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U2's Bono Rocks Parliament
Opposition MP Calls Upon Rocker To Live Up To Ass Kicking Promise
by Matthew Mernagh
ST. CATHARINES, CANADA -- (OfficialWire) -- 04/14/04 -- Ireland's unofficial ambassador, U2's Bono became embroiled in Canuck politics in November when he spoke at the ruling Liberal leadership convention. Many political pundits were stunned by Bono's political wits, with some tired hacks remarking that PM in waiting Paul Martin might be upstaged. Bono's influence on Canadian politics went further when his remarks were debated in the House of Commons.
New Democrat Party, Member of Parliament, Libby Davis brought up the extravagant rock artist in relation to Canada's seeming lack of commitment to the Global Fund. "As Bono also pointed out, Canada's commitment to the global fund is one-third below what our obligation is. Yet the global fund was completely missed out of the throne speech. It was not mentioned in the budget. Again, why was the global fund ignored? Are these commitments simply Liberal window dressing that mean nothing for the people that they are intended to help? Where is the Liberal commitment? Why does it not come through?" The Speech from the Throne, outlining legislative agenda and the budget are bell weathers of where the party intends to take the country.
In Bono's convention speech he asked Canada to invest three times our current amount. "I told him [PM Martin] earlier today that if Canada puts in its fair share of three times the current amount by the way, they'll embarrass the rest of the world into doing the same."
The rocker applauded Canada's commitment to providing cheaper generic drugs for poor African nations facing the AIDS/HIV pandemic. However the bill remains in committee and is so seriously flawed that it is almost laughable?pharmaceutical companies have the choice to opt out of providing the generic drugs to Africa.
MP Davis again ripped the Liberals by using Bono's remarks in the House of Commons on the failure of this bill. Proving how entertaining Canadian politics is, she said, "I might add that we are sending his [PM Martin's] answer to Bono, so I hope he thinks about his reply. The bill that is supposed to provide affordable drugs to Africa is fatally flawed. It contains the first right of refusal for big drug companies, something that the NGOs and the experts know fatally flaws and undermines the bill." Though the PM was present he did not rise to MP Davis's challenge.
Bono told Canadians that "we need more Canadas" and he promised that should our PM fail he would "be the biggest pain in[PM Martin's] ass a year down the line [PM Martin] is going to regret tonight."
The New Democrat Party has written to Bono requesting that he put his ass kicking promises to good measure. At a music industry function I attended a few nights later, the topic of Bono's speech came up. The consensus around the table was that the fix was in, with one hot well connected industry babe making the sucky-sucky motion as to the whole relevance of Bono?s appearance. Is Bono a true promise anything politician or will he live up to his fighting words?
http://www.officialspin.com/main.php?action=recent&rid=1408
*Used With Permission*
Opposition MP Calls Upon Rocker To Live Up To Ass Kicking Promise
by Matthew Mernagh
ST. CATHARINES, CANADA -- (OfficialWire) -- 04/14/04 -- Ireland's unofficial ambassador, U2's Bono became embroiled in Canuck politics in November when he spoke at the ruling Liberal leadership convention. Many political pundits were stunned by Bono's political wits, with some tired hacks remarking that PM in waiting Paul Martin might be upstaged. Bono's influence on Canadian politics went further when his remarks were debated in the House of Commons.
New Democrat Party, Member of Parliament, Libby Davis brought up the extravagant rock artist in relation to Canada's seeming lack of commitment to the Global Fund. "As Bono also pointed out, Canada's commitment to the global fund is one-third below what our obligation is. Yet the global fund was completely missed out of the throne speech. It was not mentioned in the budget. Again, why was the global fund ignored? Are these commitments simply Liberal window dressing that mean nothing for the people that they are intended to help? Where is the Liberal commitment? Why does it not come through?" The Speech from the Throne, outlining legislative agenda and the budget are bell weathers of where the party intends to take the country.
In Bono's convention speech he asked Canada to invest three times our current amount. "I told him [PM Martin] earlier today that if Canada puts in its fair share of three times the current amount by the way, they'll embarrass the rest of the world into doing the same."
The rocker applauded Canada's commitment to providing cheaper generic drugs for poor African nations facing the AIDS/HIV pandemic. However the bill remains in committee and is so seriously flawed that it is almost laughable?pharmaceutical companies have the choice to opt out of providing the generic drugs to Africa.
MP Davis again ripped the Liberals by using Bono's remarks in the House of Commons on the failure of this bill. Proving how entertaining Canadian politics is, she said, "I might add that we are sending his [PM Martin's] answer to Bono, so I hope he thinks about his reply. The bill that is supposed to provide affordable drugs to Africa is fatally flawed. It contains the first right of refusal for big drug companies, something that the NGOs and the experts know fatally flaws and undermines the bill." Though the PM was present he did not rise to MP Davis's challenge.
Bono told Canadians that "we need more Canadas" and he promised that should our PM fail he would "be the biggest pain in[PM Martin's] ass a year down the line [PM Martin] is going to regret tonight."
The New Democrat Party has written to Bono requesting that he put his ass kicking promises to good measure. At a music industry function I attended a few nights later, the topic of Bono's speech came up. The consensus around the table was that the fix was in, with one hot well connected industry babe making the sucky-sucky motion as to the whole relevance of Bono?s appearance. Is Bono a true promise anything politician or will he live up to his fighting words?
http://www.officialspin.com/main.php?action=recent&rid=1408
*Used With Permission*
