As for Bono's words, first came a homage to the biblical prophets, then a carrot, followed by a stick, and finally a request:

Mr. President, Congress, people of faith, people of America:

I want to suggest to you today that you see the flow of effective foreign assistance as tithing…. Which, to be truly meaningful, will mean an additional one percent of the federal budget tithed to the poor.

These goals—clean water for all; school for every child; medicine for the afflicted, an end to extreme and senseless poverty—these are not just any goals; they are the Millennium Development goals, which this country supports. And they are more than that. They are the Beatitudes for a Globalised World.

I truly believe that when the history books are written, our age will be remembered for three things: the war on terror, the digital revolution, and what we did—or did not to—to put the fire out in Africa.

It's extremely doubtful, aside from a few inquisitive souls on the internets, that anyone will associate anything of significance other than the obligatory photo op with the president. Bono has stated that he'd meet with the Devil if it did some good, though I'm not implying that getting chummy with President Bush and Jesse Helms is the metaphorical equivalent.

Some argue that Bono’s campaign for philanthropy portrays the enemies of the poor as their saviours, and does more harm than good. Others contend that before any meaningful change, the United States and Europe must stop treating Africa as their colony.