PhotoDude.com

Thu. Mar 13, 2003

He's Right

He’s Right – I’m reproducing a fair portion of this editorial from the Daily Telegraph, as it echoes my feelings about the Prime Minister, as I’ve observed him over the past 18 months. Many British political traditions would turn an American politico into a puddle on the floor. The next time you see Tony Blair give a speech, while intermittently answering shouted-out objections, enduring the slow claps, and eliciting the occasional “’ere, ’ere” ... imagine George Bush in such a setting. Talk about puddle potential.

“Any fair-minded person watching Tony Blair’s performance in the House of Commons yesterday would have concluded that we have a prime minister fit to lead us into war.”

“Mr Blair displayed courtesy, conviction, clarity, courage and even wit. His line was that the UN has willed the end of the disarmament of Saddam Hussein again and again: now the members of the Security Council must show that they will the means. Whether or not it was a mistake to ”go the UN route” is, for the time being, irrelevant.”

“Mr Blair has taken that route, and he is following its logic with determination and belief. President Chirac said on Monday: ’No matter what the circumstances, we will vote No.’ Those were not the words of someone who wants to make the international system work; Mr Blair’s words were.”

“The misunderstanding between Europe and America concerns threat. To Americans after September 11, it is obvious that the threat of Islamist terrorism is huge. To Europeans, the idea of preserving ”stability” is more attractive.”

“Tony Blair is the only European leader of the first rank to recognise that this stability is illusory: there is a present danger to the West from terrorist acts, weapons of mass destruction and the hostile ideology that accompanies them. He says that the civilised world faces an ”Abyssinia moment” when it can either recognise the danger and act against it, or fail to do so and ensure disaster.”

“He is right, and that Abyssinia moment will be reached this month. Regardless of party, he should be supported.”

“’ere, ’ere”