by Judi McLeod
august 31, 2004
When it comes to hogging the political stage, Irish rocker Bono really gets around.
Descending upon the Democrat Convention in Boston last month, Bono resurfaced for this weeks Republican National Convention in New York City. U2s Man of the Shades has a lot to say about the state of the universe, and not all of it in hip-swinging song.
On Fox News, the politicking rocker will get to lay his opinions on Bill OReilly show, Wednesday.
But while Bono may be forced to take a back seat to lunatic fringe leaders like Michael Moore when hes on american soil, hes vaunted to top banana position whenever in Canada. The rocker with attitude was the keynote speaker at Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martins "coronation" as Liberal Party leader last fall. Media reports claim that his rousing speech, better than that of any elected politician, stole the show.
Martin is not the only crowned head in Bonos personal Rolodex. U2s frontman gets to party with Prince albert of Monaco when taking time out in tropical St. Tropez.
While Bruce Springstein may be working on materials to unleash at yet another anti-Bush bash, Bono is rubbing shoulders with Hollywood starlets and asundry anarchists waiting to pounce on delegates entering and leaving the Big apples Madison Square Garden.
If the company he keeps makes it hard for the rocker to find easy access to the convention floor; he can always depend on finding the red welcome mat rolled out at the Ottawa office of the Canadian Prime Minister. With strong United Nations ties, Bono and Martin happen to share an interest in convincing richer nations to help improve conditions in the developing world.
Theres as much risk as alec Baldwin leaving american soil as there is for Bono ever having to follow through on his public promise to become a "major pain in his ass" if Martin doesnt live up to his vow of helping developing countries now that hes prime minister under the influence of Kofi annan pointman Maurice Strong.
and theres as much hope for Hollywood starlets to stop tinkering in presidential campaigns as there is for Bono to stick to singing in the shower.
For those pondering the common sense of mixing rock with international politics, remember it was U2s trademark "righteous political anger" that took them all the way to capitalist pig status.
But Bono was a fervent fan long before Martin took over the Prime Ministers Office. The celeb of trademark sunglass fame was extolling Martins virtues in the days when he was still a mere finance minister.
He was singing the praises of Canadas finance minister, he said for "all hes done towards third world debt."
"In Canada, youre leading the way on debt issues. So youve got to give him credit. Hes a good man," he told concertgoers, including movie star Harrison Ford at the air Canada Centre on May 24, 2001.
Meanwhile, before the anarchist-beleaguered GOP convention wraps up, lets hope nobodys singing Sunday Bloody Sunday.
Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
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