Gorilla Radio is dedicated to social justice, the environment, community, and providing a forum for people and issues not covered in the corporate media. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Thursday, 11am-Noon Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, on the internet at: cfuv.ca, and archived at: www.gorilla-radio.com. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: gorillaradioblog.blogspot.ca/ and @Paciffreepress on Twitter. Some past guests include: M. Shahid Alam, Joel Bakan, Maude Barlow, David Barsamian, Luciana Bohne, Helen Caldicott, Noam Chomsky, Paul Cienfuegos, Yves Engler, Laura Flanders, Amy Goodman, Glenn Greenwald, Denis Halliday, Chris Hedges, John Helmer, Julia Butterfly Hill, Robert Hunziker, Robert Jensen, Dahr Jamail, Chalmers Johnson, Malalai Joya, Kathy Kelly, Daniel Kovalik, Ingmar Lee, Dave Lindorff, Janos Mate, Stefania Maurizi, Sharmine Narwani, Greg Palast, Michael Parenti, John Pilger, David Rovics, Joan Russow, Vandana Shiva, Tim Shorrock, Norman Solomon, David Swanson, Andre Vltchek, Whitney Webb, Andy Worthington, Howard Zinn and many others.
Victoria B.C. Canada
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Went down again to stand with about 250 Victorians, all outraged that this wanton slaughter of innocents continues in the face of all international law and basic morality.
Enjoined again about 150 Victorians disgusted and dismayed by Canada's failures to oppose Israel's determined genocide campaign against Palestinians in their homeland.
Enjoined about two hundred Victorians behind the Legislature Buildings to express a collective outrage at the continued genocide in Gaza, (and increasingly ferocious pogroms in the West Bank and Jerusalem) and the Western governments' refusal to step in to stop the killing. Just his week, the United States vetoed again a resolution in the UN to recognize Palestine as a State, a move that would trigger other provisions to protect the citizenry there.
Was there in spirit today, as Christina attended and recorded the event on the lawn of the B.C. Legislative Buildings today. She reports about 200 Victorians attending in solidarity, while some dozen or so counter-demonstrators were there to express sympathy with the Israeli state as it's murderous campaign of genocide and dispossession against the Palestinian people of Gaza and increasingly in the West Bank grinds on. Today also marked a turning point perhaps in the situation in the region, with Iran, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen retaliating together against Israel's illegal bombing and assassination campaigns that have plagued their respective nations for so long.
Joined a couple hundred Victorians braving the weather to once again express their dismay at the Government of Canada's beyond weak response to Israel's horror in Gaza and the West Bank, Palestine.
Joined between 200-300 Victorians to again demand, for the 23rd week in a row, the Canadian government fulfill its obligations to international law and human decency.
Israel's Flour Massacre February 29, 2024 Joined between 700-800 Victorians down at the Legislative Buildings to express outrage at the continued complicity of the Canadian government in Israel's genocide in Palestine.
Between 300 and 400 Victorians came out to express solidarity for Palestine and disgust and dismay at the Canadian government's acquiescence to the Israeli and American strategy of attacking the UNRWA and aid to the Gaza Strip in the wake of the International Court of Justice ruling against the genocide.
The locals were out in force again this Sunday. Between 400-500 Victorians came out to express their outrage and disgust at both the actions of Israel and inaction of the Canadian government to do anything to stop the Gaza genocide underway.
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded November 29th, 2023 Following fifty days of Israel's scorched earth attacks against Gaza a four day "pause" was brokered into being. As much as allowing humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza, the temporary respite in aerial and artillery bombing is meant too to interrupt the growing and increasingly adamant demonstrations of outrage around the World - most importantly within Western countries still unanimously supporting Israel despite the carnage. Meanwhile, in an unmistakable sign of cynicism, Israel's military is taking as many new prisoner hostages in West Bank home raids as it releases in exchange for its citizens captured October 7th. Dan Kovalik is a lawyer, educator, labour, peace, and justice activist, democracy defender, journalist, author, and filmmaker. His book titles include: ‘Cancel This Book: The Progressive Case Against Cancel Culture' the “Plot to” series on American efforts to undermine the governments and economies of Iran, Venezuela, and Russia, ‘No More War: How the West Violates International Law by Using ‘Humanitarian' Intervention to Advance Economic and Strategic Interest', ‘Nicaragua: A History of US Intervention & Resistance', and his latest, ‘The Case for Palestine: Why It Matters and Why You Should Care'. Dan Kovalik in the first half. And; The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, or COP 28 is ready to get underway tomorrow, November 30th. The two-week confab conference is hosted this year in Dubai, one of the Arab Gulf States' fossil-fuel superpowers. That fact is not lost on critics, who already charge plans to allow oil companies into the meetings effectively makes The COPs less an environmental emergency meeting than oil dealers' bazaar. Dr. Joan Russow is former leader of the Green Party of Canada who since stepping down from the Greens has spent her time keeping the United Nations' feet to fire as a reporter, and filmmaker recording past climate change conferences. She's also producer of the film, ‘Cooperatives: Counterpoint to Capitalism', and has served as the editor and driving force behind Peace Earth and Justice News, aka PEJNews. Joan Russow and is COP 28 the Conference of the Parties' shark-jumping moment in the second half. But first, Dan Kovalik making the Case for Palestine. Song: Humanitarian Pause Artist: David Rovics Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Went down to the Legislature here in Victoria to join the roughly 500-600 Victorians concerned enough about the slaughter in Gaza to brave the chill.
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded November 22nd, 2023 This assault being waged against human decency in Palestine is a test; a test to gauge how much atrocity we watching will countenance. What we've allowed befall others in Yugoslavia, and Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Ukraine, and elsewhere has metastasized, becoming finally the full-blown horror of Gaza. And it's a horror that will, if we allow it continue over there, in due course return to be visited upon us as well. So, why is it allowed time and again? And, who profits this belittlement of humanity? Kathy Kelly is a long-time peace and justice activist, essayist, author, and recipient of numerous awards for her peace service, including multiple nominations for the Nobel Peace prize. Kathy's book titles include, ‘Prisoners on Purpose: a Peacemakers Guide to Jails and Prison,' and ‘Other Lands Have Dreams: from Baghdad to Pekin Prison.' These days she's serving as Board President at World BEYOND War, where among other things, she's been busy co-coordinating the November 2023 Merchants of Death War Crimes Tribunal. The Tribunal launched Sunday, November 12, with the first segment examining the wanton and repeated criminality of the destruction of Gaza. Kathy Kelly in the first half. And; for the last six weeks, millions have gathered in cities and towns across the World to express their collective outrage at what is happening right now in Palestine, and in an effort to pressure their respective governments to demand Israel stop its indefensible destruction of Gaza and its people. Victoria, British Columbia is no different, where every week since Israel's onslaught began citizens have come to the Legislative Buildings, seat of the provincial government, to raise their voices against the statuary and granite facades in hopes of moving their representatives. Soundscapes from the Palestine solidarity manifestations in the second half. But first, Kathy Kelly and trying the profiteers at 2023's Merchants of Death War Crimes Tribunal. Song: Nails in the Wall Artist: Speedy J. - Kait Gray From Grant Wakefield's, The Fire This Time, 2002. Photograph: Munition workers painting shells at the National Shell Filling Factory No.6, Chilwell, Nottinghamshire in 1917. This was one of the largest shell factories in the country, circa 1917. Photo by Horace Nicholls, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons. Photograph: https://www.instagram.com/khaledbeydoun/p/CzG4c2tATXn/ Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded November 15th, 2023 If there is any value in staying informed: reading the papers, watching television reports, subscribing to online journalists and aggregators, it is to be prepared. But even the most assiduous, meticulously matriculated self-education can lead to where the familiar becomes alien, and once confident knowledge incognizance. It's then, when the world fails to make sense, we ask, "How did we get here?" Answering that requires a broader perspective than is possible with our noses pressed against the present; for that, a little historical distance is prescriptive. For example, we can't appreciate why the United States is where it is in November, 2023 without knowing what happened November 22nd, 1963. Likewise, understanding Israel's actions today means revealing the real events of November 4th, 1995. Jeremy Kuzmarov is a journalist and author who also serves as Managing Editor at CovertActionMagazine.com. His book titles include, ‘Obama's Unending Wars', ‘The Russians Are Coming, Again', written with John Marciano, and his latest, fresh from the printer's, 'Warmonger: How Clinton's Malign Foreign Policy Launched the US Trajectory from Bush II to Biden'. Jeremy's recent article at CAM, 'Yigal Amir is Israel's Oswald' examines the day prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated and how that foul deed helped make Israel what it is today. Jeremy Kuzmarov in the first half. And; for millions inside the country and out, Canada seems unrecognizable today. From saluting Nazis in Parliament, to standing in opposition to peace and human rights resolutions at the United Nations, whither the familiar northern beacon of bland? James Bissett is a former Canadian Ambassador whose tenure in Yugoslavia coincided with that country's 1991 dissolution. And, at century's end he was one of the very few government insiders to oppose NATO's 78 day bombardment of Serbia in the name of “humanitarian intervention.” James Bissett and finding Canada in the second half. But first, Jeremy Kuzmarov and Israel's infamous sacrifice. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded November 8th, 2023 A tapestry of Pablo Picasso's haunting Guernica hangs mutely in the foyer of the United Nations Security Council. The 25 by 11 foot recreation of the Spanish artist's cri de coeur recalling the ruthless bombing of civilians in that Basque town in 1937 had served as backdrop for press conferences by that august body until February 3rd, 2003 when, fearing life imitating art in the form of George Bush's coming "shock and awe" destruction of Baghdad, the UN custodians of decorum covered it from the cameras, preemptively shielding Secretary of State, Colin Powell from any embarrassment the image might cause America and its accomplices as he laid forth his bogus casus belli for the second Iraq war. The "Blitzkrieg" of Guernica inspiring Picasso so long ago has been reenacted daily in Gaza for the last month; with many times more men, women, children, and animals killed, injured, made homeless, and traumatized. Thousands are dead. Hundreds of thousands wounded, but the great resistance feared by Bush and his claque way back when is apparently not a worry for current leaders of the Western world, who remain unanimous and unapologetic in their support of Israel and its project for the new Israel despite the horrendous cost. William S. Geimer is a peace activist, Professor Emeritus of Law at Washington and Lee University, military veteran who resigned his 82nd Airborne commission in opposition to the war against Vietnam, and author of the book, 'Canada: The Case for Staying Out of Other People's Wars'. In 2020 Bill founded the Greater Victoria Peace School, which he says has, since his retirement, "been a success and my board members are carrying on admirably with peace education. William S. Geimer in the first half. And; most here have probably forgotten entirely about Guantanamo Bay prison, set up so long ago to confine "the worst of the worst" in George Bush junior's Global War on Terror. Incredibly, all these years later, prisoners still languish there, without the benefit of the protection of laws that were once the pride of Western Civilization. Andy Worthington remembers though; and more, he's been working all these years to both publicize the plight of those held, and get them real justice. Last week he attended in London one of the "ten coordinated global vigils for the closure of Guantanamo". He reminds: Sixteen of the thirty men are still held, after having been approved for release, as of November 1st, between 404 and 5,031 days. Andy Worthington and remembering Guantanamo in the second half. But first, Bill Geimer and the Gaza atrocity happening before our eyes. Links: Combatants for Peace American Friends of Combatants for Peace World Beyond War Merchants of Death Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Went down to the rally and march held in Victoria today. Between 1,500-2,000 came out to express outrage at the slaughter and ethnic cleansing currently underway in Gaza, but also to acknowledge the complicity of our Canadian government in this great crime. Another lost family in Gaza. The tape is slightly edited.
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded October 29th, 2023 Is there method in this madness? Was the ruthless destruction of decency and the foundational principles of the West, and presumably Israel, the intention of the current onslaught in Gaza, (and increasingly underscored by the marauding bands of murderous "settlers" in the West Bank)? Or has it all just gotten away from the perennial felon, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, originally hoping perhaps just for a distraction from the determined - and massive - demonstrations against his government? Whither Israel then, and where does the disaster it has wrought for Palestine's people lead it now? John Helmer is a journalist and author who's spent decades living in and reporting from Russia. Principle behind the web news site, Dances with Bears, Helmer has too been a professor of political science, sociology, and journalism, and served as advisor to governments at the highest levels. Among his many book titles are: ‘Skripal in Prison,' ‘The Man Who Knows Too Much About Russia,' ‘The Jackals' Wedding: American Power, Arab Revolt', ‘The Lie That Shot Down MH-17', and his latest, ‘SOVCOMPLOT: How Pirates Tried to Capture the Treasure of the Russian Seas, and Were Caught Out'. John's latest article at Dances with Bears examines the question of what becomes of "the only democracy in the Middle East" now that its long-promised war is begun. John Helmer and 'THE GODS ARE GOING AGAINST THE CHOSEN PEOPLE — MAMMON AGAINST ISRAEL, MARS AGAINST THE PENTAGON'. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded October 28th and 29th, 2023 Having watched the incremental disintegration of Western Civilizations, such as it was, over the last forty and something years, it still comes as a surprise to witness the depravity, viciousness, and yes, banality of the evil now run rampant. And this is without regarding the unspeakable Israel - enacting a literal genocide even now, every moment - but the revelation of the West's moral bankruptcy Israel's ultimate crime illustrates. Certainly the blame for the killing of Gaza is on the governments and institutions of America, Europe, the NATO nations - Canada, the rest of the Anglo-American Alliance, and their satraps around the World - but the blood of innocents stains our hands too; we the people who allowed this happen, and allow it continue. So, now what are you and I and we to do? Dimitri Lascaris is a Montreal-based activist, journalist, and lawyer. He served as Justice Critic in the Shadow Cabinet of the Green Party of Canada and likewise for the Green Party of Quebec. Dimitri's interviews for TRNN are at TheRealNews.com. Dimitri's articles appear at various sites online and at his website, DimitriLascaris.org, where I found his latest piece, 'If We Have Any Honour, We Will Defend the Palestinian People'. Dimitri Lascaris in the first half. And; is there method in this madness? Was the ruthless destruction of decency and the foundational principles of the West, and presumably Israel, the intention of the current onslaught in Gaza, (and increasingly underscored by the marauding bands of murderous "settlers" in the West Bank)? Or has it all just gotten away from the perennial felon, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, originally hoping perhaps just for a distraction from the determined - and massive - demonstrations against his government? Whither Israel then, and where does the disaster it has wrought for Palestine's people lead it now? John Helmer is a journalist and author who's spent decades living in and reporting from Russia. Principle behind the web news site, Dances with Bears, Helmer has too been a professor of political science, sociology, and journalism, and served as advisor to governments at the highest levels. Among his many book titles are: ‘Skripal in Prison,' ‘The Man Who Knows Too Much About Russia,' ‘The Jackals' Wedding: American Power, Arab Revolt', ‘The Lie That Shot Down MH-17', and his latest, ‘SOVCOMPLOT: How Pirates Tried to Capture the Treasure of the Russian Seas, and Were Caught Out'. John's latest article at Dances with Bears examines the question of what becomes of "the only democracy in the Middle East" now that its long-promised war is begun. John Helmer and 'THE GODS ARE GOING AGAINST THE CHOSEN PEOPLE — MAMMON AGAINST ISRAEL, MARS AGAINST THE PENTAGON' in the second half. But first, Dimitri Lascaris and the great unraveling beginning in the navel of the World. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded October 25th, 2023 Eighteen days into Israel's campaign of destruction in Gaza thousands are dead, tens of thousands wounded, orphaned, and rendered homeless. And still the bombings continue, with the full support of every Western government. The slaughter of innocents through air attacks and distant artillery parallels the experience of civilians in Donbas, but elicits the opposite reaction in establishment media and Parliaments like Canada's, where unconditional public support of Israel is, as of this date, unanimous. The federal government's minority coalition partner, the NDP has proven most strident in its statements encouraging Israel, with its foreign affairs critic, Heather McPherson saying in the House, "Israel has every right to eradicate Hamas." Dan Kovalik is a lawyer, educator, labour, peace, and justice activist, democracy defender, journalist, author, and filmmaker. His book titles include: 'Cancel This Book: The Progressive Case Against Cancel Culture' the “Plot to” series on American efforts to undermine the governments and economies of Iran, Venezuela, Russia, 'No More War: How the West Violates International Law by Using ‘Humanitarian' Intervention to Advance Economic and Strategic Interest', and his latest, 'Nicaragua: A History of US Intervention & Resistance', which "explores the pernicious nature of US engagement with Nicaragua from the mid-19th century to the present in pursuit of control and domination rather than in defense of democracy". Dan Kovalik in the first half. And; Israel's stated determined erasure of Hamas - and the apparent complete destruction of civic life on the Gaza Strip it says that ambition necessitates - is destroying more than the lives of the tens of thousands of captured Palestinians living in the besieged enclave. Across the Western nations allied with Israel's project, draconian anti-democratic laws are being drafted forbidding demonstrating in support of the Palestinian people and their just resistance to the brutal occupation, while social media outlets cancel those in support, and employers are pressured to fire people who attend rallies, or exercise their rights to free speech online. The latter is just such a case, where physician, Dr. Ben Thomson was recently suspended by his employer, Ontario based, Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital for, as they put it, "social media posts... that do not reflect our views or values as an organization." Tarek Loubani is a London, Ontario-based doctor and humanitarian. Tarek runs the Glia Project, which seeks to provide medical supplies to impoverished locations, one of which is the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. Dr. Ben Thomson Tarek Loubani and the silencing of Canadian humanitarian dissenters in the second half. But first, Dan Kovalik on war, more war, and nothing but war. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded September 20th, 2023 Earlier this year, Britain decided to include depleted uranium shells with its deliveries of their Challenger II tanks gifted to Ukraine. Russia charged the so-called CHARM3 munitions are in effect "dirty bombs" and would decision effectively "nuclearized" the war there. DU munitions were first used in the Gulf War of 1991, again in the Former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and Syria. The deleterious, long-term effects of DU is well documented, yet still contested by NATO and America, who recently announced it too would send depleted uranium weaponry to Ukraine. Ken Stone is an activist and author working for peace with the Syria Support Movement International and Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War. His book, 'Defiant Syria: Dispatches from the Second International Tour of Peace to Syria' is a compilation of his dispatches from the Second International Tour of Peace which visited Syria from April 12-18, 2016. Ken and the Hamilton Coalition are hosting the webinar, 'Cluster Bombs & Depleted Uranium Weapons in Ukraine: 2 More Reasons to End the War Now' today, September 20th. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Here's audio of the Victoria Talk, delivered June 27th, 2023 The Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network (CWPJN) is pleased to announce that it has organized a Canada-wide speaking tour for citizen-diplomat Dimitri Lascaris to report back to Canadians about his recent mission of peace to Russia. The title of the tour is “Making Peace With Russia, One Handshake At A Time.” TOUR SCHEDULE Date of event Location Contact/registration info June 19 London Email peopleforpeace.london@gmail.com for info June 20 Hamilton Registration June 21 Toronto Registration June 22 Winnipeg Registration June 23 Regina Registration June 26 Vancouver email info@mawovancouver.org June 27 Victoria Registration June 29 Montreal Registration June 30 Halifax Registration July 2 Fredericton Registration July 3 Ottawa Registration July 4 Kingston Canada-wide, free webinar, 8 pm ET Register: https://tinyurl.com/Dimitri-Kingston Country-wide tour poster available here. For security reasons, tickets will be sold at some venues while voluntary donations will be solicited at others. Also for security reasons, the venues of Mr. Lascaris' lectures will be withheld until 48 hours before curtain time. The concluding virtual lecture (webinar), broadcast from Kingston, ON, will be free. Mr. Lascaris has generously waived any speaking fees so that any funds raised will go to rental and staging costs. Canada-wide, free webinar, July 4th at 8 pm ET: Register here More Information In April 2023, Dimitri Lascaris, Canadian lawyer and journalist, embarked on a self-financed trip to Russia where he lectured to students, presented at a think tank, gave interviews, met officials and peace activists, appeared on Russian media, wrote articles and tweeted daily about what he saw and heard. For its part, the CWPJN hopes that Dimitri's tour will move the needle on Canadian public opinion in support of a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine and thus accelerate an end to the conflict.
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded March 29th and April 2nd, 2023. And welcome to the Spring of discontent! While leaders In the capitals of Europe and America promise to carry on the Ukraine proxy war no matter the price, the People are already in the streets protesting the real and rising costs of that belligerence. For Canadians, whose government is already full-throatedly behind: the bellicose stance against Russia, prospects of an expanded war against China and Iran, battles by sanction in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and elsewhere, there is too Haiti. Last week, the Trudeau Liberals blithely announced another $100 million dollars to be delivered to the tiny island nation's military and police effort to keep the restive population under heel. This on top of millions already delivered. It's almost as if Ottawa believes the fatted tax goose's golden eggs will never flag. Yves Engler is an independent, Montreal-based journalist and author. He's written twelve books on Canadian foreign policy, including ‘Canada in Haiti: Waging War on the Poor Majority', co-authored with Anthony Fenton. His recent article, 'Canadian government prioritizes war over climate crisis' is a troubling portrait of a country few here in our home and native land would recognize. Yves Engler and Trudeau of the Tropics, taking Haiti. Song: The Panic Is On Artist: David Rovics Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded March 22, 2023 This weekend past, the British Columbia Federation of Teachers held its Annual General Meeting. On the agenda: the election of a new president, and an opportunity the BCTF Divest Now campaign to platform its efforts to pursue a practical pathway to cease their pension plan's investments in "fossil fuels, and other life-killing industries." Jillian Maguire was a presidential candidate in the poll, held March 21st. Maguire's a longtime teacher who over a 27+ year career estimates she's launched more than 5,000 students into the World. She says she was shocked to discover the teachers' pension plan was heavily invested in some of the most ecologically destructive businesses, and so co-founded BCTF Divest Now. Jillian Maguire in the first half. And; we often forget, everything beginning on the land ends in the sea. As desperate the situation of terrestrial pollution is, in the ocean the effects are amplified, concentrated, and brought back to us as inevitably as the tides. Paul Watson has spent a lifetime on and in the service of the ocean. A founding member of Greenpeace, he left that iconic organization at the height of its effectiveness to found the Sea Shepherd Society. Renowned for its direct action against whaling, most spectacularly intercepting the massive factory fleets of Japan, Norway, and Russia, Sea Shepherd has also exposed and shut down hundreds of other ecologically destructive commercial ventures and activities. Now Watson is helming another venture, the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, whose mission to save life in the sea is simply stated: "If the Ocean Dies, We Die!" Paul Watson and finding a way to protect and defend life in the sea in the second half. But first, Jillian Maguire and British Columbia's teachers instructing their union to listen and learn to divest. Song: Captain Artist: Tiny Milkshake Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded March 15th, 2023. Last week, Canada's Ministry of National Defence announced a "review of our Defence Policy". Though only five years into the Liberals' 20-year Defence Policy Update, or "(DPU", DoD insists a new DPU is necessary if Canada is to, "be ready, resilient, and relevant to meet any threat in this changed global security environment". Dimitri Lascaris is a Montreal-based activist, journalist, and lawyer. He served as Justice Critic in the Shadow Cabinet of the Green Party of Canada and likewise for the Green Party of Quebec (PVQ). In 2020, Dimitri very nearly became leader of the Green Party of Canada, finishing second in a tightly-contested race with the now-departed Annamie Paul. Dimitri's interviews for TRNN are at TheRealNews.com, and his articles appear at his website, DimitriLascaris.org. This Saturday, March 18th, Dimitri will host 'The Art of Peace: Seeing the World Through the Eyes of Our 'Enemies'. The Special Webinar is his way of engaging with Canadians before embarking on a mission of peace to Russia next month. Dimitri Lascaris in the first half. And; there was a time, not so long ago, war profiteers where held to be exemplars of humanity's basest instincts: Antitheses of Virtue, the very worst of the worst of Evil Doers, they were rightly and roundly despised. Now though, CEO's of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon and Boeing and Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics and all their lesser factotums are welcome and well-treated in the halls of power and major media teevee studios alike. Today, the profiteers need never fear official opprobrium, or being called to account for the bitter harvest of their dark seeds - at least not in the courts of the land. But there's another weighing of justice at hand. The Merchant of Death War Crimes Tribunal is coming - soon - and it promises to hold accountable the manufacturers of the weapons that kill combatants and non-combatants alike through the testimony of witnesses to the destruction wreaked and the crimes committed against Humanity with them. Brad Wolf is co-founder of the Peace Action Network of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, an affiliate of Peace Action and a partner of World BEYOND War. He's a lawyer, former prosecutor, professor, community college dean, and full-time activist for peace and justice. His writings are published at The Progressive, Common Dreams, CounterPunch, Antiwar.com, Consortium News, and Dappled Things among others. He recently authored a book on former priest, Philip Berrigan's collected writings, 'A Ministry of Risk'. He's also a key organizer with the Tribunal. Brad Wolf and attaching the human costs to the Merchants of Death in the second half. But first, Dimitri Lascaris and seeing the World and ourselves through the eyes of our "enemies". Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio recorded March 8th, 2023. March 20th marks the twentieth anniversary of America's second invasion of Iraq. Despite the tens of millions of people across the globe coming into the streets to hold at bay the dogs of George Bush's "generational war" Operation Iraqi Freedom's "shock and awe" - called "blitzkrieg" in another era - was launched. We all know what happened, and the failure of the People to stop the slaughter then and in Afghanistan in 2001 seemed to be the end of hope for the Peace Movement; but the flame for a World without War didn't die, and has in fact recently been spotted flickering in the capitals of Europe, Canada, and even in Washington, D.C. Ken Stone is an executive member of both the Syria Support Movement International and Hamilton Coalition to Stop the Wars. Today, Ken Stone and the smouldering desire for peace. Song: Work for Peace Artist: Gil Scott-Heron Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/ Correction: The U.S. House APPROVED a resolution to MAINTAIN the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act (2019) by an “overwhelming” margin (414-2), and not DEFEAT a motion to LIFT sanctions as reported. See: https://scheerpost.com/2023/03/02/house-overwhelmingly-approves-resolution-to-maintain-syria-sanctions-after-earthquake/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio recorded March 8th, 2023. March 20th marks the twentieth anniversary of America's second invasion of Iraq. Despite the tens of millions of people across the globe coming into the streets to hold at bay the dogs of George Bush's "generational war" Operation Iraqi Freedom's "shock and awe" - called "blitzkrieg" in another era - was launched. We all know what happened, and the failure of the People to stop the slaughter then and in Afghanistan in 2001 seemed to be the end of hope for the Peace Movement; but the flame for a World without War didn't die, and has in fact recently been spotted flickering in the capitals of Europe, Canada, and even in Washington, D.C. Ken Stone is an executive member of both the Syria Support Movement International and Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War. Ken Stone in the first half. And; far from fulfilling its mandate to first be an agent opposing war in the World the United Nations' repeated failures in that seminal mission are now manifest in its endeavoring the opposite, the promotion of economic sanctions and military intervention. At least the recently released 'Group of Experts on Human Rights on Nicaragua' report leaves little else to conclude. Dan Kovalik is a lawyer, educator, labour, peace, and justice activist, democracy defender, journalist, author, and filmmaker. His book titles include: ‘Cancel This Book: The Progressive Case Against Cancel Culture,' the “Plot to” series on American efforts to undermine the governments and economies of Iran, Venezuela, Russia, (and the World generally) and ‘No More War: How the West Violates International Law by Using ‘Humanitarian' Intervention to Advance Economic and Strategic Interest.' His latest is the recently released, 'Nicaragua: A History of US Intervention & Resistance', which "explores the pernicious nature of US engagement with Nicaragua from the mid-19th century to the present in pursuit of control and domination rather than in defense of democracy". Dan Kovalik and the latest chapter in the hybrid war* against Nicaragua in the second half. But first, Ken Stone and the smouldering desire for peace. Song: Work for Peace Artist: Gil Scott-Heron Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/ Correction: The U.S. House APPROVED a resolution to MAINTAIN the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act (2019) by an “overwhelming” margin (414-2), and not DEFEAT a motion to LIFT sanctions as reported. See: https://scheerpost.com/2023/03/02/house-overwhelmingly-approves-resolution-to-maintain-syria-sanctions-after-earthquake/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded March 1st and 4th, 2023. Last month, Justice Paul Rouleau held his nose and blessed Justin Trudeau's invocation of the Emergencies Act to shut down the Ottawa Anti-Vaccine Mandate protest in 2022. This though none of the “tests” within the Act for doing so were met by the actions of ‘Freedom Convoy'. And, though providing a post-imprimatur to the government's actions, even Rouleau says the means used to punish Canadians exercising their “democratic rights” to express political opposition to government policy, (like freezing bank accounts of participants' non-participating spouses) was “flawed”, he provides no legal remedies. Ray McGinnis is an author and retired educator. He says he “became concerned” with the disconnect between mainstream media and alternative livestream coverage of the Freedom Convoy. He subsequently attended the Public Order Emergency Commission hearings for a week in Ottawa last November, and his article on the event and its aftermath, ‘Commission Reveals that Trudeau Government Lied About Nature of Truckers Protests in Ottawa Last February to Justify Invocation of Emergencies Act‘ is published at CovertAction Magazine. Today, Ray McGinnis and the Freedom Convoy's hard-learnt lessons for Canadians. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded March 1st and 4th, 2023. Last month, Justice Paul Rouleau held his nose and blessed Justin Trudeau's invocation of the Emergencies Act to shut down the Ottawa Anti-Vaccine Mandate protest in 2022. This though none of the "tests" within the Act for doing so were met by the actions of 'Freedom Convoy'. And, though providing a post-imprimatur to the government's actions, even Rouleau says the means used to punish Canadians exercising their "democratic rights" to express political opposition to government policy, (like freezing bank accounts of participants' non-participating spouses) was "flawed", he provides no legal remedies. Ray McGinnis is an author and retired educator. He says he "became concerned" with the disconnect between mainstream media and alternative livestream coverage of the Freedom Convoy. He subsequently attended the Public Order Emergency Commission hearings for a week in Ottawa last November, and his article on the event and its aftermath, 'Commission Reveals that Trudeau Government Lied About Nature of Truckers Protests in Ottawa Last February to Justify Invocation of Emergencies Act' is published at CovertAction Magazine. Ray McGinnis in the first half. And; much has been made of the first anniversary of Russia's so-called "Special Operation" in Ukraine by the western press. Countless hours of television, and oceans of ink have been spilt to convince citizens in NATO nations of the righteousness of Kyiv's cause - and more importantly - of "our" noble motives in supplying its army with billions of dollars and an incomprehensible amount of high-tech weaponry. Robert Freeman is Founder and Executive Director of The Global Uplift Project. He's a past educator, and author of 'The Best One Hour History' series of books covering history from 'The Renaissance' and 'The Scientific Revolution' to 'The Protestant Reformation', 'French Revolution' and great wars of the last century. Robert's recent article, published at CommonDreams.org, 'Ukraine and the Tunnel at the End of the Light' is a hard-eyed assessment of both the disaster that is the Ukraine/Russia war, and the doomed political and economic dynamics behind the conflict. Robert Freeman and shedding the rosy aura around Ukraine's war prospects in the second half. But first, Ray McGinnis and the Freedom Convoy's hard-learnt lessons for Canadians. Song: After the Revolution (from the album Return) Artist: David Rovics Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded March 1st, 2023. Welcome back to GR, etc. Much has been made of the first anniversary of Russia's so-called "Special Operation" in Ukraine by the western press. Countless hours of television, and oceans of ink have been spilt to convince citizens of NATO nations of the righteousness of Kyiv's cause, and more importantly, our noble motives in supplying its army with billions of dollars and an incomprehensible amount of high-tech weaponry. In fact, Washington et al has invested so much in the successful outcome of the war - for now - officially accepting the effort has been a tragic folly is all but impossible; but, just off-camera, the reality chorus is growing more voluble. Robert Freeman is Founder and Executive Director of The Global Uplift Project. He's a past educator, and author of 'The Best One Hour History' series of books, covering history from 'The Renaissance' and 'The Scientific Revolution', to 'The Protestant Reformation', 'French Revolution', and the great wars of the last century. Robert's recent article, published at CommonDreams.org, 'Ukraine and the Tunnel at the End of the Light' is a hard-eyed assessment of both the disaster that is the Ukraine/Russia war, and the doomed political and economic dynamics behind the conflict. Today, Robert Freeman and shedding the rosy aura around Ukraine's war prospects. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Christina went down to the rally and to talk to the people on the march... RELEASE Groups announce Feb. 25 rally at provincial legislature, issue declaration calling on the province to accelerate action for threatened forests UNCEDED LEKWUNGEN TERRITORIES/VICTORIA – 168 organizations across British Columbia have issued a declaration called United We Stand for Old-Growth Forests, calling on Premier David Eby and his government to fulfill their commitments on old-growth. Signatories of the declaration, including the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, the Climate Caucus network of municipal elected leaders, and B.C. General Employees Union (BCGEU), are urging Eby to follow through on his October 2022 promise to “accelerate” action to protect old-growth forests within 100 days, and implement a paradigm shift in forest stewardship to safeguard biodiversity. The organizers announced plans for a mass mobilization to hold the province accountable, with a march and rally scheduled for February 25, Eby's 100th day. “The government's continued negligence and stonewalling on truly protecting old-growth and elder trees is endemic in its approach to climate change and the stewardship of our environment,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. “This feigned ignorance of what is happening to our forests by government and industry will be our downfall, and the impacts of this inaction will prevent us from leaving our future generations with a rich legacy of vibrant, healthy and productive forest lands.” Phillip added. “We must do everything in our power to protect these ancient giants and we cannot stop putting pressure on our governments to do their jobs: to protect us and the environment, not act as timber barons whose only concern is this year's financial statements.” Despite promising to implement all 14 recommendations from the Old Growth Strategic Review (OGSR) in 2020, the B.C. government has permitted the destruction of thousands of hectares of the most at-risk old-growth stands in the province. The 2020 recommendations were tied to a three-year framework with the goal to have all implemented in 2023 — to date, not a single recommendation has been fulfilled. Premier Eby pledged to accelerate action upon becoming leader of the B.C. NDP, and called on Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Minister Nathan Cullen to “begin implementation of recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review” in his mandate letter. However, the most at-risk old-growth forests are still being clearcut while B.C. stalls on enforcing logging deferrals. The deferrals are the bare minimum and most urgent recommendation of the 2020 OGSR. “We must continue to hold our governments accountable for their contributions to the climate crisis that we are suffering through, and this environmental negligence and corporate greed must be stopped,” said Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. “Our future generations are dependent on the actions we take today, and we are at a critical point in time for direct action to protect forest ecosystems. For too long we have allowed governments to tear down our ancient elders, who are our relatives, but no more. We are standing up to protect them.” Protecting the last stands of old-growth is as much an issue for human rights, labour, education, and healthcare as it is for environmental groups. Organizers say this is a movement for all people, which is reflected in the list of declaration signatories, and are inviting all individuals and groups to participate in the United for Old-Growth march and rally at the B.C. Legislature on February 25. The signatories are calling on the province to align all forest management with the principles of free, prior and informed consent for First Nations. The declaration draws on the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Resolution 2022-32, affirmed by Chiefs in June 2022,
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded February 25th, 2023 On February 9th, a train derailed outside East Palestine, Ohio. The toxic cargo, purposefully ignited in a disastrously ill-advised attempt at environmental remediation. David Rovics‘ new song, East Palestine is a modern ballad of an old American story of the venality and base corruption culminating in the Ohio catastrophe. David's recent article too, ‘Communications for Indy Musicians, Then and Now‘ is a reflection not only on his quarter century making a living as a touring musician, but of living and working in our mediated times. His new album, Killing the Messenger is due out any day, telling the stories of East Palestine and others. David Rovics, Robert Hoyt, and Claude share a moment. Today, David Rovics on Killing the Messenger in these end days of media in an extended talk. Artist: David Rovics Song: East Palestine from the album, Killing the Messenger Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded February 25th, 2023 Last weekend saw mass anti-war demonstrations around the United States and Europe. In Washington, DC 'Rage Against the War Machine' manifested in the very heart - if not the soul - of the nation with speakers and activists from a variety of pursuits and political persuasions agreeing to forego their disagreements on other issue for the moment to focus on the rolling disaster that is the global war machine. Jeremy Kuzmarov is a journalist and author who also serves as Managing Editor at CovertActionMagazine.com and he was there. Jeremy Kuzmarov and dispatch from DC in the first half. And; On February 9th, a train derailed outside East Palestine, Ohio. The toxic cargo, purposefully ignited in a disastrously ill-advised attempt at environmental remediation. David Rovics' new song, East Palestine is a modern ballad of an old American story of the venality and base corruption culminating in the Ohio catastrophe. David's recent article too, 'Communications for Indy Musicians, Then and Now' is a reflection not only on his quarter century making a living as a touring musician, but of living and working in our mediated times. His new album, Killing the Messenger is due out any day, telling the stories of East Palestine, and the other on. David Rovics on Killing the Messenger in these end days of media in the second half. But first, Jeremy Kuzmarov and raging for peace in America. Artist: David Rovics Song: East Palestine from the album, Killing the Messenger Artist: Robert Hoyt Song: This Star from the album, Mind's Eye Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded February 19th, 2023. On February 8th of this year, Dutch police presented new evidence to the District Court of The Hague regarding the July 17th, 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. Upon entering their evidence, the Dutch government and an Australian investigator on the case admitted to having held American military satellite images from the court, the press, and defence lawyers throughout the two-year trial for the wrongful deaths of the two hundred and ninety-eight people who perished aboard that ill-fated flight. John Helmer is a journalist and author who's spent decades living in and reporting from Russia. The principle behind the web news site, Dances with Bears, Helmer has too been a professor of political science, sociology and journalism, and served as advisor to governments at the highest levels. Among his many book titles are: ‘Skripal in Prison,' ‘The Man Who Knows Too Much About Russia,' ‘The Jackals' Wedding: American Power, Arab Revolt', his latest, ‘Australian Fascism: How It Destroyed the Courts,' and ‘The Lie That Shot Down MH-17'. His recent article on the latest from The Hague and the MH-17 disaster is, 'US SATELLITE PHOTOS REVEALED AT LAST – NOW THEY INCRIMINATE THE DUTCH POLICE, PROSECUTORS, AND JUDGES IN THE MH17 SHOW TRIAL'. Today, John Helmer and the JIT's latest shot in the West's war against Russia. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded February 18th. BC's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has granted permits for the Ministry of Forests to begin a Spring spraying campaign across swathes of Vancouver Island. The plan is to use Foray 48B, (better known as Btk) in an attempt to eradicate the "Spongy Moth"; and though the ministries say Btk is "harmless", there is contention to those claims. Dr. Jennifer Tynan is a physician and radiology specialist. Jennifer's also a mom whose child's school is in one of the proposed spray zones, and serves as spokesperson for Communities United for Clean Air, a grassroots initiative to stop the spray. Today, Jennifer Tynan, fighting to keep Vancouver Island's air clear of Btk. Contact: communitiesunitedforcleanair@gmail.com Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded February 11th, 2023. This past week, Canadian Forces redeployed a CP-140 Aurora surveillance plane from its dedicated mission assisting U.S.-led drugs smuggling interdiction efforts in the Caribbean to spend two days flying reconnaissance over Haiti. Foreign Affairs Minister, Melanie Joly characterized the escalation of Canada's military involvement in the country as a "demonstration of Canada's commitment to Haiti". Last month, Canada demonstrated that commitment in the form of an unspecified number and type of armored vehicles being sold to a government that has already called for foreign military intervention to quell wide-spread public discontent with its corrupt and entirely unelected leadership. Yves Engler is an independent, Montreal-based journalist and author. He's written twelve books on Canadian foreign policy, including ‘Canada in Haiti: Waging War on the Poor Majority', co-authored with Anthony Fenton. His recent article, ‘Ottawa's support for repressive Haitian police grows as democracy fades' appears at his website, YvesEngler.com, and puts to the lie - again - Canada's "concern for the people" of that benighted island. Yves Engler in the first half. And; the University of Victoria's Student Union has become another front in the Ukraine/Russia war. Last month, UVic's Ukrainiain Students' Society alleged harassment of its members and intimidation in the form of "hate crime" graffiti scrawled on one of its posters. They've also made allegations of "ongoing hate and harassment demonstrated by the YCL [Young Communist League]..." UVic's USS is, with similar student societies on campuses across the country, associated with the politically influential Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Tyan Cherepuschak is an undergraduate student at the University of Victoria, and is a Ukrainian-Canadian who until recently served as Vice-President to the UVic chapter of the Ukrainian Canadian Students Union (SUSK). And; Tyson Strandlund is a member of both the UVic chapter of the Young Communist League and the Vancouver Island Peace Council, a local chapter of the Canadian Peace Congress. He too is a Canadian of Ukrainian descent, who has studied in and visited Ukraine both before and after the 2014 Maidan coup. Tyan Cherepuschak & Tyson Strandlund on bringing the Ukraine conflict to Canadian campuses in the second half. But first, Yves Engler and Canada's caring military gestures to Haiti. Song: Watch the Buildings Crumble Album: May Day Artist: David Rovics Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded February 11th, 2023. This past week, Canadian Forces redeployed a CP-140 Aurora surveillance plane from its dedicated mission assisting U.S.-led drugs smuggling interdiction efforts in the Caribbean to spend two days flying reconnaissance over Haiti. Foreign Affairs Minister, Melanie Joly characterized the escalation of Canada's military involvement in the country as a "demonstration of Canada's commitment to Haiti". Last month, Canada demonstrated that commitment in the form of an unspecified number and type of armored vehicles being sold to a government that has already called for foreign military intervention to quell wide-spread public discontent with its corrupt and entirely unelected leadership. Yves Engler is an independent, Montreal-based journalist and author. He's written twelve books on Canadian foreign policy, including ‘Canada in Haiti: Waging War on the Poor Majority', co-authored with Anthony Fenton. His recent article, ‘Ottawa's support for repressive Haitian police grows as democracy fades' appears at his website, YvesEngler.com, and puts to the lie - again - Canada's "concern for the people" of that benighted island. Today Yves Engler and Canada's caring military gestures to Haiti. Song: Watch the Buildings Crumble Album: May Day Artist: David Rovics Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded February 4th, 2023. Last month, the German government of Olaf Scholz relented to NATO pressure, agreeing to donate Leopard 2 tanks to the Kiev regime's war effort. The United States was quick to follow, delivering the first 60 of a promised 109 Bradley M2A2-ODS Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine. Canada's Trudeau administration in the last week too pledged tanks, the minister of defense, Anita Anand saying four Leopard 2's would be given over, including ammunition, parts, and a deployment of Canadian soldiers to "train" Ukrainian tank crews. This while countries like Turkey work for a ceasefire agreement to end the near year-long conflict between Ukraine and its neighbour, Russia. Glenn Michalchuk is chair of Peace Alliance Winnipeg, and president of the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians. Glenn's been active in the peace movement since the Dirty Wars of Ronald Reagan in the 1980's. Glenn Michalchuk in the first half. And; throwing tanks, ammunition, spare parts, and soldiers onto the fires of a hot war is not the only evidence of Canada's new self-understanding as a warrior nation. In January too the contentious purchase of a fleet of American F-35 jets was approved by the Trudeau government. A press release from Public Services and Procurement Canada reads in part, "Through Canada's defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is acquiring modern military equipment to keep Canadians safe and protected, and to support the security of our international allies and partners." The release did not explain just how expediting nuclear winter makes Canadians strong, safe, or protected. Tamara Lorincz is a fellow with the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute, member of Canadian Voice of Women for Peace, and a PhD candidate in Global Governance at the Balsillie School for International Affairs at Wilfrid Laurier University, where her thesis focus is climate and the environmental impact of the military. Tamara's also served on the advisory committee of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, and contributed her knowledge and talents to the organizations World Beyond War, and the No to NATO Network. Tamara Lorincz and militarism's two ecological doomsday scenarios in the second half. But first, Glenn Michalchuk and Canada's all-in move on Ukraine. Artist: David Rovics Song: 116 Degrees Album: May Day Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded January 22 & 28th, 2023. More than two years after BC's former premier, John Horgan's re-election promise to implement the recommendations of his own government's Old Growth Strategy Review panel it's business as usual in the woods. While some of the OGSR's 14 point plan was implemented, big trees are still falling and the forests are in peril. The NDP also, after Horgan's snap election win, ceded policing authority to deal with old growth forest defenders near the capital to the federal RCMP, whose paramilitary tactics and brutality at the Fairy Creek encampments elicited international expressions of disgust and condemnation. Now, a grand manifestation of First Nations, conservation organizations, ecological agencies, and citizens concerned about the loss of an irreplaceable biological legacy is planned to surround the seat of government to state demands for policy change in more fervent language. Saul Arbess is a long-time peace, justice, and environmental champion. He describes himself as a cultural anthropologist and futurist, dedicated to "creating a new architecture of peace in the world". Saul served as National Co-chair of the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative, was co-founder and chair of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace, and currently works for peace, non-violence, and protecting the wildlands around his home city of Victoria. Photo: Bill Johnston Saul Arbess in the first half. And, January on Canada's west coast means Season's change is soon; but even as we ready for Spring, east of here the cruelest months of Winter still lay ahead. That cold reality isn't however deterring citizen demonstration of dissatisfaction with the ongoing NATO wars and occupations. Monday, January 23, as part of the week-long protests around North America, Hamiltonians picketed the prime minister's cabinet meeting taking place in the Hamilton Convention Centre. One focus of their vigil being the "purchase of the obscenely-expensive F-35 fighter jets". Ken Stone is an executive member of both the Syria Support Movement and Hamilton Coalition to Stop the Wars. Ken Stone and Canada's Winter war resisters in the second half. But first, Saul Arbess and Uniting for Old Growth in British Columbia. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded January 22, 2023 Approaching the first anniversary of Russia's "Special Operations" in the Donbass region of Ukraine prospects for Russia's proposed ceasefire are tremulous, and the chance of peace breaking out soon remote. The problem for those seeking an end to the killing is, as ever, finding willing partners on both sides of the conflict. For now, Ukraine's backers in the United States and the NATO countries seem content to allow the war continue, sapping Russia's political and economic resources while providing a lucrative market for their weapons-making industries. But, and it is an enormous one, elements within Germany's uber military echelons are pushing America to put an end to its project in Ukraine - before it's too late! John Helmer is a journalist, author, and principle behind the web news site, Dances with Bears. He's a past professor of political science, sociology, and journalism and has served as advisor to governments at the highest level. Helmer has spent decades living in and reporting from Russia, and among his many book titles are: ‘The Lie That Shot Down MH-17,' ‘Skripal in Prison,' ‘The Man Who Knows Too Much About Russia,' ‘The Jackals' Wedding: American Power, Arab Revolt', and his latest, ‘Australian Fascism: How It Destroyed the Courts.'. John's recent article at Dances with Bears, ‘GERMAN GENERAL TELLS U.S. GENERALS TO LOSE THE UKRAINE WAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO PREVENT LOSING THE EMPIRE IN EUROPE‘ reveals Germany's evolving position on the Ukraine conflict. Today, John Helmer and abandoning the Ukraine battle to save the Russia war. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded January 22, 2023. January on Canada's west coast means Season's change is soon; but even as we ready for Spring, east of here the cruelest months of Winter still lay ahead. That cold reality isn't however deterring citizen demonstration of dissatisfaction with the ongoing NATO wars and occupations. Monday, January 23, as part of week-long protests around North America, Hamiltonians will picket the prime minister's cabinet meeting taking place at the Hamilton Convention Centre. One focus of their vigil will be the "purchase of the obscenely-expensive F-35 fighter jets". Ken Stone is an executive member of both the Syria Support Movement and Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War. He'll be there Monday, and insists, “Canada needs an independent foreign policy” and “should get out of NATO, the aggressive US-led military alliance that drags us into every conflict of the US empire, including the war in Yemen and the occupation of Haiti.” Today, Ken Stone and Canada's Winter war resisters. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded January 14th and 15th, 2023. My old friend and frequent interview victim, Mickey Z. proposed turning the tables and interviewing me for his excellent Substack podcast, Post-Woke. The entire interview is available at https://mickeyz.substack.com/ Mickey Z. talking to an Ape in the first half. And; it's been three years now since the great global unraveling wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic began. In Canada, part of that meant changes to the laws of the land - changes Canadians are yet to resolve properly in Parliament and the courts, or among a polity divided in unprecedented ways. Kim Goldberg is a Nanaimo-based poet, journalist, and author. She's written 8 books of poetry and nonfiction, including her most recent collection ‘DEVOLUTION: poems and fables of eco-pocalypse‘. She covered BC current affairs for Canadian Dimension Magazine for many years, most recently on the Fairy Creek blockade. Kim's writing is featured at Substack, and can be found again, after some rude interruption, on Twitter @KimPigSquash. Kim Goldberg and emerging the emergency in the second half. But first, me and Mickey Z. talking about alternative media and Gorilla Radio at twenty-four. Song: Pure Mirror of the Beloved Artist: Siddartha Corsus Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded January 14th, 2023. It's been three years now since the great global unraveling wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic began. In Canada, part of that meant changes to the laws of the land - changes Canadians are yet to resolve properly in Parliament and the courts, or among a polity divided in unprecedented ways. Kim Goldberg is a Nanaimo-based poet, journalist, and author. She's written 8 books of poetry and nonfiction, including her most recent collection ‘DEVOLUTION: poems and fables of eco-pocalypse‘. Kim's also covered BC current affairs for Canadian Dimension Magazine for many years, most recently on the Fairy Creek blockade, and now her writing is featured at Substack. @KimPigSquash can too be found again, after some rude interruption, on Twitter. Kim Goldberg and emerging the emergency. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded January 7th, 2023. It's been almost thirty-one years since UNPROFOR, the UN Protection Forces' mission to the Former Yugoslavia. Canada's military, then famed for peacekeeping, played a role in standing between the warring parties in hopes of a brokered truce. That mission failed, but not for the reasons believed then. In fact, according to records recently declassified, little about the conflict that led to the destruction of thousands of lives and ultimately redrew the political map of the Balkans occurred either why or how we were told. Tom Secker is a UK-based private researcher, journalist, and frequently featured commentator on security and intelligence issues. He's the host of the podcast, ClandesTime, principal behind Spyculture.com, “the world's premier online archive about government involvement in the entertainment industry”, and author, with Matthew Alford, of the book, 'National Security Cinema: The Shocking New Evidence of Government Control in Hollywood'. Tom recently collaborated with Kit Klarenberg of the Grayzone on the article, 'Declassified Intelligence Files Expose Inconvenient Truths of Bosnian War'. Tom Secker in the first half. And, though it may be difficult to imagine now, back in the day people came out en masse to give voice to the notion of a World without war. They marched and sang, colourfully costumed and carrying clever signs, while massive puppets, designed to attract the attention of a media more normalized to war footage, danced along the boulevards and in the High Street. They were then called "The Left", now they're simply known as departed. David Rovics' frequent essays on political issues and societal observation are featured at CounterPunch and Dissident Voice.org among other places. He's a broadcaster, musician, blogger, and author of the novel, ‘A Busker's Adventures'. His weekly program, This Week with David Rovics can be found through his website, DavidRovics.com - and on Substack - where you can read his essays, listen to his hundreds of original songs, and catch some of his hundreds of interviews. His recent article, 'An Autopsy on the US Left' verifies what many of us have known but may not have admitted, the fact that "that parrot is dead!" David Rovics and 'An Autopsy on the US Left in the second half. But first, Tom Secker and "CIA black ops, illegal weapon shipments, imported jihadist fighters, potential false flags, and stage-managed atrocities" revealed in Canada's declassified Yugoslavia cables. Song: At the End of World War III Artist: Chet Gardiner David sez: "If you've never heard of a musician named Chet Gardiner, here's a fine introduction. This is his solo acoustic version of a song I wrote a few months ago, which he recorded at his home studio in Hawaii. "Both the bassy resonance of Chet's voice and his delivery reminds me very much of the last recordings Johnny Cash made, which I think were brilliant. Chet's fingerstyle DADGAD guitar playing is so evocative as well." Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to GR, recorded December 31st, 2022. And welcome to the beginning of the end - of 2022. As we all resolve to make ourselves and the next year better, today a look back at the stories of the year past with someone needing no calendrical prompt to do "the hard work" of staring clear-eyed into the face of our times. Mickey Z. is the author of Post-Woke, a weekly podcast emanating from his native New York City. He is too a past lecturer and political activist, current martial artist and physical trainer, the author of a dozen books, and most importantly perhaps, a sensei teaching "the art of intellectual self-defense". Mickey Z.'s book titles include: ‘Darker Shade of Green,' ‘Self-Defense for Radicals: A to Z[ed] Guide for Subversive Struggle,' ‘CPR for Dummies,' 50 American Revolutions You're Not Supposed to Know: Reclaiming American Patriotism,' ‘The Seven Deadly Spins: Exposing the Lies Behind War Propaganda,' and ‘Occupy This Book: Mickey Z. on Activism.' Today, Mickey Z. on following the story, while always keeping your intellectual guard up! Songs: Smoke and Mirrors Run Rabbit Run! Artist: When Humans Had Wings Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded December 20th, 2022. "Fascism" has become, in the post-totalitarian west, a term traduced through overuse to the point of triteness. So much so, it begs questioning whether this trivialization is not done by some nefarious design than the more usual intellectual laziness of the purveyors of news and other so-called "information". But - and it is an enormous but - fascism did not die with Herr Hitler, its surviving spore has found purchase in the body politic of liberal democracies across the World; in some more readily than others. John Helmer, the self-titled "doyen" of the foreign press corps in Russia is principle of the web news site, Dances with Bears. He's a native-born Australian, educated there and at Harvard University in America. He's also a prolific author, some of whose titles include: ‘The Lie That Shot Down MH-17,' ‘Skripal in Prison,' ‘The Man Who Knows Too Much About Russia,' ‘The Jackals' Wedding: American Power, Arab Revolt', and his latest, just hours off the presses, 'Australian Fascism: How It Destroyed the Courts.' Today, a special Christmas Season observance of the persistent survival of a political philosophy as perniciously adaptive, and destructive, as any holly and ivy ever was. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded December 17th, 2022. Looking at Europe's tattered union today it would be easy to mistake just who the target of America's proxy war in Ukraine is. Germany, the continent's economic engine, has sputtered through the last half year, its industrial base shuttered by gas shortages and soaring electricity costs. And yet, Germany's political leaders are backing the broadening of a war ostensibly meant to send Russia back to its agrarian age roots; no matter the cost to its own citizenry. How to make sense of it? Diana Johnstone is an author and journalist. Her book titles include ‘ From MAD to Madness: Inside Pentagon Nuclear War Planning,' ‘Circle in the Darkness: Memoirs of a World Watcher,' and ‘Fools' Crusade: Yugoslavia, NATO and Western Delusion.' Diana's articles can be found at ConsortiumNews.com, where her recent piece, 'The Specter of Germany is Rising' appears. Diana Johnstone in the first half. And; a major part of Germany and the EU's expansion plans lay in the small and impoverished Western Balkan countries. Last month, European Union big wigs met in Albania for the 'EU-Western Balkans Summit'. European Commission head, Ursula von der Leyen used the platform to express the EU's "strong partnership" with the Balkans, saying, "...we are taking every opportunity to bring our regions and our people closer together." But, togetherness is the last thing desired for Western Balkans neighbours Serbia and Kosovo - the latter hived out of Serbia during NATO's war there in the nineties, and later recognized - in some quarters - as an independent state. James Bissett is a former Canadian Ambassador whose tenure in Yugoslavia coincided with its 1991 dissolution. At century's end, he was one of the very few government insiders to oppose NATO's 78 day bombardment of Serbia in the name of “humanitarian intervention.” James Bissett and flaws in the EU's recipe for Balkan integration in the second half. But first, Diana Johnstone and what Germany's eastward attentions mean for Europe's future. Song: How Much is a Life Worth? Artists: The Four Fathers Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded December 10th, 2022. As the war in Ukraine grinds on one casualty of the conflict rarely discussed is that on the environment, both in the war zone and beyond it. War and the preparation for war is one of the most ecologically costly of all human endeavours - not only because of the vast amounts of nature laid waste in the production of tanks and planes, and bombs and bullets, but also for the diversion of the time and talents of legions of scientists, engineers, and others which would be better occupied working on solutions to the precarious moment humanity finds itself in. Dimitri Lascaris is a Montreal-based activist, journalist, and lawyer. He very nearly became leader of the Green Party of Canada, finishing second in a tightly-contested race with the now-departed Annamie Paul. Dimitri's interviews for TRNN are at TheRealNews.com, and his articles appear at his website, DimitriLascaris.org, where I found his recent piece, 'As Ukraine War Escalates, the Climate Movement Goes AWOL'. Dimitri Lascaris in the first half. And; the nature of the conflict in Ukraine has been mischaracterized from the start. How and why we find ourselves at the precipice of perhaps the final war cannot be gleaned reading, watching, or listening to a western press which has, by turns, acted as propagandist and cheerleader for World War III. And, understanding that has never been more vital than it is now. Dan Kovalik is a lawyer, educator, labour, peace, and justice activist, democracy defender, journalist, author, and filmmaker. His book titles include: ‘Cancel This Book: The Progressive Case Against Cancel Culture,' the “Plot to” series on American efforts to undermine the governments and economies of Iran, Venezuela, Russia, and the World entirely. His latest is, ‘No More War: How the West Violates International Law by Using ‘Humanitarian' Intervention to Advance Economic and Strategic Interest.' Dan's just back from a fact-finding mission to Russia and the Eastern Republics of Ukraine. Dan Kovalik and life in World War time in the second half. But first, Dimtri Lascaris and Canada's Green movement, missing in action when needed most. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded October 6th and 9th, 2022. Whether by design or merely the inevitable, organic results of societal organization in this first quarter of the 21st Century, Covid has transformed the world in these last two years. Now the fear of illness and disease engendered by a disease few understand is being deliberately manipulated; used as a tool to turn the screws of what can only be described as the machinery of totalitarian control of the people. The leading actors in this drive may seem at first blush to be the billionaire class that has profited so handsomely throughout the crisis - but according to my first guest, it goes much deeper than that. Jeremy Kuzmarov is a journalist and author who also serves as Managing Editor of CovertActionMagazine.com. He's the author of four books on U.S. foreign policy, including: ‘Obama's Unending Wars', and ‘The Russians Are Coming, Again' co-authored with John Marciano. His recent piece at CovertAction, 'How Much is Covid Being Used as a Pretext for Imposing Ever Greater Levels of Social Control?' addresses the largely unasked question lurking behind the Pandemic Response. Jeremy Kuzmarov in the first half. And; the United States and its allies have uniformly condemned the referenda in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson, just as the same chorus shouted down the Crimean referendum to join Russia in 2014. As has been the case throughout the Ukraine troubles, six is nine in Western media, but in this case challenging the legitimacy of the political will of the people Kyiv has bombed, rocketed, and starved for eight years takes the cake, cherry-topped and all. Dan Kovalik is a lawyer, educator, labour, peace, and justice activist, democracy defender, journalist, author, and filmmaker. Dan's observed elections in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Colombia – where he witnessed the 2016 peace plebiscite promising an end to the generational war there. Kovalik's book titles include: ‘Cancel This Book: The Progressive Case Against Cancel Culture,' the "Plot to" series on American efforts to undermine the governments and economies of Iran, Venezuela, Russia, (and to control the World entirely) and his latest is, ‘No More War: How the West Violates International Law by Using ‘Humanitarian' Intervention to Advance Economic and Strategic Interest.' Dan Kovalik and searching for legitimacy amid Ukraine's disintegration in the second half. But first, Jeremy Kuzmarov and Covid, a crisis by design or opportunity? Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcasting since 1999. Check out the Archive at Gorilla-Radio.com, GRadio.Substack.com, and the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Gorilla Radio, recorded September 24th, and 25th, 2022 Joe Biden announced the end of the Covid-19 pandemic last week; so everyone can go back to life as normal and forget this unfortunate blip in business as usual ever happened. But before rushing away there's a few things needing clearing up; some questions waiting for answers: Questions like, how is it possible, after more than two and a half years we still don't know from whence this modern scourge arose? There was an attempt, we're told, in the form of a task force commissioned by the English medical journal, The Lancet to investigate the proximal origins of Covid-19, but that body was collapsed in a confusion of conflict of interest by its chair, Jeffrey Sachs in 2021. Finally, just weeks ago, The Lancet released, from a commission again led by Jeffrey Sachs, ‘Lessons for the Future from the Covid-19 Pandemic'. The first of its key findings inform, “the proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2 remains unknown.” Dr. Meryl Nass is an internal medicine physician who has testified multiple times before the US Congress, a variety of State legislatures, (including New Burnswick's provincial parliament) on the subjects of bioterrorism, Gulf War syndrome, vaccine safety and vaccine mandates. Nass has too served as a consultant to a variety of World bodies and governments on the prevention, investigation, and mitigation of chemical and biological warfare and pandemics, and was the first to prove the world's largest anthrax outbreak was in fact due to biological warfare. Meryl writes at: MerylNass.SubStack.com. Dr. Meryl Nass and staying on Covid's trail.
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded October 1st and 2nd, 2022 And welcome too to what appears to be the end of the pretense of Canada, the sovereign state. If we're honest, like Peter Pan's Tinkerbell, that place existed ever only as an article of faith: It was because we believed it, it was so. But in its deeds these last years, it is increasingly difficult to maintain the fiction this place named Canada is anything more in fact than a placeholder for Greater America and its now nakedly evident Empire. Yves Engler is a prolific author, essayist, and political activist. Among his dozen books are ten detailing various myths of "Canada's" foreign policy past and present. His hundreds of articles on that and other matters of the moment appear across the internet and at his site, YvesEngler.com. Yves is too the host of the Canadian Foreign Policy Hour, a "weekly news roundup and interactive discussion about Canada's role abroad." It's a forum made possible by the new communications environment, one that allows the citizenry sidestep corporate and state news mediation. Yves Engler in the first half. And; things are changing so rapidly it's almost pointless to write now, two days before my second guest's interview, about the previously mentioned Empire's efforts to overthrow Russian leadership and usurp entirely the European economy. Just today, on September's last day, NATO is entertaining an expedited application to accept Ukraine into its fold; even as Russia announces the adoption of Western Ukrainian territories. These two actions, should NATO complete its part, automatically create a state of war between the NATO states and Russia - setting the stage for World War III. This all in the wake of the sabotage of Russia's Nord Stream I and II pipelines. John Helmer is a journalist, author, and principle behind the web news site, Dances with Bears. He's a past professor of political science, sociology, and journalism and has served as advisor to governments at the highest level. Helmer has spent decades living in and reporting from Russia, and among his many book titles are: ‘The Lie That Shot Down MH-17,' ‘Skripal in Prison,' ‘The Man Who Knows Too Much About Russia,' and his latest, ‘The Jackals' Wedding: American Power, Arab Revolt'. John Helmer and Aftershocks of the Nord Stream attacks as prelude to Armageddon in the second half. But first, Yves Engler and Canada's foreign-dictated foreign policy. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing since 1999; in Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: cfuv.ca. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Gorilla Radio, recorded September 24th, and 25th, 2022 Autumn has come to America. The nights are cooler, with the promise of rain long-awaited. The Boys of Summer are readying for the World Series, and if the "lazy, hazy" days are past, the crazy, crazy ones are just getting started. You see, it's election season in the Land of the Free, and November is just around the bend. Some argue mid-terms are a B-Squad affair, lacking the Presidential main event, and while that might normally be true this election's biggest race - though not on the ballot - is all about who will make the White House dash in 2024. Dave Lindorff is a publisher, Izzy Award-winning investigative journalist, author, and documentary producer whose in-production film tells the tale of Ted Hall, the wunderkind spy who may well have saved Russia and the World from nuclear conflagration. Lindorff's also the founder of the web news site, This Can't Be Happening.net where his recent article, 'Why are Liberals Defending the Outrageous Secrecy of this Supposedly 'Democratic' Nation? - Trump's legal troubles are exposing a National Security state run amok' enters America's democracy-making sausage factory wide-eyed. Dave Lindorff in the first half. And; Joe Biden announced the end of the Covid-19 pandemic last week; so everyone can go back to life as normal and forget this unfortunate blip in business as usual ever happened. But before rushing away there's a few things needing clearing up; some questions waiting for answers: Questions like, how is it possible, after more than two and a half years we still don't know from whence this modern scourge arose? There was an attempt, we're told, in the form of a task force commissioned by the English medical journal, The Lancet to investigate the proximal origins of Covid-19, but that body was collapsed in a confusion of conflict of interest by its chair, Jeffrey Sachs in 2021. Finally, just weeks ago, The Lancet released, from a commission again led by Jeffrey Sachs, 'Lessons for the Future from the Covid-19 Pandemic'. The first of its key findings inform, "the proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2 remains unknown." Dr. Meryl Nass is an internal medicine physician who has testified multiple times before the US Congress, a variety of State legislatures, (including New Burnswick's provincial parliament) on the subjects of bioterrorism, Gulf War syndrome, vaccine safety and vaccine mandates. Nass has too served as a consultant to a variety of World bodies and governments on the prevention, investigation, and mitigation of chemical and biological warfare and pandemics, and was the first to prove the world's largest anthrax outbreak was in fact due to biological warfare. Meryl writes at: MerylNass.SubStack.com. Dr. Meryl Nass and staying on Covid's trail in the second half. But first, Dave Lindorff and testing the state of American democracy. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing since 1999; in Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: cfuv.ca. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded September 17th and 18th, 2022. This week past, the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency officially demanded Russia relinquish control of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, or (ZNPP), and "all nuclear facilities within Ukraine's internationally recognized borders" into the hands of "competent Ukraine authorities". The Russian-held nuclear plant has been repeatedly shelled and was too the target of a Kiev commando-raid. The IAEA's investigation on the status of the plant, and now this report, are precedent-setting for the agency, but not a departure from the recent trend toward politicizing international agencies to serve the interests of America and NATO. John Helmer is a journalist, author, and principle behind the web news site, Dances with Bears. He's a past professor of political science, sociology, and journalism and has served as advisor to governments at the highest level. Helmer has spent decades living in and reporting from Russia, and among his many book titles are: ‘The Lie That Shot Down MH-17,' ‘Skripal in Prison,' ‘The Man Who Knows Too Much About Russia,' and his latest, ‘The Jackals' Wedding: American Power, Arab Revolt'. John Helmer in the first half. And; even as the UN's IAEA and OPCW are co-opted against their mandates into the service of the war-state, so too countries big and small are strong-armed to bend their laws to suit the aims of the United States. Witness Great Britain's abandonment of the Magna Carta in the Assange case, or Canada's deplorable political arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and two-plus year torturing of logic and jurisprudence required to keep her imprisoned. What chance then do smaller countries like Sweden, or Iceland, or Cabo Verde have when their leadership receives a call from Uncle Sam? In the latter's case, that phone rang when Venezuelan diplomat and businessman, Alex Saab's plane landed for refueling in the tiny African nation, en route to Iran. Today, Saab languishes in an American prison cell for the crime of challenging imperial power. Roger D. Harris' long civil rights activism career encompasses the teaching political science at a Historical Black College in Mississippi in the 1960's and community organizing in East Harlem, New York City. Today, Roger's a Wildlife Biologist and conducts eco-tours with the Oceanic Society, but he still has an oar or two in the activist waters; sitting on the board of the human rights organization, Task Force on the Americas, and serving on the executive committee of the US Peace Council, among others. His political essays feature online at CounterPunch, Dissident Voice, Mint Press News, Popular Resistance, and at the Task Force on the Americas site, where I found his recent article, 'Possible Prisoner Exchange in US Hybrid War Against Venezuela'. Roger Harris and freeing Alex Saab in the second half. But first, John Helmer and the IAEA's use as an instrument of one party in conflict. Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing since 1999; in Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: cfuv.ca. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/