This Week on GR
by C. L. Cook
While there is nothing particular new about that, after all, Israel has treated the Gaza Strip and its benighted citizens like so many concentration camp inmates for years, picking them off with high-powered rifles and automated machine-gun turrets for no apparent reason beyond to terrorize them, and perhaps break up the monotony of a long shift in the watchtowers.
No, what punctuates the surreal insanity of this festering injustice is the reality defying gymnastics Western government spokespersons perform to somersault the truth of the matter, and how eagerly, in turn, their media collaborators parrot rather than challenge them.
Listen. Hear.
Yes, Gaza is under full scale attack by Israel again, and as during the Christmas carnage of 2009, the demented few in power in Ottawa and London and Washington and Brussels will again provide cover for this egregious and obvious crime against humanity.
Jon Elmer is a Canadian freelance photo-journalist and author of the website JonElmer.ca. Jon has reported from and about Israel's occupation of Palestine for more than a decade, his dispatches appearing at Al Jazeera English, the Inter Press Service, and Le Monde Diplomatique among others. Jon also completed an honours degree in political science at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia; his thesis - "Pulling from the roots" - being a study of Israel's policy of assassination during the al-Aqsa intifada.
Jon Elmer in the first half.
And; British Columbia's energy needs, and perceived need, is at the heart of several divisive debates, and full-blown civil disobedience campaigns in the province. From the proposed toxic Enbridge Tar Sands throughway and the fracked gas Pacific Trail Pipeline, to controversial Run of Rivers hydro power schemes, the province is at a crucible moment. Now entering the arena where hotly contested visions of what the future of this place will look like, where potentially apocalyptic environmental destruction, and the dire economic consequence of standing still vie for primacy in the public mind, comes another player, equally imbued with the power to spark a political powder keg.
SRM Projects Ltd. of Nanaimo has a modest proposal put in to start up a tidal energy plant. Like the Run of Rivers, the prospect of "Lunar," or ocean tidal energy is an alluring one, and at first glance it's a win for both commerce and environmental stewardship. But, a closer look at SMR's plan has ignited a furore amongst those concerned about the coast's marine life, and especially those concerned for its at risk species. You see, SRM's project is proposed for the middle of one of the most vital feeding grounds for the northern resident killer whale popualtion, not to mention the negative impact it would have on humpback whales, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoise and others who congregate in Blackney Passage.
Dr. Paul Spong is marine researcher and founder of OrcaLab, a land-based observatory located on Hanson Island. Spong has tracked whale and other marine mammals from the idyllic location since 1970. The SRM Project, if approved, would become OrcaLab's new neighbour, plonked right in the midst of his network of hydrophones and cameras.
Dr. Paul Spong a habitat issue roiling just beneath the surface of B.C.'s environmental debate in the second half.
And; Victoria Street Newz publisher and CFUV Radio broadcaster, Janine Bandcroft will join us at the bottom of the hour to bring us news from our city's streets and beyond. But first, Jon Elmer and Cast Iron II over Gaza.
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Monday, 5-6pm Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: http://cfuv.uvic.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.ca/
G-Radio is dedicated to social justice, the environment, community, and providing a forum for people and issues not covered in the corporate media.
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