George Galloway, an anti-war UK MP, today gave the U.S. senate a schooling in public oration.

If you want to see someone who sends a tingle down your spine when he speaks, here's a link to the video to one of the most explosive ever exchanges in the political world of the U.S. The first few minutes of the charges levied do drag on and can get boring, but once Galloway is speaking, you'll be hooked.

To understand the circumstances fully, here's a bit of background. George Galloway is a British MP who has been against the UN Iraq sanctions, the oil for food programme, and then the most recent invasion of Iraq. During the sanctions, he made an appeal called the Myriam appeal to gather donations for kids in Iraq under suffering from the sanctions. Before the war, he called UK soldiers in Iraq "wolves", and got kicked out of parliament and the Labour Party, his party until then. In the most recent election he got his revenge by controversially moving to a mainly Muslim election area and beating the incumbent female local labour candidate. Many people saw this as outright oppurtunism.

After the war, his name was included in the notorious oil coupons scandal through the Myriam appeal, which, in its first edition, apparently included Bahraini politicians such as Rasool Al Jishi and Abdul Rahman Al Nuaimi. No evidence emerged to substantiate the allegations against Al Jishi and Al Nuaimi. Mr. Galloway successfully sued the newspaper that published the allegations (Daily Telegraph), arguing the documents were forgeries, and won about £1.35 million. The U.S. senate committee looking into the oil for food scandal published his name as one of the benefactors, and said it used evidence other than that the Daily Telegraph used. Mr. Galloway, after the publication, was invited to attend the Senate hearing to clear his name. The above video is the result.

Now I don't agree with a lot of Galloway's stances, particularly when he saluted the courage and indifatigueability of Saddam Hussain. However, you gotta give the guy credit on two fronts: 1. First, his fiery energy in pursuing what he believes in. 2. Secondly, his amazing oration and public speaking skills. His booming voice, his ultra-clear language, his Scottish twang, and his in your face style creates a really thunderous atmosphere. You do not want to be stared right in the eyes by him. The Senators, used to being reverred and extremely polite conversations, did not know what was coming their way. As one U.S. political pundit put it, he gave them a knock-out.

Anyway, even if for the pure thrill of it, I do recommend you watch the above link.

¶ 10:10 PM