Image by Chris Beckett via Flickr
by Kenn Orphan
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Halifax, Nova Scotia
March 20, 2022
“The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them.“ — George Orwell
Image by Jasn via Flickr
by Felicity Arbuthnot
Writer, Dandelion Salad
London, England
July 8, 2017
I think most people who have dealt with me, think I’m a pretty straight sort of guy, and I am.
— Tony Blair, BBC “On the Record”, 16th November 1997
Image by The Official CTBTO Photostream via Flickr
by John Pilger
johnpilger.com
August 23, 2016
The exoneration of a man accused of the worst of crimes, genocide, made no headlines. Neither the BBC nor CNN covered it. The Guardian allowed a brief commentary. Such a rare official admission was buried or suppressed, understandably. It would explain too much about how the rulers of the world rule.
Image by Jasn via Flickr
Chilcot Report critical of Tony Blair, British intelligence in lead-up to Iraq War
with David Swanson
RT America on Jul 6, 2016
After a seven-year-long investigation, Chairman of the Iraq Inquiry Committee Sir John Chilcot released his report on the United Kingdom’s role in the Iraq War. The Chilcot Report is highly critical of the UK’s intelligence services, saying they provided “flawed” information about Saddam Hussein’s alleged weapons of mass destruction. RT correspondent Polly Boiko has more on the report from London. Then, RT America’s Anya Parampil sits down with author and activist David Swanson, who says former British Prime Minister Tony Blair “knew very well” that WMDs did not exist in Iraq.
Image by Jasn via Flickr
by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy
June 28, 2016
This Fourth of July, U.S. war makers will be drinking fermented grain, grilling dead flesh, traumatizing veterans with colorful explosions, and thanking their lucky stars and campaign contributors that they don’t live in rotten old England. And I don’t mean because of King George III. I’m talking about the Chilcot Inquiry.
Updated: Nov. 27, 2014
by Felicity Arbuthnot
Writer, Dandelion Salad
London, England
November 23, 2014
Image by Chris Beckett via Flickr
“At Save The Children we want to delight and surpass your expectations.” (Save The Children website, complaints page)
When the Orwellianly name “Middle East Peace Envoy” Tony Blair was named “Philanthropist of the Year” by GQ Magazine in September for “his tireless charitable work” (tell that to the dismembered, dispossessed, traumatized of Iraq, Afghanistan) there was widespread disbelief. Mind stretching though, it was hardly a heavyweight accolade, coming from a publication with, seemingly, a strange fetish for David Beckham’s knickers and little grounding in reality. Continue reading
Image by Dandelion Salad via Flickr
by Felicity Arbuthnot
Writer, Dandelion Salad
London, England
April 13, 2014
There must be something in the water at No 10 Downing Street, currently inhabited by Prime Minister David Cameron.
When Tony Blair was in residence, according to the diaries of his former communications director, Alastair Campbell, before the illegal invasion of Iraq, for which Blair’s Downing Street offices produced fantasy, fictional, false justifications, the then Prime Minister was guided by his faith and regularly spoke to “his Maker.” Blair may have “spoken” – but, as ever, he clearly didn’t listen. Continue reading
by Felicity Arbuthnot
Writer, Dandelion Salad
London, England
April 9, 2014
Not only is Middle East “Peace Envoy”, Catholic convert and Butcher of Baghdad, Tony Blair gunning for another overthrow and mass destruction in Syria, he has recruited the son of an Archbishop to help him.
Not any old Archbishop either, Blair’s latest recruit is son of Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England, who heads both the Church of England and the eighty million member Anglican Communion worldwide. Continue reading
by Felicity Arbuthnot
Writer, Dandelion Salad
London, England
December 18, 2013
Nelson Mandela’s life, included violence and controversy but he “walked the walk” paying the price of twenty seven years in jail for the racial equality he fought for South Africa. For all the country’s complexities, imperfections and astonishing betrayals(i) the concept of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission surely averted a cycle of vengeance which would have dwarfed the country’s continuing turbulence.
by Felicity Arbuthnot
Writer, Dandelion Salad
London, England
December 6, 2013
Accusing politicians or former politicians of “breathtaking hypocrisy” is not just over used, it is inadequacy of spectacular proportions. Sadly, searches in various thesaurus’ fail in meaningful improvement.
The death of Nelson Mandela, however, provides tributes resembling duplicity on a mind altering substance.
by Felicity Arbuthnot
Writer, Dandelion Salad
London, England
December 2, 2013
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Holed Below the Water Line
Diplomacy: “Tact and skill in dealing with people”, “The art or practice of conducting international relations, alliances, treaties and agreements … relations between nations.”
As Ministers utter inane, ill-considered, uninformed statements, they also appear to compete as to who can construct the most idiotic policy.
Image by chrisjohnbeckett via Flickr
by Felicity Arbuthnot
Writer, Dandelion Salad
London, England
November 19, 2013
Hypocrisy, the most protected of vices.
— Moliere, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, 1622-1673
Last week a little more was learned as to the circumventions in Whitehall and Washington delaying the publication of the findings of Sir John Chilcot’s marathon Inquiry into the background of the Iraq invasion.
Image by DonkeyHotey via Flickr
by Felicity Arbuthnot
Writer, Dandelion Salad
London, England
June 24, 2013
“Any time bombs are used to target innocent civilians it is an act of terrorism.” President Barack Obama 15th February 2013. (Re Boston bombings.)
Having learned nothing from the catastrophes of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, it seems President Obama, the equally clueless UK Prime Minister Cameron and his culturally challenged Foreign Secretary William Hague are cheerleading another bloodbath in formerly peaceful, secular, outward looking Syria.
by John Pilger
www.globalresearch.ca
www.johnpilger.com
February 17, 2012
Image by eddiedangerous via Flickr
In the kabuki theatre of British parliamentary politics, great crimes do not happen and criminals go free. It is theatre after all; the pirouettes matter, not actions taken at remove in distance and culture from their consequences. It is a secure arrangement guarded by cast and critics alike. The farewell speech of one of the most artful, Tony Blair, had “a sense of moral conviction running through it”, effused the television presenter Jon Snow, as if Blair’s appeal to Kabuki devotees was mystical. That he was a war criminal was irrelevant.
Updated: Nov. 27, 2011
Image by eddiedangerous via Flickr
PressTVGlobalNews on Nov 21, 2011
A War Crimes Tribunal in the Malaysian capital has begun its hearing against George W. Bush and Tony Blair, charging the former officials for the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, Press TV reports.
Dandelion Salad 