Home Politics & Debate
If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Read the community guidelines before posting ✨
Options

George Galloway

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
A number of people that i speak to, both in the real world and on TheSite, have a serious dislike for George Galloway. I've never really pressed the matter, but i was wondering what the general consensus was on him, and why people did or didn't like him?

My only real exposure to him is because of his anti-war stance, and i must say, i admire his ability for rhetoric.
«1

Comments

  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    1435142837b4ab241f.jpg
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    He's a bit more entertaining then most politicians - although seeing him act like a cat on celeb Big Brother was weird.

    I can't really think of another UK Politician that is quite like him in terms of not being afraid to speak out in the issue they believe in ..
  • Options
    Teh_GerbilTeh_Gerbil Posts: 13,332 Born on Earth, Raised by The Mix
    DG wrote: »
    He's a bit more entertaining then most politicians - although seeing him act like a cat on celeb Big Brother was weird.

    I can't really think of another UK Politician that is quite like him in terms of not being afraid to speak out in the issue they believe in ..

    Aye, at least he is honest and upfront about his beliefs, and the only chap who has the balls on him to be honest about the disgraceful actions of Israel.

    The guy is a nut and a tad dangerous, mind. I wouldn't let him near any sort of power... let alone vote for this man.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I went to a talk by him at my uni once. He is not a pleasent man.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I used to quite like George Galloway, he is a lot more entertaining than most politicians BUT now strongly dislike him.

    His creditbility went down hill after Big Bro and has never recovered. He is someone who goes round accusing people of anything (i.e. John Reid) and just causing problems. I also think he is a dodgie as fuck.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I don't like George Galloway because I don't think he is trustworthy (in that his number one priority is always himself) but I suppose that goes with the territory of being a politician.

    I think a lot of what he says is right, though- he is being victimised by a corrupt house.

    Jonny, that picture is tedious, and I note that you don't show the picture of your chum Cheney making even bigger deals with Saddam.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I think he's a champagne socialist... I can't take him seriously after appearing on Big Brother.

    I don't trust his uber PC greenwash party either. I think they take advantage of the fact people are racist and Islamophobic to win votes from minority groups.... Unless of course you're gay.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The reason George Galloway is so disliked is because, unlike much of our political establishment, he actually believes in something. He has raised uncomfortable questions about the war in Iraq, which this useless government, and equally pitiful opposition stooges, do not like. When he stood outside the House of Commons and called Tony Blair a "war criminal", he spoke for millions of people in this country. When he stood outside the Commons and said he should be given a medal for asking these questions, he was again speaking for millions. This is one issue which I am prepared to give Galloway considerable credit.

    As for him meeting Saddam Hussein, lots of people have met him. Didn't a certain Donald Rumsfeld, the previous US Defence Secretary, meet him back in the 1980s? Several politicians have met dictators. For example, Jack Straw shook the hand of evil tyrant Robert Mugabe a few years ago, and no smear campaign has taken place to destroy him. But we forget - he's a New Labour puppet, isn't he? Whilst Galloway is wrongly hounded for this, Rummy is left alone. Given how hard a time the Bush administration normally gets on these boards, (by myself as well) I find that very perplexing.

    When I listen to Galloway speak, I can see a notably old-school politician. Unlike the career placemen and duds that inhabit the Commons today, he has an incredibly forceful personality, he argues his point of view passionately on any subject, no matter how unpopular. He puts to shame the useless morons he has to share the Commons floor with, and that is why he is so disliked in politics. There are few politicians like him nowadays, and that is a great shame.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I don't know what's so great about believing in something - Mao believed in something, so did Hitler, so did Stalin.

    He may stand up for what he believes in - unfortunately what he believes in is crap...
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I don't know what's so great about believing in something - Mao believed in something, so did Hitler, so did Stalin.
    Let's turn that question on its head. What's so great about believing in nothing?
    He may stand up for what he believes in - unfortunately what he believes in is crap...
    True, but at least he's prepared to say it and defend it. Can you imagine many other politicians who would do the same? Take, for example, Gordon Brown decreeing that the Manchester supercasino will no longer be built. It should never have been considered in the first place. But did Labour politicians speak out against it at the time? Did they stand by their allegedly socialist convictions and argue that a huge casino in a poor area would make a bad situation worse? I cannot recall a single one who did. That puts these placid puppets to shame.

    There are countless other subjects in which our squalid, pathetic MPs haven't bothered to say anything which differs from the party line. Why aren't they condemned for it?
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    SG - you have heard some of the stuff he comes out with haven't you? He's quite far up himself, and doesn't really mind switching his beliefs just to twist people round his little finger.

    If tomorrow the polls said we loved the Iraq war he'd be in the street shouting how we should be making more wars to save more people from whatever.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    ShyBoy wrote: »
    He's quite far up himself...
    Wow. What a devastating criticism that must be. I love the way you try to make that sound like a crime. Can you name me one politician who isn't guilty of this offence?
    and doesn't really mind switching his beliefs just to twist people round his little finger.
    Again, can you name me one politician who isn't guilty of that offence?
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    SG- What the fuck goes through your head when you post here? I don't take your posts seriously anymore, it's so comical that it's elevated to stance of farce. Get a backbone you eejit.

    ETA: George Galloway is a twat.
  • Options
    Teh_GerbilTeh_Gerbil Posts: 13,332 Born on Earth, Raised by The Mix
    Yerascrote wrote: »
    ETA: George Galloway is a twat.

    ETA said that? I like the Basque Separatists more and more... :p

    SG has said not that he agrees with Golloway, that golloway has at leasth the gumption aobut him to stand up for something. I said that too.

    I hope that SG wouldn't consider voting for this man, but at lewast Golloway is open about his beliefs, and has the balls to voice them. I don't see any other politician donig so - but hopefully some will follow his lead. Some with views I might like, perhaps.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I actually quite like him, but thats possibly because I agree with him on most of the stuff ive heard him say.

    id hate to be on the opposing side in an argument with him though.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    So, Yerascrote is no longer taking my posts seriously? Excellent news. The feeling is now mutual at long last.
    Teh_Gerbil wrote: »
    SG has said not that he agrees with Golloway, that galloway has at leasth the gumption aobut him to stand up for something. I hope that SG wouldn't consider voting for this man, but at lewast Golloway is open about his beliefs, and has the balls to voice them.
    Nope, I'd never vote for Mr Galloway in a million years. I don't agree with much of what he says, but at least he has the guts to voice his opinion. When he speaks, you know you're hearing his mind. When most politicans speak, you can almost hear the strings being pulled.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I actually quite like him, but thats possibly because I agree with him on most of the stuff ive heard him say.

    id hate to be on the opposing side in an argument with him though.

    Tbh, if you were on the opposing side he'd just grin stupidly, until you ask him a question which requires thinking then he'd walk off imo.

    It's not him I dislike too much about his party, it's people like Adam Yosef...

    I wonder how gay rights and women's rights would go if he ever got in to power (and attended parliament frequently).
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    stargalaxy wrote: »
    Nope, I'd never vote for Mr Galloway in a million years. I don't agree with much of what he says, but at least he has the guts to voice his opinion. When he speaks, you know you're hearing his mind. When most politicans speak, you can almost hear the strings being pulled.
    Yeah, I respect this of him too. He seems to sometimes think outside the political box which unfortantely I can't see him getting that far with. It's kinda risky...
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    When he says that Blair and Brown are the two cheeks of the same arse, I have to agree.

    Sadly for him, in that scenario, he's the dick.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Namaste wrote: »
    Yeah, I respect this of him too. He seems to sometimes think outside the political box which unfortantely I can't see him getting that far with. It's kinda risky...
    Exactly. Our political parties don't like independent thought. That's why they all believe exactly the same things nowadays.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    When he says that Blair and Brown are the two cheeks of the same arse, I have to agree.

    Sadly for him, in that scenario, he's the dick.

    :lol:
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Far more interested in himself than the people he's meant to be representing.

    He's a good public speaker and he might stick up for what he believes in and can defend it, but that just means he's a clever politician. Doesn't excuse him from being an odious little toad.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Teh_Gerbil wrote: »
    Aye, at least he is honest and upfront about his beliefs, and the only chap who has the balls on him to be honest about the disgraceful actions of Israel.

    The guy is a nut and a tad dangerous, mind. I wouldn't let him near any sort of power... let alone vote for this man.

    Thank God for the second part of your post. But the first is the worrying part: other people here have also said they find him more "entertaining" than other politicians... right. Not really a good measuring device is that 'entertainment' factor; as the original poster says, Galloway is a man of rhetoric, though I believe it should be thrown his way as a pejorative, certainly not a compliment.

    The disingenuous self-aggrandizing rhetoric is what makes him entertaining; thus claims about him being upfront or somehow more honest than other politicians should be met with suspicion. I mean jeez, that's exactly what the point of the rhetoric is - look at me, I care about these things, honest.

    That Galloway became regarded as somewhat of a hero following his appearance at the Senate is even more grating and another example of people enjoying the message - err, the war in Iraq is bad, and, and...ILLEGAL! - so much they disregard what sort of plum is saying it and how and why.

    P.S. I realise you didn't describe him as entertaining. Gosh there are so many posts.
  • Options
    Teh_GerbilTeh_Gerbil Posts: 13,332 Born on Earth, Raised by The Mix
    stargalaxy wrote: »
    Exactly. Our political parties don't like independent thought. That's why they all believe exactly the same things nowadays.

    Indeed.

    Now what we need is a good old Left-wing fellow to stand up and be counted... instead of to loons like Galloway and Kilroy Silk.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Teh_Gerbil wrote: »
    Now what we need is a good old Left-wing fellow to stand up and be counted... instead of to loons like Galloway and Kilroy Silk.
    It may surprise you, but I do have respect for some of the values of the "Left", as it used to be called. Whilst I do not agree with their calls for the state to have more involvement in people's lives, I am sympathetic to their view that we are a society, not a collection of individuals. I do sometimes think that more right-wing figures neglect that factor, myself included. If there was a sensible and prominent Left-wing figure out there, he or she would certainly have my attention and probably my respect.
  • Options
    Teh_GerbilTeh_Gerbil Posts: 13,332 Born on Earth, Raised by The Mix
    stargalaxy wrote: »
    It may surprise you, but I do have respect for some of the values of the "Left", as it used to be called. Whilst I do not agree with their calls for the state to have more involvement in people's lives, I am sympathetic to their view that we are a society, not a collection of individuals. I do sometimes think that more right-wing figures neglect that factor, myself included. If there was a sensible and prominent Left-wing figure out there, he or she would certainly have my attention and probably my respect.

    :thumb: Good man. I can understand your reluctance to get the state involed... indeed, I'd probably only involve the state in what I think are key industries were I in charge. Like Public transport, NHS, etc etc... private industry needs limits though, to prevent monopolies, or it defeats it's original objective of consumer choice. See: Microsoft, GM, Ford.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Teh_Gerbil wrote: »
    :thumb: Good man. I can understand your reluctance to get the state involed... indeed, I'd probably only involve the state in what I think are key industries were I in charge. Like Public transport, NHS, etc etc... private industry needs limits though, to prevent monopolies, or it defeats it's original objective of consumer choice. See: Microsoft, GM, Ford.
    I think there are certain things which should remain in the hands of the state. Although I do think there is a place for the private sector in the NHS, they should not be allowed to abuse that position by making massive profits off the back of taxpayers. As for public transport... depending on where you live, the state can either be heavily involved or not at all. In my area, the council has an agreement with many local bus companies concerning routes, number of buses, fare prices etc.
  • Options
    Teh_GerbilTeh_Gerbil Posts: 13,332 Born on Earth, Raised by The Mix
    stargalaxy wrote: »
    I think there are certain things which should remain in the hands of the state. Although I do think there is a place for the private sector in the NHS, they should not be allowed to abuse that position by making massive profits off the back of taxpayers.

    Isn't making massive profit the WHOLE point of private companies? Also, I disagree... private companies came in to clean the NHS hospital and MRSA was suddenly an epidemic. Also the food has got a fair bit shitter since they bought in the private sector. Not that it was ever good, mind.
    stargalaxy wrote: »
    As for public transport... depending on where you live, the state can either be heavily involved or not at all. In my area, the council has an agreement with many local bus companies concerning routes, number of buses, fare prices etc.

    I just don't think private companies are able to fill the public transport sector well. It just isn't the kind of thing they are good at, because there IS no competition once they run one area's busses, as it is only them, so they can treat you as craply as they want. And because they are private, we get no comeback about it. Whereas we can hold the state accountable.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Teh_Gerbil wrote: »
    Indeed.

    Now what we need is a good old Left-wing fellow to stand up and be counted... instead of to loons like Galloway and Kilroy Silk.

    gosh i like kilroy silk as well.

    im so easily charmed :flirt:
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    gosh i like kilroy silk as well.

    im so easily charmed :flirt:

    Is it the tan?
Sign In or Register to comment.