It’s incredibly important that every Dem Senator, every Dem Representative and every Dem spokesperson cite to the “Trump-Epstein files” and Trump’s likely involvement in child abuse as the primary reason for the illegal invasion of Venezuela.
EVERY DEM SHOULD BE SAYING THIS!!! The Trump-Epstein files. The invasion is the distraction.
IMHO, no senator should require any notifications or advice from us at this fraught moment. If you actually do talk with an elected official(s) who was (until your call) unaware of the situation or has absolutely no idea what he/she/we should do next, please name names. They need to be relieved of duty. Speaking of countries needing regime change, the USA is at the tippy-top of my list.
This ain’t gonna end well; never does. Nixon’s CIA overthrew Salvador Allende in Chile in 1973. Installed the brutal Gen Pinochet, whose reign of terror resulted in tens of thousands of people getting tortured and/or killed.
Trump now owns another mess of his own making. And congressional Republicans won’t stand up to evil.
Thanks for the reminder about the US history in South America. No, it won't end well. China will continue making alliances and buying soy beans and other products, while we are left in the dust.
We can bully a weak and corrupt regime in Venezuela. But look at our response to evil Putin bombing residential homes and hospitals and any number of civilian/public places….
Our response to Putin is shameful and disgusting. Today, Moscow is condemning Trump for not having dialogue before invading. The nerve of them, but Russia might as well trash Trump and us at every opportunity. Have at it.
I've recommended it to EVERYONE. Seen it more than once myself.
Hard to be faced with some of what America has done, but, as I've said before, inspiring to know that there'll always be Seymour Hershes letting in the light and putting it out there, in our faces.
Thanx, BeeBee. Seymour Hersh was a towering figure in the news business. I was a real journalist for Texas newspapers covering public policy and politics :)
Indeed he was! I was a reporter for Va. newspapers way back when and got to see him speak one time. Wow! I like of those days as tone golden age of journalism. Hersh is on Substack.
What is wrong with these people? We are being led by idiots. And the difference between Trump I and Trump 2 is that he has absolutely no fear of consequences. The Supreme Court has seen to that. He thinks he can get away with anything because he essentially has. I just hope the American people get their heads out of their collective you know whats and vote the acquiescent Republicans out.
From some of the other independent journalists on Substack: this was a coordinated, negotiated, ‘prime timed’ for rump’s desperate need for TV drama, military action. Bottom line: the ‘incursion’ was 28 mins of ‘show’. No response from China & Russia because they’ve already given their consent. Now China can move ahead on Taiwan, and currently Russia is clobbering Kiev!! Completely diabolical!!
You're last few sentences were interesting. I wonder whether Russia even gave intelligence for this Venezuela op to sweeten the Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine.
I have never met Katie Miller, but her pin up picture, her post and the very fact that she married Steven Miller makes her seem like a patsy and a dumbbell.
So there is no real leverage or follow up plan? Silly me for assuming there would be one. Just when you think they did something stupid, they attain a new level of stupid. I assumed that they had inside help to carry out this plan, and that might indicate there were elements of the regime or military, or both, who would work with us.
We are either engaged in nation building then, or we aren't. We are pretending now they will give us mineral rights?
So then it is a gangster threat, and we keep kidnapping people and killing people in boats until we get our way? It is confusing.
Trump also recently said he had an MRI... until it turned out he had a cardio CT scan. We don't know whether he is even aware of what is going on.
Alex Vindman had some good analysis on Substack as well. Also, Mike Madrid was talking the politics, and pointing out that apart from South Florida, the impact would be minimal. Venezuelans are 1% of hispanic voters. If there is a positive impact now, one would presume without a clear strategy gain, or democracy in Venezuela (assuming we care about that), then any gains would probably dissipate over time.
This is Wag the Dog and, as such, MAGA does not care if he’s lying, delusional, discombobulated, etc. All they want is to distract. That’s it. We now know that Trump appears in the “Trump-Epstein files” more than anyone expect Epstein himself, and Trump is squarely placed in scenes and circumstances where child rape and molestation likely occurred. Distract.
As far as I know, the entirety of the GOP is on board, with some (Graham, Rubio, Scott, etc.) even threatening that Mexico and Cuba are next. It’s a cult.
In that regard, there is a wonderful diary at the top of the Rec list on DailyKos right now explaining how, in every fascist movement in modern political times, conservative politicians coddle and appease fascists, thinking they can control them. It’s never worked. The fascists inevitably purge the conservatives, typically with death squads. You’d think the GOP would know their history.
The next 10 months in the U.S. will be determinative. History says this unequivocally.
Actually, I wouldn't be so quick to say all of MAGA is on board. Marjorie Taylor Green had already come out against it. If it turns out it ends up being another Iraq and US troops die (hard to see how we avoid our military going in to protect US oil companies from the guerillas Trump just created) I expect significant portions of the America First base to be turned off.
Tad Stoermer, Resistance -- it's time... He recommends reading Resistance by Halik Kochansk -- Hitler started with invading Poland... USA invaded Venezuela and is taking over its oil...
What will it take in the USA?
Publisher's summary -- Resistance by Halik Kochansk
'The best book about the subject I have ever read' Max Hastings, Sunday Times 'A superb, myth-busting survey of the many ways in which the subjugated peoples of Europe tried to fight back' Saul David, Daily Telegraph A sweeping history of occupation and resistance in war-torn Europe, from the acclaimed author of The Eagle Unbowed Across the whole of Nazi-ruled Europe the experience of occupation was sharply varied. Some countries - such as Denmark - were allowed to run themselves within tight limits. Others - such as France - were constrained not only by military occupation but by open collaboration. In a historical moment when Nazi victory seemed permanent and irreversible, the question 'why resist?' was therefore augmented by 'who was the enemy?'. Resistance is an extraordinarily powerful, humane and haunting account of how and why all across Nazi-occupied Europe some people decided to resist the Third Reich. This could range from open partisan warfare in the occupied Soviet Union to dangerous acts of insurrection in the Netherlands or Norway. Some of these resistance movements were entirely home-grown, others supported by the Allies. Like no other book, Resistance shows the reader just how difficult such actions were. How could small bands of individuals undertake tasks which could lead not just to their own deaths but those of their families and their entire communities? Filled with powerful and often little-known stories, Halik Kochanski's major new book is a fascinating examination of the convoluted challenges faced by those prepared to resist the Germans, ordinary people who carried out exceptional acts of defiance.
Trump is all about retribution. He is against wins turbines because he lost a case in Scotland trying to remove the turbines from near one of his golf courses. He is against Maria Corina Machado because she won the Nobel and he didn’t. A very simple man to understand.
Great question. And great description [utterly useless]. I just wrote a lot more, but managed to delete it. I'll just recap by saying resistance is critical and we need to consistently elect better leaders. Strong-willed, intelligent, articulate, ethical, stand-up, straight-arrows. We simply can't put up with the level of sycophancy we're seeing. Never again.
As usual Trump underestimates women. Thinking they are fluff heads and easy to manipulate to do his will and be under his thumb. That goes for both Venezuela and Denmark. He is in for a rude awakening!
Dominance; distraction. Oil; Epstein. Dominance; distraction. Oil; Epstein. Just keep rinsing and repeating.
I agree.
Absolutely
It’s incredibly important that every Dem Senator, every Dem Representative and every Dem spokesperson cite to the “Trump-Epstein files” and Trump’s likely involvement in child abuse as the primary reason for the illegal invasion of Venezuela.
EVERY DEM SHOULD BE SAYING THIS!!! The Trump-Epstein files. The invasion is the distraction.
Not child "abuse". They RAPED our kids. Abuse, pedophilia somehow do not seem strong enough words to describe these powerful monsters.
And keeping Florida red in the mid-terms.....Epstein who?
Why would anyone believe Donald Trump, a known pathological liar?
"…Mr. Trump’s [plan was] to swoop into the South American nation and run it as his own…"
As usual, Trump had mere "concepts of a plan".
Horrified. Will call senators even on Sunday and let them know what I think.
IMHO, no senator should require any notifications or advice from us at this fraught moment. If you actually do talk with an elected official(s) who was (until your call) unaware of the situation or has absolutely no idea what he/she/we should do next, please name names. They need to be relieved of duty. Speaking of countries needing regime change, the USA is at the tippy-top of my list.
This ain’t gonna end well; never does. Nixon’s CIA overthrew Salvador Allende in Chile in 1973. Installed the brutal Gen Pinochet, whose reign of terror resulted in tens of thousands of people getting tortured and/or killed.
Trump now owns another mess of his own making. And congressional Republicans won’t stand up to evil.
Thanks for the reminder about the US history in South America. No, it won't end well. China will continue making alliances and buying soy beans and other products, while we are left in the dust.
We can bully a weak and corrupt regime in Venezuela. But look at our response to evil Putin bombing residential homes and hospitals and any number of civilian/public places….
Our response to Putin is shameful and disgusting. Today, Moscow is condemning Trump for not having dialogue before invading. The nerve of them, but Russia might as well trash Trump and us at every opportunity. Have at it.
military participating in southcom are going to get a lifelong reception a la viet nam
Well, the Republicans had better stand up to evil, or they will find themselves thrown under the bus with the rest of us.
Im not sure how it will play with the GOP. Many will try to circle the wagons, but some may call BS. We'll see and we must push them hard.
Simon is right: January is going to be very consequential and very interesting...
The GOP is rightly protective of Taiwan.
Trump gave China a green light to take Taiwan
Btw, the new documentary on Seymour Hersh includes vivid, bracing reminders of the insanity and lawlessness of Nixon, Westmoreland and the CIA.
I need to see that. Thanx
I've recommended it to EVERYONE. Seen it more than once myself.
Hard to be faced with some of what America has done, but, as I've said before, inspiring to know that there'll always be Seymour Hershes letting in the light and putting it out there, in our faces.
THank God for real journalists.
Thanx, BeeBee. Seymour Hersh was a towering figure in the news business. I was a real journalist for Texas newspapers covering public policy and politics :)
You'll be very moved by this doc, then!
Indeed he was! I was a reporter for Va. newspapers way back when and got to see him speak one time. Wow! I like of those days as tone golden age of journalism. Hersh is on Substack.
What is wrong with these people? We are being led by idiots. And the difference between Trump I and Trump 2 is that he has absolutely no fear of consequences. The Supreme Court has seen to that. He thinks he can get away with anything because he essentially has. I just hope the American people get their heads out of their collective you know whats and vote the acquiescent Republicans out.
I also wish enough of the Supreme Court would wake up and turn away from this criminally insane "leader."
Trump is completely detached from reality, and some people think he was sent by god to lead them. So, a lot is wrong with them.
Not only is there no bottom to their depravity, there is no ceiling on their temerity.
Very dangerous idiots!
Fantasy, pure fantasy. He doesn’t even govern here and can’t possibly govern there. It’s more flood the zone for self enrichment.
From some of the other independent journalists on Substack: this was a coordinated, negotiated, ‘prime timed’ for rump’s desperate need for TV drama, military action. Bottom line: the ‘incursion’ was 28 mins of ‘show’. No response from China & Russia because they’ve already given their consent. Now China can move ahead on Taiwan, and currently Russia is clobbering Kiev!! Completely diabolical!!
It is always those who have never served in the military or been anywhere near a war zone who are gung-ho for war and violence.
Your comment is so spot-on! I wish I could give it a hundred likes.
You're last few sentences were interesting. I wonder whether Russia even gave intelligence for this Venezuela op to sweeten the Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine.
Yes, I've heard this too - and it makes much more sense than anything else. It's diabolical, but most likely true.
Katie Miller appears to be as deranged as the rest of the Trump crew!
The women all look like insane Barbie Dolls.
Oh, definitely. Evil, but not a Barbie look and not usually front-page.
Watch the Barbie movie - these women are the alternate reality in Barbie world portrayed in the movie. And luckily, defeated.
Why else would she have married the personification of evil?
I have never met Katie Miller, but her pin up picture, her post and the very fact that she married Steven Miller makes her seem like a patsy and a dumbbell.
🎧👂🏼Could you please add the listening arrow?
Thank you!
Thanks for the update Simon.
So there is no real leverage or follow up plan? Silly me for assuming there would be one. Just when you think they did something stupid, they attain a new level of stupid. I assumed that they had inside help to carry out this plan, and that might indicate there were elements of the regime or military, or both, who would work with us.
We are either engaged in nation building then, or we aren't. We are pretending now they will give us mineral rights?
So then it is a gangster threat, and we keep kidnapping people and killing people in boats until we get our way? It is confusing.
Trump also recently said he had an MRI... until it turned out he had a cardio CT scan. We don't know whether he is even aware of what is going on.
Alex Vindman had some good analysis on Substack as well. Also, Mike Madrid was talking the politics, and pointing out that apart from South Florida, the impact would be minimal. Venezuelans are 1% of hispanic voters. If there is a positive impact now, one would presume without a clear strategy gain, or democracy in Venezuela (assuming we care about that), then any gains would probably dissipate over time.
I would expect chaos and violence in Venezuela, Everything Trump touches dies…
Including America if we don't stand up now.
This is Wag the Dog and, as such, MAGA does not care if he’s lying, delusional, discombobulated, etc. All they want is to distract. That’s it. We now know that Trump appears in the “Trump-Epstein files” more than anyone expect Epstein himself, and Trump is squarely placed in scenes and circumstances where child rape and molestation likely occurred. Distract.
As far as I know, the entirety of the GOP is on board, with some (Graham, Rubio, Scott, etc.) even threatening that Mexico and Cuba are next. It’s a cult.
In that regard, there is a wonderful diary at the top of the Rec list on DailyKos right now explaining how, in every fascist movement in modern political times, conservative politicians coddle and appease fascists, thinking they can control them. It’s never worked. The fascists inevitably purge the conservatives, typically with death squads. You’d think the GOP would know their history.
The next 10 months in the U.S. will be determinative. History says this unequivocally.
Actually, I wouldn't be so quick to say all of MAGA is on board. Marjorie Taylor Green had already come out against it. If it turns out it ends up being another Iraq and US troops die (hard to see how we avoid our military going in to protect US oil companies from the guerillas Trump just created) I expect significant portions of the America First base to be turned off.
It’s just MTG and Massie at this point. That’s it. No other Rep, and almost every GOP Senator has issued a statement in full support.
This is a cult. It can only be described as rock solid—Trump approval at 85% or above with the GOP in nearly every single
poll. We are living under a fascist cult.
There are plenty that are quiet, waiting to see which way the winds ( and polls) are blowing.
Epstein, ACA subsidies, affordability; they didn't disappear overnight. Trump is weak and desperate... this is a hail mary and likely to backfire.
I now call it the Trump-Epstein Files. Trump wants his name on everything? This one fits perfectly.
I love that. That’s great. Revising accordingly and will use going forward. Thanks.
😉 you are welcome
Excellent. Every Dem should refer to the files this way.
Tad Stoermer, Resistance -- it's time... He recommends reading Resistance by Halik Kochansk -- Hitler started with invading Poland... USA invaded Venezuela and is taking over its oil...
What will it take in the USA?
Publisher's summary -- Resistance by Halik Kochansk
'The best book about the subject I have ever read' Max Hastings, Sunday Times 'A superb, myth-busting survey of the many ways in which the subjugated peoples of Europe tried to fight back' Saul David, Daily Telegraph A sweeping history of occupation and resistance in war-torn Europe, from the acclaimed author of The Eagle Unbowed Across the whole of Nazi-ruled Europe the experience of occupation was sharply varied. Some countries - such as Denmark - were allowed to run themselves within tight limits. Others - such as France - were constrained not only by military occupation but by open collaboration. In a historical moment when Nazi victory seemed permanent and irreversible, the question 'why resist?' was therefore augmented by 'who was the enemy?'. Resistance is an extraordinarily powerful, humane and haunting account of how and why all across Nazi-occupied Europe some people decided to resist the Third Reich. This could range from open partisan warfare in the occupied Soviet Union to dangerous acts of insurrection in the Netherlands or Norway. Some of these resistance movements were entirely home-grown, others supported by the Allies. Like no other book, Resistance shows the reader just how difficult such actions were. How could small bands of individuals undertake tasks which could lead not just to their own deaths but those of their families and their entire communities? Filled with powerful and often little-known stories, Halik Kochanski's major new book is a fascinating examination of the convoluted challenges faced by those prepared to resist the Germans, ordinary people who carried out exceptional acts of defiance.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)
Trump is all about retribution. He is against wins turbines because he lost a case in Scotland trying to remove the turbines from near one of his golf courses. He is against Maria Corina Machado because she won the Nobel and he didn’t. A very simple man to understand.
And don't forget, the American electors voted him OUT in 2020. Revenge indeed!
Any intelligence on what the useless, utterely useless, Congress is doing?
We’re down to the people. Or bust.
Sick.
Great question. And great description [utterly useless]. I just wrote a lot more, but managed to delete it. I'll just recap by saying resistance is critical and we need to consistently elect better leaders. Strong-willed, intelligent, articulate, ethical, stand-up, straight-arrows. We simply can't put up with the level of sycophancy we're seeing. Never again.
As usual Trump underestimates women. Thinking they are fluff heads and easy to manipulate to do his will and be under his thumb. That goes for both Venezuela and Denmark. He is in for a rude awakening!