PressEthic

First of all, I love U2. I mean, I friggin love that band. And I would no more disrespect their memory than I would spit on Kurt Cobain's grave. But isn't Bono less of a rock star, and more of a superhero these days?

You know what, I commend him for it.

He's back in the news, using his media clout to bring attention to an Aussie that has been held at Guantanamo for five years. Apparently young David Hicks has been held without trial on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and for aiding and abetting terrorists. Mr. Hicks's father somehow contacted Bono and convinced the rocker that his son is innocent. Without passing judgement, Bono is simply calling for the young man to be returned to Australia to be fairly tried.

My first thought was - what about all the other hapless souls, some likely innocent, stuck in Guantanamo Bay? But they have a stake in this too. If David Hicks was released, it would set a precedent.

Personally, I don't think anyone is going to be released. Not anytime time soon. Even if Bono sang Sunday Bloody Sunday with a chorus of angels and Gabriel break-danced, it just ain't gonna happen.

The purpose I brought this up was to question what business Bono has reforming military prisons. One part of me thinks - he's paid to sing, not to crusade. But in a pragmatic sense, he can do what he can do. Who's stopping him? Whenever he orders a sandwich there's a reporter taking notes. Why not use some of that? If the media has no compunction about exploiting celebrities, why shouldn't celebrities exploit the media? (Did I dream that last bit, or is it just that ten thousand articles and blogs have been written on this subject?)