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Tony Blair on Dateline

Thursday, May 24 at 12:01 AM

This Speakout has not been edited

By Charles E. Beck, Colorado Springs

On Sunday May 20th, I had looked forward to the Dateline interview with PM Blair. As the exchange continued, an immense contrast appeared – the greatness of the world-historic figure who stood up to a major, anti-civilization threat vs. the small news person stuck in the primacy of popularity, anti-Bush polemics, and petty politics.

While Blair demonstrated his conviction about world-historic events, the other questioned how Blair’s acknowledged friendship with Bill Clinton affected George Bush at the start of the that administration.

A real-life political news reporter would recall that leaders like Republican Ronald Reagan actually had a good relationship with Democrat Speaker Tip O’Neil – but a wide-eyed, superficial news person can’t fathom such possibilities.

The superficial news personality conveys the anti-Bush undercurrent on is sleeve, with an implied “how can you remain steadfast with the likes of George W Bush?” Yet the statesman recognizes the common core values that both leaders share in their responsibility for the good of civilization. Likewise, superficial perspective continually conveys the undercurrent of petty politics, consumed by the significance of popularity and implied poll numbers, yet amazed when the statesman re-affirms leadership conviction and sense of duty.

Further, a sense of petty partisan politics conveys a anti-American theme of “blame America First,” questioning how anyone could stand up with America after the mess Bush has made; yet the Statesman’s conviction resounds, reaffirming the foolishness of not standing tall with America. Of course, a mature political reporter would see the obviousness in the Prime Minister’s comments in France’s mandate for a pro-American Nicolas Sarkozy to replace the anti-American Jacques Chirac, and see France resembling Germany’s replacing the anti-American Gerhard Schroder with the American leaning Angela Merkel. But the petty reporter of small stature remains oblivious to the obvious.

The interview contains multiple, exaggerated, soap-opera gestures that try to further a primary agenda – to get the PM to concede that GW was wrong and the war was wrong. The most emphatic soap-opera gesticulation leads to the question of how Blair envisions himself as he leaves office. The statesman conveys his strength of conviction in facing the challenges of the past decade, and in a humbled way acknowledges feeling honored to have served.

The reporting ends with Brian Williams, like a kid in a candy shop, touring #10 Downing Street, proud to glimpse behind the scenes as few other media ever have. While scarcely containing his glee at this media scoop, the newsboy fails to recognize the gravity of world events, the continuing threats to civilization, and the significance of the values proclaimed by this Statesman.

Charles E. Beck, PhD, is Associate Professor, Management & Communication, College of Business, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

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