LIVE 8---A NO BUSH BASH ZONE

Bob Geldof

A Drudge exclusive:

GELDOF ORDERS NO BUSH BASHING AT 'LIVE 8': IRAQ WAR, GLOBAL WARMING RANTING OFF LIMITS

LIVE 8 founder Bob Geldof is determined to see his international concerts stay focused on the plight of Africa's poor -- and not fall into cliched Bush bashing and global warming rhetoric!

Geldof has ordered show organizers and producers to redouble all efforts to keep LIVE 8 performers "on message" during the July 2 event, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

"Please remember, absolutely no ranting and raving about Bush or Blair and the Iraq war, this is not why you have been invited to appear," Geldoff said to the manager of a top recording artist, who asked not to be identified. "We want to bring Mr. Bush in, not run him away."

[Geldof tells next week's TIME magazine how Bush "has actually done more than any American President for Africa."]

"Bob wants no attention on global warming, or the war," the manager warns, "He is very determined, he does not want to lose control of the message... But we have the most unpopular American president since Nixon, soldiers are dying... you are going to see some righteous anger on stage."

LIVE 8 will be a series of free international concerts with unprecedented star power.

Will Smith is host of a hip-hop-heavy show in Philly with 50 Cent and P Diddy headlining; Pink Floyd and the Sex Pistols will reunite in London on the same bill as U2, Coldplay, Keane, Madonna, Elton John, Mariah Carey, Sting and Paul McCartney. Concerts will also be held in Paris, Berlin and Rome.

BBC and AOL plan live broadcast and streaming worldwide.

[FOOTNOTE: U2's Bono has been attacked by his rock peers for associating with Bush and Blair. Fellow Irish star Sinead O'Connor says, "I think you risk losing your credibility by going to a party at Downing Street. I would draw a line at drinking wine and eating cheese with the Prime Minister."]

One would think that P. Diddy of the "Vote or Die" campaign would have difficulty taking the stage without bashing Bush.

I wonder if these vain, clueless celebrities will be able to stay on message, and rein in their egos.

I can't imagine Elton John performing without getting off a few shots at Pope Benedict XVI.

I think Geldof's statement is strictly CYA. He knows stars will take the opportunity to attack Bush; but by coming out against it, Geldof can at least claim he tried.

Even if there are no direct attacks on Bush, Blair, and the Iraq war, which I sincerely doubt, I'm sure there will be silent protests, such as t-shirts to relay anti-Bush messages, slogans written on instruments, etc.

I just can't picture Live 8 without ramblings about the satanic U.S. President Bush. I don't think it will happen.