Bono

So my writing about All Along The Watchtower is taking me down Bonoville. Prepare yourselves for some fangirling.

I don't remember when I fell in love with U2. All I know is that by the time I hooked up with the father of my children, I already was a rabid fan of the quartet.

The 1980s were not just about corporate greed and yuppies. The height of the war of independence was happening in Ireland with bombings everywhere by the IRA. In Spain ETA was not to be left behind. Central America was covered in the blood of the Iran-Contra war. And in Puerto Rico we had the FALN.

I came to take as "normal" a bombing or two of federal buildings or army equipment at least every 3 months. And there was the molotov coktailing of the paramilitary forces of the island whenever there was a political demonstration. By the time I had made the decision to come to the United States, I ironically made it because I felt that being in the belly of the beast would spare me of the violence and craziness. I really wanted to be as far away of all things political as possible.

Of course, if you are a fan of U2, that's absolutely impossible.

It's a testament to his greatness that, after twenty plus years of being a consumer of this man's musical talents and a witness of his political activism, I am still smitten with Paul "I am a white nigger*" Hewson.

Does anybody remember the first time U2 did something truly political? It was their little stunt with Greenpeace that basically unleashed Bono the activist on the world.

I sincerely hope Bono wins the Noble Peace Prize. Nothwithstanding my apprehension about One.org's Red Card, I truly believe Bono has brought much good to the world with his humanitarian work.

Now, Bob Geldoff on the other hand ... I mean ... what else has he done beside two well publicized concerts? And no, it's not a rhetorical question. I have no idea what else has he done beside Live Aid and Live 8.

The latest from Bono :

[via Bono Sees Red - Jan 26, 2006 - E! Online News]:

The U2 frontman, Time co-Person of the Year and all-around good guy turned up Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to unveil a partnership with several big companies that will sell a brand called Red. The label will adorn Armani and Gap clothes, Converse sneakers and even an American Express card, with one percent of the profits earmarked for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Flanked by Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani and various suits from the other companies, Bono hailed the private sector for their support and raising awareness at a critical time when governments have been slow to tackle the problem.

"This is really sexy to me. It is sexy to want to change the world," the 45-year-old Irish rocker told reporters.

So basically luxury goods companies are going to use cheap labor, cheap materials to create products they will mark-up 300% and then only give back 1% to charity?