This is an archive of the former website of the Maoist Internationalist Movement, which was run by the now defunct Maoist Internationalist Party - Amerika. The MIM now consists of many independent cells, many of which have their own indendendent organs both online and off. MIM(Prisons) serves these documents as a service to and reference for the anti-imperialist movement worldwide.

U2 reviewed

"How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb"
U2
Universal
2004

We at MIM consider lead singer of U2 Bono to be a worthy friend of the international proletariat. In his spare time he campaigns against Third World debt and has appeared in public with Senator Jesse Helms and others to the extent that it is necessary.

We call Bono a "internationalist reformist," because he is seeking forgiveness of debt, not overthrow of global capitalism. On this particular question, he will find that he has more allies among international bankers than the so-called working class of the united $tates and other countries where the biggest banks reside.

The bankers themselves realize that tax-funded debt relief enables them to issue new loans. Whether the taxpayers of the united $tates or the Third World country in question pay the bill is of no consequence to the banker, as long as the bottom line shows a profit. Because bankers feel constant pressure to make loans that turn a profit, they are more open to ideas such as Bono's than the smaller exploiters not in the banking business. The ones most open to the idea of forgiving the debt placed on Third World countries through u.$.-puppet regimes and direct brute force are the exploited Third World people themselves.

Often times people ask MIM what to do for the revolution. Before one has the skills or resources to carry out work in public opinion or financing, it may be useful to work for a debt relief organization or even certain departments of a charity such as Oxfam. Many communists learn how to write leaflets, distribute literature and collect petitions by starting in other political campaigns, even campaigns for the bourgeois parties such as the Democrats.

Despite Bono's politics, this album has none. "Love and Peace or Else" is as close as it gets: "Lay down/Lay down your guns/All you daughters of Zion/All your Abraham sons." General love and pacifism seem to be vaguely expressed in U2.

As far as the art goes, the first song "Vertigo" reminds listeners of the early U2 that rightfully gained popularity. The rest of the album does not. People trying out U2 would be better off with 1980s albums especially since the themes and politics of the music have not changed much.

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