RT presenter Abby Martin has bought herself a reputation as a 9/11 sceptic and a vocal opponent of Israeli‘s policies .Tuesday, she denounced Russian action in Crimea while she was live on air.
She said she ‘would not sit here and apologise or defend (Russian) military aggression,’ before saying her ‘heart went out’ to the Ukrainian people whom she described as ‘the real losers here.’ Ms Martin hosts on the American version of the channel and made her statement at the end of her show.
She said: ‘Before I wrap up the show, I wanted to say something from my heart about the ongoing political crisis in Ukraine and Russia’s military occupation of Crimea. ‘Just because I work here, for RT, doesn’t mean I don’t have editorial independence and I can’t stress enough how strongly I am against any military intervention in sovereign nations’ affairs.’
‘What Russia did is wrong!’
Following Martin’s announcement, many western media outlets were quick to denounce the ‘Kremlin’s funded’ TV network and its authoritarian manner, but the fact that Martin openly criticised the Russian government proves the opposite. Martin’s statement means that Russia is far more respectful of freedom of speech and thought than our so called ‘Free West.’
Can you imagine a BBC presenter standing up against the British Government? Not anymore I guess. In the continent, the clumsy ‘socialist’ French Government couldn’t even tolerate the quanelle. The French media remained silent when France Government launch a war against Dieudonne, France’s most popular Comedian. And what about Fox /CNN News, do they denounce American interventionism in such an open manner?
Truth, must be said, Martin’s TV appearance yesterday may suggest that Russia is now more tolerant and pluralist than the West.
But Martin failed to convey elementary political wisdom. ‘I admittedly don’t know as much as I should about Ukraine’s history or the cultural dynamics of the region, but what I do know is that military intervention is never the answer,” she said.
Like Martin, I also oppose any from of intervention, however, I try to not to comment publically on issues I know little about. There is something that must be highlighted about the Russian operation in Crimea. Though, it looks like a military invasion, so far it hasn’t involved any violence on the part of the Russians. I guess that the situation is volatile and this can change any second. But we also have to remember that unlike the Zionised West that is quick to use vast and lethal fire power that leaves countries in a state of carnage for decades, the Russians are operating in Crimea under a heavy smoke screen, they are supported by local militias and so far, they have achieved their military and political goals without fatalities. Let’s hope that the situation remains the same.
Gilad Atzmon is an Israeli jazz musician, author and political activist. His new book, “The Wandering Who,” may be ordered from amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
Can we please put the brakes on the kudos for Abby Martin and Liz Wahl for their “moral compass moments” with regards to the Ukraine/Crimea situation? It’s one thing if these journalists had their facts straight and spoke out. But they did not. Russian troops aren’t storming into Ukraine or Crimea. Russia already had military bases there. The US/EU junta instigated all the turmoil in the areas in order to isolate Russia and “capture” Ukraine to benefit the US/EU neoliberal/neocon agenda. If Russia or any other nation did the same to the US, would Martin and Wahl feel the same way when US troops took a defensive or even offensive stance? RT is being infiltrated by US covert ops because the channel is gaining viewers who left behind the propaganda and outright lies of the US mainstream media. Guests such as Wayne Madsen and Ray McGovern are showing up less often than they did when RT first appeared. Max Keiser’s show used to be aired in prime time, now Martin and CNN pablum host Larry King occupy Keiser’s nightime spot. There’s even a disclaimer before the Keiser Report saying the views expressed on the show don’t necessarily reflect those of RT management. Now, two journalists on RT are sounding like refugees (or wannabe bobble heads) for Fox and MSNBC.