On the eve of the G20 elite circus taking the stage in the English capital, London, I thought it appropriate to pay tribute to one of the very few politicians who deserves the title 'honourable' and that is The Right Honourable Robin Cook. He was a man of principle and justice and one who let it be known that he couldn't be bought. Although we held different beliefs regarding Scotland, Robin Cook was highly respected by many of all political persuasions. My thanks to Ampers for the video and I suggest you also visit The Truth or the Fight for a most interesting read.
The video is Robin Cook's resignation speech over the Iraq war. It has been shortened slightly to fit with Youtube's 10 minute policy but I do hope it reminds you, as it has done me, we have had politicians of integrity and honour in the past.
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12 comments:
You are correct Rosie, along with John Smith we lost two of our finest politicians, even if they were Labour, I am sure they would see the absolute necessity for Scottish independence now upon us, and if Smith were still at the helm maybe even Salmond would be on the back foot.
However what impressed me about Cook was his choice of mountain, Ben Stack, one of my all time favourites which I cannot climb enough now.
This from Simon Heffer of The Telegraph.
I make no apologies for a cut and paste job. I agree with wholeheartedly.
"The generous system of salaries and allowances has ensured that people with a vocation tend to avoid politics, and those who seek a career – with all the cynical manipulation of the electorate it entails – are drawn to it like maggots to rotting flesh. It has also meant, on both sides of the House, that the inexperienced and unqualified predominate. Is there a link between that and the terrible state of our country's finances? Of course, as there is a link between a second-rate political class and our poor schools, our bloated public sector, our sporadic health service, our demotivated police force, our cruelly exploited Armed Forces, and so on. The worst sort of politician is the professional politician, and the present system of remuneration ensures we have them in abundance."
It was sad about John Smith KW because he didn't have a chance to put his views into play and of course, Robin Cook was a great ally of his. Blair and Brown followed like entrails in their wake.
Also sad about Robin Cook but he certainly stood firm on his principles. Men and women like the two of them are few.
To see Brown elbowing The First Lady out the way, this morning, on the steps of Downing Street was yet another pointer to this Snotty awfulness.
subrosa,
I note some other honourable MPs surrounding Robin Cook during that speech but none of them are the sharp-suited career politicians.
How convenient for Blair and his acolytes that Robin Cook, and his intimate knowledge of the scheming that led to the invasion, should perish on a mountain. Curiously, the first trained paramedics that attended to him thought that he had died from a broken neck which was strangely at odds with the findings of the subsequent inquest.
FC, if you look at the labour party in Scotland just about every one of them is either from a unionist background or public service. No business experience whatsoever.
Now the SNP are different, the ones I know anyway. Both John Swinney and Alex Salmond were employed in business, Pete Wishart of course was with Runrig.
I haven't seen TV as yet this morning Oldrightie. Will have a look at lunchtime.
Indeed brownlie, did you have a look at the Truth or the Fight site? Most interesting.
It took a lot of courage for Robin Cook to stand up and say what he did. Answers still have to be asked about his death. Today's Labour party are tomorrow's dictators and dictators can play very dirty.
Aye it's funny how politicians with principle disapear in the Liebour party. Robin Cook, David Kelly and John Smith all died in mysterious circumstances. Also Mandelson , the architect and henchman of new Liebour, being his(smiths) last visitor the night before.
And then the group of brown Mandelson etc foisting an unheard of Blair into the job.
A bit all too contrived and manufactured.
Subrosa, Juan,
If I disappear you'll know where I've gone! I need to mind what I'm expressing out aloud!
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot." Mark Twain
Borrowed from a conspiracy site but sums up my feelings right now.
CD
CD auch bide here, don't let the barstewards grind you down.
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