Was Tony Blair ever really going to Gaza?

[major.tom]

Guardian: Blair cancels Gaza visit after threats
Independent: Blair cancels Gaza visit over security concerns
CBC: Blair cancels Gaza visit over 'security threat'

[luke]

who knows ...

from the independent 'Mr Blair's visit was to be his first trip to the coastal territory since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of Gaza a year ago.'

seized control?! you mean the elected government preempted a coup against them by us and israeli funded and armed fatah?!

imagine if a palestinian group attempted a coup of the american government, and lost, would the media say the american government 'seized control'?! its laughable

the use of the word militant really annoys me as well. there was a good post on medialens the other day linking various mainstream sources and their use of the word militant for 'official enemys' and the way they use the word soldiers, resistance or rebels when those groups are doing what the west approves off. and militants are never engaged in 'military operations', thats always our side - who are never militants!