1. Me personally, one of the main reasons U2 is my favorite band is because of their involvement in politics. Whether it's Bono's humanitarian work or the band's outspoken views on president's, war, etc., it's something I've always loved about them.

    The latest version of Desire was incredible, in my opinion. I know they (obviously) don't think Trump would be a good option for president (like all non racist, homophobic, islamaphobic, sexist people), but I wasn't expecting them to come and do that. I'm happy that they still aren't afraid of ruffling up some feathers, despite their age.

    I know someone posted a video of their comments about Jacques Chirac in another thread, but do you guys know of any other videos of them talking politics? Whether it's in concert, interview, a song they wrote, or any other award show lol
  2. Desire is awesome, and i love their message. Bono's rant in Rattle&Hum about Sunday bloody Sunday is quite epic.

  3. Can't say I hardly agree with Bono's politics but their involvement is interesting.


  4. Most powerful political moment on the last tour? @4:17

    The drone video of Syria during October is pretty powerful too.

  5. Originally posted by Release3:Me personally, one of the main reasons U2 is my favorite band is because of their involvement in politics. Whether it's Bono's humanitarian work or the band's outspoken views on president's, war, etc., it's something I've always loved about them.

    The latest version of Desire was incredible, in my opinion. I know they (obviously) don't think Trump would be a good option for president (like all non racist, homophobic, islamaphobic, sexist people), but I wasn't expecting them to come and do that. I'm happy that they still aren't afraid of ruffling up some feathers, despite their age.

    I know someone posted a video of their comments about Jacques Chirac in another thread, but do you guys know of any other videos of them talking politics? Whether it's in concert, interview, a song they wrote, or any other award show lol
    There was an interview from the 80's I recall where he referred to Ronald Reagan. "I think he's a very sincere man. I think he's just sincerely wrong"
  6. I have no problems with activism. Or using politicians as a means toward your goal. But alignining yourself with politicians is a grey area, as none of them are as they seem and all of them are in the game for the greater good of their careers.
  7. Originally posted by Release3:

    The latest version of Desire was incredible, in my opinion. I know they (obviously) don't think Trump would be a good option for president (like all non racist, homophobic, islamaphobic, sexist people), but I wasn't expecting them to come and do that. I'm happy that they still aren't afraid of ruffling up some feathers, despite their age. lol


    Yes. This was fantastic. Reminded me of We Will Rock You sung by George HW Bush during Zoo TV intro. Brilliant.
  8. The problem I have with the general populace and politics is that many of them seem to "see through it all" and act as if political un-involvement is somehow a badge of honor, then they go on and criticize people who are involved in politics. First of all, if you're going to criticize you at least have to be involved somehow, even at the lowest level. Otherwise, what gives you the right to share your opinion? Also, there is inherent value in taking a stand for something. Personally, I show more respect towards somebody who takes an opposing stand than somebody who would rather remain uncommitted. Taking a stand shows that you actually have values that you are willing to back up with some sort of action. If you aren't willing to take a stand for what you believe in, you come off as a doormat to me.

    U2 generally shares the same political stance I do, but even in cases where I don't totally agree with them, I deeply respect them for backing up their stance and even promoting it using the platforms at their disposal. Some people say U2 should keep music and politics separate, but those people are idiots. Historically, music was never limited to simply an art form. Music always had deep connections to politics and religion, so to demand U2 to separate those is to demand them to stop making music. Plus, U2 would be idiots to not use their massive influence to play around with issues of politics, religion, and social justice.
  9. Originally posted by ahn1991:The problem I have with the general populace and politics is that many of them seem to "see through it all" and act as if political un-involvement is somehow a badge of honor, then they go on and criticize people who are involved in politics. First of all, if you're going to criticize you at least have to be involved somehow, even at the lowest level. Otherwise, what gives you the right to share your opinion? Also, there is inherent value in taking a stand for something. Personally, I show more respect towards somebody who takes an opposing stand than somebody who would rather remain uncommitted. Taking a stand shows that you actually have values that you are willing to back up with some sort of action. If you aren't willing to take a stand for what you believe in, you come off as a doormat to me.

    U2 generally shares the same political stance I do, but even in cases where I don't totally agree with them, I deeply respect them for backing up their stance and even promoting it using the platforms at their disposal. Some people say U2 should keep music and politics separate, but those people are idiots. Historically, music was never limited to simply an art form. Music always had deep connections to politics and religion, so to demand U2 to separate those is to demand them to stop making music. Plus, U2 would be idiots to not use their massive influence to play around with issues of politics, religion, and social justice.
    My social activism for the next four years will be to lobby both parties to hit the reset button and pull a page from the 2008 Democratic playbook... find us 2 young, relatively unknown up and comers rather than two complete piece of shit scumbags to choose from.

    At least a younger, fresher politician still has the drive, without as many hands in his pocket.

    Hell. Maybe I'll make a run for Congress. I'm still young in Washington terms.

  10. Originally posted by ahn1991:The problem I have with the general populace and politics is that many of them seem to "see through it all" and act as if political un-involvement is somehow a badge of honor, then they go on and criticize people who are involved in politics. First of all, if you're going to criticize you at least have to be involved somehow, even at the lowest level. Otherwise, what gives you the right to share your opinion? Also, there is inherent value in taking a stand for something. Personally, I show more respect towards somebody who takes an opposing stand than somebody who would rather remain uncommitted. Taking a stand shows that you actually have values that you are willing to back up with some sort of action. If you aren't willing to take a stand for what you believe in, you come off as a doormat to me.

    U2 generally shares the same political stance I do, but even in cases where I don't totally agree with them, I deeply respect them for backing up their stance and even promoting it using the platforms at their disposal. Some people say U2 should keep music and politics separate, but those people are idiots. Historically, music was never limited to simply an art form. Music always had deep connections to politics and religion, so to demand U2 to separate those is to demand them to stop making music. Plus, U2 would be idiots to not use their massive influence to play around with issues of politics, religion, and social justice.
    I can remember keyboard player, Rick Wakeman panning the likes of U2 and one of my other loves down the years, Simple Minds (who have also mixed politics with their music and took some heated criticism for it at times, particularly in the mid to late 1980's with their own Amnesty International involvement and campaigning to free Nelson Mandela and their efforts to help end apartheid), and I just remember thinking to myself... he's a bit of a plonker.

    As Adam says in R&H about music and politics not mixing... "I think that's kinda bullshit.".

    The best music for me is music with blood in it. Definitely one of the reasons I adore U2. Imho it's that blood, their hunger and their anger that keep pushing the band to keep doing what they're doing all these years later.

    Some of the best songs ever written imho are protest songs... songs such as Summertime Blues, or Sun City.

    Sure there's a place for music without politics, nothing wrong with that, the world would be a dull place otherwise. But equally there is also a place for music and politics to mix, and they absolutely should do.