Galloway Faces Suspension
07.18.07 - 09:23am
Tear-stained standing ovation for a war criminal, suspension for a war opponent
Respect MP George Galloway faces being suspended from the House of Commons as the establishment continues its persecution of the antiwar campaigner.
The ludicrous “standards and privileges” committee has recommended Galloway be suspended for 18 days over claims that a charity he founded to help an Iraqi child suffering from leukemia received money from Saddam Hussein’s government via a complicated “kick-back” scheme and the strong defence he made of his conduct.
The member of parliament for Bethnal Green and Bow lambasted his critics in a statement outside Parliament:
“The committee appear utterly oblivious to the grotesque irony of a pro-sanctions and pro-war committee of a pro-sanctions and pro-war parliament passing judgment on the work of their opponents, especially in the light of the bloody march of events in Iraq since this inquiry began four years ago.
“They describe that as questioning their integrity and bringing parliament into disrepute. The house would do well to honestly calibrate exactly how its reputation on all matters concerning the war in Iraq stands with the public before deciding who precisely has brought it into disrepute.”
Time and again, inquiries have concluded that Galloway did not personally benefit from the donations to the Mariam Appeal, did not know where they came from, and that his involvement with the charity was out of a sincere desire to help Iraqi children. He also won a libel case against the right-wing Daily Telegraph.
Nevertheless, while the Commons gave a standing ovation to the man who supported sanctions which punished the Iraqi people then took his country into an illegal and murderous war, it is almost certain to confirm the suspension of its leading antiwar MP.
Now, there are many things to dislike about George Galloway but there can be no doubt that the continuing campaign against him is motivated by a malicious desire to punish a principled and vociferous opponent of the state’s illegal and immoral actions in Iraq, before and after the invasion. It is yet another demonstration of the fact that those who support and serve power take the easy path, while those who take a stand against the heinous deeds of powerful interests face sanction and condemnation.
I am sure we can expect a powerful speech from “Gorgeous” George in the required “debate” on his suspension, hopefully something to rival his now legendary demolition of the pampered US senators who bizarrely thought he would be an easy victim.
Yep, I for one am looking forward to it. The one thing that works against Galloway is sidelining him; put him in the hot seat and his informed, principled and eloquent testimony puts them to shame.
Do us proud, George, do us proud.
He made Senator Norman Coleman look like the weasel that he is.
Guilty by Charity,
that may be a new one.
And he didn’t even have gay sex or prostitutes on the side?
That seems to be what gets people riled.