First of all, I believe I am the ignorant commenter to whom you referred in this post. I imagine that if Trump had somehow managed to hold onto office in 2020 with his claims of a stolen election, I might well have reacted with ambivalence if some foreign power came in and removed him (provided that they then promptly got the hell out of my country). So let me acknowledge probable error when I suggested that even Maduro's opponents will be shooting at us.
That said, however, I cannot imagine their likely ambivalence lasting very long if Trump tries taking over Venezuela's oil production. Moreover, Maduro could not have held onto power were he utterly without support. In sum, this may mean fewer people trying to kill our troops, but that doesn't really address my main point, which was that if our sons and daughters are going to be shot at, our Constitution envisions the People's representatives having some say about that. I take heart in this regard from your point about troops on the ground requiring an act of Congress.
Given our experience in Iraq, where removing Saddam Hussein from power was met with every bit as much enthusiasm as we are now seeing on the streets of Caracas, I am floored by how short some people's memory seems to be. If all Trump has done is go in and extract the subject of a criminal indictment, bringing him here to stand trial while leaving the governing of Venezuela to Venezuelans, fine. But if anyone thinks that any nation of color is going to willingly tolerate the Great White Father coming in to run their country for them, while taking their natural resources as compensation for his trouble, don't be surprised if we end up with some dead Americans.
Finally, unless I am reading this wrong, I could not help but note your rebranding of people (like Steve Bannon and Marjorie Taylor Greene) as hating America, who were formerly welcome members of MAGA, for failing to fall in line behind policies with which they disagree. I cannot believe the words I am now writing in defense of someone with whom I so often disagree. However, Steve Bannon once wore the uniform of his country. No one who has not bothered to do as much has any right to question his love of country. People on the right really need to stop with this most pernicious of ad hominem attacks. With very few exceptions, we all love this country. WE JUST DISAGREE.
And it is also a shame that so many so-called Republicans love Donald Trump more than they love America. This they proved by nominating an insurrectionist for POTUS.
Once again Erick, your comments are dead on correct. Trump may not always be politically correct with his comments, but this was a move that will help more than just the Venezuelans....it will help the world by removing the Maduro blight. I salute Donald Trump for his actions in Venezuela 🇺🇸 👏 👍
The "Woke Reich" is the new buzzword. That's a fantastic turn of phrase, Erick. You have those who are counter voices to you on your Substack, paying hate-readers if you will. I wonder if they will hypocritically come out in support of a leader who actually does all the things they claim (without evidence) Trump "would do"? I'm willing to accept their contrite admission that they like Trump deposing a man who actually did stay in power after he lost an election, unlike Donald Trump. That isn't an admission they like Trump, just what he did. I'll wager they can't though, or there's a "yeah but" in there somewhere. We'll see. Regardless, I love being taken seriously again on the world stage as a country instead of a nap time, drooling, laughing stock that can't find their way off the world stage without help.
Erick, I wonder whether a Freudian psychoanalyst would consider today's post more projection or transference. Either way, it's straight propaganda mixed with some comedy gold, as the following sentence made me literally laugh out loud (or, as the kids like to say, LOL): "Biden always presumed he knew best." You disciples of Orange Jesus might be brainwashed...but at least you make me smile.
On to Venezuela. First off, exactly zero federal democratic lawmakers are calling for the return of Maduro to Venezuela, yet you're back to your daily habit of taking a few fringe voices from the far left and categorizing the entire "Left" or "Democrats" or "Progressives" as having this view. At the same time, you are dismissing the literal heart of the MAGA movement - Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson - as "kooks" who should not be listened to. Dude, every single Trump voter on this page used to froth over Tucker's nightly lies and conspiracies on Fox News, while Orange Jesus himself has been used, at times, as a mouthpiece and megaphone for Bannon's political philosophies.
Almost unanimously, and counter to your propaganda, mainstream Democrats are glad that a ruthless, lawless dictator is no longer in power in Venezuela. The big question with Venezuela is, "Now What?" Trump says the the US will "run" Venezuela, a sentiment that you dismiss as needing Congressional approval. When has the need for Congressional approval previously prevented the Trump administration from doing anything? Moreover, you say, "what we want is the restoration of a lawful government," yet you ignore the fact that The Trump administration is completely dismissing the lawful winners of Venezuela's most recent election (at least according to virtually all international observers, including the US). Clearly, in Trump's simple, corrupt mind, Venezuela = Oil = Money. This isn't about freedom, or drug trafficking, or law. It's about corruption. Trump will support whichever regime in Venezuela gives him and his cronies and donors direct access to Venezuela's resources.
Just amplifying one of Dan's more important points, defending Venezuela's right of sovereignty is not the same as support for Maduro. I hardly hear anybody supporting Maduro.
The winner of the 2024 Venezuelan election is in exile in Spain. Rubio was on Meet the Press and stated that much of, if not all, of the opposition is no longer there (not to mentionthose imprisoned and killed). They really shouldn't come back until their safety is more secure and right now, it isn't. My son has a Venezuelan follower on X who put his account to private because people who have expressed support for Maduro's ouster are being hunted down. Rubio is the one who has the details worth listening to.
As for the oil, that was the accusation re: Iraq and it never happened. Of course, Russia, Iran, China - they weren't at all interested in that sanctioned oil, right?
You forget that we had American companies who put in the equity of exploring, setting up infrastructure, and pumping the oil there. Then Chavez nationalized the companies and kicked out the owners and managers. So, I'm for those companies' property being returned to them. That's not Trump and the government getting it, that's setting right a wrong.
Nathan, my apologies that my public high school vocabulary is bit challenging for your limited reading comprehension skills. See Jeff's response for clarity.
As for your first question, you directly answered it with your second paragraph. Man, you Trumptards are dumb.
Actually, I take that last part back. I shouldn't fault you disciples of Orange Jesus for your lack of education and susceptibility to brainwashing. It is what it is.
Dan, I do not consider myself a "MAGA" nor a "Trumptard" and I resent the devil out of you referring to our President Trump as a "Orange Jesus" and resent it more that I may even think of him as that. Have you no manners that you must resort to name calling continuously? I simply think you are a Demobrat nothing more nor nothing less, so lets stop referring to us with the derogative names which are childish, and please leave JESUS WHO IS MY LORD AND SAVIOR OUT OF YOU HATEFILLED COMMENTS. Thank you now go and have a Happy New Year, it may help your attitude.
Lesley, let's make a deal: when so-called "Christians" stop embracing a person whose entire being is completely antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and stop worshipping said person by claiming that he has been anointed and sent by God to save America, I will stop referring to him as Orange Jesus. I promise.
You misunderstood his point. He’s saying that the opposition (Urrutia) was the legitimate winner of that election (ie not Maduro) but that the Trump administration is not supporting Urrutia becoming president now. Instead they installed Maduro’s VP as president.
Uhhhh...here's a fact that matters. Venezuela held a democratic election, and 70% of the population voted for Maduro's opposition. However, aside from claiming that the US will now "run" Venezuela, your Orange Jesus also made it clear that this exceptionally popular opposition party is unwelcome in Venezuelan politics. Of course, he lied - as he always does - to justify this decision, stating the opposition "does not have the approval or 'respect' of the people." Instead, with tacit US approval, the Maduro supreme court installed the Maduro VP as the interim leader. Gee, I wonder why the Trump administration is sidlining the opposition in favor of the Maduro lackeys. Perhaps we should OIL put our heads together to come up with the answer!
Maybe we should just let your Orange Jesus speak for himself. You MAGAs like to "do your own research."
1. On opposition leader Maria Corina Machado: She "doesn't have the support or the respect within the country" and it would be ""very tough for her to be the leader."
2. On interim president Delcy Rodriguez: “She’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again," but, "if she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro"
3. On Venezuelan oil: "We're going to be taking a tremendous amount of wealth out of the ground, and that wealth is going to the people of Venezuela, and people from outside of Venezuela that used to be in Venezuela, and it goes also to the United States of America in the form of reimbursement for the damages caused us by that country"
My concern is the amount of "nation-building" (or rebuilding, as the case may be) we'll be called to do. Also, with much opposition in Venezuela, are we setting ourselves up for another Iraq/Afghanistan? I'd like to see (or know of) the plan.
I'm old enough to remember Venezuela as an "emergent democracy" in the early 1960s. In the words of that philosopher Jake Holman from the book/movie "The Sand Pebbles", "What the hell happened?"
I visited Caracas for a week in 1990. It was an amazing place and 180 degrees from where it is today. I don't think "nation building" will be done. I do believe repairing the stolen American petroleum property will be done, and Trump has already said any rebuilding will be done with proceeds form Venezuelan oil sales, not American tax dollars. How is it a bad thing if we help them return to the prosperity they once had, which I have seen first hand?
Then in 1998, Venezuelan voters drank the Kool-Aid and voted for Hugo Chavez and his "Socialist Political Project" or "Bolivarian Revolution".
It didn't take them long to discover that they had screwed themselves.
In 1940, Argentina was one of the most prosperous and productive countries on Earth. Their navy was actually the 8th largest on the seas.
In the 1970's, they voted for the so-called "democratic socialists".... they fell into ruin and have never fully recovered.
Always remember: Socialism is for the masses, not the socialists. It is not something that's done FOR you, it's done TO you. And while it's easy to vote your way into socialism, you have to shoot your way out of it (or have someone else do it for you!)
You forgot the first time the Perons were in charge in the 40s, then they (new wife) came back in the 70s. The Peronist party was in power before the most recent one.
S. America vasilates between nationalism and socialism. It's maddening.
Miss Venezuela always used to win the the Miss Universe pageant and they had some great baseball players. I hope it is able to return to its former glory.
Not necessarily saying it is a bad thing. But I don't want to reprise the Iraq experience. If we can help them to do the work themselves, rather than maintain a "garrison state". As I put in my comment, I also remember when in the early 1960s, it was a leading example as a democratic Latin American country, which was rare in those days.
I can agree with that, but as Erick pointed out the bad actors from three other countries that helped prop up Maduro against his own people are still there. I'll wager if the populace of Venezuela see America openly back their reforms up to and including troops, if needed, they'll take care of business themselves. Venezuelans are every bit as ruggedly independent as Americans when the need arises, and the need has arisen.
The ironies and contradictions coming from The Left are something to behold. In early December the meme was that the Dems were winning back the Latino vote because …….reasons. Today, hardly a month later, Maduro is deposed, the Latins are celebrating in the streets, and the left is castigating Trump’s actions and demanding Maduro’s return. Could someone explain to me how this is a winning strategy?
"The left," by which I assume you mean all Democrats, are not "demanding Maduro's return" any more than "the right" is supporting Putin in his invasion of Ukraine. Painting the nut cases on the fringe of either party does not accurately reflect the opinion of the parties as a whole.
Bad assumption SP. I’d expect you to do better than this. I was speaking more of the optics. You know, the stuff one sees coming from the MSM. With the year end holidays, I was not able to poll all Democrats.
I stand by my assumption, as it was a logical one, based upon your comment as written. If you were speaking of optics, perhaps you should have said so. But if you want to backtrack now, that is fine.
Superb commentary…the “woke reich” and other correct descriptions. Given the vitriol and folly of those opposing him, President Trump is obviously doing right in removing a threat to the United States.
All the Iranian, Russian and Chinese assets in Venezuela need to be removed one way or another. All the drug cartels operating there need to be eliminated.
The Democratic Party proves itself once again to be in the clutches of a rabid, suicidal, destructive spiral aligned with drug dealers, dictators, and merchants of death and destruction. The party of Richard Russell, Scoop Jackson, John Stennis, Jennings Randolph, Lyndon Johnson, John McCormack, George Smathers, and Hubert Humphrey has been obliterated by what we see too often rampaging on our streets and, sadly, by some sitting in Congress.
It’s always interesting to read the list of sponsors in the box at the bottom of the yellow and black signs at the far left rallies. The kooks and the ‘keepers of odd knowledge’ indeed.
I just glanced at the NYT Opinion page and saw no call for Maduro to be reinstated. Rather, there seemed to be quite a bit of concern that Trump might turn Venezuela into another Iraq, not a hysterical concern given his irresponsible statements about the USA "running the country" and taking its oil. Also, there was concern that this action by the US provides Putin with a major "what about" when defending his actions in Ukraine. These are valid concerns, rather than examples of "the left" excuse-making and/or supporting a communist dictator. If we want an example of that, just look at Trump's feeble stand against Putin. Regarding the future of Venezuela, Trump would do himself a big favor if he'd just put Marco in charge and keep his mouth shut.
Moreover, should we get tied down militarily in Venezuela and given the implicit "green light" that we are flashing in Trump's attitude toward Putin's invasion of Ukraine, there could be no better time for the Chinese to make their move on Taiwan.
Watched CNN and ABC off and on yesterday. Didn't hear a single person lamenting the loss of Maduro, most glad he was gone. Plenty of skepticism about getting our oil companies in (price of oil is too low and extracting from there is too costly) and truly governing that country. Best take I heard was that if the military is kept intact would be a good thing. (Bush disbanded military in Iraq and they became insurgents.) This is the first inning of a long game. Reserve judgment.
Indeed, I was with EE in reading his analysis, nodding in agreement until I got to one of the most retarded sentences, and had to seriously pause before continuing:
“The left is, yet again, exposing itself as anti-American..in the streets of our nation’s cities, they are praising Maduro and attacking Trump.”
True nonsense.
EE seems to have this compulsive streak to regularly chime in that we are reminded that “progressives” HATE America. That word, hate, pops up numerous times in his column today. I counted.
True nonsense again.
I personally don’t know too many people, left or right, who HATE America. Maybe all of you know such groups.. Upset, confused or spent? Sure. Such is life.
I read him because he’s a sharp guy. Most of the time. Calling out others to say they hate their country-repeatedly- is troglodytic, which he’s not.
But, hey, it’s his column, not mine. I’m just a ‘common ‘tater’…
You disagreed with EE's comment here “ 'The left is, yet again, exposing itself as anti-American...' "
"True nonsense."
I gave you specifics as to how what he said is true and that it is quite sensible to come to the conclusion he did. So, my comment was directly addressing yours.
I assume you don't know these groups and individuals personally, but, nevertheless, they are actually anti-American. They side with our enemies and wish/work for our downfall. It's not just a disagreement.
EE has spoken on multiple occasions about loving your neighbor and avoiding the ad hominem trap. To see others as individuals. But, in this case, it's not a personal insult - it's their worldview and at the core of their motis operandi.
Interestingly, he called those Commies and Socialists showing up to support a dictator anti-American; he specifically reserved the word "hate" for those on our right flank, though I think they're basically synonyms. I don't think all the kooks on the far-Right hate America in the same way nor wish her demise, but that's what would happen were their wishes fulfilled; I think their reactionism is causing them to begin the journey the far-Left began decades ago, thereby leading them to hate the good America has done (by rewriting history), praising, sympathizing, and embracing our enemies, and desirous to dismantle those things that shouldn't be (due to the aforementioned).
They will end up at the same place as the far-Left because it's the same path - and turns into a horseshoe. Tucker claims a love of the West, but says Russia should be our #1 ally & embraces authoritarianism & illiberalism (why I won't vote for Vance). It's just a matter of time before Candace renounces her citizenship & becomes a British subject because "the jooz" must have orchestrated our independence since Haym Salomon was a crucial financier for it.
They've both developed a new-found admiration for Islamists.
Just as we were told anti-Zionism isn't antisemitism, we knew better. Those on our flank claim to be pro-America, but EE doesn't believe them, either.
I think Ben Shapiro sufficiently communicated the case against them at TPUSA.
Thanks for your measured reply, Rachel, all well understood. You’re right; I don’t know any of them personally. Nor do you nor does EE. So I can’t profess to know who hates their country as opposed to agitating or expressing anger. Reminds me of the 60’s with the older generation talking about “them long haired, country -‘hatin’ hippies.” Or hell, back to the Wobblies. Or WJ Bryan, Father Coughlin, Lindbergh, take your pick, ain’t much changed, has it.
A) I was replying to his implicit remark-which you mentioned-that criticism of Trump over Venezuela was anti American. I see hardly anyone in the streets here supporting Maduro. However,criticising the status quo is alive and well, the American way, no? Anger isn’t hatred, last I checked.
B) My other comment-which you may have conflated-was under the Show Notes yesterday (Tim Walz, Somalis) as the date in the video was wrong and thus gave a skewed impression of time frames, and was pointing out that we can all make such mistakes but to rectify it, lest people get the wrong impression.
I read him for the same reason. It is somewhat beneath his intellect to resort to the ad hominem of describing those with whom he disagrees in such inaccurate and incendiary terms.
We’re in a world of ad hominem attacks, vitriol and spite. Quite a sight. And it’s exclusively online. How odd is that. With a President leading the charge of obnoxious posts.
EE posted a video that was false today. Still waiting for his busy researchers to address it, but it’s [nearly] yesterday’s news.
Everyone today is an immediate expert on every topic known to man. It’s exhausting. And that is…misguided 🙄
My personal interpretation is that "hate" is shorthand for "misguided." I agree with you that very few people actually hate America. However, there are significant differences between left and right which include 1.) the interpretation of the Constitution - strict constructionism vs a living document which should be periodically revisited and revamped; 2.) limited gov't vs big gov't; 3.) capitalism vs socialism; and perhaps most important of all, 4.) the interpretation of human nature (i.e., leftists tend to see capitalists as greedy bastards who gain their wealth on the backs of the downtrodden while politicians have hearts of gold and want nothing but the best for people). This last one DOES create a righteous indignation which can lead to hate, as evidenced by the left's views of DJT. If one truly believes DJT is Hitler 2.0, is it any wonder they would hate the guy and anything he stands for?
Historically, those "differences between left and right" have been the driving force behind the collective genius of the American experiment. We would not be what we are, had either side been able to prevail all the time. For this reason, I cherish those differences.
Thank you for your comments, Tucker. Let me reply in kind.
A) He could have used ‘misguided’, but didn’t. Hating one’s country is quite different than being mad at an administration, which is as American as apple pie. Repeatedly using ‘hate’ in his column is eking towards a dog-whistle approach of ‘us vs them’ when in fact MOST Americans are moderate. We’ve been hijacked by those with the loudest megaphones until we believe that others are hateful. ‘Tain’t so..
B) Small vs big govt is an old shibboleth. The truth is, as it usually is, somewhere in the middle. To wit, the administration wants no AI regulation, whereas most of the public does. Or energy, or pollution, take your pick. It’s a dynamic that is necessary for a democracy to thrive —and legislate (rather than EO’s)
C) The wealth divide will rent asunder the country. It id no longer the rant against greedy capitalists, but that a huge swath of the US that are falling behind financially (which EE regularly reminds us of,rightly so) and a larger number of multi billionaires who think they have the answers to the country’s ills.
That’s a good recipe for another French Revolution, and you can hear it, left and right. It’s building. Not sustainable that so many people in this country need so much help, whether food or health care or basic shelter.
D) Trump and his family have benefited financially by billions. Your Hitlerian analogy is, IMO, overwrought-although I take your point that there are always some who do so. Meh.
I don’t care for him or his Cabinet quislings, that’s true. But it’s such a quantum leap to dislike the present govt to spouting off about hating one’s country. (If I didn’t like Biden, did I hate my country? Spare me )
Most Americans have more in common than not. We’ve been inundated by pearl-clutchers on both sides, and need to remind ourselves of our better angels, not spiteful utterances.
Points well-made and taken, perhaps none more so than your final comment about Americans having more in common than not. I have seen multiple surveys over the past 25 years that indicate Americans generally agree on 75% of all issues presented in the survey.
If indeed those surveys have merit-which I believe is the case-then we all have to to try and regain some semblance of balance, brick by brick, and remind ourselves of what we share in common with others.
That’s usually not hatred of country but ‘live and let live’ without passing immediate judge and jury dictates on others.
As Spencer Cox said, less social media, it’s toxic-go out and touch grass. One small step to heal ourselves-and each other.
First of all, I believe I am the ignorant commenter to whom you referred in this post. I imagine that if Trump had somehow managed to hold onto office in 2020 with his claims of a stolen election, I might well have reacted with ambivalence if some foreign power came in and removed him (provided that they then promptly got the hell out of my country). So let me acknowledge probable error when I suggested that even Maduro's opponents will be shooting at us.
That said, however, I cannot imagine their likely ambivalence lasting very long if Trump tries taking over Venezuela's oil production. Moreover, Maduro could not have held onto power were he utterly without support. In sum, this may mean fewer people trying to kill our troops, but that doesn't really address my main point, which was that if our sons and daughters are going to be shot at, our Constitution envisions the People's representatives having some say about that. I take heart in this regard from your point about troops on the ground requiring an act of Congress.
Given our experience in Iraq, where removing Saddam Hussein from power was met with every bit as much enthusiasm as we are now seeing on the streets of Caracas, I am floored by how short some people's memory seems to be. If all Trump has done is go in and extract the subject of a criminal indictment, bringing him here to stand trial while leaving the governing of Venezuela to Venezuelans, fine. But if anyone thinks that any nation of color is going to willingly tolerate the Great White Father coming in to run their country for them, while taking their natural resources as compensation for his trouble, don't be surprised if we end up with some dead Americans.
Finally, unless I am reading this wrong, I could not help but note your rebranding of people (like Steve Bannon and Marjorie Taylor Greene) as hating America, who were formerly welcome members of MAGA, for failing to fall in line behind policies with which they disagree. I cannot believe the words I am now writing in defense of someone with whom I so often disagree. However, Steve Bannon once wore the uniform of his country. No one who has not bothered to do as much has any right to question his love of country. People on the right really need to stop with this most pernicious of ad hominem attacks. With very few exceptions, we all love this country. WE JUST DISAGREE.
"The Woke Reich"..... that's brilliant!
Watching the weekend shows, I saw a Republican congressman say 'It's a shame that these people hate Donald Trump more than they love America.'
It really is.
I think loving America MEANS hating Donald Trump.
And you're entitled to your opinion... no matter how misguided it is. 😉
💯 💯 💯 🎯 🎯 🎯 👏 👏 👏
And it is also a shame that so many so-called Republicans love Donald Trump more than they love America. This they proved by nominating an insurrectionist for POTUS.
You still watch that edited/doctored BBC tape, don't you?
Once again Erick, your comments are dead on correct. Trump may not always be politically correct with his comments, but this was a move that will help more than just the Venezuelans....it will help the world by removing the Maduro blight. I salute Donald Trump for his actions in Venezuela 🇺🇸 👏 👍
Just saw a meme depicting a booth where the professional protestors were turning in their Hamas flags and receiving their new Venezuelan flags.
I heard protestors on the Beltline this weekend and thought, well that didn't take long.
Not only does money talk, it screams
The "Woke Reich" is the new buzzword. That's a fantastic turn of phrase, Erick. You have those who are counter voices to you on your Substack, paying hate-readers if you will. I wonder if they will hypocritically come out in support of a leader who actually does all the things they claim (without evidence) Trump "would do"? I'm willing to accept their contrite admission that they like Trump deposing a man who actually did stay in power after he lost an election, unlike Donald Trump. That isn't an admission they like Trump, just what he did. I'll wager they can't though, or there's a "yeah but" in there somewhere. We'll see. Regardless, I love being taken seriously again on the world stage as a country instead of a nap time, drooling, laughing stock that can't find their way off the world stage without help.
What an ignorant fool that moronic teacher is and all the idiot sheep cheering.
Erick, I wonder whether a Freudian psychoanalyst would consider today's post more projection or transference. Either way, it's straight propaganda mixed with some comedy gold, as the following sentence made me literally laugh out loud (or, as the kids like to say, LOL): "Biden always presumed he knew best." You disciples of Orange Jesus might be brainwashed...but at least you make me smile.
On to Venezuela. First off, exactly zero federal democratic lawmakers are calling for the return of Maduro to Venezuela, yet you're back to your daily habit of taking a few fringe voices from the far left and categorizing the entire "Left" or "Democrats" or "Progressives" as having this view. At the same time, you are dismissing the literal heart of the MAGA movement - Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson - as "kooks" who should not be listened to. Dude, every single Trump voter on this page used to froth over Tucker's nightly lies and conspiracies on Fox News, while Orange Jesus himself has been used, at times, as a mouthpiece and megaphone for Bannon's political philosophies.
Almost unanimously, and counter to your propaganda, mainstream Democrats are glad that a ruthless, lawless dictator is no longer in power in Venezuela. The big question with Venezuela is, "Now What?" Trump says the the US will "run" Venezuela, a sentiment that you dismiss as needing Congressional approval. When has the need for Congressional approval previously prevented the Trump administration from doing anything? Moreover, you say, "what we want is the restoration of a lawful government," yet you ignore the fact that The Trump administration is completely dismissing the lawful winners of Venezuela's most recent election (at least according to virtually all international observers, including the US). Clearly, in Trump's simple, corrupt mind, Venezuela = Oil = Money. This isn't about freedom, or drug trafficking, or law. It's about corruption. Trump will support whichever regime in Venezuela gives him and his cronies and donors direct access to Venezuela's resources.
Just amplifying one of Dan's more important points, defending Venezuela's right of sovereignty is not the same as support for Maduro. I hardly hear anybody supporting Maduro.
The winner of the 2024 Venezuelan election is in exile in Spain. Rubio was on Meet the Press and stated that much of, if not all, of the opposition is no longer there (not to mentionthose imprisoned and killed). They really shouldn't come back until their safety is more secure and right now, it isn't. My son has a Venezuelan follower on X who put his account to private because people who have expressed support for Maduro's ouster are being hunted down. Rubio is the one who has the details worth listening to.
As for the oil, that was the accusation re: Iraq and it never happened. Of course, Russia, Iran, China - they weren't at all interested in that sanctioned oil, right?
You forget that we had American companies who put in the equity of exploring, setting up infrastructure, and pumping the oil there. Then Chavez nationalized the companies and kicked out the owners and managers. So, I'm for those companies' property being returned to them. That's not Trump and the government getting it, that's setting right a wrong.
Setting right a wrong? Please. Any American company that invested in pumping oil from Venezuela got their investment back many times over.
Nathan, my apologies that my public high school vocabulary is bit challenging for your limited reading comprehension skills. See Jeff's response for clarity.
As for your first question, you directly answered it with your second paragraph. Man, you Trumptards are dumb.
Actually, I take that last part back. I shouldn't fault you disciples of Orange Jesus for your lack of education and susceptibility to brainwashing. It is what it is.
Cheers!
Dude, I'm laughing out loud at this response. So much lack of self-awareness. I "heart" MAGA!!!
Dan, I do not consider myself a "MAGA" nor a "Trumptard" and I resent the devil out of you referring to our President Trump as a "Orange Jesus" and resent it more that I may even think of him as that. Have you no manners that you must resort to name calling continuously? I simply think you are a Demobrat nothing more nor nothing less, so lets stop referring to us with the derogative names which are childish, and please leave JESUS WHO IS MY LORD AND SAVIOR OUT OF YOU HATEFILLED COMMENTS. Thank you now go and have a Happy New Year, it may help your attitude.
Lesley, let's make a deal: when so-called "Christians" stop embracing a person whose entire being is completely antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and stop worshipping said person by claiming that he has been anointed and sent by God to save America, I will stop referring to him as Orange Jesus. I promise.
ps. Happy New Year to you!
OK, you heart MAGA. Keep making sense, Dan.
You misunderstood his point. He’s saying that the opposition (Urrutia) was the legitimate winner of that election (ie not Maduro) but that the Trump administration is not supporting Urrutia becoming president now. Instead they installed Maduro’s VP as president.
Uhhhh...here's a fact that matters. Venezuela held a democratic election, and 70% of the population voted for Maduro's opposition. However, aside from claiming that the US will now "run" Venezuela, your Orange Jesus also made it clear that this exceptionally popular opposition party is unwelcome in Venezuelan politics. Of course, he lied - as he always does - to justify this decision, stating the opposition "does not have the approval or 'respect' of the people." Instead, with tacit US approval, the Maduro supreme court installed the Maduro VP as the interim leader. Gee, I wonder why the Trump administration is sidlining the opposition in favor of the Maduro lackeys. Perhaps we should OIL put our heads together to come up with the answer!
So with Maduro ousted, his opposition isn’t welcome in politics and Trump wants Maduro’s lackeys in charge. Am I getting it right at last?
Maybe we should just let your Orange Jesus speak for himself. You MAGAs like to "do your own research."
1. On opposition leader Maria Corina Machado: She "doesn't have the support or the respect within the country" and it would be ""very tough for her to be the leader."
2. On interim president Delcy Rodriguez: “She’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again," but, "if she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro"
3. On Venezuelan oil: "We're going to be taking a tremendous amount of wealth out of the ground, and that wealth is going to the people of Venezuela, and people from outside of Venezuela that used to be in Venezuela, and it goes also to the United States of America in the form of reimbursement for the damages caused us by that country"
You're right, but you're still missing Dan's point. Give it a re-read.
Exactly, same confusion same babbling different day.
My concern is the amount of "nation-building" (or rebuilding, as the case may be) we'll be called to do. Also, with much opposition in Venezuela, are we setting ourselves up for another Iraq/Afghanistan? I'd like to see (or know of) the plan.
I'm old enough to remember Venezuela as an "emergent democracy" in the early 1960s. In the words of that philosopher Jake Holman from the book/movie "The Sand Pebbles", "What the hell happened?"
I visited Caracas for a week in 1990. It was an amazing place and 180 degrees from where it is today. I don't think "nation building" will be done. I do believe repairing the stolen American petroleum property will be done, and Trump has already said any rebuilding will be done with proceeds form Venezuelan oil sales, not American tax dollars. How is it a bad thing if we help them return to the prosperity they once had, which I have seen first hand?
In 1990, Venezuela was awesome.
Then in 1998, Venezuelan voters drank the Kool-Aid and voted for Hugo Chavez and his "Socialist Political Project" or "Bolivarian Revolution".
It didn't take them long to discover that they had screwed themselves.
In 1940, Argentina was one of the most prosperous and productive countries on Earth. Their navy was actually the 8th largest on the seas.
In the 1970's, they voted for the so-called "democratic socialists".... they fell into ruin and have never fully recovered.
Always remember: Socialism is for the masses, not the socialists. It is not something that's done FOR you, it's done TO you. And while it's easy to vote your way into socialism, you have to shoot your way out of it (or have someone else do it for you!)
You forgot the first time the Perons were in charge in the 40s, then they (new wife) came back in the 70s. The Peronist party was in power before the most recent one.
S. America vasilates between nationalism and socialism. It's maddening.
The 1970's was the big nail in the coffin though.
Miss Venezuela always used to win the the Miss Universe pageant and they had some great baseball players. I hope it is able to return to its former glory.
Omar Vizquel
Believe it or not, pre-mullah Tehran was the same: Clean, vibrant, cheerful, prosperous. Then the warmth of Islamic collectivism took over.
Yep. Amazing how freedom allows populations to bloom and shoving your ideology down people's throats a la the Woke Reich retards that growth.
Not necessarily saying it is a bad thing. But I don't want to reprise the Iraq experience. If we can help them to do the work themselves, rather than maintain a "garrison state". As I put in my comment, I also remember when in the early 1960s, it was a leading example as a democratic Latin American country, which was rare in those days.
I can agree with that, but as Erick pointed out the bad actors from three other countries that helped prop up Maduro against his own people are still there. I'll wager if the populace of Venezuela see America openly back their reforms up to and including troops, if needed, they'll take care of business themselves. Venezuelans are every bit as ruggedly independent as Americans when the need arises, and the need has arisen.
No one who is "ruggedly independent" wants to see another country's troops on his soil.
Just ask the Venezuelan people how they feel. My Venezuelan friends are very happy. We shall have Arepa and Chicha de Arroz at 4 to celebrate.
Biden is the personification of the Dunning-Kruger effect.
Uhhhhh....didn't we already go over this last week. The entire MAGA movement is Dunning-Kruger in action.
The ironies and contradictions coming from The Left are something to behold. In early December the meme was that the Dems were winning back the Latino vote because …….reasons. Today, hardly a month later, Maduro is deposed, the Latins are celebrating in the streets, and the left is castigating Trump’s actions and demanding Maduro’s return. Could someone explain to me how this is a winning strategy?
"The left," by which I assume you mean all Democrats, are not "demanding Maduro's return" any more than "the right" is supporting Putin in his invasion of Ukraine. Painting the nut cases on the fringe of either party does not accurately reflect the opinion of the parties as a whole.
Bad assumption SP. I’d expect you to do better than this. I was speaking more of the optics. You know, the stuff one sees coming from the MSM. With the year end holidays, I was not able to poll all Democrats.
I stand by my assumption, as it was a logical one, based upon your comment as written. If you were speaking of optics, perhaps you should have said so. But if you want to backtrack now, that is fine.
You are one of my favorite stubborn cusses. happy New Year,my friend.
P.S. I could have been more clear.
Same to you, Kern. ;)
Superb commentary…the “woke reich” and other correct descriptions. Given the vitriol and folly of those opposing him, President Trump is obviously doing right in removing a threat to the United States.
All the Iranian, Russian and Chinese assets in Venezuela need to be removed one way or another. All the drug cartels operating there need to be eliminated.
The Democratic Party proves itself once again to be in the clutches of a rabid, suicidal, destructive spiral aligned with drug dealers, dictators, and merchants of death and destruction. The party of Richard Russell, Scoop Jackson, John Stennis, Jennings Randolph, Lyndon Johnson, John McCormack, George Smathers, and Hubert Humphrey has been obliterated by what we see too often rampaging on our streets and, sadly, by some sitting in Congress.
I always had the utmost respect for Scoop Jackson.
And here’s the sponsors background on the poster
You shared.
Alma de Izote
• Who they are: A Chicago-based Latino / Central American solidarity collective
• Focus: Anti-imperialism, indigenous rights, leftist international solidarity
• Background: Often involved in protests opposing U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, especially Cuba, Venezuela, and Central America
• Orientation: Far-left, anti-U.S. intervention
⸻
ANSWER Coalition
• Full name: Act Now to Stop War and End Racism
• Who they are: A national anti-war protest organization founded after 9/11
• Known for: Large street protests against U.S. military actions (Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Ukraine policy, Venezuela)
• Behind it: Historically linked to Marxist / socialist organizing networks
• Orientation: Explicitly anti-U.S. military and foreign policy
⸻
Anti-War Committee – Chicago
• Who they are: Local Chicago anti-war activist group
• Focus: Protests against U.S. military action, NATO, sanctions, and foreign interventions
• Orientation: Leftist / anti-imperialist
⸻
Black Alliance for Peace
• Who they are: A national Black-led political and activist organization
• Focus: Anti-militarism, abolition of U.S. “imperialism,” opposition to NATO and U.S. foreign bases
• Known positions: Publicly supports governments opposed by the U.S. (including Venezuela, Cuba, Russia-aligned positions)
• Orientation: Radical anti-imperialist, Pan-Africanist
⸻
Chicago Area Peace Action
• Who they are: Long-standing local peace and anti-war coalition
• Focus: Traditional protest activism against war and military spending
• Orientation: Progressive / left-leaning pacifist
⸻
Chicago Committee Against War & Racism (CCAWR)
• Who they are: Chicago-based activist group
• Focus: Linking U.S. foreign policy to domestic racism and policing
• History: Founded during Iraq War protests
• Orientation: Socialist / anti-capitalist
⸻
Chicago Cuba Coalition
• Who they are: Pro-Cuba solidarity organization
• Focus: Ending U.S. sanctions and embargo against Cuba
• Position: Publicly supportive of the Cuban government
• Orientation: Pro-Cuban state, anti-U.S. sanctions
⸻
Illinois Green Party
• Who they are: State branch of the U.S. Green Party
• Focus: Environmentalism, anti-war policy, reduced military spending
• Political role: Third-party political organization
• Orientation: Left-wing / progressive
⸻
La Voz de los Abajos
• Translation: “The Voice of Those Below”
• Who they are: Spanish-language socialist / worker-oriented media & activist collective
• Focus: Labor, anti-capitalism, international solidarity
• Orientation: Socialist / Marxist
⸻
Palestinian Feminist Collective
• Who they are: Advocacy group focused on Palestinian women’s political activism
• Focus: Palestinian liberation through feminist and anti-colonial framing
• Orientation: Strongly anti-Israel, aligned with broader Palestinian activist movements
⸻
Party for Socialism & Liberation (PSL)
• Who they are: U.S. political party
• Ideology: Marxist-Leninist
• Positions: Supports socialist governments (Cuba, Venezuela, China), opposes U.S. capitalism and NATO
• Role: Frequently organizes and funds protests
• Orientation: Revolutionary socialist
⸻
Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM)
• Who they are: International Palestinian activist network
• Focus: Youth-led activism, protests, boycotts
• Orientation: Strongly anti-Israel, anti-Zionist
⸻
Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)
• Who they are: Campus-based student activist organization
• Focus: Palestinian advocacy, BDS movement
• Controversy: Accused by critics of endorsing or excusing extremist rhetoric
• Orientation: Hard-left campus activism
⸻
Total Blackout for Reform
• Who they are: Social-media-driven protest movement
• Focus: Coordinated mass protests, shutdowns, anti-government pressure campaigns
• Orientation: Radical protest activism, anti-establishment
⸻
Big-Picture Takeaway
This is not a neutral peace rally.
The coalition is dominated by:
• Explicitly socialist and Marxist organizations
• Anti-U.S. foreign policy and anti-NATO groups
• Organizations that openly support or defend governments like Venezuela, Cuba, and others opposed by the U.S.
• Groups that merge foreign-policy protests with domestic revolutionary or anti-capitalist goals
It’s always interesting to read the list of sponsors in the box at the bottom of the yellow and black signs at the far left rallies. The kooks and the ‘keepers of odd knowledge’ indeed.
I just glanced at the NYT Opinion page and saw no call for Maduro to be reinstated. Rather, there seemed to be quite a bit of concern that Trump might turn Venezuela into another Iraq, not a hysterical concern given his irresponsible statements about the USA "running the country" and taking its oil. Also, there was concern that this action by the US provides Putin with a major "what about" when defending his actions in Ukraine. These are valid concerns, rather than examples of "the left" excuse-making and/or supporting a communist dictator. If we want an example of that, just look at Trump's feeble stand against Putin. Regarding the future of Venezuela, Trump would do himself a big favor if he'd just put Marco in charge and keep his mouth shut.
Moreover, should we get tied down militarily in Venezuela and given the implicit "green light" that we are flashing in Trump's attitude toward Putin's invasion of Ukraine, there could be no better time for the Chinese to make their move on Taiwan.
Watched CNN and ABC off and on yesterday. Didn't hear a single person lamenting the loss of Maduro, most glad he was gone. Plenty of skepticism about getting our oil companies in (price of oil is too low and extracting from there is too costly) and truly governing that country. Best take I heard was that if the military is kept intact would be a good thing. (Bush disbanded military in Iraq and they became insurgents.) This is the first inning of a long game. Reserve judgment.
Indeed, I was with EE in reading his analysis, nodding in agreement until I got to one of the most retarded sentences, and had to seriously pause before continuing:
“The left is, yet again, exposing itself as anti-American..in the streets of our nation’s cities, they are praising Maduro and attacking Trump.”
True nonsense.
EE seems to have this compulsive streak to regularly chime in that we are reminded that “progressives” HATE America. That word, hate, pops up numerous times in his column today. I counted.
True nonsense again.
I personally don’t know too many people, left or right, who HATE America. Maybe all of you know such groups.. Upset, confused or spent? Sure. Such is life.
I read him because he’s a sharp guy. Most of the time. Calling out others to say they hate their country-repeatedly- is troglodytic, which he’s not.
But, hey, it’s his column, not mine. I’m just a ‘common ‘tater’…
If you walk slowly through the video of the NYC protest, read the sponsors on signs. They actually do hate America. We have:
*Not a sign but the USSR flag
*Cuban Flag
*Freedom Road Socialist Organization
*The Party of Socialism and Liberation
*Internationalist Group (Lenin/Trotskyites)
*Revolutionary Internationalist Group -same as above
*CUNY International Groups - ditto
*Sparticist (Historically German Revolutionary Commies. Has hammer & sickle on sign)
I'll say it again: These groups, and by extension those who are participating in them, hate America.
Thank you for your detailed perusal, but that had zero to do with my comment.
Then let me clarify:
You disagreed with EE's comment here “ 'The left is, yet again, exposing itself as anti-American...' "
"True nonsense."
I gave you specifics as to how what he said is true and that it is quite sensible to come to the conclusion he did. So, my comment was directly addressing yours.
I assume you don't know these groups and individuals personally, but, nevertheless, they are actually anti-American. They side with our enemies and wish/work for our downfall. It's not just a disagreement.
EE has spoken on multiple occasions about loving your neighbor and avoiding the ad hominem trap. To see others as individuals. But, in this case, it's not a personal insult - it's their worldview and at the core of their motis operandi.
Interestingly, he called those Commies and Socialists showing up to support a dictator anti-American; he specifically reserved the word "hate" for those on our right flank, though I think they're basically synonyms. I don't think all the kooks on the far-Right hate America in the same way nor wish her demise, but that's what would happen were their wishes fulfilled; I think their reactionism is causing them to begin the journey the far-Left began decades ago, thereby leading them to hate the good America has done (by rewriting history), praising, sympathizing, and embracing our enemies, and desirous to dismantle those things that shouldn't be (due to the aforementioned).
They will end up at the same place as the far-Left because it's the same path - and turns into a horseshoe. Tucker claims a love of the West, but says Russia should be our #1 ally & embraces authoritarianism & illiberalism (why I won't vote for Vance). It's just a matter of time before Candace renounces her citizenship & becomes a British subject because "the jooz" must have orchestrated our independence since Haym Salomon was a crucial financier for it.
They've both developed a new-found admiration for Islamists.
Just as we were told anti-Zionism isn't antisemitism, we knew better. Those on our flank claim to be pro-America, but EE doesn't believe them, either.
I think Ben Shapiro sufficiently communicated the case against them at TPUSA.
Thanks for your measured reply, Rachel, all well understood. You’re right; I don’t know any of them personally. Nor do you nor does EE. So I can’t profess to know who hates their country as opposed to agitating or expressing anger. Reminds me of the 60’s with the older generation talking about “them long haired, country -‘hatin’ hippies.” Or hell, back to the Wobblies. Or WJ Bryan, Father Coughlin, Lindbergh, take your pick, ain’t much changed, has it.
A) I was replying to his implicit remark-which you mentioned-that criticism of Trump over Venezuela was anti American. I see hardly anyone in the streets here supporting Maduro. However,criticising the status quo is alive and well, the American way, no? Anger isn’t hatred, last I checked.
B) My other comment-which you may have conflated-was under the Show Notes yesterday (Tim Walz, Somalis) as the date in the video was wrong and thus gave a skewed impression of time frames, and was pointing out that we can all make such mistakes but to rectify it, lest people get the wrong impression.
Two different posts over two issues.
Hope that clarifies.
I read him for the same reason. It is somewhat beneath his intellect to resort to the ad hominem of describing those with whom he disagrees in such inaccurate and incendiary terms.
Yeah, I know.
We’re in a world of ad hominem attacks, vitriol and spite. Quite a sight. And it’s exclusively online. How odd is that. With a President leading the charge of obnoxious posts.
EE posted a video that was false today. Still waiting for his busy researchers to address it, but it’s [nearly] yesterday’s news.
Everyone today is an immediate expert on every topic known to man. It’s exhausting. And that is…misguided 🙄
Which video is do you say is false?
The one of the three people talking on the dais.
It was not filmed the other day, as the date erroneously says, but last year, and they’re not professors.
I had asked for a correction, not commenting on their political persuasion, which I can easily deduce. Accuracy in reporting..
My personal interpretation is that "hate" is shorthand for "misguided." I agree with you that very few people actually hate America. However, there are significant differences between left and right which include 1.) the interpretation of the Constitution - strict constructionism vs a living document which should be periodically revisited and revamped; 2.) limited gov't vs big gov't; 3.) capitalism vs socialism; and perhaps most important of all, 4.) the interpretation of human nature (i.e., leftists tend to see capitalists as greedy bastards who gain their wealth on the backs of the downtrodden while politicians have hearts of gold and want nothing but the best for people). This last one DOES create a righteous indignation which can lead to hate, as evidenced by the left's views of DJT. If one truly believes DJT is Hitler 2.0, is it any wonder they would hate the guy and anything he stands for?
Historically, those "differences between left and right" have been the driving force behind the collective genius of the American experiment. We would not be what we are, had either side been able to prevail all the time. For this reason, I cherish those differences.
Thank you for your comments, Tucker. Let me reply in kind.
A) He could have used ‘misguided’, but didn’t. Hating one’s country is quite different than being mad at an administration, which is as American as apple pie. Repeatedly using ‘hate’ in his column is eking towards a dog-whistle approach of ‘us vs them’ when in fact MOST Americans are moderate. We’ve been hijacked by those with the loudest megaphones until we believe that others are hateful. ‘Tain’t so..
B) Small vs big govt is an old shibboleth. The truth is, as it usually is, somewhere in the middle. To wit, the administration wants no AI regulation, whereas most of the public does. Or energy, or pollution, take your pick. It’s a dynamic that is necessary for a democracy to thrive —and legislate (rather than EO’s)
C) The wealth divide will rent asunder the country. It id no longer the rant against greedy capitalists, but that a huge swath of the US that are falling behind financially (which EE regularly reminds us of,rightly so) and a larger number of multi billionaires who think they have the answers to the country’s ills.
That’s a good recipe for another French Revolution, and you can hear it, left and right. It’s building. Not sustainable that so many people in this country need so much help, whether food or health care or basic shelter.
D) Trump and his family have benefited financially by billions. Your Hitlerian analogy is, IMO, overwrought-although I take your point that there are always some who do so. Meh.
I don’t care for him or his Cabinet quislings, that’s true. But it’s such a quantum leap to dislike the present govt to spouting off about hating one’s country. (If I didn’t like Biden, did I hate my country? Spare me )
Most Americans have more in common than not. We’ve been inundated by pearl-clutchers on both sides, and need to remind ourselves of our better angels, not spiteful utterances.
These folks are just 'always mad' at any form of government is my takeaway. I socialize with many of them.
Points well-made and taken, perhaps none more so than your final comment about Americans having more in common than not. I have seen multiple surveys over the past 25 years that indicate Americans generally agree on 75% of all issues presented in the survey.
Thank you for your kind reply.
If indeed those surveys have merit-which I believe is the case-then we all have to to try and regain some semblance of balance, brick by brick, and remind ourselves of what we share in common with others.
That’s usually not hatred of country but ‘live and let live’ without passing immediate judge and jury dictates on others.
As Spencer Cox said, less social media, it’s toxic-go out and touch grass. One small step to heal ourselves-and each other.
Amen!