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Bono Discusses Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize in Times Op-Ed

10/19/09, 3:17 pm EST

Photo: Tama/Getty

Bono has come out in support of President Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize win, penning an op-ed column in this weekend’s New York Times celebrating Obama’s goal of eradicating world hunger and crediting the President for helping “rebrand America.” As Rolling Stone previously reported, the recent RS cover star was recruited by the NYT to contribute six to 10 op-ed pieces in 2009, ranging from pieces on Frank Sinatra to poverty.

“There’s a sense in some quarters of these not-so-United States that Norway, Europe and the World haven’t a clue about the real President Obama; instead, they fixate on a fantasy version of the president, a projection of what they hope and wish he is, and what they wish America to be,” Bono writes. “Well, I happen to be European, and I can project with the best of them. So here’s why I think the virtual Obama is the real Obama, and why I think the man might deserve the hype.”

Check out photos tracing U2’s rise to superstardom.

Bono goes on to quote a United Nations speech delivered by Obama last month in which he said, “We will set our sights on the eradication of extreme poverty in our time.” “I don’t speak for the rest of the world. Sometimes I think I do — but as my bandmates will quickly (and loudly) point out, I don’t even speak for one small group of four musicians,” Bono wrote. “But I will venture to say that in the farthest corners of the globe, the president’s words are more than a pop song people want to hear on the radio. They are lifelines.”

Related Stories:

Bono Talks Frank Sinatra in First “New York Times” Op-Ed
U2’s Bono to Write For “New York Times” in 2009
U2 Beyond the Horizon: What’s Next for Rock’s Biggest Band


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Comments

Fox Capacitor | 10/19/2009, 3:28 pm EST

I’m sick of people who buy into his image rather than follow his accomplishments as president, which are nonexistant. Yeah, it’s cool we have a black president & it’s even cooler that we finally have a president who doesn’t come across as mentally challenged on the world stage, but the guys a corporate schill and America is on the exact same track it’s been on for the last 8+ years. The escalation of war? the approved torture of ‘enemy combatants?’ the continued spying on of private citizens? the giving away of trillions of dollars in tax payer funds to ‘bailout’ corporations? None of these things are accomplishments. I should have voted for Ron Paul

No Bono Movies | 10/19/2009, 4:12 pm EST

Let’s see, ummm…..destroy Afghan villages and occupy Iraqi neighborhoods with tools of violence while using your employees (US soldiers, whose primary job is to KILL) to bully the world into American consumerism and you get a PEACE prize!!!!! Wow!!! Whose next? The guy that started UFC?

Boner is just another silly, opinionated, misinformed fame addict.

Jeff | 10/19/2009, 4:20 pm EST

Dear Bono,

Go away (even though I agree with you). Thanks.

Love,
Jeff

Musical Jenius | 10/19/2009, 5:49 pm EST

lol; liberals

Expect the Spanish Inquisition | 10/19/2009, 6:53 pm EST

I didn’t realize the Nobel Peace Prize was handed out like credit. Dude hasn’t accomplished a single thing yet! If anything, almost a year later, we’ve sunk even further into the muck….

Never thought I’d see the day when America becomes a paper tiger, but that’s exactly where we’re headed.

richrent | 10/19/2009, 7:49 pm EST

bono likes money or attention. I like them both. Without Ronald Reagan and victory over the cold war commmunism there would be no bono, u2 or even me for that matter. With blood of our soldiers we have this to thank for. Maybe Daniel Day Lewis could suit up as a US soldier then tell bono what defending freedom os about. He certaintly would not listen to anyone unless he has the attention on the floor.

Dave | 10/19/2009, 9:16 pm EST

Bono is just sucking up to the President, like all good lobbyists do when they`re looking for free tax money for their causes. George W. Bush is gone, so now Bono`s sweet talking Obama.

Tired | 10/19/2009, 10:32 pm EST

Bono is such a tool

Knucklehead | 10/20/2009, 2:53 am EST

The Nobel committee can give their prize to anyone they want, and under whatever standards they choose to follow. (They gave one to Henry Kissinger once, and that looks pretty silly now.) There is no doubt that Obama is popular across the planet and has provided some fresh air to nations that found the Bush administration bullying and bungling. If the Nobel organization and Europeans like Bono see hope and potential in Obama, and want to reward that promise, good for them. We should all hope the president lives up to that, not ridicule him 10 months into his term, nor attack him for simply winning an award he never asked for.

Drake | 10/20/2009, 3:05 am EST

I have always admired Bono, but just a few years back he was singing the praises of George Bush.

Nmar | 10/20/2009, 7:36 am EST

What has Barak Obama done???? He hasn’t done anything!!!!! I’m not trying to sound like the typical negative blogger, but come on he hasn’t done a frickin thing

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