By Daniel Kreps, Rollingstone

In his latest New York Times op-ed piece, Bono relives his own experiences of "Bloody Sunday," one of the deadliest days of "The Troubles" conflict between Northern Ireland and England, and celebrates the new British Prime Minister's decision to take blame for the massacre. "Bloody Sunday," the tragic event that inspired U2's hit "Sunday Bloody Sunday," took place January 30th, 1972, when members of the British Army opened fire on a group of unarmed civil rights protesters in the Northern Irish town of Derry, killing 14, including seven teenagers.

"It was a day that caused the conflict between the two communities in Northern Ireland -- Catholic nationalist and Protestant unionist -- to spiral into another dimension: every Irish person conscious on that day has a mental picture of Edward Daly, later the bishop of Derry, holding a blood-stained handkerchief aloft as he valiantly tended to the wounded and the dying," Bono writes.

Last week, new British Prime Minister David Cameron admitted that the British Army acted unlawfully on that day 38 years ago, opening the door for possible criminal charges. Bono called Cameron's revelation "a bright day on our small rock in the North Atlantic." "Clouds that had hung overhead for 38 years were oddly missing ... the sharp daylight of justice seemed to chase away the shadows and the stereotypes of the past. No one behaved as expected. The world broke rhyme," Bono writes. "A brand-new British prime minister, still in his wrapping paper, said things no one had imagined he would ... could ... utter ....'On behalf of our country, I am deeply sorry.' "

Bono writes that Cameron's apology has instantly helped heal wounds that have been open for 38 years, and that his honesty should reverberate throughout other turbulent areas of the globe. "In fact, it can be that quick everywhere. If there are any lessons for the world from this piece of Irish history ... for Baghdad ... for Kandahar ... it's this: things are quick to change for the worse and slow to change for the better, but they can. They really can," Bono writes. "It takes years of false starts, heartbreaks and backslides and, most tragically, more killings. But visionaries and risk-takers and, let's just say it, heroes on all sides can bring us back to the point where change becomes not only possible again, but inevitable."

In a light-hearted postscript to his op-ed piece, Bono reminisces about working on U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" in the studio and how "the song will be sung wherever there are rock fans with mullets and rage, from Sarajevo to Tehran." While "Sunday Bloody Sunday" seemed like a hit -- even though "it's a small song that tries but fails to contrast big ideas," claims Bono -- a record company boss overseeing the recording sessions implored the band, "Drop the 'bloody.' 'Bloody' won't bloody work on the radio." As history shows, U2 turned down that recommendation.

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"I would like a peaceful outcome, for the torch tomorrow and in Tibet," Bono told an AFP reporter, comparing the debate over China's actions in Tibet to the issue of torture in the US government's "war on terror."

"I hope China takes this opportunity to address the issues," Bono said. "It's like waterboarding in the US; it's important to address the issues."

Around 800 people attended the peaceful rally in downtown San Francisco where a "Freedom Torch" was lit before activists flanked by around 20 police on each side began a march to the Chinese consulate.

San Francisco is preparing a heavy security presence in the city for the US leg of the troubled torch relay, which was severely disrupted by protesters in Paris on Monday.

Relations between two of Ireland's most famous men are set to turn frosty after actor Stuart Townsend lashed out at U2 frontman Bono.

The Irish actor slammed the world-famous singer for failing to step up and help in the fight to save the Hill of Tara.

And to add insult to injury he went on to claim that the humanitarian was more interested in helping those overseas that in getting involved in campaigns in his native Ireland.

"I don't know why Bono hasn't gotten involved so far. Maybe it's because his focus is on Africa and heritage isn't his thing," the actor claimed.

Townsend made the remarks while enjoying a romantic weekend in Paris with his partner Charlize Theron.

The actor himself has long been involved in the campaign to save the ancient spot and halt construction of the controversial motorway.

Fight

And he went on to call on Bono to end his silence on the issue and join the fight.

"Things are really getting desperate now so we really need Bono to say something.

"He's Bono for God's sake, he's Irish and he lives in Ireland.

We really need someone of that magnitude to help," he added. Townsend said that the campaign was getting the backing of poet Seamus Heaney. The poet and Nobel laureate criticised the Taoiseach and the M3 project saying: "Bertie thinks his legacy is the Celtic Tiger and economic -- but his real legacy will be letting them put a motorway through Tara."

Last year Townsend and Theron visited the site and organised photo opportunities and interviews.

The actor revealed that it was causes like Tara that kept the couple so much in love.

"I suppose part of what attracts Charlize to me is that I'm a space cadet who likes going to places like Tara. She digs it," he said.

Townsend went on to praise student radical Lisa "Squeak" Feeney, describing the campaigner as a "hero" after she encased herself into a seven-metre underground pit for three days in a bid to halt further work near the ancient site.

"It's a sad reflection on the Irish Government that a young woman has to put her life on the line to protect what our Government should be protecting.

"I think people should join her and the other protestors and get involved...none of us have done enough to save Tara," he added.

© 2008 independent.ie.