With Spring approaching Down Under, citizens there are set to begin a new season under lockdown. For Australians in Victoria State, the sixth Covid-19 lockdown was due to end last week, but days before the deadline, Premier Daniel Andrews’ Labour government announced it would be extended in order to “buy time to allow vaccinations to be undertaken…”
How much time, or how many vaccinations it would take to make this latest lockdown go away wasn’t made clear, but what’s certain is the growing restiveness of the population. Last month, hundreds were arrested during protests of government measures, with the country’s second city, Melbourne seeing the greatest numbers of arrests.
John Helmer is a journalist, author, broadcaster, former political advisor to government, and principal behind the news website, Dances with Bears. Among Helmer’s many books titles are, ‘The Lie That Shot Down MH-17’ ‘Skripal in Prison’, and ‘The Man Who Knows Too Much About Russia’. His latest is, ‘Hitler Didn’t Die in Berlin – He Moved to Melbourne Where He Runs the State Government of Victoria: A True Covid-19 Thriller’. It’s the chronicle of his legal battles with authorities that banned both his leaving Australia, and allowing his wife rejoin him there.
He writes: “Right now this is a story with urgent parallels in the UK, US, Canada, Germany, Spain, and France – in every country where democratic resistance to abuse of power in the pandemic has run into identical tactics of lawlessness, and suffered the same fate.”
Today, John Helmer and the search for an inoculant to viral government malfeasance and the disastrous effects of hubris on the body politic.
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Thursday between 11-Noon Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: https://cfuv.ca. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com
Philipp Jacoby, the only German doctor treating Alexei Navalny for alleged poisoning to have testified publicly, has given a new press interview to alter the interpretation of the evidence he gave last week. “People close to Navalny”, he now says, “warned me about John Helmer”.
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With Spring approaching Down Under, citizens there are set to begin a new season under lockdown. For Australians in Victoria State, the sixth Covid-19 lockdown was due to end last week, but days before the deadline, Premier Daniel Andrews’ Labour government announced it would be extended in order to “buy time to allow vaccinations to be undertaken…”
How much time, or how many vaccinations it would take to make this latest lockdown go away wasn’t made clear, but what’s certain is the growing restiveness of the population. Last month, hundreds were arrested during protests of government measures, with the country’s second city, Melbourne seeing the greatest numbers of arrests.
John Helmer is a journalist, author, broadcaster, former political advisor to government, and principal behind the news website, Dances with Bears. Among Helmer’s many books titles are, ‘The Lie That Shot Down MH-17’ ‘Skripal in Prison’, and ‘The Man Who Knows Too Much About Russia’. His latest is, ‘Hitler Didn’t Die in Berlin – He Moved to Melbourne Where He Runs the State Government of Victoria: A True Covid-19 Thriller’. It’s the chronicle of his legal battles with authorities that banned both his leaving Australia, and allowing his wife rejoin him there.
He writes: “Right now this is a story with urgent parallels in the UK, US, Canada, Germany, Spain, and France – in every country where democratic resistance to abuse of power in the pandemic has run into identical tactics of lawlessness, and suffered the same fate.”
Today, John Helmer and the search for an inoculant to viral government malfeasance and the disastrous effects of hubris on the body politic.
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Thursday between 11-Noon Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: https://cfuv.ca. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com
Many took heart when America announced an end to its military occupation of Afghanistan last month. But optimism for a beginning of peace in that benighted country’s decades-long state of civil conflict and uncertainty is now clouded by bellicose statements made in Washington by an administration that seems to want to end its war and fight it too. Following a recent attack against civilians and American troops at Kabul’s airport, in a speech delivered to the World, president Biden made it clear the killing would continue saying,
“To those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”
These sentiments echo George W. Bush, who in commencing the invasion of Afghanistan twenty years ago said,
“We will not waver; we will not tire; we will not falter; and we will not fail.”
David Swanson is an author, journalist, broadcaster, peace and justice activist, and executive director of World BEYOND War. The multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominee and U.S. Peace Prize recipient also hosts Talk World Radio and blogs at WarIsACrime.org, and DavidSwanson.org. His recent article, ‘No More Attacks on Afghanistan‘ is co-authored with peace activists Kathy Kelly, Nick Mottern, and Brian Terrell.
David Swanson in the first half.
And; last week video of the RCMP’s Emergency Response Team abusing land defenders at the Fairy Creek Blockade served as a further embarrassment for the national police force. Or at least the incident captured, just one in a series of disturbing actions, (including peace officers smashing helpless guitars) would embarrass any organization with a capacity for shame; something the RCMP have so far proven incapable of.
A recent statement from the Mounties regarding its strategy of enforcing an injunction against the protest declares ignorance reading,
“To date, we are not aware that we have received official complaints from any arrested persons as it relates to enforcement in Fairy Creek.”
That disclaimer was dated August 19th, ten days after an ERT assault on the Fairy Creek camp coinciding with the first anniversary of the blockade. There’s been more to complain about since.
Jackie Larkin is an educator and facilitator, social justice strategic planner and health care advocate. She’s an active member of the environmental change movement and co-leader of ‘The Work That Reconnects‘, a “deep exploration of our emotional, spiritual and ecological connection to all life on Earth”. Jackie is also a member of Elders for Ancient Trees, allies in the effort to protect the forest and lands under threat at Fairy Creek.
Jackie Larkin and standing for the forest in the second half.
But first, David Swanson and stopping finally western attacks against Afghanistan.
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing every Thursday between 11-Noon Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: https://cfuv.ca. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com
Faerie tales always begin with a great wrong done. The evil deed, invariably committed by some grand Potentate or schemer to the throne often entail endungeoning a hero or heroine seen as a potential threat to power. What make Faerie tales different and apart from the tedious litany of yarns about injustice meted by the mighty upon the heads of the meek is that, more than being merely about crimes against the innocent, these universal and enduring stories detail the greater – and unforgivable – crime against innocence itself. Today this country, Canada is the villain in just such a grim story; but it’s no faerie tale, it’s the true-life case of Meng Wanzhou, held captive in Vancouver a thousand and more days.
Ken Stone is a long-time antiwar activist whose served as an executive member of both the Syria Solidarity Movement and Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War. Ken and the Hamilton Coalition joined forces with online investigative journalism site, The Canada Files and rank and file Canadians upset with the country’s legal traditions traduced in this case to pursue the nation-wide FREE MENG WANZHOU campaign. They say,
“… it’s clear to Justice Holmes as well as Justin Trudeau, his entire cabinet, and indeed the whole world, Meng Wanzhou has committed no crime…”
Ken Stone in the first half.
And; if Meng Wanzhou is an entowered princess-prisoner of a petty tyrant eager to please a larger monster, Alex Saab is a knight errant, mired in that monster’s own web of intrigue and mass murder. Saab was in the service of besieged Venezuela, en route to Iran, another nation similarly blockaded by America, when he was intercepted by Cape Verde authorities and thrown into prison there. More than a year later, Alex Saab sits still in that prison awaiting the local judiciary’s decision on his appeal of its acquiescence to extradition requests by the United States.
Joe Emersberger is a Canada-based engineer, writer, activist, and co-author with Justin Podur of the newly released book, ‘Extraordinary Threat: The US Empire, the Media and 20 Years of Coup Attempts in Venezuela‘. Emersberger’s articles, focusing on the Western media’s coverage of the Americas, can be found at FAIR.org, CounterPunch.org, TheCanary.co, Telesur English, and ZComm.org, where his recent piece, ‘Alex Saab, Afghanistan, and the limits of US power‘ appears.
Joe Emersberger on Alex Saab and the increasing diplomatic acceptance of American atrocity in the second half.
But first, Ken Stone and making an election issue of the odious Canadian case against Meng Wanzhou.
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Thursday between 11-Noon Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: https://cfuv.ca. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com
At month’s end, Ukrainian president and former teevee clown, Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Washington, doubtless in search of reassurance from long-time Kiev booster, Joe Biden. Zelensky’s position is particularly fragile now, as the U.S. has relented on its effort to halt Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline. That effectively puts an end to Ukraine’s strategic value as stumbling block between Russian gas and the lucrative European market.
But all this is cold comfort to those Ukrainians East and West suffering a “proxy” civil war dragging on into its seventh year.
Jeremy Kuzmarov is a journalist and author who serves too as Managing Editor of CovertAction Magazine. 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 latest piece at CovertAction, co-written with Steve Brown is, ‘Our Mission is to Lead the White Races of the World in a Final Crusade…Against Semite-led Untermenschen‘.
Jeremy Kuzmarov in the first half.
And; we in Canada, (and citizens throughout what was once called Western Democracy) are experiencing a political emergency. It is a crisis of trust: Trust in government, in corporations, in media; in fact a lack of faith across the spectrum of society. This apotheosis of incredulity is expressed in voter apathy, cynicism, and even resistance to public health information disseminated by government, media, and the corporate sector vital amidst a global pandemic.
No-one disagrees, unity of purpose is urgently required in this time of global calamity, but what’s to be done once belief is lost?
Aidan Jonah is Editor-in-Chief of The Canada Files, a web news site focusing on “Canadian imperialism, federal politics, and left-wing resistance to colonialism across the world.”
Aidan Jonah and the death and rebirth of Canadian journalism in the second half.
But first, Jeremy Kuzmarov and the next Nazi crusade finding purchase in Kiev.
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Thursday between 11-Noon Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: https://cfuv.ca. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com
Haiti has again suffered a massive earthquake close to urban centres. So far, Sunday August 15th, the toll is reported as 724 killed, and many more injured and made homeless by the 7.2 magnitude tremblor. For Haitians, it’s reminiscent of the 2010 earthquake that killed as many as 300,000 and from which the country is yet to fully recover. Making matters more dire, Tropical Storm Grace is heading for the island, due to make landfall there sometime Monday, August 16th.
Yves Engler is an independent, Montreal-based journalist and author. He’s written ten books on Canadian foreign policy, including ‘Canada in Haiti: Waging War on the Poor Majority’, co-authored with Anthony Fenton. His latest article, ‘Earthquake devastates Haiti, Canada shouldn’t make it worse‘ warns off those who would wreck more havoc in Haiti with kindness after the calamity.
Today, Yves Engler and with “friends” like Canada, Haiti is in deep trouble.
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Thursday between 11-Noon Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: https://cfuv.ca. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com
Welcome back to Gorilla Radio’s Home Edition, recorded August 7, 2021
While you’re thinking about that, the government of Canada’s “health” agency has decided more will do for you. Health Canada says it would increase the allowable residue limit of the industrially applied weed killer glyphosate found in staple foods. This despite the fact glyphosate has been listed as a “probable carcinogen” – that means it probably causes cancer.
It’s also probable children, who consume more cereals than adults, and “everyone who gains protein from ‘conventionally’ grown legumes and nuts” especially like vegetarians and vegans, will be tomorrow’s cancer patients because of what Health Canada is proposing today. And, then there’s the environmental impact of the probable acceleration of glyphosate application in a more glyphosate-friendly Canada.
Peter Ewart is a Prince George, B.C.-based writer whose articles feature online and at the PG Daily News in Prince George. In his latest, ‘Health Canada to allow even more glyphosate in our food?‘ he asks, whether Canadians will step in to protect their health from Health Canada?
Peter Ewart in the first half.
And; the fight against Monsanto and its omnicidal glyphosate in not new in Canada. Way back in 2013, global campaigns against the “acceptable” carcinogen and the company producing were held across the World. Hundreds of thousands came out into the streets, demanding their respective governments demand of Monsanto labeling for its Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMO’s applied to food crops, and put an end at last to Round-Up Ready, the glyphosate poison implicated in undoing the web of life itself.
But here we are, almost a decade later, in the midst of a global health emergency and the government that says it cares most about protecting Canadians is pushing to poison them. I joined the demonstration back then.
Taking a trip back to our poisoned future and Marching Against Monsanto for the second time in the second half.
But first, Peter Ewart on Bayer-Monsanto, glyphosate and the rats in Canada’s regulatory kitchen.
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Thursday between 11-Noon Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: https://cfuv.ca. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com
August 3, 2021
Or we can turn to a quick Olympics update of the latest in the Simone Biles saga… She whaaat!!! …And now, what were we talking about again?
Fact is, sea levels will rise as the last of the World’s ice melts. What that means for humanity is too terrible to contemplate, so most of us just don’t do it. But, one of the impending calamities missed even by those who plan for the coming crises is, what happens to our massive and still growing, mostly toxic waste dumps located at near sea-level?
Dave Lindorff is a longtime, Izzy Award-winning journalist, author, and documentary filmmaker. He’s also founder of the web news site, This Can’t Be Happening.net, where his latest piece, “Coastal Landfills Are No Match for Rising Seas” appears.
Today for the whole hour, Dave Lindorff and America not wavering but sinking…
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Thursday between 11-Noon Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: https://cfuv.ca. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com
And welcome to a new day in Canada’s political life. Or so hope the founders of the country’s newest political entity, Green Left Canada. Announced July 16th, the “eco-socialist” Green Left says it, “…emerges from the groundswell of opposition to neo-liberal systems that threaten the survival of the planet and democracy...”
Dr. Radhika Desai is a Professor in the Department of Political Studies at the University of Manitoba, and Director of the Geopolitical Economy Research Group there. She’s also a three-term President of the Society for Socialist Studies, and a founding member of Green Left Canada. Her book, ‘Geopolitical Economy: After US Hegemony, Globalization and Empire’ proposes “a new approach to understanding world affairs in the capitalist era…”
Radhika Desai in the first half.
And next week marks the 76th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. That tragic and senseless act will be commemorated by the Victoria chapter of the Women in Black, who will again stand vigil at the inner harbour.
Terry Wolfwood is Director and co-founder of the Barnard-Boecker Centre Foundation, and a writer, photographer, and long-time activist in pursuit of peace, social justice, and women’s rights. Her articles have appeared at Briarpatch, Peace News, and Third World Resurgence among other places, and as well as her many activities in support of justice and peace, she’s served as local coordinator for the Women in Black for many years.
Terry Wolfwood, remembering still Hiroshima/Nagasaki and more in the second half.
But first, Radhika Desai and a new voice being raised for a new Canadian political discourse.
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Thursday between 11-Noon Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: https://cfuv.ca. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com
Welcome back to Gorilla Radio’s Home Edition, recorded July 17th, 2021
Nick Mottern is a journalist, author, and coordinator of Knowdrones.com, an organization founded in 2012 expressly to “inform the American public about the illegality, immorality and dreadful human consequences of U.S. drone attacks…”
Nick’s worked as a reporter, researcher, writer and political organizer over the last 30 years, and his book, ‘Suffering Strong’ recounts his travels in Africa. His recent article, ‘”Biden Acknowledges “over the horizon” Air Attacks Planned Against Taliban’ appears at KnowDrones.com, where they’re also engaged in a campaign to keep military whistleblower, Daniel Hale out of prison. Hale’s sentencing is scheduled for July 27th.
Nick Mottern in the first half.
And; as there are no other problems in the country, the Canadian government is entertaining bids for billions of spare tax dollars from international fighter jet manufacturers. The competition is fierce, with the winner expecting to cash in on what opponents of the purchasing spree say will amount to as much as 77 billion Canadian buckaroos, with untold riches to be had for parts, maintenance, and (constant) repairs.
Tamara Lorincz is with Canadian Voice of Women for Peace. VoW are the organizers of the No Fighter Jets days of action held across Canada since the military procurement was announced. She’s also served on the advisory committee of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, and has contributed her knowledge and talents to the organizations World Beyond War, and the No to NATO Network. She and VoW joined up recently with the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute to recruit more than a hundred personages of repute on both sides of border in a public campaign to kill the Liberals’ war spending plans.
Tamara Lorincz and opposing Canadian militarism in the second half.
But first, Nick Mottern and Biden’s not so sunny Afghan horizon.
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Thursday between 11-Noon Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: https://cfuv.ca. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com
