Sunday, July 01, 2007
Tony Blair puts his retirement to good use
Tony Blair, finally speaking for himself rather than the government of the United Kingdom, calls out the British Islamists and their ideological fellow-travelers:
Tony Blair has launched a powerful attack on 'absurd' British Islamists who have nurtured a false 'sense of grievance' that they are being oppressed by Britain and the United States.
In his most outspoken remarks on Islamists, the former Prime Minister warns that Britain is in danger of losing the battle against terrorists unless mainstream society confronts the threat....
'The idea that as a Muslim in this country that you don't have the freedom to express your religion or your views, I mean you've got far more freedom in this country than you do in most Muslim countries,' Blair told Observer columnist Will Hutton, who presents the documentary.
'The reason we are finding it hard to win this battle is that we're not actually fighting it properly. We're not actually standing up to these people and saying, "It's not just your methods that are wrong, your ideas are absurd. Nobody is oppressing you. Your sense of grievance isn't justified."'
Blair held out the example of the overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan - criticised by Islamists as an example of the heavy-handed imperial West oppressing Muslims - to highlight unfounded claims of grievance. He asked how it is possible to claim that Afghanistan's Muslims are being oppressed when the Taliban 'used to execute teachers for teaching girls in schools'.
Blair added: 'How are [we] oppressing them? You're oppressing them when you support the people who are trying to blow them up.'
That's it, actually: Their ideas are absurd. We in the Western chattering classes have become very unwilling to say that to or about anybody who is not a white male in a position of political, economic or social power. Sometimes, however, it needs to be said, no matter how loudly the authors of absurdity claim legitimacy for their ideas because of their "rage" or supposed victim status. Blair's candor does invite a question, though: What is it about Anglo-American political culture that prevented Tony Blair from saying these words while he was in office?
CWCID: Ann Althouse.
10 Comments:
By 
Purple Avenger, at
Sun Jul 01, 09:25:00 PM:
He's going to need someone else to start his car from now on ;->
By Whiskey, at
Sun Jul 01, 11:37:00 PM:
The reason is feminization and weakness in politics, plus of course what came with it, a weak and degenerate elite that fetishizes weakness and victimhood.
Blair could not say this, because the man was hostage to the elite that cannot say the truth, because then they would be expected to do something about it.
The elites in Britain are only good for talking, and appeasing. They can't do much other than appease. If the threat were acknowledged, rough men ready to do violence so the people can sleep safe in their beds at night, would rise.
Even ordinary men, without a lot of connections.
And we can't have that! Surrender!
By 
, at
Mon Jul 02, 12:05:00 AM:
Actually, Blair HAD made some properly blunt comments before he stepped down. Some are reported in this blog
By Georg Felis, at
Mon Jul 02, 10:54:00 AM:
Man’s capacity for self-delusion is without limit. And that goes double when we start talking to people who have made a career out of self-delusion, conspiracy theory, and gnosis (hidden knowledge). And to make things clear, I am talking about radical Islam, not just the Democrats.
--Georg Felis
“A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals” -- MIB
By David M, at
Mon Jul 02, 11:09:00 AM:
Trackbacked by The Thunder Run - Web Reconnaissance for 07/02/2007
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day...so check back often.
By , at
Mon Jul 02, 11:46:00 AM:
Two words: white guilt.
People are still obsessed with race to the point that they can't distinguish between race and culture.
All races are equal.
All cultures are not.
By , at
Mon Jul 02, 01:07:00 PM:
Heads of governments emasculate their public statements for at least one good reason. They face a politically correct mass media who are capable of raising an instant hue and cry against such statements as Blair privately made by spinning it as 'racist' or whatever the current holy buzzword of blasphemy is. Their governments stand on sufferance of public opinion, and said MSM is ever searching for an opportunity to topple a government and generate more dramatic 'news'.
Were the MSM not so monolithic in its composition of tranzies and goodthinkers, venturing candid statements such as Blair's recent example would not be so hazardous - some media would rightly cheer. But those who might cheer such common-sense statements are not to be found in places of media power, so Blair the Prime Minister feared to tread where Blair the civilian walks confidently.
By Dawnfire82, at
Mon Jul 02, 08:21:00 PM:
I think 'Sensitive' is closest to the real answer.
But I also think that a leader who challenged those ideas and perceptions in a bold way would win points with the people at large. The media and various and sundry 'elites' do not represent the mainstream. I remember back in 2003 with Bush's 'bring it on' challenge to insurgents. The media did their best to crucify him for that ("stupid reckless cowboy") but it didn't work so well. I think that for a lot of people it was nice to hear and the populace at large just thought to themselves, "fucking right, bring it on." It's been a while since we've had a leader with some fighting spirit.
Teddy Roosevelt established a lasting legacy by doing and saying bold things according to simple, common American morals of the age, not by bowing to the polls and dodging controversy.
By , at
Tue Jul 03, 02:15:00 PM:
Once again Tony Blair has it right. I laugh when I read the mainstream press call Blair Bush's lapdog. Even Brett Stephens today in the WSJ called him that. This is a guy who definitely understands what we are up against. My sense is that after a few more bombs go off in London and other places in Britain, the British will be looking for a leader like Blair again who will show no quarter to these nut jobs..?
By joated, at
Tue Jul 03, 08:24:00 PM:
Purple Avenger said: "He's going to need someone else to start his car from now on."
Perhaps we can lend him Jimmy Carter?
At least Blair isn't outthere bad mouthing the British or the British government per se. he is focusing on the problem and recognizes the seriousness of its nature.
