I'm sure there are thousands, if nay millions of folks around the globe who would say yes without hesitation. But on the flip side, there are probably many who still need to be convinced. So let's do that, shall we?

The Nobel Peace Prize is not handed out to just anyone, and is also given to no one in particular. Past recipients include a wide variety of résumés from literary geniuses to heads of state to military personnel to lawyers to researches to doctors to heads of various charities and foundations... but so far, not a rock star among them. A rock star? Are we ready for this?

THE LITTLE ROCK STAR WHO COULD (AND SO HE DID).

Let's take a look at what I'm sure will be an incomplete list of behaviors and activities which, in this webmaster's opinion, offer lock stock and barrel a definitive bio of reasons why this man deserves such an honor to be bestowed upon him.

AFRICA

It has long been known that this is the new pandemic that will most likely go down in history as the worst plague ever known to mankind. Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a color-blind, sexless, cultureless malicious attacker. It knows no boundaries, it simply kills. It kills without regard to race, religion, age, sexual orientation, or financial status. Western civilization, though so far unable to cure it, has been able to manage it to some degree. With our elaborate health care systems and comfortable hospitals and clinics, our research and pharmaceuticals, we have at least some combat against the deadly virus. There are many people, however, who do not have this luxury. Africa is home to the largest number of AIDS cases in the world and the smallest amount of resources to combat the virus. For grossly political and financial reasons, people are dying in swarms, leaving behind parentless - and often sick - small children. 

Many celebrities would agree that this is certainly a cause worth donating a little time, money or left-over clothing to auction for charity events. Our fair Irishman has taken the typical celebrity spin considerably further than that, taking this cause not just to the doorstep, but on the dinner table of world leaders who have the decision making ability to impact change. And much to even his own surprise, he has the full attention of people like the Pope, Pres. George W. Bush, French President Jacques Chirac, and Prime Minister of England Tony Blair. He's been on panel discussions for United Nations, he's appeared at the White House (almost daily) to present his case, he's even attended the G8 Summit  to plead for the lives of those without the voice. What's he asking for? Medical supplies. Clean water. Compassion. 

Along with the AIDS crisis in Africa goes the problem of massive debt. For decades, the people of Africa have been swimming in their forefather's mismanagement of funds and a corrupt political structure that has left their world standing on toothpicks. The weight of the burden they must bear is about to see total collapse and the near annihilation of around 11% of the population of the planet. If it were not for the inarguably obscene amounts of money these countries owe to the richest nations in the world, they might even have a chance to attend to the heart of their own problems. But the majority of their working class citizens are dying by an illness from which they have no access to even the basic frontline defenses, like medicines and education. 

Bono, together with friends like Bill Gates and Bob Geldof, has started a foundation called DATA. The point of this organization is to raise awareness of the catch 22 that is killing a continent. If you want to join in the cause, visit this link. Bono continues in any and every way he can to keep this issue at the top of the conversation list in governments around the world. He seems tireless in his conviction to affect a change for these people. Little by little, his voice is getting louder. 

BURMA

Burmese pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi became iconized in some small way during U2's Elevation tour. The song "Walk On" was inspired by her courage in the face of a country whose corrupt military stronghold refuses to turn over democratic rule, despite the fact that 82% of it's citizens voted for her party in their last election. She was made a prisoner in her own home for many years, while the people of Burma continue to be raped, murdered and exploited through forced labor. The US and France, unfortunately, have the biggest corporate input to this land of corruption and Bono, along with U2's support has been quietly championing against this oppression. 
Visit the Free Burma Coalition website for more information.

NORTHERN IRELAND

"How long, how long must we sing this song?" As a U2 fan, you can not have escaped this pleading cry and the message behind U2's music since their very beginnings. The band, having been brought up in Dublin, are more than largely aware of the effect of being caught in the crossfire. The country of Ireland has been at war with itself for far too long, with incidents like Bloody Sunday and the bombing of Omagh. North and South in Ireland have long waged a battle that is part religion and part politics. Innocent people die everywhere everyday, yes, but not so many die by the hand of their own countryrmen.  

Bono has talked about Ireland to the world through his lyrics for more than 2 decades, pleading that no matter which side is right or wrong, the merciless killing must stop. In May 1998, it seemed almost symbolic to see a photograph taken on stage at a Belfast political rally of Bono, like a cohesive agent, between David Trimble and John Hume, the 1998 Nobel Peace prize winners for their efforts in gaining peace in Ireland. 

MOTHERS OF THE DISAPPEARED

You may recall the somber and somewhat melancholy ending track to the 1987 U2 album The Joshua Tree called Mothers of the Disappeared. What you may not know is the story behind it.

In Chile, there once was General named Pinochet. His regime was responsible for the 'disappearance' of many Chileans for one reason or another. People who were political prisoners, who were informants, who were pro-civil rights advocates, people opposed to Pinochet's dictatorship simply 'vanished' without a trace. Later, stories would circulate back to their families, stories outlining their torturous deaths. However, their remains were never returned to their families for proper burials. Amnesty International has long followed the unspeakable and inhumane murders in Chile, and Bono himself has been actively involved in the movement that demands that the families of those lost be told where their loved one's remains are.

SARAJEVO, BOSNIA

As you may have read in Bill Flanagan's U2: At the End of the World, a sort of biography chronicling the life and times of U2 in the 90s, U2, and most especially Bono were particularly moved by the goings-on in a then war-torn Bosnia. So much so that they set out to tell the world during their tour that hey, Bosnia needs HELP. Sarajevo, a once artistic and cultural center of Bosnia, was now in near ruins. Bill Carter, friend of the band, had been broadcast almost nightly via news media hook ups to the Zoo TV video screens. Audiences were nothing less than shocked and saddened to see the pain and struggle, to hear the bullets and bombs in the back ground, while the world stood belligerently silent next door to it.

1997 would see U2 become the first headlining rock band in Sarajevo since it's civil war began.

SELLAFIELD

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

MLK DAY

APARTHEID

LIVE AID

THE UNFORGETTABLE FIRE

IN RECOGNITION...