Murdoch Was ‘The 24th Member Of The Blair Cabinet’
Murdoch Was ‘The 24th Member Of The Blair Cabinet’
New documents show that media magnate Rupert Murdoch had a direct line to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street. The British government, which had blocked the release of the documents for years, “backed down in a surprise change of heart the day after Mr Blair resigned last month.” The Independent reports:
Yesterday the Cabinet Office said there were six telephone discussions between Mr Blair and Mr Murdoch in 20 months, all at crucial moments of his premiership. The subject of their calls was not revealed.
In 2003, Mr Blair phoned the owner of The Times and The Sun on 11 and 13 March, and on 19 March, the day before Britain and the United States invaded Iraq. The war was strongly supported by Murdoch-owned newspapers around the world. The day after two of the calls, The Sun launched vitriolic attacks on the French President Jacques Chirac. The Government quoted him as saying he would “never” support military action against Saddam Hussein, a claim hotly disputed by France.
The diaries of Blair’s communications chief Alastair Campbell, reveal that Blair was afraid that the press would find out about Murdoch’s influence on him: “[Blair] said he didn’t fear [the press] coming at him about me, but about the relationship with Murdoch. … It was faintly obscene that we even had to worry what [he] thought.” Campbell’s deputy, Lance Price, called Murdoch “the 24th member of the [Blair] Cabinet.”
These revelations are especially troubling coupled with the news that Murdoch, who currently ranks first in the UK press and publishing world, may acquire the Wall Street Journal. He has consistently slanted coverage in his publications to benefit his political and business interests. For example, in 1997, he endorsed Tony Blair as prime minister and “gave him favorable coverage.” As the New York Times reported, this move ensured “that the new government would allow him to keep intact his British holdings.”
Murdoch infamously owns Fox News, but he also controls other right-wing publications such as the Weekly Standard and the New York Post. Wall Street Journal reporters are already saying that they find the thought of Murdoch’s takeover “devastating.”
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Welcome to the future, Mr. Gits.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:53 pmWhat is the definition of conspiracy again? Doesnt it include two or more people or something? If they had to “sell” the invasion of Iraq then they knew it was morally wrong in the first place.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:57 pmScary. Scary scary scary.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:58 pmHow much longer is Rupert really going to live anyway?
July 19th, 2007 at 12:58 pmIf I were an evil billionaire, I’d have a media empire, too. It”d be just too good for you to pass up.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:59 pmHeh. Tony’s legacy…..
July 19th, 2007 at 1:00 pmIs there any other reason for Murdoch to not be allowed to buy the Wallstreet Journal than this? I hope the Bancroft family is listening.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:00 pmThere is a movie in the works on this unholy alliance. Working title — “The Poodle and the Publisher”. Lead roles to be played by Howdy-Dowdy and Mr. McGoo. Cameo appearances by GDumbya and Darth Cheney playing themselves.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:02 pm# 7: Well, in the not-so-distant past, this country had anti-trust laws.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:03 pmhope the Bancroft family is listening.
Comment by chad greenwaldt
Oh they are … and money talks…
July 19th, 2007 at 1:03 pmI’m sure the The Wall Street Journal will feel so much better after reading this.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:03 pmah yet another way to compare Murdoch to William Randolph Hearst. Hearst sold the american public that the maine had been attacked by the Spanish leading up to the Spanish-American war with cries of remember the maine when the truth was that it had never been attacked merely that the ship’s boiler had exploded. Now it seems Murdoch has attempted to carry on the tradition.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:04 pmMurdoch will get WSJ, it’s going to happen. The Bancrofts would be sued by every non-family stockholder if they turn this deal down. And there’s a good chance it may be the worst move that evil bastard ever did. How many subscriptions to WSJ will be cancelled the day Murdoch gets control? Many I guess. And how many new subscribers will there be?
The tide is turning from the right wing neocon haters that he caters to. Faux news is a tabloid that appeals to the willfully ignorant losers, and everything Murdoch touches turns into a tabloid.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:05 pmHeh. Tony’s legacy…..
Comment by Zooey —
You all set to go? Or are ya procrastinatin’?
July 19th, 2007 at 1:06 pmNot so much a surprise from the man who said this when asked if he had managed to shape the agenda on the war in Iraq:
Stay strong Bancrofts - resist the demon!
July 19th, 2007 at 1:06 pmI am so glad that this information is finally coming out. It was widely known in Britain that Murdoch was a very frequent guest at 10 Downing Street and that it was Murdoch’s urging Blair to join Bush in invading Iraq.
This is typical Murdoch–and do not think he hasn’t done this in the US–this goes back to the Reagan administration. Murdoch has a vested interest in this because it sells his crappy newspapers and it allows the dopey to watch his ridiculous tv stations.
I well remember during the mid-90’s when he (through his papers) was trying to disband the monarchy. He is hideous.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:08 pmYou all set to go? Or are ya procrastinatin’?
Comment by SGT Higgins
I’ve got all my shit together (a first!). I have to do is take my son to work, and then I’m on the road. :)
July 19th, 2007 at 1:09 pmMR. President doesn’t care. But we knew that for some time now. The people who walk in reality do care.
Murdoch had Blair’s ear. Blair had Bush’s ear. Bush gives orders to Snow. Snow reports back to Murdoch. Allegedly.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:09 pmand then I’m on the road. :)
Comment by Zooey
Have a safe trip. Long drive?
July 19th, 2007 at 1:10 pm#18 — Sorry about the nonsense language….
July 19th, 2007 at 1:10 pm“while Bush’s job approval rating has stabilized, opinion of the work Congress is doing continues to plummet. The Zogby poll shows just 14% give Congress positive marks, while 83% give it negative marks.”
July 19th, 2007 at 1:10 pmHave a safe trip. Long drive?
Comment by SGT Higgins
7 hours. Ugh…
Did you straighten out old hack?
July 19th, 2007 at 1:11 pmwhat are the chances of Bush calling Murdoch? I’d say pretty high. So, how can we find out?
July 19th, 2007 at 1:12 pmHey Rupert:
What’s the deal with this FOX News Investigative Report?
Shouldn’t Carl Cameron have won wards for his JOURNALISM?
Why did you take it off your website and bury it?
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article7545.htm
Does it reveal to much about your entire Grand Conspiracy?
July 19th, 2007 at 1:13 pmOwnership permits control.
Control does not reciprocally indicate ownership; responsibility is also inclusive in ownership.
Control without ownership is domination.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:14 pmHey Rupert:
Why is Fox News running this video and proclaiming it to be new?
http://www.prisonplanet.com/ articles/ july2007/ 180707oldfootage.htm
Bin Laden is no longer alive…but you knew that.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:15 pmDid you straighten out old hack?
Comment by Zooey
He’s terminally twisted, Zoo. I tried, but he took off and had to google ‘diversity’. At least, judging from the amount of time it took him to post his last comment from the one before it. You should read it, it’s a hoot.
Have a safe trip. I gotta run, get some actual work done, and stuff. =)
July 19th, 2007 at 1:15 pmHey! Stop ignoring us!
This is not fun if you’re not playing with us!
July 19th, 2007 at 1:16 pmSGT Higgins sez:
Did you remind him to google “entails” and “bipolar” while he was at it? ^_^
July 19th, 2007 at 1:19 pmHave a safe trip. I gotta run, get some actual work done, and stuff. =)
Comment by SGT Higigns
Yeah, old hack is a dumb ass — and unteachable. A dangerous combination. :D
Have a great day, and I’ll see ya when I see ya.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:19 pmGeorgie, honey, can you turn that down so you can hear me?
July 19th, 2007 at 1:21 pmI’ve got to go out again, Board of Realtors meeting, you know.
More lawsuits against the coastal developers.
I sure miss those fat commission checks…
What?
Oh, sorry dear, I know how you don’t like the f-word…
The University called again about your overdue registration papers.
They said the cell phone number you gave them has been disconnected.
Did you pay the bill yet?
When are you going to get a job? Summer is almost over!
You know I can’t afford to support you much longer, it’s very tough financially since your father ran off to Dubai, though my face is finally starting to look presentable… oh, never mind………….
There’s 2 cases of Twinkies in the freezer, and I’ve mixed up another gallon of your favorite Kool-Aid, it’s in the fridge. Doritos are in the pantry.
Try to come up and go outside for some fresh air, just stay in the backyard, it’s so embarrassing how much weight you’ve gained since school got out.
Bye honey, I’ve got to run.
Georgie?
Georgie honey?
ANSWER ME, YOU MISERABLE FAT PIMPLY ASS EXCUSE FOR A CHILD!
DON’T MAKE ME COME DOWN THERE AND GIVE YOU ANOTHER BARE BOTTOM SPANKING!
AND YOU’D BETTER NOT BE WEARING MY SH!T AGAIN!
…after reaching terminal velocity in its dowanward spiral.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:23 pmHey old man. If you don’t let me and mom out of this underground cage, I’m gonna tell your mom all about you and that coke party in the 80s where you knocked up my mom.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:24 pm—-
I love how TP puts the most unattractive pictures up for their posts.
Very childish, and unprofessional IMO. Something a woman would do.
Right in line with the celebrity/hollyweird worshiping your typical Feminist American Woman enjoys.
—-
July 19th, 2007 at 1:24 pmI love how TP puts the most unattractive pictures up for their posts.
Very childish, and unprofessional IMO. Something a woman would do.
Right in line with the celebrity/hollyweird worshiping your typical Feminist American Woman enjoys.
Comment by bilbo
Don’t be scared a girls, jonny!
BTW, we feminists really appreciate you handing over your power every time you post a comment. Thanks.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:27 pm#35: Drudge does the same thing. I’ll let the TP admins decide whether this comparison flatters them or not.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:28 pm“I love how TP puts the most unattractive pictures up for their posts.”
Me too, either Rupert’s straining to get a dusty fart out or he has got to make a deposit for Tony at the Spermm Bank.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:30 pmNow we know who the real Decider is!
July 19th, 2007 at 1:33 pmCaption:
Tony: “Arf arf!”
Rupert: “Good boy”
July 19th, 2007 at 1:34 pmAre Fox News Workers Part of the American War Machine?
Are FOX employee’s innocent bystanders or an integral part of the American war machine?
On some FOX web sites it’s still possible to find articles which claim that Weapons of Mass Destruction were actually found in Iraq.
No wonder nearly 50% of the American people still believe that Saddam posed a threat to our national security and that Bush’s illegal invasion was justified.
If FOX is an essential part of the state propaganda-system which facilitates the war, then how can we absolve their employees from accountability? Doesn’t that make them legitimate targets for resistance organizations?
Reporters are given immunity because their work is perceived to be beyond the activities of combatants. That rule cannot be applied to FOX.
FOX is the corporate-arm of the war machine; a critical cog in the Pentagon’s information-management strategy. It is as indispensable to the smooth operation of the modern army as any of the high-tech weaponry or space-age gadgetry.
FOX News is franchise journalism; information that is crafted to meet the requirements of ownership. Counterpunch editor Alexander Cockburn summarized the Rupert Murdoch business-model this way:
(Murdoch) “offers target governments a privatized version of a state propaganda service, manipulated without scruple and with no regard for truth. His price takes the form of vast government favors such as tax breaks, regulatory relief, monopoly markets and so forth.
“The propaganda is undertaken with the greatest cynicism, whether it’s the stentorian fake populism and soft porn in the UK’s Sun and News of the World, or the shameless bootlicking of the butchers of Tiananmen Square†(Alexander Cockburn “A Journey into Rupert Murdoch’s Soul†counterpunch.org)
The journalists who participate in the Murdoch-system are mere functionaries in a corporate news-militia.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:34 pm“Most people prefer to believe that their leaders are just and fair, even in the face of evidence to the contrary, because once a citizen acknowledges that the government under which he lives is lying and corrupt, the citizen has to choose what he or she will do about it. To take action in the face of corrupt government entails risks of harm to life and loved ones. To choose to do nothing is to surrender one’s self-image of standing for principles. Most people do not have the courage to face that choice. Hence, most propaganda is not designed to fool the critical thinker but only to give moral cowards an excuse not to think at all.â€
Michael Rivera
July 19th, 2007 at 1:36 pm#41 ~ Are you insinuating that Murdoch had something to gain from the war in Iraq?
Accusations are toothless without motives. Dig deeper.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:37 pmPeople, please ignore ace. Maybe he’ll stop posting his off-topic copy-paste screeds if we just ignore him.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:38 pmHey Zooey: (#36 post to bilbo) It’s called total emasculation. heh-heh
July 19th, 2007 at 1:38 pmBilbo, what else does “your typical Feminist American Woman” enjoy?
I’d like to know what a “professional” moron thinks.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:39 pmWhy is it troubling to this crowd that Murdoch was close to a Liberal leader of England?
July 19th, 2007 at 1:39 pm#
People, please ignore ace. Maybe he’ll stop posting his off-topic copy-paste screeds if we just ignore him.
Comment by Boudin Bob — July 19, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
By all means, you and your 14 other screen names - just ignore me.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:40 pmsounds like the definition of a “conspiracy” to me - Murdock, Blair, BushCo and Murdoch’s propaganda machine spinning lies in both US and England. Can’t something be done about this trio of thugs on the international stage now?
July 19th, 2007 at 1:40 pmHey Zooey: (#36 post to bilbo) It’s called total emasculation. heh-heh
Comment by veritas
That whiner makes it too easy. :-)
July 19th, 2007 at 1:40 pmboudin bob: Don’t speak for us here regarding Ace. You only wish you had half of his intelligence and prowess for information gathering, don’t you?
Ace: We love it so please keep it coming. I send to all of my friends and they send it to all of theirs! Your information, links, and thoughts are being spread exponentially and will increase the level of knowledge of truth in this country.
Truth IS power - of this the neocon criminals are deathly afraid!
July 19th, 2007 at 1:42 pmMr. Murdoch sir, may I be the first page-3 girl/guy for “The Wall Street Journal”?
July 19th, 2007 at 1:42 pmHey Ace: This moronic troll (isn’t that a given??) runs his mouth under at least a dozen screen names and we know who he is by his typing style and his talking points. He means zilch to any of us who care about Truth.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:43 pmMurdoch is the Propaganda arm of David Rockefeller, Inc. and all of his phony “think tanks.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdxLYuvvbgs&NR
http://www.communitycurrency.org/joycelynn.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/ intell/ library/ reports/ 2005/ franklin_indictment_04aug2005.htm
http://plungerspeaks.blogspot.com/
July 19th, 2007 at 1:44 pmClearly there was a conspiracy between Libby and Cheney. Conspiracy is a legal term. Can we all be adults and discuss this and other related conspiracies without being accused of being “Conspiracy Theorists?”
Having a theory about a conspiracy was a prerequisite for Fitzgerald’s investigators. It’s time to praise those who are able to think outside the box and comprehend the means, motive and opportunity that leads to these types of Conspiracies.
It’s time to raise the level of discourse where the term “Conspiracy” is concerned:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/ intell/ library/ reports/ 2005/ franklin_indictment_04aug2005.htm
We’ve all been conditioned to snicker and ridicule when non-professionals offer theories about conspiracies. It’s time to talk about all of these theories and unravel the whole thing.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:45 pmBilbo’s “typical Feminist American Woman” = any woman who:
a) is smarter than him,
b) is more successful, and/or
c) ignores his lame advances.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:47 pmDulce et decorum est Pro patria mori.
The old lie.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:51 pmAce: Yesterday I found a very interesting article on C & L regarding the role Sheehan is playing in things right now; evidently, she’s shaking them all up - Repukes and Dems alike. The ‘gist of the article had to do with the reason why we feel a major disconnect with the old guard Democratic party right now.
If I’m interpreting it accurately (and I’ll post the url in my next post), what was once considered the right/conservative/Republican party is now becoming by it’s declining numbers (around 30% and dropping) the “radical right”. Upon close scrutiny of the old guard dems in congress right now (unlike Webb) they are considered to be “moderate/right” and no longer “left”. Looking at the host of potential candidates of the Dems, it’s clear that the frontrunners are all very much “moderate right” although they call themselves Democrat.
The “real democrats” today include a HUGE number of liberal democrats along with Independents who comprise perhaps the largest voting bloc ever in an election. The old mantra of “catering the the center” is no longer the case.
The “center” has shifted left - left beyond the old school Democrats who are moving more right. Is any of this making sense. The author of the study and article was far more articulate than I am.
In any case, the conclusion is that this is precisely why so many of us posters here at TP who consider themselves “Democrats” or “I’s” are scratching our heads over the major “disconnect” we are feeling right now with our newly elected democratic majority. The majority of democrats no longer represent us - and since we represent the “will of the bulk of american people”, they are not seeming to be doing their job….ergo….their horrible poll numbers.
I believe these poll numbers can be explained in one of two ways (and neither mutually exclusive) 1) What I’ve said above about those representing us actually moving to the moderate right and 2)the obstructionist Republicans in this Congress. The dems may seem to be trying to do something and really want to blame the Repukes but it’s also a case of the mindset of the current Democrats really NOT reflecting the will of the majority of the people.
Make sense? I’ll dig up the link now and post it here so you can judge for yourself.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:51 pmEven the liberals in GB are in on the corporate conspiracy.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:55 pmhttp://smirkingchimp.com/thread/8801
Here’s the link. Enjoy! It was smirking chimp and not crooks and liars. Sorry.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:56 pmVeritas:
The two party system has been the problem for decades. The entire system is specifically designed for divide & conquer. The pendulum has swung too far for their liking, as they like to keep the public as evenly divided as possible.
Abolishing the party system all together, lobbying, and taking all money out of politics would solve the problem. There should be multiple TV channels dedicated solely to public debates on important topics. In the marketplace of IDEAS, distributed to the people for free on their own public airwaves, Anybody can become President, regardless of economics or party affiliation.
The PARTY’S OVER.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:00 pmummmm hey prez check out the pictures fox news puts on its website of liberals. The saying goes turn about is fair play.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:02 pmSo ace and veritas, you don’t deny that ace’s copy-pastes in this thread are off-topic?
Talking about my “14 screen names” just shows how paranoid and keyed up you two are. Please wear your tinfoil hat in private - don’t spew your uninformed cr@p here.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:08 pmAnd, of course, yesterday it was revealed that Cheney DID meet with OIL COMPANY EXECUTIVES and others OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT,
which makes the documentation to the proceedings
SUBJECT TO PUBLIC ACCESS, quashed by the Supremes in 2001.
Cheney has committed yet ANOTHER FELONY CRIME OF TREASON
against the USA.
Whichever Democrat becomes the NEXT PRESIDENT needs to jail Bush, Cheney and ALL in the PNAC, without trial and subject to TORTURE.
THEY will have given the new president the POWER TO DO SO!!!!
July 19th, 2007 at 2:10 pm‘Murdochizing’ the media..now with the purchase of Dow Jones, economy will be ‘Murdochized also…!!
July 19th, 2007 at 2:12 pmTranscript;
July 19th, 2007 at 2:13 pmYo, Tony, It’s Rupert. Ya know you got a really sweet gig goin there. It would be a shame if some really bad story like XXX, YYY or ZZZZZZ got on The New York Post or FOX News. A
ll ya gotta do is smile and nod, maybe say something nice about Bush with that British accent Americans always fall for.
If you do this favor for me my boys can stop these evil lies like XXX, YYY or ZZZZZZ from being published.
I said in a previous thread that soon the Wall Street Journal would be renamed The K Street Agenda. I swear I also thought The Downing Street Insider but thought I was ahead of time and no one would get it… Wow… How Eerie?
July 19th, 2007 at 2:20 pmOuch. The poodle’s credibility takes another hit. Wait a minute…..what credibility did he have in the first place? Ahh, that’s right.. none whatsoever.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:53 pmFOX is illegal propaganda.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:55 pmBoudin Bob sez:
Great posts, as always, ace!
Keep up the good fight!
July 19th, 2007 at 2:57 pmFace it, folks…
You are NO LONGER “debating” or conversing with “trolls”.
These people are “psyops”.
In an earlier story, Rupert Murdoch was revealed today to be the
“24th Member of Blair’s Cabinet”:
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/19/murdoch-blair/
July 19th, 2007 at 3:01 pmMurdock makes policy. How cozy.
July 19th, 2007 at 3:10 pmsome guy wrote a blog entry saying that there are no good democratic candidates for prez!!?? Obama, Clinton, Edwards? C’mon! http://www.mypetpeeves.com/plog/index.php/archives/2514 please help me out folks!
July 19th, 2007 at 4:00 pmIt occurs to me Republicans are in power not for their ideology, but they have the $$$$ to buy their way in, then to practice in govt to make more $$$$. CT_VT proves it with his “six-figure” blogging rights. What would our founding fathers think?? Most of them lost their property, fortunes and families in the Revolutionary War. Hell, I blog for nothing, just to keep in touch with those in the spirit of loving this nation’s ideals of country and Constitution. Its our freedoms that make us free; ideas without expression are just pipe dreams. Rupert Murdoch has found a way around the expressing of his ideas: Just buy ($$$$) freedom of expression for yourself, and deny it to others because they are not worthy (don’t have $$$$).
July 19th, 2007 at 4:27 pmMurdoch is a dangerous doofus of Cheneyesque proportions.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/ Iraq/ Story/ 0,2763,897015,00.html
Got to hand it to a guy who said that Invading Iraq could bring oil down to $20/barrel which would be like a wonderful tax cut. I wonder what he’s saying about the wonderful tax increase instead.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:02 amThese revelations are especially troubling coupled with the news that Murdoch … may acquire the Wall Street Journal.
How so ?
Not sure if you’ve been paying attention but the WSJ is already a conservative rag.
They are solely responsible for all those BS fabrications about Sandy Berger covering up Clinton’s responsibility for 9/11 that right-wingers show up here talking about.
Are you “troubled” that if taken over they might start publishing less fictional stories accusing Clinton of allowing 9/11 to happen and then covering it up ?
July 20th, 2007 at 6:02 amDoes the NY Post even do this ?