Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded March 27th, 2024
Russia held its presidential elections ten days ago, and if you haven't heard, incumbent candidate, Vladimir Putin won reelection. At least that's what they're saying in the Russian press. On this side of the Atlantic however, America (and by default its Euro-allies) filled the week after with stories of the fix being in, trying to convince their viewers and readers the man with the 80+ percent approval rating had figuratively defenestrated opposition voters to steal the win, etcetera, etcetera, blah, blah, blah.
But that was before the terror attack in Moscow that claimed 139 lives at last count, and wounded hundreds more.
Dan Kovalik was in Russia for the vote, acting as an election observer. It's something he has a lot of experience in, having performed that function many times in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Colombia. Dan's 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, and Russia, ‘No More War: How the West Violates International Law by Using ‘Humanitarian’ Intervention to Advance Economic and Strategic Interest’, ‘Nicaragua: A History of US Intervention & Resistance’. His latest is, ‘The Case for Palestine: Why It Matters and Why You Should Care’ due out in May.
Dan Kovalik in the first half.
And; as stated, the horror in the Crocus City Hall music venue has quashed the Western fake news campaign to delegitimize Putin's election, and now looks to effect the nature of the two-plus years war between Russia and Ukraine.
John Helmer's a journalist and author who’s spent decades living in and reporting from Russia. He's the principle behind the web news site, Dances with Bears, and 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 Lie That Shot Down MH-17’, ‘SOVCOMPLOT: How Pirates Tried to Capture the Treasure of the Russian Seas, and Were Caught Out’, and his lately released autobiography, ‘Dunce Upon a Time: A Life of Mistakes’. His latest article at Dances with Bears is, 'The Evidence on the Crocus Gang Attack in Moscow'.
John Helmer and what is known about the heinous Moscow attack in the second half.
But first, Dan Kovalik observing democracy in action in Russia, and making the case for Palestine.
Songs: "This Is Genocide" "Evening News"
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: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.com/
Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Dan Kovalik, John Helmer March 27, 2024