Tony Blair

[Braz]

Tony Blair is to give the Advanced Publishing Rights to a British Legion Charity that helps Wounded and Injured Service Personnel.

This sum is reputed to be in the region of £4.6million. Is this because he's feeling rather Guilty about something does anyone think? Braz

[Paul Hinge]

Perhaps a ting of GUILT!! Or his catholic upbringing at last catching up on him in the immortal life stakes!!!

Hingey<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

[jase hill]

Or its a genuinely generous gesture and gift to the most worthy of causes. Do we have to always find the negatives with everything. Its a selfless act that will benefit those in need. Enough said.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

I agree with Jase, why is it that no matter what good anyone does or trys to do in this country, there are always those who will look for a dark side. Granted it is usually the press. Whatever his reasons, that is a lot of dosh going to the guys and gals who need it and if it helps him to sleep better at night, well what the hell. He may even write a second volume and if that money goes to the same cause, I may very well buy a copy myself even though I dislike the guy for his premiership from start to finish..

[Paul Hinge]

Jase/Gwyn

I do agree with your sentiments vis-à-vis the money and it is a great deal going to a very worthy cause.
But call me cynical, with Blair there's always an ulterior motive no matter what his gestures might be!

Watch that space!

Hingey<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

[Gwyn Nicholas]

That makes my point exactly Hingey. The guy would have been slated if he kept the money and he is being slated for giving it away because of (as yet) unproven ulterior motives. His only option therefore was not to write the book in the first place and the money would not now be benefitting the people that need it. Anyone reading these headlines must think to themselves, is it really worth donating funds to worthy causes when all you get is slated and accused of ulterior motives or publicity seeking. The Iron lady gave nothing for the guys who went to the Falklands (as far as I am aware) when her Biography/Autobiographys were written and I dont recall anyone slating her for not making a finacial contribution. (please correct me if I am incorrect) The lads and lasses will benefit from the cash and that is well good enough for me.

[Paul Hinge]

I agree with you entirely Gwyn the money is very welcome. So why publicise what you’re going to do?
That's my point!
There has to be an ulterior motive or GUILT!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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Hingey<o:p></o:p>

[williams56]

i dont beleave tony blair wrote the book to give money away,all the same it is going to good cause if they get thewhole amount

[davidhuntley]

We all have our own opinion of Tony Blair, but , i think we all agree, good on him for giving the money to a most worthy cause. Let the tabloids crucify him,but let us applaud him.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Of course he has his reasons/ulterior motive but, nobody gives anything away without reason or motive. When you give money to a charity or do someone a good turn it is not a totally selfless act. Yes it may be for a very good cause and it may be the main reason for giving but, the act of doing something for others gives you a sense of satisfaction that you have, in your own little way, helped to make a difference. I am not saying for one minute that that is your reason for giving or doing, but the gratification that comes with such an act (even subconsciously) is unavoidable. Of course that is only a feelgood factor and Blairs case differs in that his expectations will be higher. That said when did you last give away 4/5 Million quid to a worthy cause.

As for the publicity, well there is no such thing as "bad publicity" so they say and without it, I would have not known that the book existed, I would not have known about the money going towards the cause and therefore would not have even considered buying a book about the worst Prime Minister (in my view) that this country has produced in modern times. So the publicity works.

[nasher546]

Anyone who writes/publishes a book has to adverstise. That is the point of getting people to buy it.

As for the money, let the lads/lassies get the benefit they so desrve.

[chow]

Of course he has his reasons/ulterior motive but, nobody gives anything away without reason or motive. When you give money to a charity or do someone a good turn it is not a totally selfless act. Yes it may be for a very good cause and it may be the main reason for giving but, the act of doing something for others gives you a sense of satisfaction that you have, in your own little way, helped to make a difference. I am not saying for one minute that that is your reason for giving or doing, but the gratification that comes with such an act (even subconsciously) is unavoidable. Of course that is only a feelgood factor and Blairs case differs in that his expectations will be higher. That said when did you last give away 4/5 Million quid to a worthy cause.

As for the publicity, well there is no such thing as "bad publicity" so they say and without it, I would have not known that the book existed, I would not have known about the money going towards the cause and therefore would not have even considered buying a book about the worst Prime Minister (in my view) that this country has produced in modern times. So the publicity works.

Gwyn.
I couldnt agree more my friend,
and he has had a bit of bad press of late.

[Keith Jones 989]

IMHO the ONLY reason he has done this is because of the bad feeling between him and the UK population which means that VERY FEW people are going to buy the book. Now, of course, if it doesn't make the bestseller list there will be insufficient income to make it worthwhile for the British Legion.

This man invented the word 'DEVIOUS'!

[Heap90]

I do agree that the Legion will benefit from this money, however.... He got a $1,000,000 cash payment from a Jewish foundation on the same day as he was appointed as peace envoy for the Middle East This offering to the British Legion doesn't cover the profit he will earn overall from this book from After Dinner Speech appointments. He commands somewhere in the region of £125,000 for a single date and this book will only ensure more appointments over controversial text in the book. I think you can gather what my opinion of him is. Smacks of "Guilt Money" to me. He still hasn't apologised for taking us to war on false pretences.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Actually "devious" comes from the Latin Devius therefore Blair did not invent it. (TIC)
The book A Journey, is the memoirs of Tony Blair it is not about any war otherwise it may have been called " Saddam and my part in his downfall". Had it been the latter and he was giving the proceeds to the cause, whilst making a bundle on the side, I could see why he would be villified. However, it is not and although the "illegal war" was a significant part of his premiership it was only a part of his premiership and indeed his political career. He now makes money on the back of being the Prime Minister so what. How many Generals have made money from book sales after they have retired and they are the guys who actually send you "over the top".
The fact that Blair gets paid huge appearance money is because he is in huge demand as a speaker because people want to hear him speak. Should he refuse to speak. Should he refuse payment for doing so. Should he give all his earnings for the rest of his natural away to good causes. He may be responsible for the biggest cock-up since Argentina stepped onto the Falklands but for now he is not a convicted criminal and is as free to peddle as the rest of us. 4.5 million is a great result for our Heroes.
A final point, if people are so concerned about this being "blood money", should it be accepted by such an honourable cause or declined on moral grounds. It seems to me that some want it both ways which is a little hypocritical dont you think.

[Gerrycc943]

Actually "devious" comes from the Latin Devius therefore Blair did not invent it. (TIC)
The book A Journey, is the memoirs of Tony Blair it is not about any war otherwise it may have been called " Saddam and my part in his downfall". Had it been the latter and he was giving the proceeds to the cause, whilst making a bundle on the side, I could see why he would be villified. However, it is not and although the "illegal war" was a significant part of his premiership it was only a part of his premiership and indeed his political career. He now makes money on the back of being the Prime Minister so what. How many Generals have made money from book sales after they have retired and they are the guys who actually send you "over the top".
The fact that Blair gets paid huge appearance money is because he is in huge demand as a speaker because people want to hear him speak. Should he refuse to speak. Should he refuse payment for doing so. Should he give all his earnings for the rest of his natural away to good causes. He may be responsible for the biggest cock-up since Argentina stepped onto the Falklands but for now he is not a convicted criminal and is as free to peddle as the rest of us. 4.5 million is a great result for our Heroes.
A final point, if people are so concerned about this being "blood money", should it be accepted by such an honourable cause or declined on moral grounds. It seems to me that some want it both ways which is a little hypocritical dont you think.

Quite agree, Gwyn,

The money is going to a good cause so let's be grateful for that.

It's also worthy of mention that he wasn't alone in decision making but, as in service life, if you are top dog you have to carry the can!

[ap1]

I'm not really interested in the eye catching tabloid headlines. What interests me is the human element of the donation. Blair is no fool. He knew that the gesture of donation would be seen as "bloodmoney" etc. But he has still gone ahead with it.

Personally I think this has nothing to do with image building, but plain old fashioned guilt. As Gwyn mentioned, being responsible for the biggest post-war cock up. Well it must weigh heavily on his shoulders. When the average Joe makes a big mistake, that person will dwell on it. That is exacerbated with age, when you tend to deal with it less well than a younger person. I think the donation is something that is part of his personal struggle within himself to accept what he has done and the consequences of that decision to go to war, which we see on the media most days.

Regarding Margaret Thatcher and the Falklands, I think that was very different. Most of the population probably felt it was a just action. So she never really had the same emotional guilt kick-back, that Blair has probably experienced.

[jcj]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1303972/Tony-Blairs-5m-British-Legion-gift-designed-make-feel-better.html

An interesting slant on this by Max hastings

However, it seems to me more like feel-good money. It is a gesture designed to make Tony Blair think better of himself, and other people think better of Tony Blair.
It must please him to be sure God is pleased. The rest of us hold our noses.

[bennyball2]

Why are everyone so down on Tony Blair? he did some good things as a prime minister, he sorted the mess left by thatchers policies that ruined the Health Service, and most of the public sector. Take the mines as one example, unproductive my ass, that was her way of getting back at the unions after they brought Heath down, and her annoying little argument with `scargill. Poll Tax? very popular, Falklands?? wasent about natural resources was it??? Rail system Privatised, any better do you think?? PFI in hospitals, we will be paying for that for years to come?? Moan about kit for our troops when they are sent to war??? why do you think the conservatives are any better, what was the kit they went to the falklands war like, sutible my ****??? Tony Blair made a mistake, but he did a lot of decent things as well in trying to put right the conservatives caused when they were in power. O and they are after nicking the milk off kids again???

[dutchman]

does anyone really think that anyone who benefits from it will give two ***** where the money came from , no ! like him or loathe him and whatever reason he is doing this for , he is till doing it and as the comments on here testify he will still be thought bad of . i myself think great on him for doing it because let's face it he never had to and even it is guilt money who cares , he gets my vote for doing it . hate is a small word with a hell of a lot of consequences attached to it so lets accept it for what it is regardless of why he is doing it .

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Same old rhetoric Carl. A party political broadcast on behalf of the Labour party. Same old arguments too. The mines - if they were/are productive, Labour could have opened them all back up, they have had three terms do so. Poll tax - again i'll ask you, is the current system fairer (you didn't respond last time) Equipment for our lads- we will always want better stuff for them regardless of who is in power so we will moan. Any war that we or the States get involved with will have to have its carrot at the end of it, how else do you get back any of the money invested in the first place. Would you have rather seen the Russians set up base in the Falklands as you can bet Argentina did not have a purpose for the Islands. Blair put nothing right, at best he kept it at the same level whilst getting us into the biggest reccession since the war. Free milk was given to children in schools back in the day when diets were poor and children needed the extra supplement. That is not true today and is no longer a requirement. Indeed with the problem well reported about childhood obesity is it helpful to give a child full milk on top of what they are consuming or are you actually fueling the problem. As a tax payer I would prefer that money to go to the elderly of this country though I doubt it will. If parents want to give their children more milk, they get enough in child benefits to afford it. You must have something new to add by now Carl. LOL

Hingy this brings out my point about Democracy ie Manifesto v "we'll keep the red flag flying here". Some things will never change.

[dutchman]

Nick i wonder why you mention the elderly , how old are you now ? I am ducking and running before the answer hits me in the kisser

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Not quite there yet Dutch but you have to set out your stall dont you. Remember the 7 P's

[dutchman]

yes but when you get older nick it's 4 p's and one to many
preperation and planning prevents p****** your bed

[bennyball2]

Same old rhetoric Carl. A party political broadcast on behalf of the Labour party. Same old arguments too. The mines - if they were/are productive, Labour could have opened them all back up, they have had three terms do so. Poll tax - again i'll ask you, is the current system fairer (you didn't respond last time) Equipment for our lads- we will always want better stuff for them regardless of who is in power so we will moan. Any war that we or the States get involved with will have to have its carrot at the end of it, how else do you get back any of the money invested in the first place. Would you have rather seen the Russians set up base in the Falklands as you can bet Argentina did not have a purpose for the Islands. Blair put nothing right, at best he kept it at the same level whilst getting us into the biggest reccession since the war. Free milk was given to children in schools back in the day when diets were poor and children needed the extra supplement. That is not true today and is no longer a requirement. Indeed with the problem well reported about childhood obesity is it helpful to give a child full milk on top of what they are consuming or are you actually fueling the problem. As a tax payer I would prefer that money to go to the elderly of this country though I doubt it will. If parents want to give their children more milk, they get enough in child benefits to afford it. You must have something new to add by now Carl. LOL

Hingy this brings out my point about Democracy ie Manifesto v "we'll keep the red flag flying here". some things will never change.

Yes I do think Council tax is fairer, dont think I saw the same riots when that was introduced so a lot of people must have the same thought? Once the mines were closed it would have been very difficult to reopen, so you dont think it was a personal vendeta against the miners? Quote from a documentry I saw, From a Falkland Islander, I spent my school time being educated in Argentina, I think they supplied them with all their needs, all we did was send a little ship around and a hand full of squaddies, and you dont think that was political as she was down in the polls till after the war? Dont know how you can say children dont need the milk in school, there are a lot of families in poverty could be their parents dont want to work, thats not the kids fault. How can you blame the government for the reccession think the Banks and america had something to do with that??? THE LADY IS NOT FOR TURNING think that quote really sums her up, think talking and listening are fundemental to life, she did a lot of talking but never listened Oh and yes I will keep the RED FLAG flying Nice to have a discussion with you Gwynn

[Gwyn Nicholas]

The poll tax, taxed all working people in a single household which meant if there were four working adults in that house they all paid. Now a household of two pays the same as one of four, six twelve etc. In some places, it depends on which side of a road you live. How can something as plain as that be a fairer system. They may not be rioting but many red flags have been taken down, for the present at least.

So it would have been a little "difficult" to open up the mines, so what. If they were truely viable and profitable, Labour would have opened them. They are not, they did not, and will not simply because this country is holding on to its reserves for future hard/impossible times.

One Falkland Islander gave his/her perspective and that is the be all and end all. What do the majority of the Islanders think. A guy I used to play darts with (ex REME) is married to one who has a totally different view on the subject. She will forever be grateful for the sacrifices our lads made regardless of the Governments ulterior motives for freeing the Islands.

Of course there are poorer families in this country and I am all for looking out for the genuine cases indeed if they are needy then I would advocate giving them free school dinners as well. However to give every school child milk because a small number are on the breadline is just the lunacy that the loony left have become famous/infamous for. Benefits in all their forms are a good thing but they must go to the people who really need them and not those who make a living off the backs of others.

Yes the banks had much to do with the reccession but they were allowed to get out of control by the Government. The people of this country had thier hand in it too, living well above their means and running up enormous individual debt the like of which had never been seen in this country. The same I believe can be said for the USA. Now we all have to bite the bullet and face the cuts or we will go deeper and deeper. New Labour had its chance, it was no different to the old regime. If it had been, I would have voted for them myself as I am not a traditionalist but an individual who wants the best for this country. Will this lot be any better, I dont know but its worth a shot.

I salute your loyalty Carl it is indeed a rare comodity these days. (NO-DUFF)