In Venezuela, Some Low-Level Soldiers Are Deserting Following Being Ordered to Block Emergency Food Deliveries to Civilians

From Steven Greene at PJMedia, a good sign, but the troops themselves say it's unlikely the trickle of desertions will weaken Maduro enough to force him from office.

CUCUTA, Colombia (AP) -- The simple house on a street ridden with potholes in this town on Colombia's restive border with Venezuela has become a refuge for the newly homeless: 40 Venezuelan soldiers who abandoned their posts and ran for their lives.
The young National Guard troops sleep on thin mats on the floor. In one room, several flak jackets rest along a wall. On a balcony, boots that got wet crossing the muddy Tachira River are set out to dry.
"I was tired of people seeing me as just one more of them," Sgt. Jorge Torres said, referring to President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government. "I'm not."

A high-stakes plan by the Venezuelan opposition to bring humanitarian aid into the country floundered Saturday when troops loyal to Maduro refused to let the trucks carrying food and medical supplies cross, but it did set off a wave of military defections unlike any seen yet amid the country's mounting crisis. Over 320 mostly low-ranking soldiers fled in a span of four days, Colombian immigration officials said Tuesday.
...

While Guaido has proposed amnesty to military officers who back him, the low-ranking soldiers who have defected say breaking ranks with Maduro is all but impossible. Even as the number fleeing swells, they represent a small percentage of the at least 200,000 troops in Venezuela’s army.
Anyone who shows the slightest hint of disapproval risks arrest, they said, and jail has become increasingly synonymous with torture. Even those like Gomez, who wanted to see the aid brought in, followed orders to repress citizens. As Saturday grew increasingly tense, protesters threw rocks and gasoline bombs at him. He said he responded by throwing tear gas at them to protect himself.

Many of the soldiers deserting say, in interviews, that they'd be willing to fight to depose Maduro, but that such a thing wouldn't be possible without a lot of help from "the international community."

Posted by: Ace of Spades at 02:25 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 1

Posted by: Ha at February 26, 2019 02:22 PM (MAstk)

2 Nd

Posted by: Ha at February 26, 2019 02:22 PM (MAstk)

3 Many of the soldiers deserting say, in interviews, that they'd be willing to fight to depose Maduro, but that such a thing wouldn't be possible without a lot of help from "the international community."

Meaning us.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 26, 2019 02:22 PM (ptqGC)

4 In other words, "Please send US troops to fight and die for our freedom"

Posted by: Jason at February 26, 2019 02:22 PM (wE6hf)

5 "Many of the soldiers deserting say, in interviews, that they'd be willing to fight to depose Maduro, but that such a thing wouldn't be possible without a lot of help from "the international community."

I feel bad but damn we should NOT be doing anything with our troops. That said, our intel and Spec Ops teams should be doing everything they can to destabilize the regime.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2019 02:22 PM (zBaqJ)

6 Dramatic representation of these Venezuelan soldiers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn1VxaMEjRU

Posted by: joe, living dangerously at February 26, 2019 02:23 PM (KUaJL)

7 We can equip them with Yellow Vests and Automatic Weapons. Will that help?

Posted by: Puddin Head at February 26, 2019 02:23 PM (2LelM)

8 Just sign this form here that says you'll embrace Islam and we'll be happy to provide you with mighty warriors who defeated the great Satan America.

Posted by: Mohammed Mohammed Mohammed Mohammed at February 26, 2019 02:24 PM (37IEG)

9 The Brazilians could waltz in with some rations and score a lot of hot, hungry Venezuelan chicks. I mean, there's precedence for this sort of thing. Just sayin'.

Posted by: joncelli, because somebody had to at February 26, 2019 02:24 PM (RD7QR)

10 Once we send troops and free the people, we will then be attacked as colonialists after their oil.

Send them guns. Let them fight for their country. It's worth more to them that way.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at February 26, 2019 02:24 PM (pUDQf)

11 I feel bad but damn we should NOT be doing anything with our troops. That said, our intel and Spec Ops teams should be doing everything they can to destabilize the regime.
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2019 02:22 PM (zBaqJ)

Sorry, but our destabilization agents are very busy at the moment.

Posted by: Robert Mueller at February 26, 2019 02:24 PM (MPuQT)

12 Willowed from the last thread. If you're having trouble getting to Twitter and want to read the PJ Media piece on the Tommy Robinson BBC takedown, here's a tinyurl directly to it:

http://tinyurl.com/y3g83yp9

Now, off to read this sad content.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at February 26, 2019 02:25 PM (I2dne)

13 THIS is what it takes for some to abandon a stupid idea

Posted by: REDACTED at February 26, 2019 02:25 PM (RZ6R1)

14 You can't see your own government tell you to burn pallets of desperately needed aid and NOT do something. Good for these soldiers.

Glad Trump is on the "right side of history" in trying to support them.

Posted by: LizLem at February 26, 2019 02:25 PM (hvf9s)

15 10
No. They voted these assholes in. Let them deal with the consequences.
I say send them best of wishes only.

Posted by: Xipe Totec still banned at rgICo at February 26, 2019 02:26 PM (m/IZ9)

16 no way in hell do we send our young men to liberate another shithole country.

let the UN do it. WITHOUT Americans.

Posted by: nurse ratched at February 26, 2019 02:26 PM (d7Ww2)

17 13 THIS is what it takes for some to abandon a stupid idea
Posted by: REDACTED at February 26, 2019 02:25 PM (RZ6R1)

Too bad the people let the government take their guns away. Their suffering could have been considerably foreshortened by the application of a little civic hygiene.

Posted by: joncelli, because somebody had to at February 26, 2019 02:26 PM (RD7QR)

18 Remember, Bernie Sanders has refused to call Maduro a dictator.

Man, he's got a closet full of loving on commies.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at February 26, 2019 02:26 PM (pUDQf)

19 we should trade our socialists for their non-socialists. let ours put some skin in the game instead running their mouths.

Posted by: x at February 26, 2019 02:26 PM (nFwvY)

20 "Son, if this decision is to save your life and so that there is change, do it," Gomez said his father told him in a brief phone call before he sprinted across the border.
+++++++++
That had to be a hard conversation, however brief.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at February 26, 2019 02:26 PM (I2dne)

21 And so-called peace protesters don't question that this 3rd world shit hole has over 200,000 troops. That's more than Germany or Britain, I believe.

Posted by: Blue Hen at February 26, 2019 02:27 PM (6rX0K)

22 3 Many of the soldiers deserting say, in interviews, that they'd be willing to fight to depose Maduro, but that such a thing wouldn't be possible without a lot of help from "the international community."

Meaning us.

No thank you. Hugo was elected, the same way the electoral-college-removers would have it here. One man, one vote, one time.

You put the Chavistas in, you get rid of them yourself.

I'd put in $100 to save dogs from being eaten, but as for the people - fix your own problem.

Posted by: JEM at February 26, 2019 02:27 PM (8erNz)

23 Maybe Sean Penn and Danny Glover will go down and fight for Maduro.

Posted by: Benji Carver at February 26, 2019 02:27 PM (OD2ni)

24 Some air dropped MREs might be the spark they need.

Posted by: BignJames at February 26, 2019 02:28 PM (ykq7q)

25 *burns debate card asking the candidates how they feel about Maduro and the crisis in Venezuela*

Posted by: DNC Primary Debate Moderators at February 26, 2019 02:28 PM (hvf9s)

26 No American troops should be deployed. Let the Venezuelans and their neighbors fight against the Socialist regime they elected.

Posted by: Guzalot at February 26, 2019 02:28 PM (prSvo)

27 24 Maybe Sean Penn and Danny Glover will go down and fight for Maduro.
Posted by: Benji Carver at February 26, 2019 02:27 PM (OD2ni)

Ooooh, maybe we could crowd-fund a sniper.

Posted by: joncelli, because somebody had to at February 26, 2019 02:28 PM (RD7QR)

28 3
Many of the soldiers deserting say, in interviews, that they'd be
willing to fight to depose Maduro, but that such a thing wouldn't be
possible without a lot of help from "the international community."

Meaning us.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 26, 2019 02:22 PM (ptqGC)

+++And then bring them in by the boat-load and let them settle in, with benefits.Because that's always the next step.

Posted by: washrivergal at February 26, 2019 02:29 PM (aWjrD)

29 19 we should trade our socialists for their non-socialists. let ours put some skin in the game instead running their mouths.
Posted by: x at February 26, 2019 02:26 PM (nFwvY)

This is a great idea! We can do this like a student exchange.

We will take all the Venezuelan people who hate socialism and trade them for all our lefty socialists who love it.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at February 26, 2019 02:29 PM (pUDQf)

30 No thank you. Hugo was elected, the same way the electoral-college-removers would have it here. One man, one vote, one time.

You put the Chavistas in, you get rid of them yourself.

I'd put in $100 to save dogs from being eaten, but as for the people - fix your own problem.
Posted by: JEM

Elections have consequences.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 02:29 PM (eg609)

31 How is it Venezuela gets to have borders but we don't?

Posted by: Puddin Head at February 26, 2019 02:29 PM (2LelM)

32
No thank you. Hugo was elected, the same way the electoral-college-removers would have it here. One man, one vote, one time.

Officially approved by Jimmah!

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 26, 2019 02:29 PM (aKsyK)

33 30 No American troops should be deployed. Let the Venezuelans and their neighbors fight against the Socialist regime they elected.
Posted by: Guzalot at February 26, 2019 02:28 PM (prSvo)

Send them guns and let them fight the fight. They'll feel better about it if they do it themselves.

Posted by: joncelli, because somebody had to at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (RD7QR)

34 We need to stay the hell out - the DEEPSTATE is only going to make it worse.

Look at the cluster they made out of Libya and every other thing they've touched since the fall of the Soviet Union (and a lot of what they touched BEFORE the fall of the Soviet Union).

We're depending on the same people who are trying to subvert our government to correctly handle Venezuela?

I think not.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (37IEG)

35 MUMI is here and Im still banned. Figgers.

Posted by: Xipe Totec still banned at rgICo at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (m/IZ9)

36 Thanks for printing the names of those traitors. We'll be sure to notify their next of kin by firing squad.

Posted by: Nicolas Maduro at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (AKAyI)

37 Oh that reminds me, what is the status on Ramos? Did he flee the oppression in Venezuela as soon as he was released from jail, or is he still there?

Posted by: LizLem at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (hvf9s)

38 The one thing Cuba had going for it that Venezuela doesn't is a Kennedy in the WH.

Posted by: Puddin Head at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (2LelM)

39 I feel bad but damn we should NOT be doing anything with our troops. That said, our intel and Spec Ops teams should be doing everything they can to destabilize the regime.
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2019 02:22 PM (zBaqJ)

Our intel and Spec Ops communities are part of the problem. Too easy to fuck around with other nations and think we can fix problems on the cheap. Which requires us to either support nasty folks, or we pull out our support at the last minute and leave a bunch of pissed off rebels who were counting on us.

Fuck the Venezuelans. Send guns to both sides and let the animals kill each other off.

Posted by: Colorado Alex In Exile at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (wCmLp)

40 OT

Lady who attacked MAGA hat guy in Cape Cod is an illegal and now in ICE custody.

Haha

Posted by: Ha at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (MAstk)

41 Remember, Bernie Sanders has refused to call Maduro a dictator.

To Bernie, Venezuela is an ideal. He and his crooked wife would live large while the rest of us starve.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 26, 2019 02:31 PM (ptqGC)

42 Has anyone asked if they are angry with socialism in general or just THIS socialist?

Posted by: AlaBAMA at February 26, 2019 02:31 PM (pUDQf)

43 30 24 Maybe Sean Penn and Danny Glover will go down and fight for Maduro.
Posted by: Benji Carver at February 26, 2019 02:27 PM (OD2ni)

Ooooh, maybe we could crowd-fund a sniper.

I like the cut of your jib.

Posted by: JEM at February 26, 2019 02:31 PM (8erNz)

44 Oh, great, more sound bites for my idiot senator, rubio.

Posted by: Ever at February 26, 2019 02:31 PM (1Zh0U)

45 44 OT

Lady who attacked MAGA hat guy in Cape Cod is an illegal and now in ICE custody.

Haha
Posted by: Ha at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (MAstk)

Deport

Deport

Deport

Posted by: joncelli, because somebody had to at February 26, 2019 02:31 PM (RD7QR)

46 41
Oh that reminds me, what is the status on Ramos? Did he flee the
oppression in Venezuela as soon as he was released from jail, or is he
still there?

Posted by: LizLem at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (hvf9s)
He's too flucking stupid to make the connection. Maduro isn't Hitler like Trump you know.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 02:32 PM (37IEG)

47 I propose what I'm going to call the Crassus Doctrine for US military efforts.

If we have to put American soldiers in harms way in another part of the world, we officially declare that we annex that land until we decide we want to sell again.

So anyone who wants us to intervene in Venezuela, fine, but then Venezuela officially becomes a US territory.

Posted by: joe, living dangerously at February 26, 2019 02:32 PM (KUaJL)

48 Lady who attacked MAGA hat guy in Cape Cod is an illegal and now in ICE custody.

Haha
Posted by: Ha at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (MAstk)

So, she was the victim. Yaaahhhhh....

Posted by: Anonymous White Male at February 26, 2019 02:32 PM (3sjI6)

49 Lady who attacked MAGA hat guy in Cape Cod is an illegal and now in ICE custody.

Haha
Posted by: Ha at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (MAstk)

Ain't I a bitch?

Posted by: karma at February 26, 2019 02:32 PM (9VeU0)

50 I'm all about supplying Venezuelan rebels with rations, medical supplies, weapons and ammo. I'm not about supplying them with my soldier son to fight their fight for them.

Posted by: troyriser at February 26, 2019 02:32 PM (1JpTT)

51 I'm all for Venezuela collapsing, I'd just rather we didn't have anything to do with it. When we break it, we then have to buy it.

Posted by: Blago at February 26, 2019 02:32 PM (UfkIY)

52 Not a lot of Patrick Henrys in Venezuela right now. It appears to be everyman for themselves.

Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 02:33 PM (ODaO0)

53 Imma going out on a limb and predict we'll soon seen Maduro hanging from a lamppost.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 26, 2019 02:33 PM (ptqGC)

54 see = seen

*damned fingers*

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 26, 2019 02:34 PM (ptqGC)

55 I propose what I'm going to call the Crassus Doctrine for US military efforts.

If we have to put American soldiers in harms way in another part of the world, we officially declare that we annex that land until we decide we want to sell again.

So anyone who wants us to intervene in Venezuela, fine, but then Venezuela officially becomes a US ~~territory~~ state
Posted by: joe

Then we de-state Hawaii and tell California they're next.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 02:34 PM (eg609)

56 "Lady who attacked MAGA hat guy in Cape Cod is an illegal and now in ICE custody."

Ha ha!!

Posted by: Nelson Munz at February 26, 2019 02:34 PM (OD2ni)

57 The Army are the only people in Venezuela with steady access to food. Unless that situation changes, they'll stick by Maduro.

Aside from really being so hard up that he can't feed his men anymore, the only thing I could see making Maduro lose hold of the Army is if he launches a foreign adventure.

The Army is woefully unprepared to fight its neighbors, especially Colombia. The closest Chavez came to being deposed was his little incursion there. The Army brass were not happy one bit, and forced him to climb down.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 02:34 PM (AzW6q)

58 I'd go fight for Venezuela but I want 500,000 barrels of premium crude and six women of my choice as payment.

For that, I fight.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at February 26, 2019 02:34 PM (pUDQf)

59 Why are we sending food and not Pitchforks?

Posted by: garrett at February 26, 2019 02:34 PM (h+jLQ)

60 Uninterested in invasion of Venezuela.

However, I am send-some-sub-launched-cruise-missiles-to-blow-up-some-Commies curious.

Posted by: blaster at February 26, 2019 02:34 PM (9VeU0)

61 Kind of hard to have a revolution when everyone is starving.

Posted by: Puddin Head at February 26, 2019 02:35 PM (2LelM)

62
Yellow Jackets > Venezuelans

I saw a crowd that could easily take out the 20 police blocking a bridge. They're neither hungry or angry enough. Yet.

When they wanna fight, we can help them. Not before.

Tired of picking up because other people are too lazy to do what needs doing. They had an opportunity in 2012 to keep weapons, and not turn them back in. Instead they knuckled under.

This is a 'teachable moment' to Americans on the right. (Hate to use the lefts little bullshit phrase, but it fits.)

Posted by: Newest Nic at February 26, 2019 02:35 PM (jYje5)

63 We should prop Maduro up and make them feel the Bern.

Posted by: Xipe Totec still banned at rgICo at February 26, 2019 02:35 PM (m/IZ9)

64 Hey Antifa, Venezuela needs you. time to put up, Sgt. Skinnyjeans

Posted by: x at February 26, 2019 02:35 PM (nFwvY)

65 Remember when Venezuela as part of OPEC had the US begging for mercy on oil prices? Good times.

Posted by: I like cookies at February 26, 2019 02:35 PM (xxAFD)

66

EM HALLACA FOADDY-FI!!!

Posted by: Maxine Waters' Hair at February 26, 2019 02:36 PM (GEhPL)

67 A friend of mine who had been living here went back to Caracas in October. He has a paid for condo there and his wife could/would not leave her elderly Mother there to come here with him. He answered a couple of emails up to late December, since then nothing, as I understand Maduro has shut down internet access nationwide.

His name is David G., and he is 69 years old. He is no doubt one of the protesters. Please say a prayer that he and his family make it through this OK. Thank you.

Posted by: Calm Mentor at February 26, 2019 02:36 PM (ffYR/)

68 >>I'd go fight for Venezuela but I want 500,000 barrels of premium crude and six women of my choice as payment.

I'd do it for 250,000 barrels and 3 Argentinian Models.

Posted by: garrett at February 26, 2019 02:36 PM (h+jLQ)

69 Lady who attacked MAGA hat guy in Cape Cod is an illegal and now in ICE custody.

Haha
Posted by: Ha at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (MAstk)

Meanwhile in NJ, an 81 year old man wearing a MAGA hat was assaulted at a supermarket.

Posted by: JoeF. at February 26, 2019 02:36 PM (NFEMn)

70 Why don't we let the Confederacy have a go at Venezuela? Its obvious with Northam occupying Richmond we need a new capital.

Posted by: Puddin Head at February 26, 2019 02:36 PM (2LelM)

71 65 Kind of hard to have a revolution when everyone is starving.
Posted by: Puddin Head at February 26, 2019 02:35 PM (2LelM)

Which is how food becomes a weapon. Want to keep your ration card? Support the party. Want to watch your family die of starvation? Cross the party.

Posted by: joncelli, because somebody had to at February 26, 2019 02:36 PM (RD7QR)

72 If we go in, we're the mean and evil gringos who act like we own the hemisphere.

if we stay out, we're the mean and evil gringos who sit by while people die.

Damned if we do...damned if we don't.

Eh. Fuck 'em.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 02:36 PM (AM1GF)

73 Is that useful idiot Joe Kennedy still getting his blood money from the Maduro regime to give out free heating oil?

Posted by: Benji Carver at February 26, 2019 02:37 PM (OD2ni)

74 That said, our intel and Spec Ops teams should be doing everything they can to destabilize the regime.

Have we ever just B2-JDAM'd some PresidenteDelTodo and said nothing.

Just a crater at the other end of the order pipeline and Quien Sabe?

Posted by: DaveA at February 26, 2019 02:37 PM (FhXTo)

75
72 >>I'd go fight for Venezuela but I want 500,000 barrels of premium crude and six women of my choice as payment.

I'd do it for 250,000 barrels and 3 Argentinian Models.
Posted by: garrett at February 26, 2019 02:36 PM (h+jLQ

Come on man. Let's not get in a bid war. We should agree on price controls.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at February 26, 2019 02:37 PM (pUDQf)

76 they're just going to go an appoint another strong man when it's over.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 02:37 PM (37IEG)

77 72 >>I'd go fight for Venezuela but I want 500,000 barrels of premium crude and six women of my choice as payment.
-------------------
If you get the crude you will have no problem getting as many women of your choice.

Posted by: Puddin Head at February 26, 2019 02:37 PM (2LelM)

78 Hey Antifa, Venezuela needs you. time to put up, Sgt. Skinnyjeans
Posted by: x

Sgt. Skinnyjeans. *snort*

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 02:37 PM (eg609)

79 I only wish Chavez were still here to see his legacy dismantled. And to be hung by his ankles for the crowd's adjustment.

Posted by: hogmartin at February 26, 2019 02:38 PM (IqOTP)

80 So anyone who wants us to intervene in Venezuela, fine, but then Venezuela officially becomes a US territory.

==========================

Oh hell no! We need to get rid of Puerto Rico instead of taking on another basket case.

Posted by: Guzalot at February 26, 2019 02:38 PM (prSvo)

81 15
No. They voted these assholes in. Let them deal with the consequences.
I say send them best of wishes only.
Posted by: Xipe Totec still banned at rgICo at February 26, 2019 02:26 PM (m/IZ9)
-------------------------------------------
There hasn't been a fair election there in 15 years.

There are plenty of very good reasons not to send troops into Venezuela but they-asked-for-it isn't one of them.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 02:38 PM (Rxduq)

82 If we have to put American soldiers in harms way in another part of the world, we officially declare that we annex that land until we decide we want to sell again.

So anyone who wants us to intervene in Venezuela, fine, but then Venezuela officially becomes a US territory.

Oh God, no.

We haven't gotten rid of Puerto Rico yet.

The minute they become a US territory the Hawaii Judges will have the whole fucking population on the US welfare rolls.

Posted by: JEM at February 26, 2019 02:38 PM (8erNz)

83 I'd do it for 250,000 barrels and 3 Argentinian Models.
Posted by: garrett at February 26, 2019 02:36 PM (h+jLQ)

Yes but Venezuela has smoking hot women too.

Yum

Posted by: Ha at February 26, 2019 02:38 PM (MAstk)

84 Nothing will happen until the senior military leadership is either dead or defects. They are being paid very well by Maduro who is also getting substantial help from the Cuban's, Russians, Iranians and even the Chinese. There needs to be some "persuasion" before any big pieces on the board get moved.

Posted by: Marcus T at February 26, 2019 02:38 PM (VpIIl)

85
These Venezuelan cocksuckers need to save themselves. Are they waiting for help, or some miracle?

Posted by: Soothsayer, A Journailst and a Climate Expert at February 26, 2019 02:38 PM (OLaIa)

86 Please let's not send our troops there.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at February 26, 2019 02:38 PM (AB9tT)

87 Something happened.

Even as recently as 5-6 years ago I would have been OK with sending in a few military-types to fix this. But now....I'm out of fucks.

Not really eager to send in any soldiers to rescue a people who will end up hating us.

Posted by: WitchDoktor, as if you give a damn at February 26, 2019 02:38 PM (eytER)

88 Yellow Jackets > Venezuelans

I saw a crowd that could easily take out the 20 police blocking a bridge. They're neither hungry or angry enough. Yet.

When they wanna fight, we can help them. Not before.

Tired of picking up because other people are too lazy to do what needs doing. They had an opportunity in 2012 to keep weapons, and not turn them back in. Instead they knuckled under.

This is a 'teachable moment' to Americans on the right. (Hate to use the lefts little bullshit phrase, but it fits.)
Posted by: Newest Nic at February

That's you problem right there.

Posted by: Americans fighting His majesty's troops at Concord bridge at February 26, 2019 02:39 PM (6rX0K)

89 Which is how food becomes a weapon. Want to keep your ration card? Support the party.

Want to watch your family die of starvation? Cross the party.
Posted by: joncelli

I'll take your kid and tonight, we feast!

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 02:39 PM (eg609)

90 >>Venezuela has smoking hot women too.

Yeah, but they go Abuela real fast.

Those Argentinians have some Euro Genes in there.

Posted by: garrett at February 26, 2019 02:39 PM (h+jLQ)

91 This is what people like Sanders and AOC want for the United States.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 26, 2019 02:39 PM (NWiLs)

92 "Remember when Venezuela as part of OPEC had the US begging for mercy on oil prices? Good times.
Posted by: I like cookies"

I remember in 2008 we were ridiculed by the left for pushing drill here, drill now, pay less. "You won;t see any new oil for 10 years." Yeah, well its 2019 and we are looking good on that one. A-holes.

Posted by: Benji Carver at February 26, 2019 02:40 PM (OD2ni)

93 These Venezuelan cocksuckers need to save themselves. Are they waiting for help, or some miracle?

Posted by: Soothsayer, A Journailst and a Climate Expert

Seems to me like they're waiting for someone to take them off the hook.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 02:40 PM (AM1GF)

94
We'll be in the same position as the Venezuelans, soon.

We won't be able to "vote" our way out of our troubles, or wait around for Jesus to return.
The only solution will be full revolt.

Posted by: Soothsayer, A Journailst and a Climate Expert at February 26, 2019 02:40 PM (OLaIa)

95 The minute they become a US territory the Hawaii Judges will have the whole fucking population on the US welfare rolls.
Posted by: JEM

See #59. We de-state Hawaii.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 02:40 PM (eg609)

96 Let no one forget. They voted this in. They have zero sympathy from me. Hows the garbage truck salad there senior?

Posted by: Xipe Totec still banned at rgICo at February 26, 2019 02:40 PM (m/IZ9)

97 Something happened.

Even as recently as 5-6 years ago I would have been OK with sending in a few military-types to fix this. But now....I'm out of fucks.

Not really eager to send in any soldiers to rescue a people who will end up hating us.
Posted by: WitchDoktor

___________

I'm done being "liberators"

Spending several trillion in Iraq will do that to a person.

If they want a better country, they can fight for it themselves like we did.

Posted by: Blago at February 26, 2019 02:40 PM (UfkIY)

98 Oh, illegal alien MAGA assailant.
Too funny.

She should have throttled her provoked down.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 02:40 PM (37IEG)

99 >>I remember in 2008 we were ridiculed by the left for pushing drill here, drill now, pay less. "You won;t see any new oil for 10 years."

But we're ALL GONNA DIE in 12 Years if we don't send a Blank Check to AOC!

Posted by: garrett at February 26, 2019 02:41 PM (h+jLQ)

100 Posted by: Marcus T at February 26, 2019 02:38 PM (VpIIl)

--------

Yup. Chavez and Maduro have chopped up the country and divvied it out to the top brass. I can't envision the officer corps turning on El Jefe for any reason.

It would have to be the rank-and-file and low-ranking guys who did it, and he's got them answering to their stomachs at the moment.

Not hopeful.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 02:41 PM (AzW6q)

101
72 >>I'd go fight for Venezuela but I want 500,000 barrels of premium crude and six women of my choice as payment.

I'd do it for 250,000 barrels and 3 Argentinian Models.
Posted by: garrett at February 26, 2019 02:36 PM (h+jLQ

Stop teasing me. Everyone keeps saying I get to shoot commies soon but it never happens!

Posted by: AlaBAMA at February 26, 2019 02:41 PM (pUDQf)

102 I'm fine with going into Venzuela.

But.

This time we keep the fucking Oil.

Posted by: garrett at February 26, 2019 02:41 PM (h+jLQ)

103 Sean Penn, Hugo Chavez' buddy, must be in tears

Posted by: Michael LaVaughn Obama at February 26, 2019 02:42 PM (EhXk/)

104 Air drop MRE's and spanish language copies of the Road to Serfdom. It's short.

Posted by: Synova (reversion to pseudonymous) at February 26, 2019 02:42 PM (BD/yx)

105 See #59. We de-state Hawaii.

We have Hawaii Judges in at least 30 states.

Posted by: JEM at February 26, 2019 02:42 PM (8erNz)

106 Sorry Charlie. Y'all laid down with mad dogs, and now you want us to provide flea collars.

In fact, we're kinda suffering thru a flea infestation ourselves. We do have quite a few socialist fleas we can send your way, if that would help though.

We can totes spare them.

Posted by: GnuBreed at February 26, 2019 02:42 PM (Z4rgH)

107 82 Hey Antifa, Venezuela needs you. time to put up, Sgt. Skinnyjeans
Posted by: x

Sgt. Skinnyjeans. *snort*
Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 02:37 PM (eg609)

Corporal Quinoa
Captain Kale
Major Manbun

Posted by: Insomniac at February 26, 2019 02:42 PM (NWiLs)

108 Let the UN do it, without US troops.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 02:42 PM (37IEG)

109 I had previously thinking that something was close to breaking in Venezuela, but after the last couple of days, I now think there is going to have to be a LOT more suffereing and death inside Venezuela before anything happens.

The US is not positioned to attack Ven. Brazil and Columbia *are*, but they now appear to have cold feet and don't have the nerve to get involved in any actual fighting. I now think the US, Brazil, and Columbia attempted to stage a massive bluff to try to get the Ven. army to blink, but they didn't. (and I think that was a foolish hope) Now that the bluff has been called, Columbia and Brazil are backing away scared.

There's a reason that no South American country has ever amounted to shit on the international stage. They'd rather deal with the unending refugee problems than take 1 week of action that could end it. Well, the pressure won't go away, and the starvation and disease will only keep getting worse. Maybe if the death total can reach into the tens of thousands, someone might decide to end it. Or not.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 02:42 PM (Kpl3J)

110 People are not talking about the failure of socialism because there is just so much of it!

Posted by: mirror image CNN at February 26, 2019 02:42 PM (Z216Q)

111 Now, off to read this sad content.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at February 26, 2019 02:25 PM (I2dne)

Quality content, my droog.

If you want to see the full version of Panodrama, and you owe it to yourself to expose the left generally and the BBC specifically as the shitheels they are, head to Infowars.com. keyword Robinson. You'll be glad you did.

Posted by: trev006 at February 26, 2019 02:43 PM (gmJMS)

112 "I'm done being "liberators"

Spending several trillion in Iraq will do that to a person.

If they want a better country, they can fight for it themselves like we did.

Posted by: Blago"

That is where I'm at. Plus, seeing as Iraq was majorly pushed by liberal fucks like Bill Kristol and Max Boot leads me to conclude I was wrong about that whole thing.

Posted by: Benji Carver at February 26, 2019 02:43 PM (OD2ni)

113 Shit is heating up quickly in India and Pakistan.

Posted by: stourma at February 26, 2019 02:43 PM (Mv/2X)

114 '"Son, if this decision is to save your life and so that there is change, do it", Gomez said his father told him in a brief phone call before he sprinted across the border.'

Sgt. Gomez- because you said this, your father is likely already dead.

You shouldn't need our help to get this done- you've already gotten a reason for payback. Get on it.

Posted by: Fringe at February 26, 2019 02:43 PM (yatvJ)

115 108 Air drop MRE's and spanish language copies of the Road to Serfdom. It's short.
Posted by: Synova (reversion to pseudonymous) at February 26, 2019 02:42 PM (BD/yx)
-----

Why don't we airdrop all these supplies? Is it some air space BS?

Posted by: WisRich at February 26, 2019 02:43 PM (G0vdT)

116 114 People are not talking about the failure of socialism because there is just so much of it!
Posted by: mirror image CNN at February 26, 2019 02:42 PM (Z216Q)

That's the horde wit I love so much.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at February 26, 2019 02:43 PM (pUDQf)

117 >>There's a reason that no South American country has ever amounted to shit on the international stage.

All Cultures are Equal, Hater!

Posted by: garrett at February 26, 2019 02:43 PM (h+jLQ)

118 Maybe AOC can put on her cape and go down and save the day.

Posted by: Xipe Totec still banned at rgICo at February 26, 2019 02:43 PM (m/IZ9)

119
My perception after looking at perhaps 10,000 Venezuelans at various rallies and events in the past couple of weeks? Perhaps some are starving but there are still a whole lot of fat asses in the crowds.

A caution to all: There's a ton of propaganda coming from the Russians, making everything seem all sweetness and nice. The truth (as always) is somewhere in the middle.

So far all I've seen is some typical middle to south Americans who would like us to do the dirty work for them. Then give us the finger when the job is done. Been there. It's old.

Posted by: Newest Nic at February 26, 2019 02:43 PM (jYje5)

120 Holy shit, it's the blue helmets of the international community! Flee, flee for your lives!

Posted by: No One Ever at February 26, 2019 02:44 PM (gC2IV)

121 43----Fuck the Venezuelans. Send guns to both sides and let the animals kill each other off.
Posted by: Colorado Alex In Exile at February 26, 2019 02:30 PM (wCmLp)
---------------------------------
GFY.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 02:44 PM (Rxduq)

122 Not really eager to send in any soldiers to rescue a people who will end up hating us.
Posted by: WitchDoktor, as if you give a damn at February 26, 2019 02:38 PM (eytER)

-----------

I am not for spending one drop of blood or one ounce of treasure or one minute of time helping even one person who's not an American, unless we share a common enemy who is directly threatening the US.

We're not here to look after others, and it's high time we figured that out.

The only justification I'd accept for intervening here would be if Trump said "I'm sending the troops for some practice killing Communists because we have work to do here at home, and I want them ready for regular season play."

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 02:44 PM (AzW6q)

123 >> Shit is heating up quickly in India and Pakistan.

Well, if you want population control...

aside from a pandemic, this about as good as it gets.

Posted by: garrett at February 26, 2019 02:44 PM (h+jLQ)

124 Quality content, my droog.

If you want to see the full version of Panodrama, and you owe it to yourself to expose the left generally and the BBC specifically as the shitheels they are, head to Infowars.com. keyword Robinson. You'll be glad you did.
Posted by: trev006 at February 26, 2019 02:43 PM (gmJMS)
++++++++++++++
Thanks, trev006. I'll check it out from Alex Jones. And I meant the subject matter was sad, not that the content was bad.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at February 26, 2019 02:45 PM (I2dne)

125 124 Holy shit, it's the blue helmets of the international community! Flee, flee for your lives!
Posted by: No One Ever at February 26, 2019 02:44 PM (gC2IV)

Hide yo kids, hide yo wife!

Posted by: Insomniac at February 26, 2019 02:45 PM (NWiLs)

126 Yeah - younger me bought into nation building too much, older me says fix your own goddamn country. If you won't fight for your own freedom then you are fucked no matter how much blood or treasure we spend.

Posted by: RYAN FRANK at February 26, 2019 02:45 PM (EKxGt)

127 The fact that the next election will not only be a referendum on PDT, but also on the future of socialism and the end of America as we know it, it saddens me that it will be as close as I expect it to be.

Sigh. My neighbor is my mortal enemy

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2019 02:45 PM (bim/x)

128 There's a reason that no South American country has ever amounted to shit on the international stage.

A hundred years ago the big South American states were actually very wealthy, I think Chile and Venezuela had higher per-capita GNP than a lot of Europe. They and Brazil were in something of an arms race for a couple decades.

There must be something that Marx the date of their fall...

Posted by: JEM at February 26, 2019 02:45 PM (8erNz)

129 I'll say this, they're now where I figured they'd be 4 years ago.

If we can't see how people in these shithole countries will go on with day to day by now, we never will.

Too many places to even list where the locals don't give a shit if the guys in the next city in their country can't eat, as long as they can

- and too damn many where we've sent our troops.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 02:46 PM (37IEG)

130 Nolte from Breitbart says the Oscars blacklisted R Lee Ermy from its In Memorium this go round.

Fuck them all. Reason 103 to never support Hollywood.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at February 26, 2019 02:46 PM (pUDQf)

131 Unjust laws are not laws. They should desert.

Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 02:46 PM (z0O3z)

132 Im putting my money on India. Go India!

Posted by: Xipe Totec still banned at rgICo at February 26, 2019 02:46 PM (m/IZ9)

133 117 Shit is heating up quickly in India and Pakistan.
Posted by: stourma at February 26, 2019 02:43 PM (Mv/2X)

About time for some more bombings, methinks. The Pakis seem to need to do this sort of thing to satisfy some internal constituency.

Posted by: joncelli, because somebody had to at February 26, 2019 02:46 PM (RD7QR)

134
Anyone asked Jimmy Carter what he thinks about these events. Probably blames Republicans. And Jews.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 26, 2019 02:46 PM (bMISr)

135 >>A hundred years ago the big South American states were actually very wealthy, I think Chile and Venezuela had higher per-capita GNP than a lot of Europe. They and Brazil were in something of an arms race for a couple decades.

Almost as if Imperialism was beneficial for them?

Posted by: garrett at February 26, 2019 02:47 PM (h+jLQ)

136 Seems to me like they're waiting for someone to take them off the hook."

They all stood around and did nothing 10 or 15 years ago, when Chavez and Maduro started confiscating all private weapons.

Once the government has seized all the weapons, the chances of a people "saving themselves" are gone for good. They've condemned their children and their children's children to lives as slaves and whores, and nothing more. And like slaves and whores, the residents there today will cry bitterly about how terrible their lives are, but they will never do anything about it.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 02:47 PM (Kpl3J)

137 "124 Holy shit, it's the blue helmets of the international community! Flee, flee for your lives!

Posted by: No One Ever"

Tell that to the rape victims of UN "peacekeeping" missions all across Africa.

It's so bad, the white UN helicopter is the internationally recognized symbol for "HIDE YO KIDS, HIDE YO WIFE"!

Posted by: Fringe at February 26, 2019 02:47 PM (yatvJ)

138 And if you intervene in Venezuela you might as well set portions of half a dozen US cities aside for the "humanitarian refugees" that the Democrats will flood the US with.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 02:47 PM (37IEG)

139 "There's a reason that no South American country has ever amounted to shit on the international stage."

It's almost like there is a difference in being colonized by the Spanish/Portuguese instead of the English. I know, crazy talk.

Posted by: Benji Carver at February 26, 2019 02:47 PM (OD2ni)

140 Okay, I'm losing my cool, sooooo outa here.

But I do agree that we should not send troops there unless it is clearly in OUR interest --- y'no, something like Iran providing Maduro with missiles aimed at the US.
I'd be all for taking those out by any means necessary.
(I should think we could do that by air.)

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 02:48 PM (Rxduq)

141 >>> There's a reason that no South American country has ever amounted to shit on the international stage.

Hey we got the Olympics because everyone felt sorry for us and Muh Diversity! That counts, no?

Posted by: Brazil at February 26, 2019 02:48 PM (hvf9s)

142 No, I don't think we should intervene in Venezuela. I believe this will sort itself out on its own.

Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 02:48 PM (z0O3z)

143 Many of the soldiers deserting say, in interviews, that they'd be willing to fight to depose Maduro, but that such a thing wouldn't be possible without a lot of help from "the international community."

-
The international community can do whatever it damn well pleases but I say we stay out of it. The Venezuelans got themselves into this and they can get themselves out of it.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at February 26, 2019 02:48 PM (+y/Ru)

144
It's almost like there is a difference in being
colonized by the Spanish/Portuguese instead of the English. I know,
crazy talk.

Posted by: Benji Carver at February 26, 2019 02:47 PM (OD2ni)
Other than being able to substantially document it, yeah, crazy.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 02:48 PM (37IEG)

145 132 There's a reason that no South American country has ever amounted to shit on the international stage.

A hundred years ago the big South American states were actually very wealthy, I think Chile and Venezuela had higher per-capita GNP than a lot of Europe. They and Brazil were in something of an arms race for a couple decades.

There must be something that Marx the date of their fall...
Posted by: JEM at February 26, 2019 02:45 PM (8erNz)

Eh, they got the imperialism bug. There were a variety of wars in South America in the 19th century and when they fought they fought HARD.

Posted by: joncelli, because somebody had to at February 26, 2019 02:49 PM (RD7QR)

146 The delusion of leftists is inexplicable. There is no evidence that socialism makes life better for citizens, yet the left insists on pursuing it.

Posted by: N. L. Urker at February 26, 2019 02:49 PM (JgA4k)

147 I wouldn't mind taking over South America though. Colonize the whole continent.

That's how I played Risk, anyway.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at February 26, 2019 02:49 PM (pUDQf)

148 There hasn't been a fair election there in 15 years.

There are plenty of very good reasons not to send troops into Venezuela but they-asked-for-it isn't one of them.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille

_____________

Have we had a fair election in a while?

I still think though there is still a huge amount of support for Chavez/Maduro type politics in Venezuela. Not the "supermajority" status that they win elections by, but damn close to 50%.

Posted by: Blago at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM (UfkIY)

149 Some air dropped MREs might be the spark they need.
-----
Air dropped MUMR toilet paper would be more effective.

Posted by: andycanuck at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM (Dh1wo)

150 There's a reason that no South American country has ever amounted to shit on the international stage.

Don't cry for me Argentina

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM (bim/x)

151 150 The delusion of leftists is inexplicable. There is no evidence that socialism makes life better for citizens, yet the left insists on pursuing it.
Posted by: N. L. Urker at February 26, 2019 02:49 PM (JgA4k)

They want to have all teh empanadas, and us to have to beg for them.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM (NWiLs)

152 Venezuelan Contras are needed. And the Left will politically fellate the Maduro regime, just as they fellated the Sandinistas.

Posted by: Curmudgeon at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM (ujg0T)

153 but then Venezuela officially becomes a US territory.

How's that been working out for you?

Posted by: Puerto Rico at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM (fuK7c)

154 FLASH -- Hillary Clinton says she 'can't imagine' running for president again

Posted by: SMOD at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM (QkjLD)

155
What are the Gun Rights in Venezuela?

Posted by: Soothsayer, A Journailst and a Climate Expert at February 26, 2019 02:51 PM (OLaIa)

156 Once the government has seized all the weapons, the chances of a people "saving themselves" are gone for good. They've condemned their children and their children's children to lives as slaves and whores, and nothing more. And like slaves and whores, the residents there today will cry bitterly about how terrible their lives are, but they will never do anything about it.

Posted by: Tom Servo

And who did that to Venezuela? See, once we get involved we get to be the scapegoat they blame for whatever goes wrong. We get yelled at for "interfering in a sovereign nation's affairs". We get accused of letting corporate interests loot the joint. We get accused of forcing women into prostitution.

No. Until they take responsibility for their own destiny, nothing will change. We gain nothing from intervening right now, and get blood and treasure drained if we do.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 02:51 PM (AM1GF)

157 Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at February 26, 2019 02:45 PM (I2dne)

It's cool, I know what you meant.

Either way. People keep demanding evidence of malfeasance. Of complete, Minitrue levels of deception. Well, gentlemen: here it is. If you want to talk credibly about media bullshit, and goodness knows Ace does, raise the signal. Host the video, push your own narrative. You don't have to play defense.

Posted by: trev006 at February 26, 2019 02:51 PM (gmJMS)

158 159
What are the Gun Rights in Venezuela?

Posted by: Soothsayer, A Journailst and a Climate Expert at February 26, 2019 02:51 PM (OLaIa)

You have the right to be shot by soldiers with guns.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 26, 2019 02:51 PM (NWiLs)

159 "There's a reason that no South American country has ever amounted to shit on the international stage."

Who's been to Santiago, Chile twice in one year?

Posted by: Benji Carver at February 26, 2019 02:52 PM (OD2ni)

160 158 FLASH -- Hillary Clinton says she 'can't imagine' running for president again
Posted by: SMOD at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM (QkjLD)

Imagine there is no Hill'ry,
It's easy if you try.

Posted by: N. L. Urker at February 26, 2019 02:52 PM (JgA4k)

161 FLASH -- Hillary Clinton says she 'can't imagine' running for president again

Posted by: SMOD at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM (QkjLD)

#fakenews

Posted by: BignJames at February 26, 2019 02:52 PM (ykq7q)

162 155 150 The delusion of leftists is inexplicable. There is no evidence that socialism makes life better for citizens, yet the left insists on pursuing it.
Posted by: N. L. Urker at February 26, 2019 02:49 PM (JgA4k)

They want to have all teh empanadas, and us to have to beg for them.
Posted by: Insomniac at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM

The only failure the left sees with Socialism is crowd control. Eventually all dictators get overrun by the Hoi Polloi.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at February 26, 2019 02:52 PM (pUDQf)

163
Im putting my money on India. Go India!

Posted by: Xipe Totec still banned at rgICo at February 26, 2019 02:46 PM

Well the nuke count is 145 to 135 based on best estimates. After the first two or three are launched it's anyone's guess who the winner is.

Although I'd bet they both lose. Bigly.

My guess as to would be the next playa to use a nuke has always been the islamic contingent.

Posted by: Newest Nic at February 26, 2019 02:52 PM (jYje5)

164 158 FLASH -- Hillary Clinton says she 'can't imagine' running for president again
Posted by: SMOD at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM (QkjLD)

Maybe she just has a bad imagination.

Posted by: joncelli, because somebody had to at February 26, 2019 02:52 PM (RD7QR)

165 Hell, we're barely taking charge of our own destiny here! Like hell we should be gallivanting about "fixing" other nations!

Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 02:52 PM (AM1GF)

166 maduro uses starvation as a political weapon, distributing food to supporters and telling everyone else "show love to get love", i.e. food.

demonstrating the cold-blooded brutality of the castro regime, they're happy to drive out millions of venezuelans including technocrats, professionals, the middle class, disenchanted soldiers, anyone who isn't either a supporter of or slave to the regime.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at February 26, 2019 02:52 PM (Pg+x7)

167 Kamala Harris: Trump is a racist

This is a sure fire way to win the primaries and lose the general election

Posted by: SMOD at February 26, 2019 02:52 PM (QkjLD)

168 The Army are the only people in Venezuela with steady access to food. Unless that situation changes, they'll stick by Maduro.

Aside from really being so hard up that he can't feed his men
anymore, the only thing I could see making Maduro lose hold of the Army
is if he launches a foreign adventure.

The Army is woefully unprepared to fight its neighbors, especially
Colombia. The closest Chavez came to being deposed was his little
incursion there. The Army brass were not happy one bit, and forced him
to climb down.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 02:34 PM (AzW6q)

I know basically zilch about the situation in Venezuela, particularly about the the military vs leadership dynamic. All I know about Venezuela is that they have stood out as particularly anti-American over the decades, even in South America.

My guess would be once the military decides that the tide is with the anti-Maduro forces, they will switch sides. It will be about saving their own arses and likely not much else. That could happen quickly. Hell, how do they expect this to end? Then again, I am sure they are aware of what happened in Turkey a couple years ago. If you are going to turn on the leader, you have to be pretty sure your side will win.

Posted by: Quint at February 26, 2019 02:52 PM (n13/j)

169 ut then Venezuela officially becomes a US territory.

How's that been working out for you?
Posted by: Puerto Rico at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM (fuK7c

-------

TBF, PR has no resources (as far as I know - I could be wrong). Venezuela is packed with low-grade crude oil.

But America doesn't fight wars of conquest for naked self-aggrandizement these days.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 02:52 PM (AzW6q)

170 The International Community? How many divisions has he got?

Posted by: Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest at February 26, 2019 02:53 PM (LWu6U)

171 The question is: Does the Venezuelan Army have toilet paper?

Posted by: wth at February 26, 2019 02:53 PM (v0R5T)

172 I love the people of Venezuela and I want them to be successful and independent by showing the rest of the world they can fix the problem they created when they decided to go full socialist and destroy their nation. I want them to be adults, realize they made a huge mistake and fix it. I do not want them to be wasteful children dependent on big papi merica to fix it for them.

So I oppose any US invasion of Venezuela and I oppose allowing in any Venezuelan refugees.

And Liddle Marco can hunt for his Latin foam bois and dead American Soldiers elsewhere.

Posted by: Royalist Pikachu at February 26, 2019 02:53 PM (fbsK3)

173 What are the Gun Rights in Venezuela? "

I wasn't kidding - one of the first things that Chavez pushed, and that Maduro continued, was the total confiscation of all private firearms. THEN, once that was done, they took over food distribution, and unless you repeatedly swear your loyalty to the government, you and your family are not allowed any food rations.

The louder you chant for Maduro, the more food you're given.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 02:53 PM (Kpl3J)

174 Let them fight it out.

It's Brazil and Columbia's problem, not ours.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 02:53 PM (XSSCs)

175 The international community can do whatever it damn well pleases but I say we stay out of it. The Venezuelans got themselves into this and they can get themselves out of it.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks

This is the TEXTBOOK example of socialism.

You can vote socialism in, but you have to shoot your way out.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 02:53 PM (eg609)

176 Maduro is just behaving like every other Marxist bastard autocrat.... the Venezuelans need to shoot his ass.

Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 02:53 PM (90T4r)

177 >>Hillary Clinton says she 'can't imagine' running for president again

Hillary hasn't run anywhere in 30 years. She might waddle.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 26, 2019 02:53 PM (/tuJf)

178
Lulz:

From 2012:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-18288430

Venezuela bans private gun ownership

Until now, anyone with a gun permit could buy arms from a private company.

Under the new law, only the army, police and certain groups like security companies will be able to buy arms from the state-owned weapons manufacturer and importer.

The ban is the latest attempt by the government to improve security and cut crime ahead of elections in October.
...
Hugo Chavez's government says the ultimate aim is to disarm all civilians, but his opponents say the police and government may not have the capacity or the will to enforce the new law.

Posted by: Soothsayer, A Journailst and a Climate Expert at February 26, 2019 02:53 PM (OLaIa)

179 Any chance we could lend Bolsonaro down in Brazil some Black Helicopters so he could roll on into Venezuela and give Maduro a ride?

Posted by: Hikaru at February 26, 2019 02:53 PM (UnA8+)

180 177 What are the Gun Rights in Venezuela? "

I wasn't kidding - one of the first things that Chavez pushed, and that Maduro continued, was the total confiscation of all private firearms. THEN, once that was done, they took over food distribution, and unless you repeatedly swear your loyalty to the government, you and your family are not allowed any food rations.

The louder you chant for Maduro, the more food you're given.
Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 02:53 PM (Kpl3J)

===========

"Ah...paradise."
-Bernie Sanders, Democratic nominee for president

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 02:54 PM (XSSCs)

181 Let them fight.

Posted by: The Japanese guy from the Godzilla movie at February 26, 2019 02:54 PM (NWiLs)

182 158 FLASH -- Hillary Clinton says she 'can't imagine' running for president again

Posted by: SMOD at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM (QkjLD)
..........

Those fireworks are expensive.

Posted by: wth at February 26, 2019 02:54 PM (v0R5T)

183 180 Maduro is just behaving like every other Marxist bastard autocrat.... the Venezuelans need to shoot his ass.
Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 02:53 PM (90T4r)

=========

Venezuelans need to.

We do not.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 02:55 PM (XSSCs)

184 First nuke user in IndoPak war ceases to exist.

We ain't coming out of WWII where completely destroyed cities covered Europe and millions had died during 6 (not us) years of war.

When the first views of a modern nuked city hit the air waves, the world will take at deep breath and lose it's shit.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 02:55 PM (37IEG)

185 I feel bad but damn we should NOT be doing anything
with our troops.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2019 02:22 PM (zBaqJ)

Oh, I am not sure about that. We can assist the provisional government against the Maduro air forces with minimal risk to Americans. And tactical bombing? Why not? But no boots on the ground or anything that smacks of "nation building."

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 02:55 PM (wYseH)

186 We ceded the notion that we ought to spread an ideology, one of liberty and individualism, of voluntary cooperation and the free market... we ceded that in the world.

Our universities take in the scions of tyrants and feed them Marxism and send them home again and that becomes what the United States sends out into the world, those are the doctrines and those are the ideas that are sent out into the world.

And we don't even teach those basic principles at home. What kid today, unless they're a weirdo with very weird parents, was ever exposed to even the *concept*, much less the philosophical underlayment of Freedom of Speech? Oh, they'll say that's a good thing, but of course it doesn't actually apply to *bad* speech... and think that this is a reasonable opinion because no one bothered to explain where those ideas, where the iterations of our Rights, came from, how those concepts were developed and refined.

So... I don't really blame the Venezuelan people. They were sold a bill of goods... a bill of goods that was CHEERED by the global elite and certainly by the American elite.

We really ought to stop being embarrassed and ashamed of the doctrines and ideologies, of the concepts and foundation of Western civilization, and we ought to, without APOLOGY start propagandizing the ever living heck out of the third world. And certainly out of the second.

Posted by: Synova (reversion to pseudonymous) at February 26, 2019 02:55 PM (BD/yx)

187 Well the nuke count is 145 to 135 based on best estimates. After the first two or three are launched it's anyone's guess who the winner is.

Although I'd bet they both lose. Bigly.

India could absorb 200,000,000 lost. Pakistan? Not so much.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (eg609)

188 Yup. Sounds like an opening for a Saudi Prince, or two or three.

Posted by: Burger Chef at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (RuIsu)

189 189 I feel bad but damn we should NOT be doing anything
with our troops.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2019 02:22 PM (zBaqJ)

Oh, I am not sure about that. We can assist the provisional government against the Maduro air forces with minimal risk to Americans. And tactical bombing? Why not? But no boots on the ground or anything that smacks of "nation building."
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 02:55 PM (wYseH)

==========

No. Not even that.

America is not the world's savior.

We won't come and help you when you get yourself into a giant mess.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (XSSCs)

190
Why help remove one bad leftist and then prop up another Leftist?

Fuckthat.

Posted by: Soothsayer, A Journailst and a Climate Expert at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (OLaIa)

191 Our history of intervention has made people being oppressed more supine in waiting for us to bail their asses out of their jam.... no we are not the worlds cop....

Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (90T4r)

192 That's how I played Risk, anyway.

I'd always take Australia, only one choke point to defend.

Otoh, you wouldn't want to play with me. If I saw I couldn't win I decided I wanted to affect the outcome of the game and just pick someone to do suicide waves on.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (fuK7c)

193 I know of at least a dozen of Teh Horde, who have all or part of the skills to make Venezuela a Mercenary's Paradise.

Pay 'em a half-mil per quarter, unrestricted equipment, NO "rules of engagement", and guaranteed indemnity for ANY thing, and it'd get done.

And I'd wager with an avalanche of native Venezuelan support, increasing with every mile pressed towards Caracas.

Though no longer young and ready for the races, I'd still be of good use in overwatch, 'cause I'm still effective in the "if I can see it I can hit it" department.

Besides... someone's gotta sit security on all the lovely Venezuelan ladies who'd be lined up waiting for the guys to finish up with their chores.

*innocent look*

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at February 26, 2019 02:57 PM (QzJWU)

194 Kamala Harris: Trump is a racist
..........

Jefe El Donaldo: Harris is a bitch.

Posted by: wth at February 26, 2019 02:57 PM (v0R5T)

195 My guess would be once the military decides that the tide is with the anti-Maduro forces, they will switch sides. It will be about saving their own arses and likely not much else. That could happen quickly. Hell, how do they expect this to end? Then again, I am sure they are aware of what happened in Turkey a couple years ago. If you are going to turn on the leader, you have to be pretty sure your side will win.
Posted by: Quint at February 26, 2019 02:52 PM (n13/j)

-----------------------------

This will be intentionally very tough to do as Maduro has stacked the deck by appointing over 2000 Generals in the Army. A majority of them would all need to flip in a very short time frame to be effective.

Posted by: Calm Mentor at February 26, 2019 02:57 PM (ffYR/)

196 problem is, wth does America do if Putin decides to prop up Maduro

Posted by: nurse ratched at February 26, 2019 02:57 PM (d7Ww2)

197 183 Any chance we could lend Bolsonaro down in Brazil some Black Helicopters so he could roll on into Venezuela and give Maduro a ride?

Posted by: Hikaru at February 26, 2019 02:53 PM (UnA8+)

Colombia has a shitload of black helos.

I expect they are helping Guiado as much as they can. They have a million refugees they'd like to send home.

Posted by: blaster at February 26, 2019 02:57 PM (9VeU0)

198 194
Why help remove one bad leftist and then prop up another Leftist?

Fuckthat.
Posted by: Soothsayer, A Journailst and a Climate Expert at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (OLaIa)

===========

Which is exactly what will happen.

The Guiodo (whatever) guy is just another leftist stooge.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 02:57 PM (XSSCs)

199 I haven't lost anything in Venezuela. Maduro is in office because Dictator Chaze seized the country through a Coup. If they had really wanted freedom they could have seized his office and hung him.

This is another shitty little war that the neocons like dead old Maverick would like to get involved in. And then have the US pull out because the cry baby Democrats shit their panties.

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 02:57 PM (mpXpK)

200

Venezuelans need to.

We do not.
======
I seem to recall the Romanians showed some initiative.

Posted by: simplemind at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (zXzcO)

201 183 Any chance we could lend Bolsonaro down in Brazil some Black Helicopters so he could roll on into Venezuela and give Maduro a ride?"

It's easy to look at the maps, Brazil could take the entire southern half of Venezuela in a matter of days with their own forces, they have plenty of strength. What they don't have is the will to take any risk at all.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (Kpl3J)

202 Clean up your own mess you lazy commie bastards

Posted by: Regular joe at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (cZlKA)

203 I still think though there is still a huge amount of support for Chavez/Maduro type politics in Venezuela. Not the "supermajority" status that they win elections by, but damn close to 50%.
Posted by: Blago at February 26, 2019 02:50 PM (UfkIY)
-------------------------------
Fifteen years ago, yeah. Nowhere near that today.

But is it not possible to say that American troops should not be sent anyway?
Do we have to demonize the bulk of the Venezuelan people and call them worthless animals to justify a decision not to send troops?
I don't think so.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (Rxduq)

204 The only reason we should be getting involved in Venezuela is if it is in our national interest. Period.

If we are in danger of being inundated with refugees or if somehow the violence threatens the US then maybe. But going in just because Venezuelan's are suffering is not in our national interest as sad as it might be.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (/tuJf)

205 Oh, I am not sure about that. We can assist the provisional government against the Maduro air forces with minimal risk to Americans. And tactical bombing? Why not? But no boots on the ground or anything that smacks of "nation building."
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 02:55 PM (wYseH)

Yup...maybe a sniper or 2

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (bim/x)

206 India could absorb 200,000,000 lost. Pakistan? Not so much.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (eg609)
..........

Who would run all the 7-11's?

Posted by: Joe Biden at February 26, 2019 02:59 PM (v0R5T)

207 I seem to recall the Romanians showed some initiative. "

If you recall, the Romanian revolution happened because the Army switched sides. In autocratic regimes, Power always comes down to who controls the Army. Nothing else.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 02:59 PM (Kpl3J)

208 This will be intentionally very tough to do as Maduro has stacked the deck by appointing over 2000 Generals in the Army. A majority of them would all need to flip in a very short time frame to be effective.
Posted by: Calm Mentor

They don't need to flip. They just need their troops to defect.

Sucks to general 5 or 6 guys.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 02:59 PM (eg609)

209
The Best Possible Scenario (tm) is for the Leftists to battle it out, and then a Centrist to swoop in.

Posted by: Soothsayer, A Journailst and a Climate Expert at February 26, 2019 02:59 PM (OLaIa)

210 We had to kill our own British... the French helped a little... in French style.... point being, throw out your own damn tyrants.

Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 02:59 PM (90T4r)

211 207 Fifteen years ago, yeah. Nowhere near that today.

But is it not possible to say that American troops should not be sent anyway?
Do we have to demonize the bulk of the Venezuelan people and call them worthless animals to justify a decision not to send troops?
I don't think so.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (Rxduq)

==========

I'm unwilling to send American troops to risk their lives to preserve the lives and treasure of another nation at all anymore.

If this was happening in Great Britain, I'd still be saying no.

I'm done wanting to see the American flag fly everywhere. I'm happy just seeing it fly here.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 02:59 PM (oh/Sd)

212 I keep thinking of the before pics of the Sarajevo Olympics and after pics. Just 8 years between the Olympics and civil war. Things can turn on a dime relatively speaking.

Hope that's not our destiny but I'll keep prepping as an optimistic realist.

Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 03:00 PM (ODaO0)

213 Maduro is as weak as hes gonna get. The will to overthrow his fat ass just isnt there. Let em be.

Posted by: Xipe Totec still banned at rgICo at February 26, 2019 03:00 PM (m/IZ9)

214 Kamala Harris's dad has gone off script again and has told us that he and his daughter Kamala's Jamaican ancestors were "Slave-Owners," not slaves.

She will be personally paying for all reparations.

Posted by: SMOD at February 26, 2019 03:00 PM (QkjLD)

215 210
India could absorb 200,000,000 lost. Pakistan? Not so much.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (eg609)

..........

Who would run all the 7-11's?

Posted by: Joe Biden at February 26, 2019 02:59 PM (v0R5T)
Who's going to write your Java code, man your call support centers, run your networks?
American companies, some very very very big banks and credit companies, better hope things don't flash fry in India because their infrastructure will go Tango Uniform.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 03:01 PM (37IEG)

216 218 Kamala Harris's dad has gone off script again and has told us that he and his daughter Kamala's Jamaican ancestors were "Slave-Owners," not slaves.

She will be personally paying for all reparations.
Posted by: SMOD at February 26, 2019 03:00 PM (QkjLD)

==========

I'm beginning to like the cut of this man's jib.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:01 PM (oh/Sd)

217 If we are in danger of being inundated with refugees or if somehow the violence threatens the US then maybe. But going in just because Venezuelan's are suffering is not in our national interest as sad as it might be.
Posted by: JackStraw at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (/tuJf)

-------

This.

If we are going to invade some unstable Leftist shithole in Latin America, then we should attend to the pressing concerns in the one directly South of us, as we have on so many other occasions. It's been a long time since we did that. I think it's the longest we've ever actually gone without disciplining the Mexicans.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 03:01 PM (AzW6q)

218 206 Clean up your own mess you lazy commie bastards
Posted by: Regular joe at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (cZlKA)

That's the problem. It's the anti-commies that are in a bind.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2019 03:01 PM (zBaqJ)

219 You know what Venezuela needs? Zorro!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at February 26, 2019 03:01 PM (+y/Ru)

220 >>>Oh, I am not sure about that. We can assist the provisional government against the Maduro air forces with minimal risk to Americans. And tactical bombing? Why not? But no boots on the ground or anything that smacks of "nation building."
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 02:55 PM (wYseH)
__________
I understand what your are saying and that you oppose boots on the ground. I oppose it too.

But there will be pictures of dead Venezuelan babies, or BS stories about chemical attacks. The Media will deceive and tell any lie they please. And if we are already a little pregnant with Venezuelan involvement then we will be that much more likely to go full Iraq. Camel's Nose & Tent - self assembly automatic.

Let the Venezuelans be strong and independent by solving their own problems. They are strong on their own - let them show the world their strength rather than begging for our scraps. It's time for the Venezuelan Nation to Fight for their Country!

Posted by: Royalist Pikachu at February 26, 2019 03:01 PM (fbsK3)

221 Removing Maduro doesn't solve the problem of the ideology that was sold to the people. They aren't going to think to themselves, "what we believed about how the economy works was wrong." They're not.

They're going to think... it's Maduro's fault... change him out with someone better and then socialism will work.

THAT's the problem.

We don't have a military intervention decision to make, we have an evangelism decision to make. Could start with that right here at home.

Posted by: Synova (reversion to pseudonymous) at February 26, 2019 03:01 PM (BD/yx)

222 186 158 FLASH -- Hillary Clinton says she 'can't imagine' running for president again

----------------
The Glass Ceiling finally won???

Posted by: BunkerInTheBurbs, still needs a new Nic! at February 26, 2019 03:01 PM (68OOM)

223 ITS FUNNY BECAUSE VENEZUELA IS A SOCIALIST DREAM STATE AND THIS IS HOW SOCIALIST GET RID OF EXCESS POPULATION.....FOR THE CHILDREN, FOR THE PLANET, BUT MOSTLY TO SAVE ALL THE EMPANADAS FOR THEMSELVES.

Posted by: Ben Rothlisnbebergler at February 26, 2019 03:01 PM (ymnmz)

224 Sponge

Posted by: FIRST!!!!! at February 26, 2019 03:02 PM (d8iVQ)

225 When the first views of a modern nuked city hit the air waves, the world will take at deep breath and lose it's shit.

But what form does the shit losing take?

In the old days it was us toe to toe with the Russkies and we were going to wipe out the world. I would not be surprised to see nukes used in my lifetime - Indo-Paki is the guess - but it wouldn't be an extinction level event.

It would, of course, be a very bad morning for India and Pakistan.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 26, 2019 03:02 PM (fuK7c)

226 I sort of respect Kamalas Pop. Sounds like a straight shooter.

Posted by: Xipe Totec still banned at rgICo at February 26, 2019 03:02 PM (m/IZ9)

227 Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (Rxduq)

This is happening in our hemisphere and Venezuela can be a foot hold for either China or Russia and/ or a haven for terrorist . I can't rule out it's in our national interest .

Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 03:02 PM (ODaO0)

228 Pretty sure the only things we should be trying to ship into Venezuela are copies of Common Sense and the Federalist Papers.

Posted by: joe, living dangerously at February 26, 2019 03:03 PM (KUaJL)

229 223
You know what Venezuela needs? Zorro!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at February 26, 2019 03:01 PM (+y/Ru)

Mo Money! MO Money!! MO MONEY!!!!

Posted by: Chubble at February 26, 2019 03:03 PM (ymnmz)

230 Kamala Harris's dad has gone off script again and has told us that he and his daughter Kamala's Jamaican ancestors were "Slave-Owners," not slaves.

She will be personally paying for all reparations.
Posted by: SMOD

Dayum. Rule #1 Kamala: Don't go against the family.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 03:03 PM (eg609)

231 This will be intentionally very tough to do as
Maduro has stacked the deck by appointing over 2000 Generals in the
Army. A majority of them would all need to flip in a very short time
frame to be effective.

Posted by: Calm Mentor at February 26, 2019 02:57 PM (ffYR/)

yes. And a smart dictator will compile a bunch of bitter enders who really have no choice but stick with him.

Posted by: Quint at February 26, 2019 03:03 PM (n13/j)

232 "Many of the soldiers deserting say, in interviews, that they'd be willing to fight to depose Maduro, but that such a thing wouldn't be possible without a lot of help from "the international community.""

Like I said this morning, I have a bad feeling about this, and my gut says we are going to get involved.

Posted by: The Great White Scotsman at February 26, 2019 03:03 PM (JUOKG)

233 Also, wasn't Guaido a Chavista himself back in the day?

Why in hell should I be taking the side of someone whose only selling point is "he may be more competent"?

Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 03:03 PM (AM1GF)

234 Hillary will run if she is alive.Her lust for power is insatiable.

Posted by: steevy at February 26, 2019 03:04 PM (BXMxN)

235 231 Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (Rxduq)

This is happening in our hemisphere and Venezuela can be a foot hold for either China or Russia and/ or a haven for terrorist . I can't rule out it's in our national interest .
Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 03:02 PM (ODaO0)

============

Russia wants a shithole country that has torn itself apart through corruption and broken ideologies?

Let them take it.

They'll sink billions into trying to turn it into a client state that actually functions, and they'll get a poor return on their investment because they'll just export their own brand of foreign corruption to Venezuela.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:04 PM (oh/Sd)

236 mmm. Empanadas. Think I'll have another.

Posted by: Senor Maduro at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (v0R5T)

237 Many of the soldiers deserting say, in interviews, that they'd be willing to fight to depose Maduro, but that such a thing wouldn't be possible without a lot of help from "the international community."
_____________

Sorry, but the "international community" didn't put Maduro in power, you Venezualans did that.

So you should be the ones to get rid of him.

Posted by: TrivialPursuer at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (fqUgw)

238 I haven't lost anything in Venezuela.

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 02:57 PM (mpXpK)

That's total crap. Their lost oil production, their production of refugees, the destabilization of Central and South America? The exportation of socialism? The attractiveness of a socialist dictatorship to bad actors across the world?

Venezuela effects us whether we like it or not.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (wYseH)

239 India could absorb 200,000,000 lost. Pakistan? Not so much.
Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (eg609)

India still has a huge muslim population since most of them thought "fuck that shit" at the partition of Pakistan.

Posted by: Captain Hate at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (y7DUB)

240 Hope Trump does not pull a W....

Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (90T4r)

241 Kamala Harris's dad has gone off script again and has told us that he and his daughter Kamala's Jamaican ancestors were "Slave-Owners," not slaves.

-
Kamala's dad for president!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (+y/Ru)

242
Kamala Harris's dad has gone off script again and has told us that he
and his daughter Kamala's Jamaican ancestors were "Slave-Owners," not
slaves.

Dayum. Sounds like her dad is settling some family bidness.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (ptqGC)

243 My ex's family was Bolivian and Argentinian. My ex FIL (he was the Bolivian part) used to say that the people in Latin America need a strongman - it was just the way it worked there.

He wasn't a fan, though - they left Argentina after Peron took a lot of their stuff, went to the US and made a new fortune, then went back to Argentina just in time for the junta that started the Falklands War to confiscate it all.

Posted by: blaster at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (9VeU0)

244 243 I haven't lost anything in Venezuela.

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 02:57 PM (mpXpK)

That's total crap. Their lost oil production, their production of refugees, the destabilization of Central and South America? The exportation of socialism? The attractiveness of a socialist dictatorship to bad actors across the world?

Venezuela effects us whether we like it or not.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (wYseH)

===========

Their lost oil production has helped open the world oil market to American oil producers.

Just sayin...

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (oh/Sd)

245 206
Clean up your own mess you lazy commie bastards

Posted by: Regular joe at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (cZlKA)

I ain't gonna pump myself! Lazy grifting commie bastards.

Posted by: Worlds fifth largest oil reserve at February 26, 2019 03:06 PM (ymnmz)

246 Let them take it.

They'll sink billions into trying to turn it into a client state that actually functions, and they'll get a poor return on their investment because they'll just export their own brand of foreign corruption to Venezuela. ========
-------------
Vlad already sunk a billion into it.

He believes he owns their oil fields now.

There's no disputin' . . .

Posted by: simplemind at February 26, 2019 03:06 PM (+ipcc)

247 Pretty sure the only things we should be trying to ship into Venezuela are copies of Common Sense and the Federalist Papers.

Posted by: joe, living dangerously

Translated into Spanish. I can just see it, "Sentido Común" by Tomas Pena...

Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 03:06 PM (AM1GF)

248
problem is, wth does America do if Putin decides to prop up Maduro

Posted by: nurse ratched at February 26, 2019 02:57 PM

It's in Putin's best interest to keep Venezuela a basket case. Maduro is too fvcking stupid to know this. Or the Cuban soldiers just a few feet away are keeping him in line.

If ever an assassin was needed, it is now.

Posted by: Newest Nic at February 26, 2019 03:06 PM (jYje5)

249 196 That's how I played Risk, anyway.

I'd always take Australia, only one choke point to defend.

Otoh, you wouldn't want to play with me. If I saw I couldn't win I decided I wanted to affect the outcome of the game and just pick someone to do suicide waves on.
Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (fuK7c)

I'd hate playing with you.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at February 26, 2019 03:06 PM (pUDQf)

250 Yup...maybe a sniper or 2

Come for the socialism and an art thread breaks out.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 26, 2019 03:06 PM (fuK7c)

251 Maduro is now down to ordering nonexistent armies around.

Posted by: Constantine XI at February 26, 2019 03:06 PM (yiAMj)

252 215 But is it not possible to say that American troops should not be sent anyway?

Do we have to demonize the bulk of the Venezuelan people and call
them worthless animals to justify a decision not to send troops?

I don't think so.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (Rxduq)

ALL we have to do is shit, die, and pay too high income tax. We are not the worlds policeman. And I got a bellyfull of that in vietnam. Democraps start war, then cry about it, and pull troops out after the war is nearly won.

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 03:07 PM (mpXpK)

253 247

Kamala Harris's dad has gone off script again and has told us that he

and his daughter Kamala's Jamaican ancestors were "Slave-Owners," not

slaves.

Dayum. Sounds like her dad is settling some family bidness.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (ptqGC)

LOL

Posted by: Cuthbert the Witless at February 26, 2019 03:07 PM (ymnmz)

254 234 Kamala Harris's dad has gone off script again and has told us that he and his daughter Kamala's Jamaican ancestors were "Slave-Owners," not slaves.

She will be personally paying for all reparations.
Posted by: SMOD

Dayum. Rule #1 Kamala: Don't go against the family.
Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 03:03 PM (eg609)
------------

Wow. LOL.

I get the feeling her Dad is sick and tired of the victim crap. He could be a moron like us!

Posted by: WisRich at February 26, 2019 03:07 PM (G0vdT)

255 India should forcibly deport their Muslims to Pakistan after the nuclear strike to repopulate Pakistan. Then hit it again.

Posted by: Xipe Totec still banned at rgICo at February 26, 2019 03:07 PM (m/IZ9)

256 Russia wants a shithole country that has torn itself apart through corruption and broken ideologies?

Let them take it.

They'll sink billions into trying to turn it into a client state
that actually functions, and they'll get a poor return on their
investment because they'll just export their own brand of foreign
corruption to Venezuela.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:04 PM

---

Uh Russia wants to "own" a Country that has the LARGEST proven reserves of oil in the World.

Posted by: The Great White Scotsman at February 26, 2019 03:07 PM (JUOKG)

257 Maduro is waiting for Generallisimo Steiner to come....

Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 03:07 PM (90T4r)

258 Sucks to general 5 or 6 guys.
Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 02:59 PM (eg609)

Less paper work...Just saying

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2019 03:07 PM (bim/x)

259 257 ALL we have to do is shit, die, and pay too high income tax. We are not the worlds policeman. And I got a bellyfull of that in vietnam. Democraps start war, then cry about it, and pull troops out after the war is nearly won.
Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 03:07 PM (mpXpK)

============

We're not going to fix their problems.

We're going to invite in new problems and more excuses for the world to hate us.

Let them have the fruits of their own labor.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:07 PM (oh/Sd)

260 246 Kamala Harris's dad has gone off script again and has told us that he and his daughter Kamala's Jamaican ancestors were "Slave-Owners," not slaves.

-
Kamala's dad for president!
________________

Yes, he seems to be a lot more likeable than his skanky daughter.

Posted by: TrivialPursuer at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (fqUgw)

261
It would, of course, be a very bad morning for India and Pakistan.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 26, 2019 03:02 PM (fuK7c)
I'm thinking "we have to stop them!" level outrage in most of the civilized countries. People aren't ready to see 'shadows' on the remaining concrete wall where a body shielded the concrete for that brief instant so it didn't bake evenly.
Or the the fires, ruin...."survivors" who aren't going to survive no matter what we do for them.
No, if 9/11/01 united the world for a brief instant imagine the effect a leveled Mumbai or Karachi (or both) would have.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (37IEG)

262 >>>That's total crap. Their lost oil production, their production of refugees, the destabilization of Central and South America? The exportation of socialism? The attractiveness of a socialist dictatorship to bad actors across the world?

Venezuela effects us whether we like it or not.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (wYseH)
________
No one is claiming that Venezuela's fate isn't linked to the rest of the world because every nation has an impact on the others from the biggest to the smallest in one way or another.

Instead are saying that invading, bombing, or whatever Venezuela is not a net benefit to American People.

Posted by: Royalist Pikachu at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (fbsK3)

263 >>Pretty sure the only things we should be trying to ship into Venezuela are copies of Common Sense and the Federalist Papers.

I'd be ok with shipping them weapons. It's pretty tough to fight an army with a book.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (/tuJf)

264 193
America is not the world's savior.

We won't come and help you when you get yourself into a giant mess.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (XSSCs)

Nobody is going to come and save us when we vote in socialism.

Posted by: rickl at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (xjiRE)

265 249 That's total crap. Their lost oil production, their production of
refugees, the destabilization of Central and South America? The
exportation of socialism? The attractiveness of a socialist dictatorship
to bad actors across the world?

Venezuela effects us whether we like it or not.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (wYseH)

The sign up and go fight. I had my turn.

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (mpXpK)

266
Some air dropped MREs might be the spark they need.

Posted by: BignJames at February 26, 2019 02:28 PM (ykq7q)

My first reaction is to observe that we really shouldn't be engaging in chemical warfare.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (veoSD)

267 Kamala Harris's dad has gone off script again and has told us that he
and his daughter Kamala's Jamaican ancestors were "Slave-Owners," not
slaves.
...........

That's what she gets for not remembering to send birthday cards.

Posted by: wth at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (v0R5T)

268 208 The only reason we should be getting involved in Venezuela is if it is in our national interest. Period.

If we are in danger of being inundated with refugees or if somehow the violence threatens the US then maybe. But going in just because Venezuelan's are suffering is not in our national interest as sad as it might be.
Posted by: JackStraw at February 26, 2019 02:58 PM (/tuJf)
----------------------------------
THIS.
Any military intervention has to be predicated on OUR interest alone.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 03:09 PM (Rxduq)

269 Rumor has it that we have 2 special operations teams infiltrated through the Colombian jungle, that arrived with the food relief agencies. Closing the borders was a reaction to it.

Posted by: Total Control Racist at February 26, 2019 03:09 PM (I3rl+)

270
Uh Russia wants to "own" a Country that has the LARGEST proven reserves of oil in the World.

Posted by: The Great White Scotsman at February 26, 2019 03:07 PM (JUOKG)
Heh - their former "possessions" still have such a great opinion of their loving leadership.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 03:09 PM (37IEG)

271 229 When the first views of a modern nuked city hit the air waves, the world will take a deep breath and lose it's shit. "

I admit I'll be disappointed if it isn't San Francisco.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 03:09 PM (Kpl3J)

272 The sign up and go fight. I had my turn.
Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (m

That was uncalled for.

Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 03:09 PM (ODaO0)

273 I wonder what Cuba is doing. Back in the day the Cubans would train and support these South American tyrannies.* This would be a good time to for the US to tell them we are watching and taking notes.

* with Russian cash.

Posted by: Quint at February 26, 2019 03:09 PM (n13/j)

274 FLASH -- Hillary Clinton says she 'can't imagine' running for president again

----------------
The Glass Ceiling finally won???

-
Put her in one of those mime invisible boxes!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at February 26, 2019 03:10 PM (+y/Ru)

275 269 193
America is not the world's savior.

We won't come and help you when you get yourself into a giant mess.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (XSSCs)

Nobody is going to come and save us when we vote in socialism.
Posted by: rickl at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (xjiRE)

===========

Exactly.

Until I get promises from the world that they would save us after we became a socialist shithole where private gun ownership is outlawed and we must go through the state for everything, then I'm unwilling to think about lifting a finger for anyone else.

They hate us no matter what. Let them hate us from afar.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:10 PM (oh/Sd)

276 I admit I'll be disappointed if it isn't San Francisco.
Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 03:09 PM (Kpl3J)

---------

DC, for me.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 03:10 PM (AzW6q)

277
But interestingly, the yellow humanitarian version of MREs were actually designed to be air-dropped. They just get shoved out the back of the plane to fall individually.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at February 26, 2019 03:10 PM (veoSD)

278 Their lost oil production has helped open the world oil market to American oil producers.

Just sayin...
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:05 PM (oh/Sd)

-------------------------

To an extent, but this is not exactly an apples to apples comparison. Their crude is very low quality and very expensive to refine, whereas much of ours is light, sweet crude.

Posted by: Calm Mentor at February 26, 2019 03:10 PM (ffYR/)

279 277
The sign up and go fight. I had my turn.

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (m

That was uncalled for.

Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 03:09 PM (ODaO0)

Why

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 03:10 PM (mpXpK)

280 The sign up and go fight. I had my turn.
Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (mpXpK)

That's a weak argument. And knowing CBD as I do, i bet he would if he was not so fuckin old

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2019 03:10 PM (bim/x)

281 Instead are saying that invading, bombing, or whatever Venezuela is not a net benefit to American People.

Posted by: Royalist Pikachu at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (fbsK3)

Read what I wrote. I am not advocating boots on the ground, and am totally against any nation-building crap. Help the rebels against Maduro with our air force and maybe some supplies, and that is it.

But this stupid neo-isolationist crap is just as ignorant as the neo-cons screaming for troops everywhere on earth.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 03:10 PM (wYseH)

282 Does anyone have a release date for comic book team up between AOC and America Chavez?

Posted by: Downcast at February 26, 2019 03:10 PM (eZ1EM)

283 That's how I played Risk, anyway.

I'd always take Australia, only one choke point to defend.

Otoh, you wouldn't want to play with me. If I saw I couldn't win I decided I wanted to affect the outcome of the game and just pick someone to do suicide waves on.
Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 26, 2019 02:56 PM (fuK7c)

North America gives 5 armies a turn, whereas Australia only gives 2, and NA has 3 choke points, just one more than Australia.

NA also has the advantage of being able to easily expand into South America relatively safely, and once you have North and South America, you're getting 7 armies a turn while still having only 3 choke points to defend. Australia can only move into Asia, which is pretty much impossible to defend unless you're overwhelmingly winning already.

Then again, that's the level 1 play. Assuming you're playing with people who know what they're doing, they're also highly going to be contesting North America, so you probably actually want to start out in South America and move North, rather than North and move south.

Posted by: joe, living dangerously at February 26, 2019 03:10 PM (KUaJL)

284 As a longtime supporter of the projection of American force across national boundaries it will surprise no one that I advocate sending troops to Venezuela to rescue brave Comrade Maduro in his hour of need.

Working with our socialist friends in Latin America and the excellent Iranian regime, we have a definite humanitarian role to play there. Ensuring the just distribution of goods and the moral control by the masses serves both Allah and the people.

Posted by: Capitano Cuck Kristol at February 26, 2019 03:10 PM (Z216Q)

285 I only recently learned a little about the Monroe Doctrine, but it does seem we should/could extend out influence to South and Central America. We already do, but now we have China/Russia/??? trying to crash the party.

imo our influence would be better for the people than the commie influence. BUT we do it for our own reasons. Yes ... we don't need another collapsing narco state flooding us with Dem voting "refugees". But also other national security issues.

S America is a different version of Catholicism, perhaps more influenced by the commie pope, idk. But a more Christian based population would be a better fit for moving toward the Western world, than what the commies like Castro or Xi or Putin have in mind. Western nations are already on board with Trump on this ... hopefully the transition is sooner than later, and wishfully smoother than it might become.

Posted by: illiniwek at February 26, 2019 03:11 PM (Cus5s)

286 If we need to send troops to Venezuela, this would be a perfect time to institute the draft for this mission alone.

Imagine all the terrified soy boys and gurlz when they're sent off to boot camp.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 26, 2019 03:11 PM (ptqGC)

287 274
Rumor has it that we have 2 special operations teams infiltrated through
the Colombian jungle, that arrived with the food relief agencies.
Closing the borders was a reaction to it.

Posted by: Total Control Racist at February 26, 2019 03:09 PM (I3rl+)

So like 50 people go in and they BUILD A WALL!!!!

REEEEEEEEEEEE!

Wait Whut Who?

Posted by: NPC SJW at February 26, 2019 03:11 PM (ymnmz)

288 They voted these assholes in. Let them deal with the consequences. "

Si.

Here's a gun.

Posted by: Anon a mouse at February 26, 2019 03:11 PM (6qErC)

289 That's total crap. Their lost oil production, their production of refugees, the destabilization of Central and South America? The exportation of socialism? The attractiveness of a socialist dictatorship to bad actors across the world?

Venezuela effects us whether we like it or not.

True to a point, but...

Chavez bet the country's economy on $200 oil, and he lost, but he croaked before the global casino could call his bet and Maduro's left holding the bag. Venezuela is now a nullity on the oil front, we have plenty and prices are modest and all that really matters is why Citgo still functions in the US.

For the past decade or so 'refugees' were largely educated and employable people who could pay their own way out. There's lots of ex-PdVSA engineers working here and there. Things may change if the place goes full failed-state.

The export of Chavismo seems to be mostly to Hollywood. I'd be quite happy to see Sean Penn shot in a trench defending Maduro's last bastion, but I suspect that's unlikely. They've been funding crap in Cuba and elsewhere, but that's gone now.

Posted by: JEM at February 26, 2019 03:11 PM (8erNz)

290 Who wants to die to save Venezuela from itself? Come on folks. No? Me neither.

Posted by: Xipe Totec still banned at rgICo at February 26, 2019 03:11 PM (m/IZ9)

291 >>And knowing CBD as I do, i bet he would if he was not so fuckin old

Talk about your backhanded compliments.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 26, 2019 03:11 PM (/tuJf)

292 268 >>Pretty sure the only things we should be trying to ship into Venezuela are copies of Common Sense and the Federalist Papers.

I'd be ok with shipping them weapons. It's pretty tough to fight an army with a book.
Posted by: JackStraw at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (/tuJf)

But without the book, it's worthless.

Is there any fight, no matter how kinetic, that isn't an ideological fight? Any at all?

Guns or not, food drops or not, it's pointless if no one bothers with the ideological fight.

Posted by: Synova (reversion to pseudonymous) at February 26, 2019 03:11 PM (BD/yx)

293 The Brazilians could waltz in with some rations and score a lot of hot, hungry Venezuelan chicks. I mean, there's precedence for this sort of thing. Just sayin'.

She'll fuck you for a chocolate bar.

Posted by: Gordo Garcia at February 26, 2019 03:12 PM (MHKOK)

294 257 ALL we have to do is shit, die, and pay too high income tax. We are not the worlds policeman. And I got a bellyfull of that in vietnam. Democraps start war, then cry about it, and pull troops out after the war is nearly won.
Posted by: Vic
_____________________

Yes, we shouldn't be sending American soldiers to die in a foreign country for the mistakes that the foreigners made.

This is Venezuela's mess; they made it, they need to fix it.

Posted by: TrivialPursuer at February 26, 2019 03:12 PM (fqUgw)

295 274 Rumor has it that we have 2 special operations teams infiltrated through the Colombian jungle...

I don't mean to be needlessly skeptical, but why would they need to "infiltrate through the Columbian Jungle" when we're friends with Columbia, and all they would have to do is land at the airport and take a cab to the border?

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 03:12 PM (Kpl3J)

296 The sign up and go fight. I had my turn.

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (mpXpK)

As usual, you don't get it.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 03:12 PM (wYseH)

297 Dayum. Rule #1 Kamala: Don't go against the family.
Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 03:03 PM (eg609)
------------

Wow. LOL.

I get the feeling her Dad is sick and tired of the victim crap. He could be a moron like us!
Posted by: WisRich at February 26, 2019 03:07 PM (G0vdT)

Let me put it this way: if I found out that my daughter was some married pol's cum dumpster, my reaction would more closely resemble Mr. Harris's than that worthless piece of shit Lewinsky.

Posted by: Captain Hate at February 26, 2019 03:12 PM (y7DUB)

298 Their crude is very low quality and very expensive to refine, whereas much of ours is light, sweet crude.
Posted by: Calm Mentor

That's racist.

Posted by: Alyssa Milano at February 26, 2019 03:12 PM (eZ1EM)

299 And knowing CBD as I do, i bet he would if he was not so fuckin old

Talk about your backhanded compliments.
Posted by: JackStraw at February 26, 2019 03:11 PM (/tuJf)

Hey I am fuckin older than him, but lucky for me, I have a skill they want. LOL

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2019 03:12 PM (bim/x)

300 The sign up and go fight. I had my turn.
Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (m

That was uncalled for.

Posted by: Can't resist temptation

No, it's damned appropriate. We've had a generation of men fighting wars on behalf of people who never risked a thing for their mercurial policies. It really, really sucks to be in Venezuela, but we need to handle our own business, not continually bleed out over foreign soil for people who will turn on us the moment things get wrong. (And that's just the Democrats...)

Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 03:13 PM (AM1GF)

301 Uh Russia wants to "own" a Country that has the LARGEST proven reserves of oil in the World.

I don't know crap about the all bidness either. But we have seen time and again that these socialist tyrannies suck at making it a going concern. They always kick out the Western companies and wonder why their yields and profits suffer. Maybe a fat guy in an od suit with a cigar is not the best at extracting oil for profit?

Posted by: Quint at February 26, 2019 03:13 PM (n13/j)

302 I don't mean to be needlessly skeptical, but why would they need to "infiltrate through the Columbian Jungle" when we're friends with Columbia, and all they would have to do is land at the airport and take a cab to the border?
Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 03:12 PM (Kpl3J)

Because you don't join the special forces to catch a flight and a hop on a cab to the border. You do it clandestinely infiltrate through the jungle, dammit.

Posted by: joe, living dangerously at February 26, 2019 03:14 PM (KUaJL)

303 Is there any way Loopy could be convinced she needs to lead an army of leftwing imbeciles to save the revolution in Venezuela?

Posted by: Northern Lurker, irritable, so very irritable. Have I mentioned I'm irritable? at February 26, 2019 03:14 PM (JgA4k)

304 I have a skill they want. LOL

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2019 03:12 PM (bim/x)

I've seen you drink. I'm better at it.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 03:14 PM (wYseH)

305 Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 03:13 PM (AM1GF)

It was a personal attack and misrepresented CBDs position.

Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 03:14 PM (ODaO0)

306 I am not advocating boots on the ground, and am totally against any nation-building crap. Help the rebels against Maduro with our air force and maybe some supplies, and that is it.

But it never seems to stop there, does it? Air forces and supplies today. Then the military advisors. Then a "tripwire force". Then the next administration runs the other way just as things may be getting better. This show is in reruns, and it sucks.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 03:15 PM (AM1GF)

307
Is this true or false?

Maduro is the Castro Regime's puppet?

Posted by: Soothsayer, A Journailst and a Climate Expert at February 26, 2019 03:15 PM (OLaIa)

308 231
This is happening in our hemisphere and Venezuela can be a foot hold for either China or Russia and/ or a haven for terrorist . I can't rule out it's in our national interest .
Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 03:02 PM (ODaO0)
---------------------------------
True. It could indeed become a matter of our interest.

For example, when I hear talk of Iran providing Maduro with missiles that can hit the US and that can hold nukes, .... well, if that were to happen, I'd be all for blowing those sites and the fat bus driver to Pluto.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 03:15 PM (Rxduq)

309 if we had a non-communist news media, AOC would be asked some tough questions.

that she isn't proves D_Lamppost was right.

Posted by: x at February 26, 2019 03:15 PM (nFwvY)

310 >>>
Read what I wrote. I am not advocating boots on the ground, and am totally against any nation-building crap. Help the rebels against Maduro with our air force and maybe some supplies, and that is it.

But this stupid neo-isolationist crap is just as ignorant as the neo-cons screaming for troops everywhere on earth.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 03:10 PM (wYseH)
_________
I understand what your are saying and that you oppose boots on the ground. I oppose it too.

But there will be pictures of dead Venezuelan babies, or BS stories about chemical attacks. The Media will deceive and lie as they please. And if we are already a little pregnant with Venezuelan involvement then we will be that much more likely to go full Iraq. Camel's Nose & Tent - self assembly automatic.

Let the Venezuelans be strong and independent by solving their own problems. They are strong on their own - let them show the world their strength rather than begging for our scraps. It's time for the Venezuelan Nation to Fight for their Country!

Posted by: Royalist Pikachu at February 26, 2019 03:15 PM (fbsK3)

311 311 I am not advocating boots on the ground, and am totally against any nation-building crap. Help the rebels against Maduro with our air force and maybe some supplies, and that is it.

But it never seems to stop there, does it? Air forces and supplies today. Then the military advisors. Then a "tripwire force". Then the next administration runs the other way just as things may be getting better. This show is in reruns, and it sucks.
Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 03:15 PM (AM1GF)

=========

Or it's Libya.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:15 PM (oh/Sd)

312 don't mean to be needlessly skeptical, but why would they need to "infiltrate through the Columbian Jungle"

***

Meaning that they went to Venezuela

Posted by: Emilio Estevez in a MAGA hat at February 26, 2019 03:16 PM (MZOvU)

313 "Join the folk song army.
Every one of us cares.
We all hate poverty war and destruction.
Unlike the rest of you squares. "

50 years later, this shit never changes.

Posted by: Tom Lehrer at February 26, 2019 03:16 PM (37IEG)

314 not continually bleed out over foreign soil for
people who will turn on us the moment things get wrong.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 03:13 PM (AM1GF)

Agreed. Vic made some stupid assumptions about what I said, and didn't bother to understand it.

We can help Venezuela get out from under Maduro, but we should not bleed for them and we shouldn't fix it when they are finished.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 03:16 PM (wYseH)

315 Uh Russia wants to "own" a Country that has the LARGEST proven reserves of oil in the World.

I
don't know crap about the all bidness either. But we have seen time and
again that these socialist tyrannies suck at making it a going concern.
They always kick out the Western companies and wonder why their yields
and profits suffer. Maybe a fat guy in an od suit with a cigar is not
the best at extracting oil for profit?

Posted by: Quint at February 26, 2019 03:13 PM

---

Russia knows what they are doing in the oil and gas business. They are the one Country that keeps the lights on in most of Western Europe with their gas and oil shipments. That's where Vlad gets most of his $$$$ from.

Posted by: The Great White Scotsman at February 26, 2019 03:16 PM (JUOKG)

316 295
Who wants to die to save Venezuela from itself? Come on folks. No? Me neither.

Posted by: Xipe Totec still banned at rgICo at February 26, 2019 03:11 PM (m/IZ9)

Mr Hand!!!???? What are you doing here?

Well Mr Spicoli, you and I are going on a little road trip south of the boarder.

Posted by: Jeff Spicoli whislting past the graveyard at February 26, 2019 03:16 PM (ymnmz)

317 I just don't think you can really make much of a case Venezuela is a danger to the homeland beyond just people South of the border being poor and wanting to come here, which is going to be true forever with all of those countries.

I don't think having ideological differences with a country is enough to get the military involved.

Socialism is stupid, but if say Norway goes further left, we're not invading them.

I guarantee you a short time after Maduro is gone, similar types of politics will dominate the region.

Posted by: Blago at February 26, 2019 03:17 PM (UfkIY)

318 319
We can help Venezuela get out from under Maduro, but we should not bleed for them and we shouldn't fix it when they are finished.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 26, 2019 03:16 PM (wYseH)

==========

Then what's the point?

Us getting Maduro out will just delay the continued bleeding of the country by a few years as the new group of socialists restart all the old policies and practices that sent the country down the tubes.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:17 PM (oh/Sd)

319 285 The sign up and go fight. I had my turn.
Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 03:08 PM (mpXpK)

That's a weak argument. And knowing CBD as I do, i bet he would if he was not so fuckin old."

Honestly, I think it could be a lot of fun to go and legally shoot a bunch of commies through the head. But they'd probably try to put up a bunch of restrictions that would make it all a big pain, like you're supposed to ask people to surrender first, that kind of thing.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 03:17 PM (Kpl3J)

320 All coming to a deep-blue city and/or state near you.

Posted by: DocJ at February 26, 2019 03:17 PM (NYS7S)

321 Sean Penn will come.

Posted by: Nicolas Maduro at February 26, 2019 03:17 PM (MHKOK)

322 313
231

This is happening in our hemisphere and Venezuela can be a foot hold
for either China or Russia and/ or a haven for terrorist . I can't rule
out it's in our national interest .

Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 03:02 PM (ODaO0)

I heard an endless puking of that in the 60s with the so-called Domino Theory. 50 to 60 thousand Americans died for that, all for nothing because of the same Party that shit that mess abandoned it.

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 03:17 PM (mpXpK)

323 320 Russia knows what they are doing in the oil and gas business. They are the one Country that keeps the lights on in most of Western Europe with their gas and oil shipments. That's where Vlad gets most of his $$$$ from.

Posted by: The Great White Scotsman at February 26, 2019 03:16 PM (JUOKG)

===========

Too bad oil prices aren't high enough to actually fund his government anymore.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:18 PM (oh/Sd)

324 For example, when I hear talk of Iran providing Maduro with missiles that can hit the US and that can hold nukes, .... well, if that were to happen, I'd be all for blowing those sites and the fat bus driver to Pluto.
Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 03:15 PM (Rxduq)

--------

Yep. If they're threatening us. But not until then.

And let's be frank here - the US has slowly but surely joined the club of big oil-and-gas producers. At the same time, VZ kicked us out, and we have no money interest their oil, and do have one in our own.

At this time, a destitute VZ helps our pocketbook, and doesn't harm us.

Keep an eye on it, and stay out of it unless necessary.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 03:18 PM (AzW6q)

325 Vic is right. Fuck fighting for any of these shitholes.

Posted by: Total Control Racist at February 26, 2019 03:18 PM (I3rl+)

326 >>But without the book, it's worthless.

>>Is there any fight, no matter how kinetic, that isn't an ideological fight? Any at all?

>>Guns or not, food drops or not, it's pointless if no one bothers with the ideological fight.

I think a lot of people forget that pre-Chavez Venezuela was a thriving democracy. The richest in Latin America with a large middle class and a strong economic sector.

Today it is a corrupt socialistic dictatorship with over 3 million refugees mostly spread out in Latin and South American but also a not inconsequential number here in the US. It's not like they have no experience with self-rule in a democratic fashion.

I'm all for giving the refugees and those trapped in the country weapons and whatever sort of moral and restructuring support they need but without weapons it's pretty silly to think they are going to be successful against Maduro's army. We didn't take on the Brits with copies of Common Sense alone. We used weapons.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 26, 2019 03:18 PM (/tuJf)

327 Because you don't join the special forces to catch a
flight and a hop on a cab to the border. You do it clandestinely
infiltrate through the jungle, dammit.

Posted by: joe, living dangerously at February 26, 2019 03:14 PM (KUaJL)

You can't play the theme to A-Team while your in an Uber.

Posted by: Cuthbert the Witless at February 26, 2019 03:18 PM (ymnmz)

328 We can help Venezuela get out from under Maduro, but we should not bleed for them and we shouldn't fix it when they are finished.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

But we shouldn't have any illusions about what the Powers That Be in our own country would do once we start down that road. Look, I would love to help these people somehow. Not all of them voted for this. I imagine some that did regret it. But like the prayer says, I gotta take this sinful world as it is, not the way I would have it. And that means I know starting down that road always leads to the same place.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 03:18 PM (AM1GF)

329 Gonna have to work hard to make "don't ask me I don't give a damn"
rhyme with "next stop is Venezuela"

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 03:18 PM (37IEG)

330 I bet there are lots of Venezuelan men who would describe my wife as hot. Lucious. Doable.

We need to roll up our sleeves and get down there!

Posted by: Capitano Cuck Kristol at February 26, 2019 03:18 PM (Z216Q)

331 326 Sean Penn will come.
Posted by: Nicolas Maduro at February 26, 2019 03:17 PM (MHKOK)

Good luck with that.

Posted by: Madonna at February 26, 2019 03:18 PM (8RFw7)

332 Could anyone arrange a visit from the ghost of Karl Marx to convince Loopy to sacrifice herself and an Antifa army in the jungles of Venezuela?

Posted by: Northern Lurker, irritable, so very irritable. Have I mentioned I'm irritable? at February 26, 2019 03:18 PM (JgA4k)

333 Because you don't join the special forces to catch a flight and a hop on a cab to the border. You do it clandestinely infiltrate through the jungle, dammit.
Posted by: joe,

FTS.

HALO.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2019 03:19 PM (eg609)

334 This is happening in our hemisphere and Venezuela can be a foot hold for either China or Russia and/ or a haven for terrorist . I can't rule out it's in our national interest .
Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 03:02 PM (ODaO0)

That was the purpose of the Monroe Doctrine. Keep potentially-hostile foreign powers out of Central & South America.

Posted by: Cato, Media Delenda Est at February 26, 2019 03:19 PM (J+mig)

335 312
Is this true or false?

Maduro is the Castro Regime's puppet?
Posted by: Soothsayer, A Journailst and a Climate Expert at February 26, 2019 03:15 PM (OLaIa)
-------------------------------------
They are in cahoots.
If anyone wonders why Maduro has not been assassinated, it's because he is protected by a Praetorian guard of Cubans and, BTW, Russian "advisers."

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 03:19 PM (Rxduq)

336 This damn climate change is making the Venezuelans crazy. President Maduros gutting of the petroleum industry and policy of gasoline rationing has done more to cut carbon emissions and fight climate change than any other world leader.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at February 26, 2019 03:19 PM (mHi94)

337 I have a Venezuela story. It was told to me in +/- 2000, for perspective, but I know and knew too little Venezuelan history to place it.

I was trying to do a deal with a Venezuelan. I was all in "here's what I want and here's what I can give you" business mode. He was all languid and let's get to know each other.

He's from a military family. He says "my father was one of the generals who overthrew the dictator and introduced democracy".

I says, "oh, that's cool!"

He says, "I'm not so sure. He kind of regrets it now".

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 26, 2019 03:20 PM (fuK7c)

338 Greetings:

I heard on France24 that Madura has about 25,000 Cuban non-colonialist, non-imperialist mercenaries at his disposals. Kind of a Granada Grande, no ???

Posted by: 11B40 at February 26, 2019 03:20 PM (evgyj)

339 Sean Penn will come.

Posted by: Nicolas Maduro at February 26, 2019 03:17 PM (MHKOK)
.........

P.S. Sean, bring TP. Thx.

Posted by: Senor Maduro at February 26, 2019 03:20 PM (v0R5T)

340 336
326 Sean Penn will come.

Posted by: Nicolas Maduro at February 26, 2019 03:17 PM (MHKOK)

Good luck with that.

Posted by: Madonna at February 26, 2019 03:18 PM (8RFw7)

(insert tired joke here)

Posted by: Danny Glover at February 26, 2019 03:20 PM (ymnmz)

341

But Cuba is our friend, now!

Posted by: Soothsayer, A Journailst and a Climate Expert at February 26, 2019 03:20 PM (OLaIa)

342 306 Uh Russia wants to "own" a Country that has the LARGEST proven reserves of oil in the World.

I can kinda understand that, but (a) even the Thugocracy of South Africa and Formerly British Guyana now seems to have more oil than it knows what to do with, the better we get at looking the more we find and (b) Venezuela's a nice training round-trip from Dyess AFB, right?

Posted by: JEM at February 26, 2019 03:20 PM (8erNz)

343 This is little different from the Libyan debacle. And here, we know of direct support from Russia, and we KNOW that the left will vilify whomever tries any action.

Further, we have no proof that these people will do jack with support.

Calling opponents isolationists is no different than the smear chickenhawk

Posted by: Americans fighting His majesty's troops at Concord bridge at February 26, 2019 03:20 PM (6rX0K)

344 This is happening in our hemisphere and Venezuela can be a foot hold for either China or Russia and/ or a haven for terrorist . I can't rule out it's in our national interest .
Posted by: Can't resist temptation

This is the only argument I can accept for taking action.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 03:20 PM (AM1GF)

345 231 This is happening in our hemisphere and Venezuela can be a foot hold for either China or Russia and/ or a haven for terrorist . I can't rule out it's in our national interest .
Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 03:02 PM (ODaO0)

Sorry, and I say this as someone waaaaaaaay past draft age - but Just. Fucking. NO.

We're going to have enough of a fight on our hands keeping this shit from taking hold in Commiefornia, IllNoize, and Cuomo's Paradise, comrade.

Posted by: DocJ at February 26, 2019 03:20 PM (NYS7S)

346 >>> It's almost like there is a difference in being
colonized by the Spanish/Portuguese instead of the English. I know, crazy talk.

I casually mentioned the relative stability of colonies once settled by the English, vs the Spanish or Portuguese or French, to some leftist relatives. Blew their minds, lol. You never know when a truth bomb will successfully go off!

Posted by: LizLem at February 26, 2019 03:21 PM (hvf9s)

347 Columbia should send their anti-commie squads in there and act like they had nothing to do with it.

Posted by: Drer Brererd at February 26, 2019 03:21 PM (vtd+q)

348 I am pretty much non interventionist... agreeing with those ( Margarita, I'm looking at you ) who says intervene ONLY if our VITAL, crucial, life-or- death national interest is at stake. Few matters rise to this level, in my world view.
We have pissed away an amazing amount of blood and treasure for ingrates, IMO....

Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 03:21 PM (90T4r)

349 305
It really, really sucks to be in Venezuela, but we need to handle our own business,

Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 03:13 PM (AM1GF)

And our own business is getting increasingly scary.

Posted by: rickl at February 26, 2019 03:22 PM (xjiRE)

350 Theory:

The Left desperately wants Trump to go all in on Venezuela.

That way they can mission creep with the deep state and get into endless nation building, which will weaken Trump domestically.

Get him into another quagmire before 2020, and he's destined to lose re-election.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:22 PM (oh/Sd)

351 326 Sean Penn will come.

Hopefully before that dude croaks we get a full list of every garage he's ever parked in, if you know what I mean, 'cause I don't ever want to drive over his oil spots.

Posted by: JEM at February 26, 2019 03:22 PM (8erNz)

352 Only a couple two, tree trillion, we can bring American style government to Venezuela!

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at February 26, 2019 03:23 PM (mHi94)

353 hey, as far as China and Russia and how they can 'now' interfere.

How do you think Chavez got into power in the first place?

This is just a destination on the road we built with Red Star/White Star geopolitics back in the day after we'd "kicked the shit outta the NAZIs".

China and Russia are actually holding worse cards now than they did when the were "Red". Back then they were isolated from the world at large and could do shit they wanted while thumbing their noses at the 'respectable' (nuclear armed) countries.

Now those countries are their trading partners.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 03:23 PM (37IEG)

354 We have pissed away an amazing amount of blood and treasure for ingrates, IMO....
Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 03:21 PM (90T4r)

---------

The only country we ever helped and didn't receive spit in our face directly afterward has been Israel. Britain waited a little while to spit in our face, I guess. But that's it.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 03:23 PM (AzW6q)

355 350
231 This is happening in our hemisphere and Venezuela can be a foot hold
for either China or Russia and/ or a haven for terrorist . I can't rule
out it's in our national interest .

Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 03:02 PM (ODaO0)

Sorry, and I say this as someone waaaaaaaay past draft age - but Just. Fucking. NO.

We're going to have enough of a fight on our hands keeping this shit
from taking hold in Commiefornia, IllNoize, and Cuomo's Paradise,
comrade.

Posted by: DocJ at February 26, 2019 03:20 PM (NYS7S)

NOPE. Send not one boot. Fund the crap out of the neighbors, if any of them are worth a shit, and make them keep an eye on their retarded half cousin till he smartens up from the stupid.

Posted by: Cuthbert the Witless at February 26, 2019 03:23 PM (ymnmz)

356 357 Only a couple two, tree trillion, we can bring American style government to Venezuela!
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at February 26, 2019 03:23 PM (mHi94)

As long as it's Bolivars

Posted by: Roy at February 26, 2019 03:23 PM (8RFw7)

357 Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:22 PM (oh/Sd)

I can buy that. I can also buy the notion that the instant Trump comes-out in favor of full-scale war they will revert to their historic position of throwing rocks at the parade as it passes.

Posted by: DocJ at February 26, 2019 03:24 PM (NYS7S)

358 I also recall Bush-II calling for a congressional resolution to invade Iraq about a month before the election. A majority of the communists in congress voted FOR it.

As soon as the elections were over in DEC they came out Hell bent for us to surrender and get out.

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2019 03:25 PM (mpXpK)

359 And our own business is getting increasingly scary.

The Democrats are thinking back to the early oughts when Bush came cap-in-hand because his bunch wanted a war, and over the next decade they mostly bent him over to what THEY wanted because he needed them to fund his wars.

They want Trump to do something that leaves him beholden to them. I'm hoping he won't go there.

Posted by: JEM at February 26, 2019 03:25 PM (8erNz)

360 I guarantee you a short time after Maduro is gone, similar types of politics will dominate the region.

Posted by: Blago at February 26, 2019 03:17 PM (UfkIY)

yeah you are a downer sir. And most likely right.

Posted by: Quint at February 26, 2019 03:25 PM (n13/j)

361 362 Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:22 PM (oh/Sd)

I can buy that. I can also buy the notion that the instant Trump comes-out in favor of full-scale war they will revert to their historic position of throwing rocks at the parade as it passes.
Posted by: DocJ at February 26, 2019 03:24 PM (NYS7S)

===========

I just want him to keep up diplomatic and financial pressure.

And Rubio needs to stop tweeting pictures of dead dictators. Dude has a weird boner for dead guys. As weird as Ace's Rubio trash phase...

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:25 PM (oh/Sd)

362 I want to know what the Left thinks Jesus would do about Venezuela if he were alive today.

Only then can I know if I'm a monster and a terrible christian for not wanting to get involved.

Posted by: joe, living dangerously at February 26, 2019 03:26 PM (KUaJL)

363 The only country we ever helped and didn't receive spit in our face directly afterward has been Israel.

We helped Germany and Japan -- after a thorough ass kicking -- and they've been mostly pretty good.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 26, 2019 03:26 PM (fuK7c)

364 I guarantee you a short time after Maduro is gone, similar types of politics will dominate the region.

Posted by: Blago at February 26, 2019 03:17 PM (UfkIY)

----------

And there's the other problem, of course. Until Guaido dons a pair of Ray-Bans and promises a campaign to scour Venezuela of Marxism with a fleet of helicopters, then he's not much of an improvement.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 03:26 PM (AzW6q)

365 364 And our own business is getting increasingly scary.

The Democrats are thinking back to the early oughts when Bush came cap-in-hand because his bunch wanted a war, and over the next decade they mostly bent him over to what THEY wanted because he needed them to fund his wars.

They want Trump to do something that leaves him beholden to them. I'm hoping he won't go there.
Posted by: JEM at February 26, 2019 03:25 PM (8erNz)

=============

"Did you miss where I said that Iraq was a huge mistake to Jeb's face?"
-Trump

I went to a Jeb rally right after Trump said that stuff about Iraq being a huge mistake. It was actually the first time W. showed up on the campaign trail that year.

It was obvious that the criticism stung.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:26 PM (oh/Sd)

366 357 Only a couple two, tree trillion, we can bring American style government to Venezuela!

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at February 26, 2019 03:23 PM (mHi94)
..........

That would be a mistake. They actually need to get some shit done.

Posted by: wth at February 26, 2019 03:26 PM (v0R5T)

367 I would love to go kill some commies, but, then I think, why go all the way to Venezuela?

Posted by: navybrat, sometime commentater at February 26, 2019 03:27 PM (w7KSn)

368 >>> Us getting Maduro out will just delay the continued bleeding of the country by a few years as the new group of socialists restart all the old policies and practices that sent the country down the tubes.

That is my worry too, TJM.

Plus, Trump is gaining new converts by being a president of peace and getting us out of Syria. Opening young eyes. Sending soldiers to fight in a civil war we did not start is risky at this point, for many reasons. I don't mean that to sound as calculating as it does, but it is a factor that can't be ignored.

Posted by: LizLem at February 26, 2019 03:27 PM (hvf9s)

369 I learned in grade school that South America consists of several countries.

There's your International community.

Alla you bums: Get off your asses and help your neighbor.

Posted by: Weak Geek at February 26, 2019 03:27 PM (DawZa)

370 368 The only country we ever helped and didn't receive spit in our face directly afterward has been Israel.

We helped Germany and Japan -- after a thorough ass kicking -- and they've been mostly pretty good.
Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 26, 2019 03:26 PM (fuK7c)

==========

Germany hates us because we largely took the right lesson from Nazism, which was that socialism was bad. They wanted us to take the nationalism is bad lesson, and they've never forgiven us for that.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:27 PM (oh/Sd)

371 These soldiers need to be formed into a Bolivar Brigade under OAS auspices and liberate a border town to let the supplies in. Then see how solid a hold Maduro has.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 26, 2019 03:27 PM (PkIg+)

372 Air Force
Surgical
Make it so government can't function
Generals negotiate surrender
Maduro swings?

Posted by: Nostradamus at February 26, 2019 03:27 PM (FTPVM)

373 369
And there's the other problem, of course. Until Guaido dons a pair of Ray-Bans and promises a campaign to scour Venezuela of Marxism with a fleet of helicopters, then he's not much of an improvement.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 03:26 PM (AzW6q)

===========

He's going to manage the decline better.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:28 PM (oh/Sd)

374 367
I want to know what the Left thinks Jesus would do about Venezuela if he were alive today.

Only then can I know if I'm a monster and a terrible christian for not wanting to get involved.

Posted by: joe, living dangerously at February 26, 2019 03:26 PM (KUaJL)
Just remember knocking over tables and chasing people with whips was part of His shtick, though it doesn't get much mention when people are asking what He'd do. .

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 03:28 PM (37IEG)

375 One Puerto Rico is enough, as far as desultory, net drain client states go....

Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 03:28 PM (90T4r)

376 Skanky Brazilian woman who ripped the MAGA hat from a patron's head in a Mexican restaurant in MA has now been arrested and turned over to . . . ICE.

Turns out the Brazilian "immigrant" was in the U.S. illegally.

No wonder she doesn't like Trump.

Keep up the good work, el presidente! We don't need these foreign criminals here, assaulting innocent Americans.

Posted by: TrivialPursuer at February 26, 2019 03:28 PM (fqUgw)

377 373 >>> Us getting Maduro out will just delay the continued bleeding of the country by a few years as the new group of socialists restart all the old policies and practices that sent the country down the tubes.

That is my worry too, TJM.

Plus, Trump is gaining new converts by being a president of peace and getting us out of Syria. Opening young eyes. Sending soldiers to fight in a civil war we did not start is risky at this point, for many reasons. I don't mean that to sound as calculating as it does, but it is a factor that can't be ignored.
Posted by: LizLem at February 26, 2019 03:27 PM (hvf9s)

=============

Politics, and foreign policy in particular, NEEDS to be cold hearted.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:28 PM (oh/Sd)

378 I just want him to keep up diplomatic and financial pressure.

If I were President the NSA would get a memo and Chavez' daughter's billions would magically be scattered around to a couple hundred charities untraceably.

Posted by: JEM at February 26, 2019 03:28 PM (8erNz)

379 I casually mentioned the relative stability of
colonies once settled by the English, vs the Spanish or Portuguese or
French, to some leftist relatives. Blew their minds, lol. You never know
when a truth bomb will successfully go off!

Posted by: LizLem at February 26, 2019 03:21 PM (hvf9s)

Well you gave them some history, of course that blew their minds. All they get is deformed sociology combined with SJW. It is hard to tell clearly but the Belgians are considered to be the worst colonizers out there. It could be a result of Conrad's Heart of Darkness but no one praises the Belgians on this front.

Posted by: Quint at February 26, 2019 03:28 PM (n13/j)

380

Our "intervention" in Venezuela should consist of a diplomatic pouch containing a copy of the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the Constitution dropped off at their Consulate.

There is no better way to institute proper governance than to LEARN it, LOVE it, LIVE it.

Posted by: irongrampa at February 26, 2019 03:28 PM (S/hVx)

381 I heard on France24 that Madura has about 25,000 Cuban non-colonialist, non-imperialist mercenaries at his disposals. Kind of a Granada Grande, no ???

This is true - these are also the people who will retaliate against *anyone* in the military or government that speaks out against Maduro. They are also heavily involved in the Cocaine biz, of which Venezuela is now the hub.

Venezuela is quite literally what happens when a Narcotraficante gang expands to take over an entire government. Maduro is just their stooge and frontman, but the generals are literally making billions off the drug trade, which they control. That's why they won't move against him.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 03:28 PM (Kpl3J)

382 If we don't get a foothold in Venezuela, Uruguay and Paraguay will move in and the whole area will go guay.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at February 26, 2019 03:29 PM (mHi94)

383 Politics, and foreign policy in particular, NEEDS to be cold hearted.

Talleyrand is as close to a hero as I have.

Posted by: JEM at February 26, 2019 03:29 PM (8erNz)

384 387 If we don't get a foothold in Venezuela, Uruguay and Paraguay will move in and the whole area will go guay.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at February 26, 2019 03:29 PM (mHi94)

==========

*Golf clap*

You were working on that one all night, weren't you?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:30 PM (XSSCs)

385 387 If we don't get a foothold in Venezuela, Uruguay and Paraguay will move in and the whole area will go guay.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at February 26, 2019 03:29 PM (mHi94)

I laughed. (hat tip)

Posted by: DocJ at February 26, 2019 03:30 PM (NYS7S)

386 Marco Rubio was saying there were radio intercepts of Cuban soldiers in Venezulea

Posted by: SMOD at February 26, 2019 03:30 PM (QkjLD)

387 Watching OM's Sunday link to the BBC documentary about the Spanish civil war. Lots of killing and mayhem in civil wars.

Posted by: Skip at February 26, 2019 03:30 PM (/rm4P)

388 387
If we don't get a foothold in Venezuela, Uruguay and Paraguay will move in and the whole area will go guay.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at February 26, 2019 03:29 PM (mHi94)
Venezueguay? Venezuelguay?
What does Venezuela even mean. Don't sound at all English to me.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 03:31 PM (37IEG)

389 Maduro is just their stooge and frontman, but the generals are literally making billions off the drug trade, which they control. That's why they won't move against him.
Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 03:28 PM (Kpl3J)

----------

They're narcos, for sure. And, of course, all the nationalizations were handed out as prizes to loyal officers. As long as Maduro's in charge, they essentially have an ownership stake in Venezuela. If'n he goes, they'll have to give that up.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 03:31 PM (AzW6q)

390 Avoiding criminal orders is step 1.

Step 2 is doing something about them. Or at least loading magazines for those performing step 2.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 26, 2019 03:31 PM (bcbK8)

391 Venezuela, you voted this shit in. You break it, you buy it. YOU have to get your asses out of it.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 26, 2019 03:31 PM (ycWCI)

392 Prayer for freedom for the people of Venezuela!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 26, 2019 03:32 PM (AllCR)

393 394 They're narcos, for sure. And, of course, all the nationalizations were handed out as prizes to loyal officers. As long as Maduro's in charge, they essentially have an ownership stake in Venezuela. If'n he goes, they'll have to give that up.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 03:31 PM (AzW6q)

============

Take the money and run.

Move to Argentina. I hear they're good with people who commit crimes against humanity.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:32 PM (XSSCs)

394 What does Venezuela even mean. Don't sound at all English to me.
Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 03:31 PM (37IEG)

It means 'Venus's Vajayjay'.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 26, 2019 03:32 PM (bcbK8)

395 Germany hates us because we largely took the right
lesson from Nazism, which was that socialism was bad. They wanted us to
take the nationalism is bad lesson, and they've never forgiven us for
that.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:27 PM (oh/Sd)

Nationalism is a tricky word, it means different things to different people. American nationalism imo was based on patriotism and that the nation was exceptional, so exceptional that God Himself ordained it so. This place was like no other place and that was worth defending at all costs. I don't know what German nationalism is, but i know it caused a mess of trouble in the last century.

Posted by: Quint at February 26, 2019 03:33 PM (n13/j)

396 399 What does Venezuela even mean. Don't sound at all English to me.
Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 03:31 PM (37IEG)

It means 'Venus's Vajayjay'.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 26, 2019 03:32 PM (bcbK

===========

A whale's vagina.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:33 PM (XSSCs)

397 FLASH -- Hillary Clinton says she 'can't imagine' running for president again

She must be getting the GOOD drugs !

Posted by: JT at February 26, 2019 03:33 PM (XHKDE)

398
What would Obama, Kerry and Hillary do? Then do the exact opposite.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 26, 2019 03:33 PM (BWL+E)

399 Move to Argentina. I hear they're good with people who commit crimes against humanity.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at Febru

--------

LOL.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 03:33 PM (AzW6q)

400 400 Nationalism is a tricky word, it means different things to different people. American nationalism imo was based on patriotism and that the nation was exceptional, so exceptional that God Himself ordained it so. This place was like no other place and that was worth defending at all costs. I don't know what German nationalism is, but i know it caused a mess of trouble in the last century.
Posted by: Quint at February 26, 2019 03:33 PM (n13/j)

===========

It was their socialism that caused the problems.

The issue around nationalism is at least partially a creation of the left to protect itself from criticisms around Nazism.

Nazis and Communists are pretty much the same. Just different people at the top.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:34 PM (XSSCs)

401 culturally S America would fit in much better with the West. as someone said, many Venezuelans moved up and are very fine folks.

World peace is in our national interest ... but in the practical sense, keeping/making S America more part of the Western alliances helps keep our part of the world peaceful. (Russia/China/??? are pushing in) ...

So this is the cultural war by proxy ... except not sure why we gave the Panama canal away ... doesn't China run it now? Of course China and Russia are buying up our own damn country piecemeal, on both coasts, they are right in DC lobbying with everyone else.

We need to push China commies away, maybe develop more with Vietnam ... lots of moving pieces, but it comes down to dictator murderous thugs versus individual Liberty and "democracy". With 1000 caveats.

Posted by: illiniwek at February 26, 2019 03:34 PM (Cus5s)

402 What does Venezuela even mean. Don't sound at all English to me.
Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 03:31 PM (37IEG)

It translates to "Little Venice".

Posted by: Surfperch at February 26, 2019 03:34 PM (llnlr)

403 This is a great time to do Nation building the right way.

Step 1. Start recruiting among the refuges to form a parallel Government complete with police force and army, but basically something that can step right into the void left by the overthrow of Maduro.

Step 2. Train and equip a Pro American Army.

Step 3. Move a couple of Carrier groups off the coast of Venezuela.

Step 4. Invade using the Pro American Army as boots on the ground. Maybe with a few Special forces to help. Use the carrier group to bomb the snot out of any resistance.

Step 5. Step back and let them take over their country themselves.

Posted by: southdakota conservative at February 26, 2019 03:34 PM (wg50I)

404 Prayer for freedom for the people of Venezuela!
Posted by: FenelonSpoke

Okay.

Posted by: JT at February 26, 2019 03:34 PM (XHKDE)

405 Germany hates us because we largely took the right

lesson from Nazism, which was that socialism was bad. They wanted us to

take the nationalism is bad lesson, and they've never forgiven us for

that.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:27 PM (oh/Sd)

the German anti patriotism that and fear of all how are patriotic is foolish. Don't blame us for where you take patriotism, that is not on us.

Posted by: Quint at February 26, 2019 03:34 PM (n13/j)

406 391 Marco Rubio was saying there were radio intercepts of Cuban soldiers in Venezulea
Posted by: SMOD at February 26, 2019 03:30 PM (QkjLD)

Were they speaking Cuban?

Posted by: Barky O'bama at February 26, 2019 03:34 PM (7HtZB)

407 Sending soldiers to fight in a civil war we did not start is risky at this point, for many reasons. I don't mean that to sound as calculating as it does, but it is a factor that can't be ignored.

***

We had no business being in Syria's civil war either but influential people wanted it to be. Same will happen in Venezuela. They just shifted tack.

Posted by: Emilio Estevez in a MAGA hat at February 26, 2019 03:35 PM (MZOvU)

408 411 391 Marco Rubio was saying there were radio intercepts of Cuban soldiers in Venezulea
Posted by: SMOD at February 26, 2019 03:30 PM (QkjLD)

Were they speaking Cuban?
Posted by: Barky O'bama at February 26, 2019 03:34 PM (7HtZB)

===========

Austrian.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:35 PM (XSSCs)

409 399 What does Venezuela even mean. Don't sound at all English to me.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 03:31 PM (37IEG)
.........

It's what you play when you can't afford a vuvuzela.

Posted by: wth at February 26, 2019 03:35 PM (v0R5T)

410 I don't know what German nationalism is, but i know it caused a mess of trouble in the last century.
Posted by: Quint at February 26, 2019 03:33 PM (n13/j)

---------

That was sort of their problem, too - Germany never had much practice at being a nation. Once they became one for real, they way, way overcompensated for their previous lack of nation status. Bismarck was able to keep that impulse under control, but as he was gone, they just flew off the handle repeatedly.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 03:36 PM (AzW6q)

411 343
I heard on France24 that Madura has about 25,000 Cuban non-colonialist, non-imperialist mercenaries at his disposals. Kind of a Granada Grande, no ???
Posted by: 11B40 at February 26, 2019 03:20 PM (evgyj)
------------------------------------
Yeah, that started under Chavez.
You knew it was ramping up when Cubanazuelans* were suddenly fired from jobs or even charged with crimes.

They hoped Barky would do something about this when negotiating his "deal" with Cuba.

*A lot of refugees from Cuba settled in Venezuela over the decades.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 03:36 PM (Rxduq)

412 Venezuela means "Little Venice".

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 26, 2019 03:36 PM (AllCR)

413 398 394 They're narcos, for sure. And, of course, all the nationalizations were handed out as prizes to loyal officers. As long as Maduro's in charge, they essentially have an ownership stake in Venezuela. If'n he goes, they'll have to give that up.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 26, 2019 03:31 PM (AzW6q)

============

Take the money and run.

Move to Argentina. I hear they're good with people who commit crimes against humanity.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:32 PM (XSSCs)

Man, a lot of people are running... I could run... I could run, tonight. A friend of mine, he's got this helicopter. He does traffic reports for GNN. He asked me to come with him. Do you think it's right to run?

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 26, 2019 03:36 PM (bcbK8)

414 Yeah I've got no sympathy for them, you wanted it, you got it, pay the price.
Same will go on here sooner or later as all the kids go through Leftist indoctrination.

Posted by: Skip at February 26, 2019 03:36 PM (/rm4P)

415 412 Sending soldiers to fight in a civil war we did not start is risky at this point, for many reasons. I don't mean that to sound as calculating as it does, but it is a factor that can't be ignored.

***

We had no business being in Syria's civil war either but influential people wanted it to be. Same will happen in Venezuela. They just shifted tack.
Posted by: Emilio Estevez in a MAGA hat at February 26, 2019 03:35 PM (MZOvU)

===========

I honestly believe Trump will stay out of it.

I didn't grow to dislike Mattis as many as some people here, but I would be shocked if he hadn't been one of the prime movers in getting Trump to be involved in Syria at all. And, with him gone, so is that influence. Whether it's been replaced by something akin to it, I don't know, but I think Trump will be more resistant.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:36 PM (XSSCs)

416 great time to do Nation building the right way.

***

Fuck that too

Posted by: Emilio Estevez in a MAGA hat at February 26, 2019 03:37 PM (MZOvU)

417 418 Man, a lot of people are running... I could run... I could run, tonight. A friend of mine, he's got this helicopter. He does traffic reports for GNN. He asked me to come with him. Do you think it's right to run?
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 26, 2019 03:36 PM (bcbK

=========

I'm so ashamed...I had to look up the quote.

*hangs head in shame*

Dawn of the Dead is great.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:37 PM (XSSCs)

418 The issue around nationalism is at least partially a creation of the left to protect itself from criticisms around Nazism.

Nazis and Communists are pretty much the same. Just different people at the top.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:34 PM (XSSCs)

There's hardly a nickel's worth of difference. The German fascists considered themselves to be good socialists, with a purer form than Stalin.

The hubbub about nationalism is all blame-shifting. If they couldn't make people terrified of it, they might correctly assign the blame to the socialism.

Posted by: Cato, Media Delenda Est at February 26, 2019 03:37 PM (J+mig)

419 If we don't get a foothold in Venezuela, Uruguay and Paraguay will move in and the whole area will go guay.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at February 26, 2019 03:29 PM (mHi94)

NTTIAWWT.

Posted by: Canada at February 26, 2019 03:38 PM (t6MX/)

420 I'd comment on Venezuela, but I seem to be locked in a broom closet or some damn something right now. Is it Friday yet?

Posted by: Sen Tim Scott at February 26, 2019 03:38 PM (hjaPQ)

421 409
Prayer for freedom for the people of Venezuela!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke

Okay.

Posted by: JT at February 26, 2019 03:34 PM (XHKDE)
This, I can get behind. Declare a national day even. But no troops.

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 03:38 PM (37IEG)

422 The HuffPo view of centrism:

Ryan Grim
@ryangrim
.@AOC, @BernieSanders and @eWarren are the real centrists because they speak for most Americans

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at February 26, 2019 03:38 PM (+y/Ru)

423 422 418 Man, a lot of people are running... I could run... I could run, tonight. A friend of mine, he's got this helicopter. He does traffic reports for GNN. He asked me to come with him. Do you think it's right to run?
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 26, 2019 03:36 PM (bcbK

=========

I'm so ashamed...I had to look up the quote.

*hangs head in shame*

Dawn of the Dead is great.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:37 PM (XSSCs)

It really is. The last great movie Romero did.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 26, 2019 03:38 PM (bcbK8)

424 397 Prayer for freedom for the people of Venezuela!
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 26, 2019 03:32 PM (AllCR)

Fen, I hate to say this because it sounds cold-hearted and un-Christian, but:

The Venezuelan people bought the bill of goods that Chavez sold them. They willingly elected a strongman and kept the guy in power and are only now waking up to the consequences when that guy is rich and dead.

They listened to the siren song of Socialism, even though they had tons of historical evidence to say 'hey wait a minute, this is a bad idea.' They are paying the bill now.

I find myself with little sympathy for them.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 26, 2019 03:39 PM (ycWCI)

425 Tim Scott, you say??? Now there's a major disappointment....

Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 03:39 PM (90T4r)

426 Man, a lot of people are running... I could run... I could run, tonight. A friend of mine, he's got this helicopter. He does traffic reports for GNN. He asked me to come with him. Do you think it's right to run?"

I tried it, didn't work out so well. No Sanctuary.

Posted by: Logan at February 26, 2019 03:39 PM (Kpl3J)

427 It was their socialism that caused the problems.

The issue around nationalism is at least partially a creation of the left to protect itself from criticisms around Nazism.

That is a breathtakingly vapid understanding of Germany, nationalism, and Nazism.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 26, 2019 03:40 PM (fuK7c)

428 428 Man, a lot of people are running... I could run... I could run, tonight. A friend of mine, he's got this helicopter. He does traffic reports for GNN. He asked me to come with him. Do you think it's right to run?"

I tried it, didn't work out so well. No Sanctuary.
Posted by: Logan at February 26, 2019 03:39 PM (Kpl3J)

Well you let them put stuff in your hand, man. Classic mistake. Shouldn't have gotten that new iphone...

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 26, 2019 03:40 PM (bcbK8)

429 Okay, so Little Venice Guay? Cool little Venice?

Shit! It's California!

Posted by: DamnedYankee at February 26, 2019 03:40 PM (37IEG)

430 Socialism is just the Long Con... and idiots keep falling for it.

Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 03:40 PM (90T4r)

431 Venezuela means "Little Venice".

-
Well, we knew they were under water.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at February 26, 2019 03:41 PM (+y/Ru)

432 419 Yeah I've got no sympathy for them, you wanted it, you got it, pay the price.
Same will go on here sooner or later as all the kids go through Leftist indoctrination.
Posted by: Skip at February 26, 2019 03:36 PM (/rm4P)
-------------------------------------
It's not primarily the ones who wanted it who are paying the price.
Once again, is it not possible to feel sympathy for the suffering of those who never wanted this without insisting that WE do something?

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 03:41 PM (Rxduq)

433 419
Yeah I've got no sympathy for them, you wanted it, you got it, pay the price.

Same will go on here sooner or later as all the kids go through Leftist indoctrination.

Posted by: Skip at February 26, 2019 03:36 PM (/rm4P)

This. You have to want Freedom enough to sacrifice your own blood. Otherwise, it is a gift that you don't appreciate.

As for here, many still appreciate the sacrifices of the great many who fell before us.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at February 26, 2019 03:41 PM (t6MX/)

434 432 Socialism is just the Long Con... and idiots keep falling for it.
Posted by: kraken at February 26, 2019 03:40 PM (90T4r)

This.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 26, 2019 03:41 PM (ycWCI)

435 429 It was their socialism that caused the problems.

The issue around nationalism is at least partially a creation of the left to protect itself from criticisms around Nazism.

That is a breathtakingly vapid understanding of Germany, nationalism, and Nazism.
Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 26, 2019 03:40 PM (fuK7c)

You're holding back, Bander. Don't hold back.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 26, 2019 03:41 PM (bcbK8)

436 Nood corrupt DOJ

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 26, 2019 03:42 PM (bcbK8)

437 It's not primarily the ones who wanted it who are paying the price.
Once again, is it not possible to feel sympathy for the suffering of those who never wanted this without insisting that WE do something?
Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 26, 2019 03:41 PM (Rxduq)

It is. They are going to have to get themselves out though.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 26, 2019 03:42 PM (ycWCI)

438 And in news today, Venezuela has reported they've officially run out of other people's money, and are interested in talking to anyone who will make them a loan.

They promise to pay it back next Tuesday.

Posted by: CNN is not a banana at February 26, 2019 03:43 PM (37IEG)

439 " Maduro is just their stooge and frontman, but the
generals are literally making billions off the drug trade, which they
control. That's why they won't move against him."Posted by: Tom Servo

that sounds right ... same problem with many places south of US, yet dems demand open borders ... (mob tied?) Pelosi is loudest, and seems to me much of the reason for open borders is criminal enterprise, not just cheap labor or Dem votes.

Also a reason it is our national interest to stop the mafia, including drug money laundering globalist banks like HSBC. Black market trafficking ... what percent of shadow GDP comes from that? Not to mention the influence those thugs can have on threatening/murdering good people that might threaten a crime syndicate that is in office.

Holder ran guns to cartels, Clintons big in cocaine, Pedophile island, huge human trafficking in Eastern Europe ... opium wars all over again? ...

Posted by: illiniwek at February 26, 2019 03:43 PM (Cus5s)

440 It may be best to stand back and let civilization totally collapse there, which is where they're headed. I'm a bit surprised there hasn't been a big wave of disease yet - societies where medical care fails and lack of food puts everyone into near starvation are notorious breeding places for epidemics and plagues. It's probably only a matter of time.

For any who say the Venezuelan people should fix this themselves - it's far too late for that. They lost their chance when they lost their weapons.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 26, 2019 03:45 PM (Kpl3J)

441 Nood corrupt DOJ

Welcome to the party pal

Posted by: Skip at February 26, 2019 03:46 PM (/rm4P)

442 Nazis and Communists are pretty much the same. Just different people at the top.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:34 PM (XSSCs)

Agreed there. They are both statists and tyrannical statists. They are both the worst of humanity and deserve all possible disdain. I agree in many ways Americans were nationalists, they definitely thought their nation was special and worth defending at all costs. Hell, if you want to know why the North mustered so many people for the Civil War, that was the reason. I know this because they said it, over and over.

I have probably been turned off the term nationalism because that is was the term for WW1. They drilled it into us that nationalism caused WW1 as all these Euro states armed up and went to war for not very good reasons. That is why I prefer patriot and individualist over nationalist populist. But those are just terms. We are often describing the same thing but using different terms.

Posted by: Quint at February 26, 2019 03:46 PM (n13/j)

443 The complexity of the situation is evaluating whether preemptive action is necessary or whether we should wait until it is an obvious national security issue.

To me, Iraq was an obvious national security issue and preemptive action was necessary. Unfortunately we will never know for certain what the negative consequences would have been to leave Saddam in place and that opens up the criticism to the consequences from the preemptive action. It does aggravate me that no one considers the alternate scenarios of no action.

Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 03:49 PM (ODaO0)

444 Prayer for freedom for the people of Venezuela!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke

This, this I can back. Probably do them more good than any other course of action.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, aka Una Dabozzame at February 26, 2019 03:49 PM (AM1GF)

445 Lets put a giant saw on the bow of a ship and sail it through the Panama Canal with the saw running and we cut South America free and it drifts off to Antarctica where all the idiots freeze to death....or we could just let these jackasses solve their own problems.

Posted by: Larsen E. Whipsnade at February 26, 2019 03:50 PM (bML9A)

446 Nazis and Communists are pretty much the same. Just different people at the top.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, Read Some Movie Thoughts at February 26, 2019 03:34 PM (XSSCs)

Nazis were national goal socialists and commies were world goal socialists.

Posted by: Can't resist temptation at February 26, 2019 03:50 PM (ODaO0)

447 In fairness, the Venezuela army did overthrow Chavez. We, by which I mean Bush, failed to support them.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at February 26, 2019 03:51 PM (9ls8w)

448 >>> If we don't get a foothold in Venezuela, Uruguay and Paraguay will move in and the whole area will go guay.

"I'm getting out before guay marriage becomes mandatory."

Posted by: Paraphrased Bob Hope at February 26, 2019 03:53 PM (hvf9s)

449 There is a big lesson in this.
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUNS!
...From my cold dead hands...

Posted by: Screw 'Em at February 26, 2019 05:01 PM (j0+6c)

450 Venezuelan socialist utopia experiment nears end. Government leaders absorb all wealth for themselves, while telling the people, who are eating rats, they are living in a blessed utopia. Socialist seek damn fools world wide, that are willing to always believe more lies, and find them everywhere ! Putinnow threatens us with nuclear attacks, blame Trump, not Hitlery who gave the Russians nuclear superiority and our most secret secrets......AND GOT AWAY WITH IT... Oh yeah, BLAME TRUMP !

Posted by: ron n. at February 26, 2019 05:06 PM (XkVhH)

451 What if Little Marco Rubio gave a war, but nobody came.

Posted by: Just say No to Globo Homo Wars at February 26, 2019 05:18 PM (EATOD)

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