Firstly, thanks for collecting GG's Talk Sport Shows, that was my listen-to station when I lived in Enfield, North London, 3 years ago. We lost Mike Dickin and gained Galloway, a diff'rent kind of GRUFF. The wonderful thing about George Galloway is - He's a STATESMAN. Not one of the regular choices a largely disillusioned electorate find adorning our ballot-papers, a role-model of empowerment, who gives us a real sense of our own right to a say and an involvement in our politics, our lives, as we make our Political choices.Here in Australia we have Peter Garrett who, as front-man for Midnight Oil was more of a statesmen on environmental issues than since entering politics via the ALP. Appears to be gagged by the 'party-unity' clause. I would be inclined to worry if my life depended on a complex debate among intelligent informed people and no sign of argument coming from the jury room. We are mining uranium (and in consequence the Blue Sky, Peter) here in oz, world reserves stand at, enough to last 55 years at current consumption rates. The toxic life of the waste generated by that will live on for 100,000 years. Not good maths - think again.
In these days when we continue to pump waste into a world - our life-support system - that is already groaning in protest at our relentless impact. Cancers, Tsunami, Gales, Hurricanes. Still, we mine and dig for more of the same. Honestly, it's like living in a house and burning the floorboards! People live under the constant threat of Terrorism and at the same time, our elected representatives are conducting an illegal and immoral war, turning more and people into bitter, frightened, outraged reactionaries, armed only with the means to fight BACK with whatever weapon they can think of. This is not a War against Terrorism - it's a war that creates Terrorism. Like other Statesmen in their field, in their day, in their moment, Tony Benn, The REAL spirit of New Labour, John Smith, Theodore Roosevelt, Robert Burns, Lennon, Geldof, Neil Young, Steve Earle et al, Galloway speaks the truth and he is an inspiration to me and I'm determined, all at Melbourne Songwriters' Showcase. Don't allow the right-wing to discredit him, as they do and they will. Let's not leave him alone out there either. He's a different kind of soldier fighting a battle that will save many lives.
