Bono Blasts Canadian PM

[Nitro Express]

Very true. The one guy I do like in U2 is The Edge. I got a big kick when he gave his speech at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and said it's scary when scenes from This is Spinal Tap have become your real life. I also dig the dude because he kicked Bono's ass in a fist fight in the early days.

When I saw Rattle and Hum; everyone around me was sucking it in. I wasn't buying it. The Edge once said he cringed when he watched that movie and wondered who the people in it were because it wasn't anyone he knew. Bono many times has wondered "What in the hell were we thinking?"

At least he's honest.

[Full Bug]

U2 rallies fans against poverty

VANCOUVER (CP) - Prime Minister Paul Martin was booed at a sold-out rock show by thousands who have sided with U2's Bono, a rock star who won't let Canada beg off the fight to end poverty.

Bono is speaking out against the embattled leader for breaking a promise to raise Canada's spending on foreign aid. But at his first Canadian show of the Vertigo tour in Vancouver on Thursday, Bono asked the crowds not to give up on Martin yet. "I think we're going to figure this thing out. I think he's a great leader for Canada and that he can do what we want him to do, to lead the world out of despair and poverty, this year."

Bono, a long-time crusader for the relief of Third World debt, challenged Martin to deliver on a commitment to raise Canada's spending on foreign aid to 0.7 per cent of the gross domestic product by 2015.

He flashed a phone number on the jumbo screens above the stage asking people to call the prime minister and give him the strength to write the cheque Martin now says Canada can't afford.

"If you people believe in it, I believe Paul Martin is the kind of person who will listen to you. Let him know. Get out your phones. Dangerous little devices, these cell phones. We want to make poverty history," Bono screamed. "This is the year!"

The stadium, a rocking temple of Bono worship, was lit in the cool glow of dialling mobiles and the band, inspiring the crowd to make a difference with One.


"One love, one life, when it's one need, in the night," the audience cried along with Bono.

"This audience, this generation, has had enough," he screamed back.

"Enough! Enough! Enough of despair! No more! So Paul Martin, I'm calling you!"

Some fans said they thought Canada's prime minister should listen, but not because it was a rock icon screaming.

"Bono wasn't elected," said Kieran Kennedy, who camped out a 6 a.m. to get the best spot on the floor when the gates opened at 6:30 p.m.

"Paul Martin should give more money to the Third World, not because Bono says so, but because he himself promised to."

Others, taken with the trendiness of the cause, would follow the star wherever he wants to go. Girls wriggled into the fad, snapping up white rubber bracelets being hawked at the show that say Make Poverty History.

The bangles are part of a campaign backed by Bono, Sarah McLachlan, Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Tom Hanks, and Bob Geldof.

The Make Poverty History group launched TV ads Thursday that will air in prime time on CBC, CTV, and Global Television. Print ads featuring McLachlan will also run in major newspapers.

The campaign is active in over 50 countries, with the Canadian effort set to begin Friday at a downtown Vancouver church, which will be wrapped in a white band.

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by Nitro Express
Very true. The one guy I do like in U2 is The Edge. I got a big kick when he gave his speech at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and said it's scary when scenes from This is Spinal Tap have become your real life. I also dig the dude because he kicked Bono's ass in a fist fight in the early days.

When I saw Rattle and Hum; everyone around me was sucking it in. I wasn't buying it. The Edge once said he cringed when he watched that movie and wondered who the people in it were because it wasn't anyone he knew. Bono many times has wondered "What in the hell were we thinking?"

At least he's honest.

I agree with most of what you say. However "Rattle & Hum" came off as conflicted and contrived, perhaps of of the few genuine moments was when the band went on that impromptu speech in which they attack all factions in the North's civil war. I recall seeing in an interview, how Bono seemed a little upset and initially did not want to include those live recordings fearing IRA reprisals and that most people outside Ireland would not understand exactly what he was saying.

"Am I buggin' you? Well I didn't mean to bug ya'!...Edge! Play the blues!" (Bono slams down the mic in frustration and disgust after an audience fails to react to his anti-Apartheid speech during 'Silver and Gold') --Classic!! :D

And too bad they did such a shit, half-assed job on the DVD audio. My old video tape sounds so much better!