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Mayor of London says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet'
[430 days to regime change in the US and counting.]
**Half of London's Police Will Be Guarding Bush... **250 U.S. Secret Service Agents Carrying Guns... **Mobile phones may be blocked for periods of President Bush's visit amid fears that they could be used to trigger a bomb -------------- http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/pol...p?story=464783 Livingstone says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet' By Nigel Morris, Home Affairs Correspondent 18 November 2003 Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, launched a stinging attack on President George Bush last night, denouncing him as the "greatest threat to life on this planet that we've most probably ever seen". His provocatively timed comments, on the eve of Mr Bush's arrival in London tonight, threaten to create severe embarrassment for the Prime Minister. They also come with talks under way on whether to readmit Mr Livingstone to the Labour Party before his five-year exile ends. Although he made his many differences with the Government on a range of issues clear, he reserved his strongest comments in an interview with The Ecologist magazine for the American President. Mr Livingstone recalled a visit at Easter to California, where he was denounced for an attack he had made on what he called "the most corrupt and racist American administration in over 80 years". The mayor said: "Some US journalist came up to me and said: 'How can you say this about President Bush?' Well, I think what I said then was quite mild. I actually think that Bush is the greatest threat to life on this planet that we've most probably ever seen. The policies he is initiating will doom us to extinction." Mr Livingstone, who is holding a "peace party" for anti-war groups in City Hall tomorrow, added: "I don't formally recognise George Bush because he was not officially elected. So we are organising an alternative reception for everybody who is not George Bush." He said he supported stronger links between European Union countries only because he wanted to see a powerful bloc emerge to rival the United States. "The American agenda is sweeping everything before it, and although it's not perfect, the EU is better on environmental issues. It's a less rapacious form of capitalism." The mayor said he had viewed Labour's 1997 election manifesto as a "load of old guff they'd come out with because they didn't want to upset the Daily Mail" that would rapidly be ditched. "I was amazed when it transpired that Blair had been serious," he said. Accusing the Prime Minister of suffering from a "background problem", he said: "There is nothing in his past that was radicalising. He wasn't interested in all the great student activities, the radical campaigns. "He did not get involved in politics until the 1970s, when the high point was passed. So you have someone of the summer of '68 generation who actually wasn't part of it." On genetically-modified foods, he said: "If the Government ignores public opinion, then civil disobedience on this issue is legitimate, as long as it's not violent. "But the most important thing that affects a government is not peaceful protest, but fear of the ballot box. The comments will infuriate Downing Street at a time when it is examining ways of bringing Mr Livingstone, who was expelled for standing as an independent in the London mayoral elections of 2000, back into the Labour fold. Tony Blair's spokesman said last night: "His views are for Ken Livingstone. They are a matter for him. The Prime Minister has made his views well-known in this respect and looks forward to meeting the President." AS THE PRESIDENT PREPARES TO VISIT SEDGEFIELD, TONY BLAIR'S CONSTITUENCY, WILL HE BE WELCOME? Chris Lloyd, political editor of The Northern Echo: "The paper is Bush neutral and he has a right to visit but equally, the people here have a right to demonstrate. I hope he gets to see all, or at least some of those protests and I hope Mr Blair will explain what they are about because that's what friends are for. Despite Mr Bush's unpopularity, there is a frisson of excitement because nothing of this magnitude has ever happened there." Lucy Hovvels, vice-chairwoman of Sedgefield constituency and Labour councillor in Trimdon: "I've had local people asking where they can get Union Jacks and American flags because they think it's an exciting and historic visit. I really believe Bush will get a warm welcome in Trimdon and the mood is one of excitement. We have the two most important people in the world coming to us - no one would otherwise know where Trimdon is." Richard Wanless, co-ordinator of the 'Sedgefield Against War' protest: "The visit is a massive security risk and for those living in the area, it jeopardises our safety. No matter where he goes, there will be protests from London to the North-east to make sure he knows he is not welcome. To me, he is a war criminal that has illegal occupation of Iraq. To add to the insult, there are families here who lost their children to the war." The Rev Martin King, rector of Sedgefield: "A lot of people here are very angry with the way the US administration is putting itself above the law. One person in my congregation said if President Bush wanted to look around the church, he would be welcome because it is a place for sinners, but he hoped his henchmen would leave their ironware at the door. His policies are very unwelcome in the region - I have not heard anyone voicing support for him." Martin Callanan, Conservative MEP for Sedgefield: "The visit is hugely beneficial for the area. Most of the security threat to the people in Sedgefield will be represented by left-wing demonstrators. And how would we feel if our Prime Minister, whatever his political party, was treated similarly in another part of the world? It was Blair's decision to send our troops to Iraq, so those who are anti-war should not take it out on Bush." Martin McTague, former chairman of the North-east Regional Federation of Small Businesses: "It will put Sedgefield on the map and benefit the image of the North-east. Our business community is often viewed as a backwater and this will redress some of the old stereotypes. Because this is Blair's constituency, a security risk is always there. The fact that Bush will be with him increases that risk but it is a notional increase." |
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What nonsense! Mayor of London says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet'
What nonsense!!
Bush is nowhere near as great a threat as was Reagan. Does anyone remember Reagan's support for the Contra terrorists in Nicaragua? Those boys really made Al-Qaeda look like the Red Cross. No, Bush has not yet managed to do anything half as evil as Reaga. Meghan Powers wrote in message ... [430 days to regime change in the US and counting.] **Half of London's Police Will Be Guarding Bush... **250 U.S. Secret Service Agents Carrying Guns... **Mobile phones may be blocked for periods of President Bush's visit amid fears that they could be used to trigger a bomb -------------- http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/pol...p?story=464783 Livingstone says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet' By Nigel Morris, Home Affairs Correspondent 18 November 2003 Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, launched a stinging attack on President George Bush last night, denouncing him as the "greatest threat to life on this planet that we've most probably ever seen". Snip |
#3
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Mayor of London says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet'
The mayor of London has no standing to coment on Bush's legitimacy.
Frankly, there are those of us out here that think that the world is a better place because of him. For you non-Americans out there, don't undersestimate the man. "Meghan Powers" wrote in message ... [430 days to regime change in the US and counting.] **Half of London's Police Will Be Guarding Bush... **250 U.S. Secret Service Agents Carrying Guns... **Mobile phones may be blocked for periods of President Bush's visit amid fears that they could be used to trigger a bomb -------------- http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/pol...p?story=464783 Livingstone says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet' By Nigel Morris, Home Affairs Correspondent 18 November 2003 Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, launched a stinging attack on President George Bush last night, denouncing him as the "greatest threat to life on this planet that we've most probably ever seen". His provocatively timed comments, on the eve of Mr Bush's arrival in London tonight, threaten to create severe embarrassment for the Prime Minister. They also come with talks under way on whether to readmit Mr Livingstone to the Labour Party before his five-year exile ends. Although he made his many differences with the Government on a range of issues clear, he reserved his strongest comments in an interview with The Ecologist magazine for the American President. Mr Livingstone recalled a visit at Easter to California, where he was denounced for an attack he had made on what he called "the most corrupt and racist American administration in over 80 years". The mayor said: "Some US journalist came up to me and said: 'How can you say this about President Bush?' Well, I think what I said then was quite mild. I actually think that Bush is the greatest threat to life on this planet that we've most probably ever seen. The policies he is initiating will doom us to extinction." Mr Livingstone, who is holding a "peace party" for anti-war groups in City Hall tomorrow, added: "I don't formally recognise George Bush because he was not officially elected. So we are organising an alternative reception for everybody who is not George Bush." He said he supported stronger links between European Union countries only because he wanted to see a powerful bloc emerge to rival the United States. "The American agenda is sweeping everything before it, and although it's not perfect, the EU is better on environmental issues. It's a less rapacious form of capitalism." The mayor said he had viewed Labour's 1997 election manifesto as a "load of old guff they'd come out with because they didn't want to upset the Daily Mail" that would rapidly be ditched. "I was amazed when it transpired that Blair had been serious," he said. Accusing the Prime Minister of suffering from a "background problem", he said: "There is nothing in his past that was radicalising. He wasn't interested in all the great student activities, the radical campaigns. "He did not get involved in politics until the 1970s, when the high point was passed. So you have someone of the summer of '68 generation who actually wasn't part of it." On genetically-modified foods, he said: "If the Government ignores public opinion, then civil disobedience on this issue is legitimate, as long as it's not violent. "But the most important thing that affects a government is not peaceful protest, but fear of the ballot box. The comments will infuriate Downing Street at a time when it is examining ways of bringing Mr Livingstone, who was expelled for standing as an independent in the London mayoral elections of 2000, back into the Labour fold. Tony Blair's spokesman said last night: "His views are for Ken Livingstone. They are a matter for him. The Prime Minister has made his views well-known in this respect and looks forward to meeting the President." AS THE PRESIDENT PREPARES TO VISIT SEDGEFIELD, TONY BLAIR'S CONSTITUENCY, WILL HE BE WELCOME? Chris Lloyd, political editor of The Northern Echo: "The paper is Bush neutral and he has a right to visit but equally, the people here have a right to demonstrate. I hope he gets to see all, or at least some of those protests and I hope Mr Blair will explain what they are about because that's what friends are for. Despite Mr Bush's unpopularity, there is a frisson of excitement because nothing of this magnitude has ever happened there." Lucy Hovvels, vice-chairwoman of Sedgefield constituency and Labour councillor in Trimdon: "I've had local people asking where they can get Union Jacks and American flags because they think it's an exciting and historic visit. I really believe Bush will get a warm welcome in Trimdon and the mood is one of excitement. We have the two most important people in the world coming to us - no one would otherwise know where Trimdon is." Richard Wanless, co-ordinator of the 'Sedgefield Against War' protest: "The visit is a massive security risk and for those living in the area, it jeopardises our safety. No matter where he goes, there will be protests from London to the North-east to make sure he knows he is not welcome. To me, he is a war criminal that has illegal occupation of Iraq. To add to the insult, there are families here who lost their children to the war." The Rev Martin King, rector of Sedgefield: "A lot of people here are very angry with the way the US administration is putting itself above the law. One person in my congregation said if President Bush wanted to look around the church, he would be welcome because it is a place for sinners, but he hoped his henchmen would leave their ironware at the door. His policies are very unwelcome in the region - I have not heard anyone voicing support for him." Martin Callanan, Conservative MEP for Sedgefield: "The visit is hugely beneficial for the area. Most of the security threat to the people in Sedgefield will be represented by left-wing demonstrators. And how would we feel if our Prime Minister, whatever his political party, was treated similarly in another part of the world? It was Blair's decision to send our troops to Iraq, so those who are anti-war should not take it out on Bush." Martin McTague, former chairman of the North-east Regional Federation of Small Businesses: "It will put Sedgefield on the map and benefit the image of the North-east. Our business community is often viewed as a backwater and this will redress some of the old stereotypes. Because this is Blair's constituency, a security risk is always there. The fact that Bush will be with him increases that risk but it is a notional increase." |
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Mayor of London says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet'
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Mayor of London says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet'
http://www.toostupidtobepresident.com/
Consider this. The more intelligent (in terms of IQ) US presidents in recent memory have been Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. But in each instance the added brain power did not correspond to an effective presidency. Carter's intellect did, in fact, hinder his decision making ability. And Clinton was not smart enough to change his presidency from style into substance. Reagan is ofted depicted as being a mental midget, but he knew what he wanted and did not allow himself to be distracted in these efforts. To Carter, distraction was a daily part of his decision making. And particularly bad judgement by Clinton turned his final term in office into one continuous distraction. Or one in which policy was determined by focus groups. I read a letter from a colleague's son who is currently serving in Iraq. And who has been dumbfounded by the number of mass graves they have uncovered in that country. Many with entire families executed, and none - thus far - with fewer than ~500 victims; and most reaching into the thousands. And yet, Saddam is (according to the popular press) "misunderstood", and W is the "war criminal". I do not care for the involvement of US and UK soldiers in Iraq, but this something we were going to eventually face (although former Primer Minister Chamberlin might have thought otherwise). How many in Iraq are now alive because we did undertook this action on our terms rather than wait until it became inevitable? Do some digging and read reports from Iraq which are not filtered by the popular media. Then convince yourself that Saddam was no threat to us, and the slaughter of his own people none of our concern. |
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Mayor of London says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet'
"Jeffrey Hacker" wrote in message m...
The mayor of London has no standing to coment on Bush's legitimacy. Frankly, there are those of us out here that think that the world is a better place because of him. The mayor of London has full standing to "comment" based upon his right to free speech. What he doesn't have is a right to "rule or order" on Bush's legitimacy. For you non-Americans out there, don't undersestimate the man. ...big snip In what respects is Bush to not be "underestimated"? |
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Mayor of London says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet'
For you non-Americans out there, don't undersestimate the man.
And for you Americans, don't underestimate the damage your president has caused to the United States and to the USA's standing in the world. Had Americans not underestimated Bush/Cheney/Wumsfeld abilities to lie and deceipt, perhaps they would have forced the democrats to actually oppose the selected president instead of blindily supporting his illegal invasion of Iraq and blatant insults at its international allies. |
#8
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Mayor of London says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet'
On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 16:46:03 +0100, AJC wrote:
On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 15:20:32 GMT, "Jeffrey Hacker" wrote: The mayor of London has no standing to coment on Bush's legitimacy. Simply not true though. Regardless of whether or not one agrees with the politics of Livingston or Bush, the former was elected to office with a clear, legitimate, undisputable majority, and looks likely to be re-elected in the same way. The latter was not. On that basis the mayor of London has every standing to comment on Bush's legitimacy. That is irrelevant. Who cares what the Mayor of London thinks? Perhaps thos who live there do, but outside of London he has no standing, especially over here in the US. |
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Mayor of London says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet'
"Jeffrey Hacker" wrote in message m...
The mayor of London has no standing to coment on Bush's legitimacy. Frankly, there are those of us out here that think that the world is a better place because of him. For you non-Americans out there, don't undersestimate the man. What about for US Americans? The man has repeated proven that he CANNOT be underestimated, in His War using Saddam as a scapegoat for his failure to do anything about Bin Laden. I regret NOW that I had booked a trip to London during his visit to our ONLY sympathizer (UK) of His War. Had I known, I would have gone to anywhere on this planet EXCEPT London during his visit of our Ally. Sigh -- Bob. "Meghan Powers" wrote in message ... [430 days to regime change in the US and counting.] **Half of London's Police Will Be Guarding Bush... **250 U.S. Secret Service Agents Carrying Guns... **Mobile phones may be blocked for periods of President Bush's visit amid fears that they could be used to trigger a bomb -------------- http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/pol...p?story=464783 Livingstone says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet' |
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Livingston Mayor of London says Bush is 'greatest threat to life on planet'
"AJC" wrote in message ... On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 15:20:32 GMT, "Jeffrey Hacker" wrote: The mayor of London has no standing to coment on Bush's legitimacy. Simply not true though. Err... depends on how you look at it... that's a fairly simplistic view considering how Ken Livingston got voted in as mayor. Livingston got in because of a split vote. No majority really wanted him in power at all, but the opponents from the major parties (Bliar's Labour as well as the Tories) were too stupid too put up a good enough candidate (one of the Tory's potential candidates just got out of jail a few months ago for a two year term for perjury). Now Bliar is bending over backwards to get Red Ken back into the fold after busting him out of the Labour party three years ago. Much to the public angst of his own candidate... I am happy to publicly state that since the Dubya circus came to town the traffic has so far been lighter than usual. Yesterday, when I drove right past Buck House on my way home, as I do every day, and there was an upside down Stars & Stripes flag on the gates and a couple of cherry pickers. Today, just the odd copper every 50 yds around the perimeter and a ten yard cordon. Maybe people are avoiding London because of our esteemed visitor. Maybe we should all pray, like the President, and how He would have wanted Bliar to do so with him, in one big publicity stunt, that it remains that way. Isn't it Presidential election year next year? I wonder how well the President sleeps knowing that he needs 700 body guards. Do you think he might be missing a point somewhere? Kind Regards, Howard |
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