So yeah, apparently some people in Ireland aren’t willing to let bygones be bygones. Blair’s been gone; then he had to write that stupid memoir.
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People care about what Tony Blair has to say. Well, at least in the U.K., the U.S. and Canada. In the U.K., the book is breaking sales records, and is currently the fastest-selling autobiography in publisher Waterstone’s history. In the U.S. and Canada, it’s also making a killing. While Waterstone isn’t naming exact numbers yet, they’ve called the success of “A Journey” unprecedented. Not bad for a former prime minister. source
I was asked recently which of the political leaders I had met had most integrity. I listed George near the top. He had genuine integrity and as much political courage as any leader I ever met.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair • Geeking out about George W. Bush in his new memoir, “I Love George” “A Journey.” In the book, he claims that, while the former president was very smart, he had “immense simplicity in how he saw the world.” He says that while they got on a little awkwardly at first (due to their differing politics), the relationship improved over the years. He also had kind things to say about Bill Clinton, too, saying he was a “political soulmate” and defending him over the Monica Lewinsky affair. source
So, she’s calling elections that will start in August. The new Australian prime minister, known both for having red hair and from taking her seat out from under the other guy, plans to hold elections to prove that she belongs there. “This election, I believe, presents Australians with a very clear choice,” she said. “This election is about the choice as to whether we move Australia forward or go back.” We’re thinking of a boomerang joke … source
Conan O’Brien has a new doppelganger. Julia Gillard, who replaced Kevin Rudd as Australian prime minister just a little while ago, is one of the Labor Party’s leading lights, and might have a better chance of winning in an election. And she’s not even from Australia! She was originally born in Wales, just like all the truly awesome people out there. (We’re not Welsh.) source
Dude got Israel to agree to open up Gaza. Israel was at the point where they needed to do something, though, because the International Committee for the Red Cross deemed their approach illegal. So, instead of only allowing a small number of things through the border, Israel will allow general goods and specifically block things they don’t want in the country. “Some of these issues, drawing up the negative list, that will take some time,” Blair said. “But we hope very much we can start getting stuff into Gaza.” He’s like a regular Bill Clinton! source
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra reportedly funded the Red Shirt protests. And it wasn’t a modest amount, either – over ten weeks, Thaksin reportedly gave $1.5 million to the opposition efforts each day. So now he’s wanted on terrorism charges and could face the death penalty. He hasn’t had a super-charmed life of late – the government took $1.4 billion of his assets in February after an unfavorable high-court decision. The opposition isn’t backing down, either, as they attempted to impeach current PM Abhisit Vejjajiva. source
It is true that I said I wanted to relocate the facility outside of Okinawa. However, I’d like to apologize that the conclusion is not what the Okinawans wanted.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama • Regarding his decision to allow the American military to keep its main Japanese base, over the concerns and protests of many local residents. The U.S. takes up 10 to 20 percent of the island of Okinawa, and in recent months became a charged political issue. “I must say the situation is extremely disappointing and severe,” said Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima. source