You know you have ascended to the top tier of fame when you just need one name to be known by. Paul David Hewson AKA: Bono, has achieved that lofty status. The face of Ireland to many in the world, native Son, poet, musician, philanthropist, humanitarian, activist, and artist, Bono epitomizes that truth.
Perhaps known for his philanthropy as much as his creativity in the music field, Bono has drawn together quite a far flung army of volunteers in his war on poverty and disease. President Bill Clinton said it best when he told Bono he has "quite a large tent" when describing his diverse army. Under that tent are rockers, to soccer moms, to evangelicals, all united in goals to make the world a better place.
Fresh off his bands U2 world tour that brought in 736 million in ticket sales, Bono sat down for an interview with Governor Huckabee on Fox News to share his thoughts.
First and foremost Bono praised America for it's leadership in the world wide war on poverty and disease. Bono particularly singled out President Bush when he stepped up to the plate and marshaled American and world resources to fight the worldwide AIDS epidemic, especially focusing in on the devastating disease in Africa.
Bono said that one single act by President Bush and America, was the biggest extraordinary fight for good in the world, since Americas involvement in World War II. He said due to Americas generosity and Bushes leadership, untold millions of lives have been saved.
But Bono's gift is that he is a poet with that intangible ability to describe the essence of spirit with the magic of his words. He summed up what America is in a poetic thought by saying "America is an idea, a contagious idea". "A contagious idea that inspires the world."
America understands the value of life, has the spirit of volunteerism and a "can do" attitude that has always inspired the rest of the world. Bono has recognized this special part of America and has been able to tap into that American essence, by recruiting our humanitarian spirit and at the same time steering billions of dollars in aid towards noble causes that make the world a better place.
America generously opened its arms to many waves of Irish immigrants who found shelter from a homeland that did not welcome them. Throughout Americas history, the Irish have repaid that generosity by helping build America into the greatest country the world has ever seen. America and Ireland have a strong special bond of blood and toil and a vested interest in seeing our countries prosper.
So when a world renowned native son of Ireland gives his opinion on the greatness of America, 40 million Americans of Irish descent listen. One of them was me and what I took particular note of was the closing of the interview, when Bono, who is not particularly noted for his conservative views, took a stand in our political situation:
At the end of the interview Governor Huckabee, jokingly said off the cuff, Bono should consider a run for the American Presidency. He replied that the Governor himself should consider a run, as "America needs Reagan like statesmanship that is so missing."
Bono and I see eye to eye on that statement.
For the most unique gifts, time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.
For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: www.carrollstandard.com
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Monsoonman | Dec 24, 2011, 05:56 PM EST
Hi Lad...I see your comment down there very poetic way of expressing your opinion: "A marauding ex-pat expert"...LOL WellI see your mentor Christopher Hitchens passed away. I would always say Merry Christmas to him when he was around as he was my favorite atheist. So now I'll say to you me friend: Merry Xmas!
merefalow | Dec 24, 2011, 05:48 AM EST
financial corruption and exploitation by the USA military, multinational political elitists on a biblical scale,how to stop it,only Americans can when they finally realize the power structure that really runs their country.they hate anything that will educate the masses,division and fear and false propaganda through their controlled media are their weapons,a financial system geared to armament and a need for a war or constant enemy,a manufactured fear to keep on a constant war footing so its war machine economy can continue to function.when will they wake up,not anytime soon i fear.
seanomelbourne | Dec 13, 2011, 05:46 PM EST
A maudling ex-pat expert on everything.
GeorgeDillon | Dec 13, 2011, 02:48 PM EST
Ernesider: "even cared less about his causes with the exception of Bloody Sunday". ???? I'm curious. I'm no Bono expert but I know nothing about his "Bloody Sunday" cause. Care to tell us more?
whatISinAname | Dec 13, 2011, 01:15 PM EST
Put your thesaurus away. You cant hide being an idiot.
RedBranch | Dec 13, 2011, 12:48 PM EST
Lets see what he does with the 1billion from the upcoming Facebook IPO
joycean | Dec 13, 2011, 12:19 PM EST
irishpjk, Absolutely right. One of the things that impressed me about Bono was his praise for Bush. I always hated hearing Irish say they like Americans but hated Bush. and American foreign policy. Who do you think electect Bush?
Ernesider | Dec 13, 2011, 11:31 AM EST
I don't know what it is about that Bono lad but I never cared for him and even cared less about his causes with the exception of Bloody Sunday but that was shortlived. It may be "The Pale" that still divides us. There was always plenty he could have taken care of in Ireland or at least been more outspoken on issues relevant there. Give me Luke Kelly any day.
irishpjk | Dec 13, 2011, 10:34 AM EST
When looking for a good liberal I visit a funeral home. I do say a prayer for them because only God can help them.
irishpjk | Dec 13, 2011, 10:30 AM EST
I am glad to hear he appreciated George Bush after my many visits to Ireland I thought I was the only Irishman that saw the man for what he was, a straight arrow. George was a terrible politician never did the ass-kissing the riff raff in Washington and the liberal media wanted from him, worse yet, he was his own man and he did not care what they thought about him. Thanks Bono, I was wrong about you.
McNamara31 | Dec 13, 2011, 09:00 AM EST
Murph46 ....You need to wake up and realize what is factually happening between the close connection of Washington and Wall St. In 2008, President Bush, Secretary Paulson and Chairman Bernanke crafted a bank bailout program they termed TARP. It was created over a weekend, because if they didn’t act by Monday they said, there wouldn’t be an America anymore. President Bush handed the reins of power to the former CEO of Goldman Sachs. And instead of limiting himself to the $700 billion Congress grudgingly approved (AND WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WERE TOLD) Hank Paulson printed $7 Trillion dollars, funneled it through the Federal Reserve and handed it over to the world’s biggest banks with no strings attached and in total secrecy.Bloomberg News took its case to the Court to get the real figures made public.So keep blaming first time homebuyers, the liberals and the occupy Wall St movement, when the facts are staring you right in the face.
Sectionhand | Dec 13, 2011, 04:08 AM EST
The "occupiers" haven't contributed a dime to my 401K and if they had their way they'd steal it from me .
Murph46 | Dec 12, 2011, 11:44 PM EST
I'll live in my real historical happened world ,I've lived it worked in it saw it first hand close up.Why aren't you on the streets with the occupiers?
McNamara31 | Dec 12, 2011, 11:17 PM EST
Murph46.. The facts are there if you are willing to see them. Keep blaming the "liberal" boogey man, when in truth, its lobbyist money from K Street that's devaluing your vote and your 401K.
Murph46 | Dec 12, 2011, 09:28 PM EST
They are the liberal do gooders who overlook the reality that not everyone can afford a home,They are the enactors of laws that strap countries and federations by their liberal spending and finally so even you can understand Mc Mamara They are the ones Margaret Thatcher spoke of with Liberals are Ok until asked to pay the bill themselves!
Monsoonman | Dec 12, 2011, 09:27 PM EST
If financial institutions are forced to make bad loans, they are not stupid like the govt/politicians who force them. They found ways to get rid of them
Monsoonman | Dec 12, 2011, 09:10 PM EST
You are blinded by either partisan beliefs, or willfully. Read my post again...The core of the whole financial probelsm we and eur face is based on a do-gooder law that FORCED financial institutions to loan to people who had no business getting loans.
McNamara31 | Dec 12, 2011, 08:52 PM EST
Murph46.... Who are the... "They" "They" are the corporate and Wall St money that flooded into Washington and bought what they wanted. And we paid 7 trillion dollars to dig them out of the whole "They" created.
Murph46 | Dec 12, 2011, 08:22 PM EST
But THEY will never admit or get it Monsoonman they gave license to Goldman Sachs,with derivatives ,balloon mortgages ,ARM's. But THEY deny all!
McNamara31 | Dec 12, 2011, 08:04 PM EST
Monsoonman …So what do you think of the financial institutions that bet on those mortgages “to fail” and made huge profits when they did; like in the case of Goldman Sachs? Wouldn't you call that predatory?
Monsoonman | Dec 12, 2011, 07:44 PM EST
The main cause of the US/world financial crisis? The Community Reinvestment act. Put into law by Carter, put on steroids by Clinton. FORCED financial institutions to loan topeople who did not deserve loans. Poisoned the whole financial industry with worthless mortgages....Everything else is fluff and a smokescreen for apologists
McNamara31 | Dec 12, 2011, 07:28 PM EST
Murph46.... How do you get Clinton apologist from my response? I will state my point as clearly as I can “for you” once again. The two major pieces of deregulation that I previously mentioned one during Clinton’s administration, and the other during Bush’s, were by most economists accounts the pivotal changes that allowed (caused) the massive debt to accumulate by the financial sector which then “brought on” the crash of 2008. At this same time over 3,000 Wall St. lobbyists spent 5 billion dollars to win this deregulation and other policy decisions that led directly to the collapse. These issues are far greater than just blaming Fannie and Freddie. Wall St Watch had an interesting article that goes into great detail about the crash: "Sold Out: How Wall Street and Washington Betrayed America," just in case you would like to check out their findings. By no means was there any of what you term” obfuscating” in my reply. My point once again is corporate money bought the deregulation that enabled the crash that landed us where we are today. Are we clear? Maybe you should try to do a bit of research outside of the “Fox Realm” of reasoning (ie: blame everything on Fannie and Freddie); as you have repeatedly said in your past posts-Look it up.
gavinpchow | Dec 12, 2011, 06:55 PM EST
I think that we have heard enough from this Irish potato head and he should go back to Ireland and give back all of the money he has made in the good old USA. We don't need anymore claptrap from this wannabe singer..
joycean | Dec 12, 2011, 05:52 PM EST
I can't think of any way that Ireland helps us. I would say our real allies are Britain, Canada, Australia.
AmericanGirl83 | Dec 12, 2011, 05:29 PM EST
Interesting, I think our charitable deeds are also are downfall , here in America. We rush to the aid of other countries, yet who helps us besides Ireland? Every other nation has sucked us dry and yet we still give to them, but we can't seem to take care of our own anymore. I am proud to be an American, just as I am proud of my Irish/Scottish Great, great grandparents, but I think other countries have taken advantage of America.
joycean | Dec 12, 2011, 04:11 PM EST
I see nothing wrong with choosing a philanthropic cause that is non-controversial like AIDS in Africa. I also don't see anything wrong with choosing a country with a lower taxrate. Isn't that why there are American corporations in Ireland? I don't care for his music, though.
GeorgeDillon | Dec 12, 2011, 03:47 PM EST
hooligan6a--SO you back a Final Solution for the Palestinians.? Mass killings, expulsions and ethnic cleansing? You need a psychiatrist. You're just a racist nobody, but Huckabee and Bono are in the public eye. That's what makes the Huckabee Final Solution idea so reprehensible, and Bono's acquiescence to it so despicable. Then again if you track Bono you see that he always identifies with causes that won't make the rich and powerful mad e.g anti-apartheid, global warming etc. Nice and safe faux radicalism. And of course he happily consorts with warmongers like Bush and Blair.
Murph46 | Dec 12, 2011, 03:42 PM EST
Amen!
Monsoonman | Dec 12, 2011, 03:33 PM EST
Well Murph, take heart there are many out there who dont drink the socialist kool aid. As far as Bono goes...Kudos to him for giving back.
Murph46 | Dec 12, 2011, 03:17 PM EST
Hey whatSinAname -look up the definition and you will find I'm right on based on his comments but of course what should I expect from Clinton apologists.
Murph46 | Dec 12, 2011, 02:54 PM EST
Thank you Momsoonman,to think this started in a discussion from Bono.I am one America-Mick who loves his country and just yesterday told a recent college grad that I wasn't proud of the mess we are handing her,but I have the faith that her generation can solve a lot of our ills,not those Marxist rabble rousers that have no definitive message.
whatISinAname | Dec 12, 2011, 02:53 PM EST
Anyone who uses the word obfuscate the way you have is an idiot.
Monsoonman | Dec 12, 2011, 02:47 PM EST
Murph 46: You are correct w your facts. But they have been conveniently buried by the complicit MSM clinton worshippers.
Murph46 | Dec 12, 2011, 02:16 PM EST
Mac -You are either obfuscating or you have a bad memory Clinton holds meeting in 1994 telling cabinet and particular HUD that everyone should own a home 10 different departments thereafter lessened regulations and we are here today.Period!History -look it up .Clinton has acknowledged it!
McNamara31 | Dec 12, 2011, 01:14 PM EST
Hey Irish Central... Here we go again. I don't know if it's your blogging software or what BUT I DID NOT POST THIS PASSAGE SEEN BELOW. Isn't it time you fixed this problem that keeps happening? Not from Mac...........Philanthropy: etymologically means "the love of humanity. "loving" in the sense of benefitting, caring for, nourishing human beings in the sense of "humanity"...Did I miss the meaning of the word?
jacke47 | Dec 12, 2011, 01:09 PM EST
I concur with joycean's comment. Bono has 'causes' he promotes and the more he achieves in the arena of helping others in the world, the better off will be the world. He's not about to alienate any 'giver of aid'. He's not going to 'bite the hand that feeds' and that in large proportion is the US of A...Merry CHRISTmas
McNamara31 | Dec 12, 2011, 01:07 PM EST
Murph46...…A bit of History.... Clinton deregulated The Glass Steagal Act which had separated investment and private banking since the aftermath of the crash in '29. In the years following investment banks “grew” to the point which created the "too big to fail scenario". Also during the Bush administration, deregulation was created that allowed the banks and financial industry to leverage up to 40 to 1, where previous limits were 12 to 1. If these two major changes had not occurred all the predatory “sub prime” loans could never have taken place. Five billion dollars of banking and financial sector lobbying money flooded into Washington in the years leading up to the crash of 2008.
CMMcShane | Dec 12, 2011, 12:47 PM EST
Bono isn't as smart as he thinks he is. Reagan was an empty suit and front man Donald REGAN R AN THE Government and bobble head Nancy consulted Mystics who told her that Regan was makingReagan look like a fool ( which he was). Read Edmund Morris's Book DUTCH to find what really happened in RReagan's White House. Much to her chagrin Nancy commissioned Morris to write. The Book.
Murph46 | Dec 12, 2011, 12:32 PM EST
McNamara- if you look at real history as I have previously stated here-you need only go back to 1994 meeting in Clintons oval office where he wanted everyone in the US to own a house and the lessening of loan regulations that followed and collapsed the housing market ,caused Fannie Mae and Frddi Mac to deregulate and thus millions of bad loans.It's there-It's history -look it up!
Murph46 | Dec 12, 2011, 12:26 PM EST
All you anti Bono fans lighten up ,if you in your life achieve one fifth of the good that he has done you would have a great life.What the hell is this propensity to attack those who achieve and do good? I don't get it ,we need MORE Bono's and less bacbiters!
cillowen | Dec 12, 2011, 12:09 PM EST
bono the consumate a licker
irishcoffeekid | Dec 12, 2011, 11:34 AM EST
seems clear to a lot of us that Bono just wants an "in" to the USA as he realizes his popularity is miserable in Ireland because he may talk the talk but they dont walk the walk. They slipped out of Ireland to avoid paying taxes - when they're donating 50% of every concert funds to the poor and hungry, they might get more credibility - even in the USA, people are sick of do gooders talking but not walking! Personally I'm not into U2 but i've seen his popularity go down radically when people discover they're trying to beat the IRish tax system!
Monsoonman | Dec 12, 2011, 11:30 AM EST
PhlutiePhan: Interesting psychoanalysis behind Pres.Clintons Peccadilloes. I suspect, under his blanket are all sorts of demons.
PhlutiePhan | Dec 12, 2011, 11:10 AM EST
America has become a nation of license and not freedom. When Willie C talks about "quite a large tent", everyone knows that it is Freudian.
hooligan6a | Dec 12, 2011, 09:56 AM EST
GeorgeDillon, that sounds like a pretty good plan to me. I think the Palestinians should go back to Jordan. Oh, that's right Jordan doesn't want them back. "If the Palestinians would lay down their weapons today, there would be peace. If the Israelis would lay down there weapons today they would be slaughtered".
joycean | Dec 12, 2011, 09:49 AM EST
I saw Bono's interview on Jon Stewart's show. Stewart is as liberal as Huckabee is conservative. I was a charming, upbeat interview. I was really surprised and pleased at Bono's gracious acknowledgement of the help his cause has received from America.
McNamara31 | Dec 12, 2011, 08:45 AM EST
Monsoonman states "it was not at all a Bible thumping/Fox News pro interview." Who said it was "all" Bible thumbing? The interview which can still be easily viewed by all on You Tube had a main message (not thumbing) of empathy and continuing our good works and yes he did mention Christ's message. And for a cable station who "uses" Christianity when it suits them it was a breath of fresh air to hear Bono speak it in this context as it was intended. And a point of clarity about who ruined America...How about those Wall St insiders who spent 5 billion dollars on lobbying Washington (Clinton and Bush) to get the deregulation that brought America tumbling down. Until we get the money out of American politics it will be the same stuff over and over again.
Ratslayer | Dec 11, 2011, 10:35 PM EST
Hey, Sir Bono, you phony coke-snorting Irishman, pay yer phucking taxes like the rest of us! And stop cheating on yer wife, dirtbag (Newt's brother in arms!!) Oh, btw, Republicans hate poor people and yes they would gladly throw America's poorest, sickest, most vulnerable under the bus. Republicans are disturbed, ignorant and evil wackos who think America's best days were in 1850 when ... well you know the story. Republicans DO NOT speak for the majority of Americans. The GOP is increasingly becoming a fringe political party, unable to govern and only capable of standing in the way of the sane MAJORITY.
Monsoonman | Dec 11, 2011, 09:34 PM EST
I watched the interview and it was not at all a Bible thumping/Fox News pro interview. Furthermore you are dead wrong about Republicans wanting to throw the poor under the bus. You marxist/socialists have ruined Europe and are about to ruin America, burdening the taxpayrs with your never ending entitlements and pubic employee unions outrageous wages and bennies.
McNamara31 | Dec 11, 2011, 09:23 PM EST
If you watched the full interview, Bono's main point was, if we think of ourselves as Christians (and a Christian nation) we should follow Christ's word and help the poor. Bono quotes the Bible as stating Christ mentions the poor over 2000 times. Bono knew he had to take this message to Huckabee and the Fox viewership because anyone who has followed the GOP debates has seen the GOP is positioned to throw the poor under the bus here, and abroad.
McNamara31 | Dec 11, 2011, 05:21 PM EST
Philanthropy: etymologically means "the love of humanity. "loving" in the sense of benefitting, caring for, nourishing human beings in the sense of "humanity"...Did I miss the meaning of the word?
GeorgeDillon | Dec 11, 2011, 04:40 PM EST
By the way, this Huckabee that Bono loves so much a few months ago was suggesting that a solution to the middle east problem wojuld be to remove the Palestinains from their lands so that Jews could settle there. He's a crazy lunatic, I'm not surprised that kissass Bono would love him.
GeorgeDillon | Dec 11, 2011, 04:37 PM EST
"Perhaps known for his philanthropy as much as his creativity in the music field". Are you out of your mind, Farnan? Just what philantropy are you talking about?