NationStates Jolt Archive

U2’s Bono gets honorary British knighthood

DUBLIN - Irish rock star and rights campaigner Bono has been awarded an honorary British knighthood, the British Embassy in Dublin said on Saturday.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16336879/


...boys and girls, we're a loooooong way from 1979.

And?

He has been very involved with the Africa Commission.

My point is that here we have Ireland's (some may argue Europe's) biggest star being knighted by the Queen.

Whereas in 1979, U2 was just starting out and the Irish were busy blowing up Lord Mountbatten.

Anglo-Irish relations have come a long way.

The point being that he's Irish... But isn't Bob Geldof Sired? I guess it would be rude to reject it. Plus, I'm sure that he's always secretly wanted it. That, and world peace...

Why'd the queen knight him? theres thousands fighting for human rights and he just happened to make music , I thought knight hood was reserved for those who truly deserved it?

U2’s Bono gets honorary British knighthood

DUBLIN - Irish rock star and rights campaigner Bono has been awarded an honorary British knighthood, the British Embassy in Dublin said on Saturday.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16336879/


...boys and girls, we're a loooooong way from 1979.

I swear, the Brits'll knight anyone these days. They knighted Bill Gates a while back, for fuck's sake.

I swear, the Brits'll knight anyone these days. They knighted Bill Gates a while back, for fuck's sake.

Really? Because he's donated large sums of money, a very small percentage of what he actually owns, to charity? Or just because he's Bill Gates?

Here is the actual knighthood, Bono is a knight commander, but as it is honorary he is not "Sir Bono".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_British_Empire

Really? Because he's donated large sums of money, a very small percentage of what he actually owns, to charity? Or just because he's Bill Gates?

It's just that Bill Gates doesn't seem to be very knightly, regardless of the amounts he's donated to charity. And I'm not one of those irrational people who hate Bill Gates because he's the "EBIL MICRO$OFT OVERLORD" if that's what you're thinking.

I swear, the Brits'll knight anyone these days. They knighted Bill Gates a while back, for fuck's sake.

Yeah, but that's nothing. How about: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_honorary_British_Knights

Plácido Domingo
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Ann Murray
Steven Spielberg
Nicolae Ceauşescu - GCB (1978; removed 1989)
Paul Getty
Billy Graham
Pelé
??

And?

He has been very involved with the Africa Commission.

And he could maybe understand the politics of Africa before blackmailing millions of people into donating to dictatorships and/or corrupted governments and not the impoverished directly as such, or maybe the gimp could just sell his gucci sunglasses which he parades in front of the starving children while shooting a feel-good film and feed the entire continent for a month.

This makes me sad that Scotland is still part of the union, when this is the celebrity type the union honors. He's called himself the latin for 'good' for christ's sake. Pillock.

Nice one guys.

Sorry if I've offended anyone, I didn't intend to... Except Bono...

U2’s Bono gets honorary British knighthood

DUBLIN - Irish rock star and rights campaigner Bono has been awarded an honorary British knighthood, the British Embassy in Dublin said on Saturday.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16336879/
...boys and girls, we're a loooooong way from 1979.

Punk is not dead, it has merely whored itself to whoever waves a bauble at it.


I guess it would be rude to reject it..

Give the active participation of the Brits in Iraq, it would be a valid statement. However they sound out people before announcing they are giving them out, to avoid public rejections. John Snow of CH4 news turned one down, as did many others.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3338583.stm

Yet here we have yet another "Irishman" accepting an award that states its of the "British Empire". Its fairly pathetic. Geldof didn't suprise me, as hes actually quite right wing, but I would have thought Boner would at least have some fucking spine.

Must...not...insult...aargh...

Bono seems to me to be rather hypocritical. His songs are full of goodwill like 'Would you deny for others what you demand for yourself?' Either give up your private jet and limo or get us all one, and maybe then we'll take you seriously.

Also the song 'Yahweh' REALLY pisses me off. Bono had this to say about it "I don't know why, but we always had this belief that there was something sacred about our music, that it was almost holy."

One thing I can't stand is a hypocritical, rich asshole who donates a little to charities to make people think he's a good guy and buy his albums. If there's anything worse it has to be a hypocritical, rich asshole who donates a little to charities to make people think he's a good guy and buy his albums and on top of it all thinks he's better than everyone else and and his work is 'something sacred'.

I once heard that Bono was a candidate for a Nobel Peace Prize. The day that pompous celebrity artists win prizes for keeping the peace is the day in which there's nobody avaliable who actually gives a crap about keeping the peace anymore. Humanity makes me sick. Bono makes me feel like gouging my eyes out with a spork.

It's just that Bill Gates doesn't seem to be very knightly, regardless of the amounts he's donated to charity. And I'm not one of those irrational people who hate Bill Gates because he's the "EBIL MICRO$OFT OVERLORD" if that's what you're thinking.I wasn't thinking that at all. In fact, if it weren't for Bill Gates I probably wouldn't be using a computer now. Or at least, if I was, it might be very different from my current computer. And you're right, he doesn't seem very knightly at all. I mean, deep down he's just a big Geek, a very rich one, but there's no denying it. To say that he's a knight, though must be really cool, though. How many envious dungeons and dragons players must there be...

Give the active participation of the Brits in Iraq, it would be a valid statement. However they sound out people before announcing they are giving them out, to avoid public rejections. John Snow of CH4 news turned one down, as did many others.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3338583.stm

Yet here we have yet another "Irishman" accepting an award that states its of the "British Empire". Its fairly pathetic. Geldof didn't suprise me, as hes actually quite right wing, but I would have thought Boner would at least have some fucking spine.

That was Armistria, not me that you're quoting.

That was Armistria, not me that you're quoting.


Sorry. Amended

U2’s Bono gets honorary British knighthood

DUBLIN - Irish rock star and rights campaigner Bono has been awarded an honorary British knighthood, the British Embassy in Dublin said on Saturday.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16336879/


...boys and girls, we're a loooooong way from 1979.

Everyone gets Knighted these days. Bill Gates KBE, for example.

Whereas in 1979, U2 was just starting out and the Irish were busy blowing up Lord Mountbatten.

Anglo-Irish relations have come a long way.
The IRA blew up Mountbatten.

Bono has never been an outspoken nationalist or anti-British voice in Ireland, so I don't see how this is so surprising.

This makes me sad that Scotland is still part of the union, when this is the celebrity type the union honors. He's called himself the latin for 'good' for christ's sake. Pillock.

Out of context alert!

Actually, back in the 1970s one of his band mates named him "Bona Vox", Latin for "good voice". It mutated into Bono.

Yet here we have yet another "Irishman" accepting an award that states its of the "British Empire". Its fairly pathetic. Geldof didn't suprise me, as hes actually quite right wing, but I would have thought Boner would at least have some fucking spine.
I agree. He's a bit of a sell-out.

The IRA blew up Mountbatten.

Bono has never been an outspoken nationalist or anti-British voice in Ireland, so I don't see how this is so surprising.


Out of context alert!

Actually, back in the 1970s one of his band mates named him "Bona Vox", Latin for "good voice". It mutated into Bono.


I agree. He's a bit of a sell-out.

As an ousider to the whole Irish/British thing, I don't see it. Bono's never made any statements, to my knowledge, about being anti-British, he's never had any especial problems with the Monarchy, and he's done some honest good with his celebrity in the name of a (largely) ignored cause. If Maggie Thatcher and Ronald Reagan can get knighthoods for being successful politicians, I don't see anything wrong with Bono getting one.

Does this mean we can run him through with a lance now? :D

U2’s Bono gets honorary British knighthood

DUBLIN - Irish rock star and rights campaigner Bono has been awarded an honorary British knighthood, the British Embassy in Dublin said on Saturday.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16336879/


...boys and girls, we're a loooooong way from 1979.

Well he's been ready for this ever since he became famous. That's why he only goes by one name.

As an ousider to the whole Irish/British thing, I don't see it. Bono's never made any statements, to my knowledge, about being anti-British, he's never had any especial problems with the Monarchy, and he's done some honest good with his celebrity in the name of a (largely) ignored cause. If Maggie Thatcher and Ronald Reagan can get knighthoods for being successful politicians, I don't see anything wrong with Bono getting one.


Its not the "Irish/British" thing. Its taking a Knighthood of the British Empire. Imperialism. Colonialism. Shooting the natives in droves. And the fact that it puts him in the same club as Maggie Thatcher and Ronnie the Raygun should be enough to ring a few alarm bells....Taking a medal off the Amerikans under Bush isnt even as bad.

...boys and girls, we're a loooooong way from 1979.

Yeah. in 1979 U2 was a moderately good New Wave band with an annoyingly cheerful frontman. Now U2 is a pretentious, crappy, pop band with an annoyingly arrogant moron as a frontman.

Punk is not dead, it has merely whored itself to whoever waves a bauble at it.

What has that got to do with Bonehead and U2? The best they can claim is New Wave.

Bono, the Queen and Tony Blair are all in the same place at the same time. You have two bullets. Whom do you shoot?


Bono. Twice. Just to make sure.

Meh. Rooks are more powerful.

What has that got to do with Bonehead and U2? The best they can claim is New Wave.

No actually, they were quite punk in the early days - not Sex Pistols punk, but punk nonetheless.

No actually, they were quite punk in the early days - not Sex Pistols punk, but punk nonetheless.

Erm... I've seen early videos... And they were by no means punk. New Wave, for all of it's protestations to the contrary, is about as punk as dresses and makeup.

New Wave was the attractive way to sell Punk for the major labels, but it was just coreless nonsense.

Erm... I've seen early videos... And they were by no means punk. New Wave, for all of it's protestations to the contrary, is about as punk as dresses and makeup.

New Wave was the attractive way to sell Punk for the major labels, but it was just coreless nonsense.

Yes if you want to strictly define 'punk' as Sex Pistols and its anarchistic ilk. But like all music genres, there are lighter versions and heavier versions, depending on differing tastes.

Punk was a movement not necessarily a particular and defined type of music. U2 in its very early days fitted into that movement and the ideals it stood for. I've never been a fan, I'm just saying they were part of the punk movement in the late 70's and early 80's before the tapered off as commercial success beckoned.

Bono's knighthood is a blight on the history of the British Empire. So he's involved with Africa? Hell, who isn't involved with Africa? Now, if he did something, say, stopping the Darfur genocide, then he might warrant a knighthood.

Erm... I've seen early videos... And they were by no means punk.

Their first EP is pretty darn indistinguishable from what was being peddled as punk at the time.

Bono's knighthood is a blight on the history of the British Empire.

Yeah, that's a blight on the Empire alright. Nothing else at all.

Yes if you want to strictly define 'punk' as Sex Pistols and its anarchistic ilk. But like all music genres, there are lighter versions and heavier versions, depending on differing tastes.

Punk was a movement not necessarily a particular and defined type of music. U2 in its very early days fitted into that movement and the ideals it stood for. I've never been a fan, I'm just saying they were part of the punk movement in the late 70's and early 80's before the tapered off as commercial success beckoned.

That rule applies to most genres, but with punk, you're either hardcore (not the subgenre, but.. Well you get it) or you're pop. Elitist as that is, Punk isn't a sound, it's a nihilistic art movement descended from situationalism.

Well, good for him I guess. Like it's been said, it's not quite the same thing as being knighted in the past, but Bono has actually done good and meaningful things in his position. You might have your opinions of the Queen or the British government, but Bono must be one damn fine showman if he gets them AND Time Magazine to recognize him as an important humanitarian figure.

Bono's knighthood is a blight on the history of the British Empire. So he's involved with Africa? Hell, who isn't involved with Africa? Now, if he did something, say, stopping the Darfur genocide, then he might warrant a knighthood.

Yes, one man's going to go "stop the Darfur genocide." Bono's knighthood is a bit strange, but you'd have a hard time finding that "blight" on the face of the British Empire next to some of the boils and sores there. No offense intended to the British people, but honorarily knighting an Irishman is several thousand lines below condemning millions of Irish to death...

As far as this being Bono promoting colonialism, I'm not thrilled about it. But I think everyone knows that it's just a superficial thing; he wasn't made a citizen, after all. He's a celebrity, in the business of public relations. I doubt he's going to piss off all of Britain (and losing a fair chunk of fanbase) to proverbially give the Queen the finger.

Bono's knighthood is a blight on the history of the British Empire. So he's involved with Africa? Hell, who isn't involved with Africa? Now, if he did something, say, stopping the Darfur genocide, then he might warrant a knighthood.

Bono is trying to save Africans by giving them aid. The UN is just having sex
with them instead of giving them food.

Bono: 1 United Nations: 0

Bono is trying to save Africans by giving them aid. The UN is just having sex
with them instead of giving them food.

Bono: 1 United Nations: 0

No, Bono is trying to inflate his ego by giving money to tyrannical and corrupt governments and claiming to be giving them aid. The UN, through various aid agencies is actually on the ground doing things.

Bono: eg0 UN: 1neffective

This guy should not be given more power. I wonder why particularly famous people feel that their opinions are somehow more important and valid than those of others. Is there a threshold level of fame when this starts happening?

I wouldn't even feel as strongly if I liked U2, but they are just dire.

Why hasn't Bob Saget been knighted? :(

Really? Because he's donated large sums of money, a very small percentage of what he actually owns, to charity? Or just because he's Bill Gates?

The billions he has donated actually do hit a significant mark when you consider the standard percentage donation of anyone in the USA.

He had dumped over 21 billion (before the buffet donation) into the foundation by the year 2001 ... his net worth in 2000 was 65 billion ...

Yeah he is worth a lot of money

Yeah I think he could donate more

But I am not going to sneeze at what he has done.

As for bono I dislike the music and sometimes find him a stuck up prigg

Other then that I think it is good that he spends his time helping the less fortunate

No, Bono is trying to inflate his ego by giving money to tyrannical and corrupt governments and claiming to be giving them aid. The UN, through various aid agencies is actually on the ground doing things.

Bono: eg0 UN: 1neffective

Um... roo? He's been doing this since the mid 80s, before the Joshua Tree album. He was not particularly rich nor famous then.

As for the aid, can you cite one? IE: Bono is against aid for Sudan due to their deplorable human rights record.
http://www.one.org/issues