By John-Henry Westen
WASHINGTON, February 10, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The lead singer of the famous rock band U2 which just this week claimed an incredible five Grammy awards, has praised President George W. Bush and Americans for their generosity, especially post 9-11. His remarks came at the February 2 National Prayer Breakfast.
The rocker began, with good humour, expressing the oddity of his appearance at the prayer breakfast.“You know, one of the things I love about this country is its separation of church and state. Although I have to say: in inviting me here, both church and state have been separated from something else completely: their mind.” Before continuing he added, “Mr. President, are you sure about this?”
Adding also, “It’s very humbling and I will try to keep my homily brief. But be warned-I’m Irish.”
Bono offered some personal remarks about his struggle with faith and journey with God, and how he was led to be an advocate for the poor and those afflicted with AIDS. But unlike his colleagues in the entertainment field he did not condemn President Bush for efforts at poverty and AIDS alleviation but rather praised him.Â
“Here’s some good news for the President,” said Bono. “After 9-11 we were told America would have no time for the World’s poor. America would be taken up with its own problems of safety. And it’s true these are dangerous times, but America has not drawn the blinds and double-locked the doors.”
While countless Hollywood types bellow about Bush’s approach to the fight against AIDS which favours treatment for victims and abstinence over pushing condoms, Bono praised the efforts so far and challenged America to do even more.
“In fact, you have double aid to Africa. You have tripled funding for global health. Mr. President, your emergency plan for AIDS relief and support for the Global Fund-you and Congress-have put 700,000 people onto life-saving anti-retroviral drugs and provided 8 million bed nets to protect children from malaria.”
Without doubt, he said, there remains much to be done. He challenged America to give an additional one percent of the federal budget to fight poverty. But as to the efforts of the President and the American people thus far since 9-11, he said, “Outstanding human achievements. Counterintuitive. Historic. Be very, very proud.”