Rock Against Tyrants (RAT)

If rock stars could solve humanitarian crisis around the globe, the American Congress would consist of members such as Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley, Willie Nelson and Neil Young.

Yet another global music festival is planned, this time to coincide with the G-8 international summit. The goal, according to U2’s Bono, is to pressure the wealthiest nations to forgive debt owed by African nations.

Aids, famine, illiteracy, and poverty, are caused by forces greater than the clichéd greed of the industrialized West.

African countries share a political crisis of leadership. Tyranny and corruption, socialism and ethnic tribalism do not fit neatly on a placard marketing Live8.

Until Bono, Sting, Bruce and Willie start strumming and singing against a failed United Nations and ruthless dictators, then canceling debt solves little. The same thugs will continue to bribe and murder and steal from both the international community and their own country’s resources.

Once Africa possesses economic and political liberty, illiteracy, poverty, and famine will face a relentless attack from generous trading partners around the globe.

Has anyone told Boomtown Rats’ Bob Geldof Ethiopia is still starving? And the life expectancy in many African nations is less than 45 years old?

Dying of famine or civil war is no way to die.

But LiveAid was a hell of a show.