"They have come to believe that they are at the center of everyone's world"

Why does our knee jerk and our toe curl at the sound of Bono's voice?  Probably because he and his kind make out that they can save the world DESPITE this great country of ours that they chide.  Not. It's because this country provides tax incentives for giving that the Bonos of this world can spread their tail feathers and preen.  As GW said in that London Times interview yesterday:

It is important for people to understand that the contribution of the citizens of the United States is made not only through taxpayers’ money but through private contributions. Our tax system encourages people to do this. My point to our friends in the G8 and to the African nations is that each country differs as to how we structure our taxes and how we contribute to help. And our contribution has been significant and there will be some more.

The Bonos and Bob Geldofs of this world grate on our nerves for reasons explicated by Dr. Sanity today, responding to Peggy Noonan's question yesterday, "Why are politicians [read celebrities] so full of themselves?":

Like any other two-bit narcissistic personality disorder, they have come to believe that they are at the center of everyone's world. That is why they find it hard to focus on the really important issues. It is also why they are so obsessed with polls, polls, and more polls

.They will do anything to maintain their popularity and their god-like status -- even if it means they have to abandon their principles.

But of course, they had very few to begin with.

Could we be wrong? On the surface Bono and Geldof appear to be principled.  But what is driving them other than me, me, me?

Comments

[Tara]

On the surface Bono and Geldof appear to be principled. But what is driving them other than me, me, me?

Nothing. You nailed it...it always gives me great pleasure to remember Frank Sinatra's encounter with Bono when Frank came out with the "Duets" CD...he kept referring to Bono as "Bonzo"...that just about says it all IMO.

As for Geldof...what else does he have going for himself but himself?

[Teresa]

I heard a clip of Bono on the radio news this morning... he likes the message the US is sending (I'm so glad for him) but apparently $1 billion pledged by the government is not nearly enough money... Geeze that so makes me want to slap him... I just love how he's so ready to spend our money. I also love how he rather ignores the fact that we have obligations around the world - not just in Africa. If he's so damned ready to spend the cash - why doens't he pony up - after all - that band makes an unbelievable amount of money. I see this so many times with rich celebs...