Bono's opinions (relatively long post)


Crawford, Matthew S ([email protected])
Wed, 23 Dec 1998 08:13:06 -0800


> I think the understatement of the year among many people in this forum
> would be to say that they hold Bono up as a standard of excellence among
> musicians, artists, and humankind. (Did someone say Supreme Ruler of all
> that is Good and Right?) I, too, think the man is the greatest lyricist,
> the most entertaining showman, and an articulate human being. BUT, it
> dismays me greatly to see what appears to be holding up Bono, the man, to
> such great esteem, so that it appears that many cannot think and formulate
> opinions for themselves. I know, to some of you, anything said against
> Bono's character or contrary to his opinion must be defended against to
> the last straw.
>
> I know this is not a political forum, per se, but I suppose political
> rambling is inevitable when talking about U2. This comment pertains to
> what I perceive as the ignorance of, not only people in this forum, but
> people around the world, including Bono (dare I say?) concerning the
> impeachment of Bill Clinton. Despite what spin has been put on it from
> many of our friends on the left and some in the media, Mr. Clinton was NOT
> impeached for having extramarital sex. He was NOT impeached for private
> actions and behavior. If that were the case I would agree with many that
> he should not be impeached for his private behavior. He was impeached for
> lying in a courtroom setting after swearing an oath to tell the truth, the
> whole truth, and nothing but the truth and attempting to influence others
> to do the same. This is, plain and simple, against the law, and I don't
> care who does it, he's not above the law. If you want to argue that
> perjury in this case in not impeachable, go ahead (I would say it is), but
> I'm sick of hearing how a private sexual affair isn't impeachable because
> the sexual affair is irrelevant to the case. It's not about the sex. No
> one, other than Democratic or White House spin doctors, ever said it was.
>
>
> Before I shut up about this, there's one more thing. I would love to hear
> if someone could actually put up a true defense of Clinton. At this
> point, the only defenses I've heard aren't defenses at all but attacks on
> others, such as Starr or the Republican congress or legal mumbo-jumbo hair
> splitting. Everyone has asked at one point how much money could have been
> saved if Starr hadn't had it out for Clinton. Maybe true. But then
> Clinton would have gotten away with lying. I ask how much money would
> have been saved if Clinton cooperated from the beginning and took full
> responsibility before months and months of tax money had been spent.
> Starr is no saint, I'll admit, but don't defend Clinton by attacking
> Starr. Also, it has been said that impeachment and removal from office
> overturns the vote of the majority. Just a small reminder of fact...Bill
> Clinton was never elected with a majority vote. Both elections were won
> with less than 50% of the vote. Anyhow, I don't view impeachment as an
> issue that should hang on public opinion or polls as I don't believe
> public opinion or polls should decide the fate of an accused defendant of
> any trial. The public, in general, does not know all the facts, and a
> decision should be based on the facts, not on what Bono has said, or
> Rolling Stone, or Newsweek, or the London Times. It is said that "the
> rest of the world" looks upon this in amusement. So what...when it comes
> to doing what's right we should allow our representatives to vote their
> conscience. What's right is right and public opinion can't change that.
> Everyone, please research the facts, take time to think it through and
> formulate your own opinion. I would love to see that (regardless of which
> way you lean on the issue) rather that a regurgitated opinion from the
> media or your politician or your favorite musician.
>
> I apologize for the long post and for the very marginal U2 content. I
> rarely post in this forum, but this topic had already been brought up
> here, and I tried to refrain as long as I could, but I couldn't let the
> ignorance perpetuate any more.
>
> ____________
> Matt Crawford
> ������������


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