Storming the Bastille

Storming the Bastillehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/bastille.pressJourney into the heart of the critical struggles around the creeping totalitarianism evident throughout the world, chronicling the unwavering spirit of resistance against tyranny and authoritarianism.

Join us on Facebook!

The books series is here!]]>enNews Commentary(c) 2024 Bastille PResshttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/767616f7053b85f17a54b75ac16b48a3.jpgStorming the Bastillehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/bastille.pressWed, 21 Jan 2026 00:32:08 +0000Geof BardJ.D.Everhardbastillepress@protonmail.comJourney into the heart of the critical struggles around the creeping totalitarianism evident throughout the world, chronicling the unwavering spirit of resistance against tyranny and authoritarianism. https://www.facebook.com/groups/bastille.press...Journey into the heart of the critical struggles around the creeping totalitarianism evident throughout the world, chronicling the unwavering spirit of resistance against tyranny and authoritarianism.

Join us on Facebook!

The books series is here!]]>cleanepisodicIntrocuding ICE: Cassandra Redeemed A short play. #guerillatheaterhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/introcuding-ice-cassandra-redeemed-a-short-play-guerillatheater--69525280Introducing ICE: Cassandra Redeemed
A short play for the resistance.
CC-NC-ND 4.0

🎭 Summary of ICE: Cassandra Badbaadey (Cassandra Redeemed) The play opens in a small café on unceded Dakota and Anishinaabe land. Three men sit at a table: two ICE agents and an SS officer, their faces partially obscured. Nearby, a guitarist quietly plays and sings “Gracias a la Vida” in Italian. Characters

A cheerful waitperson
A kitchen worker in a Baja hoodie
A guitarist with a Spanish guitar
Two ICE agents in tactical gear
An SS officer in a black uniform with a swastika armband
A blindfolded angelic figure in flowing robes

Action The ICE agents and SS officer finish their meal

====SCRIPT============

ICE: Cassandra Badbaadey
Somali for “Cassandra Redeemed”
A short play written on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026
Inspired by meditations on silence, complicity, and recent events in unceded Dakota and Anishinaabe land, also known as Occupied Minnesota. DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

WAITPERSON - peasant attire, apron
KITCHEN WORKER - appears later, marled Baja hoodie and chef's apron
GUITARIST- equipped with a Spanish guitar
ICE AGENT #1 - tactical vest, blue jeans, neck gaiter
ICE AGENT #2 –-tactical vest, olive drab trousers, neck gaiter
SS MAN - 40s, black uniform, swastika armband
ANGELIC FIGURE - flowing robes, blindfold

A cheerful waitperson
A kitchen worker in a Baja hoodie
A guitarist with a Spanish guitar
Two ICE agents in tactical gear
An SS officer in a black uniform with a swastika armband
A blindfolded angelic figure in flowing robes

WAITPERSON - peasant attire, apron
KITCHEN WORKER - appears later, marled Baja hoodie and chef's apron
GUITARIST- equipped with a Spanish guitar
ICE AGENT #1 - tactical vest, blue jeans, neck gaiter
ICE AGENT #2 –-tactical vest, olive drab trousers, neck gaiter
SS MAN - 40s, black uniform, swastika armband
ANGELIC FIGURE - flowing robes, blindfold

===========================================

STAGE NOTES

The set is a small cafe. Three men are seated at a table covered with a plain white table cloth.ICE MAN #1 and ICE MAN #2, seated at an angle towards backstage, their faces in shadow.SS MAN seated furthest towards back of stage, facing audience, swastika armband visible, flanked by the ICE MEN.GUITARIST is sitting on a stool, gently playing, softly singing Gracias ala Vida in Italian.
===========================================
CURTAIN
===========================================
ICE and SS finish their meal.

WAITPERSON: Approaches table, smiling broadly.
¿Cómo estuvieron las enchiladas?

ICE MAN #1: Muy delicioso

ICE MAN #2 clamps a hand over #1’s mouth.

SS MAN: Sehr gut. Enchiladas sehr gut.

They rise, turning towards audience to reveal that the down stage side of the ICE MEN faces are smeared with white paint. They face the audience and rapidly pull their neck gaiters up. They proceed to stage right as KITCHEN WORKER watches.KITCHEN WORKER:

Adios, amigos. (waves — no reply)They walk a few yards, mumbling German/English fragments.

MECHANICAL OFFSTAGE VOICE: TURN AND BURN! ripetere ad libitum(additional layers: drums, pots, pans, industrial clangs)

ICE/SS MEN (startled, then dumbfounded, eventually joining the chant, menacing, then absurd):TURN… AND… BURN… TURN… AND… BURN…The three stand stiffly; sound builds. Abrupt silence. They look at one another, and then stare collectively at the WORKERS.

ICE MAN #1 turns, looks at SS MAN.

SS MAN: Nods.

ICE MAN #1 grabs KITCHEN WORKER; drags offstage.

KITCHEN WORKER: Por qué, por qué! Why! ICE MAN #2 grabs WAITPERSON; SS MAN hauls GUITARIST off stool.

GUITARIST manages one last chord; strings ring as they pull him away.

ALL: EXIT STAGE RIGHT

Abrupt pause.

A single drum...]]>35cleanfullFall of an Investigative Icon: How Consortium News Became a Kremlin Mouthpiecehttps://medium.com/@geofbard/the-fall-of-an-investigative-icon-how-consortium-news-became-a-russian-disinformation-mouthpiece-3777373d83a8The Fall of an Investigative Icon: How Consortium News Became a Russian Disinformation Mouthpiece and Contributed to Putin’s Penetration of the White House

Robert Parry once stood as a pillar of investigative journalism — renowned for breaking the Iran–Contra story and earning accolades such as the George Polk Award for National Reporting¹. Yet his later work at Consortium News, the outlet he founded in 1995, reveals a troubling shift from balanced inquiry toward a partisan narrative that echoes tactics found in documented Russian influence operations².

His story is that of a fall from Investigative Maverick in the 1980s to Ideological Apologist at the time of his death in 2018; it represents a sad trajectory which is all-too common in today’s world. Its consequences were on full display in the ignominious spectacle presented by President Trump and VP Vance when they made their suzerainty to Putin all-too apparent in their mistreatment of Vlodomr Zelensky.

During his tenure at the Associated Press and Newsweek, Parry exposed covert operations, including the release of the CIA manual Psychological Operations in Guerrilla Warfare and links between intelligence agencies and drug trafficking in the mid‑1980s³.

These groundbreaking reports cemented his reputation as a rigorous investigator. However, once he took control of Consortium News, his editorials increasingly adopted a one-sided critique of Western institutions, mirroring narratives that align closely with Russian state propaganda⁴.

A closer examination reveals a troubling pattern in the Russian Disinformation Connection. While Parry’s early work was defined by hard evidence and balanced scrutiny, his later writings often downplay Western misdeeds while uncritically advancing perspectives that resemble Kremlin talking points. Notorious Putin fan Stephen F. Cohen of The Nation even lauded Parry for debunking the so-called “Russiagate” hysteria, arguing that his stance put him on a collision course with conventional wisdom⁵.

However, mounting evidence — including findings from the Senate Intelligence Committee on Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. Elections — confirms that coordinated Russian influence operations are both real and strategically deployed⁶.Russophilic critics such as the current editors of Consortium dismiss covert Kremlin influence operations designed to impact US elections as “Russiagate.” They would have us believe it is as a media fabrication, yet multiple investigations have clearly demonstrated the reality of Russian disinformation campaigns.

By minimizing the role of information warfare and nefarious actors such as the Saint Petersburg troll farms. writers such as Parry in has later narratives contribute to a dangerous minimization of a genuine threat. Such an approach not only undermines public understanding of international power plays but also risks discrediting independent media that once prided itself on investigative rigor.

This was made possible in large part due to people like Robert Parry and Stephen Cohen who distorted perception undermines public understanding of international power plays. It also risks discrediting independent media that once prided itself on investigative rigor.

Bob Parry’s legacy is something of a paradox. His early career exemplified fearless, fact-based journalism, while his later work reflects an abandonment of that commitment in favor of ideological consistency. For readers who value independent reporting, the transformation of Consortium News into a Kremlin asset is a stark warning: our commitment to truth demands that every journalistic enterprise — no matter how once-revered — be held accountable for its impact on public discourse.

This includes calling them out when they carry water for authoritarian regimes.

Footnotes
Bob Parry’s early accolades are well documented; for example, his George Polk Award for National Reporting in 1984 is noted in multiple profiles of his career (see Wikipedia: Robert Parry (journalist), accessed February 2025).
Parry’s shift at Consortium News is discussed by critics who note the outlet’s increasingly partisan narrative; see details on Consortium News’ editorial evolution on its official website (Consortium News, accessed February 2025).
Parry’s investigative breakthroughs at the AP and Newsweek — including the exposure of the CIA manual and links to drug trafficking — are covered in historical accounts of the Iran–Contra affair (Wikipedia: Robert Parry (journalist), accessed February 2025).
Analyses of Parry’s later writings note his embrace of narratives that mirror state-sponsored disinformation techniques; see various critiques in media analysis forums and scholarly reviews (Consortium News, accessed February 2025).
Stephen F. Cohen’s praise for Parry appears in his retrospective article in The Nation: “Remembering Investigative Journalist Robert Parry” (The Nation, accessed February 2025).
[Parry’s turn towards Russophilic apologetics] put him on a collision course with the conventional wisdom of “Russiagate…No one knew better than Bob Parry how intelligence agencies and major media outlets can create a cascading frenzy. Beginning in late 2016, Bob was prolific as he debunked the torrent of hyperbolic claims about Russia that became an ever-present flood across the US media landscape. Some progressive sites went from often posting his articles in 2016 to rarely or never posting them in 2017…For years, the mainstream, establishment media have, by their malpractices in covering US-Russian relations from Ukraine to ‘Russiagate,’ been deeply complicit in the unfolding of this new Cold War and its unprecedented dangers,” said Russia scholar Stephen F. Cohen, a contributing editor at The Nation.
For evidence of coordinated Russian influence operations, refer to the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. Elections (Senate Intelligence Report Volume I, July 2019, accessed February 2025).
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64653865Sun, 02 Mar 2025 07:49:06 +0000Geof BardThe Fall of an Investigative Icon: How Consortium News Became a Russian Disinformation Mouthpiece and Contributed to Putin’s Penetration of the White House Robert Parry once stood as a pillar of investigative journalism — renowned for breaking the...The Fall of an Investigative Icon: How Consortium News Became a Russian Disinformation Mouthpiece and Contributed to Putin’s Penetration of the White House

Robert Parry once stood as a pillar of investigative journalism — renowned for breaking the Iran–Contra story and earning accolades such as the George Polk Award for National Reporting¹. Yet his later work at Consortium News, the outlet he founded in 1995, reveals a troubling shift from balanced inquiry toward a partisan narrative that echoes tactics found in documented Russian influence operations².

His story is that of a fall from Investigative Maverick in the 1980s to Ideological Apologist at the time of his death in 2018; it represents a sad trajectory which is all-too common in today’s world. Its consequences were on full display in the ignominious spectacle presented by President Trump and VP Vance when they made their suzerainty to Putin all-too apparent in their mistreatment of Vlodomr Zelensky.

During his tenure at the Associated Press and Newsweek, Parry exposed covert operations, including the release of the CIA manual Psychological Operations in Guerrilla Warfare and links between intelligence agencies and drug trafficking in the mid‑1980s³.

These groundbreaking reports cemented his reputation as a rigorous investigator. However, once he took control of Consortium News, his editorials increasingly adopted a one-sided critique of Western institutions, mirroring narratives that align closely with Russian state propaganda⁴.

A closer examination reveals a troubling pattern in the Russian Disinformation Connection. While Parry’s early work was defined by hard evidence and balanced scrutiny, his later writings often downplay Western misdeeds while uncritically advancing perspectives that resemble Kremlin talking points. Notorious Putin fan Stephen F. Cohen of The Nation even lauded Parry for debunking the so-called “Russiagate” hysteria, arguing that his stance put him on a collision course with conventional wisdom⁵.

However, mounting evidence — including findings from the Senate Intelligence Committee on Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. Elections — confirms that coordinated Russian influence operations are both real and strategically deployed⁶.Russophilic critics such as the current editors of Consortium dismiss covert Kremlin influence operations designed to impact US elections as “Russiagate.” They would have us believe it is as a media fabrication, yet multiple investigations have clearly demonstrated the reality of Russian disinformation campaigns.

By minimizing the role of information warfare and nefarious actors such as the Saint Petersburg troll farms. writers such as Parry in has later narratives contribute to a dangerous minimization of a genuine threat. Such an approach not only undermines public understanding of international power plays but also risks discrediting independent media that once prided itself on investigative rigor.

This was made possible in large part due to people like Robert Parry and Stephen Cohen who distorted perception undermines public understanding of international power plays. It also risks discrediting independent media that once prided itself on investigative rigor.

Bob Parry’s legacy is something of a paradox. His early career exemplified fearless, fact-based journalism, while his later work reflects an abandonment of that commitment in favor of ideological consistency. For readers who value independent reporting, the transformation of Consortium News into a Kremlin asset is a stark warning: our commitment to truth demands that every journalistic enterprise — no matter how once-revered — be held accountable for its impact on public discourse.

This includes calling them out when they carry water for authoritarian regimes.

Footnotes
Bob Parry’s early accolades are well...]]>202cleanfullUnion Busting and the Current Resurgence of Labor Organizing: Bard and Reimann at the Liberated Zone Part 3https://www.spreaker.com/episode/union-busting-and-the-current-resurgence-of-labor-organizing-bard-and-reimann-at-the-liberated-zone-part-3--64410998https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64410998Mon, 17 Feb 2025 07:24:32 +0000Geof Bard369cleanfullFascism and Ukraine: Bard and Reimann at the Liberated Zone Part 2https://www.spreaker.com/episode/fascism-and-ukraine-bard-and-reimann-at-the-liberated-zone-part-2--64410501
Topics extend his writing included in the short anthology Peace in Ukraine: Victory Over the New Fascism

Reactionary aspects of all the organized religions, such as the misogyny of the Hindutva of India's Modi
The rise of traditionalism: Duginism and Russo-fascism
Lack of a workers' movement coupled with a low standard of living creates a fertile environment for traditionalism.
The Anti-Globalization Movement conference. It seems like a good thing but it is a co er for Russian imperialism. Outright fascists like the Confederate League of the South and European fascists attended -- but also some "left" groups.

Dugin has met with people like David Duke yet some on the left are lured into his ideology.
Traditionalism in Iran, also supported by Putin. But CODEPINK is beholden to the Iranian regime.
Is Putin fascist, semi-fascist or what, exactly. Basically a dictator, however you slice it.
Dugin's early influences including Evola, a fascist lodestone.
Capitalism and pre-capitalist feudalism and slave societies as an incubator for these proto-fascist ideas and reactionary religious ideologies. Evola took from these religions and wove them into a fascist ideology. His critique of Hitler and Mussolini is that they did not go far enough in restoring those ttraditions. "Hippy fascism." Popularity of QAnon and Trumpism with people who carry yoga mats and eat low fat yoghurt.
Westboro Baptist Church, which claims that US military setbacks and casualties are willed by God as punishment for America's "sins."
How religious texts arose out of the class societies and reflected the interest of the ruling classes, although present day practitioners do not necessarily interpret in that manner.
Some of the prophets were radical visionaries. Jesus was considered a revolutionary radical and Muhammed was himself a mover and shaker known for resisting many injustices. Even is one does not believe in these figures as historical, the content of their biographical narratives are revolutionary.
Dugin's call for nuclear war. Reimann proposes a movement of the working class as the remedy for the growing influence of Duginist traditionalism.
John has elaborated on these topics in his contribution to the anthology I (Geof) edited,

Peace in Ukraine: VIctory Over the New Fascism.

If you appreciate listening to his perspective consider picking up a copy today. This book neatly debunks the political mythologies which paper over the horrors of the "multipolar" authoritarian regimes and points to a future in which consistent opposition to imperialism and war fascism is possible, uniting the struggles to include the Uyghurs, women's rights activists in Iran and others whose primary oppressors are part of the emerging sub-imperialist states in the so-called 'multipolar" world order.
Podcast Permalink
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64410501Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:39:35 +0000Geof BardGeof Bard (J.D.Everhard) interviews John Reimann at the UCSB Liberated Zone, a demonstration in solidarity with Palestine. Topics extend his writing included in the short...
Topics extend his writing included in the short anthology Peace in Ukraine: Victory Over the New Fascism

Reactionary aspects of all the organized religions, such as the misogyny of the Hindutva of India's Modi
The rise of traditionalism: Duginism and Russo-fascism
Lack of a workers' movement coupled with a low standard of living creates a fertile environment for traditionalism.
The Anti-Globalization Movement conference. It seems like a good thing but it is a co er for Russian imperialism. Outright fascists like the Confederate League of the South and European fascists attended -- but also some "left" groups.

Dugin has met with people like David Duke yet some on the left are lured into his ideology.
Traditionalism in Iran, also supported by Putin. But CODEPINK is beholden to the Iranian regime.
Is Putin fascist, semi-fascist or what, exactly. Basically a dictator, however you slice it.
Dugin's early influences including Evola, a fascist lodestone.
Capitalism and pre-capitalist feudalism and slave societies as an incubator for these proto-fascist ideas and reactionary religious ideologies. Evola took from these religions and wove them into a fascist ideology. His critique of Hitler and Mussolini is that they did not go far enough in restoring those ttraditions. "Hippy fascism." Popularity of QAnon and Trumpism with people who carry yoga mats and eat low fat yoghurt.
Westboro Baptist Church, which claims that US military setbacks and casualties are willed by God as punishment for America's "sins."
How religious texts arose out of the class societies and reflected the interest of the ruling classes, although present day practitioners do not necessarily interpret in that manner.
Some of the prophets were radical visionaries. Jesus was considered a revolutionary radical and Muhammed was himself a mover and shaker known for resisting many injustices. Even is one does not believe in these figures as historical, the content of their biographical narratives are revolutionary.
Dugin's call for nuclear war. Reimann proposes a movement of the working class as the remedy for the growing influence of Duginist traditionalism.
John has elaborated on these topics in his contribution to the anthology I (Geof) edited,

Peace in Ukraine: VIctory Over the New Fascism.

If you appreciate listening to his perspective consider picking up a copy today. This book neatly debunks the political mythologies which paper over the horrors of the "multipolar" authoritarian regimes and points to a future in which consistent opposition to imperialism and war fascism is possible, uniting the struggles to include the Uyghurs, women's rights activists in Iran and others whose primary oppressors are part of the emerging sub-imperialist states in the so-called 'multipolar" world order.
Podcast Permalink
]]>1257christofascism,fascism,kleptofascism,maga,resistance,trumpism,ukrainecleanfullDo Tankies and Campists Betray the Working Class? Reimann & Bard at the Liberated Zone Part 1https://www.spreaker.com/episode/do-tankies-and-campists-betray-the-working-class-reimann-bard-at-the-liberated-zone-part-1--64347552Interviewed by Geof Bard (JD Everhard)

John is a contributor to Peace in Ukraine: Victory Over the New Fascism and Stand with Ukraine: Debunking the Propaganda.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64347552Wed, 12 Feb 2025 22:12:37 +0000Geof BardLive at the UCSB Liberated Zone: John Reimann explains the mission of the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign and the nature of campist and tankie accomodation to authoritarian regimes. Interviewed by Geof Bard (JD Everhard) John is a contributor...Interviewed by Geof Bard (JD Everhard)

John is a contributor to Peace in Ukraine: Victory Over the New Fascism and Stand with Ukraine: Debunking the Propaganda.]]>193cleanfullElon Musk’s DOGE Gang is A Dire Threat to Our Nation’s Security and Our Personal Privacyhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/elon-musk-s-doge-gang-is-a-dire-threat-to-our-nation-s-security-and-our-personal-privacy--64267778
Reports reveal that DOGE operatives have gained unauthorized access to critical systems responsible for disbursing over $5 trillion annually, encompassing Social Security payments, tax refunds, and federal salaries.[¹]

These individuals now control agencies managing personnel files for nearly 2 million federal employees, granting them access to a vast trove of sensitive information.[²] Among them is Marko Elez, a 25-year-old engineer with administrative privileges over the code that controls Social Security payments.[³]

The presence of such unqualified individuals in positions of power not only jeopardizes the integrity of our financial systems but also raises concerns about potential biases and malicious intent infiltrating government operations.

The growing role of artificial intelligence in these systems only magnifies the risks. AI’s ability to process and analyze massive amounts of personal data without oversight threatens privacy on an unprecedented scale.[⁴]

The potential for misuse is staggering, from unauthorized profiling to unchecked surveillance, all under the guise of efficiency. With access to tax records, banking details, and even medical information, there is no telling how far this breach extends — or how it might be exploited.

We cannot stand idly by while Musk’s DOGE embeds itself deeper into the government, endangering democracy and personal freedoms. It is imperative that Congress launch a full investigation, that watchdog organizations take legal action to curb these violations,[⁵] and that the public demands accountability before this reckless intrusion inflicts irreversible damage.

References¹ https://www.theverge.com/politics/608528/elon-musk-doge-government-takeover-what-to-know
² https://www.wired.com/story/aclu-doge-congress-musk-data
³ https://www.wired.com/story/treasury-department-doge-marko-elez-access
⁴ https://www.ibm.com/think/insights/ai-privacy
⁵ https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2025/02/03/unions-sue-to-stop-elon-musks-doge-from-accessing-treasury-department-data]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64267778Sat, 08 Feb 2025 09:46:18 +0000Geof BardIn brazen overreach, Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has infiltrated the very heart of our nation’s financial infrastructure — the U.S. Treasury Department. This clandestine operation, spearheaded by a cadre of Musk’s...
Reports reveal that DOGE operatives have gained unauthorized access to critical systems responsible for disbursing over $5 trillion annually, encompassing Social Security payments, tax refunds, and federal salaries.[¹]

These individuals now control agencies managing personnel files for nearly 2 million federal employees, granting them access to a vast trove of sensitive information.[²] Among them is Marko Elez, a 25-year-old engineer with administrative privileges over the code that controls Social Security payments.[³]

The presence of such unqualified individuals in positions of power not only jeopardizes the integrity of our financial systems but also raises concerns about potential biases and malicious intent infiltrating government operations.

The growing role of artificial intelligence in these systems only magnifies the risks. AI’s ability to process and analyze massive amounts of personal data without oversight threatens privacy on an unprecedented scale.[⁴]

The potential for misuse is staggering, from unauthorized profiling to unchecked surveillance, all under the guise of efficiency. With access to tax records, banking details, and even medical information, there is no telling how far this breach extends — or how it might be exploited.

We cannot stand idly by while Musk’s DOGE embeds itself deeper into the government, endangering democracy and personal freedoms. It is imperative that Congress launch a full investigation, that watchdog organizations take legal action to curb these violations,[⁵] and that the public demands accountability before this reckless intrusion inflicts irreversible damage.

References¹ https://www.theverge.com/politics/608528/elon-musk-doge-government-takeover-what-to-know
² https://www.wired.com/story/aclu-doge-congress-musk-data
³ https://www.wired.com/story/treasury-department-doge-marko-elez-access
⁴ https://www.ibm.com/think/insights/ai-privacy
⁵ https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2025/02/03/unions-sue-to-stop-elon-musks-doge-from-accessing-treasury-department-data]]>154cleanfullWhat Molotov and Stalin Tell Us About Musk and Trump: Doomed Bromances and the Vortex of Powerhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/what-molotov-and-stalin-tell-us-about-musk-and-trump-doomed-bromances-and-the-vortex-of-power--64262750
In the 20th century, this dynamic played out between Joseph Stalin and his most subservient deputy, Vyacheslav Molotov.

Today, it manifests in the public display of fealty between Elon Musk and Donald Trump.The Faithful Lieutenant: Molotov and MuskVyacheslav Molotov was Stalin’s most dutiful and unquestioning follower.

He rationalized every purge, every show trial, every catastrophic policy with unwavering loyalty. When Stalin signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with Hitler, Molotov defended it as a triumph of Soviet diplomacy. When Stalin later denounced the pact, Molotov reversed his stance without hesitation.

His dedication to Stalinism was so complete that even when his own wife was arrested during the purges, he remained silent, prioritizing loyalty over personal integrity.Musk’s devotion to Trump, while not as dire, follows a similar pattern of subservience masked as strategic alignment.

Musk has spent years cultivating an image as an independent thinker, yet his recent effusive praise of Trump exposes him as just another courtier, eager for favor.

His claim that he “loves” Trump reads less like the statement of a bold innovator and more like the capitulation of a man desperate to remain in the good graces of an authoritarian figure.

The self-proclaimed free speech champion has repeatedly bent his platform to accommodate Trump and his allies, much as Molotov tailored his rhetoric to fit Stalin’s shifting priorities.

The Supreme Leader: Stalin and TrumpJoseph Stalin, like Donald Trump, thrived on absolute loyalty, paranoia, and an unshakable belief in his own infallibility. Stalin purged his closest allies the moment they were no longer useful, replacing them with those willing to endure his erratic rule. Trump operates in much the same way, casting aside former loyalists the moment they deviate from the prescribed narrative.

The fate of former Trump insiders — Michael Cohen, Jeff Sessions, Bill Barr — illustrates this ruthless cycle of power and disposal.Molotov’s slavish loyalty ultimately did not save him. Despite decades of service, he was sidelined after Stalin’s death, denounced as complicit in past crimes, and pushed into obscurity. Musk may believe his alliance with Trump serves a purpose, but history suggests that in a power dynamic based on fealty, the lieutenant is always disposable.The Pact and the FalloutMolotov’s most infamous act was signing the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a temporary non-aggression treaty between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany

. This cynical maneuver benefited Stalin until Hitler turned against him, at which point Molotov was forced to reverse his stance yet again. It was the ultimate lesson in the futility of aligning too closely with an unpredictable autocrat.Musk, too, has made his own compromises. One moment, he postures as a libertarian disruptor; the next, he aligns himself with a man who openly attempted to subvert democratic elections.

Like Molotov, Musk may believe his position is one of strategic necessity, but if Trump’s history is any indication, loyalty is transactional and short-lived

When the winds shift, Musk may find himself discarded, another former ally left to rationalize his downfall.Lessons from HistoryHistory does not repeat itself, but its themes endure. Stalin and Molotov’s relationship was built on fear, propaganda, and absolute control. Trump and Musk operate in a modernized version of this template, leveraging digital influence and media spectacle rather than state violence.

Yet the underlying dynamic remains the same: a leader who demands unwavering loyalty and a follower who convinces himself that submission is strategy.Molotov’s fate serves as a warning: those who tie their fortunes to an autocrat often find themselves discarded when they are no longer useful.

The question is not whether Musk will face the same fate, but when. And when that moment comes, will he, like Molotov, still be defending the indefensible?]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64262750Sat, 08 Feb 2025 03:14:59 +0000Geof BardIt’s a tale as old as authoritarianism: a powerful, erratic leader and his ever-loyal lieutenant, bound together in a grim dance of ego, power, and ideological contortions. In the 20th century, this dynamic played out between Joseph Stalin and his...
In the 20th century, this dynamic played out between Joseph Stalin and his most subservient deputy, Vyacheslav Molotov.

Today, it manifests in the public display of fealty between Elon Musk and Donald Trump.The Faithful Lieutenant: Molotov and MuskVyacheslav Molotov was Stalin’s most dutiful and unquestioning follower.

He rationalized every purge, every show trial, every catastrophic policy with unwavering loyalty. When Stalin signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with Hitler, Molotov defended it as a triumph of Soviet diplomacy. When Stalin later denounced the pact, Molotov reversed his stance without hesitation.

His dedication to Stalinism was so complete that even when his own wife was arrested during the purges, he remained silent, prioritizing loyalty over personal integrity.Musk’s devotion to Trump, while not as dire, follows a similar pattern of subservience masked as strategic alignment.

Musk has spent years cultivating an image as an independent thinker, yet his recent effusive praise of Trump exposes him as just another courtier, eager for favor.

His claim that he “loves” Trump reads less like the statement of a bold innovator and more like the capitulation of a man desperate to remain in the good graces of an authoritarian figure.

The self-proclaimed free speech champion has repeatedly bent his platform to accommodate Trump and his allies, much as Molotov tailored his rhetoric to fit Stalin’s shifting priorities.

The Supreme Leader: Stalin and TrumpJoseph Stalin, like Donald Trump, thrived on absolute loyalty, paranoia, and an unshakable belief in his own infallibility. Stalin purged his closest allies the moment they were no longer useful, replacing them with those willing to endure his erratic rule. Trump operates in much the same way, casting aside former loyalists the moment they deviate from the prescribed narrative.

The fate of former Trump insiders — Michael Cohen, Jeff Sessions, Bill Barr — illustrates this ruthless cycle of power and disposal.Molotov’s slavish loyalty ultimately did not save him. Despite decades of service, he was sidelined after Stalin’s death, denounced as complicit in past crimes, and pushed into obscurity. Musk may believe his alliance with Trump serves a purpose, but history suggests that in a power dynamic based on fealty, the lieutenant is always disposable.The Pact and the FalloutMolotov’s most infamous act was signing the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a temporary non-aggression treaty between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany

. This cynical maneuver benefited Stalin until Hitler turned against him, at which point Molotov was forced to reverse his stance yet again. It was the ultimate lesson in the futility of aligning too closely with an unpredictable autocrat.Musk, too, has made his own compromises. One moment, he postures as a libertarian disruptor; the next, he aligns himself with a man who openly attempted to subvert democratic elections.

Like Molotov, Musk may believe his position is one of strategic necessity, but if Trump’s history is any indication, loyalty is transactional and short-lived

When the winds shift, Musk may find himself discarded, another former ally left to rationalize his downfall.Lessons from HistoryHistory does not repeat itself, but its themes endure. Stalin and Molotov’s relationship was built on fear, propaganda, and absolute control. Trump and Musk operate in a modernized version of this template, leveraging digital influence and media spectacle rather than state violence.

Yet the underlying dynamic remains the same: a leader who demands unwavering loyalty and a follower who convinces himself that submission is strategy.Molotov’s fate serves...]]>284clean2fullPalestine and Ukraine: A Scrappy Takehttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/palestine-and-ukraine-a-scrappy-take--61135301Whither the Left? Ukraine and Palestine Activism

The world has seen a resurgence of the antiwar movement due to the increasing violence in Gaza and related conflicts. Many people who were once divided on issues such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine now find themselves in agreement on the excessive use of force by Israel. They're against it. Universally. However, there still remain sharp differences among peace activists on just how to respond to authoritarian regimes in countries like Russia, Syria, Iran, and China. Most large demonstrations in the United States and Europe are organized by factions that have opposed armed resistance against Putin's invasion of Ukraine. These factions typically blame NATO as the proximate cause of the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and are often referred to as "tankies" or "campists". They are rightfully seen as beholden to pro-authoritarian dictators — as long as the dictators mouth the appropriate rhetoric against Western imperialism, the US, and NATO.This split of the left dates back to the Soviet Union's invasion of Hungary and Czechoslovakia, and resurfaced with disagreement over conflicts such as the Khmer Rouge violence and then NATO intervention in the Balkans war. The schism became more pronounced when Russia supported Bashar Assad's chemical attacks on Syrian dissidents, leading to a propaganda campaign against the White Helmets (Syrian Civil Defense). (It should be noted that the attack, while perhaps intended to disrupt rebel militants, resulted in countless mortality and morbidity among otherwise uninvolved men, women and children—civilians.) There was an orchestrated circus to upstage the investigation by duly constituted United Nations investigators. Replication of propaganda supporting the revisionist contention that it was not the regime but rather the rebels that attacked themselves was amplified through donations and "prizes" for so-called journalists who wrote in line with the Kremlin's agenda.Social media was awash with what I call "Kremlinsplaining." The situation became a true theater of the absurd when pictures of of movie sets about conflict zones were posted online as supposed proof that legitimate human rights photographic evidence was putatively "staged.In recent years, the Western antiwar movement has become increasingly influenced by such Russian propaganda, leading to a lack of support for democratic movements like the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine. Even after Israel's brutal actions in Gaza, there has been no let up in the entente between the warring factions of the antiwar left.There are still deep divisions when it comes to supporting authoritarian regimes and movements, there is a lot of confusion. For instance, there is no consistent analysis of the Yemen-based Islamist political and military organization Ansar Allah, commonly referred to as the Houthi movement. Some pro-Palestinian protesters feel encouraged by Ansar's attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, which have in some cases been executed with surprisingly minimal casualties while disrupting Israeli commercial activity.At some protests, the chant can be observed on video of "Yemen, Yemen make us proud, turn another ship around."Much of the left is taking a "wait-and-see" attitude on the ultimate moral authority of Ansar Allah, while pointing out that they have a good deal of support worldwide and are likely to be quite resilient to attack. Jacobin, a prominent left-wing journal, has published an article that dcorrectly observes that AA "is authoritarian and retrograde, manifesting no respect for fundamental human rights of any kind. Any expression of dissent is liable to lead to arrest and ill-treatment."Yet another of its articles points out that regardless of this "the Houthis are establishing legitimacy through their active resistance on behalf of the Palestinian people…" This sentiment is echoed in Common Dreams, noting that " The people in these regions have been subjected to years of acute and structural violence by the Houthis."It doesn't take a crystal ball to predict that, between the ruthlessness of Netanyahu and the Saudis, whom Ansar Allah opposes, and the predilection of tankies to downplay human rights abuses, the Houthis will be given a pass by the campists— just like Putin, Xi and Assad. This is reprehensible, given the ignominious record of Ansar Allah— including the death sentence placed on human rights defender Fatima Saleh Al-Arwaliand the arrest of Judge Abdulwahab Qatran for criticizing the Red Sea actions.The left will likely follow the pattern of splitting into warring camps on what degree of qualified support, if any, the Houthis deserve. Alternatively, some kind of relative consensus could emerge. But the split on the proximate cause of the Ukraine war remains like an ulcer on the left-wing body politic which may get only worse as Western backers of Ukraine grow weary and right-wing forces gain electoral power. Indeed, agitation for a cutoff of aid to Ukraine is a key talking point in the programme of many fascist and fascist-adjacent political formations.This book follows Stand with Ukraine: Debunking the Propaganda with a focus on fascism as it relates to the Russo-Ukrainian war. It hopes to go beyond the necessary but divisive debunking of propaganda and seek some common ground (on the left) to allow for the possibility of actually defeating the forces of war and authoritarianism despite the fragmentation of progressive forces. This may be possible through the perspective of the field of "far-right studies." Despite disagreement on other topics, the left and center-left should at least be able to agree on the simple axiom "fascism is bad." Proceeding from there, we encounter a jungle of overgrown hypotheses and conjectures with often vitriolic disagreement on the nature of the Azov Battalion, Duginism, Russian neo-fascism, and the nature of the Maidan Revolution of Dignity. This book can only demarcate the beginning of a dialogue on a set of issues that promise to be an enduring source of debate.***One might expect that the massive renewal of the antiwar movement throughout the world due to the mounting carnage in and around Gaza would lead to a detente in the dispute on the left between those who blame "NATO NATO NATO" and those who hold Vladimir Putin to be the primary instigator of the February 2022 invasion. Such hopes were dashed in the days immediately after the October 7, 2023 attacks. Signage and speeches throughout Europe and the Anglophone world were in some cases interpreted as supportive of the horrible violent behavior of the Hamas operatives. Left-wing voices took various positions on how much emphasis to place on the context – 75 years of settler-colonialist expansionism and oppression of the Palestinian people. There was considerable, if not extreme, variance on how to characterize Hamas; some (including myself) condemned it, or its conduct on October 7th, outright as nothing short of criminal, notwithstanding political or revolutionary objectives.Others, such as Eugene Puryear of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, praised it as "the Resistance."Still others took something of a middle ground, such as Norman Finkelstein, who compared it to the Nat Turner slave rebellion: a hideous spectacle of gore which, in his view, was predictable given the brutal nature of enslavement or de facto incarceration in what is widely regarded as the world's largest open-air concentration camp.Nevertheless, people who were in total disagreement about how to react to the Russian invasion of Ukraine now find themselves in agreement on many if not most issues raised by Israel's grossly overwrought response. Everyone with a shred of human decency and common sense wants an immediate, unconditional, and permanent end to the bombing and ground war in Gaza and the West Bank. Everyone wants a cutoff of military assistance to Israel. Everyone wants a halt to West Bank settler aggression, prosecution of criminal activities and a new era of human relations in the region.Despite agreement on the urgent need to stop the ethnic cleansing and the looming prospect of an Israeli genocide against the indigenous Palestinian people, there is little agreement on strategy and tactics. Chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, and Multi-Cultural activity centers are being shut down as campus administrations cave to right-wing Republicans and well-heeled donors. Yet some activists who should know better escalate the perceived threat of left-wing anti-Semitism while ignoring the larger threat of government surveillance and censorship—not to mention explicitly anti-Semitic far-right forces.Sharp differences continue over the question of an appropriate response of the progressive peace movement to the dictatorships in Russia, Syria, Iran, China, and other places. Hard feelings due to those differences further complicate any prospect of a united or popular front against the forces of fascism and war.Most of the large pro-Palestine demonstrations in the United States are organized by— if not populated with large contingents from —the aforesaid tankie factions that have opposed arming Ukraine against Putin's invasion. There appears to be little prospect of widespread reconciliation between the anti-Putin and the tankie sectors of the Western left. This division helps the right, much as has earlier divergence between anarchist, Trotskyist, Stalinist, generic socialist, and social-democratic tendencies. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61135301Sun, 25 Aug 2024 04:18:04 +0000Geof BardWhither the Left? Ukraine and Palestine Activism The world has seen a resurgence of the antiwar movement due to the increasing violence in Gaza and related conflicts. Many people who were once divided on issues such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine...Whither the Left? Ukraine and Palestine Activism

The world has seen a resurgence of the antiwar movement due to the increasing violence in Gaza and related conflicts. Many people who were once divided on issues such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine now find themselves in agreement on the excessive use of force by Israel. They're against it. Universally. However, there still remain sharp differences among peace activists on just how to respond to authoritarian regimes in countries like Russia, Syria, Iran, and China. Most large demonstrations in the United States and Europe are organized by factions that have opposed armed resistance against Putin's invasion of Ukraine. These factions typically blame NATO as the proximate cause of the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and are often referred to as "tankies" or "campists". They are rightfully seen as beholden to pro-authoritarian dictators — as long as the dictators mouth the appropriate rhetoric against Western imperialism, the US, and NATO.This split of the left dates back to the Soviet Union's invasion of Hungary and Czechoslovakia, and resurfaced with disagreement over conflicts such as the Khmer Rouge violence and then NATO intervention in the Balkans war. The schism became more pronounced when Russia supported Bashar Assad's chemical attacks on Syrian dissidents, leading to a propaganda campaign against the White Helmets (Syrian Civil Defense). (It should be noted that the attack, while perhaps intended to disrupt rebel militants, resulted in countless mortality and morbidity among otherwise uninvolved men, women and children—civilians.) There was an orchestrated circus to upstage the investigation by duly constituted United Nations investigators. Replication of propaganda supporting the revisionist contention that it was not the regime but rather the rebels that attacked themselves was amplified through donations and "prizes" for so-called journalists who wrote in line with the Kremlin's agenda.Social media was awash with what I call "Kremlinsplaining." The situation became a true theater of the absurd when pictures of of movie sets about conflict zones were posted online as supposed proof that legitimate human rights photographic evidence was putatively "staged.In recent years, the Western antiwar movement has become increasingly influenced by such Russian propaganda, leading to a lack of support for democratic movements like the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine. Even after Israel's brutal actions in Gaza, there has been no let up in the entente between the warring factions of the antiwar left.There are still deep divisions when it comes to supporting authoritarian regimes and movements, there is a lot of confusion. For instance, there is no consistent analysis of the Yemen-based Islamist political and military organization Ansar Allah, commonly referred to as the Houthi movement. Some pro-Palestinian protesters feel encouraged by Ansar's attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, which have in some cases been executed with surprisingly minimal casualties while disrupting Israeli commercial activity.At some protests, the chant can be observed on video of "Yemen, Yemen make us proud, turn another ship around."Much of the left is taking a "wait-and-see" attitude on the ultimate moral authority of Ansar Allah, while pointing out that they have a good deal of support worldwide and are likely to be quite resilient to attack. Jacobin, a prominent left-wing journal, has published an article that dcorrectly observes that AA "is authoritarian and retrograde, manifesting no respect for fundamental human rights of any kind. Any expression of dissent is liable to lead to arrest and ill-treatment."Yet another of its articles points out that regardless of this "the Houthis are establishing legitimacy through their active resistance on behalf of the Palestinian people…" This sentiment is echoed in Common Dreams, noting that " The people in these regions have been subjected...]]>782cleanfullWhither the Left? Ukraine and Palestine Activismhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/whither-the-left-ukraine-and-palestine-activism--59145663
This is my revised foreword of Peace in Ukraine: Victory Over the New Fascism, Book Three of the series United Resistance Support Archive. Full audio books pending!
The series has a focus on debunking the myths that are advanced to shift blame for Russian imperialism onto NATO, America, Europe, and everyone but the actual aggressors.
Examine the motives behind the ideology of Eurasianism, which seeks to center Moscow as "the New Rome"...
Uncover the stark realities tearing apart the antiwar movement worldwide: dark money...
The Western left's current polarization over the Ukraine issue has roots ...
The antiwar movement finds itself now impaled on the horns of a dilemma: how to resist the McCarthyism threatened ...

The books which this podcast introduces neatly debunks the political mythologies which paper over the horrors of the "multipolar" authoritarian regimes Your reviews and feedback are appreciated. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59145663Sat, 23 Mar 2024 09:11:50 +0000Geof Bard- This is my revised foreword of Peace in Ukraine: Victory Over the New Fascism, Book Three of the series https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C89NMWB4?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkin. Full audio books pending! The series has a focus on...
This is my revised foreword of Peace in Ukraine: Victory Over the New Fascism, Book Three of the series United Resistance Support Archive. Full audio books pending!
The series has a focus on debunking the myths that are advanced to shift blame for Russian imperialism onto NATO, America, Europe, and everyone but the actual aggressors.
Examine the motives behind the ideology of Eurasianism, which seeks to center Moscow as "the New Rome"...
Uncover the stark realities tearing apart the antiwar movement worldwide: dark money...
The Western left's current polarization over the Ukraine issue has roots ...
The antiwar movement finds itself now impaled on the horns of a dilemma: how to resist the McCarthyism threatened ...

The books which this podcast introduces neatly debunks the political mythologies which paper over the horrors of the "multipolar" authoritarian regimes Your reviews and feedback are appreciated. ]]>782authoritarianism,books,disinformation,euromaidan,europe,fascism,history,imperialism,left,peace,russia,socialism,ukraine,warclean11full