The Bottom Line on "Live8"

Jonah Goldberg does the honors:

You may be wondering how much money this intercontinental jam session raised for the sick and dying of Africa. Alas, not a farthing. Sir Bob Geldof was very explicit about this point. Live8 was intended to raise consciousness and exert political pressure on the G8 summiteers. No one was allowed to actually raise money for the masses of starving people in Africa. None of the dollars spent on the concert by fans, corporate sponsors, or television networks will reach Africa. Charities couldn't rattle tin cups outside the porta-potties and concession stands. This was solely an effort to prod the West to get behind the slogan, "Make Poverty History."

At least "We Are The World" actually directed some of the proceeds to Ethiopian famine relief.

Just goes to show that "consciousness-raising" is best not left up to people whose own consciousness is far better described as "altered."