Um, I've got some U2 Concert-Condoms, but I'd never wear them in public, like a badge of honour!
That's actually a good question, Don. I don't dispute that they're a great band, I actually
own a lot of their later albums (Metallica/Black Album, Load, Reload, S&M etc). I used Napster because I couldn't be bothered ripping my own CDs to MP3 to use on the PC, but I just don't particularly like their politics. It seems that just because somebody's music is influential, they are then automatically cleared to pass commentary on anything they please. Everyone should learn from Pearl Jam's political swipe at GWB during a recent concert where half the audience walked out...
With the whole Napster debacle, I would bet you that out of all of the content being shared online, Metallica would have ranked pretty low among all of the titles available. Much more modern/top 40 music would have changed hands before people went to download Metallica stuff, and even then, it'd be their old stuff. Online content sharing is great for hard-to-find stuff.
I don't know the entire story with Lars appearing before Congress, but I think that sort of action would have been better undertaken by somebody more knowledgable and perhaps representative of a wider range of artists; a record label, or perhaps an industry regulatory/advisory chairman.
Lars portrayed himself as a pompous chump, out of his depth and sprouting random internet buzzwords as though they directly affected his hip pocket, which saddened me greatly.