It is a long time since I felt politically motivated. In the early 80's I was the typical young idealist who believed she could make a difference, I took notice of the political world around me, I briefly became a 'shop steward' and had a 'bit of bother' for being what was then referred to as (and maybe still would be if we had strikes) a 'flying picket. As the years rolled on I became more and more disenchanted and less and less able to believe that I, or the population in general, could make any difference whatsoever and consequently my interest dwindled until I barely had any idea at all of what was going on politically.
This weekend Bob Geldof kicked my ass hard again, as he did 20 years ago and last night, very unexpectedly, so did someone else. George W. Bush.
My complete political disinterest of recent years has meant that to the best of my knowledge, I don't recall ever having seen Bush interviewed, so when I learned that there was to be an interview between Trevor McDonald and Mr Bush broadcast last night I prised myself away from this pc and made an effort to watch properly. My genuine hope was that I would learn a little more about the G8 leaders and the impending summit. I have heard Bob's side but I wanted to hear a little of the 'other side' in an effort to have a reasonably rounded opinion of the situation.
It is not my intent, nor my wish, to insult or offend my friends in America and if in this post I inadvertently do, then I apologise sincerely but this is my blog and I am suitably angered that I have to post my feelings on what for me, is becoming an increasingly important issue.
Whatever the politics of the situation I had expected Mr Bush to come across as a strong articulate individual, he does after all hold the most powerful position in the world, as leader of the most powerful nation. What I saw was an arrogant and sometimes blustering individual who's responses reminded me of a cornered adolescent. I was genuinely amazed, this was not what I had expected at all.
As is the practice of almost all politicians he answered very few of the questions directed at him straightforwardly, preferring instead to attempt to engineer the conversation in a direction that suited him better but what I found terrifying was that he appeared to stumble over his replies and be unsure of how to respond. This guy almost rules the world for goodness sake. Very scary.
My main objection though was in his thinking and ethos. I had genuinely very little idea before this interview of his real approach to G8 but I was, as a Brit, very insulted to hear him say that he doesn't feel that his relationship with Tony Blair is 'quid pro quo', yeah, I bet he doesn't now! I wonder how he felt a year or two back when he wanted support in Iraq? Ok, so I agree that a schoolboy kind of blind following is far from appropriate in this situation but a little loyalty would have been good.
My second moment of horror came when he was question on whether he was prepared to agree to a specific level of of greenhouse gas reduction in the US. His response,
"if it looks like Kyoto, the answer is no"
In his defence he did say (repeatedly) that his government has invested an enormous amount into researching technological ways of reducing emission and whilst I, like I assume all of us would, would be only to happy for there to be a way to achieve these reductions in a less difficult manner than the current one he, didn't ever give examples. Again, I was genuinely interested in what he had to say but his replies did nothing to educate me.
I agree it would be utter madness and counter productive to "wreck" (his word not mine) America's economy, I would hope that no one would wish for that as a means to any end but please, I genuinely don't know the answer to this and I invite you to share your knowledge, would this truly be a case of 'wrecking' the economy or in reality of merely making a small dent in it that he would prefer not to? I suspect the latter but I need to be educated on this one.
My third objection is perhaps a naive one. Bush stated categorically that he will do at G8 what is "best for America". Whilst I understand that to a degree, he is after all paid to look after the interests of the U.S. is the concept of a global village completely foreign to him? Yes, if we support Africa to such degree that it is severely detrimental to our own nations, we can be of no help at all and it would become pointless but do we not have a moral responsibility to help others less fortunate than ourselves, even if that responsibility cost us more than we would like? Let's face it, we may all have problems in our own countries but by comparison to those in Africa it seems to me that those in the UK and the US who are in dire need live a more blessed life.
Sadly there will always be corruption in high places and I have never been a believer in just throwing money at a problem unendingly but the corruption is not the fault of the millions of ordinary Africans suffering and dying every day....surely we must all do more.
And so, to conclude, I am more than happy to have my opinions changed and to be educated on this subject but Mr Bush did probably more to motivate me to go to Edinburgh and protest tomorrow, than even Geldof my modern day hero did!
Sadly I will probably back out, the anarchists are already there, soon, no doubt to be joined by 'rent-a-mob', PG is working so I would have to go alone which he is not happy about and I know my nature once I get the 'bit between my teeth' . I may well think I am protesting peacefully and just exercising my right to free speech but among the furore that is 'protest' it is not always seen in that light.
I am perhaps in my dotage just a lightweight, if I truly had the courage of my convictions I would be there despite my fears (I still may) but what has surprised me the most is that it was in the end Bush more than Geldof who motivated me to really consider going!
Again, if I offend anyone with this post it is sincerely not my intention and I apologise if I have done so. My intention is two fold, to hopefully learn and understand better through discussion and to express my personal anger at what I feel strongly was an insult to the country I call home.
On a lighter note, G8 is at least likely to provide us here in this piece of Scotland with some interesting overhead military action and if I am lucky I might even catch a glimpse of Air Force 1........did I hear someone at the back there say 'anorak'?
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