Bono vs Bruce

I read an interesting article from an Irish newspaper today, which you can see @ http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2009/0124/1232474678037.html

This is your typical J.O. reporter looking for an angle shtick. I get it, everybody loves U2 so here's a guy from Ireland and he's gonna blast them for weak lyrics. Of course, I've already stated that I think the lyrics are weak on their new single. But I believe over the years Bono has written some of the best lyrics in rock. I'm also a huge Bruce fan, and I thought his last album, Magic, was particularly strong. But this article demonstrates two points which have bothered me about the media for a long time.
First, the aforementioned angle- throwing bombs for the purpose of sensationalism. This is what gives critics a bad name. They make a name for themselves by slamming beloved celebrities. Like The Oregonian's John Canzano. He's made a living bashing my Ducks, calling for the firing of Mike Belloti, UO's winningest head coach and arguably one of the most successful coaches in NCAA football today. Wow I knew it was gonna happen at some point- my music blog heads off in a tangent about sports.
The second and even more irritating point in this article comes to head with this line: "Most importantly, he’s (Springsteen) politically brave in a way that Bono will not be. He takes sides. He’s not afraid to make enemies." I'm sorry, what is brave these days about a celebrity taking shots at politicians?! I've always thought Bono to be the most effective political advocate because he works with everybody. Bruce walks the same trail blazed by John Cougar and too many other washed up non-entities who would have no career at all if not for political rallies. It's sad, because unlike John Cougar, Bruce is still relevant. He doesn't have to be stumping for a candidate to make headlines.
Remember Live Aid, with all the self-important artists of the day trying to save the world? It's been 20 years and last I checked people are still starving in Africa. In fact, I remember Bono talking about how after Live Aid they- meaning the artists involved- thought they had done it. They had saved the world. It wasn't until he and his wife actually spent a great deal of time in Africa that they realized Live Aid had done nothing except further inflate the egos of the performers.
So now I have to talk about sports again. Canzano recently wrote a piece lauding Greg Oden for supporting Obama and Lebron James for caring about Darfur. In the same piece he slammed Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods for only talking about sports. First of all, Oden just entered his 20s, already a multi-millionaire, and has spent his entire life focusing on basketball. Who cares about his political opinions? How could he possibly have anything relevant to say about a presidential race he's barely able to vote in. Sports is really the last sanctuary for men who want to eat wings, drink beer, and be entertained. Everywhere we look celebrities are held up as experts on a subject they really know nothing about. I find it refreshing when someone like Michael Jordan wants to talk about basketball, a subject right in his wheelhouse.
I get it, entertainers are fabulously wealthy beyond their wildest dreams and they feel a moral obligation to use their platform to help others. Or is it just to hop on the John Cougar bandwagon and appear as if they really care?
So, all you celebrities, tell us about your craft. How did you get to where you are? How do you practice and prepare? What advice would you give to a young person trying to follow the same path as you? And all you J.O. journalists out there, how about reporting the news instead of trying to be the headline yourself. And all you aspiring drummer out there (me) how about get off the damn computer and pick up the sticks! Done and done.