Livingstone says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet' [Independent]

[truthisfreedom]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=464783

Livingstone says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet'

By Nigel Morris, Home Affairs Correspondent

18 November 2003

Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, launched a stinging attack on President George Bush last night, denouncing him as the "greatest threat to life on this planet that we've most probably ever seen".

His provocatively timed comments, on the eve of Mr Bush's arrival in London tonight, threaten to create severe embarrassment for the Prime Minister. They also come with talks under way on whether to readmit Mr Livingstone to the Labour Party before his five-year exile ends.

<snip>

Mr Livingstone recalled a visit at Easter to California, where he was denounced for an attack he had made on what he called "the most corrupt and racist American administration in over 80 years".

The mayor said: "Some US journalist came up to me and said: 'How can you say this about President Bush?' Well, I think what I said then was quite mild. I actually think that Bush is the greatest threat to life on this planet that we've most probably ever seen. The policies he is initiating will doom us to extinction."

Mr Livingstone, who is holding a "peace party" for anti-war groups in City Hall tomorrow, added: "I don't formally recognise George Bush because he was not officially elected. So we are organising an alternative reception for everybody who is not George Bush."
<snip>

------------------

ha-ha!

[Ladyhawk]

1. I don't think it's a laughing matter. :(

Most likely because I agree with this assessment of our great leader. I have never been terrified of my own government...until now.

[truthisfreedom]

3. hey, no offense, i just love this guy, and i think it's a great slight on

a big bully. yes, i'm terrified too, but with people like soros dumping tens of millions into ad campaigns against bush, i'd say that right about now is the happiest i have been over our past 3 years fate in a long, long time.

[bushisanidiot]

27. I Hear Ya. There's Finally Some Hope.. A Light At The End of A Dark

depressing tunnel. I think the whole world is going to pitch in to get the chimp out. Nobody likes the spoiled brat except ditto-head rushbots.

the true silent majority is taking over next year!

[hlthe2b]

2. Whew, boy... he's one of us, for sure!

gutsy guy........

[BeHereNow]

4. Burn it DOWN!

Livingston, flame thrower!
Add his name to the DU Hall of Flame.
I think "Thank You" cards are in order.
Perhaps a DU tee shirt too.
BHN

[PartyPooper]

5. I reckon Mr. Livingstone won't be invited to the "ranchette" anytime soon.

And, that's okay. I'm sure there are plenty of genuine, non-fa$cist Americans, i.e. Democrats, who would eagerly welcome this great man into our communities...and, into our homes! Mr. Livingstone, you're welcome to stay with me anytime you come to the USA!

:toast:

[roguevalley]

6. I love Ken Livingston

he gave hell to thatcher. And Blair needs him. they don't
want to lost the mayorality of London. Ken would say what
he thinks anyway but its nice to know Blair can't snit back
because he needs livingston.

[Matilda]

9. But he was elected Lord Mayor as an Independent,

after the Blair Government gave preselection to someone else.
There's no love lost between him and BLiar.

[T_i_B]

21. Blair pushed Livingstone out

Blair wanted anyone else but Livingstone standing for mayor, rigged the selection procedure for the "new" labour candidate, livingstone broke with "new" labour, ran as an independent, trounced his opposition and now Blair wants him back because otherwise, "new" labour will finish fourth in London behind the Liberal Democrats , the tories and of course Livingstone.

Livingstone should tell Blair to fuck right off. He's better off on his own. And what's more I think he's been a good mayor to boot!

[Just Me]

7. Geez, I wish he'd give me a job,...

[LivingInTheBubble]

19. on the subject of jobs

anyone want to work for the "clark for president" campaign?

http://jobs.perl.org/job/1073

I could do the job but I don't live in Little Rock :)

[screembloodymurder]

8. It's about time

someone tells it like it is.

[monobrau]

10. Person of the week

You know along with the top 10 idiots of the week, we should have a top 10 good guys list. I nominate Mayor Livingstone to be the first.

[Catt03]

11. Pretty sad

that Livingstone has the need to publicly demean Bush. (sigh)

God, the world is polarized over George W Bush. Is he really that powerful?

Think about it.

[Norton]

13. Livingstone's comments are fuel to the fire!!!...

and fire purifies.

[aquart]

22. Yes, dear. He has the power of life and death.

He invariably chooses death.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

29. Yes he is. Thank god for Red Ken.

[shanti]

31. why not?

we publicly demean chimpy here every day! livingstone is a hero in my book.

[moondust]

12. He's right.

Thieving Republicans at times aided by Democrats are sowing the seeds of U.S. demise and by default world demise.

[goforit]

14. Livingstone!!!!......I love you!!!!......My new idol!!!!

:bounce:

[goforit]

15. Is this the British Revolution with the reincarnated (bad)King George?

Through the F$%king tea over board and him too!!!!

[ScotTissue]

16. Unhelpful hyperbole

Really unhelpful.

This is nice, nect to the EU polls that saw the US as as bad as North Korea.

[LivingInTheBubble]

20. hyperbole?

No thats what other politicians come out with, they refuse to say what they really think.

This guy tells the truth, and I am in his fan club because of that.

[rman]

23. yeah everybody's wrong except the US

(and possibly Israel)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

30. Dear God! Did a politician tell the truth for once?

Thank fuck for that.

[Room101]

17. I wish he was my Mayor

:) I love hearing the truth.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

18. Truth, not hyperbole. He's absolutely right.

The gutting of democracy and rule of law combined with a nuclear-tipped crusade=death to the species and the planet.

Just because a statement sounds like rhetoric doesn't mean it isn't true.

I might rent a TV just to watch the mainstream media coverage of the protests.

[emad]

24. From The Sun:

The policies he is initiating will doom us to extinction.” In a jibe at Mr Bush scraping through his 2000 election after a contested count in Florida, he added: “I don’t formally recognise George Bush because he was not officially elected.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003531673,00.html

[dusty64]

25. He is SO right.

If things continue to get so bad here London would make a nice home for me. Anyone in London want to "adopt" me?

[Buns_of_Fire]

26. Fearless prediction:

Mr. Livingstone will not be invited to high tea with the Queen and the Codpiece.

[moondust]

32. Great title: "The Queen and the Codpiece"

Good one Buns!

[Buns_of_Fire]

48. Thank you. It seemed to work better than

"The Princess and the Peabrain." ;-)

[latebloomer]

28. Love it!

And his timing is impeccable!!

[hussar]

33. Good old Red Ken

has never been afraid to speak out.

Keep up the good work mate...power to the people

[TahitiNut]

34. Duplicate avoidance kick

:kick:

[rjbcar27]

35. Public opinion is softening over Bush.

I think this visit will go down very differently to what we are expecting. The Bush charm offensive is in full swing and expect to see images of some very happy Brits welcoming him here.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

38. Yeah, Britain has it's share of fools who like to feel important.

Still, I don't doubt there'll be a good number of protesters.

[T_i_B]

42. I very much disagree

I think people are pissed off with Bush for the hyperbole, the arrogance and the paranoia. I don't think people like being inconvenienced by his entourage and I don't think that people like the fact that it is the UK taxpayer footing the chimpanzee-in-chief's bill. Even right-wingers I know are unhappy with all this. As for the left, it was a challenge trying to avoid the anti-Bush rally in Sheffield on Saturday.

If the GOP were to fork out for the security bill then maybe we might have a little bit more respect for them but as it is it all makes you pine for that David Blaine character. By the side of $hrubya he looks positively down to earth.

[dolo amber]

36. Hee hee

I've gone completely mad...I just emailed this link to Ken Livingstone! :o :bounce: :D

[ElementaryPenguin]

37. Most accurate quote I have ever heard re: the Evil War Chimp!!

You nailed it right on the head there, Mr. Livingstone!! Why aren't you the Prime Minister??

[psychopomp]

39. Shrub:

"I met the Mayor. The London Mayor, and he told me that the *press.* Ahmm.. The what the press is reporting isn't what he said. He didn't mean that he said that."

[grannylib]

40. Well said...Chimpy is well on his way to dooming us all

[tom_paine]

41. Once again, and ironically so, an Englishmen shows Imperial Amerika

the proper response to a Tyrant. NO APPEASEMENT OF MONSTERS!

Good for you, Ken.

[fshrink]

43. Won't be invited to the pig farm.

3 lines and all is said.

[KansDem]

44. The Mayor of London looking rather dapper...

Now with him I could have a beer! :beer:

[Say_What]

45. Peace party at London's City Hall for anit-war groups! Right on!!

from the article: "I don't formally recognise George Bush because he was not officially elected. So we are organising an alternative reception for everybody who is not George Bush."

Cool!! Mayor Livingstone, :yourock:

[bridge]

46. Well, as one respected army officer said:

"President Bush is an especially appealing target for their scorn, since he's the least European U.S. president since Andrew Jackson. Bush speaks awkwardly, but acts powerfully. The European ideal is a politician who speaks beautifully and does nothing."

[arcane1]

47. he's also a killer, war criminal, terrorist

I guess that doesn't matter to them? They just are prejudiced against him because he pretends to be from Texas... :eyes: