Bono's Classless Act – Endorsed by 'The Won'

I’ll admit up front: I’ve never been a U2 fan. I never really understood the appeal of their self-righteous brand of music, and frontman Bono, with his made-up solo moniker (real name Paul David Hewson) and ever-present see-through wraparound sunglasses, simply irritates me.

Yet I was willing to give him some credit for working with former President Bush on a cause they both believed in – AIDS and poverty in Africa – even though he disagreed with Bush’s stance on Iraq. I honestly don’t think throwing all the money in the world at Africa will change anything there unless the tin pot dictators on that continent are all tossed out on their hineys – and I believe fellow rock star philanthropist Bob Geldof said something similar – but that’s beside the point. I might think even more of Bono if he were to give all of his own massive fortune to the needy in Africa before he lectures the rest of us about our “responsibility,” but I doubt even his philanthropic tendencies go that far. If he did, how could he afford to do things that only rich folks can do, like have his favorite hat flown from the UK to Italy because he forgot it?

But cool rock stars have their limits. Apparently the B Man reached his when Bush tried to give him a hug at a prayer breakfast a couple of years ago. Adroitly dodging the president by scooting behind the podium, he shook his hand instead. Apparently Bush was good for soaking for taxpayer money for Bono’s cause, but that didn’t merit a hug.

Surprisingly, the media failed to pick up on that little maneuver until this week, when Bono admitted to the dodge in a BBC interview. Why mention it now? Apparently he felt bad about it, but since no one noticed it, why point it out publicly and humiliate someone who is no longer in the public eye? He could have just written Bush a private note saying “sorry, dude.” But I’m a little more cynical – I’m thinking he knew about the buzz of publicity that would accompany his little admission. See, with Bush out of office and criticizing Obama being verboten in the media, even new evidence of old Bush-bashing would immediately be picked up on and go viral. When a world tour is looming, any publicity will work in a pinch.

But someone did notice Bono hiding behind the podium that day – then-Sen. Barack Obama, who reportedly said to Bono afterward, “Nice work with the hug dodge.” This is a man who knows all about the sneaky insult. Remember the middle-finger nose scratch? Both Hillary Clinton and John McCain were recipients of that bit. How about his “lipstick on a pig” zinger, which many thought was aimed at Sarah Palin? More class than you can serve with Wagyu steak.

One of the commenters on the Yahoo post linked above makes a good point (emphasis mine):

It’s really convenient that the news media has found an excuse for everything we see that might put Pres Barry in a bad light. They never came close to trying to make Bush look good. Even now, this story coming out makes it look like the two “cool” kids in school had an inside joke behind the reject’s back. The only reason Bush was a reject, the only reason anyone is a reject in the public eye is based on media stance. If they love you, you’re a rock star. If they don’t, you’re Adolf Hitler.

Yep. Bono and Obama – part of the clique of their own creation. Only not everyone is as impressed with them as they are with themselves.

Here’s a hint: not all the money in the world can buy you class.