rihannsu
Refugee
Liesje said:Is there any point to bringing up Bono and Iraq? It's not one of his "causes" and he's never clearly stated how he feels. Everything is pure speculation, especially what we base on the Vertigo songs and performances. U2 has always been known for leaving things open-ended so pretty much anyone can adopt a song and find meaning for him- or herself. Are we really going to evaluate Bono's work against poverty based on what we *think* he *might* feel about Iraq?
I disagree with a lot of my friends and half of my immediate family re. the Iraq war, but we still love each other and can get on without passing judgment based on a single issue. Why even go near this can of worms?
Actually he has quite clearly stated what he believes. I have seen several interviews where he has said "I believe Tony Blair is sincere in his beliefs on the war in Iraq. I believe he is sincerely wrong but I respect that he has stood by his belief." That is just one example. What he side steps is the journalists efforts to get him to bash on politicians. They want him to do like everyone else and make demons out of those who don't agree with him and Bono is quite rightly refusing to do that. If you demonize everyone who doesn't agree with you then you if you need those very people to pass a resolution you have shot yourself in the foot.
He has also clearly stated that when he committed to focus on Africa he had to give up other things that he might normally do such as attending anti-war rallies. He has always clearly stated that he felt going to war was the wrong move, but he also clearly supports and honors the soldiers who are putting their lives on the line. He does not hesitate to say what he feels when asked but he has limited what he will campaign about. Bono has had his day as an activist at the barricades, but he has now gotten into the corridors of power and has been effective in what he has wanted to do. He has accomplished more this way than he ever did with just protesting. Yes, we still need the protestors but you also need people who can work the system from within and that is what Bono is doing now.
I highly recommend reading "The Debt Threat" by Noreena Hertz. The first chapter give a blow by blow account almost of the beginnings of Bono's campaigning on the Jubilee 2000 campaign which was the predicesor of Drop the Debt. This shows just how much time and effort that he put in to this that was behind the scenes with little publicity. The photo ops from that time period were just the tip of the iceberg of what he was doing. You will also get an idea of how he is viewed on Capitol Hill. The rest of the book gives a good education on the global debt picture in terms that don't require an economics degree. Very enlightening reading that shows that corruption exists on all sides not just in Africa.
In the Music Express interview during Vertigo he spoke about the charity issue. He said that the band has several times talked about whether to publicize what they do, but they always come back to what the bible says "that your left hand should not know what the right hand is doing.". They know that they could defend themselves by being open about their charity but what it boils down to is that they believe that when you publicize it, it is no longer charity, it's advertising.
Dana
well thought out and someone who actually did her research too! As opposed to some on this board who rant their rhetoric over and over w/o doing any real research beforehand. 
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did i at all answer your question? i don't know if i did...
