Rogues’ gallery speaks for the nation
Francis Sedgemore, Wednesday 18 August 2010
From a letter today in the Groan…
“We urge Waterstone’s to reconsider its decision to host a book-signing on 8 September for Tony Blair to launch the publication of his memoirs. We believe this event will be deeply offensive to most people in Britain. A large majority of the British public say Mr Blair told lies and fabricated evidence to take Britain into a war with Iraq that he knew to be illegal under international law. According to a recent poll, 25% believe Mr Blair should be indicted for war crimes.”
The letter is signed by…
Iain Banks, AL Kennedy, Moazzem Begg, Andrew Burgin, Ben Griffin, Lindsey German, Dr Felicity Arbuthnot, Tanya Tier, John Pilger, Michael Nyman, Andrew Murray
Well, that’s the reputations of two half-decent novelists and an occasionally interesting composer gone for a Burton. But never mind, there’s plenty more where they came from.
Oh, and, er, cheers Tony!
Feed the writer! 
Thursday 19 August 2010 at 12:04 GMT
How has Iain Banks’ reputation been affected by this[1]?
Banks has been admirable in his continued opposition to the Iraq War and to Tony Blair’s involvement in it.
[1]: I am assuming he is one of the “half-decent” novelists you refer to. He is pretty good.
Thursday 19 August 2010 at 12:13 GMT
It’s not opposition to the war I’m referring to, but rather the arrogance and sanctimoniousness of the Guardian letter. That, and the wisdom of respected artists associating with a barking mad Trot (German), a mendacious polemicist (Pilger), a fan of Kim Jong-il (Murray), and Moazzem Begg, who by his words and actions is seen by many as being supportive of violent jihadists.
Thursday 19 August 2010 at 17:02 GMT
I suspect that the signatories made their mark without full knowledge of their bedfellows.
Do you mean to assert that you’ve never taken a position without subsequently finding that you’re sharing a view with someone that you have some qualms about?
It must be a first.
I’m find that I’m currently occupying the same point of view as Geert Wilders over the provision of healthcare in the Netherlands. It’s a somewhat uncomfortable feeling…
Thursday 19 August 2010 at 17:07 GMT
“Do you mean to assert that you’ve never taken a position without subsequently finding that you’re sharing a view with someone that you have some qualms about?”
No, Geoff, I do not. But I have never, and would never, allow myself to be so publicly associated with such dodgy geezers/esses, and in such a manner. If the respected artists to whom I refer made their mark without full knowledge of their bedfellows, then they are fools of the first order.
Wednesday 25 August 2010 at 19:09 GMT
“Deeply offensive” no less!
I wonder what the signatories of this letter will do when something that is really deeply offensive happens.
Like when Waterstones invite a brutal dictator to a book signing, for example.
Also, i like the way the signatories manage to utterly dismiss the 75% of people who do not think Blair should be indicted for war crimes. They’d be the ones presumably who may well shop at Waterstones but who do not treat the Guardian as if it were a sacred text and whose voices are therefore best ignored.
Wednesday 25 August 2010 at 19:41 GMT
Have you seen Cheri Blair’s article, and the reaction to it?