Chicago Tribune - December 5, 2002
Bill Glauber, Tribune staff reporter

"We look like we're coming to town with the cause du jour," Bono told the Chicago Tribune's editorial board. "But the first thing we have to put right is . . . the AIDS emergency is not a cause. It is an emergency.

"Two and a half million Africans are going go die next year for the stupidest of reasons: money."

Bono said it continues to be difficult for Africans to get the life-saving drugs that many Westerners take for granted, noting that "now we can get cold fizzy drinks to any corner of Africa, but we can't get these drugs."

The Irish rocker's high-profile tour through seven states in the American heartland is designed to raise awareness about AIDS in Africa and serve as a catalyst for more U.S. funding to combat a disease that has brought untold misery to the continent. One activist traveling with Bono said as many as 30 million people in sub-Sahara Africa are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

On Wednesday, he also spoke at the Apostolic Faith Church at 3823 S. Indiana Ave. before going to Wheaton College to talk with students.

Shedding his rock star role, the U2 frontman has led a tour of actors and activists, including Agnes Nyamayarwo, an HIV-infected nurse in Uganda and mother of eight. They have addressed groups at schools, cafes, churches, truck stops and several newspapers in the Midwest, calling on everyone from truckers to billionaire businessman Warren Buffett.

"Call the president, call the cops . . . write in postcards to your congressman," Bono said after the editorial board meeting. "Believe it or not, they check their mail."

U.S. urged to 'set the level'

Seated with actress Ashley Judd and comedian and actor Chris Tucker, Bono added, "Politicians aren't afraid of rock stars or actors. They're afraid of mothers and church people. And they're especially afraid when mothers and church people start hanging around with rock stars and actors."

Bono suggested the U.S. heed UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who has estimated that $7 billion to $10 billion will be needed over the next few years to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in the Third World. Annan has called for the U.S. to contribute at least $2.5 billion annually to the fund. Bono said the United States could set a world standard by contributing all the money necessary to lead the fight, but so far the U.S. has contributed far less than Bono and others have urged.

"Everyone looks for America to set the level," he said. "I just think this might be the time for America to step out in front."

Later, Bono said that if President Bush "goes right out in front, it will be in the history books and everyone will pay attention to it and people will want to be part of that generation that did that. It's got to be like the man on the moon."

"When JFK said, 'We're going to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade,' the pollsters weren't saying this was on the American mind," Bono said. "He led, everyone followed. That's the kind of vision we're looking for. That is what America is to me. They put a man on the moon--America."

Rock star with several causes

Raising awareness and fighting for his causes is nothing new for Bono. In 1998, for instance, Bono made a brief foray into the Northern Ireland peace process, helping cement the historic deal during a concert by bringing together on stage two of the leading politicians, David Trimble and John Hume.

In recent years, Bono has concentrated on debt relief for the world's poorest nations and the AIDS crisis, taking his message to leaders as varied as Pope John Paul II and U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, whom he accompanied on a tour to Africa earlier this year.

"We are open to people activists rarely reach out to," Bono said. "We're open to the churches, corporate America."

Among those Bono has met on the tour is Buffett, the so-called Oracle of Omaha, whom Bono dubbed "Yoda," or "The Master Jedi," adding that the billionaire businessmen has a "great ear for melody and great ideas."

Among Buffett's ideas, Bono said, was to craft an appeal to America's greatness instead of its conscience.

Bono also said AIDS activists "have to be careful how we approach the pharmaceutical industry," which has often borne the brunt of criticism over the price of drugs to combat AIDS.

"Only one major pharmaceutical company is working on the AIDS vaccine, and that is perhaps our own fault," he said. "I'm more inclined to go out to the pharmaceutical companies, bring them into the fold. Say, 'We need your scientists, we need your research and development, make a profit, please.'"

The tour participants said they have been well-received on their journey through America's heartland, a setting that only a week ago seemed an unlikely launching pad for an effort to combat AIDS in Africa. But tour organizers bypassed America's coasts to get their message across.

Judd: Audiences 'fired up'

"The students come in because they want to see Bono, because they know the band has a history of activism," Judd said. "They associate him with social conscience. . . . By the end, they're punching the air because they believe they can walk out and change the world. They are fired up, they are inspired."

Tucker said audiences he has spoken with "just need to know" about the AIDS issue.

"It's our job to be creative and to say, 'This is what is going on around the world,'" he said. "You have a choice. You can turn the channel or you can say, 'What is that, can we help?' Yes, we can help."

Bono extolled Midwestern values that could be brought to bear to alleviate the AIDS crisis in Africa.

"There's this sense we actually hold the flame of what America is really about here, kind of forgotten on the coasts," he said. "You see a crisis, you respond to it. And it doesn't matter how difficult. That's the thing about the Midwest."

021205
CT021204

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .