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People and Politics by Patrick Roberts

Bono strangely silent on Irish economic crisis-- is he turning a blind eye?

Posted on Thursday, December 02, 2010 at 08:54 AM
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One voice has been noticeably missing from recent debate on Ireland's desperate plight.

That person is Paul Hewson,AKA Bono.

It seemed anytime there was a debt crisis in the world Bono was there, arguing, pushing, delivering often on total cancellation of debt.

He became a powerful moral voice for those countries that found themselves so deeply indebted they could never have dug their way out.

Sounds familiar?

Yet on the glaring issue facing his homeland Bono has stated completely silent.

Very strange that, as his moral voice could clearly be heard in Ireland these days.

There is no other Irish international statesman who might help rally the Irish with a message of shared sacrifice and putting it all back together.

There are several possible reasons why he has not spoken out, some cynical.

Mainly he may have chosen not to get involved because it would involve partisan politics,something he has deeply avoided in his career.

More cynically, he knows he would get slated by many in the press, because U2 are effectively tax exiles,or are perceived as such.

Thirdly he may decide that now is not the time in the middle of all the heat and battle to go on the record.

But it would certainly be interesting to hear what he has to say.


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20 comments

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butlerreport | Jan 23, 2011, 11:16 AM EST
Considering he moved his assets out of Ireland to avoid contributing to his own country it is fitting that he shuts the f*ck up.

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Mgvsmith | Dec 19, 2010, 10:35 AM EST
To be fair U2 were involved in the Self Aid concert back in 1986 which highlighted unemployment in Ireland. Short memories some of you. I wonder if a charity concert would be of any value at this stage?

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greatwestern | Dec 05, 2010, 06:19 PM EST
no opportunity to self promote and few politicians fawning after him in Ireland....Bono is smart and does not want to know....easier to hang out with Bush, Blair and their current crop....at least he is consistent

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kateomprint | Dec 05, 2010, 04:43 PM EST
Please the last thing we need to listen to is Bono being a pain in the bum and spouting the usual drivel. i would rather be broke than listen to him

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DanOLoingsigh | Dec 04, 2010, 10:37 AM EST
Bono - pro bono? - no,no!!

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karlconnellking | Dec 04, 2010, 07:38 AM EST
id like to see Bono and geldof run and irish aid concert for parents and children and disavantaged in community where the struggle is so grate funds go to the needs of the people in communities all cmmunity where health and wellbeing come first and equal access to medical prevention and post care where a philosophy is enshrined to provide healthy lifestyle and help the people who are struggling on socil welfare struggling with debt and unable to efford the esb gas good quality food and unable to particapate in anything because of cost. to bring community centers back and provide a joint venture by parents schools community co councils and clubs where a philosophy enshrined to promote healthy lifestyle and equal access to all who live in our community ,,, at the moment this is only for the rich and the connected to rich political educated class i feel that the poor and uneducated leave school early to pay taxes so the our rich children can access college and get third leval education free ok it choice but if parents have not got the funds to keep the child going travel clothes and lunch money so the only choice is get a low leval paying job and there is no future to become a consultant or a lawyer so taking down the wage per hour you are again making poor people even poorer and driving them back on unemployment as unable to support the cost of going to work clothes travel lunch rent ....eaqual access for all to health care community health care units with access to professional and diganostic equipment walk in and get a treatment plan to a helthy life style equal to the rich. kind regards kingmcdonnell

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manhattan | Dec 03, 2010, 05:18 PM EST
OOPS! I just watched "Out of Ireland" and Bono was at the American Ireland Fund dinner in New York and was honored for contributing to one of the funds that gives musical instruments to Irish children who could otherwise not afford them. I sure hope he is doing more then that.

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manhattan | Dec 03, 2010, 03:17 PM EST
I have never heard of Bono doing anything for charity in Ireland. Africia yes ireland no. The unreal amount of his ego driven show on broadway costs 65 million dollars and counting. Wouldn't that amount of money help save some of his fellow country men's homes etc.? Geldorf is another phoney who doesn't feel his own country would give him the publicity he gets from helping other nations. Take care of your own first.

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seamusmoore | Dec 03, 2010, 11:30 AM EST
Joe Queenan once wrote that the only time in the history of Ireland that everyone agreed on a subject was their disapproval of Kevin Costner playing Michael Collins. Clearly, we have a second topic.

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ciarrai | Dec 03, 2010, 11:12 AM EST
Bono. Silent? He's too busy working on that piece of frivolous garbage in NYC. A Broadway show about Spiderman. Really essential stuff. Ireland is going down the tubes and this guy (who has something to say on everything and anything) is silent? Spiderman drivel is more important than Ireland, Bono?

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BallinaLass | Dec 03, 2010, 10:06 AM EST
Bob Geldof too. He could organize another G8 concert to forgive Irish debt.

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mhichil | Dec 03, 2010, 01:28 AM EST
the cobblers children have no shoes

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lostgold | Dec 02, 2010, 07:22 PM EST
Bono is another fraud but if the Irish economy should pickup he'll soon be dancing on his U.S. and British masters strings trying to "help" dark com-plexioned people in any part of the world so he will appear an intellectual type to the world.Strangely silent about his own country being an economic basket because for all the screaming about the Celtic Tigers economic success there is still"excreta on its trousers" and he wants no part of that.

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Towngate | Dec 02, 2010, 03:51 PM EST
He was last seen riding a bike down the drive of St Enda's in Rathfarnham. Asked where he was going, he replied: " I'm in a hurry, I'm meeting a few lads at the GPO!"

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greenferrett101 | Dec 02, 2010, 03:14 PM EST
Totally agree Patrick!

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