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I just saw this article about Bono's desire to see the creation of “the United States of Africa”.Bono wants United States of Africa: newspaperBut what caught my eye were these comments that he made:
"Irish people used to always have a little giggle when they would see Americans saluting their flags in schools, and then the whole standing there, singing the flag thing," Bono said."But as you get to know a little bit more about things, you start to think, ah, there's so many different tribal groups in the United States, that to create a national identity of that size, they had to really work at this kind of patriotism," he said.
Why do you think that they "giggled" when they'd see Americans with their flag? Do Americans do something that Europeans do not, and is this kind of activity just that strange to them? I don't know....I just thought it was interesting to see a European say that about America.
Bono is an idiot, and these kind of pronouncements by him just prove it. ;D I guess because he is a famous rock star, I am supposed to give more weight to his political opinion? ;D Pleas, I would listen to my barber first, who is at least grounded in reality.
Phid, personally I agree with Bono to an extent. I believe America is unique because our nation is an ethnically diverse group of people. In my case, my maternal grandfather immigrated from Germany and my paternal great-grandfather immigrated from France and I have family in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. While I'm proud of my ancestry, I still get that “tingle” when saying the Pledge of Allegiance, singing the National Anthem and saluting the Flag.
On further reflection, one thing Americans do have that Europeans do not have is pride in our country. That is why they giggle. Europeans equate patriotism and nationalism, they simply cannot fathom the difference between the two. They think nationalism is evil and since patriotism and nationalism are the same this feeds their world view that the US is trying to achieve the hegemony that Hitler could not. Just my opinion.I still think Bono is an idiot though. 😉
Bono's an interesting character and is hard to figure out. I don't really know what to say about the”giggling”. Was he making fun of us or our nationalism? That would be kind of strange, because as far as national pride or heritage goes, Ireland's people rank right up there.As far as what he's done, he is one celebrity who puts his money and efforts into his causes (unlike a Clooney or Sarandon). The work he's done in Africa, from what I've read, is amazing (and he has nothing but praise for President Bush's efforts in Africa). We may not agree with his politics, and I even suspect he's a Leftist, but one thing that sets him apart; he doesn't just complain, he gets out there and does the work and uses his celebrity status to get things done. Angelina Jolie is another one. However, I don't think a United States of Africa is possible.
I will give you that he puts his money where his mouth is. I just have an innate distrust of any celebrity that spouts off about whatever their pet causes are. He is like many celebrities who seem to think that the industrialized world can solve all the world's problems with a simple wave of the hand. How I wish the real world were that easy. My opinion of him and his ilk still stands.
Actually I'm surprised he commented that we worked hard to develop our patriotism. I guess that's about as good a compliment as we can get from him. I love U2 though, they rock! 🙂
scout, not really. He wants the African leaders to solve the problems.http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=207662
Bono was joined by famed development economist Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University, who pointed to the example of Malawi in rapidly boosting crop yields.?The bottom line of the food crisis in Africa is that if the farmers get the inputs they need ? better seeds, fertilisers and irrigation ? the crop yields can be doubled within the next two to three years,? Sachs said.
If US companies like Monsanto have the technology, then they should help out. Maybe I lean a little towards Socialism myself when it comes to helping out poor, unstable nations.He's challenging Japan to match China's economic contributions so that China won't be the dominant power in Africa.And, besides, Achtung Baby is one of the best rock albums ever. ;D
It's like I love Robert Plant, but his Fate of Nations CD was all about Global Warming and Environmental Polution themes. Sometimes Rockers need to stick to music and ditch politics…but at least they are fighting for what they believe is important. I'll cut them some slack. 🙂But I will admit some of his lyrics are cool like:"Who has chased away the moonbeams? Who has pulled a blanket across the sky? Who will sing in celebration across this land, that's bound to die? Great Spirit Come......"Cool way to sing about acid rain and smog huh? 🙂
I will give you that he puts his money where his mouth is. I just have an innate distrust of any celebrity that spouts off about whatever their pet causes are. He is like many celebrities who seem to think that the industrialized world can solve all the world's problems with a simple wave of the hand. How I wish the real world were that easy. My opinion of him and his ilk still stands.
Celebrity or not, Bono is legendary for all that he's done on stage and off. I like Bono; he lives up to his promises and he gets all generations involved and aware of situations around the world. My teen-age daughters are just as aware of his music AND his messages as I am. ...right on to Achtung Baby!
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