“Bono is NOT the second coming. I’m sorry. But you have to know the truth. It’s better late than never,” writes the Portugese blogger and artist Vitriolica, winner of the Big Blogger 2005 contest.
We all know the stuff he does (and is seen to be doing), going up against the big scary men like Tony “is my makeup on straight, Cherie?” Blair and saying “Hey, poverty isn’t naice” (that’s Belfast for “nice”) and “We should all be ashamed of (I’m paraphrasing horribly, you’ll be getting me drift, but) (that’s Belfast for “but you get my drift”) such shameful abundance in the face of a child dying every three minutes and people starving and Africa being in a terrible state, but.” etc etc… and will usually use words like “unacceptable”,”hypocrisy”, “shameful” in his little speechlet soundbite things to adoring press conferences (as does Bob Geldof in his similarly Belfastian rages against the machine).
So, writes Vitriolica, “the four inCREDibly rich fuckers flew into Portugal airport in a HUGE private jet this afternoon” to be pinned with medals of the Ordem de Liberdade. (See V’s drawing above.) Update [2005-8-15 15:31:25 by susanhu]: Vitriolica herself responds to you, in comments section. MORE BELOW:
Vitriolica, featured in today’s UK Observer, continues:
Then they’re schmoozed along to the President of the Republic of Portugal for a photo opp of certainly great street cred value to the office of Prez.
And Prez. Jorge pins some MEDALS (Ordem de Liberdade) on the four of them, which was acutely funny, as their names had to be read out as Jorge lines them up: along comes the turn of that shifty looking bugger, “The Edge” (I mean, COME ON, you’re a middle aged man be now) with his blue Ali G condom hat on and the some bloke has to say in a dignified manner “Dave Evans, ‘The Edge'” Dave Evans. No wonder he changed his name to ‘The Edge’ when he was eighteen, but why he didn’t change it back when he was nineteen is probably the same reason he still thinks it acceptable to wear the blue Ali G condom hat in middle age.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I think that when one visits a country and gets to meet the President of that country, that one should show a teensy weensy bit of respect for that office if not for the person who holds that office.
Unless, maybe if you’re called Paul Hewson. I mean Bono… which incidentally must read as boonoo in portuguese….hahahahha.
He and the rest of them turn up looking basically like thirteen year olds who’ve been told they’ll get a pint of shandy if they stand on this stage and smile and say thank you to the nice man with the ginger eyebrows (well, he does have ginger eyebrows).
Vitriolica’s profile:
Age: 35
Gender: female
Astrological Sign: Gemini
Zodiac Year:: Dog
Industry: Arts
Occupation: Illustrator
Location: Azeitão : Portugal
About Me
Vit, Madge, WHO? we live in Portugal, also in the same body/mind of a British illustrator/mummy/masochist who is saving up to buy her new whizz bang computador (hint hint… buy her prints, merch, painting… hint HINT)… leave comments in whatever language you like, but if you want me to understand them, then make them Portuguese or English.
I had to downsize that drawing quite a bit … you can find it in its full size, and many more such drawings, throughout her blog, which has the address of unkemptwomen.blogspot.com 🙂
the four inCREDibly rich fuckers
And her point being that “rich fuckers” have no business leveraging their fame for social change? Or that she doesn’t like the hat.
Vitriolica goes right for the jugular, doesn’t she?
My instinctive, gut response to Bono is much the same as hers. He may do a lot of good, but… something goes against the grain for me.
I find the support for Bono here today very heartening! Because I recall, around the time of the G8 summit in Scotland — the many diaries and posts that were very critical of Bono, Geldaf, etc….
I share your balanced skepticism.
And, at any rate, I found her site very funny! Just like sometimes I laugh at what Christopher Hitchens writes, even if I think he’s full of it (c-r-a-p, not Scotch) — just because he IS funny sometimes!
Have you read Fools Rush In? It’s by the man who filmed the documentary Miss Sarajevo, and (while not the main focus) it was interesting to read how he and U2 and Bono made the world aware of what was happening in Sarajevo by putting a human face on it for the world. More telling was the way U2 was happy to accept recognition without acknowledging Carter for putting his life on the line while filming in Sarajevo and arranging satellite linkups for the Zooropa tour.
read it but I’ll certainly look out for it. It sounds like an enlightening read.
U2 did give Bill Carter his big break AND they financed Miss Sarajevo.
Look, I’m a big fan and a major U2 nerd, and I say of course Bono’s an egomaniac, and and so is his band, or else they’re still as willfully naive as they’ve ever been. That’s not in question.
What I don’t like about this is the automatic assumption that their commitments are shallow or opportunistic simply because they’re celebrities.
Besides, Bono gets big points with me simply for out-Bibling Jesse Helms and making that cranky old fuck cry like a baby.
As an admirer of the singer & political darling, I have to say that Bono is excellent at what he does: being a rock star. Rock stars have huge egos, show up to fancy events in tattered clothes, create an image and sell it and make gobs of money, and in few cases, like this one, write and perform great music (thought I admit that was truer oh 15 years ago…). And if rock stars decide they want to use some of their earned media to champion a cause that might make some suffering people’s lives a teensy bit better, who are we to say they shouldn’t? Go for it.
So what?
And I’ll add that from my side of the pond, she should be happy her President has halfway decent taste. And is playing host to rockstars and not blowing up large swaths of the inhabited earth.
Oh, and Bono’s one hell of a fine looking Irishman. So if you absolutely must watch while some ageing rockstar tries to simultaneously tell you about the AIDS epidemic and sell you a new pair of designer jeans or ipod, well, I can imagine worse fates I could suffer…
I could name finer looking Irishmen from the current Acting Irish Mafia: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Day Lewis, Albert Finney (when a young Tom Jones), Gabriel Byrne, Peter O’Toole, and that always big and yummy Liam Neeson.
But don’t put Bono in the ‘fine’ category. Shaved or unshaven, he still ain’t cute–with the cash.
Bono has given so much money and support to Special Olympics… always giving of his time and “clout” to help charities for special people.
Bush – kills mentally disabled people. Texas… home of the most death penalties.
In my book, Bono is a good guy.
It’s not what the person is wearing that counts. So many men in suits have done so little or worse – have done so much against humanity.
Different priorities for different folks I guess :/
Humph…I must admit to being an avid U2 fan musically. I also admire Anyone that will not only give of their time but their money to assist bringing the plite of Africa to the forefront and find myself loving “rich fuckers’such as Bono/U2 gerdolf et el.io
Cheney, Bush – war profiteers. But they wear nice suits and give lipservice to other politicians.
She asked me to post this for her because she registers at too many sites, she said. Although she liked what she sees of BooMan and promised us she’d come back! I really hope she does…. she’s very funny and irreverent … and her drawings are wonderful.
Bono and Geldof did meet with Goerge and Laura Bush this year … they wore the clothes they felt comfortable in and I don’t believe either of them kissed anyone’s ass during the visit.
I think the message both these men share to the world speaks volumes than what they decide to WEAR or not wear.
Speaking of Rick Fuckers… lets add Cheney, Bush Family and the maiming and killing they have caused to line their fancy and stylish suit pockets.
and I can’t find where the band was disrespectful. What am I missing, Susun? 🙂
They wore their typical garb and they have stage names. Is that the gist of the grudge against this band who has done more to help children than any sitting leader?
I just don’t see where the hate stems from.
If anything I get upset with Bono for not being disrespectful and imflammatory when speaking to heads of state about torture, abuse and war.
I don’t find the word hate anywhere …
aarrrrrrgh .. shall I just erase this? I thought it was very funny and it also fit in with all of the diaries and articles I read back in June — which was a big revelation to me, who felt kind of embarrassed that I wasn’t hip to the fact that Bono et al. are considered a problem by many international humanitarian experts.
My daughter, who’s read a lot more about current affairs in Africa than I, has been telling me all along that Bono, Geldof, etc. are heavily criticized.
I told her that, gosh, at least they’re exposing people to the problem! Then, before, during and after their huge concerts in June, I read almost nothing except snide remarks by HR bloggers, diarists, media, etc. about what they were doing.
Anyway, you don’t have to beat the crap ouf ot of me for posting this. … I’m pretty much agnostic on the subject since, for me, the jury is still out on whether they’re an asset or a liability for world poverty.
Post something like it again, definitely.
Exposing people to the problem is never a bad thing. 😉
and I can’t find where the band was disrespectful. What am I missing, Susan? 🙂
They wore their typical garb and they have stage names. Is that the gist of the grudge against this band who has done more to help children than any sitting leader?
I just don’t see where the hate stems from.
If anything I get upset with Bono for not being disrespectful and imflammatory when speaking to heads of state about torture, abuse and war.
Yes, I don’t undertand this at all. Totally confused…
god, who cares what they wore and why does a president “deserve” the respect, one must earn respect, as I see it. Who gives a rats ass what they wear? When is the last time you saw one of the “suits” hiking around the poverty laden fields of Africa?
Some comments …
One thing I immediately noticed, and didn’t like, was that the four took a “huge” private jet to Portugal. I have no clue how much aviation fuel such a plane consumes, but it’s a lot…. besides the money, there’s the pollution.
I don’t care what they wore either but V. does, and she is entitled to her opinion … which she expresses in a very amusing way.
Before G8 I posted some stories about the anti-poverty groups converging on Scotland. And I remember seeing comments, and several diaries, that were highly critical of Bono et al. Which shocked the heck out of me because I’d always assumed that what Bono et al. were doing was fabuous.
Many — here — suggested the following:
I’m quoting them because that’s one site I recall that tore into Bono, etc…. but there were dozens and dozens of other sites that did the same. Including major newspapers like The Guardian and the Observer in the UK.
In fact I read so many diaries and articles along these lines that I had a hard time finding someone who supported Bono et al.’s work. I’m glad they’re speaking up because I wondered where in the heck they were in June.
I don’t know. Often when I hear people like Bono criticized what I wonder is why must someone’s actions be reduced to one aspect of their life. Bono does a lot to make the world a better place. He saves or betters the lives of thousands of people perhaps millions. If he does other things which are disrespectful, okay, but that doesn’t strip him of the fact that he alliviates a great deal of suffering.
I know Bill Gates is a more controversial figure, but I feel the same way about him.
Regardless: The Ali G condom thing was really funny!
It WAS hilarious …
Humor, imho, should be an equal oppurtunity critique of all sides. That’s one reason I love “South Park” — and Da Ali G! show — which aren’t afraid to make fun of the left’s or the right’s precious icons.
yeah, even still I think Ali G shows how stiff some of the guys on the right are. When he interviews Ralph Nader, Nader jokes around with him, but when he interviews practically any right guy like Newt, they have no patience and sometimes don’t even get that hes joking.
Is Ali G coming back? I miss that stinker.
Gawd, did you see the one when he’s at the home of those southern elitists and asks them if the black waiter is their slave?
I think I saw that one.. I saw one dinner party in the south but maybe I missed that line!
I am not sure if he is, but I know you can get a lot more seasons if you order this British DVD’s (maybe on Amazon , I don’t know) but aparently they can only be watched via computer not on one of our DVD players.
Thanks, Susan — I think she’s really funny!
As far as the pro- and anti-celeb sentiments, I agree with you that as long as someone’s trying to do good, why criticize them? But in the case of the ill-will during the G8, I think some of the critics did have a point.
The criticism wasn’t so much based on the concerts or the money, although there was a bit of that, but more on the celebrities embracing of the G8 leaders over the debt relief without ever pointing out that these leaders and the whole “aid” thing is a big part of the problem.
Specifically, it’s good to draw attention to the problem, but not when it crosses the line into obscuring the causes. I think a lot of activists felt like this particular spectacle crossed that line. They’ve been working to get out awareness of the system that keeps the poverty going.
When a huge international event like this goes forward and asks for donations without addressing the corporations and governments that are actually profiting from keeping these countries poor, then it seems like the celebrities are not simply passing up an opportunity to educate, but reinforcing misconceptions.
I’m not sure I entirely agree with this interpretation, since I think the celebrities understand better than the activists that if they were entirely blunt, they would probably be marginalized and ineffective. This way at least, the world is aware that the G8 forgave the debt and if they pull something dirty later, the public goodwill can be used as leverage to stop it.
I find the cynicism and vitriole sad and am disappointed to see it being repeated on the Booman Trib front page.
If only there were more people like U2 in this world.
Forgive me. I tend to forget that my twisted sense of humor is not shared by many. I’ll try to do better.
I had a lot of dealings with major UK and US rock stars of the Sixties and Seventies (I made promo films and documentaries about and for them) and had quite an insight into their private lives.
Almost universally, their new-found fame meant that they became disconnected from ‘ordinary’ life. They could no longer be friends with anyone because they were suspicious of the motives of any newcomer to their circle. They had helpers who organized the trivia of their daily lives. They had press agents controlling their image. And all of them had behind them (and often on top of them) a huge and voracious machine of accountants and lawyers and managers and record executives. Their lives were no longer their own. But they were ‘allowed’ to continue their rebellious anarchy in public because it was good for business. But all of them (except for a very few) were complicit in this facade of ‘freedom’ masking very brutal business.
Their ‘street-cred’ no longer came from the streets.
This disconnected way of living is the same disconnect seen in all people who live in a protected environment or bubble. It is a world of photo opportunities designed to show that street-cred still exists, while these short photo-ops are connected by luxury transport between luxury hotels and the many lonely mansions they acquire.
As a percentage of their total income, I doubt if any of them give away more than the rest of us. Probably a lot less. But their staggering earnings make them appear the soul of generosity.
Few lottery winners survive big wins. In Britain, about 6 out of 10 big winners are ‘dead’ within a few years – alcohol, suicide, road accidents or simply totally socially dysfunctional. Sudden wealth is incredibly corrupting. No-one is given the tools to deal with it. And rock stars are not much different from lottery winners. Power makes you think you own the world, that you control it.
And it is their sense of ownership that is most dangerous. Rock stars, like Presidents, do not own the world. It is YOUR money they are using, and your power that elected them. Make sure they always remember that.
I for one am overjoyed to see these people lampooned at every opportunity.
Unless you can level these stereotyped charges specifically against Bono with empirical support than it smacks of a deep cynicism, which is terribly antithetical to the progressive idealism I hold dear to me and assume most liberals to share.
This reminds me of the constant “celebrity” bashing of the right, with the exact same type of lazy thinking. There is NOTHING funny about the state of Africa or Bono’s efforts to do something about it. Lampooning him for his efforts is a terribly callous thing to do, and anyone who joins in doing so or laughs along has no credibility in my book.
“The 10 richest people on earth have a combined net worth of $255 billion, roughly 60 percent of the income of sub-Saharan Africa. The world’s 500 richest people have more money than the annual earnings of the poorest 3 billion.”
George Monbiot, Guardian (UK), January 21, 2005
Bono is one of those 500.
Please – do worse, not better 😉