G8 Leaders Deliver on African Aid

GLENEAGLES, Scotland (AP) -- Vowing not to be sidetracked by the deadly London bombings, world leaders unveiled a $50 billion package Friday to help lift Africa from poverty and proposed up to $9 billion to help the Palestinians achieve peace with Israel.

...Irish rock star Bono, who helped organize last weekend's global Live 8 concerts to pressure G-8 leaders to spend more money on Africa, said "a mountain has been climbed."

"We've pulled this off," he said. "The world spoke and the politicians listened."

I think it's great that wealthy nations are working together to alleviate the massive human suffering in Africa. As long as the aid can be kept out of the hands of the corrupt leaders of corrupt governments, it is money well spent.

I believe we are morally obligated to help the poor and the sick.

I think the President's strong faith and Christian beliefs play a significant part in his mission to provide aid to Africa, more than any other previous administration has ever done.

The Live 8 concerts probably did help to raise awareness about the horrible poverty in Africa and inform an otherwise clueless audience; but to suggest that the concerts themselves had anything to do with influencing the G8 leaders is a bit of a reach. No, it's ridiculous.

There is not a single leader that was swayed by those concerts or online petitions.

It's true that Bono has worked tirelessly to bring the plight of Africa to the attention of world leaders. While I don't think he or Bob Geldof deserve the Nobel Peace Prize, they do deserve praise for what I consider to be a sincere attempt to use their celebrity status to do good.

Rather than campaign for a particular candidate and trash the opposition like so many celebrities are prone to do (Barbra Streisand, the Dixie Chicks, etc.), they worked to better the world. I think they have made a difference, but not the difference. They seem to be taking more credit than they are due.

Really. Do you find it feasible that a leader found out how many people hit the AOL site to watch performances last Saturday and, based on those numbers, decided to support the African aid package?

Do you think all those white wristbands were what convinced them?

I just find it hard to believe that any leader decided to put a few more billion dollars on the table because Pink Floyd took to the stage again.