Von Schloopen
Refugee
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2011
- Messages
- 1,100
Lifelong Bono friend Gavin Friday has said the author of a critical book about the U2 star could "f*** off".
In the strongest outburst by a friend of the U2 singer yet, Friday (53) accused author Harry Browne of "trying to make money out of bulls***".
Lifelong Bono friend Gavin Friday has said the author of a critical book about the U2 star could "f*** off".
In the strongest outburst by a friend of the U2 singer yet, Friday (53) accused author Harry Browne of "trying to make money out of bulls***".
indeed, he is said to lag behind some peers when it comes to parting with his own money
What does this mean?Furthermore, U2 have donated multiple songs to charity - such as "One" and "The Sweetest Thing"
What does this mean?
All of the proceeds from the sale of the single "One" went to AIDS research, and all of the proceeds from the sale of the single "The Sweetest Thing" went to Children of Chernobyl - Ali's charity of choice, since the song was written for her.
I hope I got that right.
The limits of celebrity humanitarianism: Salutin | Toronto StarBrowne knows music, politics and economics; you leave the book feeling you understand better why you were uncomfortable with Bono’s activism — or I did. His critique isn’t simplistic and he doesn’t speculate on motives. His point is that Bono has done some good, but more harm. In Africa he won some poverty aid but in the process “reinforced” the model of the West as hero — himself, his pals Bill Gates and superstar economist Jeffrey Sachs — with Africa as victim. He never (or rarely) addressed the power imbalances at the root of African poverty. At the 2005 G8 summit in the U.K., he and sidekick (Sir) Bob Geldof got some minimal Third World debt reduction but, again, problematic structural elements like neo-liberalism, privatization and deregulation weren’t just ignored but endorsed. His RED campaign, to set aside profits from high-end products to reduce HIV/AIDS in Africa, promoted the very consumerism that results from a wealth imbalance between countries without ever suggesting it also embodies the problem. He got very qualified AIDS support from George Bush but Bush got Bono’s effective endorsement for his war in Iraq. This is quite different from individuals raising money for charitable causes. It involves political quid pro quos that imply excuses and justifications for particular policies in return for some cash. If you play the game at that level, you better know what’s at stake.
Browne isn’t mingy. He assiduously gives Bono credit where it’s due, so his occasional outbursts of disgust feel more like irresistible impulse (guilty with an explanation) than cheap shots. That increases his persuasiveness.
Re. Canadian content: I was at the 2003 Liberal convention where Paul Martin ascended to leader. Bono came to hail him and say, “The world needs more Canada.” He also promised that if Martin let him down, he’d kick his butt. At the 2005 summit, when Martin did renege on a pledge, Bono said he’d keep his word, although “it’s a very nice butt, as prime ministers go.” What an odd thing to say. As if Bono’s aware of his impulse to ass-kissing in the halls of power.
Bono supported the Iraq war?
I don't think he supported. But i don't remember him being against it.
The article Hollow posted said he supported it.
I really don't think he supported the war.
Did he?
Btw, is that the guy from Mott the Hoople?
The article says he did. So, it must be true.
I know, for a fact, that only Ian Hunter knows the truth, the whole truth and nuthin' but the truth
He never (or rarely) addressed the power imbalances at the root of African poverty.
The article says he did. So, it must be true.
Bono supports the war in Iraq.
Totally.
I don't think he supported. But i don't remember him being against it.
I think the line of reasoning is...
Completely unreasonable. In fact, all of it is pretty irrational, unrealistic and in the end, essentially just ideological extremism. Typical anti-intellectual tripe from the Far Left that has no association with how the real world works.
Not just the Iraq thing. All of those criticisms are of the same variety.
It's about understanding how politics but specifically how U.S. politics work. Even Barack Obama (the naive patron saint of Leftists, initially) didn't fully understand it until he got a baptism by fire in '09.
Bono understood, at least as far as the idea of actually getting things done, the true nature of American politics better than Obama did when he was running for President. (His idealistic naivety is effectively why I supported HRC in '08, but I digress...) You literally can't do anything without playing the "game". PERIOD. That "game" IS the government. All the while ideological fools would rather nothing get done and be able to criticize from the cheap seats while doing absolutely nothing in terms of effectuating real reform. Real world vs idealism. Ideologues, Right or Left, never grow up. Their growth has been stunted by the very political prism they want to rebel against.
That system works and is unchangeable because it relies on the strategy and politics of manipulating ideologues. Wedge issues. This is BASIC stuff. But those on the Far Left somehow think they are above it? Hilarious. They are half of the reason why the shit works so well.
I'll say no more about this in EYKIW. If the discussion moves to FYM, I'll engage again. Otherwise, even though I am far from a Bono apologist or sycophant, fuck this nonsense. It's the very thing that keeps us down.