U2 Awarded

Could sainthood be next for band?

U2 are in the news again for their efforts to save humanity. All four members, not only the god like Bono, are to be awarded the "Order of Liberty" by the Portuguese government in recognition of their humanitarian efforts.

Sorry but I can't leave this one alone! What effort? Getting up on stage with saint Bob and saint Paul to sing sergeant peppers lonely hearts club band? Surely not.

There were plenty of rumours around the time of "Live 8" that Bono was so upset with the fact that he wouldn't get a sound check that he walked out of the show. Are the Portuguese recognising his heroic effort in the face of such adversity?

Given the limited effect that "Live 8" had, it can't be for "Live 8" that U2 have received the award. What for then? Perhaps it's for that dirge of a song aka "Sunday Bloody Sunday". It can't be for any other involvement in the conflict in Northern Ireland. U2 aren't known for going out and actually meeting the people on the ground.

There are many people who deserve recognition for their humanitarian work. And many will argue that U2 have been rightly recognised. "Live 8" showed one thing very clearly, that the problems of the world cannot be presented to the public in the form of a day long media fest. That rock "legends" don't understand politics. And that the little bit of knowledge publicly displayed by saint Bob and the rest did more harm than good by legitimising a highly flawed debt relieve plan.

That's it, it's off my chest. U2 do lots of good work in highlighting problems across the globe. However, real change will only come in small steps taken every day, by everyone.


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