Dynamic Duo

If Bob Geldof were a hero in the marvel Comics mold, his name would almost certainly be Profanity Man. In a single sentence, Geldof can use his favorite expletive in noun, verb and adjective form, obliterating the rules of grammar and polite conversation. His copious use of cursing began as a bit of rock-'n'-roll affectation — a quick way of broadcasting his identity as the Boomtown Rats' chief rogue — but over the years it's become a foundation of his character. These days when Geldof, 54 this week, takes the public stage, it's usually to speak about Africa and the failure...