Читать книгу Thanks Be to Bono - Brent Barton - Страница 17

The problems of the world are all too real. And the U2opian philosophy embraces this reality. It embraces the up and down, back and forth world we live in. The sad parts are all real. We live with the consequences of bad decisions.

Folks, it isn’t all sunshine and happy good times. Far from it. The music of U2 brings us down, to the ground, and buries us. It buries us deeply. Whenever a tune becomes a little too happy happy, joy joy, that sad minor chord cuts it all down to remind us what’s at stake here. Life and death. There is a darkness looming. The minor chord comes in. Darkness and light. Contrast. Difference. Dangerous ideas can almost make sense.

But fear not. The minor chord bridges across the chasm, to a chorus and with it we are uplifted. Thank goodness, chords can change the tone.

The world we live in is an interactive world. Like a guitar string, we can strum it.

And so, let’s strum it right. Sustainable prosperity for all the people of Earth, is what we say. U2opia!

A far fetched concept?

Friend, there has never been any question about it.

We aim far because our target remains very far away.

Our heads aren’t in the clouds, our heads are beyond the clouds.

Our priorities, as a religion and as a community, were to ensure that all humans have reasonable access to clean water, food, medicine, shelter and peace. And toilets. Is this too much to ask?

Reasonable access to clean toilets, for all humans.

Let’s make this goal happen.

But first, let’s stop right here because I want to make sure that we are all clear about what we’re talking about.

Right now our conversation is focusing in on the issue of extreme poverty. I know we keep going on about it. You may have heard Bono speak on this issue.

Do you know what Bono means by this, when he refers to “extreme poverty?” Because he’s not talking about regular poor people here. He’s not talking about the people who are struggling to survive. Sadly friend, there will always be poor people. Poverty of one kind or another will always exist. Life will always be a struggle. BAM! There’s a cold hard fact of life for you. Deal with it.

But this thing called extreme poverty…well this is something entirely different. Extreme poverty is what lies beyond poor. Extreme poverty is when there is absolutely nothing. No food. No water. None. No medicine. No peace. No future. No help. It’s when hope is in danger of running out. It’s quite different from extreme skiing. The people living in extreme poverty are not “hungry.” These are people who are “starving.” Actually starving sustenance wise, as opposed to the everyday expression of “oh my God, I’m starving” while wondering what’s taking the waiter so long to return with your order of nachos.

You can talk all about the 1% and the 99 – this soundbite math is so easy, anyone can do it – but the real numbers of what lie at the very bottom of the 99 statistic is a little more complicated and potentially far more disturbing. Extreme poverty is the real bottom. The real, desperate, human bottom. These are the people Bono has asked us to help. Mmmm. Now I have nachos on my mind.

Bono tells us that that there is a way.

Hope lives in this moment.

Hope lives now in how we choose to act.

Folks, if we all want to get along and live together in peace and prosperity, we’re going to have to learn to communicate with one another. The U2opian philosophy embraces the idea that we, as humans working together, can realize a functional world without hunger, war or sickness. We can make something beautiful! Something that wouldn’t be a problem. Humanity can express itself in positive and constructive ways.

We invite you to believe it.

Cooperation amongst people and nations.

Unity across divided lines.

Individuals, working together. Helping each other. We have faith that wondrous things can be done. Suffering can be stopped. We can manifest miracles!

No.

This isn’t just religious pie in the sky bullshit talk.

This is all real.

Wondrous things are possible.

We can make the world better.

And this is our belief. Bono guides us on the issues. And what a guide he is! TEMPLE™ was established, in his name, to realize the magnificent potential that dwells within the universal human spirit.