Month: May 2006

Bono at Music Hall


(Photo from DMN pool photographer)
In front of a mixed crowd wearing T-shirts, flip flops and business suits, U2’s lead singer, Bono, captivated a Dallas crowd Friday night at the Music Hall at Fair Park – without the help of his legendary rock band.
The event was a fund raiser for Dallas’ World Affairs Council, with tickets going from $25 to $500.
Bono was introduced by Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and welcomed to the stage with a thunderous standing ovation.
He assured the “loud ones in the crowd” that the rest of his band would not be joining him for the night.
“If you were expecting the band, I don’t even tell them that I do these things,” Bono said as he loosened his canary yellow tie. “I’ve become a student of the Soviet way of speech making and they don’t want to sit through three hours of me talking about Africa.”
Donning a dark grey business suit, his trademark sunglasses and flashing the UT “Hookem,” Bono told the crowd of 4,000 that he wasn’t accustomed to wearing a tie and joked that he didn’t wear ties for politicians — but only for the people of Texas.
Bono recounted his journey to becoming “a rock star with a cause.”
And he encouraged Americans to make friends out of potential enemies in Africa, rather than defend against them later.
“The global war against terror is bound up in the war against poverty. Collin Powell said that. And when an American military man says the American military is not enough, we need to take notice,” he said. “I know you’ve been through a lot with Katrina and Rita and the War in Iraq. But every generation has its defining moral struggle. This is our Omaha Beach. This is our moon shot. Our one true grab at greatness.”

| | Music Hall

Quick update before I eat dinner

In front of a mixed crowd wearing T-shirts, flip flops and business suits, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and one-third of Time Magazines 2006 Person of the Year and U2’s lead singer, Bono, captivated a Dallas crowd Friday night at the Music Hall at Fair Park.
The event was a fund raiser for Dallas’ World Affairs Council, with tickets going from $25 to $500.
Donning a dark grey business suit, his trademark sunglasses, a canary yellow tie and flashing the UT “Hookem,” Bono told the crowd of 4,000 that he wasn’t accustomed to wearing a tie and joked that he only wore ties for the people of Texas.

Bono was introduced by Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who said she first met the rock star at the National Prayer Breakfast, held this past February in Washington.
“He gave a spellbinding address,” Hutchison said. “He is an extraordinary man not easily forgotten. For sure he is a great singer, a true rock star and a man with heart and deeds to match his words.”

Other notables in attendance were U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes and former Dallas Cowboy Daryl Johnston.

Arrested for protesting Darfur genocide

From the e-mail files:

Last Sunday, I had the privilege to join with over 50,000 people on the National Mall to call for a stop to the brutal genocide in Darfur. The diverse set of speakers included Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer, Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Frank Wolf, religious leaders of all faiths, and advocates like actor George Clooney and Olympic champion Joey Cheek. I hope you were with me in Washington or at one of the other rallies around the country.
What a truly amazing experience! And what a contrast to Friday afternoon when I found myself with four other members of Congress, faith leaders and Darfur advocates, sitting in a cell at the D.C. Jail after having been arrested for protesting in front of the Sudanese Embassy.
Yet despite the less than pleasant conditions in jail, we were exhilarated – as we all were again on Sunday at the rally – for having called attention to the terrible suffering of the people of Darfur.
Right now, the world is listening. In fact, after tens of thousands rallied on Sunday, Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick was dispatched to the Sudanese peace talks. Let’s keep the pressure on.
Would you consider making a tax-deductible contribution today to the Save Darfur Coalition? Your donation will help fund their efforts to raise awareness and persuade the Bush Administration and other governments to act to stop the genocide in Darfur now.
It is tragic that two years after the situation in Darfur was first identified as “genocide” that the killing, rape, and displacement has continued nearly unabated.
I don’t think any human being can listen to the testimony of the people who have fled, and see the savagery that is going on there and not feel compelled to do something.
The world has said, “Never again.” Now is time for action.
And we know President Bush and other leaders are listening.
Can you help the Save Darfur Coalition keep the pressure on?
Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution today.
Thank you for everything you have done so far in the effort to end the genocide in Darfur. And as we continue the fight, there will be more opportunities for you take action, both online and off, to help make a difference.
Thank you,
Congressman Jim McGovern
3rd Congressional District of Massachusetts