I'm really trying to stay out of this thread because I have already voiced my opinions on this subject before.
But let me just re-interate that U2 historically HAS TAKEN political stands BY THEIR ACTIONS.
What are some of those actions?
Their pro-choice and pro-contraception stance going back as far as 1978-1979
Their anti-nuclear (bomb) stance going back as far as the "War" album (1983)
Their anti-apartheid stance in the 1980's (VERY controversial and anti-establishment then)
Their support for Amnesty International (not a generally right-wing supported organization)
Their outspoken stance against the U/S. government's efforts to foment war and destruction in Central America in the 1980's
Their opposition of Pres. George Bush in the early 1990's
Their activities with Greenpeace (a much maligned organization by the right-wing) to shut Sellafield in the early 1990's.
Their outspoken support for anti-racist activities in Europe in the early 1990's.
Their support of the Muslims' right to live in safety and respect in Bosnia in the mid-1990's
U2's ANGRY rebuke of the former juntas of Argentina and Chile of the 1970s-1980s during the Popmart tour - juntas which were put into power with the money and support of the USA. (Remember Bono's vicious retort to former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet "Tell these women - where are their children?")
Bono's leadership (and U2's tacit support) of the "Drop the Debt" Jubilee 2000 movement of 1998-2000. This was definitely a political stance that was outside of the conservative viewpoint then.
Bono's chiding of the Bush administration during the Elevation tour of their lack of understanding of the dimensions of the AIDS pandemic in Africa - especially his criticisms onstage of Andrew Natsios (sp?) of the Bush Administration who said that Africans wouldn't be good at taking AIDS meds because they didn't have watches?
Bono's on again, off again relationship with the current Bush administration's policies toward Africa. Here are Bono's LATEST FEELINGS ABOUT THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION:
02.07.05
Bono's Reaction to Pres. Bush 2006 Budget Request
REACTION FROM BONO, U2 LEAD SINGER AND FOUNDER OF DATA:
"Good intention at the highest levels of the Bush Administration was not enough to deliver on the Millennium Challenge promise to the world’s poorest people in this year’s budget request. To make 2005 the year of a global breakthrough in the fight against poverty, we need the tens of millions of Americans who care -- who go to every church and rock concert -- to raise the volume before President Bush leaves for the G8's Africa summit in July."
REACTION BY JAMIE DRUMMOND, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DATA:
“Not only has President Bush broken his word on funding for the Millennium Challenge, he has not put in the effort required to turn this excellent idea into a lifesaving reality for the world’s poorest people in the three years since it was announced. The pressure is now on for the President to demonstrate a serious commitment to helping the world’s poorest at the international Africa summit in July.”
Click here to download DATA's analysis of President Bush's 2006 budget request (PDF Format)
All these FACTS do show a definite political stance by U2. And, except for Bono's tacit support for the INITIAL stage of the "war on terrorism" (the initial invasion of Afghanistan) - the political stance is definitely from left field.
And I happen to agree with them. (Remember we all know how much the Edge despises George W. Bush).