The smug usual suspects are back massaging their egos in the name of charity again. So many of these 'artistes' fall over themselves to participate knowing that their own record sales will be boosted by their appearances, will they be giving the profits of these extra sales to the Band Aid charity? Don't be silly, it's mugs like the British public that do that buying the awful record. Nice to see Bono pontificating as usual from his tax exile, if he's so concerned he should donate the multi-millions he's salted away that he'll probably never be able to spend in another lifetime along with the other self-righteous tossers raking it in...
Good post, Sooper. Exploiting the public's love of celebrity and sympathies over terrible situations can be great little earners. Sainsbury's sales are up on the back of their advert for the 1914 Christmas football match between the trenches. Terry Wogan made good money presenting Children in Need when everyone thought he was giving his time for free. Fat cat executives that run charities on six figure salaries and waste shed loads of money on legal fees and political projects (eg RSPCA). Those that do genuine selfless charitable acts, for example those medical staff that have travelled out to Ebola-infected areas to treat patients, with the associated risk to their own health, are generally overlooked.
Would you prefer the alternative, that they don't do these things and 10's of millions of pounds aren't raised for charity? If an artist refused to do it they would have people jumping on their back for that too!
It has become a vehicle now known for its celebrity supporters rather than the causes its proffers to support. The sad thing is that its feckless and corrupt governments that create the space for this type of "charity" to exist. But if the net result is that bono gets to feed his ego while a starving child get his belly fed, we may have to put with Bono for a while longer. I have to say, all our world "leaders" are looking a little yellow bellied of late. "Do nothing" seems to be the modern mantra.
And that's exactly the guilt-trip they put you on to part with your hard-earned. As Rhino says it's usually the governments of these countries who'd rather spend on Mercedes, private jets and high-living whilst their subjects starve. If I see Bono give a sizeable proportion of his unused wealth to the cause I'd happily contribute, but I won't hold my breath...
good post sooperhoop....I feel the same sentiments may apply also to that Annual borefest which is Children In Need. A worthy charity I suppose but we don't need a whole evening (and the rest!) dedicated to it.
Well id hope the G20 here in Brisbane has put paid to all the worlds poverty andsuffering.. If not then why have we been house bound ad on lock down whilst Putin, Obama and the ohers saunter around our city... are you trying to tell me the whole thig was a waste of time and my tax paying money.......?
TBH I've got charity fatigue. I have given to the NSPCC every month for over 18 years and have no qualms at all about not donating a brass farthing to any other charity, nor will I be buying the latest re hash of Feed the World, as for Children In Need, that is just a vehicle for the likes of Lenny Henry and his ilk (didn't watch it so LH may not have appeared) to boost their flagging careers.
I come from a simple position on this. With our government ring fencing overseas aid. We all pay enough via our taxes. Nuff said.
Can't fault the motive but we overlook the fact IMO that a lot of any suffering is preventable in the first place Mankind ?
Had a rather strange conversation with a rather large (FAT) bird, dressed up as tinkerbell who waived a bucket in my face while i was sat in traffic in London on friday saying "children in need" as she rattled said bucket loudly when i replied "yes please i have 3 children and 4 grandchildren that need, how much can i have from the bucket" she gave me a rather pained look and said i had it wrong she was collecting not giving to which i replied "NO I HAVE IT RIGHT, I HAVE CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN THAT NEED AND IF SHE DID'NT LIKE IT COULD SHE PLEASE STOP RATTLING HER BUCKET AND POLITELY F**K OFF"....................It was then that she called me a selfish b'stard and several other nice names and shaking her bucket loudly waddled off. The question i ask you was i right or wrong in my reply?
Absolutely, charity begins at home. I donate to several charities I choose and won't be 'blackmailed' by bucket rattlers either on my doorstep or when I am out shopping or whatever. If they choose to insult you or namecall they're not worth a toss...
I have to agree that world governments perhaps could do a whole lot more with poverty. We are still sending millions to India for example while the Indian government spend £$£ on their space program. I recently had an argument with a young lad who knocked on my front door. He was all suited and booted and was giving it large about his charity. I told him I already donate to a couple of chosen charity's. He just would not give up, I have spent a good few years in sales, he was trying every trick in the book and also stuff you really should not be doing like you see on watch dog. I turned the gun on him and gave him some crap about managing a business and told him he was a good sales man (a complete lie) and offered him a job with earning potentials of over £32k a year. He told me he was getting more doing his door to door charity scam. He wanted to take your details and set up a direct debit. Some poor old pensioners would have been duped that day and I'm only cross with myself for not reporting him. Even with the bucket rattlers, how much of your pound actually goes to the starving or under privileged?
that is brilliant, well said!!! I've always said privately that I have my own kids that need (although they are adults now but the sentiment is the same) but have never had opportunity to say it to someone rattling their CIN bucket or sitting in a bath of baked beans. Good for you!
