you want. LOL

 

[Double Down]

Ahhhh..... the small minds are at it again.

Let me know when you donate one millionth of either a) the time or b) the money he has helping those he doesn't know.

Let me know if any of it is genuine, and anything other that one big pat on the back for Bono, the most self-absorbed musician of any of our lifetimes.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Now you're in for it. A lot of people around here get apoplectic when you comment on or question Bono about this.

Only if Boom posted it. Then the whole sj effete liberal elite comes to Bono's defense as they did when Boom posted story 3 weeks ago.

Thread is gone now ...

Unless you hit that link I posted earlier in this very thread.

 

[Double J]

Ahhhh..... the small minds are at it again.

Let me know when you donate one millionth of either a) the time or b) the money he has helping those he doesn't know.

Let me know if any of it is genuine, and anything other that one big pat on the back for Bono, the most self-absorbed musician of any of our lifetimes.

I'm glad to see so many others sharing this viewpoint.

 

[Columbo]

Ahhhh..... the small minds are at it again.

Let me know when you donate one millionth of either a) the time or b) the money he has helping those he doesn't know.

Let me know if any of it is genuine, and anything other that one big pat on the back for Bono, the most self-absorbed musician of any of our lifetimes.

I'm glad to see so many others sharing this viewpoint.

Ohh... now kids dying of pneumonia... or of hunger... are NOT helped by fundage if the money has the taint of self-promotion?

You assholes.

 

[Double J]

Self-promotion and hypocrisy. Please, please, let's not forget the hypocrisy.

 

[Double Down]

It's so nice of Bono to ask us all to make sacrifices for the common good, especially when he's not willing to make those same sacrifices himself. After all, starving children in Africa are so much sexier than starving children in Ireland.

Don't say that later will be better, Bono.
You're stuck in a moment, that you can't get out of.