Berlusconi commits Bono-ploitation

Bono is lots of things—rock star, activist and really useful prop, as he provides visual shorthand that whatever lesser being he’s linked to has suddenly become enlightened. But if you care to publicize your association with him, you’d better ask him if it’s OK first: That’s what Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is learning after he featured a picture of the U2 frontman in an electoral pamphlet that was mailed to 10 million homes, under the caption: "The singer is grateful to the premier for the government’s actions to promote the poorest countries."