Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Andre Vltchek, David Swanson, Janine Bandcroft April 1st, 2015

This Week on GR

by C. L. Cook - Gorilla-Radio.com

 

We here in the West, that first among worlds, like to believe ourselves, if not the perfection of creation, then the next thing to it. We are, in our rosy self-imaginings, the smartest, strongest, bravest, and most morally advanced people of not only our time, but of all times. Pity it's all delusion; and worse, a pack of lies designed to "protect" us from the awful truth of our colonial provenance.

The unspoken fact is; we are not a benevolent, progressive, democratic force for good in the World, but are instead, my first guest argues, an avaricious empire, practicing a ruthless form of capitalist fundamentalism that is both battering the poorest of humanity, while destroying the planet's ecology.

Andre Vltchek is a philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist who has covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries, and lived amongst the humblest people, bearing witness to their daily struggles.

Listen. Hear.

In addition to his countless articles and essays, Some of Andre's book titles include: 'Oceania: Neocolonialism, Nukes, and Bones,' 'Indonesia: Archipelago of Fear,' 'On Western Terrorism: From Hiroshima to Drone Warfare,' 'Fighting Against Western Imperialism,' and his latest 'Exposing Lies of the Empire.'

Andre Vltchek in the first half.

And; Canada's prime minister announced an intensification of the country's warmaking Monday to include bombing inside Syria and unspecified "elsewheres" to be named later. When questioned about the legality of this course of action in the parliament, the bellicose Mr. Harper said he wasn't worried about "lawyers from ISIL taking the government of Canada to court and winning." While the prime minister's little joke brought his side of the House down, it also betrayed a breath-taking ignorance, an astounding callousness and lack of imagination as to what war means for the people in those distant lands where Canada's bombs are scheduled now to fall.

David Swanson is an activist, blogger, labor activist, and former press secretary for Dennis Kucinich's 2003-2004 Presidential campaign. He's also founder of numerous websites, including WarIsACrime.org, and has spearheaded many campaigns against war and warmaking. He also hosts Talk Nation Radio, airing on several Pacifica radio stations and their affiliates, and is the author of several books, including: 'War is a Lie,' 'The Military Industrial Complex at 50,' 'Iraq War Among World's Worst Events,' 'War No More: The Case for Abolition,' and his latest, 'Killing Is Not a Way of Life.'

David Swanson and ending war in the second half.

And; Victoria Street Newz publisher emeritus and CFUV Radio broadcaster, Janine Bandcroft will join us at the bottom of the hour to bring us up to speed with some of what's good to do in and around our town, and beyond there too in the coming week. But first, Andre Vltchek and seeing ourselves in the face of the beast.

Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Wednesday, 1-2pm Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: http://cfuv.uvic.ca. And now heard at Simon Fraser University's http://www.cjsf.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.