Bono nominated for World Bank presidency by L.A. Times

international | anti-capitalism | other press

Friday February 25, 2005 21:04

by Our Los Angeles Correspondent - IMC Internationale

The LA Times editorial suggests that Bono would be good at selling "Brand America" if he were president of the World Bank and suggests that the problem is the lack of developed nations standing by their "aid" commitments.

Absolutely no mention of the stripping of assets, imposed "open" economies, complete lack of protection of local industries that the World Bank imposes on these nations.

The editorial completely fails to mention the Structural Adjustment Programs imposed by the World Bank and it's sister institution the IMF, fails to mention the > $1billion dollars garnered by Halliburton in subsidies from the IMF, the disastrous results of their policies in e.g Argentina, how "water fees" increased by 95% in Ghana following WB/IMF advice.

The stuff of this LA Times is classic propaganda: focus on a trivial celebrity like Bono and suggest that the "leadership" of the institution is the problem: don't mention the disastrous effects of the institution for the rest of the world and then wrap it all up as a "marketing problem" for "Brand USA".

"Bono could enhance the World Bank's image and sell its poverty-reduction mission far more effectively than the other deserving candidates being mentioned for the job, which traditionally goes to an American — a tradition that deserves to be broken, even if not in favor of the Irish rock star."

Bono The Puppet:
http://www.bonothepuppet.com/

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Comments (5 of 5)

Naomi Klein: 'the White House might just choose an Irishman'

by redjade

Sat Mar 12, 2005 17:58

Can Democracy Survive Bush's Embrace?

By Naomi Klein
The Nation

It started off as a joke and has now become vaguely serious: the idea that Bono might be named president of the World Bank. U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow recently described Bono as "a rock star of the development world," adding, "He's somebody I admire."

The job will almost certainly go to a U.S. citizen, one with even weaker credentials, like Paul Wolfowitz. But there is a reason Bono is so admired in the administration that the White House might just choose an Irishman. As frontman of one of the world's most enduring rock brands, Bono talks to Republicans as they like to see themselves: not as administrators of a diminishing public sphere they despise but as CEOs of a powerful private corporation called America. "Brand U.S.A. is in trouble ... it's a problem for business," Bono warned at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The solution is "to re-describe ourselves to a world that is unsure of our values."

http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=2005031121353447

Hair transplant

by eeekkkk

Fri Mar 11, 2005 23:24

look at his hairline next time you see him on tee vee

shades are a cunning distraction

wtf?

by dominic jovanovich - none

Fri Mar 11, 2005 23:18

checkerboardinfantry at hotmail dot com

what the hell are they thinking? bono for chrissakes. first off U2 really sucks but it fits their profile so well, wannabe actvists but real life capitalists. secondly, why does the world bank need to improve thier image? I wouldnt think they would care much about that. this makes absolutley no sense.

why is this bono character scared of showing his eyes?

by blair witch hunt project

Sat Feb 26, 2005 13:15

eh?

Go Team USA!

by Mally Vox

Fri Feb 25, 2005 21:34

"I see an America that has rehabilitated in a way that was unimaginable to me 10 years ago. Back then the US was the neighborhood bully, inept in the foreign policy, beating up on the wrong guy everywhere. With the Joshua Tree, we were writing about Central America and the dark side of the US. Now, America looks smart and dare I say it, sexy again".

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Bono nominated for World Bank presidency by L.A. Times

Comments (5 of 5)