Isabelle McEwen

"The made-for-media theatrics on Capitol Hill were not an attempted "coup". Coups are what the CIA stages all over the world. Neither was "democracy" in peril. What democracy? And Trump is no more than a caricature of a system of which Biden, Obama, Bush etc are the embodiment." (John Pilger)

"If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery-isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is."

Three days ago the investigative journalist, author and filmmaker Andre Vltchek died, whom I had the great honour to meet. He was only 57 years old, his death shook me. I am infinitely sad. Andre Vltchek was an uncompromising critic of the Western, imperialist and capitalist world order and a constant inspiration to me for years. And he will remain so. That your words, Andre, will live long in our hearts!

What we do know is that they came for the artists too.

Choo Chon Kai (Parti Sosialis Malaysia, Malaysia), Freedom of choice?, 2020