#236 | The Toxic Gift That Keeps On Giving: Coming Atrocities w/ Kollibri terre Sonnenblume

Intro: 13:19 | Book Pre-sale

In this episode, I speak with prolific writer and dissident Kollibri terre Sonnenblume. We discuss two articles he recently published, the first ‘Russiagate: The Toxic Gift That Keeps on Giving’ published at Counterpunch, and ‘Coming Atrocities’ published on his website.

We begin this discussion by addressing the McCarthy-era tactics, other forms of character assassination, the corporate media and the DNC have directed against the Bernie Sanders campaign as we approach the 2020 presidential election in November. As Kollibri lays out in his article for Counterpunch:

“The new McCarthyism that accompanied Russiagate has exacted a terribly corrosive effect on political and social discourse, besides the damage it has incurred on alternative media. Anyone disagreeing with the mainline neoliberal Democratic agenda runs the risk of being slandered as a “Russian bot,” “Russian asset,” “Putin puppet” or something else equally as asinine. Maligning dissent—or even merely progressive ideas—with this childish name-calling has become a casual liberal pastime. The range of discussion, which was already far too narrow, has constricted further. Right at a time when the dire state of the planet’s ecosystem and the ability of humans to survive within it requires creativity and big ideas, we’ve been subjected to smack-downs and small-mindedness. It’s enraging, frankly.” (http://bit.ly/38MX8hc)

After addressing this topic, we move into the massive level of environmental deregulation that has occurred under the Trump Administration and what is currently at stake in this election, as Kollibri addresses in his article ‘Coming Atrocities’:

“Without even talking about climate change, the atrocities that are about to go down on public land are breathtaking in their severity and scope. The sociopathic billionaires who run this racket are apparently aiming to strip the continent clean. It’s shocking, saddening and enraging. […] The fact remains, though, that environmentally, we are on the verge of losing alot. Like alot alot. Species will go extinct. Entire ecosystems will disappear.” (http://bit.ly/2TKdTW7)

Kollibri terre Sonnenblume is a writer, photographer, tree hugger, animal lover, and dissident. Past experiences include urban bike farmer, Indymedia activist, and music critic. Kollibri holds a BA in “Writing Fiction & Non-fiction” from the St. Olaf Paracollege in Northfield, Minnesota.

Episode Notes:

- Read ‘Russiagate: The Toxic Gift That Keeps on Giving’ and ‘Coming Atrocities’: http://bit.ly/38MX8hc / http://bit.ly/2TKdTW7

- Learn more about Kollibri and follow his work: https://macskamoksha.com

- The song featured in this episode is “For Our Pockets (IV)” by I.E. Kokoro from the album Decalogue: https://iekokoro.com/album/decalogue