I sort of sad that I'm not in the country to get some sense of the buzz about this. I am glad that this is getting more internal recognition though. Even if people don't understand the specifics; any story of peace winning over terrorism is worth making news about.
BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | IRA 'has destroyed all its arms'
I'm standing in the nose-bleed seats suffering from bouts of vertigo as U2 are on the stage performing their song of the same name. I never got a chance to see them in Ireland, but here we are in Minneapolis with we made sure not to pass up seeing them this time around.
I consider these guys to be the best rock band in the world. As this was my first time seeing them live, I wasn't disappointed. When Bono asked if anyone here was from Dublin, I roared - but so did half the audience. Liars! The lightshow was mesmorising, the atmosphere electrical as the sold out arena sang-along to every song. But the performaces were truely unforgettable; not the least of which was Bono's ode to his late father, "Sometimes you can't make it on your own."
It's funny listening to Bono trying to explain what a northsider is like to an audience from which probably my wife and I could only understand. It's also funny that in a country that so idolises celebrity misses the simplicity of a band just enjoying what they do. Sure Bono gets knocked for using the platform he's given and trying to make the world better with it; but why the hell shouldn't he. He's not selling merchandise or doing some shameless self-promoting; he sees the opportunity he has to do some good and he takes it. Nothing else would make sense.
In a week were I watch the news-reporters 'brave' hurricanes to make news they should have been reporting, I wonder what's the point of idolising icons when all they exist on is their idolisation. Especially when heros are all around for those willing to see.
