GG's behaviour on his 16/8/08 show

[Kailash]

GG's treatment of his guest, Dr Tamara - the academic invited onto his show to discuss the situation in Georgia, left me cold. I can easily stomach him taking the side of the Russians (and would expect no less when tuning into his show), but the way in which he would vindictively say things to her like "Georgian chauvinism is rampant on the streets of your country now" despite the fact that she was born in the UK and is third generation British, flies in the face of all of his previous rants against racial/ethnic prejudice.

Then there was his unrelenting Nazi references, German accents and Hitler blow up doll motif's with regard to the German born Conservative policy think tank guy who had the nonsensical suggestion of promoting a migration south of those in the north of the UK. Fair enough to savagely criticise the guys views (which are ridiculous), but the constant Nazi references were obscene and only cropped up because of his German accent.

The best text of the night was certainly not the equally offensive Nazi-joke laden spurt that he joyfully read out from a listener who clearly enjoyed the opportunity to stick it to the Germans for their Nazi heritage - but from the 19 year old Imogen Sharma who wrote:

"As a person of Indian, British, German & Mauritian descent, I would consider myself someone in an incredibly lucky position, which I'm sure someone like yourself would appreciate. However in British society one is often made to feel ashamed or ostracised for being considered foreign - something which I thought your politics were firmly set against. Tonight I've heard you repeatedly mock someone's German accent. Would you mock an Indian accent? Or a Caribbean one? Surely not. So what makes the German accent different? I have been a great admirer of your for many years George and tonight you have lost my respect. As a 19 year old girl who has been very affected by many of the issues you campaign against in this shambolic society, I would never have expected such mindless ignorance and I am truly saddened. Perhaps an apology? Or would that be too much to ask?"

GG's reply:

"Oh Imogen, get a life..."

I'm also wondering where GG is getting the idea that there are presently "no Russian troops in Georgia" when the opposite is being reported. Is he privvy to special intelligence and the rest of us being lied to?

Also, that girl who "sung" at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony that so stirred his heart - no mention of it being mimed. Nor the fake fireworks, nor the fake "ethnic minorities", nor the arrested reporter. Any mention of these things and you're clearly a right-wing, neo-con with a war-mongering pro-western imperialist agenda. When I first heard his view on Tibet (which has "always" been a part of China in his view) I was shocked to the point of corresponding with him personally (as previously described on this board). I now accept that his views will not change, i just wish he would educate himself better on the reality of the situation as it stands today.

Lastly, I wonder if he will now eat humble pie as the UK is set to finish close to the top of the medal rankings?

[faceless]

You've pretty much said the same as others on the matter of GG's recent attitude and I hope that whoever it is that trawls the net for Galloway is reading this and able to convince the man that he needs to pull his neck in or lose respect of even some of the more determined people who supported him in the past.


I'll merge this thread in with the others later.

[nekokate]

As one of the most avid followers and admirers of George that can be imagined, I think your points here are valid. I've been a little concerned about various attitudes he's shown lately and it's important, in my opinion, to highlight these things.

I adore the man, but I don't adore him blindly. One of his main problems is that he shuns and alienates even those of his followers who call or email in to disagree, such as this Imogen who wrote plainly that she was a big admirer of him. He could have a t least afforded her a bit of R.E.S.P.E.C.T. even if he really did think she was being a bit silly. I wonder if she still supports him as strongly?

[cobweb]

It really seems recently the GG has gone into a mode where he has started to perceive anyone who disagrees with him as being wrong and a threat....even people who have stated from the outset that they agree (or mostly agree) with George. A shame because he is better than that. Hey ho.

[Kailash]

[ItzMeRon]

It's my birthday and I can do what I want to.......?

[faceless]

[ItzMeRon]

ROFLMAO! Oh get the hell out! Faceless, you never cease to amaze me.