Chirac's popularity is plummeting.

Interesting. What I find even more interesting is the observation that this is what Chirac's popularity was doing before the war. Makes you wonder how much of M. Chirac's posturing was to make himself look good for the voters, socking it to the arrogant Americans.

I believe there was mention of that part of it at the time, actually.

Or was I thinking of Schroeder? Maybe both.

No comments about how "well" Blair did at the local elections last week? :-)

I've never said that Labor wouldn't lose seats--just that Blair would retain the leadership, so it's hard to say how "well" he himself did. In fact, it may be that some of the losses were a result of his own party's opposition to "his" war.

Minor quibble, it's a proper name: Labour.

> In fact, it may be that some of the losses were a result of his own party's opposition to "his" war.

Highly unlikely, frankly. To be honest he's lucky the elections are May - another couple of months and even with inept Tories he could have easily lost another 200+ seats through domestic cock ups. I'll stand by my view that he'll have a rough time at the Party Conference.

There was an interesting review of the war in the Sunday Times where it pointed out a conference call between Rumsfeld and Peter Hoon - apparently Rumsfeld was shocked to be told that in the event of the vote going against Blair the entire cabinent were going to resign. It's moot now but it would have made an interesting historical footnote.

Hey, we don't complain when you misspell our words...

I don't believe that the war will be a political factor at all. I assume you've noticed that support for it among the British public has skyrocketed since it started, and ended? It will probably increase further once we understand the disposition of the WMD.

I should add that it's not just French politicians who are suffering politically from opposition to the war. Mr. Galloway, who seems to have made himself Saddam's whore, has been suspended from the party, and may even be indicted for treason. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing him at the end of a gibbet.

I continue to be amused at the accusations of nefarious hidden agendas on the part of those who supported the war, when the reality appears to be exactly the opposite.

> It will probably increase further once we understand the disposition of the WMD.

Ah yes, I'd almost forgotten about them.

To be honest I've not really noticed much change in view of the war among the people I know. And yes, I do know what the polls say, its just that in my immediate and politically varied circle of friends and acquaintances there isn't much change.

I've always made the point that Blair banked on a quick win - which he got. But that the peace could turn into a nightmare, which it is showing all the signs of doing.

> when the reality appears to be exactly the opposite.

Really? I hadn't noticed any real change. Channel 4 did an interesting piece on how many contracts for oil well reconstruction were awarded to "friends" of the Bush campaign more than 6 months ago, much to the disgust of the oil community in Texas who weren't even invited to bid.

Galloway was always a bit of a freak and it will be interesting to see how this pans out. I must admit that The Telegraph isn't necessarily the most reliable source of information, but I'd be happy to see him out of parliament. His reputation has always been murky.

As for the Gibet - the death penalty no longer applies for any crime in the UK.

I didn't say I expect it--just that I wouldn't mind seeing it.

And there's plenty of evidence of it. Most of the Axis of Weasels seemed to be doing pretty well financially from Saddam's continued tenure, and a lot of embarrassing documents are being found that demonstrate this, which is, of course, exactly what they were trying to prevent. As far as I'm concerned, at this point, Chirac and co. have zero moral legitimacy, as does the UN.

On the subject of the UN I'd personally rather see some evidence of all that equipment and weaponry that Powell told us about.

The stuff the official inspectors got laughed at for not finding because the Iraqi's were giving them the run around? That stuff.

It's easy for these things to get lost in the noise.