I don't understand the antipathy towards U2/Bono on DU

[WildEyedLiberal]

If you don't like their music, fine... there is a lot of music I don't like, and I don't feel the need to shove my dislikes and disinterests down everyone else's throat incessantly.

Who has done more to bring the tragedy of Africa to the mainstream American consciousness than Bono? Probably no one. Yet all I read on DU are insinuations that he's just doing it for the publicity and that he's just a rich arrogant rock star, which apparently invalidates his campaign to end poverty in the Third World. Oh, wait - because he's rich, he's automatically insincere. I understand now. :eyes:

I'm so tired of the kool-kid too-jaded crowd here that claim to be "progressive" yet sit on the sidelines and sneer at anyone who is using their influence to try to do good in the world. Bono could spend all his money on cars, drugs, and hookers, but instead, he's using his fame to try to help those who have no voice. Apparently that's something worthy of derision on DU.

</rant>

[ProSense]

1. Or he could

start fights every where
show up at events in drag
do a reality show

Agree. If Michael Moore can use his fame to criticize Bush, why can't Bono use his fame to aid others?

Besides, it's not like it's a fad, they've been at this a very long time.

These people are assholes.

[WildEyedLiberal]

2. They would sincerely rather he call Bush a motherfucker at the Grammy's

They'd seriously prefer that he get up on stage and call Bush names rather than raise awareness for his anti-poverty campaigns.

Then again, some of these people in the Lounge are so much more hip and jaded than thou, so I'm sure the fact that U2 has sold more than 100,000 albums is enough to make them hate Bono.

[JI7]

3. is it about their dislike of the music or his not bashing Bush as they

want ?

as for dislike of music, there are always those who feel any type of music of band that is popular is crap. that they are the true experts who know "real" music that the masses don't get.

as for the Bush bashing stuff. it's typical of many on DU. they get excited over someone calling BUsh some name, but many of these same ones never are informed of the issues and what is going on and how it affects the people. it's all a form of entertainment for them.

[Blaukraut]

4. I don't get it either, WEL

Bono and U2 have been doing humanitarian work for longer than the Bushies have been in office. Their cause is non-political insofar as that Bono will come down on the side of helping poverty-stricken nations, and if that means pleading his cause to a president, so be it. He did it with Clinton, he does it with Bush.
That aside, hell, I love their music and if that makes me uncool, so be it.

[Island Blue]

5. I agree.

I remember reading in former (Bush) Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neil's book how he went to Africa and met with Bono who was trying to get the US to give aid to build wells to supply fresh drinking water to villages. Before his visit, O'Neil was very skeptical of the whole idea, but after visiting the villages with Bono he fully understood how the aid would be used and how many lives could be saved by this seemingly simple innovation. (He was also blown away by Bono and his commitment to ending poverty.) If I remember correctly, the * administration promised aid for this project, but then much to O'Neil's dismay reneged on the promise. The experience did however, make a lasting impression on O'Neil who soon left the administration.

[beachmom]

6. * was really nasty to O'Neil when he got back

Saying something like "oh, you think you're so important hanging out with a rock star". He fired him soon after. Vindictive man, isn't he?

In regards to WEL's post, well ladies and gentlemen, trashing popular, highly talented rock bands/stars is Lefty Freeper 101. I think it's the #1 reason why the Republicans control the House, Senate and the WH. And, yes, I'm serious. Basically, these elitist know it alls think they're better than everyone else, and of course, know more than everyone else. They run around putting down ALL popular culture (heck, there's a lot of culture I dislike esp. reality shows, but being all snooty about it isn't exactly going to gain you many friends), and then they'll name some obscure artist unknown outside Indy left of the dial college radio stations, and put it up as "real music" (like somebody said upthread). To this day, I'm still mad about this guy at my college who insisted that Joan Baez's music wasn't REAL folk music. Only that eastern European Romanian choir was REAL folk music. I guess to him, old songs coming from 19th century America, England, Scotland, and Spain are NOT folk music as well as Bob Dylan's stuff, because too many people know about it.

Anyway, why do y'all think I'm a Democrat and love John Kerry? It's because during my formative years I was very influenced by Bono and U2. They introduced me to Amnesty Int'l, human rights, social justice, helping the poor, the dark side of Reagan's FP; lately, Bono has shown me that many conservative Evangelicals CAN have a good heart and want to help people with AIDS in Africa. He brought that out of them. In regards to *, his agenda are the poorest of the poor, and to put his ego and "being right" over their needs would be immoral. That is why he charms the hell out of *, and has kept quiet about the Iraq War even though he is EXTREMELY against it. I just love Bono. Always will. Of course, I have all of their CDs and think they're one of the best rock bands ever.

[WildEyedLiberal]

7. I've loved U2 since I was 11

They definitely introduced me to Amnesty International, which I then joined as a student member.

And BTW, I know SO many people like that at college it's not even funny. The Lounge is filled to the brim with them too (hence the inspiration for my post). Go find any music thread in the Lounge and it's filled with people namedropping obscure underground crap and snobbishly turning up their noses at anything the lesser mortals among us enjoy. After all, if it sells more than 100,000 copies, it must appeal to the unwashed teeming masses, so it can't possibly have any artistic or intellectual value. :eyes:

[JohnKleeb]

14. About Amnesty International

I've seen it criticized by some of our friendly "progressives" when it criticizes Castro's Cuba or Chavez's Venzeula. As someone who had relatives suffer both by the Nszis and later by the Soviets, I've taken to opposing tyranny all of kinds. I feel it is the duty of the left to go after tyrannies whether they be left wing as was the USSR, right wing as was Nazi Germany, theological like the Taliban was, and military tyrannies in Mynammar formerly known as Bruma. Thats my opinion on this. The problem with so many "progressives" here is that they suffer from the same problem that many on the christian right do and that's self righteousness, the self certainity that only they know what is right for the nation and hte world.

[benny05]

8. KerryCrats

As a former Bostonite, what's the link to the story about Bono? Please imform me a bit. Thanks!:bounce:

[WildEyedLiberal]

9. There was a thread in the Lounge

It's dropped now, so I'm not sure I can find it - but basically everyone in the Lounge thinks it's Kool to dislike Bono. It drives me insane - the pop culture groupthink there is really pathetic.

[wisteria]

16. Then I suppose I'm not "kool" and I really don't care. I have always

admired Bono's committment to serious causes and U2's music.

[JohnKleeb]

10. I agree with ya

You're absolutely right about Bono. I think they dislike him because he's not a hater and to be honest I was shocked that he said he was friendly with Jesse Helms but I guess that means he's doing something right in his fight to raise awarness of AIDS and poverty in Afrcia. I like U2's music too. They're not my favorite but I think it's because Bono doesn't curse the Republicans and such and is willing to reach out to even big assholes like Jesse Helms which I think is an admirable thing.

[JI7]

11. it also helps when raising funds from those who may like Bush or

if they don't like him, are neutral but turned off by the Bush bashing. you don't want to turn anyone off. it's about getting everyone together for a common good despite the differences that exist.

i'm sure Bono gets it considering he is Irish and the problems they still deal with today.

[JohnKleeb]

12. Yeah I think Bono gets it too

This issue, the issue of AIDS and Poverty isn't a single left or right issue and I guess people want Bono to make it that. Yep the common good though to some people is asking a lot. Saw this one cartoon of Bono taking money from Bush, Hitler, and a Klansman. It was a bunch of bullshit but I considered the source, one of DU's communism apologists. I like their music it's not the best but the guy is using his fame and wealth to do the right thing. I dont know why people think its cool to shit on him.

[JI7]

13. what a stupid cartoon

would the people who are in need of aids medication think the same hting, especially considering many of them are minorities that the Klan and Hitler would hate.

[JohnKleeb]

15. It was basically trying to say Bono would take money form anyone

This is the same guy who's defended Josef Stalin so I didnt bother saying anything to him. Yeah and AIDS is the "Fag disease" too. Bono is trying to lift the differences between left and right in the world by doing what he's doing and I think thats 100X more admirable what Moore does. When it comes down to it we are all people after all with the same basic concerns for our friends, family, etc.