Robin Cook Blasts Blair for Coddling Bush, Harming US Democrats

[BurtWorm]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=463560

Mr Cook attacks Mr Blair for attributing the huge protests planned next week to "resurgent anti-Americanism". He says this is "a dishonest, shallow, cheap argument, not worthy of such a consummate communicator ... It is entirely possible to want warm relations with the American people while keeping a prudent distance from the foreign adventures of President Bush."

Mr Cook, who resigned from the Cabinet before the Iraq war, says: "The state visit is the latest episode in a relationship with the Bush administration that has remained so one-sided that it has become an affront to our national dignity."

...

Mr Cook warns: "If the state visit takes on the character of the US boss visiting his wholly owned British subsidiary it will do further damage to relations with the Bush administration in the eyes of the British public and further diminish the stature of their Prime Minister."

The former foreign secretary also warns that the first state visit by an American president since 1918 could harm Labour's allies in the US Democrats in next year's Presidential election. "It is pretty perverse of us to make their task even tougher by offering up Buckingham Palace as the mother of all photo-ops for President Bush," he says.

[BurtWorm]

1. More Bush idiocy in The Independent

Same article:

Last night President Bush said he and his wife, Laura, were looking forward to staying with the Queen at the palace. He said he was braced for huge anti-war demonstrations but would defend America's actions. In an interview with the Press Association, he said: "I admire a country which welcomes people to express their opinion. I'm proud of Great Britain's tradition of free speech."

He added: "I can understand people not liking war, if that's what they're there to protest. I don't like war. War is the last choice a president should make, not the first. And it was the last choice, after endless years of diplomacy took place."

[ClintonTyree]

2. Bullshit...............

pure, unadulterated bullshit. The "last choice a president should make". Our dimbulb of a pResident was going into Iraq from the moment those jets hit the towers.
I will work tirelessly for the defeat of this vile piece of shit. This administration will leave an ugly scar on the history of our nation, and I won't sit by and allow him four more years to make that scar deeper and wider.
Whichever Democratic nominee we eventually choose will have my total support, monitarily and physically. Anything less on my part would be a grave disservice to my county.
There are no words to describe the loathing I have for Bush, none. I don't like feeling this way, I'd like to believe in our elected leaders, opposition party or not. I'd like to believe that they are looking out for the best interests of the American people. The evidence points to the opposite. He must not be allowed to take this country any further into the abyss of fascism.

[HFishbine]

5. I only wish

that Bush's decision to go to war had indeed been the last choice he made.

[JackSwift]

3. The American people

don't understand the difference between a state visit or any other kind.

[Classical_Liberal]

4. He says "Blair is stabbing us in the back!`

Which is the absolute truth!

[sweetheart]

7. traitors to the left

blair has sold out. He'll be forgotten soon enough along with the neocon cabal... just can't western society hold its criminals responsible for their actions... i guess not.

Blair has undermined the left-cause more than any leader, even bush himself has been less damaging to his own tribe. Pompous arrogance to pretend to be a political bridge has led britain to disrepute.

I genuinely like Mr. Blair, but i think he should resign. He is screwing up the entire political global landscape for his own ego... asshole.

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. Bush is a damn liar.

But we already knew that. "I admire a country which welcomes people to express their opinion. Can you say "FREE SPEECH ZONE?" Can you say "PATRIOT ACT?" Cook is right on! We should thank him for defending our Democratic Party! Thank You!

Let the mooning begin! GO LONDON!

[glarius]

8. The same thing is said by the far right wingnuts here in Canada

The Canadian Alliance party brands P.M Chretien and ANYONE who opposes Bush's war as anti-American....It's a disgusting ploy they use in all countries I guess...

[BurtWorm]

9. Is that such a terrible thing, for a Canadian to be anti-American?

Can a Canadian politician lose votes for being labeled anti-American? This is a serious question.

[Spazito]

10. Canadians aren't anti-American but we ARE anti-Bush...

our polls state that clearly. We are supportive of continuing close relations regarding trade, etc but not supportive of US policies. This is a direct hit on Bush.

Edited to add: Chretien received a standing ovation last night when, in his speech, he spoke about Canada's decision not to support Bush in Iraq and he also had hard hitting words about the danger of the "right" on social policy, fiscal responsibility. He didn't not name Bush but it was directed at him, there is no doubt.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

12. Our Anti-Americanism is (mostly) a myth.

We criticise Americans more than most because in a way we are Americans. What happens in the US affects us on a daily basis, so we are constantly observing US events. There are of course idiots who badmouth yanks at every turn, but mostly, we have a strong bond with the US.

[Zuni]

19. I understand

It is just like us Americans like to give you Canucks an occasional ribbing, but overall, when it comes down to it, most of can cross borders and be right at home.

[BurtWorm]

13. Excuse me while I admire the damage the red glove above is doing to Cheney

Now, where was I? Oh yeah...I stand and ovate Chretien for having the guts to resist Bushism. And I applaud Fox too. I wish more Dems in the US Congress were worthy of my ovation.

[glarius]

15. I watched him last night and thought it was good....I liked Paul Anka's

special rendition he did for Chretien on the song "My Way."...Chretien seemed to be getting sentimental towards the end of his farewell speech and acted as if he didn't want to leave....

[Screaming Lord Byron]

16. He doesn't.

Paul Martin wants him to leave.

[glarius]

18. Don't you think it's time he left?

I do.....He's done a good job but we need a change....In my opinion the most important thing he did (which he stubbornly and courageously fought for. Even his own party didn't want to risk it) is the Clarity Bill...I really believe that because of this bill the Separatist nuts in Quebec, which are not a very large group really, will be forced to ask a question on a referendum which explains what they are really trying to do...After the last referendum polls in Quebec showed that most of the people who voted "oui" thought they would still be Canadian citizens afterwards, because of the tricky question...:)
edit--I think because of the Clarity Bill we will see NO MORE referendums...They know they can't win with an honest question!

[Screaming Lord Byron]

20. Sure it's time. I was just saying that it looks as if he doesn't want

to hand over to Martin. Martin's people did basically elbow the old man out.

[BurtWorm]

17. What? Paul Anka supports Chretien?!

You're having my ballot!
What a lovely way to say how much you lead me!
The vote inside me, baby can you feel it going
For your party? Oh are you happy knowing?

You're getting my ballot!

[glarius]

21. Very good!...Now sing "Diana!"...LOL

Paul Anka was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada's capital)....In his talk last night at the Chretien tribute he said he's been friends with the Chretien family.....The words he wrote for "My Way" were very good....can't recall them all but it ended with something about gays being able to marry and nobody going to jail for smoking pot in Canada....which got a big ovation from the crowd.....:)

[glarius]

11. The best way I can answer you is that the population here is not

anti-American....The American people are generally well liked and thought of as good neighbours...Bush is a different story....Politicians who are anti-Bush's policies have to make that clear to their constituents and not allow the Alliance to brand them anti-American...We have such a huge cross border trade that is already being effected by our failure to join the Iraq attack....We're sort of on a tight rope here....:)

[BurtWorm]

14. That's very interesting.

A little sickening too. The truth is an American politician in certain places would have no problem being branded anti-Canadian or anti-Mexican.