Posted on 07/03/2005 10:28:44 AM PDT by wagglebee
Rock stars who lent their talents to Saturday's "Live 8" concert to fight poverty in Africa reportedly performed for free, but that's only if you don't count the luxurious "goodie bags" that were provided by organizers at one venue.
In Philadelphia, each celebrity performer was treated to a Hugo Boss duffel bag loaded with high-fashion trinkets valued at about $3,000, according to the Associated Press.
And that's not all.
The altruistic artists were also feted in a special luxury lounge, where they reportedly chose from an array of expensive parting gifts.
Some of the items scarfed up by the compassionate crusaders:
* Hugo Boss suits, valued between $800 and $1,000 each
* XM satellite radios and subscriptions worth $500
* Gibson guitars costing $2,000 each
* Bertolucci watches, valued between $1,500 and $6,000
In all, a poverty-fighting rock star worth his salt could walk away with as much as $12,000 hunger relief loot, the AP said.
"We want this to be a thank-you to the celebrities who are giving up their time and energies," explained Nicole Cashman, whose firm was tagged by organizers to put the pricey goodie bags together.
No word yet on whether any of the leftover Hugo Boss suits and Bertolucci watches will be given to starving Africans.
I'd like to know who is paying to clean up the mess left by the party goers.
Their attitude is that they contributed by just appearing on stage. They are attention whores and prima donas.
It's not how much you give, but how good you can make it sound.
They are just disgusting.
Were the gifts donated or paid for by Live 8? That would make a big difference.
They don't want your money - they want your voice!
At least, that's what the sign said.
They'll pay taxes on that, so they can lobby the gummint to take that tax money and ship it to Africa for "justice".
They don't want your money - they want your voice!Mine would say "encourage the G8 to back pro-free enterprise coups, starting in Zimbabwe". I'm not so sure they want it. >:)At least, that's what the sign said.
-Eric
We know how hard they work to raise awareness and solicit donations for the cause du jour. If they have to pimp themselves out to get us dweebs to finally acknowledge the starvation problem in Africa, well, that's a sacrifice they're willing to make. Besides they need their income to 'represent', so they can continue to entertain and solve global problems. (end sarcasm, pause for barfing)
Those Hugo Boss duffels are actually pretty nice. And I'll bet they can cram a lot of food in them for their (Potemkin) tours of Africa to show how much their 'efforts' helped. They can hand out the food and feel really good about themselves. (sarcasm implied)
These people are worse thieves and hypocrites than politicians.
"They are just disgusting"
Maybe. But why is it that accepting gifts from these companies would make them so?
You can bet that they were donated by the companies themselves so none of the money ostensibly going to charity was spent on it.
What's the big deal?
Just more of Newsmax's typical hating on celebs. Is it their fault they're rich and beautiful? < /sarcasm>
Typically, AIUI, the gifts are donated. Think about it - if you made a product - any product - wouldn't you be willing to give it to prominent and/or famous people on the chance they'd be seen using it? I know I'd be breaking my leg to get to the door to hand it out.
It is a bit mind-blowing to consider that these celebs get all this free crap - clothes, jewelry, electronics - some of these "goodie bags" are worth 3-4 times what the Live8 packages were, or more. I guess the more money you earn, the more free stuff you get. Must explain why no one is giving me a damn thing. :)
SW
exactly
Live Eight already worked on Bush, he's tripled US Foreign aid to Africa over what Clinton appropriated and spent.
Somebody asked Babe Ruth why he made more than the President of the US. The response? "Because the Prez can't hit a curve ball." Some things never change.
By the way - this is a first for me. I've never put a digital smiley face in italics before.
They can use the Gibson guitars (Les Paul Standards would be my guess) for firewood.
I think we need to send over as many Hollywood celebrities and activists until we get that problem over there solved. How many of them it takes, the American people will sacrifice.
Asking rich nations to waive African debt is as easy as asking Bono, McCartney and co. to not charge for their music. Come to think of it, they became mega-rich at the expense of the poor people of the world.
"It's not how much you give, but how good you can make it sound."
And how good you feeeeeeeeeel about yourself.
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