The Bono Effect
I just had a quick trip to Brisbane and got to reminiscing about the U2 concert that I attended on Tuesday night, this isn't an entertainment blog so I won't review the gig, I will mention two things though.Firstly, the Gold Coast Bulletin ran an article this morning in reference to the "Coexist" bandana that Bono wears during Love and Peace, Or Else in the article Bulletin entertainment reporter Sam Cleveland is quoted 'U2 surround themselves with the sharpest marketing and design guys from all over the world... Keep your eyes peeled because this design could, with the right push from the band, spear-head a worldwide grassroots peace campaign.'
The design being reffered to...
Now don't get me wrong, I am a massive U2 fan, which is why I must mention that the "Coexist" design actually comes from a Polish artist Piotr Molodozeniec, a person in no way affiliated with U2. The design is part of the Museum On The Seam's Coexistence Exhibit, the Exhibit is currently travelling the world and more info can be found here. The exhibit isn't coming to Australia, but was in New Zealand in February, and will be in the US and Canada in 2007, so 'keep your eyes peeled' if you reside in North America, obviously an exhibit worth seeing.
Secondly, as commented on by... Anonymous, Bono did bring attention to, and called for David Hicks to be returned back to Australia, I was wondering what effect this would have, if any...
Whether it was Bono, or certain Senator's attending the Major Mori speeches, the Australian Senate just yesterday, passed a motion to encourage the United States, to bring Hicks to trial...
A previous motion by Australian Democrats Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja, to bring Hicks back to Australia was defeated 33-31...
In addition to the Senate motion, for the first time the Australian Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, has agreed to meet with David Hicks' Father, whose son has been detained for the last 5 years.
In the past Ruddock has been quite the supporter of detainment, but only for refugees...
Whether Bono had any influence over the Senate motion, or A-GPR finally agreeing to meet, we shall never know.
Although PM Howard has somewhat chickened out of meeting with Bono, saying that he only takes meetings with people that are 'condition free'...
I assume that this was the response to Bono saying (as originally posted by Carla) that he "wanted to talk to your PM about Africa and also the commitment to 0.7 per cent, which is a big thing... I'm not that fussed and if he would like to meet me, if he is serious about 0.7 per cent, then I'm sure we'll find out about it and I would be very pleased to meet him... If he's not serious, I don't want to meet him" comment.
Time will only tell...
posted by Mark @ 4:52 PM
1 Comments:
So our illustrious P.M. only takes meetings with those who are 'condition-free'.
Well, lets look at his meetings with Dubya prior to our agreement to involve ourselves in that morally indefensible invasion of another nation which was based clearly on lies. It must surely be just coincidence that Australia obtained a 'free trade agreement' with the U.S.A. shortly after Howard signalled his (and I mean his and his only!)intention to involve Australia in an invasion of another country, which by the way, according to my memory, is the first time we have done this since that other disaster at Gallipoli in 1914.
Call me cynical, but could Dubya have laid out a condition of the FTA that Australia participate in the 'Coalition of the Willing'?
Anyway, I heard all of those right wing ranters carrying on about Bono having the temerity to call for a meeting with the P.M., what struck me was that I did not hear anyone criticise Murdoch, an American citizen, for coming to this country and telling us that we should think positively about Americans.
Sounds like right wing double standards to me!
M.G.
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