(02-04-2004) Bono Puts Janet´s Boob behind Him... - ShowBiz Ireland *

[tryon]

Originally posted by Arun V
The NFL has the right, to essentially determine the content of their show. Maybe they just dont' want to see their halftime show be a springboard for political statements in the future. And you said he wasn't going to deliver a speech...I understand this, BUT, the SINGLE thing this halftime show has taught us..is that it doens't take much to stir controversy.

This is f'kin brilliant.

You know, I could care less about Janet Jackson's tit. And my thoughts on the NFL choosing someone other than Bono? Couldn't care less. Few things interest me less than professional American football. And yes, I am an American male between the ages of 18 and 35.

My real issue with this is the furor that has resulted (worldwide, apparently.) Is a split-second of nipple on T.V. going to truly ruin anyone's life? God, I hope not. Wouldn't be much of a life.

For all of our "crass commercialism" and "moral bankruptcy," America is (and always has been) a very prudish society. It's hypocricy of the highest order, to be sure... I think most Americans are just afraid to want what they really want.

[tryon]

Originally posted by Johnny_Mo
i only blame the US for the war, not boobs

And I blame the U.N. for sitting on their collective asses for twelve years while Saddam Hussein broke every single one of the resolutions the international community imposed after the Gulf War in 1991.

G.W.'s reasons for going to war were absolute bullshit. But the U.N. had the responsibility for enforcing their own resolutions and proved to be either ineffective at or completely unwilling to do so.

[bhoysrule]

It is how money and power beat the average guy. The NFL is about money money money. I am an American but I have spent enough time in Europe to see the world differently. So Bono stands for the little guy. Thies Irish-American will stand with him because after all you never walk alone.

[Michael Griffiths]

Originally posted by tryon


This is f'kin brilliant.

You know, I could care less about Janet Jackson's tit. And my thoughts on the NFL choosing someone other than Bono? Couldn't care less. Few things interest me less than professional American football. And yes, I am an American male between the ages of 18 and 35.

My real issue with this is the furor that has resulted (worldwide, apparently.) Is a split-second of nipple on T.V. going to truly ruin anyone's life? God, I hope not. Wouldn't be much of a life.

For all of our "crass commercialism" and "moral bankruptcy," America is (and always has been) a very prudish society. It's hypocricy of the highest order, to be sure... I think most Americans are just afraid to want what they really want.

Very well put.

[Michael Griffiths]

Originally posted by Arun V




My issue here is some ppl seem to think that bono has somehow been denied an audience for this issue. HE's been on CNN, quite frequently, NBC, CBS, I'm sure ABC at some point, Oprah, (which has a HUGE viewership), MTV, Time magazine (the cover mind you), Newsweek, Charlie Rose and I'm sure I'm missing some.


If your making the argument that the america is somehow trying to deny bono an audience....quite frankly..it's not a very strong point.


So if you allow Aids to be an issue this year...will people make presidential endorsments at superbowls? will ppl lobby for free health care? Will ppl lobby for welfare reform?


The NFL has the right, to essentially determine the content of their show. Maybe they just dont' want to see their halftime show be a springboard for political statements in the future. And you said he wasn't going to deliver a speech...I understand this, BUT, the SINGLE thing this halftime show has taught us..is that it doens't take much to stir controversy.

The NFL isn't a political entity. It's a for profit corporation. Maybe they just wanted to stay out of anything that seemed political.


Are you saying that remaining neutral is in fact wrong? Fine he wants to sing a song...but still it doesn't change the fact that he was somehow going to convey a message that maybe the NFL just didn't want to be affiliated with.


I don't think people really understand that the NFL actually does a lot of humanitarian work and I do believe that NFL players are going on a trip to africa later this year. Maybe the NFL wants to let players do the talking rather than the Halftime show



the Bottom line is it's unfair to characterize the ENTIRE US for the actions of a limited number of corporate entities. There are ppl that pay upwards of 1k for tickets to the superbowl, maybe the NFL wants to keep them happy.


I don't think it was smart for the NFL to do what they did...but I understand why. The last thing I'm going to say here is, you can't rely on the NFL to be some sort of conscience for america, and yo certainly can't judge the entire nation for it.

Wow, you've opened a huge can of worms here, one that could propell a master's thesis if I were inclined...but I'll try to keep it short....

I agree, in principle, with what you are saying. The NFL has the right to choose how to run their business, and has the right to choose who they want to perform. I suppose I'm thinking more big picture here. I think Corporate America has most of the power in the US at the moment, and thus, it is them that could produce the most change in the world - or at least, have the power to affect the most people toward that end. It doesn't bother me they didn't choose Bono to sing. I just think it would have been such a great opportunity for an entity that belongs to such a great cog in the American machine to help bring the only thing to the biggest emergency in the world right now that could, ultimately, make any real and lasting difference - and that is nation wide recognition due to a huge audience.

I understand your point of the NFL not wanting to get into politics, but I don't really view this has a political issue in the sense of "playing politics", which is exactly what people often do with the political issues you mentioned. I don't think this can be compared to issues like Health Care and especially not presidential endorsements. This is more of a real crisis where known, astronimical numbers of people are being denied the right to life, itself, everyday while the rest of us, basically, just let it happen. I think corporate America could really take a hold of and show some leadership with this emergency.

As for "America", rather than the NFL denying Bono, that wasn't my point at all. However, if much of the control of America is held in the hands of Corporate America, we have to ask the question if this current relationship between corporation and individual is the best we can do for facilitating the things we really want. Or perhaps corporate America is simply the manifestation of the individual's modus operandi to life? I would like to think not.

Just my 2 cents.

[Belgarath]

Originally posted by Michael Griffiths

However, if much of the control of America is held in the hands of Corporate America, we have to ask the question if this current relationship between corporation and individual is the best we can do for facilitating the things we really want. Or perhaps corporate America is simply the manifestation of the individual's modus operandi to life? I would like to think not.

Just my 2 cents.

Love your work.

This has the germ of another thread I'm thinking of starting in another forum - would you mind if I quoted you?

[Michael Griffiths]

Originally posted by Belgarath


Love your work.

This has the germ of another thread I'm thinking of starting in another forum - would you mind if I quoted you?

Hey, no problem! And thanks for the kind words.

Could you post the link to the other thread if and when you start it?

[Michael Griffiths]

It's scary how much I find myself agreeing with Bono on so many things, considering I have my own set of independent beliefs...

"Music and politics shouldn't be enemies, especially in Ireland; surely that's a sign of an evolved society where there's discussion between culture and government?"

-- Bono, 2001

[Belgarath]

Originally posted by Michael Griffiths
Hey, no problem! And thanks for the kind words.

Could you post the link to the other thread if and when you start it?

Thanks

I'd post teh link but I haven't made enough posts yet to do so. You can visit us at u2newzooland.com and go to the forums page. The thread is called "Big brother vs the individual" and is in teh topic 'hearts and minds'. We're working on the name...

[Belgarath]

I must also work on my spelling I have one of those keyboards that have the T/H/E keys in teh wrong place...