Colin Moran and I discuss Election Issues

Colin Moran, a pharmacist, activist and neighbor, joins me to talk about some issues that have been ignored or grossly misrepresented in the Presidential campaigns this year.   

Mark Sleboda Interview - Part II

This is the second part of my interview with Moscow-based geopolitical analyst Mark Sleboda.  We talk about US-Russia relations and the impact of the upcoming election.  

Following the interview, I talk a bit about the election and the future for progressives in the US.

Mark Sleboda on Ukraine and Belarus

I'm joined this week by Mark Sleboda, a Moscow-based geopolitical analyst who is a regular pundit on RT, Sputnik and CGTN and other outlets.  We discuss the US encirclement of Russia and in particular the current situation in Belarus.  Mark goes into detail on the history of the current crisis, the involvement of Russia and the US, and likely outcomes.

This is Part 1 of my interview with Mark and Part 2 will be made available next week.  

Joe Emersberger on the Coming Elections in Latin America

Canadian journalist Joe Emersberger joins me to discuss the upcoming elections in Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela and US efforts to disrupt them.  Joe mentioned several excellent sources for unfiltered news on Latin America.  Here they are with links:

• Venezuela Analysis primarily covers Venezuela and provides an even-handed approach to the news from that nation targeted by the US.
• Telesur English is the English-language television network sponsored by a number of Latin American governments including that of Venezuela.
• The Center for Economic Policy and Research (CEPR) provides high-quality analysis of events throughout Latin America.
• A number of the journalists at the Grayzone have spent time in the nations targeted by US imperialism and cover US actions in the region without fear or favor.
• A number of good independent journalists report using Twitter.  
  • Ollie Vargas provides ongoing coverage of Bolivia during this dangerous period.
  • Kawsachun News is the English-language service of @KawsachunCoca, official station of the 6 Federations and is headquartered in Cochabamba.
  • Camila Escalante reports for Kawsachun News and also posts independent stories on Twitter.

Based on recent reports from these sources, here is a summary of news from Bolivia as of October 11, one week before the national election.

With the Bolivian election days away, it’s being reported that fake NGO’s funded by the US National Endowment for Democracy and USAID are in Bolivia to make sure the election is fair (meaning the US-backed candidate wins).  Polls show that MAS, Evo Morales’ party, is ahead and close to a 1st round victory.  The Anez regime intends to impose a 48 hour “quarantine” after the elections to stop protests after they steal the election.  The US-backed neoliberal candidate Carlos Mesa says he will call for ‘resistance’ if the MAS refuses to recognize a fraudulent election result.  Last year his supporters burnt down vote counting centers and chanted ‘second round or civil war’.  We need to watch this closely.  Our turn is coming.

The Inadvertent October Surprise

After a brief history of October Surprises, I talk about the current election and the possible effect of Trump's COVID-19 illness on the November results.