Bono: Geldof Almost Spat on Blair

[katty]

http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/bono%20geldof%20almost%20spat%20on%20blair_15_03_2006

BONO: 'GELDOF ALMOST SPAT ON BLAIR'


Also see:
U2
BONO
SIR BOB GELDOF
TONY BLAIR


U2 frontman BONO had to separate SIR BOB GELDOF from TONY BLAIR to prevent him from spitting at the British Prime Minister. The crusading rocker came to the rescue after Geldof's discussion with the UK leader became so heated, he feared a saliva shower was on the way. He says, "I had to call him off Mr Blair. Literally spittle coming out, invective coming out, and Tony reaching over to me saying, 'I believe you've a greatest hits coming,' just to get a break from Geldof. "I have seen Geldof try to bite prime ministers. I accept the rules of ultimate fighting, which are: you can't poke someone in the eye or bite them, and Bob doesn't."
15/03/2006 13:40

[Aviation Pro]

1. I give you....

...the future winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and future Secretary General of the UN, Bono.

[gonefishing]

5. Is that the Bono that is best pals with Jesse Helms?

[cali]

8. That's the Bono

that has the patience and maturity to realize that you sometimes have to work with bad people to get good things accomplished.

[gonefishing]

9. Some might call it hypocrisy

If it was Newt Gingrich or Phil Gramm I might buy that argument. Not Jesse Helms!

[cali]

10. "Only hypocrites cannot forgive hypocricy"

EM Forester

Bono's made a huge difference, and he's done it by working with anyone who would work with him. Frankly, I can't see that Phil Gramm is preferable to Jesse Helms. I respect Bono's willingness to work with people across the political spectrum, and I actually don't see how it's hypocritical.

[gonefishing]

11. Let the punishment match the offense

Marcus Tullius Cicero

You don't see the hypocrisy in writing a song like "Pride" and shaking hands with Jess Helms??? (Wow)

Jesse Helms is a hard core racist. From en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jess_Helms:

"For Example, in one he calls the University of North Carolina the "University of Negro's and Communists."

I never was a fan of Phil Gramm because of his politics but I am pretty sure you can't call him a racist.

[cali]

12. Reflect, for a moment, on Forester's wise

words. I don't think the quote you made use of fit the situation. What punishement? For what offence?

Let's see; Robert Byrd was a racist. He was in the KKK. Heck, he was a beagle or a kleagle or whatever the heck whacko name it was. Both Byrd and Helms have apologized for their prior racist ways. Should dems spurn Byrd?

I'm not defending Helms who I find repugnant. I'm trying to point out that we all practice "hypocricy" to some degree.

[gonefishing]

13. Agree to disagree

I know you would not defend Helms (you wouldn't be on this forum if you did). I have lived in NC for about 10 years and IMHO I believe Byrd was sincere about his apologies and I am certain Helms was telling people what they wanted to hear. As a side, I still have zero respect for Byrd as well.

As for the offense, its Bono's Machiavellian approach to solving problems. In this case, again IMHO, the ends does not justify the means. The punishment is "me" calling Bono a hypocrite.

I am a hack song writer and maybe I put to much stock in songs written by other people. When I heard that Billy Joel didn't write Piano Man I was pissed. I have a hard time listening to Bobby Magee ever since I found out Chris Kristofferson wrote it. I guess "I" can't get over Bono creating a beautiful song like "Pride" and being able to dance with the devil that Helms is.

I disagree with your statement "we all practice "hypocrisy" to some degree". As much as I applaud the great humanitarian efforts Bono accomplishes in the case of his relationship with Helms "I" would have found alternative means.

Let me ask you this?

If Bono in 10 years from now was to work with Cheney and Rumsfeld on a "Work for Peace" program somewhere in Africa would you be OK with that? (I know it's a stretch on the 10 years from now - it's hypothetical).

I would not be, and I would use the arguments I have used in this thread.

Anyway, I think we beat this one to death. I actually enjoyed this banter however.

Thanks

[cali]

14. Beat to death or not, I've enjoyed it too

I like being challenged. And that's a great question, the one about Rummy and Cheney. So good in fact, that my breath caught in my throat for a second. My hatred of the two aforementioned miscreants is so strong, my first tendency is to say no. But then I thought about it this way: If bono working with cheney and rumsfeld on something that would save lives that would otherwise be lost, I might be able to swallow it. I don't know. Tough question.

Now we really have beat it to death.

Thanks

[gonefishing]

15. Oh no, resorting to honesty in a debate...

OK, I have to admit when I was typing my last response actually I thought "What if I needed Jesse Helms' to help save my son's life?" Dam skippy, the ends justifies the means. OK it's a legitimate stalemate.

Thanks again

[htuttle]

2. Did this happen on a Monday?

:evilgrin:

Ya shoulda bit 'em, 'Sir Geldof'!.

[AnnieBW]

16. He Doesn't Like Mondays

:D

[Vinnie From Indy]

3. Good for Geldof!

Take a bite outta crime Bobby! Oh! By the way Mr. Bono, how much of that 15 billion BushCo promised to give you for AIDS in Africa has actually been received? Hmmmmm?

[katty]

4. yea, right...15BLN...check is in the mail!

[boobooday]

6. ARRRGGGHHH . . . . come on . . . I'll bite you to death!

Everything is reminding me of Monty Python tonight.

[Ken Burch]

7. Would've been good to know what the specific beef was...

Wonder if Sir Bob was getting in all the antiwar comments he wouldn't let other people say onstage at Live 8.