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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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The Edge Rejects Greenie Criticism of U2 Tour

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(Newser) – U2 guitarist The Edge stood up to critics who say the band's massive world tour is bad news for the environment, the BBC reports. "I think anybody that's touring is going to have a carbon footprint," he said backstage last night at U2's Wembley Stadium concert. "We'd love to have some alternative to big trucks bringing the stuff around but there just isn't one."

Talking Heads leader David Byrne blasted the Irish rockers on his blog last month, calling their show "just a wee bit out of balance given all the starving people in Africa and all." But The Edge said U2 was paying to offset emissions from its $40 million stage and 200 trucks. "We're spending the money on our fans, I don't think there's a better thing you could spend it on."

Stage is seen from a tribune during the show of the Irish pop band U2 on their Tour 360 in Zagreb, Croatia, Monday, Aug. 10, 2009.
Stage is seen from a tribune during the show of the Irish pop band U2 on their Tour 360 in Zagreb, Croatia, Monday, Aug. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
The Edge and Bono of U2 perform onstage on the first night of their 360 tour held at Camp Nou on June 30, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain.
The Edge and Bono of U2 perform onstage on the first night of their 360 tour held at Camp Nou on June 30, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain.   (Getty Images)
Lead singer Bono, center, and the rock band U2, perform during their 360 degree Tour at Wembley Stadium in London, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009.
Lead singer Bono, center, and the rock band U2, perform during their 360 degree Tour at Wembley Stadium in London, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
The Edge, of rock band U2, performs during their 360 degree Tour at Wembley Stadium in London, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009.
The Edge, of rock band U2, performs during their 360 degree Tour at Wembley Stadium in London, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
Bono, lead singer of rock band U2 performs during their 360 degree Tour at Wembley Stadium in London, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009.
Bono, lead singer of rock band U2 performs during their 360 degree Tour at Wembley Stadium in London, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
Bono, lead singer of rock band U2 performs during their 360 degree Tour at Wembley Stadium in London, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009.
Bono, lead singer of rock band U2 performs during their 360 degree Tour at Wembley Stadium in London, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
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22 comments
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Ucantusethatname
Aug 15, 09 7:21 PM CDT
Spare the environment and play local gigs. Reply
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+3
Broey88
Aug 15, 09 7:22 PM CDT
spending money on tours doesn't offset the actual carbon footprint of a massive world tour. It's been a shtick since the beginning and it will be to the end-- U2 cares about press, not the world. Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
Jayster999
Aug 16, 09 12:03 AM CDT
True story. U2 make great music but their P.C. politics are filled with inherent hypocrisies. Such is the lot of all liberals and messianic wannabes.
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0
Jojo
Aug 15, 09 7:22 PM CDT
The Edge is the ULTIMATE hypocrite. He is the one that is so into the environment and making the Earth a better place - yet is fighting in California to buy a moutainside and destroy it to build five, yes, not one, but FIVE multi-million dollar mansions. This article says it's one house and 4 "other" structures - but in another interview he said it was actually 5 separate homes and that only one was for him, the other 4 were for other people. http://raisingtheroof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/20/u2-guitarist-faces-opposition-in-malibu/ Him and Bono both are the ultimate hypocrites. They are the absolute worst kind of selfish celeb because not only do they live like typical celebs and waste just as much, they go around preaching about "don't do it!". Reply
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
karajlo
Aug 15, 09 7:28 PM CDT
hardly the ultimate one...what rich fuck in malibu wouldn't try to pull this shit...the irony is that he'll get his, those homes will slide down the hill soon enough...
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