It’s interesting to observe the body language of people on television when one is watching it with the sound down. British MP George Galloway, oustee from the UK’s Labor Party and staunch opponent of the Iraq War testified voluntarily, of course--before the US Senate in the wake of accusations that he had been a recipient of proceeds from the scandal-plagued United Nations Oil-for-Food program.
Unfortunately for me, the hearings started while I was in the gym so I had to read Mr. Galloway’s opening statement--rather than listen to it—on one of the two TVs situated in front of the treadmills and the stationary bikes (I was on one of the bikes). The TVs were set to CNN and FNC as the broadcast began and as I read the sarcastic words of Mr. Galloway—and, as anyone who reads me regularly can attest, I know my sarcasm—I couldn’t help but notice the hostility practically oozing out of Mr. Galloway’s pores: “…right-wing sites who are so enamored of you, Senator [Norm Coleman, R-MN]…” I wonder which “right-wing” site Mr. Galloway had in mind. :-)
Anyway, I’ll have to catch the rebroadcast on CSPAN, assuming they show it. For the record, both CNN and Fox cut into the broadcast, however CNN cut in as soon as Senator Coleman—who is presiding over the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations--started speaking. Coincidence? Maybe. Senator Coleman’s demeanor—observed on FNC, obviously--was a perfect 180 from that of Mr. Galloway: smooth, laconic, unflappable.
And, yes, FNC does lean to the right. This is more apparent when the words are read.
More to come after one of the rebroadcasts. ::::fingers crossed::::
UPDATE: I finally got around to watching British MP George Galloway’s rant before the US Senate. It went pretty much as expected. Mr. Galloway certainly knew that he had a golden opportunity to take cheap shots at the Coalition efforts in Iraq and he made the most of it, while vehemently denying the accusations and belittling the accusers. Fair enough. I just wish that I could find a video of the entire hearing. Each one that I’ve found cuts off after Senator Norm Coleman mildly says, “thank you, Mr. Galloway.”
