A TRIBUTE TO TONY
Tony, as I call him, or "Mista Blair" as he is affectionately called by Robert Mugabe, has recently taken on his new role in heading the quartet Middle East envoy after being Prime Minister for 10 years in a Labour government.
While some in the streets, from London to Beirut, have called for his blood, and although he resigned owing to low scores in the opinion polls and amongst the Labour back-benchers, I still consider him the only political giant of this day and age.
How can someone be a pragmatist, yet an idealist? How can someone be a liberal with conservative values? Blair is that anomaly who has turned politics on its head in the past 10 years and has redefined and reinvigorated Britain to become, once again, one of the centres of the world.
History can only determine his legacy. Many will see his political career tainted by Iraq and the War on Terror. But in a world of clashing ideologies, from neo-conservatives to Islamic fundamentalists, Blair is the only man who sits in the middle and can see the reality of the situation reasonably but still see the broader picture. He has balanced his steadfastness in the face of terror, his support of principles of a free and open society, and his understanding of the importance of Africa and global warming against the uncertain chaos of this world today. And in my history books, he will be written next to other great leaders living in adverse times, such as John F. Kennedy and Winston Churchill.
I doubt Blair will change the face of the Middle East, or even be successful in bringing all parties to one table. But in this day and age, he is the only leader fit for the job. Good Luck Ton.
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