Anyone catch it? It was the Liberal Convention at the Air Canada Centre. Bono (yes the same Bono of U2) was one of the invited guests. He made a really passionate, 20-minute speech. Anyone catch it? Thoughts about what he stated? Do you think Martin will deliver on all the promises, especially vis-a-vis the Drop the Debt campaign… it would look terrible now if he didn’t.
It was a socio-political speech hence i thought i would put it in this Forum, although this thread can also discuss Canada’s Prime Minister-in-waiting, Paul Martin… and Chretien’s political legacy.
Bono’s speech was really awesome. You should listen to it - it’s accessible here http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/11/14/bono031114 (audio link on the right hand side). He said he’s going to be the “biggest pain in [Paul Martin’s] a$%”, because he’ll be lobbying Martin and sending him ‘begging letters’. He said he’s not a supporter of the Liberal party, he’s not a supporter of any political party. He started off with self-deprecating humour about why he shouldn’t be at this convention - because he’s Irish and he’s a rockstar, an “unidentified foreign object” at a political convention. He talked about why he supports Paul Martin, because Martin took his phone calls and kept his promises. He started the speech off very funny, then gradually became more serious… and talked about why he passionately believes that third world debts should be dropped. It was really straight from the heart, very very intellectually satisfying to hear someone articulate those beliefs in such a sincere manner. He heaped praises on Canada for its ‘idealism’.. made some subtle and not-so-subtle references to US policy. He said the ‘world needs more Canada’. Mentioned several statistics… 6500 people in Africa died today, died yesterday, and will die tomorrow, due to Aids.
Listen to it and let me know what you think about it.
I just listened to his speech via that link you posted, thank you. His speech was wonderful indeed. He brought up many important topics, and threw in some humor as well. He had nothing but nice things to say about Canada, Canada's positive international involvment, and Canada's potential to make the world a better place. Hopefully Paul Martin will continue in the footsteps of Chretien. We can only wait and see what he can do for Canadians. I will miss Chretien though.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Fret Wizard: *
I just listened to his speech via that link you posted, thank you. His speech was wonderful indeed. He brought up many important topics, and threw in some humor as well. He had nothing but nice things to say about Canada, Canada's positive international involvment, and Canada's potential to make the world a better place. Hopefully Paul Martin will continue in the footsteps of Chretien. We can only wait and see what he can do for Canadians. I will miss Chretien though.
[/QUOTE]
i know how you feel. i will miss Chretien as well... the "little guy from Shawninigan". i didn't use to like him at the beginning when i first moved to Canada, but he grew on me - his frankness, his policy with the US, everything about his demeanour.
i don't think Paul Martin will continue in his foosteps. i think Martin is cut differently than Chretien... but i guess time alone will prove that.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Nadia_H: *
i don't think Paul Martin will continue in his foosteps. i think Martin is cut differently than Chretien... but i guess time alone will prove that.
[/QUOTE]
i agree...his days as a finance minister showed quite a bit...
DM, yeah... i agree. Martin and Chretien are also on different sides of the political spectrum. Martin has given his blessings to the US plans for that North America missile defence shield, and has said he wants to strengthen Canada-US ties. He's more inclined to boost Canada's military expenditures drastically, something that the Liberal government under Chretien refused to do.
Spoon :D i did that because i wasn't sure if people would be expecting someone of Bono's rockstar calibre to be speaking at such a political event :D i know there must be only one guy on earth called "Bono" :p
You are absolutely right... Canadian politics are just as convoluted as anywhere else... and just as dirty.
Aint this ironic. Canada helping in eliminate third world debt. But then leading the charge in trying to get UNCTAD dismantled. UNCTAD, is the specialized agency that helps developing countries with trade and development issues and has in many cases helped stop the developed countries from forcing developing countries into very dis-advantageous situations at the WTO.
Now that UNCTAD is doing this and it is determental to the Developed countries interest, Canada according to rumors is leading the charge to stop funding for UNCTAD. Canada is like any other developed country. Debt elimination is not one of their ideas. It is a political game.
No developed country wants to eliminate third world debt. It would be stupid for them to do so.
