Question time

[kerstina]

Who was watching last night i thought it was the liveliest debate for a long time probably thanks to the presence of George Gallaway .I really wish Alistair Campbell would stop appearing on television and reminding us all what was wrong with the Labour party. I know he was explaining about the Inquiry into Iraq but every time I see him I know exactly where I want Ed Milliband to take the Labour party as far away from the likes of him as is possible !

I enjoyed it last night too. George Galloway is good value - he really doesn't give a toss for politeness.

I however, quite like Alistair Campbell. Sorry.

George was excellent, dont agree with many of his views but he is an excellent debater.

Galloway may be good telly but he is a terrible debater. A combination of slogans, hyperbole and that dreadful affected accent (just where in Scotland is that meant to be from exactly?). He can push audience buttons all right but he doesn't listen & doesn't let the truth get in the way of a good monologue.

"Galloway may be good telly but he is a terrible debater."

Agreed, Galloway is an excellent orator but his arguments tend to be a little on the thin side.

Thin!? You could pull his arguments through a straw and still suck up lemonade with it at the same time....

As he said the Iraq inquiry is being held by "establishment stooges" that seems about right as does "Blair has blood on his hands".

Whitewash anyone

He also said Saddam Hussein was a marvellous individual and that it would be OK for a suicide bomber to target Tony Blair. Whitewash, possibly. Hogwash, certainly.

Chil, "that it would be OK for a suicide bomber to target Tony Blair"

Did you actually watch Question Time? if you did you are well aware that is out of context. He said "if an Iraqui had his family killed and his property destroyed and his country invaded by British forces he may feel it would be a good idea to assasinate Blair". in the same circumstances so would I.

I watched the whole thing, actually... but I'm just using some of Mr Galloway's favourite audience-whipping tactics - like taking things out of context and disregarding the truth - to make a point.

Ok, what did Galloway say that was a provable lie?

Blair/Campbell havbe blood on their hands, well yes they do.

The dosier was "sexed up" yes it was.

The inquiry is a whitewash by establishment stooges, probably.

It's oversimplified crowd-pleasing rhetoric that is designed to enhance his fee for personal appearances. I'm no fan of Tony Blair and, like a lot of people, I am not happy about the way the Iraq war was handled through cabinet and parliament. But you claimed that Galloway was an 'excellent debater' and his Speakers' Corner act, whilst entertaining, is not debate.

Chil, try answering the "lie" question.

I have heared Galloway in debate a few times, yes he is a crowd pleaser but he puts a coherent case across to back up his point of view.

As for fees, so did thatcher, Blair etc.

I don't have to answer anything and I didn't accuse him of lying. I accused him of hyperbole, slogans & not letting the truth get in the way of a good monologue.

Chill, In your world it seems that having a strong (and correct) view is name calling. If you noticed i was responding to a previous post.

Galloway is hardly my friend and i dont agree with all his views but in regard to the Iraq war he has been proved (mostly) right.

We have different world views, I believe compassion trumps profits although I am well aware of the need to make money. I would rather give a helping hand to the poor instead of a tax cut/break to the rich, you may not agree.

I would prefer to raise pensions for the poor not bonuses for bankers (or pensions for Fred the Shred).

I want a society that helps the poor and needy not demonises them like the Tories (benefit scroungers)

I see DLA as an essential aid to the disabled to a barrier to work.

The Tories are not called the nasty party for no good reason.

Doh cross posts

Agree with Newwave with all your points and yes Gallaway has mainly being proved right about Iraq did he not also say it would make terrorism more rife? That was my gut instinct at the time too and has certainly happened. Yet they expelled him from the Labour party for speaking the truth .
Changing the subject I was not very impressed with Clark Carlisle thought he kept contradicting himself and did not seem to have a grasp of what he was talking about.
I googled him however and he is actually quite intelligent 10 top grade GCSE s and 2 A levels including Maths and Politics !!

Galloway is a skilled debater and argues his positions well although I rarely agree with him

Newwave

I think your suggestions deserve support

Kestina. Clark carlisle was ok for a first try. He did get a bit lost. I cant match his exam results.