David Rovics Archives - Gorilla Radio is dedicated to social justice, the environment, community, and providing a forum for people and issues not covered in the corporate media.

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Ray McGinnis, Robert Freeman March 4th, 2023

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:59 — 45.2MB) | Embed

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/

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, David Rovics (Extended) February 25th, 2023

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:00 — 40.2MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS | More

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/

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Jeremy Kuzmarov, David Rovics February 25, 2023

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:00 — 42.7MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS | More

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.

graphic: Monte Wolverton

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 Rovics, Robert Hoyt, and Claude share a moment.

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/

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Tom Secker, David Rovics January 7, 2023

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:59 — 43.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS | More

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/

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:20 — 42.9MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS | More

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/

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Julia Barnes, David Rovics February 12th, 2022

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:59 — 41.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS | More

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

Not content with the massive ecological damage created by land-based metals mining, industrial interests are now viewing the oceans of the world as the next frontier. Deep-Sea Mining, known too as Sea Bed Mining, is the next big thing – and we’re told it will be a part of the solution to humanity’s carbon pollution problem. Once again, technologists promise they’ll fix the environmental problems they and modern society has created with technology, with technology. But, not everyone is convinced.

Julia Barnes is an environmental champion and award-winning filmmaker of the documentaries Sea of Life and Bright Green Lies. Julia is aligned now with an array of ocean defenders, contributing her talents to the effort to kill Deep Sea Mining in the cradle.

Julia Barnes in the first half.

And; the Great Spotify Debate rages on, gathering adherents and detractors by the moment. You’ve likely heard of the furore Canadian rock legend, Neil Young began with his ultimatum to the online audio content streaming behemoth, saying its platform wasn’t big enough for both he and talk show giant, Joe Rogan. Spotify replied to Mr. Young’s demands by removing what music of his it had – doing little, incidentally to cool his spleen – so good for Neil. But, what about the majority of musicians whose music appears on the platform for a pittance; what does Spotify mean to them?

Rabble-rousing, anarcho-socialist type, David Rovics, whose frequent essays on political issues and societal observation are featured at CounterPunch and Dissident Voice.org among other places describes himself as a broadcaster, musician, blogger, and author of the novel, ‘A Busker’s Adventures’. But, he’s more than just those things. David is also a husband and parent, alt-media maven, resident of the famously restive Portland, Oregon, and man with a special talent for pissing people off. His weekly program, This Week with David Rovics can be found through his website, DavidRovics.com, where you can read his essays, listen to his hundreds of original songs, or catch some of his hundreds of interviews. David also has picked bones with Spotify Inc. for years, and assays into it again in his latest essay, ‘Neil Young, Joe Rogan, and a Swedish Billionaire‘ with a twist.

David Rovics and picking again at that pustule of the modern music reality, Spotify in the second half.

But first, Julia Barnes and smashing the Deep Sea Mining Pandora in its box.

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, David Rovics, David Swanson January 28th, 2021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:59 — 54.9MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Welcome back to Gorilla Radio’s Home Edition, recorded on the dates, January 25th and 26th, 2021.

And welcome to the dawning of, if not the Age of Aquarius, then the beginning of the end of the Trump Epoch. Of course, Joe Biden would have this moment be the start of his “Era”, but who out there believes there’s time enough left for that? At any rate, it is an opportunity for America to assess where it is and wants to be, and to perhaps finally give policy a chance.

David Rovics describes himself as a broadcaster, musician, blogger, and author of the novel, ‘A Busker’s Adventures’; but he is too a rabble-rousing, anarcho-socialist type, whose frequent essays on political issues and societal observation are featured at CounterPunch and Dissident Voice.org, among other places. David is also a husband and parent, alt-media maven, resident of the famously restive Portland, Oregon, and man with a special talent for pissing people off. His weekly program, This Week with David Rovics can be found through his website, DavidRovics.com.

David Rovics in the first half.

And; it’s not only the raging grease fire Trump left burning in America’s kitchen Biden needs addressing, there’s also the problem with the neighbours to be dealt with. While some may fondly remember the Obama years, those overseas recall Joe riding shotgun on an interventionist foreign policy nightmare, the disastrous effects of which are still roiling the World beyond Pennsylvania Avenue.

David Swanson is an author, activist, journalist, and broadcaster. He’s the executive director of World BEYOND War, campaign coordinator for RootsAction.org, and a past Nobel Peace Prize Nominee whose book titles include: ‘War Is A Lie’, ‘When the World Outlawed War’, and ‘Leaving WWII Behind’. David blogs at DavidSwanson.org and WarIsACrime.org, and he’s the host of Talk Nation Radio. In his recent article, ‘Pope’s Words to Biden in Open Letter‘ Swanson puts the Pontiff in Catholic president, Biden’s policy equation.

David Swanson and preempting a third term of American intervention in the second half.

But first, David Rovics and the dangers of making sense in a post-sensical America.

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.ca/

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, David Rovics January 25th, 2021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:32 — 53.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Welcome back to Gorilla Radio’s Home Edition, recorded on this date, January 25th, 2021.

David is also a husband and parent, alt-media maven, resident of the famously restive Portland, Oregon, and man with a special talent for pissing people off. His weekly program, This Week with David Rovics can be found through his website, DavidRovics.com.

Today, David Rovics and the dangers of making sense in a post-sensical America.

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.ca/

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Christopher Black, David Rovics, Janine Bandcroft August 13, 2020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:00 — 54.9MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Welcome back to Gorilla Radio’s continuing efforts, NOT broadcast live from CFUV Radio in the basement of the Student Union Building at the University of Victoria, but emanating live-to-tape via Skype from our home-based … studios on this date, August 5th, 2020.

Twenty months in to her Vancouver house arrest, Huawei CFO, (and daughter of the Chinese corporate leviathan’s founder) Meng Wanzhou entered a new court filing in B.C.’s Supreme Court. In late July Meng’s legal team charged that, among other things the proceedings against their client had quote, “been poisoned” and “can no longer be reasonably regarded as fair…”. Meng has already lost one appeal to throw out the extradition petition filed by the United States in B.C. courts, and the case has predictably proven a particularly prickly political sticking point in Canada-China relations.

Christopher Black is a Toronto-based criminal lawyer specializing in international war crimes cases. He’s also an executive member of the Canadian Peace Congress. Black’s articles on international law, politics, and World events appear at New Eastern Outlook among other places. And, his timely novel, ‘Beneath the Clouds‘ “a story of how people, acting collectively, can defeat tyranny” is newly out.

Christopher Black in the first half and the international tug-of-war testing Canada’s “Rule of Law” credentials.

And; federal troops are in Portland. Nearly two months in to daily police brutality demonstrations there, the president decided to deploy the “Minneapolis” treatment; or as Attorney General, Bill Barr calls it, the “Occupy Model”. And there are other cities slated to receive the same.

Itinerant musician and now covid-caged broadcaster, is in Portland, where his relatively mild-mannered home city has suddenly become the center of Civil War 2.020. As he can’t tour, David is doing the next best thing, raising Hell on the internet, and helping foment a Renters strike.

“Welcome back to the program, David. I think it’s three of the last four years, fire has been the big story out of Portland. We’ve had a late summer up the road here in BC, what’s your forest situation like down there?”

David Rovics and tearing down community in Portland in the second half.

Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Thursday between 11-Noon Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: http://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.ca/

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook and Dave Lindorff v. The United States of America July 28, 2020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:37 — 34.4MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS | More

In the Spring of 2019, muck-raking journalist, Dave Lindorff discovered a target had been stuck on his back by the US Department of Homeland Security. He’s spent the last year trying to find out why he’s on the Terrorist Watch List, and now he’s taking that fight to the courts.

Today, Dave Lindorff and charting America’s progress from democracy to police state.

Dave Lindorff is an award-winning journalist, author, and founding member of the media collective, ThisCantBeHappening.net.

Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Thursday between 11-Noon Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: http://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.ca/

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, David Rovics July 22, 2020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:00 — 54.9MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Federal troops are in Portland. Nearly two months in to daily police brutality demonstrations there, the president decided to deploy the “Minneapolis” treatment; or as Attorney General, Bill Barr calls it, the “Occupy Model”. And there are other cities slated to receive the same.
Itinerant musician and now covid-caged broadcaster, David Rovics is in Portland, where his relatively mild-mannered home city has suddenly become the center of Civil War 2.020. As he can’t tour, David is doing the next best thing, raising Hell on the internet, and helping foment a Renters strike.

David Rovics and tearing down community in Portland.