Cuba has survived more than 40 years of US sanctions intended to topple the government of Fidel Castro. It also defied predictions that it would not survive the collapse of its one-time supporter, the Soviet Union. but it has

Its a country and a story that has many contradictions and some argue that the U.S. sanctions have helped the communist regime there by providing a scapegoat for some of the hardships.  Despite this the words against the government are rare in a country that claims to have a bottom up ruling power.  In the west we are lead to believe this is an oppressive communist state.  A group of Cuban speakers are touring the U.K. at the moment extolling the virtues of their country and explaining the truth about the hardship caused by the blockade and the unfair treatment of their citizens held in american jails for 10 years.   After 49 years Fidel Castro has stood down as leader of Cuba and at the exact moment they were to decide who would lead the country Mike Dawson was speaking to Dr Jesus Pastor Garcia Brigos.  He had literally just finished speaking to a packed house in Manchester where many mancunians were turned away at the door because it was so busy.  Find about Cuba and the blockade at www.ratb.org.uk or find them on our friends page at www.gsfcuk.com Below is the full uneditted interview and of course your comments are welcome. 

 Mike Dawson interviews Dr Jesus Brigos [12:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Apologies for the sound quality but worth persevering just the same.

Paul Flynn is an MP for Newport Gwent and has a lot to say about most things, however he was on the show to discuss his comments on what he called “Pharmageddon”.  The health service is now spending ten billion pounds a year on prescription drugs.  These drugs are over marketed by the drug companies who are “robbing the health service” of essential treatments.  Whilst the drug companies continue to lobby parliament by financing individual pressure groups the drugs they produce are not living up to expectations and in many cases harming humans.   Paul Flynn has an excellent record in parliament for supporting animals and a reduction in vivisection.

“We should reduce to the absolute minimum the tests we do on animals most of the tests are of little value anyway,…  thalidomide was tested on animals”

“All the animal tests are defective and some of them are completely useless”

“Animal abuse on a vast scale”

Mike Dawson discusses the issues with Paul Flynn M.P. and you can check out his blog at www.paulflynnmp.co.uk  or leave your comments here

 Paul Flynn Interview [15:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Alan White has been described as one of the greatest drummers in the business.  His CV is like a whos who of rock and roll including Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton and of course rock giants YES.  Not withstanding the fact that he played drums on the John Lennon Imagine album and toured with them after the beatles split.  He was visiting the uk to promote his new band “White” who have a new album out now. No plans for any tour in the UK but Alan talks about the new band, His relationship with Lennon and the Progressive rock giants Yes.

 Alan White Interview [13:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Hello and welcome to the all new blog and podcast.  It came as some surprise to find we could detect the number of downloads and listeners here.  We were genuinely flabbergasted at the numbers and so many thanks for your interest.  The figures we have of course do not include itunes etc.  It seems fitting then to improve the podcast now with online playing, more regular content and registration free comments. (once your first is approved your free)

I recently commented in fun how we regularly follow mixed government advice which often changes over time.  Examples being weight, sunshine, 5 a day.  Once the government media machine kicks in they soon change our attitudes.  I now tut tut in disgust when I see someone driving whilst on a mobile phone when once I would have concidered it an everyday sight. Bearing in mind the evidence seems quite flimsy as to mobile related deaths.  However the government seem to have overstepped the mark this time by suggesting that bacon is cancer related.  Outragous, I was amused at the wholesale outrage expressed in the press as overweight, pudding eating, smoking chef’s praised the benefits of a full meat diet.  Many of them brought up on it and screamed ”its never done me no harm” (Check your waist mate) “Bacon butties are a british institution”

Another such example is Cannabis smoking, in my youth it was only boring government officials who wanted us to stop smoking it even thought they did.  I know loads of coppers hey even the queen likes a spliff etc etc.  They knew it would open our minds and help us see through their synical control mechanisms and have a good time. It was harmless and in fact beneficial in many cases.  We were proud to show our hippy status by wearing pictures of the leaf at every opportunity. These things we all took as fact.  Now, now well its all changed. Smoking weed will drive you insane if it hasn’t already, its related to mental illness and will make you skitts!!

One high profile organisation at the time was the legalise cannabis campaign.  So we looked em up and found the legalise cannabis alliance.  Mike Dawson was lucky enough to speak to Alun Buffry who was involved in much of the origional campaigning to find out how or why we are now thinking differently about cannabis as the demon weed.

Is it really that bad for us, worse than cigs, alcohol?

http://www.lca-uk.org

http://www.myspace.com/cannabis_people_uk

http://www.talktofrank.com/home_html.aspx

 Interview with Alun Buffry - Legalise Cannabis Alliance [11:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download