OH, and Simon is married to a woman of middle eastern decent and I believe they live in France so...well, just something to consider. Rio was written a LONG time ago, before he met his middle eastern wife and before he resided full time in France. Point of no return is much more current and probably more reflective of, at least Simon's attitude, toward our country today. Could give a flip less personally, but I don't think we should falsely give them the status currently of pro-US.
Thanks for the updated information and informed perspective!
As I said, it's been a year or so since I read that interview. It was a fluff piece and there was no mention of any so-called "weighty issues", so I can't speak as to what the band members' opinions are vis a vis the "war on terror" and such. I have no idea what their politics are, nor do I care.
I just found it refreshing to hear a foreign rock band state how much they love and appreciate America and to openly acknowlege that they owed their success to their American fans. The fact that they didn't use the interview as an opportunity to bash America, as so many others are doing, was what caught my attention.
They may indeed disagree with our current national leadership and policies, but I don't have a problem with honorable disagreement. It's possible for them to disagree and to criticise and still love America and her people. As long as that disagreement, if that is the case, does not transition to dangerous activism such as campaigning for John Kerry or fund-raising concerts for Al Quaida, Hamas or the PLO or otherwise actively giving aid and comfort to our enemies, then I don't have a problem with them.