An article in the
Guardian today says
Extraordinary efforts by the White House to scupper Britain's attempts to tackle global warming have been revealed in leaked US government documents obtained by The Observer.
First Iraq, then Africa, now climate change. Did Blair get anything from supporting Bush other than grey hair and a damaged legacy. One has to wonder how much Blair can put up with before it is time to cut and run. Or maybe the Labour Party will have had enough of Blair.
Now basically I have a lot of respect for Blair. The man is obviously intelligent, speaks better than almost anyone in politics, and has advocated some pretty good policies since being Prime Minister.
One has to wonder though, when Blair lies awake at night, whether he sorely regrets the day that he threw his lot in with Bush. From everything I can see he has received nothing in return.
The latest efforts on climate change are stunning, given Blair's strong commitment to doing something. It is worse than a slap in the face, more like a kick to the groin, with a poke in the eye thrown in for good measure.
The documents show that Washington officials:
· Removed all reference to the fact that climate change is a 'serious threat to human health and to ecosystems';
· Deleted any suggestion that global warming has already started;
· Expunged any suggestion that human activity was to blame for climate change.
Of course it is not only Blair that Bush is ignoring, but also his best scientists - but hey we have all come to expect that.
Earlier this month, the senior science academies of the G8 nations, including the US National Academy of Science, issued a statement saying that evidence of climate change was clear enough to compel their leaders to take action. 'There is now strong evidence that significant global warming is occurring,' they said.
It is now clear that this advice has been completely ignored by Bush and his advisers. 'Every year, it (local air pollution) causes millions of premature deaths, and suffering to millions more through respiratory disease,' reads another statement removed by Washington.
It almost seems a bit like battered spouse syndrome. The more Blair is abused the more he commits to Bush. Looks like this is a man in need of some serious counselling, or a mini Labour coup by the remaining adults over there.