[The cover of the  Italian edition of Harry Browne’s book on Bono]

Further to Bono’s controversial address at the EPP conference in Dublin last week.

Sympathy for the poor divil.

Even before Twitter and Facebook exploded in rage, the Irish journalists assembled at the Dublin conference centre were locked in an eye-rolling competition, captured and epitomised by Miriam Lord. With a few exceptions, a sardonic reaction to his speech was the best Bono could hope for in his home country.

…The muting may relate to how any call for any tax by Bono would be received in Dublin. But the fact is that a “Robin Hood” tax, quietly supported by his One campaign for years, would represent a rare victory for the public sector over the financial institutions that have cannibalised it for decades.

Yet in Ireland, appreciation for what he said was drowned out by those appalled he had the temerity to say it.

The vulgar abuse may stem from people’s belief that Bono spends entirely too much time schmoozing with politicians – but maybe he is their victim as much as he is their pal. The cover of the new Italian edition of my critical book about Bono pictures him with a barcode across his face, an image that invites the reader to view the book’s subject as both a product and as a prisoner.

Harry Browne, author of Frontman: Bono In The Name Of Power

Why did Bono Get So Much flak? (Harry browne, irish Times)

(Alegro)