Old Europe left out in the cold?

[TheStinger]

Politicaly Blair could ensure ever lasting adualtion within the labour party( which he has never had) if he told GW to sod off. He is supporting BUsh because he thinks it is the right thing to do. You may disagree with him but saying he is a poodle or servile is just a cheap insult

[HershOstropoler]

He supports Bush as a way of moderating the Bush admin. He also knows that Britain's pretending of being a global power depends on the close alliance with the US, and he has even said he is willing to pay in blood for that folly. Well not his blood, of course...

[TheStinger]

Well the UK maybe pretending to be a global power, but France is a Global nuisance.

[HershOstropoler]

One comes with the other....

[Ned]

Originally posted by HershOstropoler
He supports Bush as a way of moderating the Bush admin. He also knows that Britain's pretending of being a global power depends on the close alliance with the US, and he has even said he is willing to pay in blood for that folly. Well not his blood, of course...

I think this is close to reality. We certainly do know that Blair has been advising Bush on everything from the war on terror to Iraq. In many cases, if not all cases, Bush accepts Blair's advice.

Blair is able to do this because he keeps any disagreements with Bush's policy or tactics private. To some, this may seem "servile." But if publicly began to lecture Bush, he would lose influence.

This is the way the UK and the US have largely consulted each other since prior to WWII. But I think Blair has been particularly effective at influencing US policy, both with Clinton and with Bush.

[HershOstropoler]

In many cases, if not all cases, Bush does not accept Blair's advice. And why should he.

[TheStinger]

Originally posted by HershOstropoler
In many cases, if not all cases, Bush does not accept Blair's advice. And why should he.

Why do you think Bush went to the UN in the 1st place because Blair and Powell pushed for it.

If not for Blair and Powell, **** and Don would have got their way

[Fidel]

Originally posted by TheStinger


Why do you think Bush went to the UN in the 1st place because Blair and Powell pushed for it.

If not for Blair and Powell, **** and Don would have got their way

Mostly Powell. That man certainly deserves to be a president, and to see him serving a halfwit is really annoying. It is not that the USA does not have some quality politicians, it is just that the most they can ever achieve are the position of 'moderators'.

By the way, I watched some German TV news and behind commentator they had a photo montage of asnar, blair and berlusconi as three poodles obeying their master Bush. I was not aware Germans really cared that much.

By the way, Slovakia joined the mighty axis of vassals. Should Germany rejuvenate its alliance with Russia and end that Central European pestilence once and for all?

[Ned]

Stinger, there are many to give a lot of credit to Blair and to Powell on this and other issues.

[TheStinger]

I think Powell is a very good influence on GW. He is a soldier which helps and he won't agree to sending troops unless its neccessary. **** and Don ONTH are politicians who have about as much principle as a mongose.

[HershOstropoler]

"Why do you think Bush went to the UN in the 1st place.. "

Because with a rightout unilateral war, he would have been alone (Blair), faced dissent in his admin (Powell), and would have had little support at home (Rove).

To call this "accepting advice" is a bit odd.

[TheStinger]

Originally posted by HershOstropoler
"Why do you think Bush went to the UN in the 1st place.. "

Because with a rightout unilateral war, he would have been alone (Blair), faced dissent in his admin (Powell), and would have had little support at home (Rove).

To call this "accepting advice" is a bit odd.

ok then he went to the UN because he wanted Blairs support. is that accepted.

It still means Blair is an influence on GW. Unlike the French or Germans

[Ned]

Originally posted by LaRusso

By the way, I watched some German TV news and behind commentator they had a photo montage of asnar, blair and berlusconi as three poodles obeying their master Bush. I was not aware Germans really cared that much.

What this the news or some opinion piece? If it was the news, I find this profoundly disturbing.

[Ned]

Originally posted by HershOstropoler
"Why do you think Bush went to the UN in the 1st place.. "

Because with a rightout unilateral war, he would have been alone (Blair), faced dissent in his admin (Powell), and would have had little support at home (Rove).

To call this "accepting advice" is a bit odd.

HO, Joe Biden, Democrat leader of the armed service committee, has spoken publicly on Bush and his desire to consult before he makes up his mind. Last summer, many in the world suggested that Bush was going to attack Iraq without consulting anyone. Bush never said this however. But his political opponents said this.

Biden consulted Bush. Bush told him that he would consult with our allies, with Congress and with the UN. He has done all three. Biden cited this when urging Congress to vote for the conditional declaration of war on Iraq.

HO, a lot of what you say about Bush and Blair are based on characterizations of Bush and Blair by political enemies. The do not reflect reality.

Bush does consult with people, like Blair and Powell; and he does appear to accept their advice.

[Ned]

For example, here is a characterization by Mandela. I presume you agree with this 110%.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (CNN) -- Former South African president Nelson Mandela has slammed the U.S. stance on Iraq, saying that "one power with a president who has no foresight, who cannot think properly, is now wanting to plunge the world into a holocaust."

Speaking at the International Women's Forum, Mandela said "if there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United States of America."

Mandela said U.S. President George W. Bush covets the oil in Iraq "because Iraq produces 64 percent of the oil in the world. What Bush wants is to get hold of that oil." In fact Iraq contributes to only 5 percent of world oil exports.