Happy holidays, fokkers -- Love, Bono MBE

Bono to Receive Honorary Knighthood

By SHAWN POGATCHNIK
The Associated Press
Saturday, December 23, 2006; 9:22 AM

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Irish rocker and humanitarian Bono will become a knight of the British empire _ but the U2 frontman won't be called "Sir."

Britain confirmed Saturday Bono will receive his honorary knighthood from the British ambassador to Ireland, David Reddaway, in a Dublin ceremony shortly after New Year's Day.

The Dubliner, whose real name is Paul Hewson, won't be entitled to use the title "Sir" because he is not a national of Britain or the Commonwealth of former British colonies.

A spokesman said the 46-year-old singer was flattered by the honor and hoped it will help him open diplomatic doors in his campaign for more Western aid to Africa.

In a letter to Bono released Saturday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the singer's lobbying had forced wealthy nations to focus on increasing aid to Africa.

"I know from talking to you how much these causes matter to you," Blair wrote. "I know as well how knowledgeable you are about the problems we face and how determined you are to do all you can to help overcome them. You have tirelessly used your voice to speak up for Africa."

Blair said he hoped to keep working with Bono "to work together to maintain momentum on Africa, and ensure leaders around the world meet the promises they have made."

The British Embassy in Dublin said the Irish government approved granting Bono the title. The issue is diplomatically sensitive, because Irish officials are legally barred from receiving British royal honors and other Irish nationals have refused nominations on political grounds. Ireland withdrew from the Commonwealth in 1949.

Previous non-British nationals who received knighthoods include Bono's fellow Dubliner and rocker-turned-humanitarian Bob Geldof, Bill Gates, the Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo, Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal, former New York Mayor Rudolf Giuliani, and Steven Spielberg.

© 2006 The Associated Press

Illness forces U2 tour cancellation

Family member is ill, Reuters reports. I certainly hope it's nothing serious. Nevertheless, it shows that only an act of God can stop the Bono.

Scarlett says Bono is "Everlasting coolness"

Sorry boys, but seems that knock-out hottie, Scarlett Johansson, thinks Bono rules. Man, I'll even admit to a girl crush on Scarlett, but I'll have to give that up after this one.

More from ContactMusic.com whoever they are.

8-year-olds, dude

It just occurred to me that the inner sleeve photo of U2's first album, "Boy," is a little creepy. What was Boner trying to tell us?

Don't Stand For It (World)

Alicia Keys and Bono release a duet today on iTunes - Don't Give Up (Africa), a song originally performed by Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel about 20 years ago. So, if you find yourself hearing an ephemeral voice in your head singing "Don't give up" that's why. Only Kate and Peter's song was called, So, and they didn't bother to add the parenthesis at the end (what).

I find the first graph of the USAToday story to be the most loathsome.

Alicia Keys and Bono are hoping to save the lives of children through song.

Ok ok, the proceeds from the song go to charity. But let me pose this question: why iTunes exclusive then? I like iTunes and all, but if you really want to make bank (and exposure) on a song, you need Wal-Mart distribution. Say what you will about Wal-Mart, product moves in those stores. Compare that with the potential of an iTunes exclusive, and all you've really got here is good PR for Alicia and Bono.

I'm not going to poopoo celebrities who use their fame to support charities. I work for a charity, and this kind of exposure is what dreams are made of in the fundraising world. But put all the elements together: Bono + Alicia Keyes + iTunes + Bono + not bothering to write an original song + Bono = half-ass attempt to do something in time for the holidays b/c that's what you're supposed to do if you're famous and it's the holidays.

wankers

It's not just the national scene anymore. Bono is getting more involved at the local level - offering what I am sure is an unsolicited opinion on the race for Governor of the state of Canada.

Comparing the growing battle to lift global poverty to the fight to end apartheid, the U2 frontman said Martin could suffer a ballot-box backlash if he refuses to commit to meeting the target of 0.7% of GDP adopted by other wealthy nations.

"I think the prime minister will find out, if he walks away from the opportunity to 0.7%, I think he will hear about it and feel it in the election.

"I'm absolutely sure of that," he told reporters during an Ottawa news conference.

...

Calling himself a "fan" of Canada, the musician-activist praised results of a recent poll that showed 45% of Canadians support giving more money to end world hunger and disease.

What's next? Bono's going to butt in on the race for Sanitation Commissioner?

twisting bono's words

The State Department recently doctored Bono's words about President Bush's record on aid to Africa.

In other news, the State Department also claims that Bono found what he was looking for a long time ago.

- From Wonkette.

SIR paul

Why oh why couldn't Paul have been the one with rabid fans? Oh yeah, because he's so tepid. He really should team up with Eric Idle for one great legacy-disgracing tour. They are beginning to make Terry Jones and Ringo look good. Meanwhile, he's inflicting a collabortion abomination with U2 on the world, with Bono - presumably - in the part of the one and only Billy Shears. Again with the insults to Ringo....

On the other hand, Sir Paul's most famous non-Beatle lyric:

"In this ever changing world in which we live in"

makes U2's crap seem profound,