Mark Steyn: For the antis, Kelly is just a cudgel with which to beat Blair

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | 09/06/03 | Mark Steyn

[Pokey78]

[colorado tanker]

I've never understood how this Kelly story is supposed to play against Blair. The BBC misrepresented what Kelly said, which did not support the charge of a "sexed up" intelligence report and when the government denied the lie, the Beeb burned Kelly, who later committed suicide. It's the Beeb who ought to suffer consequences, not Blair. Am I missing something?

[aculeus]

Bump.

[dts32041]

Nope, but fleet street protects its own, much like abccbsnbcmsnbccnn, gang up on FOX and Bush the Younger.

[Madame Dufarge]

Am I missing something?

Not that I can see.

[facedown]

...unless you count Jeanette Winterson's response to 9/11: "Touch me. Kiss me. Remind me what I am."

Ummmm.....no thanks.

[Sloth]

Yes, you are missing something, because you are not starting with the correct premises. The BBC is Good, and Blair is Bad. If you keep these facts in mind, it will all be clearer.

[Congressman Billybob]

You got it exactly right, in a minimum of sentences. The only thing you missed was WHY Dr. Kelly killed himself.

He was right. The BBC was wrong. But they were huge and had a reputation of being RIGHT. So he was dead, professionally and politically, so he killed himself.

Heads should roll at the BBC, and not just their dishonest reporter, Andrew Gilligan. If the top dogs at the BBC are not forced to resign in disgrace, it will be one more proof of Lily Tomlin's routine as Ernestine the Operator. She pulled the wrong plug and said, "There went Pittsburgh. Oh well, we're too big to care."

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "We Are Running for Congress -- Maybe," discussion thread on FR.

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

it's not enough just being anti-Bush (not something I thought I'd ever find myself accusing Jeanette of).

Steyn bump!

[Right_in_Virginia]

From the article: ~~ "As we now know, Dr Kelly was in favour of the war. Not only that, but his most significant point of disagreement with the Government is that it was (officially) opposed to regime change, while he thought it absolutely necessary."

Worth repeating.

And, thanks for the "ping", Pokey.

[Malesherbes]

In her youth Helen Mirren was a very good looking woman, but now she's older than Madonna and not appropriate material for a nude calendar - not even through Vaseline filters.

[Bonaparte]

"Well, I hold no briefs for Blair, even while he's posing naked."

Good one, LOL!

[livius]

Great article! I've never understood how any of Kelly's statements disproved or undermined Blair's case in any way. Being a Socialist, Blair was never a big fave of mine. But he was obviously, despite his socialism, a moral man and he definitely rose to the challenge (remember, as Willie the Shake said: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them...). And it does not seem to me that Kelly mislead him, or that he pressured Kelly, or that - well, any number of the other bizarre scenarios the peaceniks have suggested.

Kelly was a scientist, a sincere and serious sort of person, and not up to politics. But then, he's only one of the many deaths the anti-war crowd has on their hands. I guess, compared to those killed in Bali by one of the fans of the peace contingent, he doesn't really matter that much at all.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[Tax-chick]

Even if he were to show us his front-bottom, it would be assumed to be an artfully placed aspidistra, and demonstrators would still be demanding he come clean.

Priceless! And very strongminded - I can't imagine Tony Blair's front-bottom without feeling ill.

[lainde]

I'm with you. It's totally illogical. But like Steyn says, the anti-war afficiandos don't need no stinkin logic...

[arasina]

"...Blair WAS never a big fave of mine. But, he WAS obviously..."

What's with the WAS? :o)

Excellent article, of course.

[Rummyfan]

Beautiful in EXCALIBUR....

[metesky]

And the question remains: other than grabbing Dr Kelly's shroud, what have you got?

Good question.

Thanks, Pokey.