Once the world had a superhero ready to jump on his private jet at a moment’s notice, writes Jim Duffy

There was a time when all we needed to do was click our fingers and great things would happen. In times of world crises, when the politicians couldn’t quite manage to pull things off in a timely and seamless fashion, we could turn to one trusted soul to sort it all out.

From The Troubles in Ireland to the townships of Soweto, this man could make things happen. He had the ear of British prime ministers and US presidents. He had more super-human strength than Christopher Reeves and more cunning than Batman. But, he’s gone now. And we need him even more. Yes, it’s time to bring back Bono…

I recall in my early 20s listening to the U2 album, Live at Red Rocks. The frontman of this soon-tobe supergroup was Bono. At the time, he had all the makings of an Expendable and Incredible, all in one small package. But this superhero could sing!

He would knock out powerful tones with cogent lyrics designed to make us think. Supported by his fellow band members, Bono grew to international stardom.

This was epitomised by his fabulous and haunting appearance at Bob Geldof ’s Live Aid. Or was Midge Ure involved there also? Yes, I’m pretty sure that Midge played a key role there Bob. But, he seems to have been whitewashed from the credits. Not for us Scots though.

Anyway, back to superheroes. Bono stole the show with his rendition of the U2 song, Bad. He came into the crowds, just like Jesus and the early prophets did. He hugged some wee lassie plucked from obscurity. He broke the risk management and crowd control rules to be “at one with people”. It was just brilliant to watch. And despite my nervousness about his prophetic actions, I do enjoy banging it on on Youtube every now and then. Yes, Bono was on his way to world saviour.

He made damn sure that he used his superpowers well. He had the ear of the people and the they loved him and his music. A bit like Russell Crowe in the movie Gladiator, where he won the hearts and minds of those in the Coliseum, causing the young emperor some angst. Winning hearts and minds always works well and Bono knew this.

He had massive global reach and could sing about anything he wanted. If I’m not mistaken, it was Bono and Jim Kerr from Simple Minds who got Nelson Mandela freed right? Maybe not that simple, but I don’t know who else did. Do you? But, alas, after all his capedcrusader efforts to free us from tyranny and the forces of evil, Bono has going missing.

At a time when one of the most divisive leaders of the Western world lands in Scotland and the UK, I have to ask the question. Where in God’s name is Bono when you need him?

Only Bono could release us from the grip of this Western oligarch. Only Bono could be strong enough to stand up to President Trump and say: “No way!” Only Bono could have us – the proletariat – hanging on his every word as he tells, no demands, politicians do the right thing.

But he is nowhere to be found and perhaps he does not want to be found. Has this superhero gone forever?

In the USA, another live wire and actor superhero has had a go at President Trump. Robert De Niro has been vocal pre- and posttrump’s election.

De Niro has stood on platforms and denounced Trump, stating he