Gordon Brown appears on American Idol

[T_i_B]

Source: Daily Telegraph

He has snubbed the opening ceremony of the Olympics, but Prime Minister Gordon Brown had no such qualms about appearing on popular US talent show American Idol.

An avowed fan of the talent show format, Mr Brown appeared in a pre-recorded segment urging US viewers to join the fight against malaria.

Mr Brown also announced that Britain will provide 20 million extra mosquito nets to protect people in malaria-hit countries from the biting insects.

In a video message shown last night as part of a charity special called Idol Gives Back, Mr Brown asked viewers to play their role in eliminating the disease, saying: "With 120 million more nets all families could sleep safe at night."



Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/10/nidol110.xml

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All a worthy cause I'm sure, but what's wrong with the British PM going on British TV for British charities?

[DUlover2909]

1. Nothing is wrong with it.

I think Bush should do the same on American Idol. I hate Bush but of all the things he's screwed up in the US, the singular thing he has done that is positive is to send aid to Africa. He could send more. The billions that he's wasting in Iraq could solve lots of problems in Africa and here in the US. Al Queda wouldn't hate us so much if we were more generous and helped people more. I think that's what the necons can't understand.

[T_i_B]

2. But by the same token....

...would you want the President of the United States announcing that sort of thing on UK television (on the X Factor say....) rather then in the States?

That's the thing that gets me about this. Why the need for the British PM to make the announcement on American TV?

[legin]

3. Doing some pre-emptive lobbying for his pension ?

The Clinton's tax returns give a nice indication of how much money is floating around for ex-heads of state. $109m in 7-8 years, let's say 100m per 10 years.

blair is probably worth half that, say $50m per decade. Anazar a tenth, say $10m per decade.

Whatever they get it's going to be 10 times more than in their home country.