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Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Ken Stone (extended) March 8th, 2023

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Welcome to Gorilla Radio recorded March 8th, 2023.

March 20th marks the twentieth anniversary of America’s second invasion of Iraq. Despite the tens of millions of people across the globe coming into the streets to hold at bay the dogs of George Bush’s “generational war” Operation Iraqi Freedom’s “shock and awe” – called “blitzkrieg” in another era – was launched.

We all know what happened, and the failure of the People to stop the slaughter then and in Afghanistan in 2001 seemed to be the end of hope for the Peace Movement; but the flame for a World without War didn’t die, and has in fact recently been spotted flickering in the capitals of Europe, Canada, and even in Washington, D.C.

Ken Stone is an executive member of both the Syria Support Movement International and Hamilton Coalition to Stop the Wars.

Today, Ken Stone and the smouldering desire for peace.

Song: Work for Peace

Artist: Gil Scott-Heron

Correction: The U.S. House APPROVED a resolution to MAINTAIN the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act (2019) by an “overwhelming” margin (414-2), and not DEFEAT a motion to LIFT sanctions as reported. See: https://scheerpost.com/2023/03/02/house-overwhelmingly-approves-resolution-to-maintain-syria-sanctions-after-earthquake/

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

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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, Robert Freeman March 1st, 2023

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Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded March 1st, 2023.

Welcome back to GR, etc. 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 of NATO nations of the righteousness of Kyiv’s cause, and more importantly, our noble motives in supplying its army with billions of dollars and an incomprehensible amount of high-tech weaponry. In fact, Washington et al has invested so much in the successful outcome of the war – for now – officially accepting the effort has been a tragic folly is all but impossible; but, just off-camera, the reality chorus is growing more voluble.

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 the great wars of the last century.

Today, Robert Freeman and shedding the rosy aura around Ukraine’s war prospects.

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

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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

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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, John Helmer February 19th, 2023

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Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded February 19th, 2023.

On February 8th of this year, Dutch police presented new evidence to the District Court of The Hague regarding the July 17th, 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

Upon entering their evidence, the Dutch government and an Australian investigator on the case admitted to having held American military satellite images from the court, the press, and defence lawyers throughout the two-year trial for the wrongful deaths of the two hundred and ninety-eight people who perished aboard that ill-fated flight.

John Helmer is a journalist and author who’s spent decades living in and reporting from Russia. The principle behind the web news site, Dances with Bears, Helmer has too been a professor of political science, sociology and journalism, and served as advisor to governments at the highest levels. Among his many book titles are: ‘Skripal in Prison,’ ‘The Man Who Knows Too Much About Russia,’ ‘The Jackals’ Wedding: American Power, Arab Revolt’, his latest, ‘Australian Fascism: How It Destroyed the Courts,’ and ‘The Lie That Shot Down MH-17’.

His recent article on the latest from The Hague and the MH-17 disaster is, ‘US SATELLITE PHOTOS REVEALED AT LAST – NOW THEY INCRIMINATE THE DUTCH POLICE, PROSECUTORS, AND JUDGES IN THE MH17 SHOW TRIAL‘.

Today, John Helmer and the JIT’s latest shot in the West’s war against Russia.

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, John Helmer, Jennifer Tynan February 19th, 2023

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Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded February 18th and 19th, 2023.

On February 8th of this year, Dutch police presented new evidence to the District Court of The Hague regarding the July 17th, 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

John Helmer in the first half.

And; BC’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has granted permits for the Ministry of Forests to begin a Spring spraying campaign across swathes of Vancouver Island. The plan is to use Foray 48B, (better known as Btk) in an attempt to eradicate the “Spongy Moth”; and though the ministries say Btk is “harmless”, there is contention to those claims.

Dr. Jennifer Tynan is a physician and radiology specialist. Jennifer’s also a mom whose child’s school is in one of the proposed spray zones, and serves as spokesperson for Communities United for Clean Air, a grassroots initiative to stop the spray.

Contact: communitiesunitedforcleanair@gmail.com

Jennifer Tynan and fighting to keep Vancouver Island’s air clear of Btk in the second half.

But first, John Helmer and the JIT’s latest shot in the West’s war against Russia.

Song: Work for Peace

Artist: Gil Scott-Heron

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Yves Engler, Tyan Cherepuschak, Tyson Strandlund February 11th, 2023

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Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded February 11th, 2023.

This past week, Canadian Forces redeployed a CP-140 Aurora surveillance plane from its dedicated mission assisting U.S.-led drugs smuggling interdiction efforts in the Caribbean to spend two days flying reconnaissance over Haiti. Foreign Affairs Minister, Melanie Joly characterized the escalation of Canada’s military involvement in the country as a “demonstration of Canada’s commitment to Haiti”. Last month, Canada demonstrated that commitment in the form of an unspecified number and type of armored vehicles being sold to a government that has already called for foreign military intervention to quell wide-spread public discontent with its corrupt and entirely unelected leadership.

Yves Engler is an independent, Montreal-based journalist and author. He’s written twelve books on Canadian foreign policy, including ‘Canada in Haiti: Waging War on the Poor Majority’, co-authored with Anthony Fenton. His recent article, ‘Ottawa’s support for repressive Haitian police grows as democracy fades’ appears at his website, YvesEngler.com, and puts to the lie – again – Canada’s “concern for the people” of that benighted island.

Yves Engler in the first half.

And; the University of Victoria’s Student Union has become another front in the Ukraine/Russia war. Last month, UVic’s Ukrainiain Students’ Society alleged harassment of its members and intimidation in the form of “hate crime” graffiti scrawled on one of its posters. They’ve also made allegations of “ongoing hate and harassment demonstrated by the YCL [Young Communist League]…” UVic’s USS is, with similar student societies on campuses across the country, associated with the politically influential Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

Tyan Cherepuschak is an undergraduate student at the University of Victoria, and is a Ukrainian-Canadian who until recently served as Vice-President to the UVic chapter of the Ukrainian Canadian Students Union (SUSK).

And; Tyson Strandlund is a member of both the UVic chapter of the Young Communist League and the Vancouver Island Peace Council, a local chapter of the Canadian Peace Congress. He too is a Canadian of Ukrainian descent, who has studied in and visited Ukraine both before and after the 2014 Maidan coup.

Tyan Cherepuschak & Tyson Strandlund on bringing the Ukraine conflict to Canadian campuses in the second half.

But first, Yves Engler and Canada’s caring military gestures to Haiti.

Song: Watch the Buildings Crumble

Album: May Day

Artist: David Rovics

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Glenn Michalchuk, Tamara Lorincz February 4, 2023

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Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded February 4th, 2023.

Last month, the German government of Olaf Scholz relented to NATO pressure, agreeing to donate Leopard 2 tanks to the Kiev regime’s war effort. The United States was quick to follow, delivering the first 60 of a promised 109 Bradley M2A2-ODS Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine. Canada’s Trudeau administration in the last week too pledged tanks, the minister of defense, Anita Anand saying four Leopard 2’s would be given over, including ammunition, parts, and a deployment of Canadian soldiers to “train” Ukrainian tank crews. This while countries like Turkey work for a ceasefire agreement to end the near year-long conflict between Ukraine and its neighbour, Russia.

Glenn Michalchuk is chair of Peace Alliance Winnipeg, and president of the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians. Glenn’s been active in the peace movement since the Dirty Wars of Ronald Reagan in the 1980’s.

Glenn Michalchuk in the first half.

And; throwing tanks, ammunition, spare parts, and soldiers onto the fires of a hot war is not the only evidence of Canada’s new self-understanding as a warrior nation. In January too the contentious purchase of a fleet of American F-35 jets was approved by the Trudeau government.

A press release from Public Services and Procurement Canada reads in part, “Through Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is acquiring modern military equipment to keep Canadians safe and protected, and to support the security of our international allies and partners.”

The release did not explain just how expediting nuclear winter makes Canadians strong, safe, or protected.

Tamara Lorincz is a fellow with the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute, member of Canadian Voice of Women for Peace, and a PhD candidate in Global Governance at the Balsillie School for International Affairs at Wilfrid Laurier University, where her thesis focus is climate and the environmental impact of the military. Tamara’s also served on the advisory committee of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, and contributed her knowledge and talents to the organizations World Beyond War, and the No to NATO Network.

Tamara Lorincz and militarism’s two ecological doomsday scenarios in the second half.

But first, Glenn Michalchuk and Canada’s all-in move on Ukraine.

Artist: David Rovics

Song: 116 Degrees

Album: May Day

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Saul Arbess, Ken Stone January 28th, 2023

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Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded January 22 & 28th, 2023.

More than two years after BC’s former premier, John Horgan’s re-election promise to implement the recommendations of his own government’s Old Growth Strategy Review panel it’s business as usual in the woods. While some of the OGSR’s 14 point plan was implemented, big trees are still falling and the forests are in peril. The NDP also, after Horgan’s snap election win, ceded policing authority to deal with old growth forest defenders near the capital to the federal RCMP, whose paramilitary tactics and brutality at the Fairy Creek encampments elicited international expressions of disgust and condemnation.

Now, a grand manifestation of First Nations, conservation organizations, ecological agencies, and citizens concerned about the loss of an irreplaceable biological legacy is planned to surround the seat of government to state demands for policy change in more fervent language.

Saul Arbess is a long-time peace, justice, and environmental champion. He describes himself as a cultural anthropologist and futurist, dedicated to “creating a new architecture of peace in the world“. Saul served as National Co-chair of the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative, was co-founder and chair of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace, and currently works for peace, non-violence, and protecting the wildlands around his home city of Victoria.

Photo: Bill Johnston

Saul Arbess in the first half.

And, January on Canada’s west coast means Season’s change is soon; but even as we ready for Spring, east of here the cruelest months of Winter still lay ahead. That cold reality isn’t however deterring citizen demonstration of dissatisfaction with the ongoing NATO wars and occupations.

Monday, January 23, as part of the week-long protests around North America, Hamiltonians picketed the prime minister’s cabinet meeting taking place in the Hamilton Convention Centre. One focus of their vigil being the “purchase of the obscenely-expensive F-35 fighter jets”.
Ken Stone is an executive member of both the Syria Support Movement and Hamilton Coalition to Stop the Wars.

Ken Stone and Canada’s Winter war resisters in the second half.

But first, Saul Arbess and Uniting for Old Growth in British Columbia.

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, John Helmer January 22, 2023

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Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded January 22, 2023

Approaching the first anniversary of Russia’s “Special Operations” in the Donbass region of Ukraine prospects for Russia’s proposed ceasefire are tremulous, and the chance of peace breaking out soon remote. The problem for those seeking an end to the killing is, as ever, finding willing partners on both sides of the conflict. For now, Ukraine’s backers in the United States and the NATO countries seem content to allow the war continue, sapping Russia’s political and economic resources while providing a lucrative market for their weapons-making industries.

But, and it is an enormous one, elements within Germany’s uber military echelons are pushing America to put an end to its project in Ukraine – before it’s too late!

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,’ ‘The Jackals’ Wedding: American Power, Arab Revolt’, and his latest, ‘Australian Fascism: How It Destroyed the Courts.’.

John’s recent article at Dances with Bears, ‘GERMAN GENERAL TELLS U.S. GENERALS TO LOSE THE UKRAINE WAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO PREVENT LOSING THE EMPIRE IN EUROPE‘ reveals Germany’s evolving position on the Ukraine conflict.

Today, John Helmer and abandoning the Ukraine battle to save the Russia war.

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Ken Stone January 22, 2023

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Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded January 22, 2023.

January on Canada’s west coast means Season’s change is soon; but even as we ready for Spring, east of here the cruelest months of Winter still lay ahead. That cold reality isn’t however deterring citizen demonstration of dissatisfaction with the ongoing NATO wars and occupations.

Monday, January 23, as part of week-long protests around North America, Hamiltonians will picket the prime minister’s cabinet meeting taking place at the Hamilton Convention Centre.

One focus of their vigil will be the “purchase of the obscenely-expensive F-35 fighter jets”.

Ken Stone is an executive member of both the Syria Support Movement and Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War. He’ll be there Monday, and insists, “Canada needs an independent foreign policy” and “should get out of NATO, the aggressive US-led military alliance that drags us into every conflict of the US empire, including the war in Yemen and the occupation of Haiti.”

Today, Ken Stone and Canada’s Winter war resisters.

Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Mickey Z. December 31, 2022

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Welcome to GR, recorded December 31st, 2022.

And welcome to the beginning of the end – of 2022. As we all resolve to make ourselves and the next year better, today a look back at the stories of the year past with someone needing no calendrical prompt to do “the hard work” of staring clear-eyed into the face of our times.

Mickey Z. is the author of Post-Woke, a weekly podcast emanating from his native New York City. He is too a past lecturer and political activist, current martial artist and physical trainer, the author of a dozen books, and most importantly perhaps, a sensei teaching “the art of intellectual self-defense”.

Mickey Z.’s book titles include: ‘Darker Shade of Green,’ ‘Self-Defense for Radicals: A to Z[ed] Guide for Subversive Struggle,’ ‘CPR for Dummies,’ 50 American Revolutions You’re Not Supposed to Know: Reclaiming American Patriotism,’ ‘The Seven Deadly Spins: Exposing the Lies Behind War Propaganda,’ and ‘Occupy This Book: Mickey Z. on Activism.’

Today, Mickey Z. on following the story, while always keeping your intellectual guard up!

Songs: Smoke and Mirrors

Run Rabbit Run!

Artist: When Humans Had Wings

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

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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

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

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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.