Reactionary

This is why I hate Bono’s involvement with the African issues. Doubtless people have wondered what my problem is that I could dare say that, though no one has actually said anything of the kind to me. But I’m aware of the way it sounds so I’m here to explain.

I have no problem with the issues he supports though they’re not ones I choose to support strongly, after all, there are only so many hours in a day. I don’t resent or despise his anti-poverty stance or his anti-AIDS stance. I resent the time he’s poured into it. I’d have the same problem with it if he were campaigning for poverty relief or if he were pursuing juggling. The bottom line is it’s taking him away from the band and his primary function on this earth of being a rock star. He’s stretched himself too thin and the strain shows. I hate to say this, but the day’s coming when he’ll have to choose between the two.

I’ve always admired him for going his own way and doing and saying things unexpected and uncool, but he’s pursued this particular cause outside the scope and breadth of rock and roll and his growing commitments on the issues are tearing U2 apart and I don’t like that.

Because I mean to be as objective as possible and because I’m comfortable and willing to admit my own contradictions (another gift from U2), I’ll say this: I’ve never liked Do-Gooders anyway. Something always strikes me false about these people, many though not all. When I’ve been asked to volunteer at soup kitchens or whatever, I always get a punchline like, “It’ll make you feel good.” And so will buying myself a new CD, jackass. Perhaps I’ve seen too many people doing too many things for the wrong reasons and it makes me somewhat nauseous. I hate to see my rock star toeing that line. I don’t want to doubt him, and I don’t think I do. I believe he does it for the right reasons. Though there may be a ghost of the same doubt in my assessment of his involvement in the anti-poverty campaign. I just don’t believe you should be out feeding the hungry when your own family’s stuck eating out of a box because you’re not there to feed them.

Posted on January 28th, 2005 under Life, Rant, Tunes •  Print •  Email • RSS 2.0 feed • Both comments and pings are currently closed