George Galloway: Banned from Canada today

[Zolah]

I'm a fan of Galloway's so was intrigued to hear that Canada had refused his entry to the country before he's due to speak on March 30th in Toronto at an anti-war event, and which excuse they gave to refuse his entry. I first read the story on Haaretz, then checked the BBC for their article, both give significantly differing accounts. It adds to the opinion that I've been hearing a lot lately that the political-right in Canada has been detiorating the country as fast as they can to try and catch up with America, also heard this about Australia's political leaders.

Anyway, wikipedia page on Galloway for those less familiar with him:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Galloway
Youtube of George Galloway speaking at US Senate in 2005



Haaretz article - British MP Galloway barred from Canada over 'supporting Hamas'

Outspoken British anti-war member of parliament (MP) George Galloway Friday denounced as "outrageous" a decision by the Canadian authorities to refuse him entry on the grounds of national security.

Galloway, a former Labor politician who has now set up his own political party, said in London that he would not accept the ban imposed ahead of a speech he had planned to give in Toronto.

...

Galloway had been deemed "inadmissible" to Canada under section 34(1) of the country's immigration act.

Kenney's spokesman, Alykhan Velshi said the act was designed to protect Canadians from people who fund, support or engage in terrorism."

"We're going to uphold the law, not give special treatment to this ... street-corner Cromwell who actually brags about giving 'financial support' to Hamas, a terrorist organization banned in Canada," Velshi was quoted as saying by the British Press Association.

And alternatively - BBC article - MP Galloway is banned from Canada

George Galloway, a British member of Parliament, has been banned from Canada on security grounds, the country's immigration service has confirmed.

...

British media reported the decision was due to his views on Afghanistan and the presence of Canadian troops there.

The anti-war MP was expelled from the Labour Party in 2003 because of his outspoken comments on the Iraq war.

Mr Galloway said he was not prepared to accept what he described as an "inexplicable decision" and indicated he would challenge it with all means at his disposal.

I'm not sure as to what it is specifically being referred to as the example of George Galloway funding/supporting/engaging in terrorism, but I think it may have been his recent trip to Gaza, with an aid operation he organised called Viva Palestina - http://www.vivapalestina.org/ -

In response to the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict, Galloway organised the Viva Palestina aid convoy to the Gaza Strip in January 2009. On 14 February 2009, after raising £1 million of humanitarian aid in just four weeks, Galloway and hundreds of volunteers launched the convoy comprising 120 vehicles intended for use in the Strip, including a fire engine donated by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), 12 ambulances, a fishing boat and trucks full of medicines, tools, clothes, blankets and shoe-boxes as well as gifts for children. The 5,000-mile route will pass through France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt.

Clearly a danger to Canada's security? I wonder if Canada will refuse entry to anyone who donated to the charity Viva Palestina also?

 

[raiha]

That is one of the most puerile things i have heard in many a day. Well i guess the Canadian boat is already rocking such alot, TPTB are afraid that Galloway will give it the last shove and the whole sorry lot will sink into the ocean of anarchy.

I hope the Canadians are up in arms over this.

 

[Dripping Rain]

according to my knowledge Galloway is a rabid communist. whats so good about him anyways?
+1 for Canada

 

[Zolah]

according to my knowledge Galloway is a rabid communist. whats so good about him anyways?

Galloway's political stance is not the topic, the topic is gross misuse of anti-terrorism-based laws to refuse entry to people unjustly. There was a very recent case similar to this where the UK refused entry and deported a Dutch MP called Geert Wilders on the basis of the supposed risk to security of the population of the UK that his mere presence on our shores may pose. Geert Wilders is a far-right politician so if you look up that case maybe you can have something to contribute to the topic instead of stereotypical name-calling. To that point, as much as I disagree with Galloway's economic idealogy, it doesn't change the fact of the topic, and similarily, as much as I completely agree on the opinion that Geert Wilders is a hypocritical moron, we can't put metaphorical fingers in our ears and pretend he doesn't exist, and bar them from our country.

 

[raiha]

I dunno Dripping Rain. There is a big tendency here to size up people according to their politics as opposed to where their heart and integrity lies. I would rather have an intelligent, humane socialist than an idiotic, psychopathic capitalist just as i would rather have an intelligent, humane capitalist than an idiotic, psychopathic socialist.

Collectivist thought is the enemy NOT individuals. Surely the shambles caused and perpetuated by both ends of the political spectrum is proof enough of that.

A sub-tendency to the first collectivist tendency is that anyone who appreciates a person of another political persuasion is automatically tarred with that brush and deemed untrustworthy.

Galloway is intelligent, humane, articulate and witty. I don't give a rat's patoot about his politics.

 

[Dripping Rain]

Galloway's political stance is not the topic, the topic is gross misuse of anti-terrorism-based laws to refuse entry to people unjustly. There was a very recent case similar to this where the UK refused entry and deported a Dutch MP called Geert Wilders on the basis of the supposed risk to security of the population of the UK that his mere presence on our shores may pose. Geert Wilders is a far-right politician so if you look up that case maybe you can have something to contribute to the topic instead of stereotypical name-calling. To that point, as much as I disagree with Galloway's economic idealogy, it doesn't change the fact of the topic, and similarily, as much as I completely agree on the opinion that Geert Wilders is a hypocritical moron, we can't put metaphorical fingers in our ears and pretend he doesn't exist, and bar them from our country.

I have to agree with you its hypocritical but Im still glad he was banned. just my personal feelings. not that i endorse banning people for their political beliefs

 

[Dripping Rain]

I dunno Dripping Rain. There is a big tendency here to size up people according to their politics as opposed to where their heart and integrity lies. I would rather have an intelligent, humane socialist than an idiotic, psychopathic capitalist just as i would rather have an intelligent, humane capitalist than an idiotic, psychopathic socialist.

Collectivist thought is the enemy NOT individuals. Surely the shambles caused and perpetuated by both ends of the political spectrum is proof enough of that.

A sub-tendency to the first collectivist tendency is that anyone who appreciates a person of another political persuasion is automatically tarred with that brush and deemed untrustworthy.

Galloway is intelligent, humane, articulate and witty. I don't give a rat's patoot about his politics.

I agree with you except for 3 things
communists arent really that nice once theyre in power
maybe you need to refurbish your thoughts on their danger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wccIqjrGGMk
not sure about the humane part. he was one of Saddam's best friends when Saddam was at the height of exterminating his own
im also not sure about the intelligent part. maybe this video will change your mind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j09Fj0yOM-E
or this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l49IJcdviKI

 

[scipio337]

according to my knowledge Galloway is a rabid communist. whats so good about him anyways?
+1 for Canada

But.....

I'm a fan of Galloway's.....

Methinks the lady doth protest too much.

 

[raiha]

Well Dripping Rain. At least he wasn't in a compromising position with a dominatrix. He was probably drunk when he was being a cat. Looks like he wandered on to the wrong set in the second one. It doesn't mean he isn't intelligent. People can do what they like in the privacy of their own bedrooms as long as they aren't hurting anyone.

I guess i get a bit irritated by the anti-Communist hysteria in your country. You get totalitarian psychopathic behaviour in all walks of life. Granted Mao, Stalin and their descendants are appalling megalomaniacs but it doesn't mean ALL people who are Communist walk around with a forked tail and horns just because they are red. If only people would/could walk the Middle Path free from extremes. Sigh!

 

[Zolah]

But.....





Methinks the lady doth protest too much.

I'll be safe in my assumption that you don't like George Galloway then, your posting history will obviously be in conflict to his criticism of Israel. But, as I stated, there's a similar recent case with Geert Wilders the Dutch MP, he's the polar-opposite of George Galloway so you can see I'm not being biased just because I like George Galloway, the topic is not me or George Galloway's politics, it is the unjust refusal of George Galloway's entry to Canada. So you can spare your prejudices against George Galloway and read up on the Geert Wilders case on the exact same topic as this one and contribute something to the discussion if you wish.