I listened to excerpts of George Galloway completely owning the Senate during the oil-for-food (spelled g.o.p.s.m.o.k.e.s.c.r.e.e.n.) hearings. Political Affairs has some choice excerpts. He's definitely got mad skills. It was the most beautiful thing I'd heard in a while: a strong debater not tripped up by conservative bullying.
I am here today but last week you already found me guilty. You traduced my name around the world without ever having asked me a single question, without ever having contacted me, without ever written to me or telephoned me, without any attempt to contact me whatsoever. And you call that justice.
Which reminds me: my first thought after the British election (as with many Americans) was: you guys are as dumb as we are, re-electing a lier for another term. But during their pre-election campaigning, their admirably sucinct campaigning, I was envious. Blair many times, and publicly, faced angry constituents--a situation unfathomable in America. But in the end ... even the Downing Street memo could have no effect.
For those of us who lived through the privatisations of Maggie Thatcher and the other dimwitted morons in the conservative party there was no real option.
We all knew before the war started that Blair had to keep some kind of reign on Uncle George and try to keep him from blowing up the world and bring on the rapture shite.So he used up his standing with us for a greater good but at least he doesn't exclude views from trade unions and professionals alike to make policy decisions.
Unlike King George who professes to listen but only to invited audiences chaperoned by fake intelligence officers.Why anyone in their right mind can hear him and not understand he is a dullard controlled by "interest groups", interested only in stealing from hard working families to give themselves even more wealth.
For what? Do they not beleive the crap they spout about a camel and a rich man getting into heaven, where ever that may be.No they are just two-faced politicos out for themselves and all the hangers on who support them.Get rich and richer and tell all the idiots that vote for them the other party is for the rich, what mugs they really are.
Still, the mugs here found out about the "fairness" of the tories and their "family values". Complete rubbish of course so they were found out and found wanting and booted out. But time will erase their crassness and some other mugs will come along to ride the get rich bandwagon until those with the wealth decide that they have got enough and kick them off the bandwagon so there is more for themselves.
Funny, they will die just like everone else and their legacy will not be "wasn't he/she a very nice and caring person" but more likely what a total arsehole!
Good point on Thatcher. I was shocked, perhaps naively, when Blair allied himself so strongly with Bush and the war. It seemed counter to his previous actions. Did I miss something?
And one more point on British politics (not to praise you Brits *too* much): the overwrought issues of religion and homosexuality appear to be generally absent in your political discussion. I'm not sure how the US has gotten so mired in these issues (maybe I can blame King George), but I hope that we can snap out of it soon.
No Scott,you missed nothing. My feeling has always been that Blair could not give Bush a completely free ride. But that is now history and academics will attempt to show what "really" was the point of it all once the documents are released in fifty years time.
As for the issues of religion and homosexuality, they may simmer under the surface for some but for most they are inconsequential and of no import. In the US however they are being used as the "bogie man" to divert peoples attention away from the major issues.The fact it has suceeded so well points to an underlying dichotomy in a number of citizens who profess too much how bad it is to not believe in god or how wicked "poofs" are.I have spent a lot of my life around gays with no apparent harm to me, but their psychotic paranoia shows itself evertime they abuse those with a different lifestyle.We tend to use this against them and so it becomes a non-issue.
As a last comment, many many thanks for the opportunity to listen to music I would otherwise have missed thus making my life so much more empty.
John
Not all "conservative voices" are ignorantly jumping on this ridiculous sleigh ride. This author describes the senator in a similar manner as the PA.net piece.
Slinking away...
Galloway is to be applauded.
I too was impressed to see Blair facing the music on one TV town hall program that featured several angry (I prefer to say, impassioned) people stickin' it to Blair. Being impressed quickly resolved to depressed because I know that would never happen in this country where all debate is orchestrated.
Posted by: Mason at May 21, 2005 11:32 PMThe pity of life Mason, is that as we grow older we would prefer that things stayed the same. Nobody who is conservative is "ignorant" per se. My difficulty with the American conservative as seen from this side of the pond is their total lack of compassion for the under priviledge in society. I always considered myself a socialist but have realized that what it is is a social conscience that prevents me supporting any group whose primary purpose is to continue the fleecing of hard working people to enrich those who need it least. I have always applauded those persons earning high salaries because of ability or innovation but despise those who have done nothing to earn their place in society.
But when statements are put forward like "we dont need the Government rationing health services" by those who can afford to pay for any kind of treatment they need I do become really angry. So many cannot afford basic health care that a system such as the one we have in the UK is the least that should be expected in any civilized country. When EVERYBODY pays into a single system then all can be covered. Drawbacks? Well if you have a government who do not believe in it they starve funds from it to force people into private companies where they can make profits from peoples suffering. By the way when they say they do not make money look at the salaries and benefits of the directors. Its disgusting. Medical personnel deserve as much as possible but not these "Fat Cats" living off the backs of real workers.
As I said earlier conservatives are not bad people, my dad was one, but it seems that when there is a statement critical of their policies some over there fall back on the "if you arent with us your against us" non-argument.
Now that is sad.
Best wishes for the future.
john