JUNE 2007

Tony Blair

Political Methuselahs can afford no self-doubt, no recriminations, no evolutionary process, no conversions. A plausible manner and a humility bypass are the lifelines of the long-life leader and the curse of the countries they control. Mary Riddell

His was the first government that completely subordinated governing to the needs of the media. Eric Hobsbawm



'Blare - II'
- by Ian Reed ©-

The English poodle, tail between his legs,
Leaving behind his dirty legacy,
Bids farewell to the hand-picked sycophants
Stage-managed by a craven BBC.

The sop of rotten borough Sedgefield weeps
To favor brown-nose Brown as his successor,
And Bush says he will miss his "good friend," Blair,
His confidant, his Downing Street confessor,

Who's parting gesture is to prosecute --
Promoting Secrecy's close cousin, Shame --
Truth-tellers. Now all's said and done, he leaves,
Post-pity party, bearing History's blame.

May 2007