Lets Hope This Is A Joke

[tigerfan41]

Back to the topic. I just saw this quote online, which came from Bono back in 2000 when Beautiful Day was released and went to #1. "This tastes very sweet. You think to yourself, you're a rock band, you don't need the pop charts, but you do need the pop charts. Singles are what makes rock sharp, and we've not been great at singles. I can't tell you how excited we feel, we've been around for a while and to hear this song on the radio, it feels very special."

It seems he still has this attitude, even 12 years later. Only problem is, I don't see them being able to ever release another single that does as well on the radio as Beautiful Day.

[mdmomof7]

this is what Bono has to say to them

that belly is sticking out. Bono needs to work out with Larry more

No kidding, I'm actually surprised he's not in better shape given how famous he is and the tendency of most frontman to workout so they look good on stage (Keidis is only 3-4 years younger than Bono and look at him). That's not to say he's fat or anything, just that it's clear he's probably not working out as much as he used to....or his metabolism finally caught up with him.

He belongs up on stage in Vegas with the rest of the band.

[/b]

[tigerfan41]

If U2 did a Vegas show, I'd be there.

[imaginary friend]

this is what Bono has to say to them

I think Bono is making it pretty clear to their fans what he thinks of them.

and you still won't take the hint.

[Tumbling Dice]

this is what Bono has to say to them

I think Bono is making it pretty clear to their fans what he thinks of them.

and you still won't take the hint.

I meant the punters who spent their "hard-earned money" too see U2 in a football stadium.

[Sugarcube]

this is what Bono has to say to them

I think Bono is making it pretty clear to their fans what he thinks of them.

and you still won't take the hint.

I meant the punters who spent their "hard-earned money" too see U2 in a football stadium.

There's clearly an Irish tax inspector in the audience

[Tumbling Dice]

this is what Bono has to say to them

I think Bono is making it pretty clear to their fans what he thinks of them.

and you still won't take the hint.

I meant the punters who spent their "hard-earned money" too see U2 in a football stadium.

There's clearly an Irish tax inspector in the audience

And by extension, it's like giving the finger to the Irish people, as if to say: we are making all this lovely money, the punters just can't stop giving it to us, but we aren't going to pay our fair share of tax like the rest of you peasants.  Why should we? We aren't going to be affected by the deep public spending cuts and cuts in services, such as health services, because we go see the top medical specialists around the world when we or our families have health problems, and in any case, we're off to get some sun on our backs at our villa on the French Riviera when the work is done and the cash has been harvested.

[Sugarcube]

this is what Bono has to say to them

I think Bono is making it pretty clear to their fans what he thinks of them.

and you still won't take the hint.

I meant the punters who spent their "hard-earned money" too see U2 in a football stadium.

There's clearly an Irish tax inspector in the audience

And by extension, it's like giving the finger to the Irish people, as if to say: we are making all this lovely money, the punters just can't stop giving it to us, but we aren't going to pay our fair share of tax like the rest of you peasants.  Why should we? We aren't going to be affected by the deep public spending cuts and cuts in services, such as health services, because we go see the top medical specialists around the world when we or our families have health problems, and in any case, we're off to get some sun on our backs at our villa on the French Riviera when the work is done and the cash has been harvested.

Bono: Let's make poverty history - nevermind us avoiding taxes, rampant unemployment and mass emigration in our own country. Or our ridiculously big carbon footprint indirectly affecting millions of people in developing countries. We need to make poverty history. Right now. Sales of our new album demand it
Edge: Sometimes I think you're a complete d******* bono

[tigerfan41]

I could understand the backlash if all/most of their money was made in Ireland. Then I see the obligation to give whatever the required tax is, just as I would as an American citizen if I had a popular band who made most of our money here in the States. Thing is, U2 is a global business at this point and they make most of their money in countries other than Ireland. Also, Ireland has already made a lot of money off of the band (not just through taxes, but also through tourism and other things). Who's to say U2 is required to support Ireland at this point? Would people be this pissed if the Beatles were still around and did the same thing to England? Doubtful.

Also, do we even know that U2 themselves (i.e. Edge, Bono, Larry and Adam) made this decision? Perhaps it was their business partners/manager?

[Sugarcube]

I could understand the backlash if all/most of their money was made in Ireland. Then I see the obligation to give whatever the required tax is, just as I would as an American citizen if I had a popular band who made most of our money here in the States. Thing is, U2 is a global business at this point and they make most of their money in countries other than Ireland. Also, Ireland has already made a lot of money off of the band (not just through taxes, but also through tourism and other things). Who's to say U2 is required to support Ireland at this point? Would people be this pissed if the Beatles were still around and did the same thing to England? Doubtful.

Also, do we even know that U2 themselves (i.e. Edge, Bono, Larry and Adam) made this decision? Perhaps it was their business partners/manager?

Which would be fine if boon didn't bang in about U2s home being in Ireland. Check out the U2 go home DVD where boon proudly proclaims the Dublin audience are their 'tribe' and U2 are going to make Dublin their 'base'.

The Beatles didn't B.S. as much as U2 do so no, they wouldn't get the same flack

[tigerfan41]

That doesn't mean they're obligated to financially support the country when (a) they're taxed globally and (b) they make their money globally. Though that was a silly thing to say because it obviously gave the Irish the wrong idea.

Also, that's a double standard about the Beatles. Chalk it up to people just looking for some reason, ANY reason to bash U2. Even if it's not always justified.

How about instead of whining about U2's decision to move a global business to a place where it's taxed fairly, those protesters find another way to help Ireland rebound economically? Speaking as someone who lives in an area heavily affected by the recession, if the same thing happened here, I'd rather go see what I could do to change things than expect protesting to solve anything. Blame the politicians and the leaders in the country who F'd things up. Guilting U2 clearly isn't going to make a difference.

[imaginary friend]

I could understand the backlash if all/most of their money was made in Ireland. Then I see the obligation to give whatever the required tax is, just as I would as an American citizen if I had a popular band who made most of our money here in the States. Thing is, U2 is a global business at this point and they make most of their money in countries other than Ireland. Also, Ireland has already made a lot of money off of the band (not just through taxes, but also through tourism and other things). Who's to say U2 is required to support Ireland at this point? Would people be this pissed if the Beatles were still around and did the same thing to England? Doubtful.

Also, do we even know that U2 themselves (i.e. Edge, Bono, Larry and Adam) made this decision? Perhaps it was their business partners/manager?

Which would be fine if boon didn't bang in about U2s home being in Ireland. Check out the U2 go home DVD where boon proudly proclaims the Dublin audience are their 'tribe' and U2 are going to make Dublin their 'base'.

The Beatles didn't B.S. as much as U2 do so no, they wouldn't get the same flack

umm, yeah...the Beatles aren't really the best example to use when discussing anything of a financial nature.

[Tumbling Dice]

I could understand the backlash if all/most of their money was made in Ireland. Then I see the obligation to give whatever the required tax is, just as I would as an American citizen if I had a popular band who made most of our money here in the States. Thing is, U2 is a global business at this point and they make most of their money in countries other than Ireland.

The same is true about Simon Cowell, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Sting, for example, but they pay all their company and personal income taxes in the UK.  U2 could do the same, and indeed, U2 were perfectly happy to do exactly that for over two decades when Ireland had generous tax relief on wealthy artists' royalties, until that is the Irish government changed the rules and made wealthy artists liable to pay their fair share of tax like every other company registered in Ireland.

Also, Ireland has already made a lot of money off of the band (not just through taxes, but also through tourism and other things).

How do we know that?  They're not the British Royal Family, you know.  I know the Clarence Hotel has made money off of the band's name, but then Bono and The Edge own that.

Who's to say U2 is required to support Ireland at this point? Would people be this pissed if the Beatles were still around and did the same thing to England? Doubtful.

It's not about 'supporting' Ireland, but rather paying their fair share of taxes like all the other Irish citizens, most of whom are decidedly more financially hard-pressed than U2.  And I am pissed that the Rolling Stones are massive tax avoiders - and have been for forty years - but then, no member of the Stones goes around asking govenments - including the Irish government - to be more generous with taxpayers money on their overseas aid/development budgets.

Also, do we even know that U2 themselves (i.e. Edge, Bono, Larry and Adam) made this decision? Perhaps it was their business partners/manager?

U2 Ltd has five 'voting' directors - the band members and Baron Greenback - who vote on these business decisions.

[Sugarcube]

That doesn't mean they're obligated to financially support the country when (a) they're taxed globally and (b) they make their money globally. Though that was a silly thing to say because it obviously gave the Irish the wrong idea.

Also, that's a double standard about the Beatles. Chalk it up to people just looking for some reason, ANY reason to bash U2. Even if it's not always justified.

How about instead of whining about U2's decision to move a global business to a place where it's taxed fairly, those protesters find another way to help Ireland rebound economically? Speaking as someone who lives in an area heavily affected by the recession, if the same thing happened here, I'd rather go see what I could do to change things than expect protesting to solve anything. Blame the politicians and the leaders in the country who F'd things up. Guilting U2 clearly isn't going to make a difference.

Are you suggesting an unemployed Irish citizen who has no job and no future prospects should not have an opinion on mega wealthy rock stars who on the on the one hand use their native country to market their music but on the other hand go to great lengths to avoid paying taxes into their native country?

I was going to suggest you remove your head from your arse but I suspect you might be American

[Tumbling Dice]

That doesn't mean they're obligated to financially support the country when (a) they're taxed globally and (b) they make their money globally. Though that was a silly thing to say because it obviously gave the Irish the wrong idea.

They're not taxed globally on income tax or corporation tax, but they may pay withholding taxes locally.   The fact they make their money globally is irrelevant as to whether they should pay their fair share of tax in their home country.