Paul Martin and his corrupt Liberals always make all sorts of magnanimous promises BEFORE an election. Then, when they are safely back into power, they usually toss all of this stuff out the window.

It has been this way since the earliest days of Chretien. Remember when he promised all of us that, if we voted for the Liberals, he would "Tear up the Free Trade Agreement" and that he would "Eliminate the GST!!"

He did neither, of course. Chretien told us it was "All a slip of the tongue. A simple mistake". (OUR mistake in electing him, apparently)

And the same sort of pattern has been running through ALL of the subsequent Liberal election campaigns. Promise whatever it takes, say and do whatever it takes to get elected...then back away from EVERYTHING, once elected.

And Paul Martin isn't any different. He's failed to bring in any of the policies that he loudly claimed he would, once he was elected. That was a full year ago. His score is dismal so far. Which makes us all wonder WHAT the Liberal "Policies" really are? (not much, it would seem)

One year ago, Bono of U2 was celebrating Paul Martin's election and cheering him on.

Nowadays, even Bono is pretty dissappointed in Paul Martin and his Liberal charlatans.

Here is a quote from today's news:

""I'm going to be the biggest pain in his ass."

That's what Bono warned one year ago if Paul Martin didn't follow through on his promise to commit Canada to set a timetable for achieving 0.7 per cent allocation of Gross National Income to foreign aid.

Guess what? A few days ago, Paul Martin decided to back away from that promise - and Bono's not happy. On CBC Radio this weekend, Bono encouraged all Canadians to call Paul to pressure him to keep his promise:

"I want to give Canada his phone number…. If anyone's listening, I would call Paul. It's 613 992-4211."


At last nights U2 concert, Paul Martin was booed loudly. And Bono ran the PM's phone number up on the big megascreen. He also invited all Canadians to call our erstwhile "leader" and tell him how pissed off we all are at him.

Apparently, thousands of people did just that! And the PMO switchboard was choked with angry callers for HOURS! They are STILL getting calls!

About time we Canadians also figured out that this batch of thieves are NOT very good at keeping their campaign promises. Or of following their stated policies.

Let alone, actually running the country. :mad:

One only hopes that the people in the 905 area of Toronto can finally cut through the fog of bullsh*t and figure this simple fact out, one of these days. And then vote accordingly.

We can only hope. :(

I've heard conflicting reports (admittedly from my less than accurate father) that the boos were for Bono, not Martin.

Man... I can't wait for the day that I own a movie distribution company, clothing company, a private Leer jet, a helicopter (and pad on my property), charge 15,000 people $120 to hear me for two hours, and complain about others for not doing enough.

I agree, it's really hard for a rock star nowadays.

I don't like poltics. It's so very negative and people get destructive.
A lot of people, similar Macnutt, get ol **** and vinger about the Liberals (i'm not a fan either) but, who's better? NDP, PC. Neither! It seems the whole lot is bad. i.e. NDP; fast (fat) cats, buying Woodworths for 22 million and selling it for 9, etc. PC-they're all over the place and can't get anything together, including a leader.

Thats why a lot of people don't vote. The system has failed. Either you choose the lesser evil or go for the small guy/gals, like the Green Party.

my 2¢

Note to Pylonman...

The PC party of Canada is defunct. Gone. Vanished from the scene as a major player. Finito.

The Canadian Conservative Party is made up of brand new faces and while it has a similar name to the Progressive Conservatives, it has some VERY different policies from the old Mulroney PC's.

One of the things that the new Conservative Party is totally committed to is cleaning up Canada's dysfunctional political system. None of the other parties are planning to clean up the system at all.

We NEED this! We NEED it NOW! :mad:

I've heard conflicting reports (admittedly from my less than accurate father) that the boos were for Bono, not Martin.

Man... I can't wait for the day that I own a movie distribution company, clothing company, a private Leer jet, a helicopter (and pad on my property), charge 15,000 people $120 to hear me for two hours, and complain about others for not doing enough.

(Yeah...thousands of ecstatic U2 fans decide to spontaneously BOO their favorite singer during a live concert that everyone says was "awseome". Might happen...in a parallel universe.)

The boos were very definitely for Paul Martin. And they were promted by Bono's deep dissappointment with Paul Martin and his latest broken promise. Bono is so incensed over Paul Martin's broken promise to him that he used the concert in Vancouver as a forum to express his disgust. He asked the crowd what THEY thought about Paul Martin, and the whole place roared with BOO's. That's when Paul Martin's phone number appeared on the big screen and Bono urged all Canadians who were pissed at Paul Martin to phone him up and tell him about it.

The reason that Bono is all over this is because he now feels "used" by our Liberal leader. Paul Martin thought he could get some traction by having the leader of the most popular rock band on the planet backing him and appearing with him in the runup to last years federal election.

All he had to do was make a promise to spend a percentage of Canada's GDP on third world debt relief (one of Bono's pet projects). Martin's handlers called Bono and told him that Paul Martin would be willing to publicly commit to this, if Bono would come onside and endorse Paul in public.

Bono came through. Paul Martin got elected.

Then...as is always the case...the Liberal leader backed away from his stated promise and didn't keep his end of the deal.

Big surprise. :mad:

Now Bono knows what we Canadians all know...and HAVE known, for many many years.

Never trust the Liberal Party of Canada when they make any solemn promises before an election. No matter how sincere they may seem to be at the time. They will ALWAYS break them. :mad:

They ALWAYS dissappoint. :(

MacNutt, sorry for the PC mistuderstanding, I meant the Conservatives. (My wife would smacked me if she found out)

That's what Bono warned one year ago if Paul Martin didn't follow through on his promise to commit Canada to set a timetable for achieving 0.7 per cent allocation of Gross National Income to foreign aid.


Yeah right, like that 0.7 percent number has been rationally calculated out. It's just a stupid number that Pierson thought was about right. Even alot of the environmentalists agree it's a stupid number. Besides, we have alot of people in this country that could use some aid and help - such as the cattle farmers and softwood lumber people. Let's fix our own back yard.

(Yeah...thousands of ecstatic U2 fans decide to spontaneously BOO their favorite singer during a live concert that everyone says was "awseome". Might happen...in a parallel universe.)

The boos were very definitely for Paul Martin. And they were promted by Bono's deep dissappointment with Paul Martin and his latest broken promise. Bono is so incensed over Paul Martin's broken promise to him that he used the concert in Vancouver as a forum to express his disgust. He asked the crowd what THEY thought about Paul Martin, and the whole place roared with BOO's. That's when Paul Martin's phone number appeared on the big screen and Bono urged all Canadians who were pissed at Paul Martin to phone him up and tell him about it.



My father got it wrong again. Sorry.

That being said, the globe and mail didn't have a glowing review of the "Canadiana" segment.

Crowd was apparently disinterested.
The wrong phonenumber was given (area code)
During the last song to be sung for the DVD they were filming, Bono pleaded with the audience to come on stage to support his message to Martin. Despite trying and trying, he could only get five people onstage.

-As it was being filmed for a DVD, and not to end the show on a lownote, another three songs were apparently sung.

At last nights U2 concert, Paul Martin was booed loudly. And Bono ran the PM's phone number up on the big megascreen. He also invited all Canadians to call our erstwhile "leader" and tell him how pissed off we all are at him.
It's a shame that your obvious desire to slam Martin gets in the way of the facts. You either weren't at the concert and therefore have no idea what happened or you were there and you are distorting the facts to fit your rant.

Bono did no such thing. From someone who was actually at the concert:
"Of course, huge boos could be heard at the mention of the PM, but Bono went on to say that he felt that Martin was a good leader and he could be even greater by leading Canada and all G8 nations."

<b><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/04/29/Arts/U2callPM.html" target="_blank">The CBC reports</a></b>, "The longtime anti-poverty crusader called Martin "a great leader for Canada" who can "lead the world out of despair and poverty."

There are plenty of legitimate reasons to slam Martin. There's no need to make up anything or distort the facts. It simply makes you look foolish and weakens your position.

During the last song to be sung for the DVD they were filming, Bono pleaded with the audience to come on stage to support his message to Martin. Despite trying and trying, he could only get five people onstage.
Again, completely wrong. Bono *invited* 5 people up on stage.

Do you really believe that, if the lead singer of the "World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band" invited people on stage, for *any* reason, only 5 would come forward?

Please - use some common sense.

Again, completely wrong. Bono *invited* 5 people up on stage.

Do you really believe that, if the lead singer of the "World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band" invited people on stage, for *any* reason, only 5 would come forward?

Please - use some common sense.

That's McNutt for you he hears what he wants to hear then fills in the blanks with material from the Neo-Con agenda.

Laterz :)

Again, completely wrong. Bono *invited* 5 people up on stage.

Do you really believe that, if the lead singer of the "World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band" invited people on stage, for *any* reason, only 5 would come forward?

Please - use some common sense.

Why the Globe and Mail would report something different from what actually transpired, I don't know. It seems quite believable that only five would go on stage. We're (Canadians) overall, a very polite society. Maybe that would be considered rude by many? Maybe those in the front row were intimidated by security?

But, I wasn't there. I have to resort to a news paper for an account of what happened. Again, the account of what happened seemed believable.

Honestly though, talking about common sense... I wouldn't waste $120 on a seat to hear U2's pop music live. If the Zooropa or the Popmart tour was any indication of the performance I'd get to witness from them, I think my entertainment dollar is worth more elsewhere.

jicon... FYI... I have 2 tickets to see U2 in concert at the ACC on the floor. If I show up early, I'm feet away from the boys playing Rock-n-Roll. Price of ticket: $49.

And Macnutt... if you said the words "Pet project" to Bono's face, you'd be missing some teeth. (Everyone knows an Irishman could kick a scotts @$$ any day of the week) :D

Here's a real report from the show:

Blinding Vancouver

After a wild video shoot for 'City of Blinding Lights' in Vancouver, a great first show in the city followed last night.

It was loud too and you don't take our word for it. Novelist William Gibson was here - he's writing a story for Wired Magazine - and having been at the second Seattle show (which is beginning to be viewed as one of the best shows on the tour so far) he remarked that tonight's reception from the audience was even more raucous. (Gibson knows U2 from way back - Bono even took part in a documentary about him filmed in the back of a limo - and he and his wife Deborah took the chance to catch up with Edge after the show, no doubt discussing the future of everything).

But there was a different kind of energy about the show tonight - maybe because the campaign to Make Poverty History (called the ONE campaign in the US) was so central a feature. There has been controversy in the Canadian press about differences between Bono and Prime Minister Paul Martin - centring on whether Canada will blaze a trail for other rich countries and deliver on its pledge to improve its financial contribution to fighting global poverty to 0.7%. If anyone thought Bono might duck the issue with Canadian fans - no chance!

'I wanted to say something about your Prime Minister Paul Martin if that's alright,' said Bono, introducing One, (to which there were no objections raised!) 'Now I told him I'd be a pain in the arse. I suppose this week I became one of many pains in the arse that is ..

'That's sad in a way because I am a fan of Paul Martin and I do believe he's a good man and I believe we¹re going to figure this thing out. What I'm talking about for those of you who are new to this is I think he's a great leader for Canada but that's what we want him to do - we want him to lead Canada. We want him to lead the world out of despair and poverty.

'Canada has a leading role to play and that is possible this year, at this year's G8.* It's a Canadian idea - point seven per cent. And it's a brilliant idea. Less than one percent of what Canada makes in a year... and I believe that if you people believe in it.. I believe that Paul Martin is the kind of person to listen to you...'

And there is a twist in the digital campaigning for Africa tonight. People are not invited to join the campaign but to call the Prime Minister himself - just like ZOO TV days when the powerful got a call from the stage. But this time, we're post-irony and this time it's the U2 fans making the call.

' I thought it might be good if we made a call to Paul Martin.' suggest Bono as the band play on behind him and the PM's number appears on the screens. 'Take your phones out. If anyone would like to take their cell phones out I think I've got Paul Martin's number. These are dangerous little devices, these cell phones.

'We want to make poverty history. This is the year. This is our prayer and we are more powerful if we work together as one. ...'

This was such a powerful and potent political moment that we don't need to say much more about tonight's show. But it's worth remembering how influential Canadians have been - another track tonight was dedicated to Dorothy Stone, one of the founders of Greenpeace. Maybe Canadian fans at tonight's show will also change history!

Why the Globe and Mail would report something different from what actually transpired, I don't know.
Well, as a "member of the media", I can say categorically that the vast majority of the media often don't know what the hell they are doing. :)
If the Zooropa or the Popmart tour was any indication of the performance I'd get to witness from them, I think my entertainment dollar is worth more elsewhere.
Well, from the first hand reports I've heard from people, the previous tours are not an indication.

I was there, and I can tell you, I was booing Martin, not Bono.

And any one of us would have climbed over the heads of anyone in front of us to go stand on stage with Bono. Spoke to many people who attended the show, and those where WERE THERE, really enjoyed it.

The political statements were not out of place and did not detract from the show at all. We did make a few jokes afterwards about Bono chipping in a few dollars, but it was a great night.

Paul Martin and his corrupt Liberals always make all sorts of magnanimous promises BEFORE an election. Then, when they are safely back into power, they usually toss all of this stuff out the window.
BTW, that's different from any other politician of another stripe.....how exactly?

I was there, and I can tell you, I was booing Martin, not Bono.

And any one of us would have climbed over the heads of anyone in front of us to go stand on stage with Bono. Spoke to many people who attended the show, and those where WERE THERE, really enjoyed it.

The political statements were not out of place and did not detract from the show at all. We did make a few jokes afterwards about Bono chipping in a few dollars, but it was a great night.

Now we hear from someone who was REALLY there. No spin. Just reality.

And he was booing Paul Martin. Just like everyone else.

Now we hear from someone who was REALLY there. No spin. Just reality.
Sounds like you aren't sure how to take that.
And he was booing Paul Martin. Just like everyone else.
No one said the boos weren't for Martin. We were calling into question your other characterizations of an event you either weren't at or were at and misrepresented. I noticed you *still* haven't responded to that.

I was relating what I'd heard from someone who WAS there. And who booed Martin, BTW.

Now we have heard from one of our own who had the very same take on the whole event.

And you have some sort of problem with this? :confused:

It's interesting to note the title of the thread uses the description "Deadbeat" when clearly Bono makes no comment of the kind, in some form or another, to describe Martin.

That's sad in a way because I am a fan of Paul Martin and I do believe he's a good man and I believe we¹re going to figure this thing out. What I'm talking about for those of you who are new to this is I think he's a great leader for Canada but that's what we want him to do - we want him to lead Canada. We want him to lead the world out of despair and poverty.

Who's spinning what, now? Just reality? This is what happens when you don't get the complete story and make decisions on half the fact. :D