new u2 = world's finest

[Magill]

But could he just stop with the sunglasses thing? If he really wanted to be a humanitarian, he should just give his entire collection of sunglasses to poor people who live in sunny countries.

Okay, I'm being facetious. Being a humanitarian is good.

Why does Bono get a pass for his outspoken political beliefs when many other actors/musicians/entertainers were being derided for getting involved in politics?

[PoolMan]

Because he takes a pretty safe topic: world hunger and aid. While the causes of massive hunger can be (and usually are) extremely politically complicated, the end result is very simple: people are hungry and/or dying of AIDS in Africa. It's hard to fight against that and be labelled a villain by most anybody of any political beliefs.

By contrast, when the Dixie Chicks say they're ashamed of Bush being from Texas (whether you agree or not), they're practically INVITING controversy and anger.

[Ms. Jellybean]

PoolMan said:

By contrast, when the Dixie Chicks say they're ashamed of Bush being from Texas (whether you agree or not), they're practically INVITING controversy and anger.

As well as ignoramuses like Toby Keith who say that it's the American way to put your boot up someone's hindparts.

No offense to any Toby Keith fans here. Guess I'm inviting controversy.

Back to Bono - for my Journalism class last year I did an entire editorial on his work for AIDS. Gotta love that man.

[TheLuckyOne]

There's also the fact that he's a devout Christian (hell, their best-known song is about Jesus... and Martin Luther King, whose birthday it happens to be today, nice segue Drew), which probably helps to placate some conservatives. But mostly I think PoolMan's right- Bono doesn't decry anyone specifically, so the only people who would get mad are, you know, the pro-hunger lobbyists. And they're a pretty small group.

-D

[Head Mutant]

There's always been both sides of the Celeb Pushing An Important Cause argument. On one side, people say that just because you're famous doesn't mean you're more of an expert on (insert political or social cause here) than the real experts. But on the other side comes the responsibility that comes with being famous. Yes, responsibility.

It highly bugs me when a celebrity of any sort lives a horrible and selfish lifestyle while denying that they have to live up to the responsibility of being a real role model -- whether they asked for it or not, it's a fact of life that they are due to the career path they chose. Don't get me started on the Britney Gang, who all mostly deny being role models to thousands of teen girls (and for all I know, boys) just so they can use a big shield of "I'm Innocent" while promoting slutty and self-centered lifestyles.

So if a celeb stands up for what they consider to be a good, worthwhile cause, then I applaud that. Whether it be a cause that I agree with or not, at least they're trying to do something with the gifts God gave them instead of squandering them on cocaine and ego-inflation. I think they should always be careful not to cross over a line where they proclaim themselves the Emperor's of Know It All and promote their causes without the least shred of humility. At least they're doing *something*. Apathy and self-centered living are some of the biggest banes on current society right now.

[Magill]

Okay, that's all good. I wasn't aware of exactly what Bono's cause was.

But the sunglasses? Can someone back me up on saying its annoying he wears them all the time? "Oh, your earth sun is too powerful for my sensitive humanitarian eyes!" It just really bugs me.

[Al]

I'll second that. And get a last name!

Al

"I was in Ireland recording at Windmill Studios, or as they call it 'The House the Bono built'..." - Henry Rollins

[PoolMan]

I would just like to point that I'm going to see U2 tonight.

ROCK. ON.

Wahoo!