Talk:Bono

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Removal of "Recognition" section

The Criticism section was long ago merged into the rest of the article because it was felt that such a section did not meet a Neutral point of view. However the Recognition section, which can also be said to not meet that policy, remained. I've tried to rectify that and make the article as Neutral as possible by merging the Recognition section into other areas of the article where possible. I've tried to select where they would best fit, but any help in juggling it around is much welcome. The vast majority went under Humanitarian work, but some information also made it's way under Musical career (32 best singer) and Personal life (100 greatest Britons). Though all the information remains, I hope that the merging of Recognition gives the article a more Neutral point-of-view. MelicansMatkin (talk) 01:59, 8 July 2009 (UTC)

Sounds good. Both separate criticism and praise sections are inherently problematic. They become dumping spots or any praise or criticism - that's not what wikipedia is about. --Merbabu (talk) 02:50, 12 July 2009 (UTC)

But uh, this article doesn't have /any/ criticism of Bono now. Which /is/ a problem. It makes him sound like a universally-loved frontman for a rockband that's actively saving the world. Which isn't the case. In the slightest. It also doesn't mention that he tried getting Bob Dylan drunk to have sex with him, as Dylan mentions in his memoir Chronicles. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.255.222.85 (talk) 23:14, 17 December 2009 (UTC)

yeah what happened here bono definitely has a controversy or two that should be addressed, he equated mp3 pirates to pederasts and where is mention of his cameo in south park in his filmography? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.141.124.155 (talk) 17:10, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Bono's poor choice of words is hardly a noteworthy addition, specially considering the matter has since dwindled significantly. Also, he was parodied, probably without permission, in South Park, so, it should be on Matt Stone and Trey Parker' filmographies perhaps?.Politik999 (talk) 06:54, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Why should his controversy be on their pages? And there are many negative views to his humanitarian work, other than south park, that could be added

man utd

bono supports man utd —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.77.211.208 (talk) 06:25, 7 November 2009 (UTC)

So? MelicansMatkin (talk, contributions) 05:34, 24 November 2009 (UTC)

so man u fans have one more reason to sell their red jerseys —Preceding unsigned comment added by 220.255.7.152 (talk) 10:20, 3 October 2010 (UTC)

Personal Life

While it is technically true that the Commune of Eze, where the Hewson family has a villa, is in the French Departement of the Alpes-Maritimes (I have a second home in the same departement), it would be a great deal more informative to readers if this location were described as the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur in French). Dick Kimball (talk) 18:44, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Bono Pictures

why do I see the SAME pictures on U2 and Bono entries? If anyone of you need Bono pictures (even from the recent US leg of the 360° Tour and I mean it It, please contact me...Geez... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 189.169.207.19 (talk) 21:57, 13 November 2009 (UTC)

William Easterly

http://aidwatchers.com/2009/11/african-leaders-advise-bono-on-reform-of-u2/ This criticism needs inclusion. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 61.68.248.182 (talk) 05:20, 24 November 2009 (UTC)

It's satirical, not criticism. MelicansMatkin (talk, contributions) 05:28, 24 November 2009 (UTC)

Accuracy

2 statements Following the Enniskillen bombing that left 11 dead and 63 injured on 8 November 1987, the Provisional IRA paramilitaries threatened to kidnap Bono.[2] IRA supporters also attacked a vehicle carrying the band members.[2] and their source Assayas, Michka (2005). Bono on Bono: Conversations with Michka Assayas. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 0-340-83276-2. This guy does not know what part of Dublin he comes from so would he be an accurate encyclopedic source on information on himself 21:47, 25 December 2009 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.40.208.160 (talk) .He is protected by Sinn Fein and Concerned parents against Drugs John Noonan when he is in Dublin so I do not think that that caused too much concern 12:02, 21 January 2010 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.43.110.186 (talk)

Piracy on the High Seas

We need something to put this fecal matter in context. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/opinion/03bono.html 59.100.230.156 (talk) 10:21, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

This just in: Bono is a member of the English minority in Ireland

If you follow this kind of reasoning… I don’t but are nevertheless curious if he speaks and/or uses Irish (in every day life) and wonder if info about it shouldn’t be put into this article. — Mariah-Yulia • Talk to me! 08:54, 21 January 2010 (UTC)

A source will need to be found for that kind of change. That reasoning doesn't seem to be particularly solid to be honest. MelicansMatkin (talk, contributions) 22:41, 21 January 2010 (UTC)

Oh no he wasn't!

"Bono was born in Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland," states the article but he was born in the Mater Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7. 20:17, 21 January 2010 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.43.110.186 (talk)

Source for the change? MelicansMatkin (talk, contributions) 22:40, 21 January 2010 (UTC)

I would guess one of his biographies could confirm www.angelfire.com/wi/theu2experience/BonoProfile.htm . I believe it might be mentioned in Bono on Bono. Note rotunda not Mater86.43.110.186 (talk) 16:51, 22 January 2010 (UTC)

We would not consider Angelfire as a reliable source because it is written by anybody. Although the Angelfire biog may be true, you are correct that his own autobiography would be more reliable. Rodhullandemu 16:58, 22 January 2010 (UTC)

We would not consider Wikipedia as a reliable source because it is written by anybody.154.5.32.113 (talk) 03:45, 25 June 2011 (UTC)

Jay-Z and Rihanna

I've added the above names under Collaberations, after the Help Haiti concert. However, I don't have anywhere to reference it to, so if someone could do that it would be great. Kiwinil (talk) 03:13, 25 January 2010 (UTC)

Early life

Would this do for a citation http://books.google.ie/books?id=ZMQFvdPeipUC&pg=PA8&lpg=PA8&dq=bono%2Bglasnevin+primary+school&source=bl&ots=F_Ia8n4R5-&sig=fpjXcgPnads5t6yqexxQ45ke6Gk&hl=en&ei=LhheS82oKYKQjAfh4Z2pAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CBQQ6AEwBTgK ? 86.43.110.186 (talk) 22:18, 25 January 2010 (UTC)

I think so, yes. Thank you; I'll add the book citation now. MelicansMatkin (talk, contributions) 22:29, 25 January 2010 (UTC)

Hat And Hearse

OK so didn't he sue someone for the return of his hat? And what about the story that he paid to have it flown in a seperate 'plane to one of his concerts because no other hat would do? Was that just sour grapes on the part of the ex-employee, or did that actually happen? I read in Record Mirror that he drives a hearse, which would seem to be a big vehicle for one person, especially one who claims to be concerned about global warming. Did he have it converted to biodiesel or something? DavidFarmbrough (talk) 14:47, 4 March 2010 (UTC)

The phrase sour grapes is an expression originating from "The Fox and the Grapes," one of Aesop's Fables. It refers to pretending not to care for something one does not or cannot have.154.5.32.113 (talk) 03:48, 25 June 2011 (UTC)

The band put out an injunction over an auction held by an ex-employee who tried to sell some of their personal belongings. I have heard no story that he paid for it to be flown on a plane; that is either sour grapes or completely fictitious. I have no clue what Bono's family vehicle is, but in so far as I am aware he has never campaigned for or tried to raise awareness about climate change; his focus is on third world debt and extreme poverty, not the environment. MelicansMatkin (talk, contributions) 16:38, 4 March 2010 (UTC)

Never Mind the Buzzcocks featured the hat on a plane incident, and I assume they'd have checked their facts. I'll see if I can find a mention. Rodhullandemu 16:51, 4 March 2010 (UTC)

I've just seen this mentioned on Would I Lie To You? so it may not have been Buzzcocks, and I presume their lawyers would have approved it, so it can be cited if anyone's interested. Also sourced here: "Profile: Bono - Telegraph". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-03-23.. Rodhullandemu 22:41, 23 March 2010 (UTC)

U2 first paragraph

The last sentence under Music Career U2 talks about Bono wanting to play Beach boys cover in school and ends with "Unfortunately the band could not play covers very well, so they started writing their own songs." I believe "Unfortunately" should be changed to "Fortunately" —Preceding unsigned comment added by 143.200.136.184 (talk) 03:42, 5 March 2010 (UTC)

Vandalism

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN VANDALISED. Please remove the link to "more crap" down the bottom.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 60.230.115.129 (talk • contribs)

This is a link to a South Park episode in which Bono is portrayed. I make no comment on whether it's appropriate, but it is not vandalism. Rodhullandemu 16:53, 10 March 2010 (UTC)

Encyclopedic

One individual in the article referred to in note 111 refers to the Netherlands as a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_haven. The Netherlands does not rate as a Tax Haven on the wikipedia page. 86.40.208.206 (talk) 13:52, 15 March 2010 (UTC)

Emergency spinal surgery

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10139846.stm U2's lead singer Bono has had emergency spinal surgery Off2riorob (talk) 22:05, 21 May 2010 (UTC)

And he's out. Use the 'cite' ref wiki code here if you like, http://www.thelocal.de/society/20100525-27417.html,

--220.101.28.25 (talk) 02:03, 26 May 2010 (UTC)

Bono collaborating with Mick Jagger not listed

On Mick Jagger's 2001 album "Goddess In The Doorway", on the song "Joy", Bono sings solo two of the verses and the outro with Mick. I can't find a source for this, but if you listen to the song, you can clearly hear it is Bono. This should be listed, as it is a great song (but that's not the only reason). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.60.225.209 (talk) 04:25, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

Seriously, Bono has always been a musical whore (used, of course, with the utmost respect) it's not uncommon to find a new collaboration with Bono & nearly any artist you could imagine, the page is locked, I don't know how to edit it, but a list of Bono Collaborations to help expand the ridiculously short section dealing with his music career. 24.12.3.209 (talk) 21:49, 1 November 2011 (UTC)

KBE removed

Wikipedia forbids the use of minor/national awards in the lede. KBE is precisely that, even though nationalistic British people would like to think it's an international award. It's simply another attempt by these people to claim Bono's achivements as British. British tabloids are jingoistic enough without this seeping into Wikipedia. Dunlavin Green (talk) 14:59, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

Please see WP:INITIAL; it's perfectly permissible. A British Knighthood is hardly a "minor award", and I take note you haven't made the same edit to Bob Geldof or Terry Wogan. Whither neutrality then? A look at WP:SOAPBOX is also recommended. Rodhullandemu 15:11, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

Why does Ronald Reagan, to take one of many people, not have his honour from the British state after his name on his page? Is putting this national honour only acceptable when it tries to hijack the achievements of Irish people? 93.107.221.143 (talk) 16:24, 30 July 2010 (UTC)

The relevant wording from WP:INITIAL is "country or widely recognizable organization with which the subject has been closely associated". Ronald Reagan could be argued not to fulfill that criterion in the same way that Bono, Bob Geldof and Terry Wogan do. Geldof and Wogan are closely associated with British media, and live in the UK; their awards reflect that connection. I see no reasonable distinction to be made for Bono, since he, too, is not afraid to use the UK media to get his message across. I'd also say it's an arguably greater honour to receive an award from a country other than one's own, e.g. British, American, Polish and Irish! - see Samuel Beckett- servicemen awarded the Croix de Guerre by France. And I'd love to known how this represents a "hijacking" of the contributions of Irish people? If they have been given honours by the Irish government, there's no reason why those should not be included for balance, but I don't know that they have been. Rodhullandemu 16:36, 30 July 2010 (UTC)

Under no interpretation could Bono be said to have been "closely associated" with Britain in the same way as Wogan or Geldof who have lived and made their money in Britain. Bono has never lived there and, as for making money, he has made a fortune out of every country in the EU. Why do you think Britain should suddenly have a special privilege? Bono is an explicitly Irish singer and an Irish citizen, by his own definition. He is not a British citizen. He has merely received an honour from that state, as he has from states across the world. Wogan, in contrast, is a British citizen who has made his living solely there for the past 40-odd years. And as for Ronald Reagan, few people in Anglo-American relations since WWII have been as closely associated with Britain as Ronald Reagan has been. If anybody fulfils Wikipedia's "closely associated" criterion, it is he. Dunlavin Green (talk) 17:29, 17 August 2010 (UTC)

Where does it say "Wikipedia forbids the use of minor/national awards in the lede."? Kittybrewster ☎ 17:01, 30 July 2010 (UTC)

From this Wikipedia policy: 'Post-nominal letters, other than those denoting academic degrees, should be included when they are issued by a country or widely recognizable organization with which the subject has been closely associated. Honors issued by other entities may be mentioned in the article, but generally should be omitted from the lead". In other words, the KBE is included here when it should only be included if the subject has been closely associated with the awarder. If this is not the case "Honors issues by other entities may be mentioned in the article, but generally should be omitted from the lead". As Bono is Irish and has, unlike Wogan or Geldof, never lived in Britain (never mind made a career there for decades) it is entirely inappropriate for one national award from a foreign country to be given in the lead when national awards from other foreign countries do not get this prominence. This is a clear case of British nationalist hijacking of an international figure. An Academy Award winning actress in the 1980s framed her objections to this thus: "If I were lying drunk in Heathrow Airport I'd be Irish but when I win an Oscar I'm British" Dunlavin Green (talk) 10:54, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

I assume, if the award were Irish, there'd still be calls for its deletion. GoodDay (talk) 16:30, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

What a load of... Dunlavin Green, stop making these assumptions, there not welcome here. DNFTT. --Τασουλα (Shalom!) (talk) 00:06, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

"They are not". And on behalf of whom do you speak? Dunlavin Green (talk) 17:29, 17 August 2010 (UTC)

You might want to go around editing my user pages. There is a quote up at the top from Bono and i include the KBE on everything except this project. Don't worry i'm going to go fix my omission now.

As for this article, it comes down to how damn picky you want to be about "closely associated". The quote from the British Academy Award winning actress who is actually Irish is about as relevant as well nothing. One would have to be extremely ignorant to believe Bono is British.

Wildly crazy idea: has anyone thought to ask him what he thinks of this?

Long live Bono, KBE delirious & lost ☯ ^~hugs~ 21:19, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

I'd rather not see post-nominal letters in wikipedia at all. No matter what country awarded them or the nationality of the subject. I think wikipedia would be better off being clean and above the awards of other entities (countries, universities, etc). Of course, mention them as appropriate in the article, but for wikipedia should be about full objectivity, not blindly presenting the bestowments of others. So yes, I would like to see them removed from the Reagan and Geldof articles, but no, I'm not about to do it, so please don't ask why I don't as part of your counter to my positon.--Merbabu (talk) 07:50, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

stage name pronunciation?

It seems like there's either an error in the orthography or a subtle non-anglocentric misunderstanding. in most irish dialects of english, the terminal 'o' in the name 'bono' would be rhotic. it would be more accurately represented as /ɚ/ - 71.75.35.33 (talk) 02:02, 14 November 2010 (UTC)

This should be added to the "Humanitarian work" section.

Acccording to News Limited, Bono stated "My prayer is that we become better in looking after our planet" but then later bragged that his his tour used six 747 jets and 55 trucks. This should be added to the article. December 3 (talk) 16:03, 29 November 2010 (UTC)

Get your facts straight, please. In the piece that you linked it was a member of the tour's crew that discussed the logistics, not Bono, so right there you are wrong about him "bragging". Secondly, although the current tour does have a high carbon footprint, U2 have and continue to purchase carbon offsets to make said footprint considerably smaller; something that any author worth his or her salt would have included, given the large number of news articles available which discuss this. And finally, blogs are not reliable sources; you'll need something of much higher quality to use as a reference on Wikipedia. Melicans (talk, contributions) 17:33, 29 November 2010 (UTC)

I agree with Melicans. And further, pushing for such an inclusion under the tenuous auspices of WP:NPOV is really a cheap shot - and a pretty flimsey one at that. I suggest you run along and do some research so you can expand wikipedia constructively, but preferably not with petty muck-raking. --Merbabu (talk) 23:15, 29 November 2010 (UTC)

I agree with Melicans and Merbabu. --John (talk) 03:52, 30 November 2010 (UTC)

"December 3" was just an old friend, Grundle2600 (talk · contribs), dropping by. WP:RBI. Tarc (talk) 18:31, 3 December 2010 (UTC)

stage name?

The name 'Bono' isn't a stage name but a nickname. Stage name implies it was adopted for specific reasons but in reality Paul Hewson had little choice in becoming 'Bono' as everyone was calling him that even before he was known as a musician. ---- — Preceding unsigned comment added by Stuckinazoo (talk • contribs) 21:30, 14 December 2010 (UTC)

TV Shows

Bono appeared in the animated show South Park in 2007 where he constantly repeated the phrase, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah." He also answers his phone by singing the beginning line of the chorus to U2's hit song, "Vertigo", where he sings, "Hello, hello." —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.37.173.182 (talk) 01:46, 11 February 2011 (UTC)

Many celebrities have appeared in South Park and The Simpsons, so it's not that unusual. What makes it notable for our purposes is not just the appearance, but that it has achieved real-world notability, by being referred to by reliable sources. In this case, such a reference would be required. Rodhullandemu 01:52, 11 February 2011 (UTC)

Bono and anti-Boer songs

Could this be worked into the article. He apparantly gave his OK to ANC-cadres singing songs like "Shoot the Boer", "Kill the Boer" and other hate speech. What Bono said was sometimes rather ambiguous, but boils down to condoning genocide, give the present situation in South Africa where farmers are murdered on a daily basis not to mention the countless murders, home invasions, etc. For media coverage have a look here: http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article910725.ece/Bono-backs-Malemas-shoot-the-boer-song ; http://censorbugbear-reports.blogspot.com/2011/02/irish-pop-singer-calls-for-genocide-of.html ; http://www.channel24.co.za/News/Local/Bono-causes-stir-in-SA-20110213 --41.132.28.67 (talk) 18:10, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

Much ado about nothing, minor whining in fringe sources. Tarc (talk) 19:01, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

Complete and utter bullshit. Get your facts straight next time. What he actually said was "It's about where and when you sing those songs. There's a rule for that kind of music." There's a massive difference between saying "be careful about what you sing and where you sing it" and "I have no problem with this genocide". Melicans (talk, contributions) 19:20, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

It's not fringe sources that quote him that way. Bono endorsed singing that song and this implies he's supporting the genocide as well. From someone not supporting the genocide one would expect that he immediately condemns that kind of songs or the statements therein. He didn't do that. Just imagine the lyrics would be "kill the Jews" or "shoot the Blacks" do you think he would have made a similar statement? And would you come up with a similar response? --41.132.28.67 (talk) 20:09, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

That he supports genocide is your interpretation - "boils down" = "I conclude". But, he said nothing of the sort. As for fringe sources, it's in the Sydney Morning Herald, but that doesn't mean he said he supported genocide. Again, don't try and push your own conclusions. --Merbabu (talk) 20:15, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

so many edit conflicts
Save for the blogger account they most certainly are not fringe sources. Being stupid enough to fall for the bait doesn't make it complete and utter bullshit but it does make him pretty stupid (assuming Bono was somewhat baited by this topic in the interview). Endorsing the private singing of a song that is so divisive is not much better than if he had sung the song itself in the interview. He might as well have openly sung some Irish rebel folk songs at the Omagh memorial concert instead of North And South Of The River. "You say you want to find some peace, you just want to see her face, and this hatred will get us no place." At the Omagh memorial he sung those altered lines of All I Want Is You calling for the receprocating hatred to cease. At the 2nd Slane concert Bono named most of the victims of the Omagh bombing. Now he publicly endorses privately singing what many consider hate-speech-songs. There is a time and a place to sing. There is also a time and a place for NO COMMENT but he spoke. "I won't heed the battle call; it puts my back up against the wall." Methinks his back be up against the wall about now. This would not be the first time Bono has made somewhat conflicting statements. "This song is not a rebel song" and the "Fuck the revolution!" speech in the middle of Sunday Bloody Sunday back in 1987 where he says "what's the glory in taking a man from his bed and gunning him down in front of his wife and his children?". SBS is a song of rebelling against the rebellion. That is a backhanded implied endorsement of genocide that Bono gave no matter how much you want to call the sources fringe media that are not reliable. What comes of this will likely determine how much mention it gets in the WP article but since you say it was been picked up in Australia now i am guessing this will be too small to sweep under the carpet. Blessed is the spirit that overcomes. delirious & lost ☯ ^~hugs~ 20:45, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

What this is is POV-pushing. We have to be exceedingly careful in regards to WP:BLP. At no point did Bono condone a genocide. Claiming that he did is both wholly inaccurate and a gross violation of our BLP policy. D&L, what I meant by complete and utter bullshit is the conclusion that he is actively condoning a genocide. Melicans (talk, contributions) 21:03, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

Even if one counts the blog as fringe, the article on the blog still cites main stream media. And most media-outlets in South Africa cover the affair now. If he condones a song that incites to genocide than he is indirectly supporting that genocide or not. But I think it's fair to say that there is most likely more then one angle to the affair. --41.19.33.126 (talk) 21:19, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

This is wikipeda, not some blog or a facebook group where like-minded people can go and agree with each other’s jingoistic (and normally ignorant) one-liners. As wikipedia editors, it is not our place to pass our own opinions, comparison, analysis, conclusions, etc. As such, certain policies and guidelines need to be followed. The following are equally important, but I’d put them into two tiers of priority at this stage:

1. WP:BLP and WP:CHILL
2. WP:V, WP:NPOV, WP:OR.

If anyone has a suggested change that improves wikipedia, is focussed on the long-term and not just the heated moment, and conforms to the above, then let’s discuss. And IMO being concise in your talk page discussion helps. Cheers --Merbabu (talk) 21:29, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

PS - it would also be helpful if Bono's actual comments were presented, rather than journalists paraphrasing of them. Anyone? --Merbabu (talk) 22:01, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

Dunno what the context or order is without a transcript of the actual interview, but the quotes the BBC selected are: "When I was a kid and I'd sing songs I remember my uncles singing... rebel songs about the early days of the Irish Republican Army...*sings*...We sang this and it's fair to say it's folk music...Would you want to sing that in a certain community? It's pretty dumb. It's about where and when you sing those songs. There's a rule for that kind of music...". BBC concluded "It was into this political minefield that Bono has wandered, says BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut, apparently unaware of the depth of feeling his remarks would stir up." Melicans (talk, contributions) 22:08, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

It would be good to have the full transcript of what was said. But the BBC interview still confirms what was initially posted here. Anyway, this will have to be integrated into the main article. What needs to be mentioned is that Bono said certain things in the interview and that this was received in a certain way. The song and farm murders need of course to be mentioned in that context as well, so that anyone can understand what this is about. --41.16.59.102 (talk) 07:49, 14 February 2011 (UTC)

more edit conflicts
Those be the quotes i read elsewhere. BBC regurgitating them doesn't given them more legitimacy unless you want to argue that the Times of South Africa really is a fringe media source. I stand by my saying it was a backhanded, implied endorsement that was probably unintentional. One could also take from that that Bono supports the Irish Republican Army or/and that the genocide in South Africa is akin to the acts of the IRA. Personally, i think he was not thinking too clearly when he gave that interview.
The Times of South Africa also has a follow-up story http://www.timeslive.co.za/entertainment/article911768.ece/Bono-in-a-tangle-over-Boer-song but this one seems to have the context for the comments that have been quoted. http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article912012.ece/Afriforum-supports-Bono I have not figured out where the original article is and I don't think we are likely to find a complete transcript of the interview. Fitting this into the article is hardly original research when international media report on it. It can't be a biography policy violation to say that he made such comments and pretending he didn't make any such comments is hardly a neutral approach to take. How much more verifiable do you want or are you saying that news from South Africa is inherently unreliable fringe. The difficulty is that there isn't really a place in the article to put this where it won't be emphasised unless the whole article is reörganised to gather criticisms and complaints into a section - this really does not fit in the "Humanitarian work" section in a 'flattering way'. I rarely write short messages but here is one that initially was short just for you Merbabu. delirious & lost ☯ ^♥hugs♥ 08:48, 14 February 2011 (UTC)

I still don't see any comment from Bono on the "Shoot the Boer" song itself. The only quote I can find is his reference to an IRA song. Y2Kcrazyjoker4 (talk • contributions) 16:51, 14 February 2011 (UTC)

That's probably because he was quoted horribly out of context, according to one of the five journalists who were actually there. Big surprise. "It is bullshit...During the dinner Buddy asked Bono about ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ which begins with the introduction ‘This is not a rebel song’. Buddy linked this to local struggle songs and said there was a particular song in the limelight locally because of a young South African struggle leader,” says Milton who adds that Bono immediately indicated he knew of Malema, but said nothing further about the “shoot the boer” song, nor did he in anyway signal support for Malema or the ANC-linked song...He (Bono) answered the question by talking in general about folk music and songs that have liberation themes. Bono said there were folk songs about people carrying guns.” What was absent from Naidu’s story, says Milton, is that Bono told the story about why ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ is not a rebel song, but a song with a strong message against sectarian violence..."The street pole adverts for Sunday Times were actively disingenuous because they verged on an active attempt to mislead...This was confirmed by Billboard correspondent Dianne Coetzer, who said Bono never supported the “shoot the farmer song”, never made direct reference to the song and never supported Julius Malema’s right to sing the liberation song. “The opening paragraph of Buddy’s story says Bono waded into the Malema controversy, which indicates says Bono had a position on the issue, which wasn’t the case. The Sunday Times journalist mentioned something about a young struggle icon and Bono merely acknowledged that he recognised this was Malema,” says Coetzer. “Bono responded to the question by saying he had sung rebel songs with his uncle when he was young and how hard it was for his mother because she was Protestant and his uncle was Catholic. He at no stage said he supported Malema or Malema’s right to sing the song. He was talking specifically about his own experiences in Ireland and never in any way aligned himself with Malema, the 'shoot the boer' song or expressed any support for Malema,” Coetzer says.

So in other words, the controversy was entirely fabricated. I don't believe that bald-faced lies have any place here. Melicans (talk, contributions) 19:03, 14 February 2011 (UTC)

I think i said something about context and that they look like reliable sources but asked if i was missing something because it just doesn't fit with even his stupidest of comments i have seen on live tv. wikipedia:reliable sources can be wrong. I never thought anyone would be so bold as to publish something so blatantly wrong. Fabricating quotations. This is "When fact is fiction, tv reality." Melicans found the article that i thought must surely be out there somewhere but couldn't find. Now i want to argue that "the Times of South Africa really is a fringe media source". She says somewhat jokingly: Perhaps adding a bit in the article on how he was used to further some likely personal grievance by a newspaper reporter in South Africa to the tarnishing of his own reputation in the global media. Now that i read it was all recorded on an iPhone i really want that guy to release the recording of the interview in full. I'll even host it if it can't be bought on iTunes. delirious & lost ☯ ^♥hugs♥ 20:00, 14 February 2011 (UTC)

As I actually did say, WP:CHILL and WP:V. --Merbabu (talk) 20:23, 14 February 2011 (UTC)

Merbabu, as for the egg on my face and the hateful frenzy rather than check facts that i got into,[1] I read dozens of articles from South Africa and then BBC, Australia, and many other countries. They all seemed to be based on that one from the timeslive.co.za that is first mentioned in this section. That article itself speaks to a previous article published online which i could not find. The egg on face would not be just here but on many news media of the world, major and fringe. As for checking facts, if it is good enough for BBC why am i wrong to have entertained the idea that maybe it wasn't a bald-faced lie? I wasn't in South Africa to personally witness it. I am not there for an earthquake in Japan but when i read an article saying it happened , and then 3 others, i am inclined to believe they are not telling me lies. Most editors would't publish something they know is about 97% out of context and grossly misleading just to get the headline because they don't want to get fired and sued. Many reliable sources, local and abroad, were reporting on the incident. Most of the time that would make it verifiable. The egg on my face tasted yummy with some bacon and cheese. delirious & lost ☯ ^~hugs~ 10:22, 15 February 2011 (UTC)

I'm inclined to agree with Delirious&Lost on this. We don't have to accuse Bono of condoning genocide, (unless there's good references for that,) let's just include the incident in the article. We could say, "In South Africa Bono commented on the 'Shoot the Boer song' which Julius Malema sung in Zimbabwe despite being court ordered not to sing songs "which can reasonably be understood or construed as being capable of instigating violence, distrust and/or hatred between black and white citizens in the Republic of South Africa."" (I got most of the content of this from the sourced Wikipedia page on Julius Malema under the section, 'Shoot the boer song') I happen to be a Boer. Talk about "hate speech." Invmog (talk) 23:56, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

What part of "horribly misquoted" do you two find to be confusing? Tarc (talk) 00:38, 19 February 2011 (UTC)

What incident? He never even discussed "Shoot the Boer". The whole thing was fabricated by one reporter. We've already established that this is a non-issue. What purpose is there in adding detail about a non-existant controversy? There is nothing to include. Melicans (talk, contributions) 02:22, 19 February 2011 (UTC)

This is probably the longest talk on this page, but it is about nothing, the newspapers is full of nothing on this issue? In the meantime people do get killed and if you live in South-Africa you might be next victim. Bono is and activist and got trapped by a journalist, he should have known better. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 196.25.225.25 (talk) 15:45, 18 March 2011 (UTC)

• • • • Regardless of what he did or didn't say, there is no support for making the OR/SYnth jump to concluding what it implied. You can't just take a (heavily disputed) statement, and then make the leap to commenting on what it means. We do not create content in that manner. It is not verifiable, and inherently subjective.204.65.34.246 (talk) 13:37, 19 October 2011 (UTC)

Origin of name "Bono"

Does anyone have verified source for the name Bono? Does it matter? Is it only a nickname that stuck or a "stage name" that stuck? Thanks Ern Malleyscrub (talk) 10:31, 19 December 2011 (UTC)