Tony Blair 'sorry' for UK role in slave trade

[Izzy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6187216.stm

Annoyed by this story, i fail to see why the governement should even be considering saying sorry for this when its nothing to do with us

Its absurd that we should be saying sorry for events that happened 200 years ago - can we expect the Danes to say sorry for inavding us 1000 years ago? What about the French invasion in 1066?

Once again we get dangerous little groups with agendas pushing for these things - you have to ask, why do they care? They weren't affected - this is a cynical attempt to get compensation

[Skeba]

I think it's the least that should be done. Though I do understand that it's not Blair's fault what happened, but as he represents the nation that was part of it, it's the right thing to do. Blair's life hasn't been affected by it, but some people have been affected, and some things have been caused by slavery that are still visible today.

[babydolls]

I think a statement is right to have been made  - but from someone from a more independant (read: believable) stance than Blair.  He is just trying to cushion his fall out of Downing street and is clutching at anything to impove his legacy.

[mlewis]

Also, what is being slowly erased from history is the key role early 19th c. Britain had in the eradication of the slave trade. Blair should be celebrating that, not apologising for a (terrible) world wide practise.

[Booker Floyd]

Its a minor but appropriate measure.  Of course those who currently run the government had nothing to do with slavery, but as government figures they have the power to speak on behalf of the British government in recognizing its wrongdoing and addressing it.  Bill Clinton had nothing to do with the Tuskegee experiments, but as the figurehead of American government, possessed the capacity to express regret.  I dont see why it hurts for governments to own up to mistakes, even if theyre belated. 

Of course people today are affected by slavery.  Theyre obviously generations removed from it, but the effects of slavery are profound and long-lasting.  Thats not to suggest any other extraordinary measures should be taken, but an official apology and recognition is a positive gesture, and its odd to me that someone would take issue with it.

[Booker Floyd]

Also, what is being slowly erased from history is the key role early 19th c. Britain had in the eradication of the slave trade. Blair should be celebrating that, not apologising for a (terrible) world wide practise.

Thats a completely seperate issue.  America ended slavery as well; it can be celebrated seperately, but it doesnt absolve their institutional support for slavery. 

[Where is Hassan Nasrallah ?]

unless there are major changes (revolutions, wars, putch ...) a governement speaks timelessly.
so yeah.
there are no agendas.

[ARC]

Oh, I'm sure Blair is real "sorry". I guess he weeps every night for the slaves of two hundred years ago. 

Yet more politically-correct nonsense from the hypocrite.

[Izzy]

You all seem to have missed the point by quite some margin

We arent even the same COUNTRY that was involved in slavery - by the absurd logic that we are accountable for past sins Ireland would need to apolagise too - being a part of the UK at the time!

We are saying sorry for someone elses activity, why should we shoulder the blame?

[Booker Floyd]

You all seem to have missed the point by quite some margin

No, I got your point, I just disagreed.

We arent even the same COUNTRY that was involved in slavery - by the absurd logic that we are accountable for past sins Ireland would need to apolagise too - being a part of the UK at the time!

America isnt the "same" country either, but it still supported slavery.

We are saying sorry for someone elses activity, why should we shoulder the blame?

You might be incorrect in assuming that Blair is attempting to speak for you when he very well could be speaking on behalf of the government.  It isnt a personal thing - were all very aware that the current administration had nothing to do with slavery.  Nobodys blaming them.  But they have the capacity to speak on behalf of an insitution that fostered slavery, and acknowledging that insitutions wrongdoing is a positive thing.  If you feel compelled to keep assuring yourself that youre blameless in response, feel free - I just think its an odd way to react to a positive gesture.

[Edward Rose]

He should also appologize for kicking the Stuarts out of the royal family simply for their religious convictions. 

And he owes the current-day Pretenders allot of money too! 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Francis_Edward_Stuart