Blair's terrifying encounter with an alternative viewpoint

In an op-ed this morning in The Times newspaper, Tony Blair wrote how he was shocked to hear someone suggest that maybe Middle Easterners hate us because we are over there.  Maybe Blair should have covered his ears.  Here is an excerpt:

I was stopped by someone the other week who said it was not surprising there was so much terrorism in the world when we invaded their countries (meaning Afghanistan and Iraq). No wonder Muslims felt angry.

When he had finished, I said to him: tell me exactly what they feel angry about. We remove two utterly brutal and dictatorial regimes; we replace them with a United Nations-supervised democratic process and the Muslims in both countries get the chance to vote, which incidentally they take in very large numbers. And the only reason it is difficult still is because other Muslims are using terrorism to try to destroy the fledgling democracy and, in doing so, are killing fellow Muslims.

What’s more, British troops are risking their lives trying to prevent the killing. Why should anyone feel angry about us? Why aren’t they angry about the people doing the killing? The odd thing about the conversation is that I could tell it was the first time he had even heard the alternative argument.

Oh no, isn't that terrifying?  Hearing alternative viewpoints can do that to you.  The next thing you know, people will start suggesting that the Iraq war has actually helped strengthen Iran.  Cover your ears!

Comments

[Tony]

the Brits have a great sense of "humour"...Tony you effing card (chuckle)