Galloway's acerbic tongue unsettles his inquisitors

[NNN0LHI]

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/c98b085c-c726-11d9-a700-00000e2511c8.html

As he emerged triumphant from his showdown with the Senate committee on Tuesday, George Galloway told reporters: “I'm a politician that pleads guilty to using events like these for political purposes.”

By most reckoning the British MP, an outspoken leftwinger who has campaigned in the UK against Iraq's occupation, stole the show.

The hearing, chaired by Republican Norm Coleman, had been presented as an opportunity for the committee to interrogate Mr Galloway over his alleged involvement in Iraq's oil-for-food programme and his alleged support for Saddam Hussein. The investigators had even offered to send airline tickets to ensure his attendance.

But in the event it was Mr Galloway who was on the offensive and it was Mr Coleman's credibility that was called into question.

Alternating between detailed rebuttal and sweeping denunciation, the MP derided the quality of the committee's evidence, his accusers' motives, and US policy in Iraq as a whole.

more

[aquart]

1. Love it.

I hope our little darlings learned something.

[bemildred]

2. Now this is more like it. nt

[burrowowl]

3. Beautiful!

Senators are not used to people who are not cowed and tell the truth and have the courage of their convictions and tell it in plain speak.
Printed out the statement and saw the video of said. Is there a transcript of any questioning?

[rocktivity]

41. Here's the transcript of his statement

Courtesy of The Times OnlineUK.

And here's where you can find a link to a video of all his testimony.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Stand and Fight]

4. He rightfully verbally disemboweled the nefarious neo-con bastards.

I hope to see more of this in the coming days, because these people are anything but patriots. They are traitors and the leader of the pack is George W. Bush.

[foo_bar]

49. he's the first person to utter "neo-con websites" on TV

"Now, the neo-con websites and newspapers in which you're such a hero, senator, were all absolutely cock-a-hoop at the publication of the Christian Science Monitor documents, they were all absolutely convinced of their authenticity. They were all absolutely convinced that these documents showed me receiving $10 million from the Saddam regime. And they were all lies."

[salvorhardin]

50. I love that phrase...

cock-a-hoop!

[alittlelark]

5. Cong. Dem's take note... this is what WE EXPECT FROM YOU.

.... not holding my breath....

[punpirate]

6. Yes, indeed...

... but I don't think they'll quite deliver, either. But, no matter, Normie will be sleeping on his stomach tonight, after getting a high colonic full of razor blades from Mr. Galloway. :)

[TrogL]

52. That sounds like fun

[zann725]

13. Starting tomorrow would be nice...

It's now or never, Senators! Enough with compromises! Now's the time to draws that 'line in the sand!'

[calimary]

29. This would be an EXCELLLENT primer for them in the "THIS is how it's

done when you're dealing with these bullies" class.

Yes. THIS is EXACTLY how it's done. YOU. FIGHT. BACK.

All they've done is push and push and push and bully and bully and bully and our guys keep taking it and taking it and taking it and then whimpering about why it never seems to stop.

This guy comes in, snatches the spotlight away from them, shoves it straight back in their faces, and THEY wind up looking like fools. THIS is EXACTLY what we need from our people, and THIS is EXACTLY what must be done.

And for all those little panty-waists who say "well, that's not an option, after all, Dems were in on this, too. Either they voted for it or they're aiding and abetting it or they went along with it or blah-blah-blah," well, it's just time to say BULLSHIT and step AROUND AND OVER that position as though it were a pile of dirty underwear left on the laundry room floor. Not only that, but their "out" is ridiculously simple: that little ol' ten-word, two-sentence statement: "Because I TRUSTED my president, and he LIED to me."

Yes, the GALLOWAY OFFENSIVE is precisely what needs to be done at this point. EXACTLY. I hope to God our guys took note.

BTW - might be a SPLENDID idea to call some Democrat on the Hill - yours or someone else's if you're stuck with a republi-CON - and remind them of this. Draw their attention to it. Tell them to study what Galloway did and how he confronted the bullies. Tell them they now have a template to follow and you expect them to start using it. Galloway has shown them what to do and how to do it, the effective handling of these people, and techniques for throwing them completely off their guard, embarrassing them, and beating them to a pulp. IT ABSOLUTELY CAN BE DONE. IT NOT BEYOND THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY. THESE JACKALS ARE NOT INVINCIBLE. And now, the Democrats need to follow through. While these people are smarting and licking their wounds and trying to figure out what just hit them.

CALL A DEM THIS MORNING!!!

[xxqqqzme]

59. part of my thank you email

2 Galloway :

"...I love my country but am ashamed of my government. Yesterday, your strong, unapologetic voice afforded me a moment to rejoice and shout in agreement, 'Take that, you greedy, neo-con warmongers! Take a lesson you spineless democrats.'.."

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

33. Ever watch a Parliamentary debate?

They may seem civilized and oh-so elegant, but British politicians are natural-born street fighters. Democrats in Congress need to learn from these guys.

[TrogL]

53. Glad you think they're civilized and elegant

Ever watched the Canadian Parliament in action?

Heckling taken to a fine art. Even they're amateurs compared to the British.

[Zenlitened]

55. Definitely. Speak the truth OUT LOUD once in a while.

[Democat]

56. What the hell is wrong with Democrats - why can't they stand up like that?

If we had Democrats who were as fearless as Galloway, we'd be in charge of the country right now instead of the right wing criminals.

He turned a Republican attack back on them and used it to make them look bad. Was it that hard? He just stood up to the crooks.

[Hard_Work]

65. simple answer

"What the hell is wrong with Democrats - why can't they stand up like that?"

Because most, but not all, of them are dirty too. They have been 'beltway insiders' for so long, they lost sight of their own ethics some time ago.

Hopefully the young guns like Obama, as well as the fighting few like the honorable senators Boxer and McKinney can show them the way back home...

[anarchy1999]

7. Yo Normie, Yo Normie, what you say now? Ouch, it had to hurt.

Galloway for Prez in 2008, is it a possibility? Normie, you might just be going down. See YA! and not to soon!!!!!!

By the way, bad call, maybe you should have considered attacking someone else first.

I'm sorry, I just can't quit laughing. Poor Normie. You must be having a really bad night right now, as in sleepless. How are you going to face tomorrow. I'd stay home, drunk and consider resigning, if your peers don't eat you first.

[Zorra]

8. I saw and heard Norm Coleman for the first time today. ICK!

That slime-weasel beat McGovern for Wellstone's seat?

Do they have electronic voting in Minnesota?

[Zan_of_Texas]

10. Well.

Let's just say that Norm Coleman tallied more votes than Mondale for Wellstone's Senate seat.

[ananda]

27. It's hard to believe that..

.. Minnesotans actually voted for that mutant toad Coleman,

.. especially after Wellstone.

How could they!!!

Sue

[SharonAnn]

45. Remember, all the Early Votes for Wellstone were thrown out.

So there are a bunch of Democrats whose votes for a Democratic Senator were not counted.

[bobbieinok]

63. want to bellieve but........link???????

[Ernesto]

39. delete

[Hekate]

9. The little I got to see was a rare treat

:popcorn: and a smile from ear to ear

Hekate

[Hissyspit]

11. Recommended and kicked. Watch for the anti-Galloway spin to come, though

[Pacifist Patriot]

24. to come? The anti-Galloway spin is why he was in the Senate

hearing in the first place. I'm beginning to suspect he can hold his own. I have to wonder if someone "on the fringe" doesn't know well in advance to keep things squeaky clean to be able to head off any likely attacks. He's been a target for well over a decade. He's proven several times that he is a force to be reckoned with.

[Dancing_Dave]

12. Keep speaking truth to power George!

Galloway is really a hero to the growing global counter-culture, and if the neo-con bastards assasinate him, he will be even bigger in death (like Elvis?).

:yourock:

[robbo2356]

14. Anti Galloway spin

Well it`s just begun , check on Fox News opinion 'My Word`
Even here they admit that Coleman was `Chewed up` by George Galloway. I thought it was funny when they said "Where was Norman Coleman? If you are going to grill someone, you should first bring the grill".:rofl:

[RebelOne]

17. Wolf Blitzer also interviewed someone yesterday

who questioned Galloway's credibility. I'm very suprised that Sean Insannity didn't have anything to say about it. Well, that will probably come today when he can come up with something to smear him with.

[Briar]

18. You needn't go to Faux

go to the Guardian! Staunchly Bliarite, it rubbishes his performance as mere invective.

[Hardrada]

15. This is like Georgi Dimitrov, the Bulgarian Communist

Singing Herman Wilhelm Goering at the Reichstag Fire Trial.

[Hello_Kitty]

16. I loved this line

"He merely said he had not seen the documents before, and raised the possibility they might be forgeries."



:rofl: :applause:

[ananda]

28. And this line to Norm

You have accused me without speaking to me first or asking me about it. Just another example of the injustice that runs rampant in this senate body.
(paraphrase)

Sue

[napi21]

64. There was one more where Galloway said to Norm "You as a

lawyer have a very poor understanding of justice!" Now I'm going from memory, but the line was close to that, and absolutely beautiful!!!!

[Hissyspit]

19. More reaction at this link: "BBC: Media React...."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1481182

[0007]

20. junior and his butt boy, Norm Coleman, have just been put down

by a real man, George Galloway. With language that the world understands and wanted to hear for a long time now.

Norman Coleman has no teeth and junior has no balls, they should go and play with the "Pet Goat" children.

[MADem]

21. Aww, Norm has teeth, he got them FREE from a dentist

http://rawstory.com/exclusives/byrne/norm_coleman_featured_smile_124.htm

http://rawstory.com.nyud.net:8090/images/other/before.jpg
Norm's hideous teeth BEFORE the free dental work
http://rawstory.com.nyud.net:8090/images/other/after.jpg
Norm's fake teeth AFTER his FREE dental work

I guess it is GOOD to be a cheapass politician who avails himself of bartered favors! God forbid he should have to pay, like ordinary folk!

[senseandsensibility]

23. He's always looked fake to me

The pictures on the link you provided looks like two different people; he must have had more done than just his teeth!

[Vinca]

25. The refrigerator white teeth are appropriate for Norm.

Phony, phony, phony. The only thing that could improve his appearance can be found in a stack at the end of the grocery store checkout counter.

[susu369]

22. I've got this wonderful image of Wellstone in heaven

with a sweet smile....

[donkeyotay]

66. Yes, the happy warrior is smiling

The words could have been his:

"Now, Senator, I gave my heart and soul to oppose the policy that you promoted. I gave my political life's blood to try to stop the mass killing of Iraqis by the sanctions on Iraq which killed one million Iraqis, most of them children, most of them died before they even knew that they were Iraqis, but they died for no other reason other than that they were Iraqis with the misfortune to be born at that time. I gave my heart and soul to stop you committing the disaster that you did commit in invading Iraq. And I told the world that your case for the war was a pack of lies."

Wonder which one, Normie or Mr. Galloway, sleeps better?

[Donailin]

26. Talk about speaking TRUTH to POWER

we need another ten Galloways to "answer questions" from congress.

Bravo!

[RussBLib]

30. Did the "Senators" even ask him any questions?

Or was it just a Galloway tirade? I still can't find a complete vid of Galloway's appearance. Can anyone help?

[warrens]

36. They tried

Levin went after him and Coleman tried a couple of feeble questions before he suddenly remembered pressing business elsewhere and beat a hasty retreat. I think you can find a link to the full video at the GD page.

[MN ChimpH8R]

61. After the hearing

Lick-spittle Normie Empty-Suit looked like someone had just cracked a pool cue over his head. Stunned shock and disbelief - and probably a jumbo-sized pantload to boot.

He expected to bully Galloway and Galloway not only refused to play The Tool's game, he took the offense and burned Normie down to the keel. Finally, someone refused to be cowed by these cheap playground bullies, and Normie did what bullies always do when confronted - run away and start whining about getting the tables turned. :puke:

BWAH HA HA HA HA!

:rofl:

[doubleplusgood]

38. complete video here (BBC)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4553601.stm#

Kind of tricky, but works:

1. Click on video link to the right to select "Watch highlights from George Galloway's Senate testimony"

2. When video player comes up, select from lower right part of screen, "Watch George Galloway's testimony" 47:27 mins

[RussBLib]

57. Found another full video link

can't do it from work, however

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8866.htm

[plasticsundance]

31. Galloway was right on target ...

When he spoke about the injustice/rubbish in the Senate. Coleman and these other senators will over reach. They have to. These senators refuse to ponder and self reflect on how miserably they've failed. That includes the Democrats. We have a corrupt and offensive government led by Chimpy-the-Idiot-King. No amount of nice talk or bipartisanship is going to prevent the hazards from the Bush Administration. Reality sucks, but there it is, and some just have to learn the hard way.

This current Administration is an inept Bully, and the Democrats are too heeled to anything about it.

[gorbal]

32. Aw this is wonderful

I ust saw him speak on "Democracy Now" you can see it after 12 on the DM website if you wish. It will probably be on CSPAN as well:)

[yellowcanine]

34. "...Mr. Coleman stressed, the committee was “not a court of law”." But

Normy, it IS going to take a court of law to prove the perjury that you are fond of insinuating about regarding Mr. Galloway. So either put up the evidence or shut up about it.

[karynnj]

42. But Norm voted for Bolton after he DID commit perjury

to the SFRC. The lies were summarized beautifully by Kerry right before the vote.

[chlamor]

35. I hope the activists, politicos and all others involved

in the political arena in the US will learn from this and stop with the niceties and "politics of expediency and lame strategy" and GO ON THE OFFENSIVE.

Thank you George for just telling the TRUTH.

[lateo]

37. Check out this photoshop of Galloway.

[Rose Siding]

40. OMG: "Senator, I am not now nor have I ever been an oil trader"

I MISSED this snap! :rofl:

"Senator, I am not now nor have I ever been an oil trader and neither has anyone on my behalf," said Galloway, dispensing with the deference traditionally reserved for Senate leaders. "I have never seen a barrel of oil, owned one, bought one, sold one, and neither has anybody on my behalf."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/17/AR2005051701358.html

[bemildred]

43. Yeah, that was cool, was it not? And I'll be Normie didn't have a clue.nt

[rodeodance]

44. Briton puts senators on defensive on Iraq (Europe IHT)

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/05/18/news/probe.php

> Briton puts senators on defensive on Iraq
> By Brian Knowlton International Herald Tribune
>
> WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2005
> WASHINGTON In an unusual appearance, a British lawmaker on Tuesday seemed to catch a Senate committee off guard with his intensely delivered denials of allegations that Saddam Hussein gave him the right to export 20 million barrels of oil.
>
> The member of Parliament, George Galloway, said that the Republican administration built the case for war around "a pack of lies" and now sought to divert attention with "the mother of all smokescreens."
>
> Galloway's vitriolic tone was rare for a Senate witness, and the condemnation of the Iraq war uncommonly fierce for the generally restrained venue.
>
> A maverick politician ousted from the Labour Party for his fervent opposition to the war and his blunt criticisms of Prime Minister Tony Blair, Galloway did not deny contacts with Iraq but said that he had actively opposed Saddam, with whom, he said, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had had more meetings.....
>
>

[LibDemAlways]

46. That little turd Coleman was simply

blindsided. He didn't have a clue who he was dealing with. I don't know what he expected, but it sure as hell wasn't what he got. His ass is going to be sore for a long, long time.

Galloway was masterful. If the Dem Senators and Representatives had one tenth of his combativeness, we'd be in the majority.

[deadparrot]

47. We're not worthy...!

Rock on, Mr. Galloway.

The UK is very lucky to have you! :)

[demo dutch]

48. You can thank him at -------------------- ------ [email protected]

[calimary]

51. Here's how else you can thank him - urge the Dems to follow his lead!

PLEASE - visit the following thread, and make even just one call... (yes, it's my thread, sorry - I'm not trying to grandstand. This is important!)

DUers - "The Galloway Offensive" - PLEASE call a Democrat about it!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1790490

[deadparrot]

54. Done and thanks. nt

[kainah]

58. last night on the Newshour

They showed clips of Coleman after the hearing downplaying what had happened. Standing next to him, barely able to suppress a grin, was Carl Levin. It was really classic.

And, this morning, C-SPAN said that they would be showing this 'later today,' presumably on C-SPAN1.

[donheld]

60. George Galloway beat the crap out of them

It's high time someone did. I hope this starts a trend.

[peace_prevails]

62. Would someone pls post Galloway's email?

I couldn't find it in the thread...

PP

[gorbal]

67. I think it's time for a "Galloway" DU group

With all the gushing threads on here it's time for the guy to have his own group. We need to learn more about him, what he does on his days of...what sort of tea he drinbs:)

[CJCRANE]

68. Galloway's website:

http://www.respectcoalition.org

(For those of a more centrist disposition please be warned that it contains the "S"-word: socialism!)

[demo dutch]

69. email.... [email protected]