U2's Bono: U.S. responsible for gun violence in Mexico

Jim Kouri
May 18th, 2011 7:44 am ET


Bono slammed the United States while touring Mexico.

Rock superstar Bono is touring Mexico with his famous band U2 and telling Mexicans the violence plaguing their country is the fault of the Americans.

As part of his concert tour this week in Mexico, U2 lead singer -- and global humanitarian of sorts -- Bono met with President Felipe Calderon to discuss drug violence and poverty affecting Mexico.

Mexico's president thanked Bono for sending a message to victims of drug violence during his concert on Wednesday. Calderon and Bono also discussed global warming and Mexico's opportunities as the host of the G-20 reunion in 2012.

Bono, 50, whose pre-U2 name was Paul David Hewson, frequently consults with world leaders including U.S. Presidents about many issues including global warming, world hunger, poverty and others.

"Bono has turned his musical notoriety into a humanitarian enterprise which garners him the attention of world leaders, political bigwigs and the social services establishment," said political strategist Mike Baker.

"Unfortunately, most Americans don't understand that being a talented musician or actor doesn't make you an intellectual giant and many of Bono's comments are talking points he picks up from fellow progressives. At best, his pronouncements are immature; at worst, they are acted upon," said Baker.

Baker points to a concert attended by President Calderon: Bono told the audience, "Mexico, you are not defined by the violence, you are defined by your humanity and humility!"

In a separate speech during that same concert, Bono also spoke about the shared responsibility of the United States to address gun violence in Mexico.

Bono asked: "Why is it that all we hear on the news is that drugs are smuggled through Mexico to the United States, and we don't hear about all the automatic weapons that are being smuggled into Mexico from the United States?" [Emphasis added]

"More than 9,000 registered arms dealers on the other side of the border. Most of the murders committed here are from weapons sold in the United States of America," Bono proclaimed.

"Mr. Bono's statement is false on it's surface -- drugs aren't smuggled 'through' Mexico, they are smuggled from Mexico -- by Mexicans -- into the U.S.," Baker said.

"I enjoy U2, but like talk host and author Laura Ingraham often says, 'Shut up and sing,'" says former law enforcement officer Douglas Knowles.

"It's almost comical that he would actually cite statistics. 9,000 registered arms dealers? What does that mean except that they're legally selling firearms. Does one blame the car dealer for a drunk driving accident that kills a child? Someone should give Bono the gift of a copy of the U.S. Constitution," Knowles quipped.


Jim Kouri, CPP, formerly Fifth Vice-President, is currently a Board Member of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, an editor for ConservativeBase.com, and he's a columnist for Examiner.com. In addition, he's a blogger for the Cheyenne, Wyoming Fox News Radio affiliate KGAB (www.kgab.com). Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty.

He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He's a news writer and columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he's syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. Kouri appears regularly as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Fox News Channel, Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, etc.


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