Tony Blair

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8th February 2011

Just had to show you this -

Hero Granny Stops Thieves!!!

Northampton Heroine beats off SIX would-be robbers with her HANDBAG!

No sound to the above as it was filmed by an “onlooker”. Nothing personal to the video filmer, but thank God in this world we don’t all choose to be onlookers.

Video also here with a report – at ITV News. and here at Anglia where it sounds as though the people filming are calling the Police.

Watch the one with the white helmet, in the jeweller’s doorway, thumping away in vain at the shop window. When he spots Northampton’s gutsy crime-fighter walloping his partners in crime it is as though Clark Kent has landed. He runs, terrified, to jump on the back of a moped/scooter. He is the one the other passers-by then leap on with some (delayed) gusto.

It isn’t often I whoop while watching the news. This time I had to whoop and laugh out loud at the same time.

The granny who used her handbag to fight off six hammer-wielding thugs has spoken of how no one came to help her when she first intervened. The woman, who has been named as Ann Timson from Spring Boroughs in Northampton, said those standing nearby appeared mesmerised and stood their filming or taking photos.

Yeah, we noticed!

Well done that super-brave TRUE British citizen. Great to see that some of us still believe in fighting to prevent the bad from laying low the good.

The British fighting spirit still lives.

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Blair & Netanyahu agree Gaza/West Bank/Jerusalem Measures

February 7, 2011

Original Home Page – And another very early post from this blog

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7th February 2011

http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/EventsDiary/eventblair040211.htm

GOOD NEWS FROM GAZA IS NO NEWS

On 4th February at the Tony Blair Office/Quartet News website there was this: Tony Blair announces package of measures for Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem

Imports into Gaza from Turkey. Normally, you'd expect a few cheers over this. But there is nothing "normal" about the reaction from the western press when it comes to Gaza, or indeed anything to do with the Middle East. Their mindset as regards Israel's/the west's, the Quartet's, Blair's intentions are hard-wired. To hell with the evidence on the ground.

This article at the Tony Blair Office website has been updated with the above picture. You’d think SOMEBODY in the mainstream press might have noticed the country which has exported these items to Gaza.

Silence, from our willfully blind and dumb press.

Clearly they are more impressed by the Palestinian negotiator Erekat’s dismissal of these measures than by anything as straightforward as the facts on the ground.

“This is deception and we don’t need such gestures,” Chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat said.

“We need a solution that includes a settlement freeze and acceptance of the two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 borders,” said Erekat.

So there we go. Nothing else matters but a settlement freeze and returning to the 1967 borders. I do have to wonder at times why anyone bothers any more with these obstructionists.

I also have to wonder for how much longer are we expected to allow prejudice against anything concerning Blair, Israel or Netanyahu to dominate our press reports?

If this country – Britain - IS a freedom-loving, free-press democracy, it deserves indeed requires the full picture, good as well as “bad” from such areas of conflict. Under any circumstances, surely these “changes on the ground” are worth reporting? “Change” is constantly called for in Egypt, and has been the watchword in many parts of the word in recent times. Quite why change is ignored when it is happening on the ground in the Israel/Palestinian situation is hard to fathom.

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Back to the article (the emphasis is mine):

Quartet Representative Tony Blair, speaking at a joint announcement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 4 February 2011, said:

“Even against the background of events in the region and the absence of direct political negotiations, it is important we continue to do all we can to improve the conditions and living standards of the Palestinian people. Indeed it is now especially important.

“I am pleased at the package of measures agreed today with the Government of Israel.

“I thank the Prime Minister for his personal involvement in and support for these measures. The discussions we have been having go back several months. This is my seventh visit to the region in as many weeks. On each occasion the Prime Minister has been generous with his time and determined to move this agenda forward.

“The package breaks into three parts:

“First, a comprehensive set of changes in Gaza, building on those approved in June 2010. The most important is a long-standing request of the Palestinian Authority and President Abu Mazen for an agreement to revive discussions on the vital project of ‘Gaza Marine’ gas field, with approval in principle of the supply of Palestinian offshore gas to Gaza power plants and specific project approval to a new power station there. Clearly there are many items to be worked out but this is an important breakthrough for the Palestinian Authority, people in Gaza and the broader region.

“In addition, there is agreement to mobile desalination plants to meet Gaza’s needs for clean water; and approval in principle for a larger permanent desalination plant.

“There is also full approval for all the sanitation and water treatment plants necessary for Gaza, with the Government of Israel agreeing to facilitate and support the entry of construction materials to enable projects to be completed on schedule. There are further measures to promote Gaza exports, especially in furniture and textiles as well as agriculture.

“A further 20 named construction projects will be approved. We aim to begin a pilot project for private sector construction materials by 1 April; and in February the Government of Israel will transfer around 40,000 tons of aggregates from Sufa/Karni into Gaza.

“The combination of these measures should result, over time, in a radical overhaul of Gaza’s infrastructure.

“In this regard, I would urge an end to all attacks coming out of Gaza. Such attacks inhibit our ability to help the people of Gaza and the absence of such attacks allows us to get on with the job of helping them.

“On the West Bank, there will be an extension of Palestinian Authority security presence in Area B – with 7 towns approved in principle; an agreement to fast-track the construction or reconstruction of schools and health clinics in Area C on the basis of plans submitted by the Palestinian Authority and my office to COGAT. 5000 Gaza-registered residents of the West Bank will be given WB ID cards. Outstanding issues to do with revenue collection are agreed to be resolved quickly between the Government of Israel and Palestinian Authority Finance Ministries.

“Thirdly, in respect of East Jerusalem, the Government of Israel has agreed to encourage the implementation of all projects that abide by municipal regulations that will improve infrastructure there for Palestinians, including in particular housing, starting with two projects in East Jerusalem.

“Obviously, agreement to all this is not the same as implementation. There is always a continual interaction on this between the Office of the Quartet Representative and the Government of Israel. But over these past two years there has been significant change on the West Bank, as can be seen from the strong economic growth there. This has been due, of course, to the Palestinian Authority’s actions; but also actions of the Government of Israel to facilitate them.

“In respect of Gaza, though the challenge remains enormous, there has been a significant increase in goods entering Gaza and in construction work. The measures today will boost all of this significantly and personally I believe the green light to improving living standards and conditions of people in East Jerusalem is of enormous importance to the future.

“None of this is a substitute for a credible political process. I hope one gets underway as soon as possible. But I have always maintained that it is a combination of measures that improve life on the ground and a strong political negotiation that will produce peace.

“Today, with all the uncertainty in the region, I believe that more than ever.”

To read Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments please click here:

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Israeli President Shimon Peres says – Time for Israeli-Palestinian Peace is Now

Peres is right, and for several reasons.

One, there are murmurings of the Egypt domino effect threatening, of all people, the Palestinian Authority under Abbas. Recent rallies in the West Bank in support of the Egyptian demonstrators were quelled by PA police, forcibly, it is reported.

Two, the Palestinians should be disabused, if that is their intention, of being temped to await some sort of pro-Palestinain settlement in Egypt, after which they may hope to squeeze more concessions from an Israel which may feel even more isolated than at present. Things, to paraphrase, may only get worse.

Three, Israel should halt its construction in the West Bank, without prejudice, in order for a peace settlement to take firm root.

If ever there was a time that this moribund Israeli/Palestinian peace protest was gasping to have new life breathed into it, that time is now.

I proposed here some 15 months ago that they should Give Tony Blair political power in Israeli & Palestinian peace negotiations. I believe that to be the case even more strongly today, now that American political influence in the region has been seen to be fragile and its direction confused.

So I repeat – there is one man whose job description should be changed with immediate effect. Give Tony Blair the political power, and watch democracy take root. If he can’t move things in the right direction for the good of all, quite simply – no-one can.

‘Munich – The Middle East peace process should keep up momentum, not get distracted by the turmoil in the Arab world and lead to a conclusion of negotiations by September, the Middle East Quartet said in a statement following a meeting in Munich Saturday.”In view of the developments in the Middle East, the Quartet expressed its belief that further delay in the resumption of negotiations is detrimental to prospects for regional peace and security.”The Quartet, comprised of United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations, reiterated its support for concluding negotiations “by September 2011.”UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, US Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell, and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Catherine Ashton.They were joined by Quartet Representative Tony Blair.The Quartet agreed to meet again in March.’

2. Tony Blair Office: Middle East region needs managed process of change

Below is a recent tweet from Tony Blair Office on Twitter

tonyblairoffice Tony Blair Office

Quartet Rep Tony Blair announces a package of measures for Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem: http://bit.ly/e7rRCI

4 Feb

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Ban Blair-Baiting petition: comments update, February 2011

February 5, 2011

Original Home Page – And another very early post from this blog

NEW SITE! The Feral Press

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5th February 2011

RECENT COMMENTS at THE BAN BLAIR-BAITING PETITION

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Blair was the greatest Labour Prime Minister. It is a disgrace that the party has turned away from his legacy. Shame on Ed Miliband and his so-called ‘new generation’.

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Have serious issues with the Iraq war, but I understand it to have been a difficult ‘grey area’ situation for the then Prime Minister and that good as well as bad has come out of it. In any case, the persistent vilification of him is embarrassing and unhelpful, among other things.
P.S. I think Blair’s other major foreign policy ‘adventures’ as some so glibly denounce them - action over Sierra Leone, Kosovo and Afghanistan – are among the most noble of our country’s actions in recent decades.

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Consider why Blair is so well-respected all over the World but so despised by a minority of Brits. (Somerset, UK)

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This vitriolic demonisation must cease. One can disagree courteously without resorting to attempted debasement of the man himself. (UK)

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I am expressing my view in this manner because my view on the matter, along with thousands of like-minded people, is simply not heard or represented in the media. (Gloucestershire, UK)

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He was right to stand up for not only the people of Iraq but also for world security. Rather than this current Prime Minster who just wants the world to “not get involved” (Surrey, UK)

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Tony Blair is an honest decent man and the best prime minister this country ever had and was a fantastic leader of the Labour Party. He deserves respect and not the smears the press continually reports. Give the man a break!

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I’m a strong believer that the war in Iraq has been a justified war. The world needs its referee and its concience…more then ever. Raisons to believe Blair took a correct decision to get involved in this war and Europe for its part to? They have responsibilities and obligations to fight terrorism and protect their citizens although Brussels is very hypocritical about it which is a shame (Belgium)

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I admired Tony Blair, He made the decision to go to war like leaders before him over the centuries. The media t.v.and newspapers set out to destroy him like they’ve done to other good Labour leaders. Perish the thought if Murdoch gets more power!! (South Wales, UK)

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All countries need a leader who isn’t afraid to fight terrorism. I believe Mr. Blair did a necessary job in helping his allies. Are we all just supposed to lie down and wait for them to come for us, I don’t think so (Ontario, Canada)

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Their purpose is to divide and conquer. This will not divide us, this will only unite and make us stronger. Because hatred exposes its true face. Love is more powerful and will rule in the end. Be in prayer all. (Florida, USA)

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The Winston Churchill of his age. (New South Wales, Australia)

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The world is a better place (UK)

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Mr. Blair is one of the finest politicians to have had the privilege of serving the United Kingdom, and Britons are fortunate to have had him as their Prime Minister. Time will show that Mr. Blair’s approach to affairs in the Middle East were and remain correct. (Canada)

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Anyone would believe that Tony Blair single-handedly took the country to war. Frankly, it’s getting boring. (UK)

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Tony Blair was a great Prime Minister. It was absolutely the right decision to remove Saddam from power. Granted, he may not have had WMD anymore, but he had used them before on his own people and against Iran. I don’t think Blair lied at all, perhaps sometimes the simplest explanation is the truth: the intelligence was wrong. Blair was instrumental in bringing peace to NI and successfully intervening in Sierra Leone and Kosovo. He won 3 general elections with landslides. Truly a great man (Singapore)

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I am sick and tired of television and radio interviewers asking the same old questions over and over, regarding the decision to go to war in Iraq, presumably they hope Mr Blair will let slip some secret information which they would then use against him. History will show if the decision was the right one, (I believe it was) but people must accept that Tony Blair is an honourable man, and made his decision based on the known facts and not with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight (Yorkshire, UK)

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Let’s not forget that the media have ONLY one aim in life and that’s to sell tomorrow’s news, and they don’t care who they hurt or what lies they peddle in the process.

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Blair did what he could and took advice from the British government at the time to the best of his knowledge as to what actions to take. (New South Wales, Australia)

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Getting really bored with the persistence with which people pursue their anti-Blair propaganda, steadfastly refusing to see any good in the man.

I think many of those who are critical of TB seem to forget about somebody called Saddam Hussein. He was someone who left to his own devices again, as was becoming increasingly likely, would have undoubtedly resumed his efforts to obtain and use WMD. He definitely would not have changed his spots. (Middlesex, UK)

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Tony Blair is a force for good in this negative world (USA)

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I may have used the comments below at an earlier update. No time to check right now, sorry, folks. But good things about others are always worth a second glance, don’t you think? Especially in this online world of hate and vitriol.

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It takes big leaders to make the hardest turns in peoples life…Mr Blair is a big leader and a great man for millions of people in Balkans!!! for stopping a savage war! About Iraq I believe that the press wherever it is has not the right to judge on this issue because it simply is too small to judge!! History will judge Mr Blair! As long as it is an ongoing war no one can blame Mr Blair, after all he started something for a big reason..the press its often wrong because it fights for audience!!! (Albania)

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Tony Blair is a great statesman who led England well. I applaud the leadership he displayed, especially in the matter of the war in Iraq.

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The media has become, the billy liar of society, believe what you see from your vision, not what you read or what you are told. (Cumbria, UK)

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You were a great Prime Minister, you did your best and a strong ally of America (USA)

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Tony Blair was an excellent PM and the world holds him in high esteem.If you want to go after someone start on Bush and Cheney. (California, USA)

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The best there’s been since I grew up and I’m nearly 70 now. ‘Tis a pity that some have just never grown up at all. (Enfield, UK)

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The war in Iraq, supported by the Conservatives in the UK, and many other countries throughout the world, was not illegal and did not make Tony Blair a war criminal. I have great difficulty in understanding where this hatred for Mr Blair comes from, particularly as the majority of people in Iraq regard him as their saviour. Could it be they feel betrayed because Mr Blair left them in the lurch after promising to remain for a full Parliament. Are they suffering from some form of bereavement? (Spain)

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The UK Guardian newspaper cannot call itself a newspaper any more. It has a manipulative propaganda organ of the extreme disassociated anarchist left.

The terrorist lackeys must be really crazy to suggest that politicians like Blair are guilty of any offence. Why don’t they go for the real terrorists and murderers who are trying to infiltrate and change the enlightened western world as we know it? (Israel)

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Although we need the government to work as a team every team requires a leader. Tony Blair when Prime Minister demonstrated the necessary leadership qualities. (Cheshire, UK)

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Thank you Tony Blair for all you have done to make this World, your country and mine safer. Thank you for having the courage to make the hard decisions when it would have been more expedient and less derisive not to. Thank you for being more like Mr. Churchill than Mr Chamberlain. Most importantly thank you for serving your country when most of us just stand by and complain (Florida, USA)

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Last week Dominic Brogan of The Telegraph noticed the petition and referred to it at his Telegraph blog.

Therefore, some of the recent comments are probably due to his covering the Ban Blair-Baiting petition.

Thank you Mr Brogan.

Your turn to sign.

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EARLIER POSTS ON THE BAN-BLAIR-BAITING PETITION

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Tags:ban blair baiting petition, comments supporting Blair, Dominic Brogan, Ed Miliband, Iraq, iraq war, labour party, prime minister, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sierra Leone, telegraph, Tony Blair, uk, United States, Winston Churchill
Posted in 1. Tony Blair, BBC, Broadcast Outlets & Press, Blair - "Values" - Ideology, British Politics, British Prime Minister, Iraq, Iraq inquiry, Labour party leadership, Labour Party under Tony Blair's leadership, Major Political Issues, Britain & World, Middle East - Countries/Issues, Press - Truth & Lies, Saddam Hussein, Terrorism, Winston Churchill | 4 Comments »

Ferals (and not the mainstream press, this time) want to Execute Tony Blair. BY LAW!

February 4, 2011

Original Home Page – And another very early post from this blog

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4th February 2011

Call by Libertarian Alliance for Bill/Act to Execute Tony Blair

A quickie -

You might be interested in this at my new blog -

The inspiration for this post?

The blog of Sean Gabb, the Director of The LA here

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