Originally posted by TheRealEdge:[..]
I didn't say Bono isn't intelligent but I must admit that the whole Aung San Suu Kyi cause did him NO FAVOURS AT ALL.
And to reference your reply I don’t see why walking in the streets in robes and sandals would gain him any more respect, I was making a Gandhi analogy and if you read any books on him then you will understand that to change things in his own country he decided to revert back to traditional Indian dress and Indian culture to be at one with the people and therefore to be part of a change not wear the suit and ties of the western aggressors.
Bono is a big fan of Gandhi so it's all relevant.
It's a weak argument to say that all critics of Bono wouldn't do a better job - how would you know?
If Bono is willing enough to elevate (no pun intended) himself to a platform where he has his say, his opinions and his answers then he's going to meet with people who are going to question him. He needs to be prepared for criticism.
How many times have the band played on the African continent? A few times ONLY in South Africa? Surely a pared down tour of the less wealthy nations would draw massive attention and highlight all those important issues of starving and dying children?
It will never happen and the 'official' reason would be that it wasn't manageable or it would be a logistical nightmare or there are too many security risks - but the real reason would be 'Oh wait, there's no money in that so scrub that!'.
You can see why a person preaching on one hand whilst accepting $$$$ in the other will have their detractors,
And we're not having this debate about Edge, Adam or Larry - and I wonder why that is.
Bono isn’t Gandhi nor is he trying to be. He is simply making people aware of issues that don’t sit well with him. People are free to chose to get onboard or not and that’s ok but I don’t think it’s ok to criticise Bono for highlighting the issues simply because of his own lifestyle choices.
I struggle to think how playing shows in less wealthy locations would achieve more awareness and highlight issues more.
Of course I can see why someone who is very wealthy but who also likes to preach gets a hard time. Jealousy, envy, people with a generally negative mindset and who think the worst of people or question others motives. People knowing deep down that Bono has a point but can’t bare to admit it or who find it easier to justify there own greed by pointing to Bono’s wealth and asking why he doesn’t do more while they do nothing. Personally I don’t do a lot for charity, certainly not enough but at least I’m honest enough to admit it and don’t criticise others who do much more than me.
Adam, Edge and Larry are far less outspoken and don’t attract as much attention. They do talk about issues now and then but don’t exactly preach about it, and that’s there choice and I’m sure they all do a great deal of charitable work themselves although I’d think less than Bono.
