Is Tony Blair Trying To Rewrite History?

Tony Blair says "There's a problem within Islam."  He should know. He helped create it. 

He permitted preachers of Islam to live here and freely expound their messages of hate against 'non-believers'. Anyone who spoke out about this was denounced as a bigot.

Conflict in the Middle East is helping radical groups get a foothold, Blair said, and the “seeds of future fanaticism and terror… are being sown”. source

Are being sown?  They were sown some time ago under Blair's government.  He goes on to say, "Despite long and hard conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq we should not be wary of intervention."

Many times I've said our intervention in the affairs of Iraq and Afghanistan will come to haunt us in the future.  Sadly the future is now the present and we have a divided society.

In his article Blair refuses to acknowledge he was one of the prime movers in changing the demography of these islands so rapidly and with little thought for the people living here or for those who, legally, wanted to live in Britain.  Humans need time to adapt to change but were given no time or platform to voice their concerns. What we have now is a diverse society (Blair's aim), but also a very divided one.

Why divided?  There was no control over the number of immigrants and the amount of work available. That left many without income and in desperate circumstances. People felt alienated in a foreign land and without the support of a job, easily drifted into the wrong company. They couldn't integrate because they had no contact with anyone other than those in a similar situation.

By writing this article is Blair trying to rewrite history or is he in cahoots with David Cameron and attempting to justify our - soon to be - involvement in Syria?

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An Audience With A Difference

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The Expansion Of A British Dynasty

At first I thought this was purely part of the MSM's silly season, but it has been repeated often enough for me to realise there's no smoke without fire.

The young man pictured is Euan, the 28 year old eldest son of Tony and Cherie Blair.

According to Labour MP Tom Watson, the young Blair has shown commitment to improving his Labour credibility by taking up a public sector post, has even knocked on doors in previous by-elections and is a 'genuine Labour activist'. I do hope he didn't damage his knuckles with all that knocking.

Do genuine Labour activists live in £1.3million homes these days? What does this young man know about the realities of life for most of the population?

He is believed to have quit his job at the investment bank Morgan Stanley and is hoping to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a Labour MP.

His father is back in the UK touting himself around the television studios in an attempt to ingratiate himself with the public. It's rumoured he would like to return to front line politics but there has been little enthusiasm within the Westminster bubble.

Another excellent reason for Scotland to become independent in 2014.

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Tony Blair's Charity Contributions

Tony Blair's book The Journey was published last year.  Don't say you've forgotten.

There was quite a furore around his book signing appointments when two were cancelled because Mr Blair was feart of anti-war protestors.  We, as taxpayers, also paid for his police protection when he did attend signings and we still pay for his protection when he's in the UK - another misuse of taxpayers' money when it could be spent on those who are far more deserving and have brought pleasure to thousands for many years.

It was reported that the former Prime Minister received an advance of £4.6m for A Journey and said he would hand over all the money he makes - including the advance - to the Royal British Legion: "as a way of marking the enormous sacrifice [the armed forces] make for the security of our people and the world."

Mr Blair's statement was made in August last year. The RBL were criticised for accepting such a gift but said it would help it hit its £12m fundraising target.

However RBL accountants can find no mention of the charity having received any monies from Mr Blair, although the latest accounts only cover the 12 months to the end of September last year.  Time enough for Mr Blair to have contributed his advance I'd have thought.

The RBL are saying next to nothing and the same tactic is being used by Tony Blair's office.

I never liked Blair.  He is of the same Chief Salesman pie mould as our current PM; all pastry and no filling. At the time his 'largesse' didn't surprise me because he abused our armed forces during his terms of office by sending them to wars for his own political ends.  He hasn't changed.

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Tony Blair and Changes in Scots Law

Tony Blair is due to appear before the Chilcott Inquiry today.  Before he travels he consults with his lawyers for reassurance he will not be arrested on arrival.  What a legacy. I've never heard of a British ex-PM having the need for legal advice regarding their lawful standing in their own country.

Perhaps he's a wee bit concerned with the changes which are soon to take effect in Scots law. You can read the detail here because I have no knowledge of legal matters (I leave that to Lallands Peat Worrier and Love and Garbage), but here's a quote from the article:

“As an outcome of the meeting, we have sent an open letter to the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, asking him to amend the ICC (Scotland) Act 2001, adding the ‘crime of aggression’.

“If we did so it would be an excellent example to the rest of the world. It would send the clear message that we respect international law. It would prevent Scotland being dragged into murky and counterproductive military ventures in the future. I call on all MSPs to support such a move. Scotland could lead the fight against illegal war.”

Well done Scotland. I shouldn't think Tony Blair will be visiting anytime soon.

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Will Blair Care?

Her Majesty looks amused, possibly because she'll get the last laugh. It's said, within Royal circles that she's so annoyed about indiscretions revealed in Tony Blair's new book, she plans to withhold granting him an exclusive honour. The former Prime Minister was in line to be appointed to the Order of the Thistle, the highest Scottish honour. Leaders of Scottish descent are almost automatically given the honour after leaving office.

Considering Tony Blair has 'moved on' from the land of his birth, I doubt if he'll be too upset, but then again, such a title would open many more doors for him (and his divine wife Cherie of course), so perhaps he may feel slightly embarrassed.

The Queen's cousin, Lady Elizabeth Anson, said she was sure the 84-year-old monarch would be 'disappointed' at Blair's decision to breach Royal protocol by revealing personal conversations in the Queen's home. It's just etiquette in elite social circles and it's not etiquette in this house either, but then I'm particular as to whom is welcomed here. The Queen is not in a position to be choosy.

For Blair life is about fame and fortune and he's acquired both, by fair means or foul. The renowned Royal biographer Hugo Vikers said last night: "You know when the Queen respects a Prime Minister. She awarded Margaret Thatcher the Order of Merit as soon as she left office." Ouch. It's only three years since Blair resigned so I should think there's still time for her to bestow her gratitude. Wonder when Gordon Brown will called to Holyrood to receive his Order of the Thistle?

I hope the above information answers Leg Iron's question about the Queen's lack of action in connection with 'Tony the Teeth'. Beheading is not longer legal I believe and a Royal snub lasts a lifetime.

Update: According to Sky News Blair is reconsidering attending his book signing in central London after the protests in Dublin. Facing his accusers isn't his strong point is it?

source

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Afghanistan, Dannatt and Honesty

A British soldier from the Royal Scots Borders, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, has been killed in an explosion if Afghanistan. He was serving as part of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force when killed by a last on Nad-e Ali District of Helmand.

This soldier was killed by a Rocket Propelled Grenade.

Another soldier, from the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, has died in the UK from injuries sustained in Afghanistan.

Now we have 333 of our military personnel killed in this war and 88 of those died this year. That doesn't mean the deaths of those in previous years are any less important but it does show the so-called strategy is non-existent as I've said before. Politicians are winging this war in the hope that all their lies, repeated on a daily basis, will be believed by their electorate. If oil wasn't connected with this country, and others in the middle east, we would never have been present.

As for the revelations in Sir Richard Dannatt's book, I'm angry - nay furious. If he felt that Blair and Brown weren't treating our armed services well then - after doing his upmost to improve the situation - he should have resigned. That would have been the biggest statement anyone in a position of power, be it military or political, could have made. Yet he continued in the post. Of course we know why, because he would have lost his extremely handsome pension if he hadn't hung on until his retiral. If he truly believed his men and women were being compromised then he should have spoken out. Told the truth. But he didn't.

That's part of the problem with the heirarchy of the military. Most of our armed forces work for far less than they would receive in a Civvie Street job, yet they're aware they are entitled to a reasonable pension, if they enlist long-term, upon retirement. If they resign then the pension is radically reduced.

That doesn't happen in the 'public' sector does it? Seems within councils if you're hopeless at a job then they'll pay you a fortune to get rid of you.

That apart, would Dannatt's resignation on a point of principle saved lives? Who knows - only those at the front line know the truth and I doubt many of them will be writing books which will be promoted in the MSM. Sometimes it's better to stick to the modern saying: Either put up or shut up. That can save lives.

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'That' Book Reviewed

'The Journey', possibly the most over-promoted book published this year, but Gordon's still has to hit the shelves so I could be wrong.

Thankfully I made the decision some time ago not to purchase the Labour-trilogy from Mandeleson, Blair and Brown, so my knowledge comes from reviewers of all political persuasions and none.

This morning two of what I consider are the best reviews are in today's Sundays. Iain MacWhirter and Gerald Warner provide the entertainment.

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Thank You Mr Haig, Thank You

Dear Mr Hague

I know you've been under intense pressure in the past 24 hours regarding your personal life but I would like to thank you for saving my sanity during that period. Your timing was perfect.

Yesterday a man published a book about himself and in the past week or so thought he'd spoken to everyone he surmised would be valuable to the success of his book launch. Yet you dominated the headlines. Excellent.

By yesterday evening you were still headlines and Channel 4 News' Labour leaders' debate drifted into oblivion (the only place for it). Again I thank you for saving me from the endless media analysis of the Not Famous Five.

Your sexuality doesn't interest me in the least but your capabilities as the country's Foreign Secretary do. In your position sharing a twin room with a male colleague was rather a silly thing to do, but people like me are forced to do it regularly, even with strangers. Only last year I was enrolled on a training course and arrived to find I was sharing a twin room with a total stranger - female of course. It could have spiced the weekend up a little if it had been some unknown male, but alas, I'll never know.

Now you've given your detailed response the matter should be laid to rest and you get on with the job which we pay you to do. Time to come up with some answers about the transfer of powers to the EU and to give us a vote on these. Time to clarify how the changes in the EU justice system will affect us. Lots of problems for you to resolve.

My sincere thanks once again.

Yours

Subrosa

PS May I suggest you buy a camper van for your personal use during campaigns? I know they're advertised as having room for two, but from experience the space is only enough for one plus a decent sized TV. Don't buy one if you're in the least claustrophobic.

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There's a Name for This, Isn't There?

Tony Blair is to donate the profits from his memoirs to a sports centre for badly injured soldiers.

A spokeman said Mr Blair would hand over the reported £4.6m advance payment plus all royalties to honour "their courage and sacrifice".

The money will go to the Legion's Battle Back Challenge Centre, which is due to open in summer 2012.

There's a name for this, isn't there?

source

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Blair, Bobbies and Egotism

We pay an estimated £50m a year to protect VIPs, including royalty, diplomats and politicians - one of whom is Tony Blair. His Metropolitan Police protection squad ran up a £250,000 expenses bill over the past year as they provided round the clock protection on business trips and private holidays across the world.

Home Office sources said a Government review of funding arrangements will question whether former politicians should pay towards their own bodyguards, particularly for business or private trips. As well as protecting Mr Blair while he works as an international envoy to the Middle East, the officers also accompany him on holidays when officers ran up a bill of more than £20,000 on a two-week break Mr Blair took in Borneo. It means that the expenses bill for Mr Blair's officers was far higher than the £135,000 claimed by officers protecting Mr Brown during his last year as prime minister.

John Pilger in the New Statesman, states Tony Blair must be prosecuted and not indulged like Peter Mandelson. Both have produced self-serving memoirs for which they have been paid fortunes; Blair's, which has earned him a £4.6m advance, will appear next month. Will we be paying for protection at his book signings?

Pilger is obviously no fan of Blair and I can understand why. The Iraq inquiry has repeatedly exposed his self-centred style of government and his determination to be the bosom buddy of the US. He was not without his collaborators though and most of his cabinet have protected him. That shows his power within the labour party which will have a certain toxicity about it for many years to come.

He is described by Pilger as 'Britain's Kissinger, who plans his travel outside the US with the care of a fugitive'. And Pilger goes further:

Two recent events add weight to this. On 15 June, the International Criminal Court made the landmark decision to add aggression to its list of war crimes that can be prosecuted. It defines this as a "crime committed by a political or military leader which by its character, gravity and scale constituted a manifest violation of the [United Nations] Charter". International lawyers described this as a "giant leap". Britain is a signatory to the Rome statute that created the court and is bound by its decisions.

On 21 July, Nick Clegg, standing at the Commons despatch box, declared the invasion of Iraq illegal. For all the later "clarification" that he was speaking personally, the Deputy Prime Minister had made "a statement that the international court would be interested in", said Philippe Sands, professor of international law at University College London.

We should be paying protection for Mr Blair at only one of his UK homes and when he is in the middle east undertaking his duty as envoy. Mr Blair should take responsibility for his other activities.

Much as I would like to see him brought to an honest account for his actions regarding the Iraq war, I think it's too late and he has too many influential friends in the US.

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Middle East Envoy 'Perks'

Tony Blair is responsible, along with Gordon Brown, for the mess Britain is in today. Since he left Downing Street he's become a ruthless self-promoter.

If this is true then he ought to be stripped of any job he does for the UK and also have his expensive security arrangements withdrawn.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Colonel Gaddafi, claims Tony Blair has secured a consultancy role, as an advisor to Colonel Gaddafi, with a state fund which manages the country's £85 billion of oil wealth.

Saif described Blair as a 'personal family friend' of the Libyan leader and said he had visited the country 'many, many times' since leaving Downing Street three years ago.

The man continues to make a fool of each and every one of us and we can do nothing about it.

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Blair to Cash In on the Climate Change Scam

Tony Blair has recently told friends he needs £5 million a year to fund his lifestyle.

He's nothing to worry about though, not yet anyway. He's recently agreed to be paid £700,000 a year to act as a 'strategic advisor' to Khosia Ventures, a venture capitalist firm founded by Indian billionaire Vinod Khosia.

His role? To advise the company on how to make money from the climate change scam.

In a recent statement Mr Blair said: "Solving the climate crisis is more than just a political agenda item; it's an urgent priority that requires innovation, creativity and ambition."

It is urgent Mr Blair. The climate change sceptics are now being acknowledged in high places.

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Blair's Booty

Tony Blair's over-stepped the mark. He's upset the chair of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. The former Tory cabinet minister Ian Lang has finally lost patience with the former Prime Minister and decided to ignore his objections and publish Mr Blair's hidden deals.

The Advisory Committee had allowed Blair to keep details of the fact he's been secretly receiving cash from a South Korean energy company and from Kuwaiti royals - the South Korean UI Energy Corporation which has oil interests in the US and Iraq to be precise.

Blair has reportedly made some £20 million since leaving Downing Street in June 2007 and approximately £1 million sterling from the Kuwaiti government. It was disclosed he had been acting as a 'governance adviser' to the Kuwaiti government since June 2008.

The Committee website has now published a statement identifying Blair's job as "advice to a consortium of investors led by the UI Energy Corporation (publication delayed due to market sensitivities)."

After I'd written this I noticed Blair's War Profits. Worth a read.

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Bush At War

One of my readers, Crinkley & Ragged Arsed Philosophers, is an erudite blogger but little known.

Ragged Arsed (as he prefers to be called), was given a Christmas present of Bob Woodward's trilogy of Bush at War.

He has now completed reading the tomes and has posted a comprehensive review, 'Pit Bulls, Poodles and Politics'. It confirms what many think but cannot prove.

I won't be purchasing Mr Woodward's trilogy after struggling to finish Alistair Campbell's tedious novel All In The Mind, but at least I have an idea of the 'fascinating - disturbing - shocking- or downright frightening' powers of those who wander the corridors of the White House.

You too can read it here.

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A Busy Week in London Town

While the Westminster government is struggling to explain its reasons for raising the UK's terror threat level to 'severe', this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be challenging days for the London police service and the British media. Gordon Brown is hosting his two summits and Tony Blair is attending the Iraq Inquiry.

Our Prime Minister loves calling summits doesn't he? It is my understanding David Miliband will sub-host the conference about Yemen which, he insists, poses a threat to the region and the UK. Repeatedly on the news last week it was reported Gordon Brown had called a halt to all flights to UK from Yemen. Did you know there are only two a week and both fly via Cairo? Why stop two flights a week?

Yesterday, another soldier was killed near Sangin in Helmand Province. The soldier was from A Company 3 Rifles and he was killed in the Green Zone area to the south of Sangin District Centre, an area where until recently insurgents had held sway. His death takes the toll to 251.

Of course the death of another soldier won't affect the Prime Minister or any politician who voted for the country to go to war. On Thursday the long-awaited conference on the future of Afghanistan will take place. The Afghanistan conference will of course include the President Karzai, the leader of the corrupt Afghan government who will possibly spend his time requesting more of our money to further grease the palms of his countrymen. Looks like the outcome of the conference has already been decided and our troops will be in Afghanistan for at least another 5 years.

Can you believe it is two months since Gordon Brown called this meeting? Two months when our military have been left without any political leadership and therefore without any fixed objectives. While Brown dithers the people who volunteer to protect us are being killed.

The German government wants to have its own new strategy on Afghanistan instead of simply sending more troops. It has set up a special cabinet committee to do it. Earlier this month the German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said, "Military means alone cannot make a stable future for Afghanistan. We will focus our concentration on civilian reconstruction efforts so that Afghanistan can begin to establish its security forces and determine its own future." Germany will make public its new strategy at Thursday's conference.

Gordon Brown would do well to read what the Daily Referendum has to say although, like his predecessor, he will ignore public opinion if it doesn't suit his plan for the New World Order.

Friday brings the other individual with a fondness for war back into the public arena where those who were against the Iraq war will be waiting to show their contempt . It's alleged Tony Blair has been spending 15 hours a day preparing for his day before Chilcott. My advice to him is to finish sharpish because Alistair and Jack won't have time to cross check. Syncronisation is key.

Aye London will be busy this week. The raised threat level wouldn't have anything to do with an attempt to scare off some who intend to protest on Friday would it? Surely not.

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Changing Tune (or should that be Tone)

It's a far cry from nearly two years ago, when it was reported that Tony Blair had been holding discussions with some of his best mates about the prestigious new job as President of Europe, to this.

Seems like Mr Blair already has his 'damage limitation plans' in place and he will insist he never mounted a campaign to become the European Union's first full-time president.

Blair's former chief-of-staff in No 10, Jonathan Powell, was sent to test the support in Europe and to covertly lobby Mr Blair's name to be among the leading contenders, but he came back disappointed.

The news from Brussels is that a centre-right candidate from one of the smaller EU member states will be given the presidency to ensure it becomes a ceremonial position rather than a high profile position capable of influencing policy.

A summit is being organised by the EU for mid-November when the name of the new president is expected to be announced. Any excuse for a jamboree at our expense.

I wonder if Tony will attend. It hasn't been a good week for him after all. Firstly Tesco didn't want him and now the EU have unceremoniously shoved him aside. These rejections aren't going to do much for his property portfolio are they?

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The Blairs Add to their Property Portfolio

Mr Tony Blair and his wife Cherie (remember them?) have purchased another house with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, thought to be for the use of their second son Nicky, 23.

The cost was a mere £1.13m and it is reported it also features a sun terrace, brushed steel kitchen (a nightmare because it scratches easily but looks good new) and an open plan living room.

Why does a 23 year old need 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms or does he intend to house share with some of his pals?

Last year the Blairs bought a Grade 1 listed mansion in Wotton Underwood, Buckinghamshire for a mere £5.75m and of course they have their five-storey mansion in London's Connaught Square, bought in 2004, which was a snip at £3.65m.

Their former constituency home in County Durham is still up for sale with an asking price of £300,000 and the price hasn't been reduced because of the recession. Obviously the Blairs don't need the money in order to expand their property portfolio.

Source: Telegraph

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Thank You Eire

To the Dear Irish People

Thank you so much for making me King of Europe and of course increasing my bank balance by an even more vulgar sum.

Love and kisses

Tony

(No need to put my surname because if you don't know it now you'll certainly know it very soon. Dave's not going to be happy but I can cope with public schoolboys, I was one myself.)

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Beguiling Blair

This is the man who sent our fathers, mothers, sons and daughters to war on a lie. His lie - and he has no regrets.

Now he's been lecturing Roman Catholics at a conference in Rimini, Italy where he told people of all faiths around the world that their own conflicts and decisions "allow aggressive secularism in part of the West to gain traction" when the faiths should be united in standing up for justice and solidarity.

"This is surely the role of faith in modern times. To do what it alone can do. To achieve what neither a person, nor a state nor a community, on their own or even together, can achieve."

What does that mean? I'm sure some of you will understand it and will be kind enough to explain.

Blair stopped off in Rimini to grace it with his presence during his family summer holiday in the Mediterranean where he is a guest on Rising Sun, the five-deck yacht of American software billionaire Larry Ellison.

The pace of modern life and the restless search for short-term material gain in a globalised economic system constitute a threat both to the planet and to human identity,

He of all people should know about short term material gain. This man is now selling religion to earn his millions and I'm always suspect of those who do. Mind you, if all else fails he can buy his own American TV channel and preach to the vulnerable and needy on a daily basis. He's certainly not camera shy.

His final comment to the conference was:

Ever since I began preparations to become a Catholic, I felt I was coming home; and this is now where my heart is, where I know I belong," he said.

I know where you belong too Mr Blair and it's certainly not as President of the EU.

Source: Guardian

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