Lame Ducks - Squawking!

Independent Online Edition > World Politics

So far the only UK paper to catch last night's late performance by Bush and Blair is the Independent - link headline link above. It was not a sight for already sore eyes. Both the Ape Emporer and his Prime Preacher looked decidedly uncomfortable despite the melodramatic "chimpanzee-walk" entrance from the former. Both were unable to offer any real hope on progress in Iraq and both seemed eager to abdicate responsibility for the future in favour of the newly elected government. On specific questions, Bush constantly exclaimed "We're still waiting for them to appoint a defense minister!" whilst Blair prefered to replay his theme of optimism about the new regime.

By the end of the show, Bush was clearly struggling with improvisation to questions and resorted to making bad jokes. Few laughed, so he ended up sniggering to himself! Blair even looked on puzzled at times as missed cues suddenly became epidemic. Bush constantly looked at Blair to take over the dialogue whilst Blair, caught on the hop, found himself mute in several instances. Asked about mistakes, Bush rather astonishingly admitted regret about his "gung-ho" attitude whilst Blair wriggled out of the issue by resorting to abstracts on their lack of initial foresight.

Both men are clearly on their last legs and were putting their faith in the new Iraq government as a legacy. It is doubtful that faith will be rewarded, but whatever the final solution, the timescale is now such that it will be a job for the successors to resolve. The sooner these two disappear into obscurity the better. The memory will already take a long time to fade.

To return to the start of the nightmare, the maverick former MI5 officer, David Shayler, now has a new UK-based site at http://www.nineeleven.co.uk which seeks to dispel the myth. He also introduces a new second edition DVD version of the documentary "Loose Change" which is compelling and can be ordered via the site.

Shayler was also one of the participants in the committee room session at the Medical Marijuana Lobby at Parliament on Wednesday. It was a highly successful day, with other participants in the exchange including a number of MPs and Lords who joined the Cannabis Education Trust and their many allies for debate. A petition was also handed in at Downing Street whilst an all-day protest was officially mounted outside the Palace of Westminster. Despite some collision with the 3 metre space left remaining for anti-war protester Brian Haw, the presense was noticeable with a "Placard Van" circling the square from early morning to early evening and the continual honk of horns indicating support from passing traffic.

See News of The Weed for more and other links.

The above, together with the Adobe Live event at London's Olympia, means it's taking a while to catch up on all the news undercurrents. See "Latest Clicks" for the running record.

Later.