Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, John Helmer Xmas Special December 20, 2022

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/

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Diana Johnstone, James Bissett December 17th, 2022

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/

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Dimitri Lascaris, Dan Kovalik December 10th, 2022

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/

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Kathy Kelly, John Helmer December 5th, 2022

Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded December 5, 2022.

As Afghanistan fades from Western consciousness, the effects of the twenty years-long war America and its willing coalition waged against the impoverished nation are yet being felt; still bearing bitter fruit for a generation of Afghans not born when the war began.

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 is too a founding member of Voices in the Wilderness and Voices for Creative Nonviolence. She co-authored the book, ‘Prisoners on Purpose: a Peacemakers Guide to Jails and Prison,’ and wrote, ‘Other Lands Have Dreams: from Baghdad to Pekin Prison.’

Today Kathy Kelly, an ad hoc group of Internationals, and the Chicago Chapter of Fellowship of Reconciliation are appealing for help for a group of young Afghans in desperate circumstances seeking resettlement to Portugal.

Kathy Kelly in the first half.

And; despite American and European posturing in support of continuing the war in Ukraine – already bleeding national coffers on both sides of the Atlantic white – recent leaks from the Pentagon, and public statements from the Biden White House, defy the jingoistic rhetoric. The U.S. president remarked this past week, “We have to respect the Ukrainians to decide the moment and conditions in which they will negotiate about their territory.” For Russia’s part, they’ve begun mapping out what a post-war Ukraine could look like.

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’s recent article at Dances with Bears, ‘UKRAINE ARMISTICE – HOW THE UDZ OF 2023 WILL SEPARATE THE ARMIES LIKE THE KOREAN DMZ OF 1953‘ provides an intriguing preview of Ukraine’s possible future.

John Helmer and a new Ukraine by New Year’s? in the second half.

But first, Kathy Kelly and reconciliation and resettlement for Afghanistan’s forgotten casualties of war.

Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing since 1999. Check out GRadio.Substack.com, Gorilla-Radio.com, and the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Ken Stone November 26, 2022

Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded November 26th, 2022.

Though its technically illegal for Canadians to enlist in foreign wars, when it comes to the Ukraine conflict its clear Ottawa is happy to ignore transgressors. And, Canadian media is going that official blind-eying one further, lionizing Canadians killed in combat over there.

Ken Stone is an executive member of both the Syria Support Movement and Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War. He’s also a contributing author to the Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network‘s open letter regarding the recent death of Canadian Joseph Hildebrand, killed fighting in Ukraine.

Ken Stone and Canada’s role in keeping the killing in Ukraine going.

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/

Song: Bombing Ourselves

Artist: David Rovics

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Jeremy Kuzmarov, Ken Stone November 26, 2022

Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded November 26th, 2022.

Efforts to smother the remnant embers of free expression across media platforms are continuing apace. Concentrated corporate news ownership, suppressive speech legislation, and a burgeoning cancel culture are combining to muzzle investigation of corporate malfeasance and stifle the debate of government policy at perhaps the most crucial moment in human history. And, the communications technology revolution many hoped to democratize and counterbalance a worldview skewed by the dominant class has so far failed to materialize.

But don’t despair, there still exists real alternatives to the “mainstream” information monolith; honest, independent, and courageous media outlets that – if they lack anything – it’s merely broader recognition, and more generous support.

Jeremy Kuzmarov is a journalist and author who also serves as Managing Editor of just such an organization, CovertActionMagazine.com. CAM’s Fall funding drive is fast coming to a spectacular culmination with next week’s Pushback Against Empire: Holiday Party & Fundraiser, an extravaganza featuring a long list of celebrated countermedia luminaries.

Jeremy Kuzmarov in the first half.

And; though its technically illegal for Canadians to enlist in foreign wars, when it comes to the Ukraine conflict its clear Ottawa is happy to ignore transgressors. And, Canadian media is going that official blind-eying one further, lionizing Canadians killed in combat over there.

Ken Stone is an executive member of both the Syria Support Movement and Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War. He’s also a contributing author to the Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network‘s open letter regarding the recent death of Canadian Joseph Hildebrand, killed fighting in Ukraine.

Ken Stone and Canada’s role in keeping the killing in Ukraine going in the second half.

But first, Jeremy Kuzmarov and having a party whilst pushing back too with CovertAction.

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/

Song: Bombing Ourselves

Artist: David Rovics

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Alfred de Zayas, Yves Engler November 19, 2022

Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded November 19th, 2022.

Last week a missile landed on a farm in the Polish countryside. Two people were reportedly killed, and the rocket that killed them was reported to be Russian. Immediately the media machine in the West began to churn, and perhaps without meaning to brought the World a step closer to the next and last World War. That the story was wrong – false at first, and faked after the fact – made little difference to its dangerous amplification.

Alfred de Zayas is a law professor at the Geneva School of Diplomacy whose lengthy career in the service of human rights law includes twenty five years at the United Nations as a staff member, special rapporteur, and after “retirement” a six year stint as Independent Expert on International Order to the UN.

De Zayas is too the author of twelve books, including “Nemesis at Potsdam” with a preface by the late Ambassador Robert Murphy, Eisenhower’s political advisor, “The Wehrmacht War Crimes Bureau”, with a preface by the foremost US expert on Prisoner of Wars, the late Professor Howard Levie.

His recent “human rights trilogy”: ‘Building a Just World Order,’ ‘Countering Mainstream Narratives: Fake News, Fake Law, Fake Freedom,’ and the forthcoming, ‘The Human Rights Industry’ are published by Clarity Press.

Alfred’s many essays appear online at Truthout and CounterPunch, where I found his recent article, ‘Peace as a Human Right‘ on the topic of “25 Principles of International Order to Ensure Sustainable Peace”.

And; this past week, Justin Trudeau broadcast on social media a conciliatory call he and British counterpart, prime minister Rishi Sunak made to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding that infamous missile strike in Poland.

The call, made public in the most recklessly manner, proves again the current leadership in the West care little for either the sober conduct of governance or subtly international diplomacy demands.

Yves Engler is a Montréal-based activist and author who has published 12 books, mostly on Canadian foreign policy, including his latest ‘Stand on Guard For Whom? A People’s History of the Canadian Military‘. Yves is coming our way; November 26th in Nanaimo, the 28th in Victoria, and November 29th in Duncan. He’ll also be on the mainland November 30th in Powell River, and December 1st in Vancouver.

Yves Engler and handsome prime minister Justin’s ugly Canadian foreign policy in the second half.

But first, Alfred de Zayas and building another Order for 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: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/

Song: Fighting Injustice

Artists: The Four Fathers

 

 

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Yves Engler November 19th, 2022

Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded November 19, 2022

This past week, Justin Trudeau broadcast on social media a conciliatory call he and British counterpart, prime minister Rishi Sunak made to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding that infamous missile strike in Poland.

The call, made public in the most recklessly manner, proves again the current leadership in the West care little for either the sober conduct of governance or subtly international diplomacy demands.

Yves Engler is a Montréal-based activist and author who has published 12 books, mostly on Canadian foreign policy, including his latest ‘Stand on Guard For Whom? A People’s History of the Canadian Military‘. Yves is coming our way; November 26th in Nanaimo, the 28th in Victoria, and November 29th in Duncan. He’ll also be on the mainland November 30th in Powell River, and December 1st in Vancouver.

Yves Engler and handsome prime minister Justin’s ugly Canadian foreign policy.

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/

Song: Fighting Injustice

Artists: The Four Fathers

 

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Alfred de Zayas November 19th, 2022

Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded November 19th, 2022.

Last week a missile landed on a farm in the Polish countryside. Two people were reportedly killed, and the rocket that killed them was reported to be Russian. Immediately the media machine in the West began to churn, and perhaps without meaning to brought the World a step closer to the next and last World War. That the story was wrong – false at first, and faked after the fact – made little difference to its dangerous amplification.

Alfred de Zayas is a law professor at the Geneva School of Diplomacy whose lengthy career in the service of human rights law includes twenty five years at the United Nations as a staff member, special rapporteur, and after “retirement” a six year stint as Independent Expert on International Order to the UN.

De Zayas is too the author of twelve books, including “Nemesis at Potsdam” with a preface by the late Ambassador Robert Murphy, Eisenhower’s political advisor, “The Wehrmacht War Crimes Bureau”, with a preface by the foremost US expert on Prisoner of Wars, the late Professor Howard Levie.

His recent “human rights trilogy”: ‘Building a Just World Order,’ ‘Countering Mainstream Narratives: Fake News, Fake Law, Fake Freedom,’ and the forthcoming, ‘The Human Rights Industry’ are published by Clarity Press.

Alfred’s many essays appear online at Truthout and CounterPunch, where I found his recent article, ‘Peace as a Human Right‘ on the topic of “25 Principles of International Order to Ensure Sustainable Peace”.

Alfred de Zayas and building another Order for 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: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/

Song: Fighting Injustice

Artists: The Four Fathers

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Finian Cunningham, Sam Husseini November 12, 2022

Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded November 12th, 2022.

Ten days ago, delegates from both sides of the two years-long war in Ethiopia convened in South Africa to sign a truce ending hostilities. The western press is declaring it a victory for the federal government of Abiy Ahmed, but is an end to the bloodshed without a reckoning for the crimes committed really peace – or merely a sowing of dragon’s teeth for future conflict?

Finian Cunningham is a prolific journalist and two-time Serena Shim Award for Uncompromising Integrity in Journalism recipient. He spent the better part of a decade living in and reporting from the Tigray region of Ethiopia, and his recent article, ‘Ethiopia Peace Deal is Cover for Western Destruction of a Strong, Independent African State’ questions the underlying motives behind both the war and its recently declared cessation.

Finian Cunningham in the first half.

And; you’ve likely heard America held its mid-term elections last week. Of the many issues not made issue of by Democrat campaigners for office was the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid, you may recall, has been a big issue in the lives of millions in America, (and elsewhere) for about the last two and half years; but, you wouldn’t know it to hear the stump speeches.

Sam Husseini is an independent journalist, writing at Husseini.Substack.com, where his recent article, ‘This Election “Is a Farce”…Was Covid Origins a Hidden Winning Campaign Issue?‘ appears.

Sam Husseini and the political left’s other perceived political “third rail”: Covid in the second half.

But first, Finian Cunningham and Ethiopia’s Civil War aftermath.

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/

Ape Goes to the Mac-Pap Armistice Day Peace Remembrance November 11, 2022

Went down to be with the people for peace again today…

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Pitasanna Shanmugathas, Ingmar Lee November 5, 2022

Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded November 5th, 2022.

Gorilla Radio is heard around the World, and as such I’d like to think it’s universal. But whether acknowledged or not, everyone is sourced in space and in time; rooted physically, intellectually, and spiritually. I am Canadian; born in that place in the middle of the last century. My educational indoctrination taught me many things about my home country, its history, place in the World, and guiding principles. Most of these I discovered later to be false.

After completing an advanced degree in Canada’s post-secondary education system, Pitasanna Shanmugathas felt the cognitive dissonance too. His reaction was to set out across our famously vast country on an epic three year journey of discovery – the result of which is his six part documentary film series, ‘Truth to the Powerless: An Investigation into Canada’s Foreign Policy‘.

Pitasanna Shanmugathas in the first half.

And; it’s not just Canada’s federal political infrastructure claiming allegiance first and last to democratic values and fair play. Here in British Columbia, the provincial NDP party recently held a leadership contest bearing less resemblance to those principles than to what passes as “democracy” in Banana Republic client states of the Empire.

Ingmar Lee is a long-time BC-based environment defender who describes himself as a “rotten, belligerent, iconoclastic, ungrateful, unrepentant, and unpleasant treehugger.”

Besides these sterling qualities, Lee has spent a life-time investigating truth, questioning accepted wisdom, and making enemies of “greedhead political fraudsters, money-grubbing business leaders, spinmeisters and journalistic hacks” of the state/corporate media and yellow press. He has in turn been called by those same an “environmental zealot”, “eco-terrorist”, and one committing the deeds of “a raving nutcase”. Just the sort for GR!

Ingmar Lee and the NDP’s uninvited in the second half.

But first, Pitasanna Shanmugathas and documenting a Canadian political odyssey.

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 with Chris Cook, Jonathan Latham, Robert Massoud October 29, 2022

Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded October 29th, 2022.

While the source of the novel Sars-CoV-2, or Covid-19 virus is still a question of spirited debate – where that debate is allowed to happen – there is another, eerily similar case of a novel virus whose correctly determined proximal origins would shed an entirely new light on a deadly outbreak. And, more horrifying perhaps than the shared plot line of these two events separated by five years is the recurring cast of characters behind the scenes of both.

Dr. Jonathan Latham holds a PhD in Virology and is co-founder and Executive Director of the Bioscience Resource Project. He is too Editor of the Independent Science News where his and independent journalist, Sam Husseini‘s recent article, ‘Did West Africa’s Ebola Outbreak of 2014 Have a Lab Origin?‘ appears.

Jonathan Latham in the first half.

And; it’s harvest season in the northern hemisphere. From the pumpkin fields of the Saanich Peninsula to the sun-dappled slopes of the Mediterranean basin the ritual as old as homo-agriculturo is fully underway.

In Palestine that means bringing in the olives, but all is not well where farmers and families brought together in communal effort are under attack in what my second guest calls the ‘Undeclared Olive Harvest War.’

Robert Massoud is the founder of Zatoun, an organization importing fair trade Olive Oil and other Palestinian goods from the West Bank, and working to provide a more accurate representation of life in Palestine to Canadians.

Robert Massoud and reaping Palestine’s harvest in the context of a year of exceptional brutality and killing in the West Bank in the second half.

But first, Jonathan Latham and getting to the root of the West African Ebola outbreak narrative.

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 with Chris Cook, Andy Worthington, Finian Cunningham October 22nd, 2022

Welcome back to Gorilla Radio, recorded October 22nd, 2022.

Britain’s political disorder continues. This week, the latest inhabitant of 10 Downing St. vacated before having a chance to change the draperies. The ill-starred Truss premiership began with the spiking of the economy, and just got worse from there. Now the woman who would be Margaret again is gone…but what’s to follow for an Albion at sea?

Andy Worthington is an English journalist, activist, author, photo-historian, filmmaker, musician, song-writer and principle of The Four Fathers band. He is too co-founder of both the ongoing Close Guantánamo campaign and successfully completed We Stand With Shaker campaign. Worthington’s book titles include: ‘The Guantánamo Files: The Stories of the 774 Detainees in America’s Illegal Prison’, ‘Stonehenge: Celebration and Subversion’, and ‘The Battle of the Beanfield’. Andy’s articles appear at his website, AndyWorthington.co.uk, where he’s inviting participants to take part in 2022’s Close Guantanamo effort.

Andy Worthington in the first half.

And; there is a thread connecting the political chaos and discord we see play out nightly on our teevee screens, and its name is BRI. That’s the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s plan to remake the World economy. Almost all the mad military manoeuvring and diplomatic thrashing on the part of America, NATO, and the rest of the erstwhile West witnessed these past years is best understood as the flailing efforts of a drowning hegemon – one willing to take all down with it.

Finian Cunningham is a prolific journalist and two-time Serena Shim Award for Uncompromising Integrity in Journalism recipient. His articles on international affairs appear at numerous online outlets, including Strategic Culture, where his recent piece, ‘All Roads (and Railways) Leading to China…And the West Ain’t Happy’ appears.


Finian Cunningham in the second half.

But first, Andy Worthington and the witless brevity of Liz Truss.

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 with Chris Cook, Jeremy Kuzmarov, Dan Kovalik October 9, 2022

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/