Bono = hypocrite
El_Kabong
Posts: 4,141
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/8/7/145346.shtml?s=lh
Bono Avoids Taxes, Joins Forbes
U2 and its lead singer Bono have been pushing the U.S. and EU countries to fork over more money for Third World nations to relieve debt and fight AIDS.
But when it comes to paying their fair share of taxes to help those efforts, U2 wants a free ride.
That's the word from Ireland, where the group has been based since it was founded in the early 1980s.
The Irish Examiner reports that U2 and Bono are furious that Ireland is doing away with its law exempting artists and authors from taxation.
Under the Irish government's last budget, artists and authors can get up to 250,000 euros ($325,000) in income tax free, but after that they pay like everyone else.
Most taxpayers would be joyous they could get the exemption Ireland provides.
But U2 rakes in tens of millions globally, and the new schedule doesn't sit well with the millionaire singer and his band members. [Editor's Note: Read more about U2 in our Special Report "Bono's Politics" -- Click Here Now.]
The Examiner reports that beginning in June of this year the group began moving parts of their business to Netherlands. The paper said now U2 pays "virtually no tax on royalties" in Holland.
And there's more news that U2 may be more of a savvy business than a social cause. Forbes magazine – the "capitalist tool" – revealed this week that U2 front man Bono and others in a financial investment company called Elevation Partners have purchased a large minority stake in Forbes Media, which owns the magazine.
Elevation Partners is a private equity firm which invests in intellectual property and media and entertainment companies. The Times said the investment amounted to $250 to $300 million.
"This investment by Elevation Partners will now accelerate our pursuit of a number of very exciting opportunities for growth," said Forbes Chief Executive Steve Forbes, who is also editor in chief of Forbes magazine.
Forbes has good reason to be gleeful: he's been a champion of free market ideas forever.
But the Times noted the irony of Bono's investment "in a magazine that celebrates wealth and consumption . . . "
Roger McNamee, a co-founder of Bono's Elevation Partners, responded: "The way you solve poverty is giving people the tools to overcome it."
It's a good point, but one never pushed by Bono.
The paper said the singer was unavailable for comment.
Perhaps he was in the Netherlands listening to "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."
and then there's this
http://www.hecklerspray.com/bono-spends-thousands-on-transporting-hat/20051860.php
Bono Spends Thousands On Transporting Hat
U2 frontman Bono has a lot on his mind.
He’s so goshdarn busy - what with trying to save the world and singing formulaic songs in iPod adverts - that he occasionally puts his hat down and forgets to take it with him when he leaves.
"But wait," we hear you cry, "how will Bono keep his rakish flamboyant air without his hat? What will he do? What, for Christ’s sake? WHAT???"
Not to worry. Because (according to an American newspaper) Bono - who wants you to cut back on the odd luxury and give all your money to the poor, remember - is more than prepared to spend $1,700 on flying his favourite bit of headgear from London to Italy.
First class, no less.
Quite why someone would need to do this remains a mystery to hecklerspray. Although we would dearly like to see Bono (CDs) issue some sort of explanatory statement. Preferably while surrounded by a bunch of starving street children who would crawl naked through broken glass for even a fiftieth of the food U2 shove onto their nightly rider.
Still - we hope the hat had a lovely flight.
Oh… and we also hope that the U2 warbler suddenly has a moment of fevered self-realisation, reels back in horror at the pompous overblown hypocrite he has become, before scurrying off to live at the peak of the highest nearby mountain, never to spew his arsebrained sixth-form politics drivel into the world again.
Bono Avoids Taxes, Joins Forbes
U2 and its lead singer Bono have been pushing the U.S. and EU countries to fork over more money for Third World nations to relieve debt and fight AIDS.
But when it comes to paying their fair share of taxes to help those efforts, U2 wants a free ride.
That's the word from Ireland, where the group has been based since it was founded in the early 1980s.
The Irish Examiner reports that U2 and Bono are furious that Ireland is doing away with its law exempting artists and authors from taxation.
Under the Irish government's last budget, artists and authors can get up to 250,000 euros ($325,000) in income tax free, but after that they pay like everyone else.
Most taxpayers would be joyous they could get the exemption Ireland provides.
But U2 rakes in tens of millions globally, and the new schedule doesn't sit well with the millionaire singer and his band members. [Editor's Note: Read more about U2 in our Special Report "Bono's Politics" -- Click Here Now.]
The Examiner reports that beginning in June of this year the group began moving parts of their business to Netherlands. The paper said now U2 pays "virtually no tax on royalties" in Holland.
And there's more news that U2 may be more of a savvy business than a social cause. Forbes magazine – the "capitalist tool" – revealed this week that U2 front man Bono and others in a financial investment company called Elevation Partners have purchased a large minority stake in Forbes Media, which owns the magazine.
Elevation Partners is a private equity firm which invests in intellectual property and media and entertainment companies. The Times said the investment amounted to $250 to $300 million.
"This investment by Elevation Partners will now accelerate our pursuit of a number of very exciting opportunities for growth," said Forbes Chief Executive Steve Forbes, who is also editor in chief of Forbes magazine.
Forbes has good reason to be gleeful: he's been a champion of free market ideas forever.
But the Times noted the irony of Bono's investment "in a magazine that celebrates wealth and consumption . . . "
Roger McNamee, a co-founder of Bono's Elevation Partners, responded: "The way you solve poverty is giving people the tools to overcome it."
It's a good point, but one never pushed by Bono.
The paper said the singer was unavailable for comment.
Perhaps he was in the Netherlands listening to "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."
and then there's this
http://www.hecklerspray.com/bono-spends-thousands-on-transporting-hat/20051860.php
Bono Spends Thousands On Transporting Hat
U2 frontman Bono has a lot on his mind.
He’s so goshdarn busy - what with trying to save the world and singing formulaic songs in iPod adverts - that he occasionally puts his hat down and forgets to take it with him when he leaves.
"But wait," we hear you cry, "how will Bono keep his rakish flamboyant air without his hat? What will he do? What, for Christ’s sake? WHAT???"
Not to worry. Because (according to an American newspaper) Bono - who wants you to cut back on the odd luxury and give all your money to the poor, remember - is more than prepared to spend $1,700 on flying his favourite bit of headgear from London to Italy.
First class, no less.
Quite why someone would need to do this remains a mystery to hecklerspray. Although we would dearly like to see Bono (CDs) issue some sort of explanatory statement. Preferably while surrounded by a bunch of starving street children who would crawl naked through broken glass for even a fiftieth of the food U2 shove onto their nightly rider.
Still - we hope the hat had a lovely flight.
Oh… and we also hope that the U2 warbler suddenly has a moment of fevered self-realisation, reels back in horror at the pompous overblown hypocrite he has become, before scurrying off to live at the peak of the highest nearby mountain, never to spew his arsebrained sixth-form politics drivel into the world again.
standin above the crowd
he had a voice that was strong and loud and
i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
eager to identify with
someone above the crowd
someone who seemed to feel the same
someone prepared to lead the way
he had a voice that was strong and loud and
i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
eager to identify with
someone above the crowd
someone who seemed to feel the same
someone prepared to lead the way
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
but it wouldnt surprise me one bit
maybe, but flying a hat to him is a bit too much
he had a voice that was strong and loud and
i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
eager to identify with
someone above the crowd
someone who seemed to feel the same
someone prepared to lead the way
absolutely...fed ex baby!
i have an army and police force??? cool! are they in my garage somewhere?
he had a voice that was strong and loud and
i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
eager to identify with
someone above the crowd
someone who seemed to feel the same
someone prepared to lead the way
Yes
.
well, how much does he give to charity?? we might all be better off if we didn't pay so much in taxes..and instead could give directly to these people and charities without the gov't skimming off the top.
I would hope not. But here, on this board, it wouldn't surprise me a bit. Bono is very up front about his faith. If it were another high profile, artist that did the same type of heroic things with his celbrity, and didn't profess Christianity, I wonder how quick people here, or elsewhere would be to lay into him. Its an honest question.
BTW isn't Pearl Jam playing with U2 in Hawaii?!
I think people here can see good people for what they are, not who they worship. We're not idiots. Plus, people are defending Bono on this thread. We like him. Maybe not all of us, but the majority.
Some die just to live.
(its not so much i am proud of that, as i like how it sounds)
:cool:
gonna read that article now.
Thanks!
Why should I care how Bono spends 1,700 dollars? It's his money. Much in the same I'm going to afford a person on social assistance some privacy and not second guess how they spend their money.
when it hits you, you feel to pain.
So brutalize me with music.”
~ Bob Marley
Seriously.
- Dan
Note -- I'm humoring this thread by assuming both articles are true, despite the fact that not one shred of evidence has been provided.
The tax is for those making over $325,000 (US) I dont care if you're an artist or a scientist or a prostitute. That's a lot of money and should be taxed (just like the rest of making only 1/16 of that).
And that hat thing is beyond unbelievable. You'll blast people for buying certain cars and stuff but he can fly a damn hat and be so wasteful? I dont care how many hours of his time he donates. Hypocritical is hypocritical.
And yes, we're all human beings, we're all hypocritical. But those who benefit from living in the public eye must also deal with the scrutiny that comes with it.
On that note..I believe Ed bragged in Toronto last year about drinking $1500 worth of Vodka with Bono...actually, I know he did. I was there.
They're rich....things are on a different scale for them than us. No big deal.
yeah, he should support wiping a nation off the map..then he'd be cool.
like the liberals and terrorists.
yes, they are.
Word up! :rolleyes:
the bad idea or me befallen by it?
hahahahaha you are the man, love this post
Some die just to live.
Flying a hat for him is us getting a large coke instead of a medium.
For someone who cares so much about the less fortunate, you would think he might be a little more conservative with where his moneys goes...considering how many that bit of money could have helped. But I can see it both ways, when someone really wants something, I can understand the urge to spend what you've got to get it...especially something that's special to them.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
Under the Irish government's last budget, artists and authors can get up to 250,000 euros ($325,000) in income tax free, but after that they pay like everyone else.
The Irish Examiner reports that U2 and Bono are furious that Ireland is doing away with its law exempting artists and authors from taxation.
###########################################
Well, I just put my hat in my bag that I take with me. But I agree with U2 and Bono and share their "fury" if this taxlaw is removed.
How much cash is Ireland going to make from this change?
What % will be just U2's cash?
If one of the main reasons they are doing it for U2's money thats silly. If U2 and Bono are so freeflowing with their cash they should just hand over the money before the law gets changed, if it will keep the law in place for artists that really need it.
O, and I didn't know he was a Christian.........thanx I'll put him on my "watch list".