http://news.yahoo.com/new..._bono_dc_1

U2's Bono Should Head World Bank, Paper Urges

By Kevin Krolicki

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Could the only person ever nominated for an Oscar, a Grammy, a Golden Globe and the Nobel Peace Prize now take over at the World Bank (news - web sites)?

On Friday, the Los Angeles Times devoted its lead editorial to the proposition that Bono, the Irish frontman of rock band U2, "should be named the next president of the World Bank."

Outgoing World Bank president James Wolfensohn's term ends in May and the United States, which has traditionally reserved the post for an American with experience on Wall Street or in government has said it wants to see a successor named before then.

"Don't be fooled by the wraparound sunglasses and the excess hipness," the Los Angeles Times said. "Bono is deeply versed in the issues afflicting the least-developed nations of the world."

A spokeswoman for Bono in Los Angeles and his manager in New York could not be immediately reached for comment.

Bono, 44, who appeared at the Grammy awards this month wearing a "Make Poverty History" armband, has been a passionate advocate for Third World debt relief in recent years.

He has also toured Africa with former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill and enlisted allies including Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates (news - web sites) to support development efforts on the continent.

Los Angeles Times Editorial Page Editor Andres Martinez said the suggestion of Bono to head the World Bank was entirely serious, although he said the newspaper was also making an effort to "take chances" and be "less predictable" on its opinion page in recent months.

Bono, the rock star and celebrity, Martinez said, might be able to shame the rich nations into meeting their development aid goals, he told Reuters.

Wolfensohn, 71, has lead the World Bank for a decade. He is a naturalized American who worked as a Wall Street banker.

Others mentioned as candidates that would break the tradition of naming an American to head the World Bank include Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown and former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo.

What's the big deal? The man is obviously committed to the causes he supports; anyone that has followed him for any period of time knows that he's not doing good deeds to become more famous or to sell more records. It's also not like he has said anything regarding heading the world bank. He didn't nominate himself, ya know.

I don't know why people worry so much about a musician trying to make a difference in the world; he's not the first, and I'm sure he won't be the last. I will say, however, that he has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. That's not exactly something to be taken lightly. I somehow doubt that the committee is just trying to stroke his ego.

Now the guy with the U2 avatar may not be the most partial of observers (), but I find it funny that people are so threatened by the man. Unlike most celebrity activists, he's actually put his money where his mouth is, so to speak. When you can get people like Paul O'Neil, George W (), Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, and the Pope to actively work with you, then you know he's not just some overinflated ego trying to get his face in the papers. And even if he was, how can you say that the causes aren't worthy? The general American populace is far from educated on matters of foreign policy; it may not be bad for them to hear things about AIDS in Africa from someone that they both admire and enjoy.

Finally, we let Ronald fucking Reagan become President of the USA, Sonny Bono was a senator, and the Terminator is the governor of California. I don't exactly understand what seperates Bono from any one of these Hollywood types, other than the fact that he's more liberal.

Enter Jayaredee and Dewerde to remind us all how egomanical and pretentious he is...

I agree Bono gets unjustifiably maligned as if he should do nothing, like the people who criticize him. I never saw what the big deal was.

It makes me think of something comic-hag Joan Rivers said in an interview: "It's all in fun. I can't believe people actually take me THAT seriously. Bono came up to me and he says 'I hope my outfit is ok with you this year' and it blew my mind that BONO, who's force feeding starving kids in Africa, even cares what I think. I just couldn't believe it's gotten this big."

geez, peeps can't win in this world. if he gets "too" involved he gets knocked for it. if he does nothing he'll probably be called a hypocrite for not practicing what he preaches. its really nice to see a celebrity doing things with motives other than getting press. i have a professor who is also a former member of the UN and still does consultation work with the UN. he has first hand knowledge of the background work bono does for debt relief and capital development...most of it goes unseen and unheard by the general public. i think the more press bono gets the better! maybe hings will actually get done. as we've seen in the past with african politics (rwanda, burundi, somalia, darfur, the congo...and on and on), things only get done when the western nations are shamed into helping.

go on, bono, with your bad self!
[Edited 3/1/05 21:51pm]

I like Bono!

Axchi696 said:

Oh shut up and dont start this shit again

I really dislike the man and i think his ego is bigger than that of Madonna, and that's sad.
He's just about as believable as MJ wanting to heal the world....
I understand he does good but i feel he does it for his own benefit.
Now please don't argue with me. I dislike the man and don't want to argue
I've heard it all and i don't wanna go through this shit

Oh please. But remember this is the state that elected the "The Terminator" (and well known groper of his co-stars) as governor.

Jeez, I truely hate this man. Just make your music and leave it at that.

I like Bono because he fights for things that he believes in.Alot of rock stars and rappers only care about making money,getting laid and hanging out with beautiful models.At least Bono is backing legitimate causes that he truly cares about,and he's putting his time,money and effort into these issues.

If it were Bono himself trying for a position in the World Bank, this would drive me a little batty, but it's not. It's an editorial column. For as egotistical as he can often be, I think Bono is a good person. He does a lot of good for humanitarian causes, but it does seem that he basks in it all. I'm not saying that that is his primary reason for taking up the causes he does, but it certainly feels like a lot of people here excuse the same ego-driven bahavior in Bono that they rag on others for.

can someone please give me an example of how bono basks in his good deeds? other than a bunch of name calling, can anyone here actually point out an instance where bono was patting himself on the back? i've followed the band for about 17 years and i've never seen him be self congratulatory.

God pretends to be bono on his day off!
Bono is the man.
U2 are the band.

SassyBritches said:

9AM - Fly to Canada, photo op with Canadian prime minister. Shake hands. Endorse Liberal party.

10AM - Fly to UK for arena concert.

11AM - Whoops! Forgot hat in New York. Fly it first class to UK.

7PM - Showtime! Don't wear hat - didn't need it.

11AM - Fly to UN, address them as if you're God. Act like Sean Penn.

and so on.....

VoicesCarry said:

for bono and his millions, flying a hat first class is the equivelant of you or i shipping it fedex overnight, lol. as for addressing the UN with authority, well...how should he speak when he's there? like he needs a favor? like he's some peasant? no. he should speak in terms that leave absolutely no uncertainty as to his position and capabilities. its politics, dude. speaking of those politics...guess what goes along with the territory? yep. photo ops with the big cheeses. you may curse and kick each other behind closed doors but in the public eye you are always working together. its just how it is. bono isn't handling it any different than any other person involved in politics would handle it.

SassyBritches said:

The hat thing is way beyond tired, too. Bono lives in a modestly nice house, drives a good car, and generally doesn't flaunt his wealth around. Yeah, he had a hat flown to him first class. That bastard has no right to tell me that Africa is starving! Honestly, if it's too difficult for you to see the good behind all of his actions, then I guess you never will.

The whole "God-like" thing really doesn't apply as much as some people want it to, either. I don't know too many rock stars that consider themselves God that still bend over backwards for the fans, as Bono and the boys do.

And as far as arrogance, well, name me one rock star (other than Springsteen) that isn't at least a little arrogant. Would you really want to go to a show where the singer didn't want all eyes in the arena on himself?

Celebrities have a reputation of half-heartedly getting involved with charities and politics for their own self-glorification. They recieve the most applause for their efforts, but often do the littlest work. There are people involved with a variety of good causes, who do the work every day and recieve little or no accolades for it.

That's not to say Bono is like your typical celeb, It seems he really takes it seriously and wants to be more than just a musician, but rather an activist as well. Good for him.

Axchi696 said:

Oh Jesus, people. Give it a rest!

lilgish said:

See, he's not God...he's Moses!

VoicesCarry said:

Michael Jackson has been nominated for all those!!!!!
[Edited 3/2/05 13:00pm]

lilgish said:

I guess you'd better photoshop an MJ Moses then

lilgish said:

Michael's been nominated for the Nobel?

lilgish said:

Nah, he's not gotten an Oscar nom. The song Ben was nominated for an Oscar, but that was the songwriters.

CynicKill said:

Yeah, in 2003. It doesn't take much to get a nomination. Dubya was also nominated that same year.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Damn!!! I'll have to wait till mike releses that Edgar allan poe flick

Bono can't do anything wrong in my book. The guy is gonna save the world and look good doing it.

lilgish said:

That sure does look good.