Well, here's the reply he sent me. If you want to see my reply back, due to length, just ask.
Your letter was the first somewhat cordial letter that I've recieved from those obsessed with the oddly-self-titled-singular-word-eccentric that we know as "Bono".
Continuing...
> Dear Mr. Bartkiw,
> Thank you for the article you wrote concerning celebrities and their charitable contributions and work. It was rather revealing in some ways and entertaining, to say the least, in others. Though you are entitled to your opinion on the sincerity of Bono's actions,
- I don't doubt that he is "sincere". However, he is misguided and hypocritical - not to mention somewhat demented.
> Quote from your article -
> "Interestingly, in their all-too-emotional pity for the poor, they somehow forget about the private jets, limousines, sprawling estates, and lavish lifestyle that they enjoy - which quickly negates any plea to hard-working Westerners for their money."
>
> Obviously you aren't talking about Bono because Bono has always been the very first to state the fact that he is a spoilt rock star.
- Using your logic, anyone who first admits that they are a hypocrite, is therefore not a hypocrite. This reasoning seems somewhat circular, does it not?
> He is using his celebrity to give a voice to those who have none. And I for one have been inspired by his selfless actions to do what I can to help as well.
- To characterize his actions as "selfless" is nothing short of pure naivity. Ask yourself this, are there any tangible benefits that go with Bono's grand escapades? Maybe applause from fans like yourself? Maybe media coverage? Warm and fuzzy feeling? Even a nobel prize?
I'm not saying that these benefits of charitable work are not, at times, deserving. I'm only pointing out that "selfless" does not fit.
> Nor has Bono ever asked any of us directly for money.
- Huh? See below
> What he does do is ask us to give our governments permission to use some of the money that WE PAY IN TAXES to help the people in Sub-Saharan Africa get the medication that they can not afford due to the cost.
- So OUR MONEY (that we pay in taxes) is not OUR MONEY Hmmmm. Not to be too insulting, but I'm not sure that we speak the same language. In order to have a meaningful discussion, or even disagreement - we need to first agree that our money is our money.
> Quote from your article
> "The aptly self-titled Bono, the singer for U2, is the newest member of this elite class of hypocrite. He is currently on the tail end of a tour of Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, and Ethiopia. Unbelievably, the Bush Administration has given a fragment of credibility to this numbskull by sending Paul O'Neil, the US Treasury Secretary, along for the ride - though, mostly to counter the uninformed liberal rhetoric that spews from the mouth of Bono"
> Please show me where Bono has been hypocritical. Is it because he does have a "mansion on a hill", ride in limos, private jets, money, etc?
- Anyone who lives the lifestyle he does and feigns to act like he cares about the third world is, very simply, a hypocrite. I cannot fathom how he could sit in his mansion(s) preaching to those of us who struggle on a daily basis.
> That is bunk. And to call another person names because you don't like what he is doing makes you look very much like an ass.
- Maybe so. This point is probably valid. My purpose is to provoke thought and open dialogue. Many have commented that my techniques are unnecessarily mean. So be it. I'm just trying to have some fun, in this case, commenting on someone who openly judges me and my country - from the perspective of a hypocrite.
> Yet another quote -
> "Apparently, the limited amount of talent needed to produce the rock and roll equivalent of Britney Spears music is precisely the same knowledge required to solve all of the world's problems. So what exactly is Bono's solution to the myriad problems on the primitive continent of Africa? Throw money at the problems."
> Also, if you did know anything about Bono, you'd know that he is not asking people to "throw money at the problems"
- Read the quote again. He's calling for "billions". Do you think he's speaking of clams or dollar?
> he's actually working with organizations that are helping to change things for the better by working to develop a better infrastructure,
Money.
> provide clean drinking water,
Money.
> and to try and get affordable HIV/AIDS medications
Money.
- Why don't you give your money, and he can give his - to whatever causes you wish. I have to pay for the care of sick relatives and the raising of my own children. My charity will be local, and based mostly on work, not money.
> If it is primitive, it's due to the fact that it's been crippled by massive debts that the governments there can't pay off, trade that is virtually non existent, starvation and deadly diseases such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic that in itself is killing thousands a day.
> He has many times pointed out that he is "eccentric" but he is not a lunatic nor is he on a self-glorifying and selfish mission. See above.
- That he admits that he is eccentric goes a long way toward proving that I'm right.
> Nor do you, I, or anyone else that is not close to Bono, know how much he may be contributing to various causes. Why? Because it is none of our business.
> Thank you.
>
- The media makes it my business. And the fact that Bono is calling for MY MONEY to help HIS CAUSE, when HE IS RICH and LIVES AN OPPULANT LIFESTYLE, also makes it my business.