Godfather Tony

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...d-baptism.html

Godfather Tony, Murdoch's top crony: Blair attended Rupert's daughter's baptism on banks of the River Jordan

The dress code was all-white and celebrity godparents Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman figured prominently in a gushing Hello! report covering the baptism of Rupert Murdoch’s two youngest children. Curiously, there was no mention – or photograph – in the magazine’s 19-page picture spread of another famous godparent present at the star-studded ceremony on the banks of the River Jordan. For it emerged after that Tony Blair is godfather to the media tycoon’s nine-year-old daughter, Grace, raising fresh questions about links between the former prime minister and the News International boss.

The secret bond between Mr Blair and the Murdoch family was disclosed in a rare interview with the billionaire’s third wife, Wendi, in which the former Labour leader is described as one of Mrs Murdoch’s ‘closest friends’. Mr Blair’s office refused to comment on the interview, which appears in the October issue of Vogue, but sources have confirmed that the magazine account is accurate. Mr Blair’s close ties to the Murdochs might now explain his reluctance to criticise News International over the phone-hacking scandal that has engulfed the media empire and forced the closure of the News of the World.

Earlier this summer it was reported that Mr Blair had urged Gordon Brown to put pressure on Labour MP Tom Watson, who led the campaign to expose the scandal, to back off – although the former prime minister’s spokesman denied this. On becoming Labour leader in 1994, Mr Blair flew to a conference hosted by Mr Murdoch to end the party’s feud with him. The unlikely alliance continued throughout Mr Blair’s ten years in office as Mr Murdoch’s newspapers – The Times, The Sun and the News of the World – supported him. But news that he played such a significant role in the Murdoch children’s baptism – hosted by Queen Rania of Jordan – reveals a far closer personal relationship between Mr Blair and the media mogul.

The April 5, 2010, issue of Hello! reported that Mr Murdoch’s daughters Grace and Chloe, eight, were baptised at the site where Jesus is said to have been immersed in the Jordan by John the Baptist.
Guests included Hollywood stars Kidman and Jackman, as well as property tycoon Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka and Google co-founder Larry Page. Pictures of Mr Murdoch and his high-profile guests fill page after glossy page of Hello!, but there is neither sight nor mention of Mr Blair, now a Middle East envoy.

I don't think you could make this man up; a man who invades two countries in the Middle East based upon a lie resulting in two nations destroyed and thousands dead who then later becomes Middle East Peace Envoy... a man who flys around the world making expensive speeches and who 'accidently' shredded his expenses sheets (because thats just the thing you do with offical documents)... and a man who attends a baptism on the banks of the river Jordan based on a deal with a man who shares his love of invading foreign countries.

Throwing up yet? you should be.

Thoughts on the legacy of Antony Blair?

[FlyingJesus]

Whilst I'm sure it's all terrible and whatnot that Tony Blair has friends, the issue I'd like to address is why you insist on calling him Antony on the basis that Tony is (according to you) just a name he came up with to make us like him more yet you always called David Cameron, Dave. Do you just have an aversion to using the names people actually go by or is there some actual logic behind it?

[Jordy]

Whilst I'm sure it's all terrible and whatnot that Tony Blair has friends, the issue I'd like to address is why you insist on calling him Antony on the basis that Tony is (according to you) just a name he came up with to make us like him more yet you always called David Cameron, Dave. Do you just have an aversion to using the names people actually go by or is there some actual logic behind it?

By this reckoning, shouldn't Ron Paul be called Ronald Paul?

[-:Undertaker:-]

Because Mr. Blair used that name in his sickening and cheesey way 'Call me Tone!' and its about time we put an end to it. He's just, eurgh. I refuse to use his slogans, PR tricks and the rest of the nonsense that went with him and his government.

Whilst I'm sure it's all terrible and whatnot that Tony Blair has friends

Actually its about his hypocrisy and the need to destroy the myth that 'Mr. Murdoch is 'right-wing' so therefore Mr. Blair is'.

[Mathew]

How dare the poor lad have a friend or two! How absurd! Four years down the line and he's still not allowed to enjoy a good ole' baptism without petty assumptions about his objectivity floating around. He's not even in power!

[GommeInc]

Whilst I'm sure it's all terrible and whatnot that Tony Blair has friends, the issue I'd like to address is why you insist on calling him Antony on the basis that Tony is (according to you) just a name he came up with to make us like him more yet you always called David Cameron, Dave. Do you just have an aversion to using the names people actually go by or is there some actual logic behind it?

He seems to of called him 'Tony' more times than 'Anthony'

Anyway, Tony needs a slap and be chucked into a pit with a load of angry relatives of those who got killed fighting this seemingly pointless war (according to the MI5 mistress and the general concensus). Murdoch on the other hand doesn't know what he's doing within the confines of his business, thus making him a pretty lousy businessman but successful at making money. But if they're friends we can't really comment, it just means there are two dislikeable men near each other, making a room feel slightly dirty.

[-:Undertaker:-]

How dare the poor lad have a friend or two! How absurd! Four years down the line and he's still not allowed to enjoy a good ole' baptism without petty assumptions about his objectivity floating around. He's not even in power!

See above before posting smart-arse comments.

But if they're friends we can't really comment, it just means there are two dislikeable men near each other, making a room feel slightly dirty.

I just think its interesting to see why they are 'friends' (I doubt they have much in common) and how close their relationship was and the basis of what it was based upon, mainly their love of foreign military adventures. What's more so funny (if we get any) will be the reactions of Labour supporters who bash the Murdoch press yet Saint Blair was right in bed with him.

As I said earlier, there's a myth that Mr. Murdoch is part of a mythical conservative establishment.

[Mathew]

See above before posting smart arse comments.

Smart arse, or just living in the present? The damage has been done and Tony Blair has little to do with politics. Does it keep you awake at night knowing that they're living in harmony? How dare two people in the public eye get along so well.

The Daily Mail attempting to stir things up, yet again.

[scottish]

who gives a ****?

Edited by Infectious (Forum Super Moderator): Please do not make pointless posts!

[-:Undertaker:-]

Smart arse, or just living in the present? The damage has been done and Tony Blair has little to do with politics. Does it keep you awake at night knowing that they're living in harmony? How dare two people in the public eye get along so well.

The Daily Mail attempting to stir things up, yet again.

Why shouldn't a man who took us into two foreign wars based on a lie be rightly criticised? why shouldn't a man who makes expensive speeches around the world despite being a 'socialist' have scorn poured on him? whats wrong with that? why shouldn't supporters of this man who are staunchly anti-Murdoch based on the myth I spoke about be humiliated with these latest revelations?

How dare two people in the public eye get along so well.

Of course! just friends - one of whom just happens to own a media Empire whilst the other was standing for election, nothing to see here folks..