Madam, - Brendan Horisk (July 11th) says that wealthy pop stars "should. . .stop trying to give the rest of us a guilt complex about something over which we have no control."
We citizens of the rich democratic West have plenty of control over the lives of the poor in our world.
Firstly, we can be ethical consumers - for example by boycotting goods from companies that exploit their workers and buying Fair Trade products. Secondly, we can vote in politicians who support global justice and vote out those who don't. I take this opportunity to thank Minister of State Tom Kitt and our Government for the good work Development Co-operation Ireland are doing in countries like Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia and East Timor. Thirdly, if we are healthy, educated and free to speak, we can answer Mrs Mary Robinson's call for "constructive, targeted anger."
We can join Afri campaigns against the arms trade. We can support Debt and Development's campaigns against the International Monetary Fund's and World Bank's inept handling of the debt crisis, learning how their snail-paced, inadequate relief, based on export ratios rather than human need and their structural adjustment policies are contributing to "the death of 15,000+ children per day in sub-Saharan Africa alone" (UNDP).
We can urge our Taoiseach to put fair trade and debt cancellation on the agenda when Ireland takes the EU Presidency in 2004.
There are plenty of opportunities for the "rest of us" to take control - to make our voices heard and our presence count.
Pop stars also have consciences, and if they bring the power of popular culture and their young following to challenge the injustices imposed on developing countries, then good for them! - Yours, etc.,
GERALDINE MURPHY, Watson Avenue, Killiney, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Oliver Duffy's snide attack on the likes of Bono and Bob Geldof (July 12th) is insulting in the gravest way. He arrogantly preaches the ways of Christ but is himself unchristian in his misguided abuse.
Bono and Bob are to be admired profoundly for getting up off their butts and doing something! Both of these fine human beings have shown an unequalled ability to cut through political roadblocks and focus the minds of those with the power to make the difference. I am sure neither would apologise for being emotional at seeing the evidence of millions suffering in the Third World and being deprived of the basic human right of the right to life.
Mr Duffy would be better employed by getting up off his own butt and doing something meaningful for the cause of those suffering at home. Perhaps it is within his gift to do something worthy for which we can also have admiration. - Yours, etc.,
CIARAN ALFRED, Mayfield, Portlaoise, Co Laois.