Episodes
Unusual Sources: Extraordinary Threat - Broadcast Edition, Segment 1
November 04, 2021 16:16 - 96 MBThe Canadian book launch of "Extraordinary Threat: The U.S. Empire, the Media, and Twenty Years of Coup Attempts in Venezuela." Joe Emersberger and Justin Podur apply media analysis to the absurd claims that Venezuela represents an "extraordinary threat" to the United States, or that 'Chavizmo' transformed "once prosperous" Venezuela into a poorhouse. The U.S. desire to intervene in oil-rich Venezuela means that it needs to construct narratives to justify intervention. These self-serving st...
Unusual Sources: Aussie Labour Pushes Back Against AUKUS, Segment 1
October 28, 2021 21:47 - 30 MBBrendan interviews veteran labour and anti-war activist Henry Evans-Tenbrinke about developments in Australia: There has been pushback by Australian labour, and also the Green Party, concerning the aggressive AUKUS military pact. Henry has submitted his own motion to Labour Council. There is a lot we can do in Canada to oppose the developing Cold War with China.
Unusual Sources: NDP Convention Palestine Vote, Segment 1
April 15, 2021 01:29 - 41 MBRabbi David Mivasair provides some background on the events of the NDP convention concerning a resolution calling for an end to the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. [Resolution 4-10-20]. He also discusses the growing threat to public discussion posed by the IHRA, including in Hamilton, and why it needs to be opposed.
Unusual Sources: Promo for "Discover Xinjiang" Event, Segment 1
March 19, 2021 04:13 - 5 MBBrendan describes the upcoming event, "Genocide in Xinjiang? A Discovery Zoom Panel." You can learn more, here: http://hamiltoncoalitiontostopthewar.ca/2021/03/15/xinjiang-event/
Unusual Sources: Circling China, U.S. continues war for hegemony, Segment 1
February 18, 2021 03:15 - 45 MBActivist and scholar of East Asian affairs K J Noh discusses the U.S. encirclement of China as a continuation of the 'War on Terror,' and the attempts to maintain U.S. hegemony in the face of increased economic integration in Asia. Noh examines the views and decisions of U.S. policy-makers concerning China, and how things unfolded into the aggressive attempt to 'contain' China. The U.S. desire to maintain unipolar global hegemony increases the risk of catastrophic warfare.
Unusual Sources: Syria Sanctions: Intervention by other means, Segment 1
November 08, 2020 18:21 - 42 MBAlthough the Syrian government has succeeded in regaining much of its territory in opposition to a foreign-backed regime-change campaign, it faces a sustained campaign of crippling U.S. sanctions. Stephen Gowans points out that despite Syrian military successes against Contras and terrorists, the U.S. is determined to prevent Syria from regaining its footing. What is needed is greater international campaigning for the lifting of sanctions on Syria and other countries.
Unusual Sources: Zoom to Elect Dimitri!, Segment 1
September 09, 2020 22:00 - 71 MBOn August 31st, the Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War hosted a meet-and-greet via Zoom with Dimitri Lascaris. Lascaris, a journalist, lawyer, and activist, is currently running for the leadership of Canada's Green Party. Lascaris gave a 15-minute presentation about his values and goals, and was able to take many questions from interested participants. The full video, from which this recording is derived, is available here: https://youtu.be/fFzh8nrgQNQ
Unusual Sources: 75 years after the bombing of Hiroshima the danger still exists , Segment 1
August 11, 2020 03:39 - 39 MBOne day before the 75th Anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, Doug interviews Tamara Lorincz of Voice of Women for Peace on this tragic event and the need for Canada to sign the Treaty for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons. Canadian Hiroshima survivor Setsuko Thurlow, was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for her work on this Treaty. Sadly, our Prime Minister would not meet with her, nor has he responded to her recent open letter. Tamara and Doug discuss Setsuko's letter, and...
Unusual Sources: China preventing 'second colonization' with new HK laws, Segment 1
July 21, 2020 01:33 - 42 MBAidan Jonah discusses his article in The Canada Files about the declining ability of Joshua Wong's Hong Kong political party to co-ordinate with foreign funders and planners under China's new legislation. Jonah argues that China is preventing a second Anglo colonization of China/HK by enacting new laws, and provides historical and contemporary context. Ultimately, many countries in the Global South empathize with China's situation, and have supported it at the United Nations.
Unusual Sources: Caesar Tries to Suffocate 17 Million Syrians, Segment 1
July 12, 2020 04:17 - 39 MBRick Sterling discusses his recent article about the 'Caesar sanctions.' In June, the U.S. introduced the "Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act," which is an intensification of sanctions against the beleaguered country. Sterling dismantles the sanctions and their justification: the original report was a propaganda exercise, and this will only intensify the burdens of Syrian civilians.
Unusual Sources: The Axis of Resistance, Segment 1
March 22, 2020 07:10 - 45 MBDr. Tim Anderson's new book is as much about Empire as it is about Resistance. "The Axis of Resistance" details how U.S.-led imperialism uses sanctions, "humanitarian intervention" and juvenile propaganda in order to undermine the rights and protections of Global South states. It's also, naturally, a treatment of the elements that constitute resistance to U.S. power in West Asia (the "Middle East"). Anderson discusses why regional integration is essential to resisting an external hegemon, a...
Unusual Sources: India's increased repression of Kashmir, Segment 1
March 17, 2020 06:34 - 24 MBLast fall, Karen Rodman and her daughter Michaela Lavis visited Kashmir to study the effects of the Indian government's revocation of the autonomy of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and also the increased repression of the Kashmir population by the Indian military. They hope to raise awareness of the issue among Canadians. After the partition of Kashmir by India and Pakistan in 1947, the UN recommended that the future of Kashmir be decided in a referendum by the people of Kashmir. Unfortunat...
Unusual Sources: Trudeau toes imperial line on Iran, Segment 1
January 23, 2020 15:36 - 37 MBCanada is not an innocent actor in Iran. In fact, it has been running a low-level war against independent Iranian governments for decades. Yves Engler describes Canada's support for U.S. policies of sanctions, theft, and military confrontation with Iran, and overall bad dealing. Despite their rhetorical opposition to Trump, Canada's Liberal government and commentariat largely fall in line with 'the Orange Man' on Iran.
Unusual Sources: Event Promo, Segment 1
November 22, 2019 05:03 - 5 MBBrendan provides information about the upcoming lecture by Vanessa Beeley on Dec. 3. Beeley will be speaking on the role of the "White Helmets" campaign in Syria as a pre-eminent example of war propaganda. Details here: http://hamiltoncoalitiontostopthewar.ca/2019/11/14/vanessa-beeleys-white-helmets-lecture-dec-3/
Unusual Sources: Vanessa Beeley Promo, Segment 1
November 22, 2019 05:03Brendan provides information about the upcoming lecture by Vanessa Beeley on Dec. 3. Beeley will be speaking on the role of the "White Helmets" campaign in Syria as a pre-eminent example of war propaganda. Details here: http://hamiltoncoalitiontostopthewar.ca/2019/11/14/vanessa-beeleys-white-helmets-lecture-dec-3/
Unusual Sources: Israel: A Beachhead in the Middle East, Segment 1
October 24, 2019 15:02 - 35 MBStephen Gowans describes how Israel was first created as an extension of 19th century European colonialism and functions today as a means of power projection for the United States. The U.S. seeks to dominate the Arab world, and Israel has demonstrated its value in weakening Arab forces that seek self-determination. Gowans traces the history, from the early marriage between the racist and pessimistic ideas shared by Zionists and European imperialists alike, to the U.S. desire today to keep the...
Unusual Sources: Oil and World Politics - Book Launch, Segment 1
September 16, 2019 00:19 - 31 MBDoug interviews Oil Economist John Foster about his new book "Oil and World Politics." Foster has spent his life working as an economic advisor for British Petroleum, Petro-Canada, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank. He describes the underlying role of the control, mining, and movement of oil and gas in international affairs. John Foster will be speaking in Hamilton on September 30 at 11:30am at McMaster University Room BSB 108, and at 7:00pm at the New Vision United Chu...
Unusual Sources: Labour Day Marchers Resist Trudeau, Segment 1
September 05, 2019 17:34 - 25 MBDoug speaks with Hamilton-area activists David Rennie and Ken Stone, who formed part of the resistance to Justin Trudeau on Labour Day. The Prime Minister decided to crash the Labour Day parade and use it for election photo-ops, even though the Labour Council made clear that he was not welcome. Thanks to anti-war activists, indigenous justice advocates, and union members, Trudeau was chased unceremoniously out of the parade and the park.
Unusual Sources: Commemorating Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Segment 1
August 26, 2019 03:05 - 27 MBDoug interviews peace activist Tamara Lorincz, first about the anniversary of the nuclear bombing of two Japanese cities in 1945, and the ever-present danger to us all.
Unusual Sources: Migrant Workers' Update, Segment 1
July 16, 2019 06:12 - 30 MBDoug interviews Santiago Escobar of UFCW/AWA on the the recent developments concerning the Temporary Foreign Agricultural Workers.
Unusual Sources: Sid Ryan - A Grander Vision, Segment 1
June 13, 2019 01:36 - 37 MBCanadian labour leader Sid Ryan discusses his new book, part autobiography, and part prescription for social movements and Labour. Sid recounts his early life, and how it developed his capacity to resist inequality and oppression. These lessons would serve him well as President of CUPE and the OFL. Fraught by divisions in Labour and the lack of synergy with the NDP, Sid calls for a social vision of unionism in Canada that melds struggles of class and anti-oppression into a cohesive programme ...
Unusual Sources: Outside In -= Libby Davies, Segment 1
June 05, 2019 19:15 - 30 MBLibby Davies recounts a particularly turbulent time in her career as an MP, in which a 'media' ambush turned her support for Palestine into a political football. Davies is presenting her revealing memoir "Outside In," about her personal life and political career, on Sunday June 9. Davies' book is an example of the challenges and struggles faced by trailblazing activists, and the attempts to improve NDP positions on foreign policy and other issues.
Unusual Sources: "I Was a Catholic Zionist" - Monday, May 13, Segment 1
May 11, 2019 03:45 - 47 MBBrendan interviews author and editor Ted Schmidt about his partly-autobiographical account of his emergence into supporting the Palestinian struggle, a daunting feat for a Catholic friend of Toronto's Jewish community. Schmidt's book is also a readable history of European anti-Semitism, the pressures that led to Zionism, and resistance to it within Judaism. There is a postcolonial dimension, in that Schmidt gradually became aware of the marginalized Arab voices that were seldom heard in Can...
Unusual Sources: JELITHIN Events, Segment 1
April 11, 2019 15:13 - 33 MBBrendan and Rabbi Lucia Pizarro talk about various events in the community concerned with Palestine and liberation theology, including the Hamilton Palestine Film Festival, the upcoming book launch with Ted Schmidt, and the famous "Liberation Seders" that are organized by JELITHIN.
Unusual Sources: The Trudeau Doctrine, Segment 1
March 08, 2019 13:45 - 33 MBYves Engler discusses his two most recent articles, about the SNC Lavalin scandal, and Canada's interference in Venezuela. It is possible to discuss the two issues together, because they are linked by a common denominator: the Canadian government operates on behalf of the Canadian business class. It protects corrupt corporations, and destabilizes foreign governments that practice resource nationalism. A Global South government that is responsive to popular needs invites overthrow by Canada's ...
Unusual Sources: Dan Kovalik's Lecture on Venezuela, Segment 1
March 01, 2019 04:33 - 50 MBFor those who missed it, Dan Kovalik's lecture on U.S. interference in Venezuela is now available as a downloadable MP3 file.
Unusual Sources: Recent Developments in JNF Campaign, Segment 1
February 15, 2019 13:54 - 33 MBBrendan interviews Rabbi David Mivasair about recent developments in the campaign by Independent Jewish Voices and other concerned parties to end the tax exempt status for the "Jewish National Fund." The JNF is an Israeli tool for the dispossession of Palestinians. It has been used to erase Palestinian settlements, in one case replacing villages with "Canada Park." Use of occupied land for one ethnicity only contravenes international law, and Canadian domestic law. The JNF has also been imp...
Unusual Sources: Michael Lynk - Annexation in the Air, Segment 1
January 24, 2019 01:56 - 31 MBProfessor Michael Lynk describes how the Israeli occupation of West Bank and its total blockade of Gaza has caused terrible conditions for Palestinians in these areas. Israel's occupation does not meet the legal obligations of occupying countries in terms of its decades-long duration, and persistent violation of human rights. Further, Israel's planned eventual annexation of the occupied territories and its de facto annexation of Jerusalem are forbidden under international law. Professor Ly...
Unusual Sources: The Military's Big 'Carbon Footprint', Segment 1
January 23, 2019 03:32 - 35 MBWe interview Tamara Lorincz, of the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace. Tamara is a PhD student at the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo, Ontario, where she focuses on the impacts on the environment and on climate change of the world's military forces, especially the US military, which has the largest single carbon footprint in the world. She notes the climate change protocols signed at the Paris climate talks exempt the carbon contributions caused by the armed forces of al...
Unusual Sources: Syria - The New Terra Nullius, Segment 1
November 01, 2018 02:39 - 41 MBSyria has become a canvas upon which outsiders can project their fantasies. There has been a failure to adopt a truly 'decolonial' view that respects Syria's sovereignty and self-determination. If there is no resistance to "Team America's" neo-liberal world that reshapes borders as if they are clay, then there will be more Syrias and more refugee crises.
Unusual Sources: 10 Years of Independent Jewish Voices, Segment 1
October 11, 2018 15:59 - 34 MBBrendan speaks with Corey Balsam and Geneviève Nevin, who are organizing the Independent Jewish Voices 10th Anniversary Conference. We discuss the role and direction of IJV, creating an alternative for Jewish youth, and efforts to enhance solidarity with the Palestinian people (through such means as encouraging political parties to support BDS) in Canada.
Unusual Sources: Left-Right: Marching to the Beat of Imperial Canada, Segment 1
September 13, 2018 22:12 - 44 MBYves Engler describes his important new book about how the Canadian 'left' fails to oppose Canada's militarism and imperialism. Yves investigates the NDP, unions, think tanks, and public intellectuals, and finds a leadership that largely follows the ideas and aims of the powerful. 'Left' politicos present a feel-good vision of Empire, where Canada is an 'aid superpower' and peacemaker that should expand its efforts, neglecting Canada's endless interference in the Global South and its pillage...
Unusual Sources: Kashmir report in Canada, Segment 1
July 20, 2018 00:52 - 35 MBDoug Brown interviews Ken Stone about the visit to Canada of President Masood Khan of Azad ("Free") Kashmir and the recent release of the UN High Commissioner's harsh report on the current humanitarian catastrophe in Indian-occupied Kashmir. Ken is the treasurer of the Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War. He recently traveled to Azad Kashmir in January 2017.
Unusual Sources: Gowans describes Korea book, Segment 1
May 24, 2018 14:40 - 49 MBStephen Gowans recently launched his brand new book, "Patriots, Traitors and Empires: The Story of Korea's Struggle for Freedom." Following the Hamilton book launch, Unusual Sources recorded a special in-studio interview with Gowans. In the exclusive interview, Gowans discusses key aspects of the book, some of which were not featured heavily during the book tour.
Unusual Sources: Helping Hamilton injured workers, Segment 1
May 19, 2018 16:47 - 22 MBOn today's program, Doug interviewed Karl Crevar of the Hamilton Injured Workers, who described the situations faced by injured workers in Hamilton and across Canada.
Unusual Sources: Rev. Naim Ateek on his upcoming (April 30) event, Segment 1
April 30, 2018 01:40 - 26 MBDoug interviews Rev. Naim Ateek about his upcoming visit to Hamilton, which is occurring on April 30th, details here: http://hamiltoncoalitiontostopthewar.ca/2018/04/09/palestine-liberation-theology-talk/
Unusual Sources: Liberation Seder supports Palestine and renews Judaism, Segment 1
March 29, 2018 04:09 - 31 MBHamilton is no stranger to the "Liberation Seder," a new way of performing the Passover ritual in solidarity with groups that are oppressed, particularly the Palestinians. Israel's occupation of Palestine, and the ideologies that justify it, no longer resonate with a growing section of the Jewish and general communities. Equality, and the rights of nations to self-determination, are concepts increasingly difficult to repress and deny. Rabbi Dr. Lucia Pizarro has been at the forefront of ren...
Unusual Sources: Coming to Hamilton: Economic warfare and threats vs. Korea, Segment 1
March 09, 2018 05:54 - 31 MBBrendan interviews Christopher Black about his upcoming lecture in Hamilton on the very dangerous economic warfare and threats that are directed at "North Korea," or the DPRK. He focuses on the illegality of blanket sanctions and threats to annihilate a nation, as well as Canada's slouching role in following behind Trump. Christopher, as well as Prof Atif Kubursi, speak in Hamilton on March 20.
Unusual Sources: The securitization of Africa via AFRICOM, Segment 1
March 04, 2018 05:36McMaster PhD candidate Khaled Al-Kassimi joins the program to discuss his article about the creation of AFRICOM, the U.S. "Africa Command." It clashes with local structures and methods. Khaled argues that the U.S. increasingly views all African affairs through a securitization framework, one that places U.S. agency above African, in line with previous conceptions of U.S. exceptionalism.
Unusual Sources: Baraka Books Spring Launches!, Segment 1
February 17, 2018 03:40Montreal-based author and publisher Robin Philpot joins the program to tell us about two exciting new book launches happening this spring. Stephen Gowans' much-anticipated book on Korea's struggle against colonialism could not have come at a better time. Philpot provides the details. But first, we learn that Fred Jerome's "The Einstein File" is re-launching with an updated 25-page section and new introductions! A pivotal book about the unreported story of Einstein's political convictions.
Unusual Sources: A Look at NDP Foreign Policy, Segment 1
February 02, 2018 04:44This week on Unusual Sources, Brendan and Doug discuss NDP foreign policy issues with Hamilton Mountain NDP activist Henry Evans-Tenbrinke. For many years, peace and justice activists have been advocating that the NDP take more independent and fair positions on international issues such as Israel/Palestine, Syria, Korea, Arms sale to Saudis, and Venezuela. How can Canada have an independent foreign policy while being a member of NATO? How did the NDP's long-standing policy to withdraw from ...
Unusual Sources: Canada should play conscientious role in Korea, Segment 1
January 12, 2018 04:45Lawyer Chris Black and Prof. Graeme MacQueen are helping build a revitalized peace movement. Part of that involves standing up to the barrage of propaganda on North Korea, and demanding that our government play a more positive role in defusing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. We discuss their recent op-ed article in the Toronto Star, the less-known reality of Korea, and the U.S. as a stopping block to peace.
Unusual Sources: Supporting Tim Hortons' Workers, Segment 1
January 11, 2018 01:03A detailed interview with Hamilton and District Labour Council President Anthony Marco about labour's support for Tim Hortons' workers, and the community coming together to picket on behalf of their minimum wage increase.
Unusual Sources: Community College Faculty Reject College Board's poor offer, Segment 1
December 01, 2017 16:15We look at the strike of Ontario's community college faculty and staff. During the prior week, the province had forced striking OPSEU members to vote on management's last offer. The OPSEU members voted decisively against the offer as it did not address the main issues of precarious employment and academic freedom. Subsequently, the legislature passed back to work legislation. Doug gets an update on the situation from Kevin Mackay, VP of OPSEU Local 240, and a professor at Mohawk College.
Unusual Sources: The "Saudi" War on Yemen, Segment 1
November 19, 2017 23:48Stephen Gowans issues a corrective about the 'Saudi' assault on Yemen.