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Kathie
I am aware that the main purpose of our group is for those of us with melanoma/cancer to help one another. So after this I suggest we take it off-line.
I will post responses/updates as and when progress occurs - as promised to Mr. Blair's office and to Mrs. Blair's chambers
But before I sign off on this I would just like to clarify a few things:
I agree that actions such as this undermine our standing in the world. However I do fully support the US/UK actions in Iraq and, from what I have seen of GW Bush - I believe him to be an honest fellow with similar 'core values' to those of most of the USA, Europe and indeed most Muslims. We in the West use the term Christianity to reflect those core values - but really most Muslims I have met have similar values in most matters - they are mostly caring gentle and respectable cultures also.
What is equally clear is that minority extremist radical ferver is fed by disgust - and the many with the same core values as ours act as a calming influence on those few. But it is indefensible actions - such as Cherie Blair apparently taking £100,000 to assist an Australian children's cancer charity - which both cause disgust and undermine that cohesion. And in doing so such actions undermine the moral stance of nations and our brave soldiers.
Hopefully in time the vast majority of Iraqi peoples will be grateful for the bravery of our soldiers and calm will prevail.
I believe in democracy - when wrong things happen - e.g. if the UK Prime Minister's wife really is taking £100,000 from a children's cancer charity - then it is either apathy that will let it happen - or challenge which will bring back the balance to an acceptable one. I hope that action - positive action encouraging those to do the right thing - will both prevail and win. In this case the right result I think would be for Cherie Blair to forgo any fee or personal benefit - and be proud.
As I have already said, I personally feel that Cherie Blair is abusing our grief and pain, and that of our children and parents, to line her own pocket - and that is both immoral and a sad thing for western democracy and western influence. In contrast I look at the thousands of elderly ladies in cancer shops and helping those afflicted. I look at Prince Charles supporting the Bristol Cancer Help Centre, I look at the Losely family in Guildford UK who both house the children's hospice CHASE charity and also run Church sessions for those with cancer - and I know there is HOPE. Let us hope Cherie Blair is of the same calibre as such wonderful people.
Love and Healing
Ian
PS - Clarification from Mrs Blair (whose chambers are copied on this email) is welcome.
PPS In view of their priorities and the volume of email correspondence, I will not correspond further within the yahoo cancer groups on this subject - other than to post updates
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