Prime Minister Blair's Statement Opening Commons Debate (MUST READ)

10 Downing Street ^ | 03/18/2003 | Prime Minister Tony Blair

[TonyInOhio]

A magnificent speech from the finest political orator of our generation.

Thank God for our comrades in arms, staunch in friendship and valiant in battle.

[Constitution Day]

ping.

[TonyInOhio]

We go forward together. God Bless you all.

[Constitution Day]

Bump. Excellent post!

[MadIvan]

Ping

[Mark Felton]

It was impressive. My boys (11 and 13), and I, saw it live.

We also watched an additional hour of speech and debate after Blair. It is a momentous period in Western history, as Blair so clearly stated.

I was concerned about Blair's proposal to turn over the Iraqi oil revenues to the UN for reconstruction. Only the Allies should control such revenues until such time as they can turn it over to a legitimate stable representative government of Iraq.

The oil revenues should be used to repay the expenses of the war to the Allies; and then used to rebuild the IRaqi infrastructure.

[SandRat]

As I read this I could hear Prime Minister Blair in my mind, speaking as he does, so clearly, so forcefully in just the right amount. Also ringing clearly in my mind were the sounds coming from the various Members of Parliament, the low murmured objections and the loud cries of here here in support.

A most stirring speech and I believe on a par with Mr. Churchill's words to another generation.

May God Bless.

[MadIvan]

Rebuilding Iraqi infrastructure will help Iraq pay the Allies, as much of their oil extracting equipment has rusted into nothing.

But the best thing the Iraqis can do is turn on the taps of the oil, and cause the price to fall through the floor. That will make economic recovery run into overdrive.

Regards, Ivan

[headsonpikes]

Wow!

I now see why he was elected.

[bulldawg]

Fantastic. Blair is brilliant. If only the rest of his party could be so brave and righteous.

[BartMan1]

persuasive ping....

[InShanghai]

All I can say is: WOW! Mr. Blair is a true friend of America, I wish I could have seen it.

[Cacique]

Interesting, that just a few years ago we saw him as another Clinton wannabe. He has turned out to be the direct opposite of our impeached ex president.

Clinton will fade into obscurity in the pages of history. Blair will walk into greatness.

Character does matter, and while I may not agree with him on other matters of ideology, he at least knows the difference between right and wrong.

[MadIvan]

Fantastic. Blair is brilliant. If only the rest of his party could be so brave and righteous.

It won't. That's why I'll continue to vote Conservative.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Character does matter, and while I may not agree with him on other matters of ideology, he at least knows the difference between right and wrong.

This is the key difference between Blair and Clinton - Blair believes in things. He may not always believe in the right things and often times he's thoroughly wrong, but he believes, and will pursue causes he feels are just and necessary. He strongly believes in the rightness of what we are doing in Iraq, and this is producing his finest hour.

Clinton in contrast believes in nothing but the service of his vanity and ego. I've read accounts in which Blair was totally exasperated by this. Blair is also apparently delighted to be dealing with an American President who means what he says.

Regards, Ivan

[mtbopfuyn]

Hear! Hear! Most excellent speech.

Thank you for posting it.

[ravingnutter]

I was concerned about Blair's proposal to turn over the Iraqi oil revenues to the UN for reconstruction. Only the Allies should control such revenues until such time as they can turn it over to a legitimate stable representative government of Iraq.

I believe it was a compromise to shut down the "war for oil" drumbeat so prevalant in the anti-war crowd. I heard some bimbo on talk radio bleating about Halliburton and Cheney just this morning.

[justshutupandtakeit]

He is a terrific speaker. Of course, hearing a Brit read the phone book is great.

[BruceS]

Interesting, that just a few years ago we saw him as another Clinton wannabe. He has turned out to be the direct opposite of our impeached ex president.

Funny, I was just telling my wife a couple of days ago that Tony Blair is all that Clinton thought he was (and wanted to be), but wasn't. I disagree with many of his policies (of those that I know), he is a leftist of the first order. But he sees the world in real terms, he knows what the phrase "to lead" means. Clinton was willing to risk nothing to get what he felt was right. Blair is willing to risk everything for what he feels is right.