Red iPod nanos a reality

Well, I'm a father with a daughter in the Peace Corps in southern Africa, working with HIV/AIDS every day, and I think it's pretty wonderful that Bono and others are bringing awareness and funding to what has become truly a global issue. What better way to serve those in need? Skeptics can make all the noise they want about his motives, but he's stepping up to the plate and making a difference, and for that he should be applauded. With education, behavior changes, and the latest medicines, there is a fighting chance of beating this disease. Without it, there is only death and dispair. Maybe some governments will get a clue and follow his lead.

Bono gives sixty percent of his income to charities that benefit third-world countries. Uber-famous rock star or not, sixty percent is sixty percent. When you do that much or more for the disadvantaged, then you can berate him. He believes in his cause and understands what it takes to accomplish things (i.e. rubbing elbows with people like Oprah and Bush). So he wears sunglasses indoors and has a big mouth. Hal is right; anyone who does less than Bono has no right to criticize the man.

Yeah, what Hal said...

Seriously, nice post Hal. After some of the idiotic rantings in the comments on the Cube "offending" Muslims post, I was beginning to worry that there were no more rational thinking Mac owners left.

I almost have to laugh at the Bono as self aggrandizing self promoter and "give $200 to AIDS if you want" comments but they seem almost TOO silly to inspire laughter.
1. Bono and Oprah don't have to do this. They can just bask in their incredible wealth and fame and reap the benefits that come with it. But they don't. They're using their celebrity to enact some positive things in the world and for that they should be congratulated. You may or may not like their work but by putting themselves out there to take potshots from people who can't or won't do ANYTHING but complain about others actions takes a certain amount of passion and commitment. I'm sure they know there will be naysayers but I would image they don't care. One does not reach the iconic stature of being known solely by one name by listening to naysayers.

2. Give $200 to AIDS charities if you want. (Have you ever?) And then buy a red iPod instead of a blue one and you'll have made it $210--or whatever.

Sometimes by creating something you do more good than just giving away money. You create jobs, you create hope, you create community, you create awareness. (And speaking of awareness: listen to the story on the NPR website about AIDS in Africa that was on Thursday morning; NPR.org).

I used to live in Garden Grove, CA not far from the Crystal Cathedral and I was very critical of Rev. Schuller when the CC was being built. "Why the hell couldn't they give that money to the poor instead of building that massive monument to one man's ego?" was typical of what I thought at the time. But I read an article where someone posed that very question to the prophet of possibility thinking. And I couldn't believe it, but his answer made sense. He said with that money didn't go to nothing. He paid people to create something, to allow people to use their skills to fed their families and that long after it's built it will continue to fed more families than he could have ever fed with the money it cost to built the thing. I'm sure more money has been earned by hotel workers in the area from guests coming to visit his glass church than it cost to build that thing. It's return on investment is colossal. I don't agree with much of the Schuller philosophy but his take on what good he could do with a certain amount of money taught me something.

It takes a certain type of arrogance, audacity, vision and, dare I say, balls, to do something monumental. People can criticize what Bono does but until they manage to do something that has a greater positive effect on the lives of the people who are most in need of love, care and compassion, their criticism only serves as an indictment of their own inaction.

So either put up or shut up. You're only debasing yourself.

Hal (and yes, I have also reached that one name iconic status!)

Bono knows that his money will go only so far. That is why he plays up the rock star bit. He gets more done as Bono than he ever would as Paul Hewson, everyday-man. I think he is brilliant in his marketing and philanthropy, and I don't really even like U2's music.

Dear MfS,

I was prepared to write a lengthy response to your comment, but realized it wasn't worth it. Nowhere in my original post did I attack Bono the philanthropist, I'm attacking his first job: as lead singer of a rock band. He thinks he is God's gift to mankind, which last I heard, was a much bigger sin than using the lord's name in a "low class" manner.

I sincerely apologize if I have offended you by using the lord's name in vain; I'll try not to say it when I post in public forums. However, I will not apologize for the fact that Bono is an _______.

Just my opinion.

$190 ipod and $10 to AIDS, if you want to give to AIDS do so, but don't buy a (red) product - it is merely a fad that appeals to pretentious hypocrites and the leftist feel-good zombies.

Oh cool, are they in the Michigan Ave store in Chicago? That would make sense for Oprah. That's my store, I can go and pretend to be Bono. Or Oprah.

And thanks for that bit of condescion and guilt, Mfs!

For #8:

Ironically, your low-class use of God's name as a means of swearing couldn't be more right about who Bono believes in and who is his inspiriation for helping those that are far less fortunate than any of us.

The joke has been on "us" for years. Bono's made out to be a full-of-himself rock star by everyone, so he plays the part. In reality, he gives away a great deal of his fortune to a country that's far worse than we could ever dream, while on the internet on our expensive Macs.

4 stars? Not sure if that's a positive rating system around here, but if more stars equals worst comments, I'd give 4 stars for #8's comments. If not, there are some pretty insecure people 'round these parts...

Bono and Oprah on local news talking about Apple and the new iPod.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu-Uwj7U7W4