Posted on 01/27/2013 11:06:01 AM PST by SilvieWaldorfMD
Pop star SIMON LE BON has urged Westerners to gain a level of "perspective" over the economic slump, insisting problems in Europe and the U.S. are minimal compared to the issues facing Africa.
The Duran Duran frontman has spoken out to share his views on the global recession and admits he is baffled by complaints from affluent families who need to tighten their belt.
He tells The Times, "We have to put this economic slump into perspective. Even though the recession might be tough on us in the West, we have to get through it and should remember how people live in Africa and India, where they have absolutely nothing but family, love, music and fun."
Unless conservatives have Dem friends, like I do, they probably don't realize the depths of envy possessed by those people. Even though they had more dough than me, all I'd hear from two close Dem friends is how unfair life was. I occasionally reminded them that (1) people in third world countries didn't have 1/10 or 1/100 of the material stuff they had and (2) they had more money than me, but I didn't whine about others having more like they did. That's how I see Democrats...mostly whiners and complainers.
Have to agree with him on this one. Spent a year in Mexico, and up in them thar hills, people are still starving to death. A quote from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones- the most miserable people I know are the rich, whose god is their money, surpassed only by those who have the same goal, but have not achieved it.
I like all of DD’s stuff, too.
>>I live on less than that, in Canadian dollars, with a higher tax rate, and I agree with le Bon about keeping perspective. I’m not exactly rich, but I’m well fed and my bills get paid.
*facepalm/sigh*
My point was that a person living the life of a celebrity should not insist that “the little people” keep things in perspective. When I said $50k, I meant “Less than $50k”. If you believe that the standard for living is the third-world African model, then feel free to live that way. But, I get up every morning, drive to a job, and stay there for most of my day and then come home. I do not want to work like that and then live like an African or Indian!
Prosperity encourages Americans to work harder than they have to, and that helps to supply the world with innovation, technology, medical advances, and food. When you and Simon LeBon get your way and we live “in perspective”, who will pick up the torch in this world and work hard to create excess?
Without a robust economy in the US and Europe, Africa is screwed.
Well, I don’t know if I would call him conservative, because he doesn’t touch on politics. But I remember reading here on FR that he watched the VP debate this fall, liked Ryan, and thought Biden was a “d**k.”
However, he does come across as just a regular nice guy.
He sure does. He’s always been my favorite...
Hail Emperor ClearCase_guy - This man has all of the answers for all of use. Just like Hilary. Let us make him Dictator for life
Same here.
Nick Rhodes strikes me as something of a control freak.
I'd make an awful emperor. I'm pretty clueless about telling other people what to do. But sometimes I state an opinion. You don't like that, do you? I should maybe shut up?
Emperor ClearCase_guy IT is not for me to tell you anything.
Anytime your are willing to give of yourself you go ahead.
In the mean time SOME of us believe you shall reap what you sow. All of Africa is a tribal “small communist” bunch of takers who have NOT learned how to be capitalist. These people do NOT have the rule of LAW, NOR do they have any Property rights. Africa is a big place. You have your Arabs who are still in the 7th century. You have your Mid Africa who are still very tribal and you have your South Africa who are in the process of going “small communist” tribal war
Xer Ping
Ping list for the discussion of the politics and social (and sometimes nostalgic) aspects that directly effects Generation Reagan / Generation-X (Those born from 1965-1981) including all the spending previous generations are doing that Gen-X and Y will end up paying for.
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New Wave Era Synthesizer Keyboardists and Organists are usually this way. So much concentration is required for their task -- too many fingers in too many keys -- that it would not surprise me if he has OCD issues. He was ill for some time last year (influenza, respiratory issues) and many of the US dates in the fall were cancelled. He returned to England to recuperate and I read he's doing fine.
Andy Taylor, on the other hand, was battling some form of cancer about 10 years ago (smokes like a chimney), but he's been in remission. Nevertheless, he hasn't been playing with the band since about 2000, when Nick & Simon kicked him out.
I also enjoyed Andy and John in The Power Station with Robert Palmer back in '85...
Not relevant, but then again, neither is Simon Le Bon....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp4CR2HcHLQ
Does Simon le Bon's personal income make what he says less true?
Prosperity encourages Americans to work harder than they have to, and that helps to supply the world with innovation, technology, medical advances, and food. When you and Simon LeBon get your way and we live “in perspective”, who will pick up the torch in this world and work hard to create excess?
Where did le Bon or myself ever say anything to contradict this? All he said was that the "poor" in the West are pretty well off, considered globally. I didn't see that as particularly controversial. Seems quite self-evident, actually.
Interesting....and it makes sense, really.
He was ill for some time last year (influenza, respiratory issues) and many of the US dates in the fall were cancelled. He returned to England to recuperate and I read he's doing fine."
Good to know. Until very recently, I had no idea they were still touring and making albums.
Andy Taylor, on the other hand, was battling some form of cancer about 10 years ago (smokes like a chimney), but he's been in remission. Nevertheless, he hasn't been playing with the band since about 2000, when Nick & Simon kicked him out.
I also enjoyed Andy and John in The Power Station with Robert Palmer back in '85..."
According to what I'm reading in JT's book, Andy's dissatisfaction with the group started pretty early, but I hope he stays well. I liked Power Station, too!
I look back on the 80's as a bright, sunlit, fun time....so full of optimism. And Duran Duran was sort of the quintessential 80's band. I'll always have a soft spot for them. And I am really liking their new music.
Tax shelter
The 1980s was a decade prior to cell phones, Facebook, social media and all that crap. It was all good wholesome fun. I went to college from 1984-1988 and pledged a sorority — those were the happiest years of my life (1980-1990)...
Another OCD keyboardist of the 1980s — Gary Numan.
“Cars!” I can see that video now.
Can you see the agony in Gary’s face in that video?
Also, Mike whats-his-name from A Flock of Seagulls. Saw him 4 years ago in Virginia at a concert — amazingly talented but so OCD. He came in to practice and fine-tune prior to his set, and he was totally weird with his electrical components and synth pop equipment.
Awesome concert, though...
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