Blair told Bush: "Whatever you decide to do, I'm with you."

[sabra]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2010/mar/18/tony-blair-george-bush-iraq-letters

<snip>

1. Blair told Bush: "Whatever you decide to do, I'm with you."

The inquiry has heard about the private letters that Blair sent to Bush in 2002. Alastair Campbell told Chilcot that the letters were "very frank" and that the central message was, in Campbell's words: "We share the analysis, we share the concern, we are going to be with you in making sure that Saddam Hussein is faced up to his obligations and that Iraq is disarmed." But the letters have not been published and the precise contents remain a secret.

Rawnsley, though, has published a direct quote from one of the letters. Here's the relevant extract from his book.

Towards the end of July (2002), Blair did write a letter to Bush "really making the case for going down the international route" to deal with Saddam …

Yet again, though, Blair had emphasised his "yes" at the expense of the "buts". The July note began: "You know, George, whatever you decide to do, I'm with you."

When (Sir Christopher) Meyer (Britain's ambassador to the US) learnt of it, he rang (David) Manning (Blair's foreign policy adviser) in horror. "It's a brilliant note except for this bloody opening sentence: 'Whatever you do, I'm with you,'" the ambassador expostulated. "Why in God's name has he said that again? He's handed Bush carte blanche."

Manning sighed down the phone: "We tried to stop him. We told him so, but he wouldn't listen. That's what he thinks."

[HopeHoops]

1. I think they had a little something going on the side (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

[Solly Mack]

2. and then Bush said "Atta boy" and gave Blair a doggie biscuit.

[blm]

3. Because Bill Clinton ADVISED HIM to be 'Bush's best friend' early on, plus had Blair on board with

invading Iraq back in 2000 when invading Iraq was on HIS table.

Many Dems still seem to be unaware that Blair was ready to invade Iraq with Bill Clinton in 2000, and even against the advice of his legal advisors.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7832359

Had a huge terror event like 9-11 event occurred back then, they would have used it to provide cover for Iraq invasion much the same as Bush did. I do believe that Clinton and Blair would have given Saddam more of a chance to leave Iraq, in an effort to AVOID the fullscale invasion that Bush preferred.

[Botany]

4. Bush's lap dog

[Blue Owl]

5. Hitch your wagon to that star, Tony.

What an idiot.

[kenny blankenship]

6. Do me, Baby, Do me!

[Spazito]

7. Hey, when two people use the "same brand of toothpaste"...

it is a 'natural' follow-up that they would agree to invade and occupy a country based on lies.

"...but, asked what the two men had in common, Bush surprised his guest by noting with a smile that they used the same brand of toothpaste."

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKUA72538320070517

[Catshrink]

8. Endless Love

If you haven't seen this lipsync, get ready for a good chuckle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNpoS6jOty4

[no_hypocrisy]

9. Famous.Last.Words.

[Romulox]

10. Britons still say that Iraq was "America's fault" as if they themselves have no agency...

:wtf:

[harun]

11. Enabler.

[Orsino]

12. That's the sort of adherence to principle that'll take Blair places. n/t

[Blue Owl]

13. Monkey see monkey do

Especially when watching the decider monkey.