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| Wolfowitz Discusses World Bank Mission with Bono |
| 2005-03-18 |
| Ah, yes, Bono. Where would the planet be without Bono? WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Paul Wolfowitz, whose nomination as World Bank president has stirred controversy, discussed poverty and development issues with Irish rock star Bono in two phone conversations on Thursday, an adviser said. The only thing I'd be interested in asking Bono is where he gets his dope. Wolfowitz adviser Kevin Kellems told Reuters the deputy U.S. defense secretary initiated the lengthy conversations with the lead singer of the rock group U2, whose name had been bandied about for the World Bank presidency. Hey, Bono. It's Wolfie. Yeah, George said to give you a call. Yeah, said maybe these yahoos would get off my case a bit if it looked like I was kissing your beautiful person ass a little bit?. You know, like I was actually interested in what you had to say? Sooooooooooo... what's with that guy The Edge? Is that his real name or what? President Bush on Wednesday named Wolfowitz, a key architect of the Iraq war, to be the next World Bank president, but the choice has been controversial, especially in Europe. An endorsement by Bono, who campaigns extensively for African aid and debt relief, could defuse some of the criticism of Wolfowitz. If BONO says it's okay, then it's okay with us. Bono knows EVERYTHING!And we're very naive and gullible. Kellems said the discussions "were incredibly substantive about reducing poverty, about development, about the opportunity to help people that the World Bank presidency provides and about charitable giving and social progress around the globe. "They clicked. They were very enthusiastic, detailed and lengthy conversations," Kellems said. Tom Hart, government relations director for DATA -- Debt, AIDS , Trade and Africa -- the lobby group co-founded by Bono, said the rock star believed it was important to share his views on Africa and poverty with Wolfowitz. I'm sure Wolfie was thrilled... "Bono thought it was important that he put forward the issues that are critical to the World Bank, like debt cancellation, aid effectiveness and a real focus on poverty reduction," Hart said. Wolfowitz first telephoned Bono on Wednesday to schedule the conversations. In the past 24 hours, Wolfowitz had spoken with a broad range of foreign leaders, bank officials and advocates for poverty reduction and international development, aides said. Coming up next: Wolfie talks to Cher about the Law of the Seas Treaty. |
| Posted by:tu3031 |
| #6 At least it's Bono, and not Babs or Baldwin or any of those other douche bags. Bono seems to know who he is "a spoiled, arrogant rock star" as I heard he quoted himself a couple years back. |
| Posted by: nada 2005-03-18 11:50:14 PM |
| #5 I can envision these two working together. Bono's a player in this, and various admin officials have spoken highly of him. He's probably an asset, both now and down the road. |
| Posted by: Dishman 2005-03-18 6:32:06 PM |
| #4 Maybe he'll talk to that famous ex-student of the London School of Economics, Mick Jagger, next week.... |
| Posted by: Desert Blondie 2005-03-18 5:59:33 PM |
| #3 Whats the fuss? He's just workin' pro Bono. |
| Posted by: Grunter 2005-03-18 5:51:39 PM |
| #2 I know that this is crazy, but if Wolfie talks to Bono, and Bono talks to the concerned Euros, and everything is OK with good vibes, love, cosmic harmony, and the Euros jump on and are reassured, who cares? It is one hell of a way to run a railroad, though. Right, Dar? |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2005-03-18 5:18:55 PM |
| #1 i think both the lefties and you guys misjudge Wolfie. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2005-03-18 5:01:28 PM |