to think comic relief is a manipulative millionaire sleb lovein?

[glasnost]

After watching most of last night's nth comic relief can't help thinking it's ever more hypocritical in laying a guilt trip on us poor folk to get us to part with some of the dwindling cash we have whilst never getting to the root of the problem.

Political corruption, greedy pharmaceutical companies etc. Without addressing these core problems we'll keep on having comic relief as an annual salve to people's consciences while poverty and injustice continue.

Jonathan Ross et al who earn vast amounts have alot of front in standing there emotionally blackmailing us when the obscene wealth he and others like him earn is part of the problem. AIBU?

I was lurking I am afraid. I am glad finally you've shown your political colours glasnost. The Socialist Party! I am glad I can still smell you guys from a mile.

You are the militant wing of the left that is based on teachings of Trotsky, the founding father of War Communism in Russia 1917-1921(industry nationalization and strict centralization of management; state monopoly on foreign trade; discipline for workers, strikers to be shot, obligatory labour duty for "non-working classes", requisition of agricultural surpluses from peasants in excess of absolute minimum for centralized distribution among the remaining population, rationalization of food and most commodities and distribution in urban centers in a centralized way; outlaw of private enterprises.) Incidentally, that 4 year period led to between 3 and 10 million of death from hunger and crushing of bloody rebellions and this is before Stalin was even known!!

baskingseals you will get redistribution of income alright under those guys.

Incidentally, I have absolutely NO political affiliations.

I'm with Koorong, saw the trailer where they sent "celebs" to live in the slums of Kiberia for a week. It smacked of poverty tourism to me, what the hell was wrong with letting local people themselves be the focus and tell their stories? It seemed the focus was on the experience of these celebs living there.

And regarding Comic Relief, I don't like the enforced jollity, I just don't get the poverty as entertainment bit, the programming decisions that saw a masterchief sketch not doubt depicting plenty of food, aired together with scenes of hunger and poverty elsewhere.

Let people tell their own stories, let them be the main focus.

This is exactly what they (Trotskysts) have in Russia: Promised "the brotherhood of men" in Oct 1917 only to impose War Communism a few months later. Buyer beware.

If those lovely people did tell their stories, you and I would watch LordofthePies. I for one would be moved and fascinated. But there would be so many others who would turn off - people with the concentration of a butterfly - who like to see celebrities in difficult situations or making fools or themselves. Or crying. So not as much money would be raised.

There is no simple alternative to giving aid. But lots of simplistic solutions have been given. Under communism there is a entirely different sort of misery. Any form of extremism is a poor choice and taking socialism to extremes is oppression, pure and simple.

Sorry not read all posts but in response to the original post yanbu I feel exactly the same and rich people telling the rest of us to give money seems ridiculous. Someone pointed out today that if comic relief had just gone to a 100 millionaires and asked for a million pounds off each of them they wouldn't even need to do comic relief.

I would go one step further and say that there should be a limit on how much money one individual can have before it being capped and invested back into providing a basic standard of living for everyone - if that makes me a socialist so be it. It seems morally wrong that what some people spend on a handbag would feed and clothe another person for months.

glasnost yes of course, because I disagree with you I must be a fascist.

You may never dream of ending a post with fuck off, but your smug posturing brings out the worst in me, so shoot me.

(Incidentally, I vote for The Socialist Party and am active in attempting to make changes in politics)

Actually, I just read the majority of money was raised before this programme aired. By ordinary people taking the time and making the effort to raise money.

So most money not raised then by celebs and without the expense of apparently flying them and their entourage first/business class to experience life in slums.

well that's a relief as i vote green. phew.

so what's new about the socialist party?

hasn't got a brilliant track record really.

www.socialistparty.org.uk/main/Home

ooops, try again...
www.socialistparty.org.uk/main/Home

thank you for that link northern.

do you really believe that the socialists have learnt from the past?

Could they honestly do something about the uneven distribution of wealth on a global level?

I think there have been lessons learned. I think it would be hard enough to redistribute wealth in the UK, let alone globally, but I can dream!

As someone said earlier, sadly 'shit floats' and the elite will stay elite as they will continue to subjugate the masses to retain their power.

exactly, which brings us round again - what can the average person do to try and balance it all out a little?

I don't know if this would be considered a cop out, but I always think of Candide and his 'cultivate your own garden' conclusion at the end of his travels. Not that I think that global problems are not a shared responsibility, but more that it is incredibly hard to know what to do about them.

but there has always been elite, since the first caveman bagged the biggest cave. That's the way humanity is.

socialism was and is elitist. think of the zils and the dachas.

I used to go out with a Socialist.

He shopped at Waitrose and thought nothing of spending £12 on olive oil yet was as tight as a gnat's chuff. Never, ever tipped a restaurant worker or taxi driver. His wealth was his own.

When I asked him to explain Socialism to me, he dumped me.

I think he just liked the regalia and to be seen carrying The Morning Star newspaper

(I understand he wasn't representative of all Socialists)

katie I think I dated him too....!! haha
Yes, there are plenty of rich "Socialists" out there. I work with a consultant who lives in a huge house, sends children to private school, and refuses every charity collection going and yet claims to be a socialist.

Wow

"Both you and BecauseIm(obviouslynot)worthit are into censoring and anti democratic"

There is no way that I am either of those things. However, I do object to people who are offensive to others and, as I pointed out, who post stuff which is potentially libellous.

What an unpleasant individual you are proving to be - whatever your politics.

We're actually fascists you know because !!!

Whoever said you were fascists?? Just a tad misguided but coming from the same position. We'll be on the same side.

Read yesterday in the Times that since the first Comic Relief in 1995 (?) the population in Ethiopia has doubled - what is the point of high profile, sleb ego-fests when the fundamental issue - ie birth control is not addressed?

Libellous is nicking L'Oreal's slogan!

No bugger would express ANY opinion on here if it could be construed as "potentially libelous". Come on. You simply censored my valid opinion. I understand you now prob feel a tad sheepish but what's done is done BecauseImworthit.

MrsGuy yip. I know. Tell the chatholic church that. When they're not abusing kids they're causing AIDS and overpopulation. Now THAT'S potentially libellous. (But true). Someone gonna report that?

I don't feel sheepish at all, glasnost.

I wonder, though, if you understand the meaning of libel?