Bono doesn't walk the walk

[Meister]

First of I think U2 is the rock group of the century just after the Beatles. Having said that the following is rather sad.

Bono keeps pushing the US at every occasion to commit 1% of the budget to end poverty. A noble cause you would think. However, U2 is making every effort to minimize taxes through complicated flow through companies.

They even moved their headquarter from Ireland to Netherland last year to avoid upcoming royalty taxes for musicians.

I wouldn't give a fcuk if he wouldn't keep preaching on poverty, but if you talk the talk....

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aqdKjGJi9cHc&refer=home

 

[ed_v]

Not wanting to pay outrageously high taxes may not have anything to do with a perceived lack of U2's commitment to help end poverty. It's not as if the extra tax dollars collected would end up in the right place anyway. Minimizing tax should be everyone's goal, so we can then decide for ourselves how to spend our hard earned dollars. I say more power to them.

 

[mmouse]

So if my accountant helps me minimize my taxes, and I also give to charity, I'm a hypocrite?

 

[BuffNaked]

Maybe Bono gives all his savings on taxes to charity and all his machinatons are to maximize that contribution?

Maybe he just doesn't like Bono.

 

[Meister]

Not wanting to pay outrageously high taxes may not have anything to do with a perceived lack of U2's commitment to help end poverty. It's not as if the extra tax dollars collected would end up in the right place anyway. Minimizing tax should be everyone's goal, so we can then decide for ourselves how to spend our hard earned dollars. I say more power to them.

You could use that same analogy for the US government. If you apply this thinking the US government should just stop any foreign aid because it doesn't make financial sense.
There is a difference in using exisiting tax laws to save taxes, it is, however, rather greedy to move your headquarters to another country to avoid paying taxes. But, this is exactly what is happening with many corporations moving headquarters to a Banana republic to save taxes. And then these same executives that make these decisions complain about the terrible state of the school system at home.
Duh!!

 

[mmouse]

And then these same executives that make these decisions complain about the terrible state of the school system at home.
Duh!!

Do they? Where? When? Links?

 

[Meister]

Do they? Where? When? Links?

Ok, my mistake. These executives don't give a fcuk because they send their little precious ones to a private school. Who cares about the public school system, right?

 

[frankcastle]

Even if Bono didn't give much of his own money to charity it wouldn't matter to me because I think he has used his celebrity to help generate a lot of publicity to worthy causes. Here's a guy who gets into the news for intelligent and worthwile stuff not because he's found dancing on a bar or flashing his dick. Ask Brittney on her opinions on Amnesty International, AIDS in Africa or reducing 3rd world debts.

However I will say that he is sometime too melodramatic like when he did a speech about Frank Sinatra for a lifetime grammy award. He can be a ham and over the top but again at least his heart is in the right place.

 

[Gyaos]

I think Bono as the self-proclaimed "spokesman for the poor" is a lot of BS and he should get a sharp punch (or pie) in the face for it. I mean, really, he brings awareness? I'm aware of the most expensive videos ever made like "Elevation". How many would not have starved back then if they just did a live gig on the sidewalk, filmed it, and did the studio track over it? Quite a lot. So he speaks and many indirectly died of starvation because of "Elevation".

Oh yeah, look at all those records sold. Look at all that money. He gives the poor shit and he is shit. He even looks like a piece of shit. Songs are good, but it ain't "Sunday Bloody Sunday" anymore.

Bono is the spokesman for no one.

Gyaos Baltar.

 

[to-guy69]

...all this from a guy who sent his HAT back on a first class seat on the plane on it's own because he forgot it at a hotel he was staying at overseas....gimme a break.

 

[james t kirk]

Bono has used his celebrity to help fight extreme poverty around the world. You know, that Christian Charity thing.

He's given his time, his effort, and his money. How much of his own money is not part of the public record. Frankly, I don't really care.

As far as the tax thing goes, from what I have read, U2 is 5 members, each with one vote.

Bono
Edge
Larry
Adam
Paul McGuinness (manager)

All 4 members of U2 maintain their Irish residence status and pay income taxes in Ireland. U2 has simply moved its corporate headquarters to avoid paying corporate taxes. That's not that uncommon of a thing.

All revenue is split from all sources on an equal basis.

Considering Bono writes just about ALL of the lyrics, he technically owns the rights to all the songs, but he decided on day one that to avoid in-fighting, that he'd forgo his lion's share for an equal split to all.

He's never challanged that.

The other members of the band have profited quite nicely as a result of his even handedness. But when you figure that U2 have been putting out music since 1980 without a single departure (knock on wood) obviously, it works. There aren't ANY super bands that I can think of (Beatles, Stones, Led Zeplin, The Who) that can make the same claim. Nor any of them who can claim that they have been putting out good music year after year (the stones ceased putting out decent music with Some Girls in 1978 I believe.)

As to the tax issue in Dublin verses the Netherlands, the issue was raised and each member of the band voted on whether to move from Dublin to the Netherlands. Rumour has it, the vote was NOT unanimous, however, who voted how is not known.

Did you ever consider that Bono voted to stay in Dublin, but 3 others voted to move their corporate headquarters to the Netherlands?

 

[The Bandit]

He's just full of himself...since when does a musician tell other countries how much they should give. We never know how much he gives, and if he increases the amount geared to his income.

 

[james t kirk]

Bono keeps pushing the US at every occasion to commit 1% of the budget to end poverty.

Actually, Bono is trying to get the US to commit 0.7% of GDP to ending extreme poverty

Currently, the USA is spending about .14% of GDP on foreign aid. The lowest of all the G-7 nations. Half of what Canada is spending.

 

[Alexis696969]

Yeah you Bono haters are right ..he should do nothing and help noone like the rest of the rich greedy know it all takers ......I cant stand people that put down people for trying to help the poor .....hes not the president and he doesnt have all the tools ....his goal is postive and if people can't see that ..Whgat the fuck have they done for poverty eh ?...but if you think your plan of treating world wide poverty is a better way step up to plate or shut the fark up Thank god hes famous and his voice can be heard more so then a nobody !

IMO THERES NO FARKIN EXCUSE THAT ANY KID HAS TO GO HUNGRY IN THIS WORLD IN 2007 ........... NO EXCUSE AT ALL ..and it happens every second of the day as we ungreatful people blow are cash on materialistic things and pretend us North Americans are such good people .If you met the starving kids youd never be the same !!!!unless your just evil !seeing how farked up the government really is letting this happen til this day and closing its eyes like most that follow!So unless you do something your talk is talk !!!!!!!!!

Moving to save on taxes ....is being practical ....thanks for reminding me how evil the world realy is

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

Bono has used his celebrity to help fight extreme poverty around the world. You know, that Christian Charity thing.

He's given his time, his effort, and his money. How much of his own money is not part of the public record. Frankly, I don't really care.

As far as the tax thing goes, from what I have read, U2 is 5 members, each with one vote.

Bono
Edge
Larry
Adam
Paul McGuinness (manager)

All 4 members of U2 maintain their Irish residence status and pay income taxes in Ireland. U2 has simply moved its corporate headquarters to avoid paying corporate taxes. That's not that uncommon of a thing.

All revenue is split from all sources on an equal basis.

Considering Bono writes just about ALL of the lyrics, he technically owns the rights to all the songs, but he decided on day one that to avoid in-fighting, that he'd forgo his lion's share for an equal split to all.

He's never challanged that.

The other members of the band have profited quite nicely as a result of his even handedness. But when you figure that U2 have been putting out music since 1980 without a single departure (knock on wood) obviously, it works. There aren't ANY super bands that I can think of (Beatles, Stones, Led Zeplin, The Who) that can make the same claim. Nor any of them who can claim that they have been putting out good music year after year (the stones ceased putting out decent music with Some Girls in 1978 I believe.)

As to the tax issue in Dublin verses the Netherlands, the issue was raised and each member of the band voted on whether to move from Dublin to the Netherlands. Rumour has it, the vote was NOT unanimous, however, who voted how is not known.

Did you ever consider that Bono voted to stay in Dublin, but 3 others voted to move their corporate headquarters to the Netherlands?

You make some good points, but I would argue that The Edge has more influence than you're giving him credit for. For the most part, U2's music is a collaboration with Edge writing the music and Bono writing the lyrics.

Oh yeah, for those who question Bono's commitment to charity, you are idiots.

 

[james t kirk]

You make some good points, but I would argue that The Edge has more influence than you're giving him credit for. For the most part, U2's music is a collaboration with Edge writing the music and Bono writing the lyrics.

Oh yeah, for those who question Bono's commitment to charity, you are idiots.

Absolutely. The Edge has a HUGE input on the sound of U2. Bill Flanagan in his book "End of the World" wrote about watching Edge in the Studio at home with his guitar. He wrote how Edge would constantly stay in the studio long after everyone had left and just play guitar and come up with sounds and riffs, many of which went nowhere, many of which became part of the songs. Edge is doing what he was BORN for. No doubt about it. Hard to believe that way back in the beginning of U2 he was seriously considering giving it all up for a life as a priest / reverend.

I think Paul McGuinness managed to convince him that his true calling on earth was to play guitar (and I would agree with that).

As to Bono's convictions, he is a force for good in the world. A guy trying to help out the truly impovrished. Something no-one here is even remotely familiar with. He is not in this for the photo ops. This is not some flash in the pan with the guy. He's been trying to help Africa for 20 plus years.

He could be like every other celebrity and have his minions take the brown M and M's out of the bowl (a la David Lee Roth), and be a complete asshole like so many others, but instead he gives his time and energy to helping others. Bono's got a busy life, 4 kids, a wife of 25 years, and yet he finds the time to try and give a bit back to world. I wish I had his convictions.

Yes, yes, I know, don't lecture me. But the fact is is that sometimes we humans need to be lectured, poked and prodded.

The world is a bit better of a place with Bono than without.

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

He wrote how Edge would constantly stay in the studio long after everyone had left and just play guitar and come up with sounds and riffs, many of which went nowhere, many of which became part of the songs.

I think Paul McGuinness managed to convince him that his true calling on earth was to play guitar (and I would agree with that).

Me too.

I've heard the rest of the band has a good idea what "flavour" a new song will have based on the instrument of choice by The Edge. If he uses a keyboard it will be more of a balad where as with a guitar, it will be a harder rock song.

Considering the riffs he's come up with over the years, I'm sure the boys are happy when they find a guitar in Edge's hands.

The world is a bit better of a place with Bono than without.

Without question.

 

[Gyaos]

I cant stand people that put down people for trying to help the poor

This is exactly why I think Bono is a farse. He does not ***try*** to help the poor. Instead he wants to sell more records, while looking like he's trying. I don't see him protesting George W. Bush Jr. or standing around, head high on Dr. Martin Luther King's Day (i.e.: "Pride (In The Name of Love)"). He's a farse that stinks of shit. He talks Y2K.

Gyaos Baltar.

 

[Alexis696969]

This is exactly why I think Bono is a farse. He does not ***try*** to help the poor. Instead he wants to sell more records, while looking like he's trying. I don't see him protesting George W. Bush Jr. or standing around, head high on Dr. Martin Luther King's Day (i.e.: "Pride (In The Name of Love)"). He's a farse that stinks of shit. He talks Y2K.

Gyaos Baltar.

Well look what happened to the Dixie Chicks When they gave negativity about Bush .....Theres no such thing as freedom of speech without serious consequences !It doesn't matter how famous you are as soon as you go against the president your living in hell and your ten steps behind where you started !!!! Ok I will look for his documented contributions !!!!!!!Like Arnold swarzteneger says I"LL BE BACK !

 

[Alexis696969]

...all this from a guy who sent his HAT back on a first class seat on the plane on it's own because he forgot it at a hotel he was staying at overseas....gimme a break.

Bottom line hes gonna have that egomaniac humanistic behavour creep on up his ass sometimes ...cause hes not god ...hes human ....people hate him cause of raising awareness of humanity issues .... ......So by blaming Bono it just takes off the responsibility of the issue once again and the blame justifies the real living horrors ....Noone wants to help only blame ..Bono takes a stance and gets every political guro suggesting he thinks hes god ...how dare he think he knows best .....Its because then there government would have to admitt they did it wrong .....mistakes are made but never owned up by Bush !Im drunk and I can see through this blame game with no solutions !