As I said in the comments section of the diary, I found the diary on the front page of Booman Tribune that lampooned U2 and their efforts to alleviate suffering in Africa terribly disappointing.
I became an avid U2 fan over 18 years ago when, in the height of my self-centeredness (my senior year of high school), I saw “With or Without You” on MTV (yes, they still played music back then) and heard that bassline for the first time. I was blown away, and while I was a casual fan before then, they became my favorite rock band from that day forward.
But, their influence on my life goes way beyond drinking beers and rocking along. It begins with “Pride (In the Name of Love”) as a 16 year old in an all-white hick town, really asking for the first time who this Martin Luther King guy was and what he was all about. Why would this Irish, mullet-wearing rocker sing so passionately about him?
It continued with seeing Bono strut across the stage in the live video from Red Rocks singing “Sunday Bloody Sunday” to that uniquely Larry Mullin Jr. drum beat, and for the first time asking myself why something meant to be so peaceful as religion could cause so much destruction and hatred.
They followed me along into my early twenties, inviting me to ask, while stationed overseas with the US Navy taking care of Marines as a hospital corpsman, what the heck is this “One” Bono says we are all a part of. And, of course, in 2001 and long into my “grownup” life Bono helped partially heal my heart in the aftermath of 9/11 by belting out “Where the Streets Have No Name” to a scrolling (and breathtaking) list of 9/11 victims behind him.
And now, when U2 songs are more relevant to me than at anytime before, I see him contantly bashed, not by the right-wingers that you would expect, but by my fellow liberals, lampooning him for flying around in a private jet or showing up to a state event in rock star attire. This is shocking and puzzling to me, when we are at a time when U2 songs would seem to have so much relevance to the issues that are so important to all of us.
Sunday Bloody Sunday: “I can’t believe the news today / I can’t close my eyes and make it go away / How long? How long must we sing this song? / How long? How long?”
Bullet the Blue Sky: “Across the field you see the sky ripped open / See the rain come through the gaping wound / Pounding on the women and children who run into the arms of america”
New Year’s Day: “Under a blood-red sky / A crowd has gathered in black and white / Arms entwined, the chosen few / Newspapers say, it says it’s true / And we can break through, / Though torn in two we can be one. / I will begin again, I will begin again. / Oh and maybe the time is right, / Oh maybe tonight.
I will be with you again./ I will be with you again.”
Peace on Earth: “Sick of sorrow / I’m sick of the pain
I’m sick of hearing / Again and again / That there’s gonna be / Peace on earth”
Pride (In the Name of Love): “One man come in the name of love / One man come and go /One man come, he to justify / One man to overthrow”
And, of course…
One:
One blood
One life
You got to do what you should
One life
With each other
Sisters
Brothers
One life
But we’re not the same
We get to carry each other
Carry each other
Which brings me to where U2 is now in my life. We went to see them last spring. They managed to bring all of this together with a very powerful message, and yet still rock the house. They combined powerful imagery (a young African lady reading the UN Declaration on Human Rights as the words scrolled across the screen, Bono wearing a headband with Christian, Muslim, and Jewish symbols and the words “COEXIST” during Sunday Bloody Sunday, and a torture performance by Bono during Bullet the Blue Sky) with powerful music. And, of course, the most powerful of all messages was playing “Pride (In the Name of Love)” and singing about MLK and his dream, and talking of how his dream is bigger than the borders of the United States, and then singing “Where the Streets Have No Name” to African flags, and then talking about the One Campaign and singing “One.” It was more powerful than words can convey.
But that’s simply writing words and singing songs live. What else has Bono done for this world? Well, he has probably done more for this world than just about any other human being. He not only devotes his riches, but his TIME, to the point of bringing U2 to the brink of destruction on several occasions. Should he sell his private jet and donate the proceeds to Africa? Would that have more impact on alleviating suffering than what he is doing now? Perhaps some around here would be the most impressed if he donated everything, quit U2, and blogged from a cheap apartment somewhere.
This is not to criticize bloggers, who serve an important function for the liberal cause, but to sit behind your keyboard making fun of, and criticizing, Bono for his efforts to alleviate suffering on the African continent is to rise of the level of the deepest and most hurtful cynicism. It is against the very ideals that I hold true as a liberal, and assume other liberals to hold true to as well. There is nothing funny about what Bono has been devoting his life to, even if he does show up to receive a medal for his efforts via his private jet while wearing sunglasses.
… is the personal fortune of Mr Bono, according the BBC program ‘Liquid Assets’ He is sterling millionaire 108 times over.
I find that obscene.
Especially in light of this:
“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
Monbiat is quite critical, and Chris Floyd quoted from Monbiat in his piece. And, I was — like — horrified when I first read this because I’d all along naively assumed that Bono, etc. were doing the right thing 100% all the way …
ANOTHER, from July:
IZZY wrote a good diary about this:
Londonbear:
and many more such instances…
I will work on digging up an interview I saw with Bono about what he had hoped to accomplish and that the aid had to go where it was most needed and not doled out as other aid was before and gobbled up by the polical heads in Africa. What the G8 countries do as far as aid has really nothing to do with wnat Bono is doing imho. Is Bono accountable for how these countries dole out or do not dole out aid? He is only responsible/guilty of trying to bring this horrendous situation to the forefront of peoples minds.
Very well written diary Paul.
I read all this at the time of Live8 and found these positions absurd. We (on the left) often play right into the very stereotypes that the right-wing loves to perpetuate. One of them is being so arrogant as to think that we have all the answers, and the world would be such a better place if everyone were only as smart as us (see the anti-red state rhetoric after the election as the perfect example).
While the long-term solution to Africa is obviously complex and goes well beyond the short-term bandaids being offered by Live8 and similar efforts, the two are NOT mutually exclusive. To advance the position that we should give Africa nothing, thus letting millions die in the short-term, in order to somehow right the long-term policies is not much different than the right-wing policies toward poverty in the United States over the last couple of decades. “If we just leave those homeless people alone to fend for themselves they’ll realize they just need to get off their ass and get to work.”
Excuse me, but that’s a complete misrepresentation of the issue and a terribly flawed analogy. In fact, it is the very analogy that activists are angry at the stars for reinforcing. If you’d read the articles Susan linked, you’d know that. Africa is not a homeless person.
The problem is not whether Africa is helping itself or “working.” The problem is that others are causing and profitting directly from the situation. A better analogy would be the coal miners and the company store — would you hold a benefit for those poor miners to buy them a few meals and NOT mention that the company was working them to death and charging them for housing and goods at inflated prices? Would it be helpful to ask for charity and never address the issue of wages?
I understand that you are upset and defending someone you admire, that’s good and admirable. But it seems to me you are declaring him off limits for humor — that’s rigid. No one is off-limits for jokes and both sides of the issue were explored seriously in the original thread. Susan has apologized repeatedly and you’re being less than gracious to keep castigating her for her “front page” post.
To criticize severely: inflicting severe punishment.
If expressing ones opinion and/or expressing a differing veiw means castigating then I missed something. Sorry, just had to add my 2 cents worth. I will shut up now.
Sorry alohaleezy and paulucla! That was way too strong a word and I apologize if I hurt your feelings. I don’t want anyone to shut up — I probably came on too strong, which is my tendency at times. I reacted poorly to the homeless analogy.
You are both making good points and I think the diary about Bono is excellent as regards paulucla’s admiration for Bono and the band. I should’ve said that right off.
I appreciate that.
I never castigated anyone, and you missed the point of the analogy (which was the mentality of the critic, not the plight of the downtrodden).
I really appreciate Susan’s writing when I come around here, but that doesn’t mean she is beyond reproach for choosing to perpetuate the original author’s vitriole by reposting it on the Booman Tribune front page. I don’t think I did it in a mean-spirited way at all. Just as she is free to post whatever she likes to the front page, I am free to criticize her for doing so without, to quote Booman, “being a prick.”
As I said above, I do apologize for using the word “castigate.” That said, by calling the original post “vitriole” and saying you’re puzzled, bewildered and disappointed by this, it seems to me you’re not accepting the explanation that it was intended as humorous nor the apologies that have been offered already.
I also don’t think I understand your analogy still — how does comparing Africa’s situation to homelessness differ if you’re viewing it as a critic?
Intending something to be humorous doesn’t excuse it from critique, and let’s at least be honest: the original author’s comments were intended to be more than just humor. Indeed, as Susan stated, they reminded her of the critiques being offered at the time of Live8, which had no humorous component.
No doubt we all have differing senses of humor. I just find nothing funny about the plight of Africa nor the attempts by people like Bono to do something about it. Making light of these people or their efforts diminishes the seriousness of the issue they are trying to address.
I find the implication that I’m not being honest to be insulting. You are insisting on conflating a jab at Bono’s clothes and jet to finding humor in the plight of Africa and the people. I find nothing humorous in that and, again, resent the implication.
I personally don’t think that making fun of Bono diminishes the cause in any way or takes away from the serousness about the situation in Africa. If you feel that way, fine, but it seems to me it would serve you better to make your point without misrepresenting those who don’t feel the same way.
Seeing you know how much he is worth you could also find out how much he has given to many many charitable causes. And that Personal jet he flies all over the world in at his own expense has taken him to Africa several times and Bosnia too. Is it your opinion that someone like Oprah, who is the richest woman in the world and has given away so much and helped so many people through her own charities and others is just doing it for publicity? I am just asking. It seems to me that if one is a “celebrity” or person of fame, what they give will never be enough to some folks.
This was directed toward Sven.
I am not sure I can support private jets whoever’s paying, and I think you’ll find that where such stars take part in official events where their celebrity status helps publicise the cause of the organizers, their expenses are paid.
We are in a world where even athletes are paid to tempt them to take part in competitions.
To me it’s just obscene – but then I am an old codger. An old codger who filmed people fighting over a two foot pile of crinkled fivers in a tent at IOW 1970. I spent 15 years in the business of Rock n’ Roll (condemnation in itself!) – at the high end. I never met any rock n roller or record exec with more than average intelligence (except maybe Lennon, Zappa or Townshend) and usually a lot less. Certainly I never came across enough individual rocker intelligence to solve any problems in this world except their own – if that.
I did however meet some extremely smart lawyers, publicists and accountants. And these are the people that actually run the show. They are, mostly, immersed in the Rovian art of dissembling, and in running an Empire machine of hundreds of people who actually decide or form what happens.
It is not unusual. The Presidency of the US largely runs that way.
Sven, I guess we will just have to disagree on this. When were you in rock and roll high end? I will put U2 right up there with Lennon, Zappa and a few others and I’m an old fart so there. lol
1968 – 1973 highend, 1973 – 1979 high end in another country, 1979 – 1982 switched to low end ethnic music.
An article on me in Melody Maker was headlined ‘Will this man rock the film industry?’ Sadly I was never able to accomplish that. Too many egos (mine included) exploding in studios at 4 am – I couldn’t take it any longer.
Yes let’s agree to disagree š
No doubt that the industry of music, especially sex, drugs and rock and roll, especially in the 70’s to 90’s period was rampant with egos and craziness. I was married to a musician briefly in my youth and he wasn’t big time but the “scene” could get pretty crazy in the clubs they played and the “party” afterwards. There was always one or another member in the band that had to be the center of the band…if it wasn’t their lead guitarist, it was the lead singer, if not them it was the world’s smallest drummer. Pete Reisch. EGOS!!!!!
Thanks for an important post, Paul.
Again, I’m sorry that that offended so many people. I have an offbeat sense of humor and believe deeply in equal opportunity humor.
When John Kerry was photographed on that wind surfer, I laughed my head off because he looked, superficially, so ridiculous. And it was even funnier when the pro-Kerry pundits on TV defended him by saying wind surfing is a very difficult sport, etc. .. which is all true, but it still was funny!
And, I am still puzzled why — leading up to and during the G8 summit — there were a lot of diaries HERE and on many blogs, as well as a lot of news stories bashing Bono and Geldof, and I didn’t see much of a defense of them then.
As I said, it was so hard to find a story that didn’t make fun of Bono/Geldof in June, that I had to think that perhaps MY SUPPORT of them was naive.
When a favorite columnist like Chris Floyd, at his blog Empire Burlesque and in his columns, says that Bono et al. may in fact be harming the impoverished, well … it is worth examining.
I don’t say we have to agree with all of them. But it’s fair to question our own icons sometimes, and to listen to those who do.
I LOVE what they’re doing. I’m just sorry my sense of humor is so “out there” sometimes.
Please accept my apology.
if you like, I’ll “kiss the gunner,” as Anthony Hopkins did the other night on a rerun of “The Bounty.” (See, I can’t help it … me bad.)
You are right Susan, we should not tease pomposity.
In the spirit of Dadaism I enclose this link which you’ve probably spotted already. It brings new meaning to the hippy phrase “Farm out, man”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8967307
I had a great deal of fun passing that story on to the mailing lists I’m on. It’s a hoot!
Great post Paulucia. I think U2 has done more good than harm in this world, and their music continnues to be great!
Susan’s diary from yesterday reminded me of this article more than anything else link
Perfect Cabibgirl!
Live with Luciano Pavarroti… from Bosnia.
Pax
Bono was in the film “A tribute to LeadBelly and Woody Guthrie” – in it were other “rich fuckers” (not my phrase) who also have done much in the charity arena.
Springsteen
Melloncamp
Little Richard
Emmy Lou Harris
Taj Mahal
Willie Nelson
(Great my mind went blank)
Anyways, we’ve always had singers and songwriters write about the injustices… U2 just happens tobe one of the ones that puts it money where it’s mouth is.
I wonder what John Lennon would be doing today if he wasn’t murdered.
Well hopefully he wouldn’t be trying to stop millions from dying in Africa, because that’s such a horribly misguided thing for a rock star to try to do.
oh and Bob Dylan is another one who was with Bono/U2 in the tribute to two of the greatest folk singers.
I could never, and would never, say to one of the stars or celebs who was helping out with a cause that was near to my heart… Special Olympics… U2 has given so MUCH to that one cause alone… I could never say “thanks, but damn your hat really sucks”… š
I think the anger should be directed at the politicians who can’t seem to find a way for the food and monies to find the needy in Africa. This has been a longstanding problem ever since Live Aid. The warloads, politicians and redtape defeat the purpose – but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep trying to keep millions from starving.
my brother attended the U2 concert in Boston and they had the Geneva Convention scrolling across the stage as that song was sung. Very powerful.
Especially when nowadays most of the listeners are getting the news about “runaway brides and mike jackson”
I was hoping you would show up in this thread!
sometimes ya gotta holler at me to get my attention š
Been a busy day. I started off super pissed off and also today’s Mr. Damnit’s birthday and NONE of his stuff arrived. ACK
Sorry you are having a pissy day. WOuldn’t ya know the packages never come when they promise…ugh! happy birthday to the Mister. hope the evening goes better than the day kiddo!
This morning I was so angry and upset that someone ran over the memorial set up at Camp Casey – cripes someone could’ve heen hurt…
and I couldn’t really form any thoughts that were froom a calm, rational mind. So I stormed around in my own mind…
And then to find out that Cindy will be moving to a safer acre and a place that is closer … HOORAY:)
I completely understand my friend. I saw the news when I was up in the middle of the night but found much relief to know that someone in Crawford has a heart and offered the land for Camp Casey. You do know I am going down the 26th right?
I think if you sign up to be a celebrity, then you’ve got to expect a certain amount of criticism and mockery — along with all the adoration and riches. It seems like a fair enough trade off …
Bono, may do good in the world, but he’s also got one hell of an ego and it just holds him open to that sort of ribbing.
And as for all the work of these rich celebrities, they also get an awful lot of perks that ordinary hard-working people don’t ever see. I don’t think we need to feel sorry for them
There are hundreds of thousands of people working anonymously for justice. They get paid very little for their time, they often work under extreme adversity and they get no rewards or medals. They may work locally or internationally, they may even live next door to you. It is these people who are the real heros and who deserve our praise, support and protection. The jet setter celebrities who retire to their mansions at the end of the day really don’t need anyone to defend them.
You put it a lot better than I did. Thanks
You really did say it a lot better. Thank you.
There are probably millions of people who work for very little but who do great good.
Last year, I did a stint as a mentor/tutor and got paid about $700/month. it was very tough going financially. But I got to work with a lot of troubled kids, who loved my irreverent sense of humor!
That was one year out of my life. But there are people who do this for decades! I volunteer at an animal shelter here whose caretaker works seven days a week, 12-14 hours a day … he gets $400/month, a roof over his head, and a car to use. And I know lots of people like that in Seattle who make 700-900 per month, which is nearly impossible to live on, but they’re so dedicated.
Then there are the wildlife rehabbers I’ve gotten to know .. .they constantly have to BEG for donations. One local wildlife sanctuary only makes it because every few months, the local newspaper is nice enough to feature them in a big story, after which they get donations for a while and then drop off peole’s radar.
If Bono’s efforts don’t reach far enough, then it’s because not enough people believe…or understand.
It seems to me there are two types of wealthy elites in the world today
( I know this is simplistic; bear with me.) The one type makes gazillions off of the exploitation of others, and spends his or her time plotting to make more.
Then there are those who through their talents, enrich themselves, and find ways, numerous ways, to give back.
Thank goddess for the Bono types; there aren’t many like him.
We all…even with our limited resources…need to be more like Bono. Committed to the point of obsession in freeing our world from the slavery of greed and ignorance.
I don’t want to be a pain in the ass here, replying to every comment, but I want to point out that this thread is full of straw man arguments which completely misrepresent the “other side.”
It’s one thing to disagree on whether making fun of Bono is funny or not, or even whether it’s destructive to do so. Those are points I see being made in all of this, and they’re important.
But these points are being made obliquely within larger criticisms of the other side and a complete misrepresentations of the arguments surround the aid issue. At the start, the diarist conflates a criticism of Bono with “their efforts to alleviate suffering.”
This is the same exact argument the right makes when we criticize the war or the politicians who have gotten us into the war — that we don’t support freedom or the troops. It’s a bullshit tactic no matter which side does it.
No one on “the other side” has accused Bono of not doing enough. More importantly, not one person here has laughed at the situation or the suffering, nor has anyone suggested, as the diarist claims, that we want to give Africa nothing or that we don’t want Bono to “stop millions from dying.”
I’m sorry, but this is complete and utter crap. No one is saying or arguing any of the things that have been argued against here and it’s offensive to keep portraying the issues this way. I’m sure we can find plenty of stuff to disagree about without making shit up.
Your guilty of the very thing you accuse me of. Go back and re-read the original article that Susan posted, and you’ll see that the lampooning of Bono and U2 was intertwined with their efforts toward Africa. This is why I found it disappointing.
Lampooning Bono as a rock star sounds like fun. Some of the best U2 has been self-parody (see, e.g., the video for “The Sweetest Thing” or Bono’s “Mephisto” character of the mid-90s concerts. But lampooning their efforts toward Africa is an entirely different story.
First, thanks for replying in a more level headed fashion than my comment merits. I did go back and re-read the post. I don’t see the lampooning as intertwined. The band was lampooned, not their efforts.
The author made fun of Bono calling people hypocrites when they were in a private jet. Yes, the aid was mentioned, but was not even a peripheral target. Her words were squarely aimed at what she percieves as hypocricy.
Like you, and most on this thread, I wouldn’t give them a hard time about that — we’re not all Mother Theresa. I don’t believe in criticizing people who are doing something for not doing enough. However, she is clearly stating the difference between some of the band’s words and some of their actions — not criticizing the actions themselves.
But my main point is not to defend the piece, nor to debate whether Bono is a hypocrite. As I’ve said before, I like Bono. I also think that your diary is excellent, aside from the accusations contained in it. And they haven’t been just directed at the author of the piece — they’ve been directed at perceived critics of Bono and the G8 deal as well as “the left.”
I also don’t see where I’m guilty of the same thing myself in pointing out strawman arguments. Please enlighten me. I’ve said quite clearly that the critics of the G8 deal do not want to let Africa starve. I’ve stated that critics are not saying Bono isn’t doing enough. I’ve said that the accusation of cutting Africa off and leaving it like a homeless person is a false analogy.
I’m not making up arguments for you or your side and putting words in your mouth. I’m directly addressing your statements. I am perhaps guilty of being emotional, but this is a very serious issue. The issues are of life and death importance. I don’t mind people having honest disagreements on how best to help Africa, but I don’t want to see the “other side” portrayed in a way that completely obscures what they are saying.
I am not sure what I think of Bono. I tend to believe that any effort to draw attention and action to the major problems with hunger and poverty in parts of Africa is a good thing. Then again, I think providing cover for Bush and Blair and the G8 and their devious use of aid is not a very good thing.
I’ve seen him (Bono) speak before, and he seems very sincere, very much like he wants to do something… anything to make a difference, and I can’t fault that. Whether his methods are effective or not is another story. So far, it seems that people who are actually on the ground, day in and day out, with these issues are not all that appreciative. I was very surprised when I mentioned Bono to a couple of British friends of mine who are very into ending world hunger and so on… they were both (separately) absolutely scathing in their dislike of Bono and what he is doing.
I do recall that at the just past Live 8 concert and speeches that at first there was not one African slated to be involved in any public capacity… which was corrected (a bit) once that was pointed out. The fact that it had to be pointed out to the Bono and Geldorf by people from outside suggests that there is a bit of paternalism involved, but that is just an observation, not something proven by study.
So… I still don’t know. Me, I sort of think every little bit helps.
Oh, sure. Just come in here and be all reasonable! š
I think you’re right though, probably because that’s the exact way I feel about Bono. I do believe he’s sincere as well.
In 1984, U2 played the arena in my town and some friends of mine went without tickets to see if they could get in. They couldn’t but, by sitting by the backstage door, they heard the concert. Right after, the band came out. Bono stopped to chat with them and they ended up talking for over two hours.
My friends said he was genuinely nice and asked them all sorts of stuff and swapped stories. You just don’t fake that sort of thing for that long, I don’t think.
I think he is probably pretty nice… huge ego, but nice ;).
And maybe what’s best about him and his work, both professionally as a singer/songwriter, and as an activist voice is not what he himself may do, but what he inspires others to do. Sometimes all it takes is a little spark.
http://one.org/
Bono help organise this. I just saw them in April It was an amazing experience and I was so moved when they had the Human rights scroll across the screen. Believe me I don’t normally cry at rock concerts but the whole experience moved me deeply, made me care more about these poor starving children dying everyday in Africa.