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/