Unfortunately, there is also that other kind of celebrity activist who uses and abuses the microphone to promote strangely conceived -- and, more often than not, poorly researched -- agendas. Strangely, Spanish-speaking actors and movie directors seem to have taken the forefront in this new fad. Often, they stumble.

I remember, for example, a painful exchange between Spanish thespian Javier Bardem and Charlie Rose. Rose asked Bardem about the March 11 attacks in Madrid and the undeniable political consequences the event had on the Spanish elections, held only a few days later: “What about the idea that the people who did the bombing were trying to manipulate the Spanish people?” Rose asked.

Bardem immediately adopted the politically correct position -- as most actors do nowadays, apparently -- and answered accordingly: “I think that’s too evil to think.” “That they wanted to manipulate the Spanish election? That’s too evil to think?” the interviewer responded in amazement, betraying, just for a moment, his famous sphinx-like visage.

In the end, it all comes down to information and commitment. Bono’s non-ideological stance and obsession with facts are legendary, and it shows. Bardem’s version of what happened in Spain in 2004 was not only ignorant, it was irresponsible. The difference between both celebrities could not be clearer. Let’s hope for more from the former and less from the latter.