U2 frontman and renowned political activist Paul "Bono" Hewson met today with defense secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon.  Yeah - you heard me right.  Bono has probably set some kind of record as the rock star who has met with more elected officials than any other in history.  Those of you who know me well are aware of my love/hate relationship with liberal recording artists.  As a former recording industry professional and omnivorous lover of music, I struggle constantly to square my affinity for great music with my disdain for rock stars waxing liberal.  It's hard - but I have found a place of peace in recent years, and Bono has helped.  Yeah, sure, he leans left (and his support of groups like Amnesty International most definitely rubs me the wrong way) but he exhibits some balance as well.  He recently drew the ire of plenty of rock-and-roll lefties by shooting straight about Islamic terrorism in the pages of Rolling Stone magazine . . .


Sometimes it just tears my heart out when the artists who inspire me with their music infuriate me with their politics.  But Bono is one of the exceptions.  Yeah - he really upsets me sometimes, but he's a whole lot more honest than most of 'em out there.  Most liberal rock stars wouldn't bother - but when Bono meets up with Robert Gates, that gives me a lot of hope for the world.