Do most people 'dislike' Tony Blair?

[AgentZigzag]

I accept that the word dislike may not fully encompass the emotional response he provokes in some people, but I personally don't think he's that bad. I see him as a politician who's had to make difficult decisions, rather than someone who took us to war for dishonest reasons.

It was his job to look at the bigger picture after 9/11, I've just seen him saying on the Iraq Inquiry that 3000 people were killed on that day, and if they could have, they would have killed 30000. Surely he had to do everything and anything he thought necessary to try and protect us from people whose reality is so distorted that they would gladly kill and maim as many people in the west as possible, and certainly don't play by any of the rules of normal modern warfare.

I don't think I'm being naive, and I can't stand Labour so it's not because I'm some NuLab fan, but I just don't think he's as bad as the media wants us to think he is.

"The lengthy period during which the inspectors will have been unable to enter many Iraqi facilities has made it even less likely that they will be able to uncover all of Saddam?s secrets. As a result, in the not-too-distant future we will be unable to determine with any reasonable level of confidence whether Iraq does or does not possess such weapons."

And after this, did they go on to prove the existence/non-existence of God? What a load of codswallop.

don't get what you are saying fembear? Not sure where god enters it?

there was no diplomatic route - that was why it was delayed........while they tried diplomacy, you know?

"The most recent numbers from Iraq Body Count, a non-governmental organisation that has tracked civilian casualties since the war began, puts the number of fatalities at 93,540." - why do I dislike Tony B.liar ?

The title is Do Most People Dislike Tony Blair? not Do People Think The Iraq War Was Wrong? So I think my post asked a perfectly fair question. Interestingly, everyone except Georgimama seems to have got this.

I'm still not sure how FREE museums are only for the middle classes. Do they check your class on the door? Is there a badge we can wear?

Lady BB: they implied that Hussain might have WMD, but they could never prove it because he hid them.

Perhaps the reality is that they could never prove it because the WMD didn't exist.

It's exactly the same as the theological argument that says you cannot prove that God doesn't exist. Just because you can't prove the negative claim does not automatically prove that the positive claim is true.

bloody hell. Calm down Georgiemama.

Surprised nobody has linked to THAT notorious thread of 2007 - the one where Aloha accuses people of voting Labour of being complicit in murder. (Thankfully she is now writing small meaningless features about liposuction and facelifts - more suited to her capabilities)

Ah yes dear Mr Wolfowitz; was he not elected key player in the World Bank? Oh yes but then had to resign as he promoted the woman he was shagging. Tut tut.

Blair; it makes me cry. You know why? because I believed in him. I don't now, hence the tears.

I believed that Labour would be an improvement on the Tories. I grew up in Thatchers Britain and saw what she did to it. It pains me to think that now I'll have to vote for the Tories just to get this bunch of wankers out, what depths Labour has made me sink to

Does this mean that all the political parties will be better than that last lot of lying/cheating/money and power grabbing tossers, only to turn into that themselves? Perhaps we just have to put it down to the nature of the political animal.

Every government will be unpopular at some point and be detested by some section of society. I can't understand unswavering party political allegiance. You're not 'sinking' at all zigzag.

As I said on another thread the other day, I think a change of administration is healthy evry 10 years or so.

every. Sorry my typing/ spelling has been awful tonight.

But I'd rather vote for a party because I think they'd be good for the country rather than to get another party out of office.

haven't read the thread but here goes:

he is a despicable fucker that I voted for in '97, marched against in 2003 and now consider to be one of the worst examples of someone that can commit acts of evil whilst entirely of the opinion that their motives are good and therefore it's all ok then.

the fact that he hasn't used the chilcot enquiry as an opportunity to apologise for knowingly breaking international law by invading iraq says it all.

no integrity, no humility, nothing in fact, but affable self aggrandisement.

wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire.

clear enough for you?

Hmm then is this a case of cutting off nose to spite face? Carry on voting labour if you feel strongly about their policies. The faces will change anyway. There will be new scandals whoever is in charge.

Oh Sophable - 'zackly'. but I have the smarmy righteousness of not voting for him in 97. Smarmy arse.

To add, my dear old Dad, who also didn't vote for him in 97 (with a very definite snort at the term 'New labour') reckons he should be impeached old stylee.....

I've met him. And yes, he does have considerable charm, like all successful con artists. (Even Cherie was a lot more affable than she's painted.)

Doesn't even begin to excuse the war crimes, the lies and the unnecessary deaths of something approaching 100,000 civilians and soldiers in Iraq.

I am quite proud that my parents spotted what an oily non-Labour creep he was 30 years ago and tried to block his political career by rejecting him as a candidate when they were on the selection committee. (A safe Tory seat, admittedly, he was still in the ranks of aspiring MPs who have to turn up for unwinnable seats to show willing).

Nearly puked when the news showed him pulling that tired old stunt of his, avoiding the issue by pretending to apologise for something quite irrelevant - 'oh, I'm really sorry not everyone agreed with me'. Fucker.

wow

rock up to the mic Cameron - table's all yours

i'll shut the door on the way out

when Blair first appeared I didn't like the smoothness and the surface charm. The decision over war was a very difficult one and he showed courage in taking an unpopular option.

I dislike - and despise - some politicians, mainly the ones I have met. To hate a person you don't know seems pretty unbalanced.