Apolitical Staples

Long time readers of Political Staples (BTW, thanks) know that I am a huge fan of U2 and that I think Bono is one of the coolest men on the planet. But please, is he really surprised when he is used by politicians when he has used them?

...Irish rock star Bono complained in a front-page commentary published Sunday that he feels exploited by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's campaign, which says the activist singer is "grateful" to the leader for Italian aid for poor countries. "Mr. Berlusconi, as much I can feel flattered by appearing in your brochure, I also feel a bit exploited," Bono, lead singer for the U2 group wrote in a commentary on the front page of Milan daily Corriere della Sera.

Bono's photo appears midway through the 160-page glossy publication prepared by Berlusconi's Forza Italia party and being delivered to millions of Italian voters before April 9-10 elections, in which Berlusconi will likely be fighting to keep his prime ministership.

The publication recounts how Bono and the media-mogul Berlusconi discussed aid for the needy, and says in a caption, next to a photo of the star speaking on a telephone, that Bono "is grateful to the prime minister for action promoted by the Italian government on behalf of poor countries."