> "...Blair--with the whole Western world to tell him so, except for a few sour voices back home--is America's eloquent White Knight....

I nearly burst out laughing when I read that bit. Tony Blair, White Knight? Give me a break.

>...the fearless, trusty champion of that ever-delicate child of the mid-Atlantic, the Special Relationship...

Special Relationship? Yes. Blair, the champion of it? Err....how? In this respect, I haven't seen much other than any other Prime Minister has done. But then, what do I know...I only got interested in politics in the last couple of years.

>Whether that will win Blair favor with his electorate is another matter, because he was elected to save the country from decay, and not from Osama bin Laden. The Britain he is leading to war is a monument to sixty years of administrative incompetence. Our health, education and transport systems are on the rocks. The fashionable phrase these days describes them as "Third World," but there are places in the Third World that are far better off than Britain.

I don't know about the Third World being better off than us in some places. In fact, I really doubt it. OK, there is poverty (isn't there everywhere) but overall Britain is pretty lucky. Our economy is pretty low at the moment, granted, but it's been getting at least a bit better, and we don't have to look after it at the expense of the environment as much as someone I could mention (AnnoyedWithBush Radar goes beserk at this point)...

> The Britain Blair governs is blighted by institutionalized racism, white male dominance, chaotically administered police forces, a constipated judicial system, obscene private wealth and shameful and unnecessary public poverty.

OK, so there is a certain amount of institutional racism, white male dominance, etc., etc... However, Blair is aware of this, and I think he's trying to rectify the problems mentioned.

>...it's worth remembering that he may also be warning you, sotto voce, that his mission to mankind is so important that you will have to wait another year for your urgent medical operation and a lot longer before you can ride in a safe and punctual train..."

Oh, for goodness' sake. Everyone attacks the government, it's an easy target, and as soon as the government does something really good, they'll be saying "We were behind you all the way." Human nature sickens me, it really does. Unfortunately, I happen to be a human (I think) so I'll have to put up with it. Overall, I think it's a case of "the right prime minister for the right job." When Britain was on an extreme downward spiral, Thatcher was just the right person to turn things around. However, now I think Blair's doing OK. If you think it's easy running a country opposite someone like William Hague (aka Mr Potato Head) I'd like to see you do better. (That was directed at anyone, not necessarily rinkies.)

Phil-"I prefer proportional representation anyway"-bee