Tony Blair

**nasher546** · 17-08-2010, 13:29

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** · 17-08-2010, 22:34

Originally Posted by 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.

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

**Keith Jones 989** · 18-08-2010, 10:45

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** · 18-08-2010, 11:17

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** · 18-08-2010, 13:08

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** · 18-08-2010, 22:14

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 19-08-2010, 06:22

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** · 19-08-2010, 18:26

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/ar...el-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** · 20-08-2010, 18:31

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** · 20-08-2010, 18:56

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 .