Blair also staying on vacation...

[rainbow4321]

Peas in a pod, I guess....

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1227947.html?menu=


Prime Minister Tony Blair is facing calls to cut short his holiday to deal with the Asian tsunami disaster.

Tory vice-chairman Nigel Evans said Mr Blair should fly home now to co-ordinate the British response.

This is the biggest natural disaster in the world for 40 years. The death toll is now heading towards 140,000, including a number of British people.

"I would have thought Mr Blair should be following what other world leaders are doing and coming back to direct operations. Even his own Chancellor has described this disaster as having biblical proportions."

Mr Blair has been in regular contact with Cabinet colleagues and has sent letters of condolence to the heads of government in the affected countries.

[theboss]

1. I feel like playing devil's advocate

But in 2005, why does a PM have to return to 10 Downing to lead? I could understand if there was a disaster in England and you needed the symbolic image of Blair there with his people. But what can he do for Sri Lanka from London that he can't do in the back of a plane with phones, computers, and teleconferencing?

I'm really getting tired of everything becoming a political debate. There is nothing political about disaster relief. It's a purely beauracratic endeavor. All Bush, Blair, Chirac, Howard, etc. can do is direct the funds and let the people who know what they are doing take over.

[NJCher]

7. it's not an issue of practicality

It's an issue of showing sensitivity. Yeah, maybe they could "lead" from their vacation or resort. That is not the point. The point is that as a leader, they need to demonstrate solemnity.

Fact is, a lot of people come by this naturally. Search through the threads here and you will find many people here at DU who could not do Christmas celebrations this year because of the carnage in Iraq. Same idea.


Cher

[Stephanie]

8. He's the symbol of the nation

He represents the nation. It's not like you working via modem. It's the message sent. I am not willing to interrupt my vacation to acknowledge the 140,000 killed, and to assist the 5 million at risk. It's called leadership.

[theboss]

11. Like I said, if it was a crisis at home, I could see it

But it's not even that clear to me what Bush, Blair or anyone else can do besides posture on this.

I mean, as India has already shown by refusing outside aid, these aren't our countries. It's really rather presumptuous to think that Bush and Blair have to make horribly important decisions when these countries affected already have leaders.

I hate to use this argument because it makes me sound like Tony Snow, but I am going a different direction from him. On 9/11 or during the Florida hurricanes, I didn't give a damn where Chirac or Putin or Blair or Fox or whoever was. As long as they said the right thing and provided whatever help we asked for (if we asked), that was fine.

I guess my point is that it's not always about us. I don't think it is the US or Britain's job to lead at these times. It's our job to support. Just tell us where to send the food, planes, trucks, medicines, clothes, tools, and staff. Then tell us when to bring them home.

[Stephanie]

12. How many DEAD does it take for the purported LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD

to cut short his vacation? Half a million is not enough? What is enough? This is a disaster of epic proportions and the President of the United States appears not to care. He is representing YOU. Is that okay with you?

The Indonesian ambassador says there is not enough FUEL to conduct relief efforts.

Those nations need water, food, medicine and shelter.

Bush has been BIKE RIDING, STROLLING, ENTERTAINING GUESTS & CLEARING BRUSH, according to his own PR people.

The U.S. did not NEED the resources of France or Britain to attend to the needs of Florida's hurricane victims. We have enough resources.

INDONESIA, all the nations affected, NEED our help. BUSH should assume a leadership position. This is an ASTONISHING EMERGENCY. There is NO excuse for him to REMAIN ON VACATION.

[theboss]

13. First of all, Bush is not representing me.

I'm representing me.

Secondly, I really hate the concept of "leader of the free world." I'm not sure Indonesia and Sri Lanka even qualify as "the free world."

Thirdly, I'm not defending Bush. I'm defending any President who is basically asked to become some sort of high priest to the nation and the world. You are basically asking him to go to the White House and put on a suit because that would make you feel good. (Except, it wouldn't because no one here likes him and would still find something to complain about).

I agree that the US government should be sending more money; I don't pretend to know how much that amount should be. Though I do think private charities are far more important at these times than governments.

Ultimately, I simply don't know what good Bush or Blair sitting in their offices will do now. Unless they are going to go to Sri Lanka and start digging mass graves, I don't really care what they do since I don't see how it affects anything.

Of course, I do think Bush spends way too much time at his ranch in general.

[Stephanie]

16. This is an unprecedented disaster

We have never seen anything like this in our lifetimes, unless you are of WWII generation. This disaster demands attention from everyone in a position to help.

1) bush represents you, whether you like it or not.

2) Again, whether you like it or not, the President of the United States is the acknowledged leader of the free world

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22leader+of+the+free+world%22+bush

3) It is DISGUSTING that George Bush continues to VACATION and RELAX and CLEAR BRUSH while 5 MILLION people are in imminent danger. It is despicable and unseemly and I don't care if he can do the same job from where he is, he should SHOW SOME RESPECT and acknowledge the most extreme loss of life in our memory. It's OBSCENE, his behavior. It's sickening.

[bpilgrim]

22. you mean you are not american?

if you are, than he is, REPRESENTING YOU, whether you realize it or not.

secondly, the job of leaders of nations that have GLOBAL INTERESTS and IMPACT is to be VISIBLE and appear INVOLVED/CONCERNED, it is mostly SYMBOLIC/CEREMONIOUS on the surface but also important as signifying INTENTIONS and PLANS.

Thirdly; if you choose to IGNORE his bad behavior you ultimately are endorsing/encouraging it.

Ultimately; it will be up to the richest nations on the planet to take the lead to not only provide aid but to stop the wars.

of course if you think * 'spends way too much time at his ranch in general' you should be appalled at this most recent example :puke:

:hi:

peace

[Phoebe_in_Sydney]

24. Bush gets the shits when the world won't follow

... perhaps he should try leading.

Maybe you hate the concept of "leader of the free world" but it's how the US president is seen overseas -- and I'm speaking as someone who isn't american. Bush happens the run the most powerful nation on the planet and several of the weaker nations on the planet are in big trouble. Too much to ask that he can at least seem concerned?

He doesn't have to do much -- but not even making a public comment for three days is a bit underwhelming.

Who said he needs to put on a suit or sit in his office? Just because you can't think of anything useful he could be doing, doesn't mean there isn't anything a man with his power and contacts couldn't do to speed things up. Just appearing to be interested in something other than relaxing, clearing brush and entertaining guests would be a start.

And as for the snide comment about Indonesia and Sri Lanka not even being part of the "free world" GMAFB!!! Indonesia just had democratic elections, and Sri Lanka is a democracy as well. Please don't be patronising about the rest of the world. It doesn't help.

Besides, from what I've seen of your electoral process, the US is hardly in a position to be looking down its nose at other people's democracies.

OK, Bush isn't representing you personally, but he's representing your country. Just like my worthless PM doesn't represent me but represents Australia. Catch is Bush and Howard help shape what the world thinks of Americans and australians.

Truth is you can't really just excuse yourself from any connection with him. Many Iraqis who didn't feel Saddam Hussein represented them are just as dead as the ones who supported him simply because they happened to be living in the country Saddam ran.

[bpilgrim]

25. well said

welcome to DU :toast:

peace

[rainbow4321]

14. And here he is......

[Stephanie]

18. if only! In fact, he has been incognito

WHY? He has not been seen all week, except for that brief, pre-taped appearnance yesterday. It's just bizarre.

Search Yahoo News for pix - there are none. He is in hiding. Why?

[rainbow4321]

20. Rehab center doesn't allow cameras? n/t

[bpilgrim]

21. so, you're 'really getting tired of everything becoming a political debate

well, get used to it because, that's life and politics encompasses it all... just think how 'tired' you'd be if you lived there and give being GRATEFUL a try.

:hi:

peace

[quiet.american]

2. So disappointed in Blair

Pre-Bush, I liked him a lot. Seems he drank the Kool-Aid early on, though. Now, he all but Bush's lover.

[Taxloss]

4. Sigh.

Tell me about it. Minus Bush, he'd be great. Plus Bush, he's a nightmare. If Bush is the drunken, abusive father, and Blair is the useless, pleading mother, we're the kids.

[quiet.american]

9. Very apt analogy n/t

[quaoar]

3. He is vacationing

at a resort in Egypt.

[theboss]

6. That sounds like fun

Today we will learn line dancing while flies the size of Volkswagons swarm you. Except dancing is forbidden. Have a nice day.

[bpilgrim]

5. their MSG is coming through LOUD-n-CLEAR - we DON'T care!

i guess they know what they're doing... looks like they are itch'n for a fight and they probably see this as a GREAT opportunity.



peace

[Tinoire]

10. They're not on vacation- they're cowering in their bunkers...

Anyone seen Cheney lately?

Talk about the man behind the curtains- sheesh!

[Annus Horribilis]

15. So is Canadian PM Martin

http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=f0539ef5-5f32-4b23-8460-1f56da36f09a

[theboss]

17. I'm glad to see Conservatives in Canada are playing politics with this too

Oy vey.

[bpilgrim]

23. you mean hasn't mentioned the disaster for 4 days or MORE as well?!

:wow:

peace

[Spazito]

29. Martin is cutting his vacation short, returning home...

and the National Post is a right-wing rag that mirrors the right-wing rags in the states, it regurgitates the faux conservatives' lies without hesitation.

[goforit]

19. Both he and Bush are scum blood sucking bags.

[jdots]

26. Mose Allison said it best.

" Your mind is on vacation but your mouth is working
overtime " What these booger brains need to do on thier vacations is to seek help.

[Maria Celeste]

27. Purportedly so is Kofi Annan

[RuleofLaw]

28. Why do you post this lie all over DU.

Kofi Annan is leading the relief effort and was a late as yesterday answering questions by the press at the UN (Saw it on c-span.)

[Maria Celeste]

31. Then I stand corrected

Read a media link mid morning yesterday that he was also on vacation and at the time had no plans to return. I also used the qualifier "purportedly" since I have a deep distrust of the media.

Also its fair to point out that neither Anann, Bush, or Blair can really influence things at this point. Directions have been given and the people in a positon to make them happen will do so. None of them inventory supplies or load airplanes.

[Spazito]

32. It is less a question of what they can do, personally,...

it is to show leadership and emphasize the horror of the catastrophe. The general public the world over is horrified by this disaster and want to see their leaders in charge. Showing the 'leader of the free world' casually cutting brush while over 100 thousand have died and likely many more before the count is finished leaves one with the impression of a total lack of compassion, imo. Annan, as head of the UN definitely needs to be seen overseeing the massive humanitarian effort in this disaster and he is doing exactly that. Blair, like bush, should be at their posts showing they are doing everything possible.

[Spazito]

30. This is a lie that has been spread by those apologists for bush...

Annan is not on vacation unlike bush.