U2 Losing Elevation From Election High

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 23rd 2009 01:45PM

U2 lead singer Bono has lost some of the optimism gained during President Barack Obama's election win last November.

"I didn't think it could come to this so quickly, after the joyous occasion of that election," Bono said in a chat with the Associated Press. "I thought America was looking good. ... Things are getting a little rough now," said the celebrated rock n' roll front man when interviewed during their '360' tour.

U2 performed the song "City of Blinding Lights" during the presidential inauguration this past January.

"The Obama administration is just getting going," remarked Bono, confident in the President's campaign promises, especially regarding funding to fight AIDS in Africa. "(Obama) has promised to double aid over the next years, because even though (President George W.) Bush tripled it, ... the United States is still about half as what European countries give as a percentage, and I think he knows that's not right."

U2's latest album 'No Line on the Horizon' debuted at the top of the charts when it was released in March. It has sold 1 million copies but is the group's lowest selling album in more than a decade.

Bono and U2 has ventured into philanthropy and human rights including Amnesty International as well as campaigns for HIV/AIDS and debt relief in Africa.

Tags: Barack Obama, BarackObama, bono, grammy awards, u2

Comments

(32)

Friday 23 October

By CHRISTA M.

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHY WE ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT GIVING MONEY TO OTHER COUNTRIES TO HELP RELIEVE DEBT WHEN WE, OURSELVES ARE IN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DEBT????????????

By Marsha

Vote down Vote up Report this

Most people in this country aren't starving to death daily, as thousand are in the rest of the world. Also, desperate countries are susceptible to outside influences that may be against the US, it's in our best interest to be supporting them. Did you know it's economic policies that have caused the massive debt in the third world, such as borrowing to compete in the global economy? They were encouraged to do so, by either the IMF or the World Bank, I can't remember which.

By Sara

I didn't have much luck finding affordable health coverage with the limited amount of providers in my area until I shopped with ( http://tiny.cc/HealthInsuranceQuotes ) and found a great rate with an A plus company. Now my kids have coverage they deserve. I was also paying way to much for life insurance until I found ( http://tiny.cc/LifeInsuranceRates ) Within minutes I got quotes from 4 agents that saved me $60 a month on life insurance. I can't believe how easy it was to get a quote and as the website says fast, easy and just a click away and the agents were so nice and helpful.

By bob

I like Bono-but I am sick and tired of non-Americans telling us America is in trouble or they are troubled by America. Bono wants more money-we need to give more money-that's all that matters-give what we think is right to our causes and then America will be ok again. Too many democrats worry what non-Americans think of us-it would be nice if these same people stuck up for this country just once....

Did you notice they mentioned Bush TRIPLED aid to Africa for aids-funny you never hear that-it does not fit with the Bush theme-a a homophobic racists bible thumping moron....By the way-even with funding tripled-not enough for Bono....

By Lotte

I also am tired of being told that WE (ONE country) are giving less than ALL of europe combined...and so what? We are probably giving a great deal more than any ONE of those countries! And don't give us the tired old crap about how there are soooo many of us and on and on and on...we DO have many, MANY people well below poverty level and dying. Sure maybe not as many as they, or from same causes, but we DO have people here needing help! Pardon the old saw, but charity begins at home!

Hey, Bono! Give your own bloody money! Keep your stupid hands off of ours!

By Steve

I like Bono the singer. But it's not for him to tell America that we need to send money to Africa when we can't even take care of our own. Hey Paul...shut up and sing!

By suzy

START IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD BEFORE WE "CURE" THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you referring to the multiple wars we've had over the years?

By ProPalin

Marsha, the topic is Bono thinks the USA doesn't give enough money. No one is referring to wars. We have not had multiple wars. We are fighting one war, the War on Terror and the rest of the world is too. What are you referring to?

Saturday 24 October

Propalin (taking a moment to snicker at the screen name), My comment says "War over the years", such as the Gulf War, Vietnam, and Grenada. Plus the military actions, like Bosnia, etc. And our constant fist threatening other countries.

I made the huge mental leap from suzy's comment to "START IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD BEFORE WE "CURE" THE WORLD!", to our history of constantly messing big time in everyone else's back yard, in war and every other way. People usually use that kind of comment when they prefer the US to interfere in the ways they like, but not the one being discussed.

By dano

Ireland is bankrupt. Maybe Bono should start in his home country first.

By Hmmmm

I love these Pharisee / Sadducee mindsets who have all the answers for the world, just like our wonderful president (Not!!!). Funny how much better off America was when we let GOD run it!!!!

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I think God is a better steward of money than to bring the country to near bankruptcy.

By Sharon

Oh please.. what right does he have to criticize or advise. He is not an American and will never be. However, I would imagine a good deal of his millions came from this country he criticizes. I am so sick of all of them.

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I stand up for my country when I believe in what is being done in my name. However, the total destruction that is now Iraq haunts me, I wish I had been more forceful in my early opposition to the war. Apology can be a sign of strength, and force can be a sign of military strength and moral weakness.

Problem is liberals have just as unrealistic expectations of Obama as conservatives have. I'm older, so it's not all black and white to me, I know the President won't be able to do everything he wants to, and other things may take a couple of years.

However, I'm pretty happy with the quite rapid rate of fixing the huge mess we were left with from 2008, it's actually more than I believed possible. If we get public option, I'll be a happy camper.

By m

yep, obama has fixed this country like a vet fixes a dog

By Wendell Welling

Hey Bono, there is no pre-existing obligation for America to give any set percentage for AIDS in AFrica based on some arbitrary number you make up. Bush did more for Africa than any other American President ever had, and when you had the chance to act gracefully toward him you spurned him. You are a piece of euro trash garbage with a guitar. Why not spend your time telling the African's to stop raping young girls as a cure for AIDS? That will do more good than doubling our money. Shut up you hypocrite.

By Justin

Wow, last time i checked the survival rate for aids is higher in America than in Africa. We may be going through hard times here, but at least our government and health care system gives us some options. Magic Johnson is still alive but young children born with aids are dying. Go Bono!!!!

By TT

Oh, isn't this RICH! I am a fan of U2 but not of this idiot Bono telling the world how each country should spend money to support HIS causes. First of all, most Americans are being OVERTAXED and the money we shell out in taxes is paying for the corruption within our Government. How many politicians are making BIG MONEY to serve their country? How many politicians have better healthcare than the average American? How many politicians are lying to us just to get elected? And Bono feels we need his praise for electing Obama? Obama has now ADDED to our debt you idiot? Have your heard of the "Stimulis Packagae" Mr. Rock Star? George W. Bush may have failed us but Obama is NOT HELPING us either. We have major unemployment, we need healthcare reform (not the kind Obama is suggesting), we have overpopulated prisons, we have many of our youth now using drugs and alcohol to solve their problems - or joining gangs to fit in, we have illegals committing horrible crimes and bringing drugs over the border to poison our children and let's not forget........we need to help the Africans deal with their AIDS crisis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Does this moron realize how ridiculous he sounds??????? ughhhhhhhh Wake up America! Stop supporting these Hollywood/Music Biz types who make fortunes by selling you their craft...........then go out and BASH this great nation as if they have ANY CLUE what it's truly like to be an average American living in these modern times!

Page 1 of 2