The Blair Brand – Flaunt it, Tony!

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LINKS ON THIS PAGE:

• The Blair Brand – Joins US Bank
• Bush, Blair in the “Unstoppable” Middle East Peace Quest
  
• Paucity of thought? MACHIAVELLI?
• Villain of the Week – Priceless
• EU Presidency & Vision for GB/PM … Bending the knee to TB
• Cherie
• Tony Blair website
• Other interesting stuff this week & updates
  

• NEW: 1 ) Watch clips of Blair’s speech in French to Sarkozy’s party gathering yesterday
• Blair jokes on his political stance – “in France I’d be in government … non … je suis socialist (reforming)”
• 2) Read translation of comment on this clip
• 3) Report on speech from Paris (AFP)
• 4) French Socialists say “NON” to talk of Blair EU presidency
• 5) Updated 14 Jan – Brown “Britain must remain engaged with Europe”

You can take the politician out of politics, but you can’t take the politics out of the politician.

[Picture: Blair speaking at the Paris UMP meeting at the weekend]

‘If you want it, here it is, come and get it … make your mind up fast’

‘If you want it any time, I can give it, but you better hurry cos it may not last’

(Click here to read entire McCartney lyrics)

13th January, 2008
The Blair Brand

An Imaginary Eavesdrop:

Top Brand Marketing to Company Director:
“Do you know I can get you Tony?”

“Blair? For how much?”

“Only X amount for such and such, or XX for …”

“How soon can he start?”

The point of the above, simplistic as it is, is this:

‘TONY BLAIR‘ is a name which is known worldwide, to the extent that the very mention of “Tony” or “Blair” in such circles conjures up a picture, to those whose business is knowing business and/or politics, of a respected statesman, politician and communicator. One who is still active politically and at the top of his game, though out of office in his own (naive little) country. Articulate, empathetic, with wide international experience, business law schooling and great contacts. Well travelled, respected, fully cognisant of business & political complexities around the world, he is experienced in the promises, shortcomings and traps of diplomacy. In the deal or no deal world, he is a deal-maker.

In other words – HE SELLS!

So even if his enemies don’t like it, top companies would be doing their shareholders a disservice NOT to grab him, if only for a few days a year. You can bet there are already many disappointed, and more hopefuls queuing up.

SO, DO YOU HAVE A BRAND ATTACHED TO YOUR NAME?

No? Me neither. But if you did, would you use it? Yes, me too. So enough of this nonsense about abusing a previous position of power.

Blair’s advisory position at JP Morgan

By David Wighton in New York, Published: January 9 2008

Tony Blair is joining one of Wall Street’s best-known banks in what the former prime minister told the Financial Times would be the first of a series of positions he expects to take in the private sector.

Mr Blair, who stepped down as prime minister last year, is to become a part-time adviser to JP Morgan, where he will use his experience and contacts to provide political and strategic advice to the US bank and participate in some client events. Mr Blair’s income from the job has not been disclosed. However, one New York recruitment consultant said it was likely to be more than $1m (£500,000) a year.
I say – good on you, Sir! I really did have to smile when I heard this the other day. Mainly at the thought of Les Miserables being indescribably miserable over it ;0(

Daniel Finkelstein of the Times says: “Show Him The Money”

“Mr Blair’s salary should be a matter of quiet satisfaction to his fellow countrymen. It is a small symbol that subjected to a very tough test – how much is he worth to a commercial outfit – one of our statesmen is regarded as highly valuable.”

Too right, Mr Finkelstein, too right.

POINT BY DOTTED POINT

TONY.BLAIR.

• Former.British.Prime.Minister;
• Extraordinary.Communicator;
• Empathetic.considerate.understanding;
• Used.to.working.with.wallies;
• Sharp.mind;
• Cuts.to.the.chase;
• No.nonsense;
• Drives.a.keen.bargain;
• Makes.everyone.feel.like.a.winner;
• Will.deliver;
• Presentable;
• Not.bad.looking;
• Courteous.Well.mannered;
• Winning.ways.with.spouses.partners;
• Never.over.powering;
• Nice.smile;
• Physically.fit (as long as he keeps away from the heart-stopping erstwhile neighbour);
• Knows.one.or.two.decision.makers;
• Understands.those.foreign.chaps;
• Listens.well;
• Prefers.tea.to.whisky
• Has.been.known.to.come.back.from.the.’dead’

Anyway, what’s a politician SUPPOSED to do when he’s only 54 and he no longer has the job he excelled at?

And there’s still SO much to do politically in this world?

Sign on? Come on!!

And if you think that companies in this global village can ignore or afford to live in ignorance of political niceties and relationships, think again.

Branding companies with T Blair on their list have a treasure-trove of USPs to work on with THIS product; and it’s likely that they don’t have to work too hard.

A marketable product. Yes.

The market price? High.

Hello, folks .. wake up to the real world. If a footballer is worth X millions why would Tony Blair not be worth much more … X squared … to successful, well-funded, multi-nationals such as the investment bank lucky enough to have secured his services?

If you got it, flaunt it, Mister. You’re a long time dead.

And before I go on to Bush in the M.E., Machiavelli, Cherie, GB/PM or anything else … let me just say this, quietly, in case you’re wondering …
It’s hard to let go …

… just as Santha, my regular commenter warned me. She was right. So I’m still here; just about.

But, worry not, dear reader. I’m not going to be writing as hungrily as before. Perhaps now and again, for a bit, when the spirit moves me.
And today it’s been getting to me. You knew it would, didn’t you, Santha?

Over the last few days I’ve found it amusing, no hysterical actually, to notice the Blair detractors online still fuming over his continued high standing in the world. Mainly the new job, the money, and all its ramifications. But there’s also the fact that even Jeremy Bowen says that the politicians he meets in the Middle East seem genuinely hopeful. (I expect it’s a conspiracy to try to see if they can get him to crack a smile.)

Now THAT would be seriously disconcerting. Smiles breaking out amongst the doubters, if Blair, Bush et al actually GOT somewhere in their peace quest?

How horrifying for hate-huggers unlimited.

Read on …

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LISTEN TO ‘SCHINDLER’S LIST’ THEME

Attending a holocaust memorial service in Jerusalem President Bush was said to have been moved to tears. This haunting, evocative and powerful composition came to mind. It serves as a reminder of man’s inhumanity to man. Composed by John Williams for the 1993 film “Schindler’s List”. Beautiful. If this doesn’t move you, you’re not sensitive enough to be at this site.

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BUSH & BLAIR’S MIDDLE EAST PEACE QUEST

BLAIR: “NOTHING CAN STOP THE RELAUNCHING OF THE PEACE PROCESS“

International Middle East envoy Tony Blair held landmark talks with Jewish settler representatives this week, their main lobby group announced.

“It’s the first time that an international figure of this rank has sat down with settler representatives,” the Yesha Council said.

The meeting with Yesha secretary-general Danny Dayan took place in a Jerusalem hotel and also involved members of the Israeli parliament from the religious and ultra-nationalist right as well as one from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s centre-right Kadima Party.

The settler representatives told Mr Blair that Mr Olmert had no mandate to negotiate a peace deal with the Palestinians that required the dismantling of settlements in the occupied West Bank, Israeli participants in the meeting said.

The former British premier retorted that “nothing can stop the relaunching of the peace process”.

MAJOR SUCCESS – SEWAGE PLANT

And today the Israeli Haaretz website reported a “pleasant surprise” which awaited Tony Blair, who returned to Jerusalem for the visit of U.S. President George W. Bush. His small staff, which has taken over the south wing of the American Colony Hotel in East Jerusalem, celebrated a major success this week, maybe the biggest since the office’s inauguration last June: The sewage project in Beit Lahia is starting to move forward. If all goes as planned, and Israel allows the concrete and equipment to be brought in, the first stage will be completed this March.
President Bush too delivered some straight-talking to the Israelis in the last few days. And even after the hip-shooting, Ehud Olmert insisted on draping an arm around the Bush shoulders and generally seeming delighted at the American President’s visit. After being told to stop building in Jerusalem, and to start dismantling walls … well, you’d think he might have looked a little put out, if only to keep his ‘antis’ in line. But no, everything seemed just hunky-dory. Not that everyone feels the same. The word “betrayal” is on many Israeli lips.

Mr Bush and Mr Blair met on Friday for a progress report, and to brief each other, no doubt, on meetings to come with other Middle East leaders. It seems they are both singing from the same song book now, and it would seem to be the book Blair wrote.

Chapters on the need for a two-state solution, dismantling walls, building infrastructure. By those that matter, Tony Blair is listened to, (watch him on Bush’s comments), and his optimistic approach seems to be highly contagious.

Bush Urges end to Israeli Occupation

On arrival Mr Bush said that Israel must end its occupation of Arab land to enable the creation of a viable Palestinian state.

He also urged a solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees that would involve paying them compensation. It is thought to be Mr Bush’s strongest public statement pressing Israel to give up land it seized in the 1967 war.

Earlier, Mr Bush said he believed the two sides would be able to sign a peace deal before he leaves office in January 2009.

Blair: “…owes it to the Middle East”

This Guardian article says that Mr Blair is determined to dedicate 10 days a month to his unpaid role as Middle East envoy because of the strong sense of obligation he feels following the Iraq war.

The former British prime minister, who earlier announced that he is to become a part-time adviser to JP Morgan, one of Wall Street’s best-known banks, for an annual salary of about £500,000, is said to be most interested in the interface between faith and politics.

It is understood Blair has turned down a number of big-money offers he felt were unsuitable before agreeing to work for JP Morgan. In addition to his inter-faith foundation, he is expected to undertake some work to help tackle climate change.

The move is likely to quash speculation that Blair was being lined up for the first presidency of the European Union. While at Number 10, Blair often displayed impatience with the Brussels bureaucracy.

My thoughts: Don’t agree with this opting out of the European presidency business; not unless he knows he won’t get the necessary support from EU leaders. But, who ELSE is there?

And, today the Iraq government has agreed to re-instate Ba-athists to public life. By all accounts in 2003 Blair did not wish them to be banned to begin with, but was over-ruled by Washington.

Another song, Mr Bush?

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BLAIR Et Son Ami SARKOZY
Although with only an outside chance, due to his Iraq involvement and the failure of Britain to embrace the euro, there is still a possibility that Mr Blair may be the first EU permanent president in about a year’s time. Particularly if Monsieur Sarkozy, who clearly idolizes Blair, can convince others of the wisdom of this choice when France assumes the present six monthly EU presidency later this year.

Enquiries for attendance at the French national UMP debate today, because of Blair’s visit, overwhelmed organisers.

Why, I wonder, when this is the party of the right in France? The same cross-party magic that Blair showed this country in 1997/2001/2005?

And here, Ben Brogan of The Daily Mail – yes, THE MAIL(!) praises Blair highly for his contribution in French today. Excerpt:

“… I’ve just got round to watching the former PM address France’s ruling UMP party at their conference to launch their local election campaign. Say what you like about the guy, and I’ve said some things in my time, but sacrebleu he’s good.
PS I said yesterday that Mr Blair’s appearance was part of his campaign to become president of the EU. I only saw the clips on French telly (here), so don’t yet know what he said about Europe. The speech video won’t be posted on the UMP website before Monday, and the Office of Tony Blair website hasn’t been updated for a month.”

Yes, it seems everyone wants a piece of Tony – except us of course. He may still be ‘the outsider’ in some books – but watch this space.

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Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’ & the paucity …

Now THIS was interesting.All last week BBC Radio 4 ran an absorbing series, introduced each day by the BBC political commentator, Nick Robinson. I have a comment on Nick’s page.

Machiavelli gets a bad name, perhaps wrongly, if the words on his tombstone are to be taken at face value. The marble monument carries the legend TANTO NOMINI NULLUM PAR ELOGIUM. “No elegy is equal to such a name.”

Conventional wisdom is that to be described as Machiavellian is insult indeed. Yet in this short version of his thoughts on politics he was strangely pragmatic, rather than his reputed conspiratorial.On Wednesday’s programme, the importance of being a war leader is seen as crucial. As is the necessity of allying firmly with another in the cause of war. Fence-sitting is NOT wise; ever.

Written just over 500 years ago it is of course, relevant to its own times. But if the years have not changed much in the matters of peace, war and human nature there may be some eternal lessons for all who would be leaders of men.

It just makes me wonder how limited in our expectations we are by the desire to constantly live up to someone else’s. Not that I recommend murder, mind you. Although, I don’t know …
Read full version of ‘The Prince’ here

See Nick Robinson’s blog on this
Here follow a couple of ‘fun’ blog entries …Villain of the Week

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“THE MIRACLE OF THE BULLETS”

At the peace talks Blair stands on stage with the leaders of both sides when a gunman steps forward from the crowd. Blair stands in front of the leaders, ostensibly trying to talk the strangely pasty gunman down.The shooter opens fire. Only Blair is left standing, spared by God. The assassin somehow manages to escape. Alastair Campbell, by coincidence on a book tour in Tel Aviv, immediately appears on regional telly stating he is not surprised by Blair’s supposed heroism.In the next few weeks, whilst investigators from all countries including the US search for the assassin, Blair is asked by both Israel and Palestine to become their respective leaders. Renewed conflict brews over who gets Blair.

Finally in a surprise move he is appointed President of a new country called Blairdownia comprising of both states unified under one glorious psychotic grin.
A new religion springs up from the miracle of the bullets, adherents refer to themselves as Blairites and their sacrament initially involves the machine-gunning of six out of seven of adherents. Later changed to striking with rubber balls rather than machine guns for the sake of propagating the faith.
My thoughts: What I want to know is – where can I get a passport for this new country-Blairdonia … I mean … Blairuppia? And does it have ID cards? Can’t just let every b**gg*r in now, can we? Some of them need to cling onto every little wisp of hope in their new state of purgatory, that one day, maybe …

And Campbell WILL be there, now, won’t he? Didn’t get life for murder, did he?(I love all this conspiratorial stuff. Don’t you?)

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A VISION FOR … OF … GORDON

The Telegraph says that ‘Teflon Tony’s’ burgeoning empire is putting GB/PM in the shade.Excerpt:With an income in the millions and a burgeoning international role, the former Prime Minister is threatening to put his rival in the shade once again. Gordon Rayner charts the return of Teflon Tony.

Since agreeing to take on the world’s trickiest job, international peace envoy to the Middle East, Mr Blair has been largely invisible – which was just fine with Mr Brown, after years of simmering resentment of the man he believed had cheated him out of the premiership.

But this month Tony Blair begins a comeback which, if all goes according to plan, will see him crowned as the inaugural president of the European Union in 12 months’ time – making him, in effect, Gordon Brown’s boss.

The word irony doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Incredible as it may seem for a man described by even his most loyal parliamentary colleagues as “history”, Mr Blair could soon be more powerful than ever.

Genuflecting to Blair

This writer too made me smile, describing how Mr Brown might soon be at a loss as to how exactly he rids himself of the non-present presence on his shoulder. Especially now, with continued EU presidency rumours, that there IS a political hereafter for the chosen few. Not sure why I find so satisfying the possible come-uppance of the supercilious types to be found on the net; must be my cruel side.

Quote:

Imagine the scene, then, in early January 2009 of Gordon genuflecting before Smuggo in the transept of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims:
I, James Gordon Brown, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Serene Majesty the Emperor Anthony, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Or perhaps that should be “Gawd ‘elp us!”.

Lovely, eh?

CHERIE

Cherie Booth-Blair (how’s that – hyphenated?) has been giving more of her time and energy, through her wide charity work, to set up a school in Punjab. Quote from here:

‘Kapurthala, Jan 12: Punjab Government has signed an initial accord with the UK-based Loomba Trust, headed by former British premier Tony Blair’s wife Cherie, to upgrade a school in Kapurthala district.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Cherie Blair, president of the Trust, and Principal Secretary School Education K B S Sidhu in presence of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal last evening, an official spokesman said.

Chandigarh, Jan 12 (IANS): Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Punjab government on behalf of the London-based Loomba Trust for setting up a Rs 10 mn ‘Adarsh’ (model) school in Dhilwan village of Punjab’s Kapurthala district.’

And meanwhile Ms Booth is expected to get her book out well before her husband’s memoirs. Not surprising really. He hasn’t been home long enough to write anything in the last six months! I wonder if Cherie foresaw THAT bit of the deal? No wonder she didn’t want to leave Downing Street. At least she knew where he was then. Well, most of the time.

And Other INTERESTING Stuff?

Al Qaida Plot to Kill The Queen

British monarch Queen Elizabeth was targeted by al-Qaida-linked suicide terrorists posing as TV crews at November’s Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Uganda, but the plot was discovered by authorities and “neutralized” before it could be carried out, an Ugandan official has confirmed.
This was not the first time the Queen has been targeted in an African nation.

At the end of 2003, “operatives hope to exploit the country’s (Nigeria’s) security weaknesses to strike during the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference in December. The queen will see Nigerian village life during the four-day summit and Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, will also attend.”

NEW STUDY SAYS 151,000 IRAQI DEAD

One of the biggest surveys so far of Iraqis who have died violently since the US-led invasion of 2003 has put the figure at about 151,000.

This is about a quarter of the figure given in a disputed Lancet article, but nearly three times higher than that of the Iraq Body Count campaigning group.
The result is based on interviews with over 9,000 families across Iraq carried out by the health ministry for the WHO.

PETER HAIN

And Peter Hain, in trouble over election expenses, is determined to get on with his work. Watch his statement here. Must be particularly irritating to have put so much money into the deputy leadership campaign and only to come fifth out of six, and THEN to have more fund-raising issues to deal with than even Harriet Harman, the winner of the election. Wonder if he’d have done better without the couple of hundred thousand?
How long do you give him then … Monday, Wednesday?

European Muslims Promote Solidarity

Over 400 Muslim groups from 28 European countries have signed the European Islamic Charter in a bid to ease tensions with non-Muslim communities.

Following the Bishop of Rochester’s warning on “no-go areas of Britain”, there has been support & criticism of his remarks. He apologises here if he gave offence (!?) What? Have those who make some of us feel uneasy in our own land also apologised? Perhaps; but I haven’t noticed. I’m no racist, by the way. No way. But … sort it out, please.

Northern Rock

After Blair’s new employer, JP Morgan bought a pinch of Northern Rock, (Co-incidental? How would I know?)

The government has now lined up an executive chairman just in case they are stuck with nationalising the troubled bank.

Blair To The Rescue?

I wonder if he’ll give the CEO a ring and find out if he can afford to buy the rest of it. But he’ll have to do it soon. By the end of the week the government may be forced to nationalise. A huge kick for Brown’s government, and a clear failure of the tactic of borrowing tax-payers’ billions (£55Bn).

More Tony Blair
And Tony Blair admits to being technologically without it here – talking about his first attempt at texting on a mobile phone, which was AFTER he’d left office. Well, we’ve all made THAT mistake at times. It all comes down to who considers you important enough to store your number. Shouldn’t be a problem for the TB Brand in the future.

And is he missing Downing Street? Watch this Sky video.

He often used the phrase, much derided, “it’s time to move on”. That may be ONE of the reasons he has impressed on Blairites to cease criticising the present prime minister. There may be other reasons; I wouldn’t know about that. But being British PM is now more of a threat than an opportunity, it seems.

SPUC asks Blair to repent. Repent what?

“Dear Gordon” … “Love, Tony”

The former PM wrote to the present PM before Christmas, to offer him some pointers and advice, it would seem.
Excerpt from the ‘This Is London’ article:

“Tony Blair has written to Gordon Brown with a detailed assessment of his successor’s performance as Prime Minister.

He congratulated Mr Brown on his successes – and spelled out where he thinks he is going wrong.

And he told his friend – and long-time rival – to work on being “post-Blair and not anti-Blair”.

Downing Street spokesmen yesterday refused to comment on the Premier’s private correspondence but it is believed that the letter was accepted by Mr Brown in the supportive spirit in which it was intended.

However, the revelation that Mr Blair has offered his views, even in private, risks infuriating the Prime Minister’s supporters.

It could also add to doubts about Mr Brown’s ability to lead Labour to a fourth General Election victory at a time when he is fighting to assert his authority.

While he tries to do so, his predecessor has ordered supporters to keep quiet and say nothing which could be seen as disloyal.

The revelation that Mr Blair is still concerning himself with Labour’s fortunes will also fuel speculation that he is considering a return to politics.”

As if …
Why on earth would he want to return to this job as target practice for the press, when he can forge a career on the international political and business stage AND make some decent money with added worldwide kudos, regardless of the ignorant press?

On the other hand – why on earth would he care if GB/PM continues to cock it all up? After all, if Labour loses all, wouldn’t it be evidence that they should never have got rid of their election winner in the first place?

But wouldn’t losing next time risk another 18 years in the wilderness, making Blairism no more than a blip in our political history?

And … erm … how and why do we know about this “private” letter?
Hmmm … I wonder.

Hope thrives on such as this for those who mourn.

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Translation of commentary on Blair’s speech in Paris, 12th January 2008:

Tony Blair, high-speed motorboat of the day to the national Council of UMP “In the United States, I would be democratic. In the United Kingdom, I am Labour. In France, I would be… probably with the government!”Laughter and applause from the 2.000 to 3.000 participants. Small sentences with humour very british, punctuated of political spades, the whole in perfect French: Tony Blair, guest at the sides of Nicolas Sarkozy to the national Council of UMP Saturday in Paris, was without question the high-speed motorboat of the day.But truce of joke:”Not I joke, I would be with the socialist Party, the sides of those which have in heart to transform it”, the ex-First British minister begins again. But the sentence did not fall into the ear from a deaf person: the French president answered at once that Tony Blair “is intelligent, is courageous, is a friend, he modernized a friendly country like the United Kingdom, he is faithful. Then of course he is socialist, but a Socialist like that, he has all his place with the French government (…)I want that the opening is the trademark of the French right-hand side “. Sarkozy “energetics” The man of New Labour (left Labour renovated) expressed himself for the first time in front of the leading authorities of a party, in fact UMP, the party of his “friend Nicolas” (Sarkozy) who it was the first to be congratulated after his election last May. A friend whom he described as “energetic in all the fields”, by evoking a conversation with a “other leader of which I will conceal the name”. Whereas this leader asked Tony Blair “Sarkozy,he is very tonic, not?”, the British known as to have answered: “No, I had not noticed it…” Laughter still in the room. More seriously, “energy, the will to carry out the changes necessary to survive in a world of change is the key”, he concluded.Tony Blair also evoked, on a more conventional tone, “the agenda of a new governorship”: “Education, and not regulation”, “active and nonpassive Welfare state”, “balance travail/vie deprived, new border of the Welfare state”, and “trade unions partners of the change and not of resistance”. Ségolène Royal considered Saturday on France 2 that the presence of Tony Blair to the national Council of UMP was “to push us ahead, us socialist, to be a force of attractivity”.”I think that the French Socialists must invent their own modernization compared to the time which is ours and compared to the years which come”, it declared. UMP launches its countryside for the local elections At the time of this national Council of UMP, the majority launched its countryside for the local elections. This poll will be “a first test for the majority” and for “his action”, the president of the UMP group ensured the Parliament. “It is not because the stakes are local that there is not a national reality”, for its part judged the Prime Minister, Francois Fillon. This “nationalization” of the poll divides the rows of the majority. Jean-Pierre Raffarin thus warned Friday against a “local policy” which “is not systematically a national stake”. “If not one mobilizes especially the unfavourable camp”, it judged.

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Lyrics of “Come and Get It”

by Paul McCartney

If you want it, here it is, come and get it
mmmmmm, make your mind up fast
If you want it, any time, I can give it
But you better hurry ’cause it may not last

Did I hear you say that there must be a catch

Will you walk away from a fool and his money?
If you want it, here it is, come and get it
But you better hurry ’cause its goin’ fast

If you want it, here it is, come and get it
mmmmmm, make your mind up fast
If you want it, any time, I can give it
But you better hurry ’cause it may not last

Did I hear you say that there must be a catch
Will you walk away from a fool and his money?
Sonny, if you want it, here it is, come and get it
But you better hurry ’cause its goin’ fast
You better hurry ’cause its goin’ fast

oooohhh
Fool and his money…
Sonny, if you want it, here it is, come and get it
But you better hurry ’cause its goin’ fast
You better hurry ’cause its goin’ fast
You better hurry ’cause its goin’ fast

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Tags: 1. Tony Blair, Brown (Gordon Brown & his Labour Government, from June 2007), France, George Bush, Iran, Israel, jerusalem, JP morgan, Machiavelli, Middle East - Countries/Issues, Nicolas Sarkozy, French President, palestine, Two-state solution