Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
25 September 2009
08:1129371Old Gordon Brownmay be trailing in the polls at home, but in the US last night he was hailed as a hero for "stabilising" the world economy and showing "compassionate leadership".
The prime minister, was honoured as world statesman of the year at a VIP-packed gala dinner. The award was presented on behalf of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an interfaith organisation which campaigns for religious freedom and human rights, by the veteran US former secretary of state Henry Kissinger.
Rock star Bono, Queen Rania of Jordan, and the Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak were among the audience as Kissinger praised Brown for his "vision and dedication" in handling the world economic crisis.
"His leadership has been essential to our ability to overcome the moment of danger," said Kissinger.
Brown heard he had been given the honour back in March during his visit to Washington DC to meet Barack Obama. The foundation praised Brown's "compassionate leadership in dealing with the challenging issues facing humanity, his commitment to freedom, human dignity and the environment, and for the major role he has played in helping to stabilise the world's financial system". Obama has praised Gordon integrity as the two men vowed to work together to tackle the "unprecedented" global recession.
Asked in March what advice he had for Brown about winning elections, Obama said that, whatever the problems faced, good policy would win out over time. He told Brown to continue showing integrity and to be sure that "every day you are waking up and making the very best decisions that you can, despite the fact that sometimes the cards in your hand are not very good and the options are narrow".
It would appear that the rest of the world appreciate GB more than we do..which is a shame as this country really enjoys putting successful people down.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
25 September 2009
08:2229373marek,thanks for that it might just cheer people up enough to help his election cause.
as a after thought was our barryw there colecting his doom and gloom award.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
25 September 2009
09:2829377
Yes for some reason Gordon Brown strides the world stage very well and his work is appreciated by many. He takes a leaf from Tony Blair who acted very much as a global ambassador and was very good at it, being a particular hit in the US. Gordon has carried on in similar globe trotting vein so has learned from the master. I dont ever recall previous Prime Ministers carrying on in quite such a way. Sure, they did the occasional trip but you wouldnt call them globetrotters. Perhaps its an indication of just how small the world is getting.
However it most certainly is not appreciated at home. The polls are terrible. Its very hard to say whether Gordon is totally unliked as is suggested often, or whether he is suffering from a population fed up woth continuous Labour rule...which one, well its hard to say. He seems to be liked abroad..although chasing around after Obama for photo opportunities is not to be recommended.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
25 September 2009
10:4829383I can't believe that those countries are so gullible - I am truly amazed, I really am.
Just about the worst PM we've ever had and the Americans think he's great - says a lot.
Roger
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
25 September 2009
11:2529386Roger
have to take your comment like barryw as the right wing tories you both are
and thats fair enough
we all have a right to an opinion
the worst prime minister and there have been plenty
was by the way maggie thatcher
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
25 September 2009
12:0729391What nonsense this is.
The real international perception of Brown can be seen from the 5 snubs towards him by the Obama team.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
25 September 2009
12:3829392It well done to Mr BROWN he has worked hard over the last ten years and has never stoped working,he could have walked away from all this but did not,I am not a red but the U,K, still need him as the top man,he was and still is the only person to get us out of this
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
25 September 2009
13:5429395Good God Vic ..... The man who got us into this mess!! The man who did everyithing wrong and will go down in history as the most incompetent Chancellor and useless PM in history....
I suppose he did do one thing right, he kept us out of the Euro. Cant think of a single thing that he got right apart from that.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
25 September 2009
14:0629398Henry Kissinger one of the few leading statesman of the 60's still alive presented the award and if it's good enough for him, a highly respected figure, its good enough for me.
I believe you were runner up BarryW.Hard luck....lol love to your lovely family by the way from all of us here in Bergeracs counrty.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
25 September 2009
15:1629400Ahhh, but 'ole Kissy is a bit gaga now, however he cant be more gaga than those who decided on Brown for this. Seems like a bit of a goodbye present to me, as they all know he wont be around at summits any more come May.
Best wishes to you and yours Marek....
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
25 September 2009
15:2729401no comment to barrys post,ive censord my comment on this to avoid any upset.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
25 September 2009
16:4829403Just another word about poor oul Gordon chasing the photo opportunity with todays hot property Barack Obama. Everyone wants to be photographed with Obama and as Gordon has an election coming up his aides thought it a pretty good opportunity, a vote winner. Clearly the US administration is miffed over the Al Magraffy release, the smouldering resentment lingers on, so wasnt having any of it.
However any notion that the UK has a special relationship with the US is balderdash. Every country you stay in, think they have as well. The Americans do this on purpose, makes everyone feel good. Its called good PR. How to win friends/minds and influence people.
It was interesting to hear this stated bluntly on Question Time last night by oul Tory Michael Heseltine. He isnt buying into the current 'special relationship' desperation.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
25 September 2009
16:5329404the chap handing out the gong to our PM once said that america does not have friends, only interests.
that applies to us too, barry confirms this with his thoughts on the afghan government.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
25 September 2009
18:1229406Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
25 September 2009
20:5429411So Vic - what signs are there of what you say.
Brown still going from crisis to crisis.
Polls continue to firmly run in the Conservatives favour, not just headline figures but the more detailed question about policy and leadership. Then of course there was the news that Conservatives are 4 points ahead in Labour's old heartland up north....
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
26 September 2009
07:2329414what policys if any has david cameron and the tory party have? at the moment none, zero,zilch.the conservative party with no policys.it seems that dc and his cronies have no firm ideas on what to do or where to go,a ghost ship springs to mind.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
26 September 2009
08:5029416Too many to mention Brian, take a look.....
http://www.conservatives.com/Policy.aspx
You really should listen to what is said.
26 September 2009
11:1729417Everyone has policies before an election. How many are carried forward? By any shade of party? Creating policies is not rocket science, but carrying them forward with the least pain to the population is more tricky. Nick Clegg has come out with a few doozies, but no real indicator of how he will fulfil them.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
26 September 2009
14:1129422You have a point Bern, as SuperMac once said, event dear boy, events....
The fact is that attitudes and values are far more important and lasting than policies. Policies are there to deal with the issues of the moment but it is values that lay behind the solutions that inform the policies.
26 September 2009
14:1429423I couldn't agree more, Barry. It is those values and principles that inform the policies.
