I've been saying this for a long time and people get pissed off with me for criticizing Bono for his political connections and apologies for politicians with deplorable records. If Bono was right to criticize Pinochet or the first Bush (for the Gulf War's cruelty), he's wrong to back off Clinton (pro-Israeli record and guilty of bombing sites in Africa and Afghanistan to distract from the Lewinski affair, as well as signing the legislation for "extraordinary rendition" that Bush used to torture people) as well as George W. Bush.
Now, ladies and germs, from the mouth of what many women would call a babe:
'Bono's friendship with war criminals makes me cringe' - News & Gossip - Independent.ie
'Bono's friendship with war criminals makes me cringe'
The Irish Independent, December 28, 2008
Anne-Marie Walsh
Monday December 29, 2008
U2 drummer Larry Mullen has admitted he "cringes" when he sees Bono associating with "war criminals" George W Bush and Tony Blair.
The normally reserved musician has launched a stinging attack on his frontman for his involvement with the two world leaders in an interview with music magazine Q.
It is not the first time Mullen has criticised Bono for his campaign work, but this is his most scathing criticism to date. From his appearance at Live Aid and Band Aid in the 1980s, Bono has been involved in numerous charities to raise awareness of crises in Africa, including AIDs.
He praised Mr Bush for increasing aid to Africa and most recently appeared with him during the G8 summit last year. In 2007, he also saluted outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair for "doing the things he believed in", despite the "accusations of a slick PR machine, spin doctoring and the like".
But his work outside the band has caused a deep rift between Bono and at least one other fellow band member.
In his interview, Mullen suggests the singer's campaigns have taken their toll on his family life. He admitted that Bono is "prepared to use his weight as a celebrity at great cost to himself and his family, to help other people", adding: "but, as an outsider looking in, I cringe."
He brands Mr Blair and Mr Bush "war criminals".
"Tony Blair is a war criminal and I think he should be tried as a war criminal.
"Then I see Bono and him as pals and I'm going, 'I don't like that'. Do I think George Bush is a war criminal? Probably -- but the difference between him and Tony Blair is that Blair is intelligent. So, he has no excuse."
Six years ago, in an interview on American TV, Mullen said he believed Bono's political crusades were unsettling the band. He told the '60 Minutes' programme that the lead singer's absence was felt each time he took a break to campaign on issues.
"It does interfere with the band," he said. "It's a four-legged table, and with one leg missing, even for short periods of time, the thing becomes a little unstable."
Bono has also come under attack from critics less close to home, including writer Paul Theroux.
Mr Theroux described Bono, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as "mythomaniacs, people who wish to convince the world of their worth".
He said he was not complaining about humanitarian aid, disaster relief, AIDS education or affordable drugs.
"Instead, I am speaking of the 'more money' platform: the notion that what Africa needs is more prestige projects, volunteer labour and debt relief."
The U2 singer responded by calling his critics "cranks carping from the sidelines".
"A lot of them wouldn't know what to do if they were on the field," he said.
(c) The Irish Independent, 2008
Now, ladies and germs, from the mouth of what many women would call a babe:
'Bono's friendship with war criminals makes me cringe' - News & Gossip - Independent.ie
'Bono's friendship with war criminals makes me cringe'
The Irish Independent, December 28, 2008
Anne-Marie Walsh
Monday December 29, 2008
U2 drummer Larry Mullen has admitted he "cringes" when he sees Bono associating with "war criminals" George W Bush and Tony Blair.
The normally reserved musician has launched a stinging attack on his frontman for his involvement with the two world leaders in an interview with music magazine Q.
It is not the first time Mullen has criticised Bono for his campaign work, but this is his most scathing criticism to date. From his appearance at Live Aid and Band Aid in the 1980s, Bono has been involved in numerous charities to raise awareness of crises in Africa, including AIDs.
He praised Mr Bush for increasing aid to Africa and most recently appeared with him during the G8 summit last year. In 2007, he also saluted outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair for "doing the things he believed in", despite the "accusations of a slick PR machine, spin doctoring and the like".
But his work outside the band has caused a deep rift between Bono and at least one other fellow band member.
In his interview, Mullen suggests the singer's campaigns have taken their toll on his family life. He admitted that Bono is "prepared to use his weight as a celebrity at great cost to himself and his family, to help other people", adding: "but, as an outsider looking in, I cringe."
He brands Mr Blair and Mr Bush "war criminals".
"Tony Blair is a war criminal and I think he should be tried as a war criminal.
"Then I see Bono and him as pals and I'm going, 'I don't like that'. Do I think George Bush is a war criminal? Probably -- but the difference between him and Tony Blair is that Blair is intelligent. So, he has no excuse."
Six years ago, in an interview on American TV, Mullen said he believed Bono's political crusades were unsettling the band. He told the '60 Minutes' programme that the lead singer's absence was felt each time he took a break to campaign on issues.
"It does interfere with the band," he said. "It's a four-legged table, and with one leg missing, even for short periods of time, the thing becomes a little unstable."
Bono has also come under attack from critics less close to home, including writer Paul Theroux.
Mr Theroux described Bono, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as "mythomaniacs, people who wish to convince the world of their worth".
He said he was not complaining about humanitarian aid, disaster relief, AIDS education or affordable drugs.
"Instead, I am speaking of the 'more money' platform: the notion that what Africa needs is more prestige projects, volunteer labour and debt relief."
The U2 singer responded by calling his critics "cranks carping from the sidelines".
"A lot of them wouldn't know what to do if they were on the field," he said.
(c) The Irish Independent, 2008
will it go to PLEBA?
