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Britain

Blair calls anti-American feelings 'madness'

2006-09-15

British Prime Minister Tony Blair blasted his fellow European politicians on Thursday for their anti-American "madness" in dangerous times as he urged a complete strategy rethink to defeat extremism.

None of the world's most pressing problems could be fixed "or even contemplated" without US involvement, he wrote in a 37-page document spelling out the challenges facing the world and his answers for dealing with them. He urged the international community to unite around a shared set of values, tackling climate change and trade justice as well as extremist terrorism in the pamphlet "A Global Alliance For Global Values" for the Foreign Policy Centre, a Blairite think tank. "The strain of, frankly, anti-American feeling in parts of European politics is madness when set against the long-term interests of the world we believe in," Blair wrote.

"The danger with America today is not that they are too much involved. The danger is if they decide to pull up the drawbridge and disengage. We need them involved. We want them engaged. The reality is that none of the problems that press in on us can be resolved or even contemplated without them."

Posted by:Fred

#11 It's better to be effective than efficient, Bobby. ;-)

Posted by: trailing wife 2006-09-15 23:26

#10 Diabolical, TW, diabolical!

Posted by: Bobby 2006-09-15 21:50

#9 If the embassy and the foundation are anything like the large consumer products company I once worked for -- for a short time I was involved in analyzing consumer comments -- individual comments/letters do not signify as such. Rather, the total number of comments (how passionate are people about this thing? Being aware that the number of people who are actually moved to comment is only a fraction of those who feel strongly about it -- in my area the numbers bandied about were 1/7th to 1/10th, in politics it's probably closer to 1/100th or 1/1000th) and the ratio of positive to negative comments was what mattered.

My company used to send grocery store coupons to those who contacted us to comment, but we thought the opinion of our customers was important. We are not the customers of either the British embassy or of Jimmy Carter's various foundations; unless we are high government functionaries or executive office officials (for the former) or large money donators or NGO peers (for the latter) we are merely noisy bystanders whose opinion really doesn't matter.

That's why a part of what I wrote to Mr. Carter was, Reports in the news today that you choose to speak out on two matters, your personal opinion of the current Prime Minister of Great Britain, and your personal opinion on one of the candidates for Senator from Connecticut, have in fact reversed my previous stance; you force me to the conclusion that whatever position you take publically must automatically trigger the opposite in me. Based on what I hear from others, I am part of a growing trend. He doesn't care what I think, only the trend lines where they are triggered by his behaviour.

Posted by: trailing wife 2006-09-15 15:42

#8 Dammit, wrong thread.

Posted by: Comic Guy 2006-09-15 15:24

#7 Worst president ever.

Posted by: Comic Guy 2006-09-15 15:23

#6 One may also send a message of support to Mr. Blair at - http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/page8513.asp

Think I'll get a more personal response than from the peanut farmer?

Posted by: Bobby 2006-09-15 15:09

#5 This is what I e-mailed to Carter's foundation. Not very erudite, but quick and clean.

I really wish President Carter could not inject himself into politics anymore. I know he thinks it's the right thing to do, but it angers me greatly. The old tradition was that ex-President never criticized current office holders.

I might contribute to the Foundation, but not as long as he keeps attacking the United States and our allies.

He should go back to public arguments with Lester Maddox about whether the GBI was following Maddox. Maybe he remembers that?

I already got a response, of sorts:

Dear Friend of The Carter Center,

Your email has been forwarded to the appropriate staff member for consideration.

Because of the large volume of email we receive daily, we are not able to respond individually to comments. However, please know that we
will consider your views and requests.

We invite you to visit www.cartercenter.org regularly for updates about our ongoing efforts to advance peace and health worldwide.

Sincerely,

Web Site Administrator

Posted by: Bobby 2006-09-15 15:01

#4 And now PM Blir has to listen to the worst US President of the 20th century, Jimuh Crackpeanuts, slam him.

Posted by: BigEd 2006-09-15 13:50

#3 But when you're a coward it's easy to attack those who you know can't or won't hurt you. For example: If you're from another country, just bash the US because they won't do squat unless you hurt 'em bad. If you're a hand-wringing Defeatocrat, attack the US because nobody's going to hurt you because you're just doing a little soul-searching. Or something.

But think: What would happen and where would you be if the US were to just disappear tomorrow.

Posted by: gorb 2006-09-15 03:41

#2 LOL, mouse, had to distinguish Euros from Nancy, Howie, Harry, & Co.

Clearly Tony is not going to go riding off into the twilight.

Posted by: Captain America 2006-09-15 02:17

#1 Tony!!! Don't talk about America's LLL like that! Nancy, Howard, and Harry might get their feelings hurt.

Ohh. You are talking about European politicians that hate America. Sorry.

Posted by: anymouse 2006-09-15 00:27

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