Bono

Tim Robbins

Well PrimeTime went to a lot of effort last night. On inauguration day, one political analyst they went to interview was none other than Bono.

Bono, with his deep insights into geo - politics, poverty and just about everything else was preaching his usual simplistic dumbed down catchy rhetoric.

I can't stand anyone who spouts off opinions and excuses themselves from rational criticism. When has Bono ever had his opinions questioned are argued with? Why should we lower our intellectual standards for such serious issues?

Bono goes to Labour conferences, G8 submits, Primetime says a few catchy phrases. He never debates or has his views questioned.

He seems his on one big ego trip. Why do people put up with it?

He's comes across as nothing more than a sanctimonous, arrogant idiot. Should a millionare pop twat be given so much time in political discourse?

No.

Your comments...

mike65

He had the cheek to name check the Prez as Obama!

OhNoYouDidn't

My main issue with Bono is that he lectures the Irish taxpayer while being an exile. Its an untenible position.

However, he got the Justice for Palestine line in and in the process drove the right wing US bloggers mental, so good action sir.

Rock stars have always been political actors. Dylan, Lennon etc. Nothing new here.

lostexpectation

hes says let freedom reign, when he really means let capitalism and consumerism reign

Raiser

Here's his social conscience in evidence as he mentors two young girls.

http://www.briansolis.com/2008/10/where-streets-have-names-learning-from.html

fatherbuzcagney

Whats the difference bono and god?...........God doesn't think he is bono:eek:

deadhead13

His rock speak is toe curling.

sceptre

If there's a fault in Primetime interviewing Bono as an interested party, expert, whatever for the show they broadcast on the night of the US Presidential inauguration, then such a fault lies with Primetime, not with Bono. They make their own choices as to who they have on the show.

Whiskey Devil

What a hypocritical little twit that man is. U2 are sitting on a 400 million in the Netherlands. How can he justify that while lecturing the world on poverty? It's disgusting.

He'll never speak out about Palestine in the US because it's unpopular and would damage the money machine that is U2.


Great talent. No time for him as a person.

g5fd6ow0hseima

Whiskey Devil wrote: »

What a hypocritical little twit that man is. U2 are sitting on a 400 million in the Netherlands. How can he justify that while lecturing the world on poverty? It's disgusting.

He'll never speak out about Palestine in the US because it's unpopular and would damage the money machine that is U2.


Great talent. No time for him as a person.

Talent my arse. People must also realise that U2 arent talented musicians, they have done absolutely nothing for the progression of music, with the exception of guitar effects, which were moreso popularised by dave evans as opposed to pioneered by the same man.

pigeonbutler

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

My main issue with Bono is that he lectures the Irish taxpayer while being an exile. Its an untenible position.

However, he got the Justice for Palestine line in and in the process drove the right wing US bloggers mental, so good action sir.

Rock stars have always been political actors. Dylan, Lennon etc. Nothing new here.

Not true.

I don't really want to weigh in on the substantive points in the debate but could we at least try base it on fact.

tomcosgrave

Tim Robbins wrote: »

He goes to Labour conferences

Not to any that I've ever been at, he doesn't.

ejmaztec

With delusions of grandeur, minimal qualifications and an air of hypocrisy, I'm surprised that he hasn't entered Irish politics. There's no doubt that he would be successful in his attempt to join the rest of them.

Tristram

80 Courics ffs, credit where credit is due!

Phototoxin

The problem with bono is that there's a topic about him in the politics section despite him being a 'musician'.

g5fd6ow0hseima

exactly, mind you, he is nothing, but a load of courics

OhNoYouDidn't

pigeonbutler wrote: »

Not true.

I don't really want to weigh in on the substantive points in the debate but could we at least try base it on fact.

Has he or has he not moved most of his business empire overseas to avoid tax?

Ludo

Great to see good old Irish begrudgery is alive and well 'round these parts.

ejmaztec

Ludo wrote: »

Great to see good old Irish begrudgery is alive and well 'round these parts.

I agree. Bono shouldn't begrudge paying Irish tax.

Irlbo

Just some egotisical ar*se hole musician,who thinks because of his popularity with his band,he has right to an opinion on absolutely everything,if I met him I'd tell him 'hey d*ckhead,we dont care what you have to say about the third world,now f*ck off to your mansion in Killiney which you pay on tax on because you claim you dont live here,w*nker)an embarrassment to this country and for the record,U2 are a sh*te band

ejmaztec

If he kept his trap shut and went about his business, then people wouldn't have so much contempt for him.

When he starts telling world governments to help the poor, write off third-world debts etc - that's when the hypocrisy kicks in.

Correct me of I'm wrong, but foreign aid is paid for out of taxation collected from tax-payers in the various benefactor countries. If the tax take in those countries is reduced, then the funds available for foreign aid are also reduced.

All of the tax-avoiders around the world must be doing the third-world out of mind-boggling amounts of foreign aid.

Permabear

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ejmaztec

donegalfella wrote: »

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Both Gates and Soros have charitable foundations set up with their funds. Where's Bono's charitable foundation?

Permabear

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ejmaztec

He certainly does raise awareness.

http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=1822

Item: Flying a hat first class
Cost: $1,700
Poised to play a charity show for Iraqis with Luciano Pavarotti in 2003, Bono realised he’d forgotten his favourite trilby, so he arranged to have it flown from London to Italy by British Airways. Amid fears it might get squashed, lost or stolen, the hat was upgraded from its first-class seat and got to ride up front with the captain.

Permabear

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Tim Robbins

I've no problem with Bono, or any musician, having an opinion. What I do have a problem is someone putting themselves above and beyond rational criticism. A number of times, I have seen Geldof have his views challenged and he has detabed them back.

Bono just preaches, in this really stupid drolling accent.

He simplifies incredibly complicated issues as if he has all the answers. People spend ages studying development economics and they still can't agree such is the complexity of the subject matter.

Bono doesn't even realise the irony of his position. He is part of the problem. If you concentrate wealth in small finite pockets, of course it's going to affect wealth distribution.

But that's also the poor's problem.

If you dumb problems down, you're never going to solve them you just make them worse. Again that's what he does. It's just about raising awareness, it's abuot making people think more. How can someone who excuses himself from rational debate mean that people think more?

I'd have no problem if he was prepare to argue his points and take the tough questions, rather than just preach them as if he was Jesus or something.

lostexpectation

what if bono is making the world worse

Permabear

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marcsignal

I've said it before, Bono is a steaming turd, and his 'hangers on' are like the flies one would see feeding off that turd.

Tim Robbins

donegalfella wrote: »

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I have never once seen him in any sort of challenging debate. Either have you. Doesn't matter who he meets or who he shakes hands with. George Bush did all that.

What George, also never did was debate his views. Once he got a few challenging questions he'd end the interview. Bono doesn't even wait until the challenging questions come.

He has:
1. No philosophical training.
2. No political qualifications.
3. No economic qualifications.
4. Nothing except for a connection to a rock band. Other than that, he's Joe Average.

It would be better if real experts got the political and media time that Bono was wasting.

What he's doing is patronizing and egotistical. There are more constructive ways of helping out, paying tax would be a good place to start.

Fanny Cradock

I just love it! Criticise the man whilst ignoring any good he has done. Bono has certainly done more to highlight the plight of Africa over the years than all the begrudgers on this thread combined. It's funny how you don't hear the same level of criticism towards someone like Geldof.

At least he is trying to make a difference - and not simply by the traditional methods of chucking good cash after bad.

ejmaztec wrote: »

I agree. Bono shouldn't begrudge paying Irish tax.

He does pay tax in the country.

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Bono just preaches, in this really stupid drolling accent.

He simplifies incredibly complicated issues as if he has all the answers. People spend ages studying development economics and they still can't agree such is the complexity of the subject matter.

Bono doesn't even realise the irony of his position. He is part of the problem. If you concentrate wealth in small finite pockets, of course it's going to affect wealth distribution.

If you dumb problems down, you're never going to solve them you just make them worse. Again that's what he does. It's just about raising awareness, it's abuot making people think more. How can someone who excuses himself from rational debate mean that people think more?

I'd have no problem if he was prepare to argue his points and take the tough questions, rather than just preach them as if he was Jesus or something.

I fail to see what Bono's accent has to do with anything. Childish insults don't really strengthen your case.

Your post contains a lot of words attacking Bono - he's dumming problems down, he is simplifying matters or he is part of the problem. However, beyond these strong words of opinion, I see nothing to back them up. You have only offered sound bites and nothing in the way of substance.

lostexpectation

its protestant thing too

Terry

Before the usual crowd get in with their he's asking us to give money to Africa, but he's not paying tax here rabble, I'd like to point out that he does pay tax here, he's not asking for Irish money (It's the G8 he's after (See live8 for reference. The clue is in the name)) and he has brought a great deal of tourism to the country.

Permabear

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Fanny Cradock

Tim Robbins wrote: »

He has:
1. No philosophical training.
2. No political qualifications.
3. No economic qualifications.
4. Nothing except for a connection to a rock band. Other than that, he's Joe Average.

My jaw drops when I read intellectual snobbery like this.

Tim Robbins

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

I just love it! Criticise the man whilst ignoring any good he has done. Bono has certainly done more to highlight the plight of Africa over the years than all the begrudgers on this thread combined. It's funny how you don't hear the same level of criticism towards someone like Geldof.

Because Geldof came on the scene as scruffy, B - rated rock star who had nothing to be arrogant about.

Because Geldof, several times has debated his opinions, argued his points and had his points subject to rational scruntiny.

Because Geldof, seems to have a bit more intelligence than Bono.

Bono his just arrogant.

At least he is trying to make a difference - and not simply by the traditional methods of chucking good cash after bad.

I don't see what's he's trying to do.

He does pay tax in the country.

His band re-registerd in Holland so they'd pay less tax.

I fail to see what Bono's accent has to do with anything. Childish insults don't really strengthen your case.

Because it's fake and not genuine. Just like all his points.
He deliberately twangs it to sound cool and sophisticated.
Just like the way he dumbs down his arguments so they populist and lack all detail. The devil is always in the detail. Especially with complicated issues. But he ignores the detail so he can just sound high and mighty.

Your post contains a lot of words attacking Bono - he's dumming problems down, he is simplifying matters or he is part of the problem. However, beyond these strong words of opinion, I see nothing to back them up. You have only offered sound bites and nothing in the way of substance.

1. Did you watch the Prime time interview?
2. Have you ever, ever seen Bono get his opinions questioned.
I watched all the political programs on tv and several on the net and anytime I see him all he does is preach.

I hate that type of public discourse. I don't see any use in it bar ego tripping.

Tim Robbins

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

My jaw drops when I read intellectual snobbery like this.

What's the point in having so many bright intellectualls research these issues and instead of listening to them, we listen to a rock star?

Permabear

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Tim Robbins

donegalfella wrote: »

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Because on a political day of global importance, I turn and see a 15 minute interview (or so) with Bono.

Gordan D'Arcy does a lot of work for Goal, could you imagine if Primetime was doing a special on African poverty on an occasion of global importance and interviewed Gordan D'Arcy?

Permabear

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Fanny Cradock

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Because Geldof came on the scene as scruffy, B - rated rock star who had nothing to be arrogant about.

A discussion about Geldof's unkempt appearance or musical inability has no place in this debate. It only provides further evidence - as if it were needed - that your opinions are nourished from a personal dislike of the man.

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Because Geldof, several times has debated his opinions, argued his points and had his points subject to rational scruntiny.

I don't see why Bono should be obliged to debate in open forums (and I'm not convinced that he refuses to do such things). He isn't out in Africa digging wells or rebuilding hospitals either. Should he be criticised for this? One imagines that Geldof and Bono are 'singing from the same hymn sheet', so to speak. If Geldof is better at answering questions then let him handle the debates.

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Because Geldof, seems to have a bit more intelligence than Bono.

What has the relative levels of intelligence between these two men got to do with their charitable work? Again with the intellectual snobbery.

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Bono his just arrogant.

If you think so, then fine! But such an opinion has nothing to do with your criticisms of his work in Africa. You are needlessly personalising this.

Tim Robbins wrote: »

I don't see what's he's trying to do.

And yet you criticize!

Tim Robbins wrote: »

His band re-registerd in Holland so they'd pay less tax.

The band's royalty income is held in Holland. This says noting about his personal fortune, where it is held (I would assume a number of countries) or how much tax he pays on it. Also, there has been no mention of the his personal private donations to charity or that he freely gives his time and image to a cause he believes in.

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Because it's fake and not genuine. Just like all his points.
He deliberately twangs it to sound cool and sophisticated.
Just like the way he dumbs down his arguments so they populist and lack all detail. The devil is always in the detail. Especially with complicated issues. But he ignores the detail so he can just sound high and mighty.

You freely criticise, Tim, but I don't see any new ideas in your words. To use one of your most favourite expressions - all I'm hearing from you is 'rhetoric'.

Bono is there to get people passionate about sorting out the plight of the poorest people in the world. I've see countless internet warriors such as yourself bitch, moan and criticise Bono the man. Yet there is always a uproariously conspicuous silence when it come to proffering better solutions or enlightening us about the changes they have helped to bring to people in Africa.

I don't think the sun shines out Bobo's arse - he can be a tit sometimes - but this near pant wetting hysterical hatred towards the man is just something I find bizarre.

kevinmcm

You gotta love these people who hate Bono. Reading there posts is hilarious oh the bile and hatred.

lostexpectation

in his new single he says he doesn't want to talk about 'war betweens nations', but he'll talk about everything else,he'll pretend he doesn't want to take sides but he clearly has, he's a coward.

he obviously thinks thinks bush was doing gods work in iraq.

lostexpectation

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

Bono is there to get people passionate about sorting out the plight of the poorest people in the world. I've see countless internet warriors such as yourself bitch, moan and criticise Bono the man. Yet there is always a uproariously conspicuous silence when it come to proffering better solutions or enlightening us about the changes they have helped to bring to people in Africa.

if he is making the world worse ,then by us doing nothing we are doing more then him :P

Fanny Cradock

lostexpectation wrote: »

if he is making the world worse ,then by us doing nothing we are doing more then him :P

Yes... very good.

Fanny Cradock

lostexpectation wrote: »

in his new single he says he doesn't want to talk about 'war betweens nations', but he'll talk about everything else,he'll pretend he doesn't want to take sides but he clearly has, he's a coward.

he obviously thinks thinks bush was doing gods work in iraq.

A coward? What crap are you on about? As for the war, Bono has publicly spoken out against it.

Tim Robbins

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

A coward? What crap are you on about? As for the war, Bono has publicly spoken out against it.

Do you agree with his stance on Tax avoidance?

Fanny Cradock

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Do you agree with his stance on Tax avoidance?

I haven't put a great deal of thought into it, tbh. U2 are operating within the confines of the law (they are not evading tax) when they decided to keep part of their earnings in Holland. As a part time resident in this country, I have no problem with Bono keeping his cash wherever he wants.

However, this really is only a side issue. Your posts suggest something much graver - that Bono is actually part of the problems of Africa. I would be interested to see how you can justify this statement. I realise that it's an unimaginably complex issue, but you must know what's right if you can point out what wrong.

lostexpectation

he's ushering in new era of forced privatisation

Fanny Cradock

Are you just typing random sentences?