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Blair's "No" To Public Enquiry, On 7/7 London Tube Train Bombing
Being bombed, by as bad a bunch of barmy, brainwashed bigots as the majority of the British public is ever likely to come across, can only be classed correctly as one of the most terrible personal traumas/tragedies imaginable.
But in the league table of terrible tragedies, how close behind such outrages comes the sheer bombasticidity of a British Prime Minister, apparently perfectly prepared to pile even more pain upon surviving victims of savage, terrorist attacks ?
That those still suffering so much [ in various ways ], from the London tube bombing horror which was recently heaped upon them - should, so to speak - have the proverbial salt rubbed right into their wounds -- by their own government -- surely should be construed as completely unthinkable, obviously unbearable, patently unacceptable and totally unforgivable.
Yet that's precisely what Premier Blair's deliberate & coldly calculated decision to dismiss calls for a public enquiry -- with damned near despicable disdain -- amounts to.
"Tough!" He seems to be saying, " Get over it. You shut up and get on with it, while we go on doing what we want to."
Well, there's at least one particular London tube bombing survivor - Rachel from North London - who is definitely not going to shut up.
No, Prime Minister.
Never. Ever.
And furthermore -- nor will many more.
Rachel's been writing a regular blog relating to our capital city's 7/7, underground rail system's shocking bombing story - and more.
It's a 'must-read' - and you'd better believe it. Has This Old Brit or Richard ever lied here before ?
And from this day on they are both are right behind Rachel, et al -- as is a veritable bevy, of great British bloggers.
So, be sure to spend some time scrolling your away around Rachel's blog. There's a helluva lot to look at - including contributions from fellow survivors' -- and many sincerely concerned kindred spirits. Along with loads & loads of links.
Additionally, there's a two page spread written by Rachel for today's Sunday Times. So be sure to read that too.
And now of course there's the online, public petition for a public enquiry.
This Old Brit says we should all sign it; to prove to all our politicians - from all the political parties - that we, the British public are NOT a pushover. And that we will not be pushed around. Not by any terrorist - nor by any politician.
British parliamentarians/politicians are expressly elected to 'serve' the British public. So they should be shown, by all available legal means, that the British public will never under any circumstances, simply submit to subservience.
Politicians prevail and/or prosper, mainly, courtesy of public apathy. They thrive on the individual's indifference.
And that's not right. That's not how life in 21st century Britain should be. Not for any of us.
Regardless of our personal, political party preferences.
posted by Richard at Sunday, December 18, 2005
20 Comments:
There should be public inquiry- and in the US the 911 victims and survivors and families had to fight long and hard for such an investigation- what is wrong with Tony and Bush? I will head to Rachels- thanks for telling us...
In a country obsessed with accountability our "leaders" are... unaccountable.
And now we have Blair II in the making: Cameblair.
Is that the sound of Orwell turning in his grave I hear?
Great post, BTW.
Absolutely there should be an inquiry, I completely and totally understand why people are pushing for this. I read Rachel's blog, she's written some incredible stuff.
A very real concern though has to be that any inquiry would just be an enormous back-slapping-crony-whitewash from start to finish.
I can't see how any of the really tough questions would be answered and inevitably a tiny remit would be placed over it. It would be filled with cronies to rehash a politically safe story. Indeed I was reading (might have been the Times), that if there were something, Charles Clarkes said he would prefer a 'civil servant narrating what happened', and that's no inquiry.
The 9/11 Commission report was probably the biggest establishment whitewash in living memory. They were actually going to make Kissinger the head the commission, nonetheless, Kean, Hamilton, Gorelick etc did fine job in sweeping everything under the carpet. Google for the incredible C-Span clip with Vice Chairman Hamilton taking calls and Brian Lamb attacking callers as being 'obsessed by every jot and tiddle'.
Who would they make the head of a 7/7 investigation ? Peter Mandelson ? Alistair Campbell ? Some crony-Labour donor 'Lord' ?
I'm not trying to be defeatist with this, I totally understand why people are pushing for this, absolutely there should be an inquiry, but the history of rigged, bogus whitewashes from the Blair regime, to rubber stamp whatever they want to do, does not bode well.
Who would they make the head of a 7/7 investigation ? Lord Butler is experienced in whitewashing!
Richard, Thank you for doing the hard work in writing this blog. And especially for highlighting Rachel's blog. I have signed the petition. My best wishes to you and look forward to reading your blog.
Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year!
This exactly what the net needs using for. Drawing decent people together to make aloof(and often worse) politicians accountable.
I'm off to Rachel's blog and to cast my vote for an enquiry. Thanks for the heads up.
richard - can non-residents sign the petition?
Very good, piece. And thanks for the link to Rachel's blog.
Tony Blair really is a jackass, isn't he?
Richard,
Dubhaltach and myself want to say "thank you" to everyone here who posted to condole us on Dario's death.
We're a bit overwhelmed at present and need to take some time to ourselves. A much-loved family friend has very kindly sacrificed her time and holidays to give us the time and space to lick our wounds and start remembering the joy and love with which Dario graced our family.
Thank you - we're grateful
Mark
Du
Good on you ~ and good on Rachel and friends ~ keep at them & at them &at them & hat them &etc. They count on people giving up before they eventually have to cave in
Politiains work for the people ~ NOT the other way round. They need reminding of this Constantly!!!!!!!! PS.I'll sign up if I'm allowed
X-post with Mark.
My thoughts are with you all. I was so deeply sorry when I heard your sad news.
enigma, gert, jultra,
Looks like we're all in agreement - an enquiry is a must! Even if - no, rather WHEN they try to spin/lie whatever - we cannot help make things easier for them, by just shrugging shoulders.
sharhrya,
You're welcome; It's my pleasure. Thank you, too. You're bang on the button re: Butler, btw.
Rex, you're welcome too - as is dff - as always.
graniab, yes. London attracts so many tourists, all year round, that Rachel thinks they have a right to know what did and is, happening or is likely to.
bluey,
I couldn't agree more. People need to keep at it - "they" ruddy well do.
Mark & Du,
It's the very least any of us could do. If only anyone could do more. No words are ever enough at terrible times like this. May little Dario always rest in peace, and stay forever in the hearts of all those who loved him.
Blair is a politician - if an inquiry served his interests, he would request one. Even the most circumspect and ethical pols are human, so they always do what they thinks will help them. The more venal pols, like Blair, behaive this way too, but with extreme prejudice.
With that in mind, Blair must have come to the conclusion that an investigation would be to his detriment. Why is that? Is he afraid of pulling the string on the old sweater that is his govenment? Is he afraid that moth eaten old rag, his government, will be unequal to the task of holding itself together whilst Inquiry gives its tug? Maybe he feels the tired old patches put on that old thing, the Secrets Act, are not formidible enough to hold it all together.
Elaine and anon,
Two more of us that they can't fool. And I see over the last couple of days that Blair's busily doing the some more of the same denying - in both senses of the word. Denying all knowlege of certain events and denying inquiries into events, which obviously cry out for same.
But what's new, eh?
To Richard and all the Old Brit readers - just stopping by to wish you and yours 'Seasons Greetings' from my family in rain sodden San Francisco Bay Area -
Thank you very much for highlighting my posts, and for signing the petition.
Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year to you all
graniab and rachel,
Thank you both very much. Here's wishing all the very best of everything, to the pair of you.
"Politicians prevail and/or prosper, mainly, courtesy of public apathy. They thrive on the individual's indifference."
That makes no sense. We've had politicians for hundreds of years, including times when people were much more engaged by politics than they are now. We get the politicians we deserve.
laban,
* "Politicians prevail and/or prosper, mainly, courtesy of public apathy. They thrive on the individual's indifference." *
Perhaps my position would have bee plainer to you, had I put the word "Individual" prior to "Politicians".
I have to say though, that I feel you do have a lot to learn about 'politics'.
Anyone arriving here to comment for the very first time, with the opening remark "That makes no sense," doesn't seem to make much sense either.
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