This must have been George Bush's idea. Because the words Iraq, false evidence and complete denial of the reality on the ground come to mind when I think of Tony Blair. When he first became prime minister, many people had high hopes he would lead Britain with intelligence and make thoughtful, measured decisions. Instead, his checkered record as prime minister - particularly once he aligned himself with George W. Bush - speaks for itself.
In six years, he has been unable to persuade George Bush to do anything about the Middle East. Why would anyone think - with the terrible legacy of Iraq and Blair's consistent practice of spinning the story - he could be even remotely successful in achieving anything in the Middle East, much less peace? After his unfailing support of war in Iraq, few Arabs will trust him. His appointment would mean little, if any progress would be made towards Middle East peace; just more spinning of the status quo.
The majority of his own countrymen no longer respect Tony Blair; why would the Arabs? Some Israelis might support the idea of Blair in the role of a peace envoy, since Blair did nothing when Israeli cluster bombs were raining down on Lebanon last year. But the Arabs? Why on earth would they want their fate linked to Tony Blair's so-called diplomatic skills? Blair seems delusional, even when faced with the facts. On so many levels, his appointment would be a bad idea. Please say it isn't so!
Funny - yesterday my British colleague was reading her emails when she suddenly burst out with disbelief and disgust at this exact same announcement. I don't think the need of politicians to feel important could ever surprise me, and I don't see Tony Blair settling down to a quiet life now. He will have made a deal in order to step out of the path of any possibility of a Labour success in the upcoming elections and I'm sure he got to chose where he wanted to go in exchange. Talk about ego.
Posted by: Frida | 29 June 2007 at 16:12
I read this post the other night and it made me laugh. And then I was terribly saddened by the absurdity of it all.
Posted by: January | 28 June 2007 at 20:18
My jaw is moving up and down, like it is supposed to do when I speak, but no words are emerging to express my gob-smackedness at this whole idea. "Delusional" that's very good. .. of grandeur, or just plain delusional. Considering the misery his actions and lack of them have brought to millions, if I were his wife, I'd have a few words in his shell-like, does he really believe this is a good idea, has he no sense of fear, at the very least. ... the man defies common sense. He's gone, thank God. When is the next US election coming up? Not soon enough.
Posted by: aineliva | 28 June 2007 at 13:55
the circus continues plus he'll be paid gracefully for it!! a shame!!
Posted by: marita | 28 June 2007 at 13:09
When I first heard this idea suggested I really thought it was a bad joke, but no it seems to be serious!!! What???!!! Blair seems to have handed over the Prime Ministership with a feeling of having done a good job, not a sesne of even the remotest shame.... Its quite appalling.
Posted by: Crafty Green Poet | 28 June 2007 at 12:42
Someone phoned in to BBC Radio 4 yesterday and commented that if Tony Blair put himself in Northern Ireland mode then he could be of some use. Unfortunately I think he was only in that mode due to Mo Mowlem who is now sadly gone. The man is crazy and over here in the UK we can't get our heads around just what he is supposed to stand for.
Posted by: Di Overton | 27 June 2007 at 08:45
For f&@k's sake. OMG, please say it isn't so. This whole mess (Bush, Blair, etc) makes me sick. Argggggghhhhh.
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 27 June 2007 at 08:17
Hey Tara....I just read this news....and my initial inclination was to check the date to make sure it wasn't April 1rst.
dumbdeedumbdumb......and yes it has a whiff of GW.
i'm also thinking....it would be like appointing Clinton as head of the moral majority
Posted by: awareness | 27 June 2007 at 04:45
"Delusional" is the mot juste!
Posted by: Colette | 26 June 2007 at 18:02
Thanks for posting this. I've never understood why Blair cuddled up to GW Bush.
Posted by: kim | 26 June 2007 at 16:02
Asking the fox to quiet down the hens.
Wait til January 21st, 2009, then we will hear how well everything would have turned out if it weren't for those pesky Democrats. :-)
Posted by: Merisi's Vienna | 26 June 2007 at 15:43
yes....a terrifying idea...why this people just want to continue damaging others...?
Posted by: Catalina | 26 June 2007 at 14:47