If Live 8 has served no other purpose, it has spurred a fascinating dialogue about the role of culture in politics, the limits of charity-based political analysis, and just why it is that Bono is about ninety times smarter than the president of the most powerful nation on the planet.
I have little to add to that dialogue.
There has also been a certain amount of, let’s say, incredulity at the choice of Canadian venue — to which I can say, after spending a month under canvas at CFB Borden, Barrie is like frickin’ Paris. (This one. Not this one.) Besides, Barrie’s just a few more Ontario Municipal Board decisions away from being the last stop on the Yonge subway line.
That said: Am I the only one who hears the lineup of cities – “London! Philadelphia! Berlin! Rome! Paris! Tokyo! Barrie!” – and gets an instant image of Les Nessman?
