Let Slip The Dogs Of War

We were promised forever wars by the bien pensants, and President Trump has disappointed us greatly.

The surgical strike on Iran's major nuclear facilities was a superb example of American technological superiority, logistics skill, intelligence capability, war planning, and above all, the marvel of the American military unleashed to do what they do better than any other military in the history of the world...kill people and break things.

It was no carefully titrated and calibrated attack designed to "send a message." No empty buildings far from everything were destroyed. No warning was issued...no dangerous and counterproductive rules of engagement (ROE) were handed down from the White House. The mission was given to our military, and they were trusted to complete it in the best way possible. And that meant flying more than 7,000 miles with multiple refuelings, and dropping the largest conventional bombs in our inventory onto targets that were just a few meters in diameter. The bombers were protected by the most advance military aircraft on earth. An Ohio class submarine also launched cruise missiles from...who knows where...to complete the destruction of the targets.

No losses of any kind. No leaks from a formerly porous Pentagon and administration. Nothing but a clear and unambiguous military action that was successful in its mission, and also made clear to the world that the United States Military is a force unlike anything they have ever seen.

Yesterday the rest of the military said, "hold my beer," and captured the head of the Venezuela cartel, otherwise known as the "President" of Venezuela. Maduro and his wife were taken from the heart of the country, and are now in jail in NYC. No loss of life, no equipment was lost, and the mission seems to have gone exactly as planned. Tellingly, there was no leaking before the fact, as has been the pathetic case for years. Delta Force and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment did their jobs well, which means they demonstrated that they are perhaps the best in the world.

Without the political and social binds of an insanely woke, globalist administration, the United States military showed what they are made of. Secretary Hegseth has clearly had an outsized influence on our armed forces, and an even bigger one on the previously unaccountable mandarins who thought they ran our military. He has purged or compartmentalized them so they can do no damage. He has unleashed the traditional and ferocious martial spirit of America, and our military responded overwhelmingly. No more struggle sessions...no more transsexual lunacy...no more race-baiting. Just fine Americans doing what they have been trained to do.

And that IS a message...to the world. Sure, Iran will spout their typical vitriol, but they know that we are now serious, and have the capacity to back up our words with actions. But more importantly it is a message to those who would interfere with the countries in our back yard. The new Monroe Doctrine (The Donroe Doctrine?) is being fleshed out, and it is no coincidence that conservative leaders are arising in Central and South America. They know they have a friend in America.

Hopefully that doesn't mean "Nation Building" like the vile Bush wing of the Republican party loved to do, and failed at. But the President has already said that we will be running Venezuela only until they sort out their own mess, which is quite different than the open-ended quagmires we have been in over the last 20+ years.

President Trump seems to want a strong and free Western Hemisphere, unburdened by the hangover of Soviet socialism or Chinese expansionism. And that is a fine plan, because with strength and freedom comes free markets and wealth and emergence from the 3rd world squalor that has enveloped much of the region, courtesy of socialism!

Am I entirely happy with the way the President decapitated Venezuela? No. In a perfect world he would have consulted our representatives in Congress, but they have made it perfectly clear that they cannot be trusted to support the best interests of the country, or oppose the administration in a principled way.

So what President Trump did was the next best thing, and it is also in the best interest of the American people!

Posted by: CBD at 12:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 I'll fetch em

Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 12:01 PM (Ia/+0)

2 Morning, CBD!

Posted by: Duke Lowell at January 04, 2026 12:01 PM (u73oe)

3 Nick Sortor @nicksortor

HOLY CRAP! This might just be the most EPIC Trump post of all time

Trump posted a video of Maduro CHALLENGING 47 to “come get me,” followed up by a screaming Bald Eagle & Thunderstruck blaring in the background during missile fire🦅

Trump said “challenge accepted”

X video: https://bit.ly/4sqsrbP

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 04, 2026 12:02 PM (P5BPp)

4 Can't stay, darts championship highlights on TV. Gotta go, but will nood.

Posted by: From about That Time at January 04, 2026 12:02 PM (sl73Y)

5 Congress ? That sieve ?

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:03 PM (VE6XX)

6 Eric Daugherty @EricLDaugh

EPIC! The Venezuelans are now doing the TRUMP DANCE to YMCA

The Democrats are about to go absolutely insane 🤣🔥

It's impossible NOT to love this.

X video: https://bit.ly/49khS17

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 04, 2026 12:03 PM (P5BPp)

7 Woof!

Posted by: Puppy of peace at January 04, 2026 12:04 PM (pkeXY)

8 Trump’s damn fault!

The Lincoln Project
@ProjectLincoln
While we're fighting for democracy at home, let's remember foreign dictators are following Trump's example.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 04, 2026 12:05 PM (L/fGl)

9 I am getting worried a little. While the military operation went as well as it could, our Leftists haven't got their plans to thow a monkey wrench in it yet.

Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 12:06 PM (Ia/+0)

10 AmericanPapaBear @AmericaPapaBear

"The actual Venezuelan people, the ones who lived under Maduro's boot, a whole lot of them are celebrating."

"But you, sitting on your couch, eating your DoorDash, are pissed off."

"Last week you were mad at Nick Shirley for exposing corruption, this week you are mad about an administration that doesn't even govern you."

"You rotate outrage like it's a subscription service."

"Pick a standard, or admit you don't have one."

X video (2:09): https://bit.ly/3N9GHWb

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 04, 2026 12:06 PM (P5BPp)

11 Does the fact actual Venezuelans are celebrating give leftists pause?

Posted by: Northernlurker , Maple Syrup MAGA at January 04, 2026 12:06 PM (ZbsBz)

12 All I can say is my Marine (no longer active duty) and his military friends are feeling feisty. They are engaged and hopeful and working their asses off.

And loving it.

Posted by: nurse ratched at January 04, 2026 12:06 PM (IhIKR)

13 11 Does the fact actual Venezuelans are celebrating give leftists pause?
Posted by: Northernlurker , Maple Syrup MAGA at January 04, 2026 12:06 PM (ZbsBz)

Evidently not.....

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:07 PM (VE6XX)

14 Yep - same tired Neocon equivocation we’ve heard a thousand times. The kind of verbal sleight-of-hand that got us into endless wars, trillion-dollar deficits, and this decaying empire you pretend to care about. Thanks for the reminder why real America First is the antidote to your failed ideology.

Neocon bootlickers lost your goddamn minds over Putin's Ukraine invasion, screaming "Sovereignty violated! War crimes! USSR reboot!" You preached borders and international law like holy gospel.

Now American bombs rain on Caracas, special ops drag Maduro out in cuffs, and we're occupying Venezuela. Crickets on sovereignty from you frauds.

I've got Trump's back 100% on smashing these narco-terrorist scum. Long overdue to hammer the drug lords poisoning our kids and the socialist shithole regime flooding our border with migrants. But suddenly it's all "justice" and "necessary", the exact same imperial playbook you branded evil when Russia used it. Slap a neocon 'MuRIcA!!! banner on it and you're all in, rock-hard for war. Pathetic.

Real America First means sealing our borders, rebuilding our economy, and keeping our boys alive first, not plunging into another neocon quagmire

Posted by: Jack at January 04, 2026 12:07 PM (7Drnx)

15 The only question I have is, can he do the same to the Portland City Council?

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at January 04, 2026 12:07 PM (qbLEp)

16 Trolls are early today

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:08 PM (VE6XX)

17 Daniel Cohen @DanielCohenTV

"Girls were forced to prostitute themselves in prison just to get food — to get a piece of bread... and where were all of you, liberals? You said nothing! You did nothing!... do not tell Venezuelans how to feel about being freed from a dictatorship."

X video (1:01): https://bit.ly/4jmqfhm

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 04, 2026 12:08 PM (P5BPp)

18 But what about his RIGHTS?

Posted by: The ACLU at January 04, 2026 12:09 PM (vFG9F)

19 Pattern recognition. I'm seeing the reaction to all this, and now with the multiplier of social media and the expansion of people on the internet, which did not exist to this degree before, and getting deja vu that this is the early days of Iraq, 2.0.

Same chest-thumping on the Right. Same bitching on the Left. Same excuses and justifications- Saddam, err, Maduro is a thug and a dictator. It's a cabal of all our enemies against us. Drugs are the new weapon of mass destruction. The people are cheering their liberation.

Maybe this is all justified, and it will turn out for the good, but man, it seems like we've seen this movie before. OK, y'all, have at me.

Posted by: Ex Rex Reeder at January 04, 2026 12:09 PM (MZ+PY)

20 Your concern is:

[ ] not noted
[x] noted

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at January 04, 2026 12:09 PM (qbLEp)

21 I'll be right in 6 months about this entire affair because I refuse to have a firm or fast opinion about it.
* folds arms triumphantly *

Posted by: weft cut-loop at January 04, 2026 12:10 PM (mlg/3)

22 Shawn Farash @Shawn_Farash

This is Socialism.

This is what Maduro did to his people in 2019.

He had opposition protesters RUN OVER by armored military vehicles.

This is what the Democrat Party is defending.

This is what they want to do to you.

Do not let them win.

X video (0:27): https://bit.ly/4sqiMC0

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 04, 2026 12:10 PM (P5BPp)

23 The Lincoln Project
@ProjectLincoln
While we're fighting for democracy at home, let's remember foreign dictators are following Trump's example.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 04, 2026 12:05 PM (L/fGl)

Well they could follow the Lincoln Project's example but they'd eventually run out of little boys.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at January 04, 2026 12:10 PM (pIfcn)

24 This sets a dangerous precedent that will soon be used against AMERICAN CITIZENS!

Posted by: The SPLC at January 04, 2026 12:10 PM (vFG9F)

25 'Hopefully that doesn't mean "Nation Building" like the vile Bush wing of the Republican party loved to do, and failed at. '

It doesn't have to be. Venezuela has some history of self government and the rule of law. It doesn't need the extensive (and ultimately futile) effort that Iraq and Afghanistan needed.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at January 04, 2026 12:11 PM (fd80v)

26 But suddenly it's all "justice" and "necessary", the exact same imperial playbook you branded evil when Russia used it. Slap a neocon 'MuRIcA!!! banner on it and you're all in, rock-hard for war. Pathetic.

Posted by: Jack at January 04, 2026 12:07 PM (7Drnx)

You are retarded. You clearly never read what I write, and so I have to assume you are here to troll.

Your simplistic and incorrect evaluation is tedious because it is so tired and overused and jingoistic. Too bad you can't think for yourself.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:11 PM (n9ltV)

27 Posted by: Jack at January 04, 2026 12:07 PM (7Drnx)

Who is we ? I agree with you pointing out the cognitive dissonance held by some but it's 95% held by the American hating illogical left.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 04, 2026 12:11 PM (KDPiq)

28 24 This sets a dangerous precedent that will soon be used against AMERICAN CITIZENS!
Posted by: The SPLC at January 04, 2026 12:10 PM (vFG9F)
It was.... Against Jan6 protestors

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:11 PM (VE6XX)

29 Does the fact actual Venezuelans are celebrating give leftists pause?
Posted by: Northernlurker
---------

Stop interfering with the narrative.

Posted by: Left/Lib/Prog/Dem at January 04, 2026 12:11 PM (XeU6L)

30 Protesting tomb go boom.

Leftist protestors laud Hugo Chavez:

“They want to destroy the memory of the hero Hugo Chavez. Viva Chavez!"

Minneapolis. Because of course.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 04, 2026 12:12 PM (L/fGl)

31 And as far as Venezuela people. The drug lords are not going to give up their power. Corruption I am sure runs through police and government very widely.

Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 12:12 PM (Ia/+0)

32 Collin Rugg @CollinRugg

NEW: Woman whose older brother was k*lled in Venezuela starts bawling, thanks President Trump for capturing Nicolás Maduro.

"So many years waiting for this," she said in Miami, Florida.

"We've been here eight years now because they k*lled our older brother... they kidnapped my brothers."

"I thank God for all of this, because it has been hard."

X video (1:26): https://bit.ly/4jsAroE

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 04, 2026 12:12 PM (P5BPp)

33 I noted that the Venezuelans celebrating were waving the seven-star Venezuelan flag rather than the eight-star Chavez/Maduro one

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at January 04, 2026 12:13 PM (qbLEp)

34 31 And as far as Venezuela people. The drug lords are not going to give up their power. Corruption I am sure runs through police and government very widely.
Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 12:12 PM (Ia/+0)

Yeah, weeding them out is a worry

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:13 PM (VE6XX)

35 Does the fact actual Venezuelans are celebrating give leftists pause?

Posted by: Northernlurker , Maple Syrup MAGA at January 04, 2026 12:06 PM (ZbsBz)

No, they probably hate them too. The left is anti freedom.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 04, 2026 12:13 PM (snZF9)

36 How many US troops are currently occupying Venezuela?

Posted by: The Crickets at January 04, 2026 12:14 PM (pIfcn)

37 Posted by: Jack at January 04, 2026 12:07 PM (7Drnx)

—————-

Well, bless your heart.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at January 04, 2026 12:14 PM (u73oe)

38 If DollarTree Lex Luthor, Dem senator from AZ, had been part of a briefing prior to the action taken, we know damn well the Chinese would have been informed of it within minutes.

Posted by: Curly Shuffle at January 04, 2026 12:14 PM (5yDGQ)

39 This sets a dangerous precedent that will soon be used against AMERICAN CITIZENS!
Posted by: The SPLC
------

You forgot:

"Give directly from the donor advised fund on our website"

Posted by: Left/Lib/Prog/Dem at January 04, 2026 12:14 PM (XeU6L)

40 Why are they interning the Maduros in NYC rather than in Washington or someplace close to the capital? With the Mangani (sic) in charge there, I'd be worried that he might somehow "lose" them.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 04, 2026 12:14 PM (wzUl9)

41 Defiant L’s @DefiantLs

Young man slams liberals who defend Maduro,

"I saw friends eat dogs to survive. I don't understand how they DEFEND a dictator who has the biggest torture center in Latin America"

X video (1:00): https://bit.ly/4jkWyx6

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 04, 2026 12:15 PM (P5BPp)

42 Only 19 dollars a month can help us stop this tyranny. And you get a free shirt.

Posted by: The ACLU at January 04, 2026 12:15 PM (vFG9F)

43 It's simple, clean. A leader of some ragtag country gets all uppity and what not and causes trouble for the US, we go in and whack him and his whole family and leave. No "nation" building, no responsibility for this or that country or you broke it you bought it BS. Just kill the leader and his family and leave. Next leader up will have to think carefully on how to proceed. The US should also send the next leader a bill for the cost of cleaning up the place.

Posted by: Old Iron Pants at January 04, 2026 12:15 PM (R/m4+)

44 Being the world's Superpower does not mean we are the world's policeman. It does not mean we nation build. It does not mean we start wars, or even finish them. But it does mean we will do whatever it takes to keep America, our Allies, and our Hemisphere safe. The pin pricks of Iran and Venezuela are not President Trump starting wars, as the mewling democrats would have you believe. But this is President Trump stopping them from beginning.
Excellent writeup CBD. There is no other nation on this earth that could do what we have done. God bless our military.

Posted by: Diogenes at January 04, 2026 12:15 PM (2WIwB)

45 Who was the actor who once said that people criticizing Chavez should be jailed? Sean Penn?

Posted by: Northernlurker , Maple Syrup MAGA at January 04, 2026 12:15 PM (ZbsBz)

46 A bunch of powerful people in Venezuela are suddenly out of work. This worries me.

It will take months for the money flows to "normalize". What happens in the meantime is problematic.

Freedom does not fill your belly.

Posted by: pawn at January 04, 2026 12:16 PM (Rmqfl)

47 Daniel Turner @DanielTurnerPTF

Never forget: Joe Biden sent John Kerry to Egypt in 2022 to cozy up to Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.

For what? Climate change.

What a difference a President can make.

X video (0:22): https://bit.ly/3L9TI1v

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 04, 2026 12:17 PM (P5BPp)

48 So I imagine we are gonna get a lot of "As a life long republican..." today

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:17 PM (VE6XX)

49 EPIC! The Venezuelans are now doing the TRUMP DANCE to YMCA

-
I never thought I'd like that horrible song!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 04, 2026 12:17 PM (L/fGl)

50 I hate the comparing these single military actions to the world situation we were in immediately after 9/11.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 04, 2026 12:18 PM (KDPiq)

51 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 04, 2026 12:14 PM (wzUl9)

Maduro isn't being "interned."

He is under arrest and confined in a federal facility until his trial.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:18 PM (n9ltV)

52 Posted by: Same Old Same Old at January 04, 2026 12:17 PM (qDb5n)

You mad bro?

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 04, 2026 12:18 PM (KDPiq)

53 Real America First means sealing our borders, rebuilding our economy, and keeping our boys alive first, not plunging into another neocon quagmire
Posted by: Jack at January 04, 2026 12:07 PM (7Drnx)

You sound a lot like George Stehanopoulos, before Rubio schooled him this morning. In fact Rubio has been doing a brilliant job throughout; I knew he was good, but I didn’t know how good he was. Trump made some vague, big picture statements yesterday like “we’re going to run Venezuela now” but gave no specifics. (That’s what he does, he’s a big picture guy). When you look at what Rubio has been saying, you can see the Plan, and it’s a good one. (Cont’d)

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 12:18 PM (bYhL4)

54 I hear idiots comparing this to the debacles in Iraq and Afghanistan… maybe they’re not old enough to remember Bush 1 taking out the drug dealer “prez” of Panama. That is the most apt comparison and that worked out pretty well… Noriega was convicted and Panama has been US friendly and stable since…. I expect something similar here

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at January 04, 2026 12:19 PM (YobFY)

55 I can't believe we don't attract better trolls.

Posted by: Reforger at January 04, 2026 12:19 PM (gKsV+)

56 52 I hate the comparing these single military actions to the world situation we were in immediately after 9/11.
Posted by: Opinion fact at January 04, 2026 12:18 PM (KDPiq)

9/11 ? What's that ?

Posted by: NYC electing a Muslim Communist as Mayor at January 04, 2026 12:19 PM (VE6XX)

57 Seems some years ago Maduro's case was set up in NY so thats where it goes.
Wonder when that was done?

Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 12:19 PM (Ia/+0)

58 Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

Don't quote the trolls

Posted by: one hour sober at January 04, 2026 12:19 PM (Y1sOo)

59 The only thing the Fools on the Hill can keep their mouths shut about is some sweet, sweet inside trader info. Damn place leaks like a screen door in a hurricane. Fuck them. You want briefed, here goes. You sit here after the briefing and will remain here until the op is completed. McDonald's will be provided along with your happy prescriptions from the House Pharmacy. Sit down and shut up, you've been briefed.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at January 04, 2026 12:19 PM (gm9Sb)

60
But what about his RIGHTS?
Posted by: The ACLU

When you commie cock holsters give half a shit for my rights, I'll give half a shit for Maduro's rights. Fuck you, amd fuck Maduro.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at January 04, 2026 12:19 PM (QVmho)

61 It will take months for the money flows to "normalize". What happens in the meantime is problematic.

Freedom does not fill your belly.

Posted by: pawn at January 04, 2026 12:16 PM (Rmqfl)

I agree. But removing Maduro from the equation is important, especially in the way we did it. A show of overwhelming force will focus the minds of those who remain.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:19 PM (n9ltV)

62 Don't quote the trolls

Posted by: one hour sober at January 04, 2026 12:19 PM (Y1sOo)

Don't push your luck.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:20 PM (n9ltV)

63 For those of you keeping score at home, I'm still not tired of all the winning.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 04, 2026 12:20 PM (2Ez/1)

64 Rubio said we’re going to use our leverage now to control Venezuela in the short term.
The old VP is going to be allowed to run the government for now - but this is like the allies dealing with Admiral Doenitz who took over after Hitler killed himself. No one wants chaos, and no one wants to put 100,000 American troops in Caracas. There must be some order.

Our leverage now is this:

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 12:20 PM (bYhL4)

65 Not sure this will be remembered 9 months from now when it comes time to vote for House and Senate, considering Congress had nothing to do with it, but we'll see.

Joey Mannarino @JoeyMannarino

I’m with some Cubans right now and they’re literally crying tears of joy.

Venezuelans are celebrating all over the globe too.

If anyone thinks this military operation was a bad idea you have NO idea how many votes we just gained for the midterms.

Trump is now the absolute hero of the Latin Americans.

X: https://bit.ly/493ilGg

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 04, 2026 12:21 PM (P5BPp)

66 Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

Don't quote the trolls
Posted by: one hour sober at January 04, 2026 12:19 PM (Y1sOo)

That's a lol burn that I think even CBD can appreciate.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 04, 2026 12:21 PM (KDPiq)

67 I hate the comparing these single military actions to the world situation we were in immediately after 9/11.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 04, 2026 12:18 PM (KDPiq)

Why? Islam is stronger now than it was in 2001.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:21 PM (n9ltV)

68 ThecVenezuelan government, and the Venezuelan military have now been humiliated. Venezuela is heavily dependent on food and other goods being shipped in, and oil being shipped out. That 18 ship task force is going to remain off the coast of Venezuela, and from now on nothing will go in or out of Venezuela without the approval and oversight of the US Military.
Their ability to get food and other goods, and ability to sell oil from now on will depend on their good behavior, as we define it. If they act up, those both can be shut down immediately.
And the goal is to hold free and fair elections as soon as possible, under US supervision. The US could have tried to install Machado as President now, but she will have far more legitimacy with this method.

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 12:22 PM (bYhL4)

69 Okay I guess CBD can't take it.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 04, 2026 12:22 PM (KDPiq)

70 So of course MTG was on meet the depressed this morning to criticize. Honestly I’d never heard her speak at length before and I discovered… she’s a retard. Low IQ…. And of course in this important conversation about Venezuela the very related (sarc) topic of the Epstein files was raised. The news media is a joke

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at January 04, 2026 12:22 PM (YobFY)

71 How this benefits America is still a bit unclear to me.

Posted by: MJ at January 04, 2026 12:23 PM (XOmY9)

72 And the goal is to hold free and fair elections as soon as possible, under US supervision. The US could have tried to install Machado as President now, but she will have far more legitimacy with this method.
Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 12:22 PM (bYhL4)

Trump said no to her which surprised me

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:23 PM (VE6XX)

73 Jack is a regurgitation of the MichaelN troll from yesterday.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at January 04, 2026 12:23 PM (fd80v)

74 As the new @CBSEveningNews prepares to launch on Monday, our promise and five bedrock principles:

1. We work for you.
2. We report on the world as it is.
3. We respect you.
4. We love America.
5. We respect tradition, but we also believe in the future.

Please watch!

-
Yeah, I'll believe it when I see it and since I won't be watching . . .

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 04, 2026 12:23 PM (L/fGl)

75 So I imagine we are gonna get a lot of "As a life long republican..." today

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:17 PM (VE6XX)

yeah as a lifelong republican I'm pissed...

I'm pissed we didn't see any live footage of the delta boys smoking any maduro thugs, body guards, or supporters.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 04, 2026 12:23 PM (snZF9)

76 Why? Islam is stronger now than it was in 2001.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:21 PM (n9ltV)

That's a strawman but keep comparing it. I don't care.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 04, 2026 12:24 PM (KDPiq)

77 >No. In a perfect world he would have consulted our representatives in Congress,
----

and it would have been leaked to the NYTimes in minutes

I bet we could get into Iran and bag some mullahs
hand them over to the people
let 'em do the Mussolini thing

I kid, of course

Mark Walhberg would lead the teams
Brian Dennehy would play Asia Minor and the Caucasus

Posted by: Don Black at January 04, 2026 12:24 PM (ZxPkt)

78 Okay I guess CBD can't take it.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 04, 2026 12:22 PM (KDPiq)

There is a process for dealing with trolls. It has been a long time since it was amusing or novel. Sorry if the 900th iteration of the same shit doesn't make me chuckle.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:24 PM (n9ltV)

79
yeah as a lifelong republican I'm pissed...

I'm pissed we didn't see any live footage of the delta boys smoking any maduro thugs, body guards, or supporters.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 04, 2026 12:23 PM (snZF9)

LOL Me too....

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:24 PM (VE6XX)

80 "A show of overwhelming force will focus the minds of those who remain."

It was opportunistic. Just like 9/11. You don't think the Chinese or the Russians are not going to take advantage of the paranoia of the Venezuelan elite? They are on the ground there and not us.

Posted by: pawn at January 04, 2026 12:26 PM (Rmqfl)

81 That's a strawman but keep comparing it. I don't care.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 04, 2026 12:24 PM (KDPiq)

Cute. In 2001 we were attacked by a well organized Islamic group supported by a failed state.

Tell me why that is worse than today.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:26 PM (n9ltV)

82 It will take months for the money flows to "normalize". What happens in the meantime is problematic.

Freedom does not fill your belly.

Posted by: pawn at January 04, 2026 12:16 PM (Rmqfl)

I agree. But removing Maduro from the equation is important, especially in the way we did it. A show of overwhelming force will focus the minds of those who remain.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:19 PM (n9ltV)
***

Freedom does allow one to find a way to fill the belly. And it began this morning. I suspect recovery of the Venezuelan economy will be a lot faster than most people realize.

Posted by: Diogenes at January 04, 2026 12:26 PM (2WIwB)

83 Just wondering if there is anything Trump could do that the "media" would say was good ?Except resign/die of course

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:26 PM (VE6XX)

84 Islam sure has its camel's nose under our tent

Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 12:27 PM (Ia/+0)

85
*1. We work for you.
2. We report on the world as it is.
3. We respect you.
4. We love America.
5. We respect tradition, but we also believe in the future."

6. We're fake, but accurate.

Posted by: Dan Rather at January 04, 2026 12:28 PM (2Ez/1)

86 Oh and I guess I need to preempt this because the blog assumed lauraw was a troll yesterday... I've been here for like 15 years and was a cob at one point.

I'm not being obtuse, I just don't see a clear rationale yet. The reward/risk calc seems off to me.

Posted by: MJ at January 04, 2026 12:29 PM (XOmY9)

87 Yes, the occupation could end badly, but it sounds like it's more an operation to protect the rebuilding of the oil industry and the new leaders. They are no doubt targets. But Trump is not there to teach students about modern art or trans ideology. So I will hope for the best. Look what happened in 1979 when idealistic "students" took over Iran, and we did not keep a hand in.

Posted by: Random PJ at January 04, 2026 12:29 PM (RRCAT)

88 Hoscul has a Muslim appreciation month and Thomas Jefferson is rolling in his grave

Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 12:29 PM (Ia/+0)

89 Congress does not have to be consulted to do what Trump did. The War Powers act of 1973 is probably not Constitutional and in any event not relevant here.

Posted by: Dantes at January 04, 2026 12:29 PM (vH/6B)

90 >>How this benefits America is still a bit unclear to me.

Monroe Doctrine.

This Hemisphere?

It's OUR Hemisphere. And we should stop trying to pretend it isn't.

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 12:30 PM (ddphe)

91 >>Trump said no to her which surprised me

Not only said 'no' but was quite dismissive of her saying she has limited support. I presume he meant limited support of the people, though maybe not. Dunno.

Posted by: one hour sober at January 04, 2026 12:30 PM (Y1sOo)

92 Just wondering if there is anything Trump could do that the "media" would say was good ?Except resign/die of course
Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:26 PM (VE6XX)

Whenever Trump dies you know at least one clown in the media will say he died in absolutely the wrong way.

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at January 04, 2026 12:30 PM (YobFY)

93 Venezuela was a master stroke in so many ways. China just lost a foothold in South America, Hezbollah and Hamas have lost training grounds and monetary support. Those terrorist operation were being mostly funded by drugs being bought by American users. Cuba is the next to fall without even a whimper because they just lost all support.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 04, 2026 12:30 PM (sDNVV)

94 It was opportunistic. Just like 9/11. You don't think the Chinese or the Russians are not going to take advantage of the paranoia of the Venezuelan elite? They are on the ground there and not us.

Posted by: pawn at January 04, 2026 12:26 PM

The chinese are already on the ground in venezuala and they have been for some years. I suspect that is a small percentage of the reason(s) why Trump went in and did what he did to put a stop to the chicom's interest and influence in that oil rich country.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at January 04, 2026 12:30 PM (0N4FZ)

95 Hoscul has a Muslim appreciation month and Thomas Jefferson is rolling in his grave
Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 12:29 PM (Ia/+0)

As are the dead from 9/11.

Posted by: Diogenes at January 04, 2026 12:30 PM (2WIwB)

96 So I will hope for the best. Look what happened in 1979 when idealistic "students" took over Iran, and we did not keep a hand in.
Posted by: Random PJ at January 04, 2026 12:29 PM (RRCAT)

It was worse than that, Jimmy Carter was cheering for Khomeini all the way, right up until they took US embassy staff hostage.
Sometimes I forget what an incredible idiot he was.

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 12:31 PM (bYhL4)

97 Posted by: Same Old Same Old Condom at January 04, 2026 12:13 PM (qDb5n)

Huh?

Posted by: Oddbob at January 04, 2026 12:31 PM (3nLb4)

98 I'm not being obtuse, I just don't see a clear rationale yet. The reward/risk calc seems off to me.

Posted by: MJ at January 04, 2026 12:29 PM (XOmY9)

lauraw was here yesterday? Shit...I missed her!

Fair enough.

I think that the capture of Maduro to slow the entry of drugs into America is a good thing. Giving Venezuelans the opportunity to fix their f*cked-up country is a sort of good thing. The future recovery of American oil company leases is less defensible.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:32 PM (n9ltV)

99 I'm pissed we didn't see any live footage of the delta boys smoking any maduro thugs, body guards, or supporters.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division

https://is.gd/n2WTrw

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 04, 2026 12:32 PM (L/fGl)

100 Rumored on X. Hakeem Jeffries was in possession of information regarding a possible capture operation of Maduro. An attempt to tip him off arrived too late and Maduro was alreADY IN CUSTODY.

Posted by: Some Lurker at January 04, 2026 12:32 PM (nPp6w)

101 Kind of bored today, but simply put, Trump is fine with the War Powers Resolution. He is not required to notify Congress before he acts but within 48 hours after he does. Plus, it does not apply to staging troops, etc. outside whatever might be considered the area of active operations.

From wiki,
"The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days, with a further 30-day withdrawal period, without congressional authorization for use of military force (AUMF) or a declaration of war by the United States. "

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 12:33 PM (WDjG6)

102 Damn caps lock

Posted by: Some Lurker at January 04, 2026 12:33 PM (nPp6w)

103 >> a place that is ultra super duper anti communist and all for free speech won’t allow dissenting opinions.

The real Irony is that you don't understand Free Speech.

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 12:34 PM (ddphe)

104 Maduro may be gone, but Machado and Gonzalez have international support. We may not NEED the support of The People of Venezuela but it would be nice to not jeopardize that, either.

Posted by: Garfunkel's Sowed Oats at January 04, 2026 12:34 PM (V87Oy)

105 If Trump had gone to congress all of the Democrats would have warned Maduro.

Posted by: 18-1 at January 04, 2026 12:34 PM (sKqQm)

106 One of the interesting things here is Trump seems to be showing just how incompetent the GOPe's solutions are.

Given a similar problem the GOpe sent an army to Iraq to stand around and get shot.

I wondered at the time why we didn't just kill Saddam and his two heirs.

Sure they'd get some other fascist leader but one a lot less likely to ally with AQ or try to assassinate American leaders...

Posted by: 18-1 at January 04, 2026 12:36 PM (sKqQm)

107 Has Obama and his husband weighed in on their sex partner Maduro coming to New York City? Big Mike likes to airlock Barry with Nick's help.

So sexy!

Posted by: Pete BootEdgeEdge at January 04, 2026 12:36 PM (R/m4+)

108 Hezbollah and Hamas have lost training grounds and monetary support.

-
Hamas condemns kidnapping.

https://is.gd/qWos9X

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 04, 2026 12:36 PM (L/fGl)

109
Posted by: Same 0ld Same 0ld Condom
=====
Huh?
Posted by: Oddbob
=====
It probably inverts the used condoms, licks and sucks it clear of his mother's bull's output, then reuses it.

I changed the 'ohs' in it's nic to 'zeros' to help avoid the trouble banning it later.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at January 04, 2026 12:36 PM (QVmho)

110 Threat of war is also diplomacy. Just a bit more pointed.

Now Trump can speak softly for he has proven he has the big stick. The smart bad actors will moderate.

Posted by: Anna Puma at January 04, 2026 12:37 PM (Y97GY)

111 The leftists should try a radical plan and read/understand the things that are lawful and within the rightful power of the President.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 04, 2026 12:37 PM (sDNVV)

112 I'm not being obtuse, I just don't see a clear rationale yet. The reward/risk calc seems off to me.
Posted by: MJ at January 04, 2026 12:29 PM (XOmY9)

Scan last night's ONT.
Orson in the early 300's made a couple good points and didn't even address the drug issue.
This was a strategic move on multiple levels and it was absolutely necessary. Planning began months ago. The entire National Command Authority recognized the threat Venezuela posed to the long term health of America. That threat is now gone.

Posted by: Diogenes at January 04, 2026 12:38 PM (2WIwB)

113 So, based on commentary about the military, is it unlikely that we'll see troops stumbling about in heeled shoes?

Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 12:38 PM (XuXeR)

114 Why? Islam is stronger now than it was in 2001.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:21 PM

Yep. In Texas alone, Muslim population has grown from ~115,000 in 2001 to ~313,000 today. With Houston and Dallas the epicenters of the population.

There are now approximately 300 mosques in Texas.

And Texas is where they are trying to push through their EPIC (East Plano Islamic Center) Islamic City.

X: https://bit.ly/4qbi2PK

EPIC City X summary: https://bit.ly/45wFqyH

Muslims already control Minnesota, Dearborn (MI), Hamtramck (MI), Columbus (OH) and NYC and growing in many cities across the country. Not to mention the MASSIVE Somali fraud in cities across the country.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 04, 2026 12:38 PM (P5BPp)

115 Jeffries is already threatening Impeachment over this... Pray they don't take the House in 2026

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:38 PM (VE6XX)

116 showing just how incompetent the GOPe's solutions are.

-
https://is.gd/YolSnx

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 04, 2026 12:39 PM (L/fGl)

117 The leftists should try a radical plan and read/understand the things that are lawful and within the rightful power of the President.

Obama did the same thing in Libya only he had his flunkies sodomize and kill Quaddafi

Posted by: 18-1 at January 04, 2026 12:39 PM (sKqQm)

118 "Congress does not have to be consulted to do what Trump did. The War Powers act of 1973 is probably not Constitutional and in any event not relevant here.
Posted by: Dantes"

In any case, if congress had been consulted they would have debated it for a week in public and if approved Maduro would have gone int hiding, or at least stand-by to go into hiding. The way it was done was the only way to handle this.

Posted by: Ripley at January 04, 2026 12:39 PM (PTDkx)

119 98 I'm not being obtuse, I just don't see a clear rationale yet. The reward/risk calc seems off to me.

Posted by: MJ

Easy,
A) Maduro flooded the US with about one million illegals including direct coordination with Tren de Agua and other miscellaneous criminals. This itself is an act of war.
B) Interference in US elections and those worldwide, look up the genesis of Smartmatic, who owns them, the relationship of the software with Dominion, and the recent conviction of one of Smartmatic's founders, a Venezuelan, for bribery and interference with elections in the Philippines.
C) Direct connection to shipping drugs to American that kill them.
D) Serving as a base for China, Russia, Cuba, and Iran including actions like training antifa
E) illegal seizure of US properties in Venezuela without compensation
F) threatening Guiana, a neighbor with invasion last fall going after additional US oil producing properties there. He massed troops on the border until even the Biden junta had to threaten to attack if he did so.

I got more and if you want, you can read the full indictment which is about 25 pages of various crimes and that was in 2020.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 12:40 PM (WDjG6)

120 >> Jeffries is already threatening Impeachment over this

There was no illegal action taken. Any attempt at Impeachment over this will fail worse than previous attempts.

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 12:40 PM (ddphe)

121 I don't know if it's been mentioned, but "The Plan™" was designed to snatch Maduro at his "safe house" all along. It was the one facility we had details on.

We actually waited until we knew he was there before going in.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 04, 2026 12:40 PM (NwnyJ)

122 Fair enough.

I think that the capture of Maduro to slow the entry of drugs into America is a good thing. Giving Venezuelans the opportunity to fix their f*cked-up country is a sort of good thing. The future recovery of American oil company leases is less defensible.
---------------------
These are all good reasons, but kinda light overall. Hopefully it won't matter and this whole thing will be forgotten in a few weeks because the next steps fall into line.

Posted by: MJ at January 04, 2026 12:40 PM (XOmY9)

123 Deploy DOGE to Caracas. Let's see how much money flowed to DC and to whom.

Posted by: Anna Puma at January 04, 2026 12:40 PM (Y97GY)

124 You know Trump is on to something when the Dems say they want to impeach him over something...

Posted by: 18-1 at January 04, 2026 12:40 PM (sKqQm)

125 The way it was done was the only way to handle this.

Posted by: Ripley at January 04, 2026 12:39 PM (PTDkx)

Yup. My point was not that Trump should have consulted Congress; my point was that it is sad that he couldn't.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:41 PM (n9ltV)

126 The problem with doing an operation in Tehran is that we can’t park an aircraft carrier 100 miles away from it.

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 12:41 PM (bYhL4)

127 118 "Congress does not have to be consulted to do what Trump did. The War Powers act of 1973 is probably not Constitutional and in any event not relevant here.
Posted by: Dantes"
=====
Not necessary. Trump has 48 hours after something has occurred under the War Powers Resolution.

Democrats are lying as usual. The caselaw going all the way up to Scotus over such matters is settled law from teh Noriega precedent under GHWB term and our Panama operations back in the 90's.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 12:41 PM (WDjG6)

128
Jeffries is already threatening Impeachment over this... Pray they don't take the House in 2026
Posted by: It's me donna

I'd like to forensicly trace how that turd got the i fo, and whom he contacted. Roll them all up and give everyone but Jeffries immunity for testifying against Jeffries. Put that treasonous rat fuck under the federal pmita genpop community.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at January 04, 2026 12:41 PM (QVmho)

129 It's me donna, be of good cheer. The Dems are not going to win the House. The rising tide of PDT is lifting a lot of boats.

Milei is going to be a big help in Venezuela.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 04, 2026 12:42 PM (sDNVV)

130
Yup. My point was not that Trump should have consulted Congress; my point was that it is sad that he couldn't.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:41 PM (n9ltV)

My apologies.. I read what you said wrong...

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:42 PM (VE6XX)

131 How many US troops are currently occupying Venezuela?
Posted by: The Crickets at January 04, 2026 12:14 PM (pIfcn)

None, as far as I know.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 12:42 PM (8zz6B)

132 One of the amusing things here is the left has been supporting socialists in Latin America since the 1960s.

How I wonder how the despot of Columbia is feeling? Remember he's only president because he got away with assassinating his opponent...

Posted by: 18-1 at January 04, 2026 12:42 PM (sKqQm)

133 Muslims already control Minnesota, Dearborn (MI), Hamtramck (MI), Columbus (OH) and NYC and growing in many cities across the country. Not to mention the MASSIVE Somali fraud in cities across the country.
Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 04, 2026 12:38 PM (P5BPp)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
We don't stay up wondering why the Western Roman Empire 'fell'. We stay up because WE KNOW.

Posted by: Garfunkel's Sowed Oats at January 04, 2026 12:42 PM (V87Oy)

134 Also, a few here have noted the issues with Venezuelan oil production, transportation, and refining. It will take a very robust effort to produce viable petroleum products...

Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 12:43 PM (XuXeR)

135
If anyone thinks this military operation was a bad idea you have NO idea how many votes we just gained for the midterms.

It's a long way to November.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 04, 2026 12:43 PM (pkeXY)

136 Do we even have a large enough supply of Pride flags to start national-building again?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at January 04, 2026 12:43 PM (nWPIJ)

137 "Congress does not have to be consulted to do what Trump did. The War Powers act of 1973 is probably not Constitutional and in any event not relevant here.
Posted by: Dantes"

In any case, if congress had been consulted they would have debated it for a week in public and if approved Maduro would have gone int hiding, or at least stand-by to go into hiding. The way it was done was the only way to handle this.

Posted by: Ripley at January 04, 2026 12:39 PM

Trump sent the military into venezuala under the AMUF signed after 9/11 to hunt down terrorists anywhere in the world. maduro was declared a terrorist some years back.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at January 04, 2026 12:43 PM (0N4FZ)

138 Yup. My point was not that Trump should have consulted Congress; my point was that it is sad that he couldn't.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:41 PM (n9ltV)

Exactly. Telling the Senate Intelligence Committee, or anyone in the House, would have been the same as putting it on the Hotline to Beijing.

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 12:44 PM (bYhL4)

139 100 Rumored on X. Hakeem Jeffries was in possession of information regarding a possible capture operation of Maduro. An attempt to tip him off arrived too late and Maduro was alreADY IN CUSTODY.
Posted by: Some Lurker at January 04, 2026 12:32 PM (nPp6w)

115 Jeffries is already threatening Impeachment over this... Pray they don't take the House in 2026
Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:38 PM (VE6XX)

His ass would be cuffed and stuffed in Gitmo right now it I were Trump. If 100 is true and he was tracked in his attempt... it is Subversion and Espionage directed against the United States.

Posted by: Reforger at January 04, 2026 12:44 PM (gKsV+)

140 maduro was declared a terrorist some years back.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at January 04, 2026 12:43 PM (0N4FZ)

Including by Biden... His handlers anyway

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:44 PM (VE6XX)

141 These are all good reasons, but kinda light overall. Hopefully it won't matter and this whole thing will be forgotten in a few weeks because the next steps fall into line.

Posted by: MJ at January 04, 2026 12:40 PM (XOmY9)

I think that it is difficult to know the exactly perfect time to act. Our country has often waited too long. While acting early might not be appealing, it is obvious that Venezuela was, is, and would always be a problem if we didn't do something.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:45 PM (n9ltV)

142 I saw a meme of an exhausted Rubio realizing he will soon be running Venezuela, Cuba and Panama in addition to his other duties. What a guy.

Posted by: High tech at January 04, 2026 12:45 PM (37cEZ)

143 Maduro was a cancer. He was a gateway for all kinds of communist, iranian, china, and russian fuckery in OUR backyard. We laugh about europe and how they spread their ass cheeks, and how they're done, weak, silly, faggy, and..over. No down side to what trump did here. He decapitated a disease before it got out of control. Things that europe failed to do in their backyard. Concord bridge was the shot heard around the world. We were due for another, and trump just fired it. This isn't ukrane, it isn't 9/11, or iraq, or afghanistan. This was trump taking a nice big steamy shit on the plans of some of the worlds biggest assholes. Then I get to see pictures courtesy of the communist media of armed maduro "suporters" patrolling, and its like 6 dudes riding bitch on the back of fucking dirt bikes with guns that looked slightly better than flint locks. They should have been exterminated out of principal. Maduro threatened trump to come and get him. Well, he did. The same 3rd world bravado we heard from every single retard despot in that region. The cycle has to end.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 04, 2026 12:45 PM (snZF9)

144 I think that it is difficult to know the exactly perfect time to act. Our country has often waited too long. While acting early might not be appealing, it is obvious that Venezuela was, is, and would always be a problem if we didn't do something.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:45 PM (n9ltV)
+ + + + + + + + + + + +
Anniv of Soleimani, right before an OPEC+ meeting. Right after a ChiCom meeting?

PERFECT Timing. Well done. *slow clap*

Posted by: Garfunkel's Sowed Oats at January 04, 2026 12:47 PM (V87Oy)

145 Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 12:42 PM (VE6XX)

No worries!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:47 PM (n9ltV)

146 I LOVE how the Chinese are entirely butthurt over the loss of their buddy, Maduro. The fact that it comes mere days after they encircled Taiwan with “invasion games” is merely viagra for my already-tingling nethers.

Posted by: red speck at January 04, 2026 12:47 PM (Ve/HL)

147 Tehran is that we can’t park an aircraft carrier 100 miles away from it."

Sure we can. Getting one to the Caspian sea would be a bit tricky, tho...

Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 12:47 PM (XuXeR)

148 Berserker, Hear hear !!!

Posted by: Ben Had at January 04, 2026 12:47 PM (sDNVV)

149 Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

For one off operations, historical precedent has not required prior notification of Congress.

See the Mayaguez incident and Vandy report of NBC news at the time,

"President notifies Congress by letter of his decision to use military force to rescue Mayaguez and crew; action conforms with war powers act provision.

REPORTER: John Chancellor
"Senator Mike Mansfield says President lived up to war powers act by rpting. incident to Congress Most cong. members strongly support President [Senators Barry GOLDWATER, Henry JACKSON - praise President Ford's action.] [Senator Gaylord NELSON, Representative Don. RIEGLE, Senator William HATHAWAY - react negatively to President' decision for military action.] Cambodian incident stands to be political plus for Mr. Ford.

"2 years ago, Congress decided overwhelmingly it should have voice in mil. decisions. President' cnsl. Philip Buchen says there wasn't time to consult Congress before President made decision. Harvard law expert Raul Berger calls President' action unconst. and deplorable. Senator Jacob Javits admits President' compliance with bill not 100%, but any inquiry now would be nitpicking."

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 12:48 PM (WDjG6)

150 98
'I think that the capture of Maduro to slow the entry of drugs into America is a good thing. Giving Venezuelans the opportunity to fix their f*cked-up country is a sort of good thing. '

Good things but not sufficient reason to do regime change.
What is a good reason? To remove an enemy and credible threat in the Western Hemisphere.
And the oil profits should be used for the benefit of the Venezuelan people.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at January 04, 2026 12:48 PM (fd80v)

151 The future recovery of American oil company leases is less defensible.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:32 PM (n9ltV)

I wouldn't fire a shot over a corporate asset seizure, but it also denies the oil to China and the channel for selling oil to Russia.

You want to avoid big wars? Deprive your adversary of the means to make war. Maybe this achieves that and maybe it doesn't, but The Thing that keeps China out of Taiwan is their inability to feed themselves or keep the lights on 6-12 months later when they can't trade.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at January 04, 2026 12:49 PM (pIfcn)

152 Looks like Schumer, Jefferies and all the typical Commi-crats are having Menstrual Cramps today.

So much for healthcare and the upcoming government funding vote when there is good Trump bashing to do .......

Posted by: Jackson at January 04, 2026 12:49 PM (QilJY)

153 Delta Force? So they finally sent in Chuck Norris!

Posted by: A one-man military! at January 04, 2026 12:49 PM (TbWk/)

154 Rubio realizing he will soon be running Venezuela, Cuba and Panama in addition to his other duties. What a guy."

FWIW, my previous low estimate of Rubio was clearly wrong. Glad to see it so...

Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 12:49 PM (XuXeR)

155 Next let's take out the corrupt regime in Minnesota, and strip that disgraceful Hell hole of its status as a state.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at January 04, 2026 12:49 PM (wBaIH)

156 Taking a look at financial websites in advance of tomorrow's market open. Looks like the financial press has its talking points too :

Old and busted: OMG TRUMP TARIFFS WILL ROIL THE MARKETS!!!

New hotness: OMG TRUMPS CAPTURE OF MADURO WILL ROIL THE MARKETS!!!!

Posted by: Cheerful Reprobate at January 04, 2026 12:50 PM (8WtOr)

157 So I imagine we are gonna get a lot of "As a life long republican..." today
Posted by: It's me donna
------
"as a concerned conservative veteran..."

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 04, 2026 12:50 PM (XeU6L)

158 Trump sent the military into venezuala under the AMUF signed after 9/11 to hunt down terrorists anywhere in the world. maduro was declared a terrorist some years back.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at January 04, 2026 12:43 PM

Slight correction... AUMF (Authorized Use of Military Force).

The Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) passed shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks refers to the 2001 AUMF, a joint resolution enacted on September 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-40).

Also, I'm not sure the AUMF applies here, since the AUMF is specifically for terrorists related to the 09/11/2001 Islamic terrorist attacks.

The President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 04, 2026 12:51 PM (P5BPp)

159 The most critical mistake we made in Iraq was completely dismantling their military command structure and banning the Baath party. That was followed by the CPA. Power abhors a vacuum, and we drove over that truism, then backed up and ran it over. We were not only the Iraqi government for some time, but then prescribed what it should be in the future.

Just to be clear, that’s not the route we’re going now and I’m fine with it

We need to strip the cartels, Russians, Chinese, Iranians, Cubans and their proxies out of the government and ensure that whatever the Venezuelas choose has a fighting chance. Because you can be sure those groups will be fighting tooth and nail not to lose their foothold, which by the way is contrary to our interests and is exactly what America first means.

Posted by: Marcus T at January 04, 2026 12:51 PM (ATSTk)

160 115 Jeffries is already threatening Impeachment over this... Pray they don't take the House in 2026
Posted by: It's me donna
=====
The Dem posturing is not going to sway many voters. For Jeffries, it is the Dem version of failure theater to avoid being primaried by DSA types.

For the most part, consistent with long time polling and voting behavior, Americans don't care about killing drug dealers, terrorists, abroad as long as US troops are not hurt or we are shipping hundreds of billions to support someone like Zelensky.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 12:52 PM (WDjG6)

161 future recovery of American oil company leases is less defensible"

Given the rebirth of the domestic industry, I'm uncertain as to how many want to mess with barely liquid wax...

Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 12:52 PM (XuXeR)

162 I predict Maduro's capture will affect the markets.

Posted by: Reforger at January 04, 2026 12:52 PM (gKsV+)

163 I love it when big daddy Donnie kills brown people in the name of freedom and America.

Ohh yeah baby. More more More.

Posted by: Sexy MAGA at January 04, 2026 12:52 PM (tQ2y0)

164 Diesel down another 10 cents here. Let me count the ways that lowers prices.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 04, 2026 12:53 PM (sDNVV)

165 Capture the airport in Tehran
C-130s roll in full of Marines and Bradleys
sic 'em on the mullahs

just spitballin' here
tell me why my plan won't work

Posted by: Don Black at January 04, 2026 12:53 PM (ZxPkt)

166 Drugs are destroying the population
This might be the first read attempt to stop drugs at the source

Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 12:54 PM (Ia/+0)

167
The military wins the battle.
The economy wins the war.

Posted by: Pentagon D Ring men's room, 3rd stall at January 04, 2026 12:54 PM (2Ez/1)

168 as a concerned conservative veteran..."

You need to work in "life long" and "Reagan republican " to really sell it

Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 12:54 PM (XuXeR)

169 If it were Blo Jiden or Chocolate Jesus that did this, they would all be made Saints by now....

Obama killed how many people with Gutless Drone Strikes and the Commi-crats were silent....

I hope Schumer gets a major case of Hemorrhoids and all the So-Called Jewish people of NY that vote for Schumer and Mandami you deserve what you get...

Posted by: Jackson at January 04, 2026 12:54 PM (J9q9v)

170 164 Diesel down another 10 cents here. Let me count the ways that lowers prices.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 04, 2026 12:53 PM (sDNVV)

That's a better leading economic indicator than gasoline prices.

Posted by: Roy at January 04, 2026 12:54 PM (qwype)

171 Rubio really schooled the news floozy who interviewed him on Fox this morning. Impressive… when does he sleep??

I’m already chuckling at the memes of Trump saying: For my next trick I’ll make Dems defend narco-terrorist dictators….

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at January 04, 2026 12:54 PM (xT8gx)

172 The Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) passed shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks refers to the 2001 AUMF, a joint resolution enacted on September 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-40).

Also, I'm not sure the AUMF applies here, since the AUMF is specifically for terrorists related to the 09/11/2001 Islamic terrorist attacks.

The President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.
Posted by: Clyde Shelton

Not needed, as teh WH counsel has said and the WH has publicly stated, this was an operation to take into custody a criminal who was indicted in 2020 by a federal grand jury. The fact that he claims to be the president of Venezuela is beside the point. Reportedly there were actually FBI agents embedded into the operation to 'arrest' Maduro.

This was essentially like attacking pirates. No AUMF is needed.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 12:54 PM (WDjG6)

173 I love that Trump and the military did this so effectively, and even more, that nobody spilled the beans. We may see more precision strikes like this and Iran.

Of course, I'll have to listen to my grouchy coworker bloviating about how evil Trump is. Oh well.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Rock 'n' Roll Martian at January 04, 2026 12:54 PM (0aYVJ)

174 Diesel down another 10 cents here. Let me count the ways that lowers prices."

This. Transportation costs are falling...

Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 12:55 PM (XuXeR)

175 >>You are retarded. You clearly never read what I write, and so I have to assume you are here to troll.

He posted the exact same comment yesterday, word for word.

Yes, it's a troll.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 04, 2026 12:56 PM (viF8m)

176 On Iran, best to help the citizens to overthrow their tyranny than do what happened in Venezuela. Grabbing the Mullahs could set off WWIII

Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 12:56 PM (Ia/+0)

177 as a concerned conservative veteran..."

You need to work in "life long" and "Reagan republican " to really sell it
Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 12:54 PM (XuXeR)
----------
And the ever-popular child coming to you in tears and asking difficult questions.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at January 04, 2026 12:56 PM (qbLEp)

178 neocon quagmire

At least VZ has enough rainfall to make an actual quagmire.

Posted by: DaveA at January 04, 2026 12:56 PM (FhXTo)

179 154 Rubio realizing he will soon be running Venezuela, Cuba and Panama in addition to his other duties. What a guy."

Good and maybe, we can get some Cuban Cigars soon....

Posted by: Jackson at January 04, 2026 12:56 PM (JGobS)

180 Would that Eagle Claw and Bay of Pigs had been handled as adroitly.

Grenada (Ronald Reagan) seems to have worked out well.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 04, 2026 12:56 PM (XeU6L)

181 Given the rebirth of the domestic industry, I'm uncertain as to how many want to mess with barely liquid wax...
Posted by: man
======
Considering that there is roughly 300 years of reserves there and the technology already exists (Canadian oil sands are similar), Venezuela being freed up is going to put more barrels of oil on the market to the benefit of the entire world by keeping energy prices down.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 12:56 PM (WDjG6)

182 Maybe this is all just a ploy by Trump to impress and hit on Sofia Vergara

Posted by: Ripley at January 04, 2026 12:56 PM (PTDkx)

183 >>Grabbing the Mullahs could set off WWIII

Sure, Jan.

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 12:56 PM (ddphe)

184 BOTH cases remained secret because they refused to brief the worthless Congresscritters beforehand.

Literally every major operational leak is coming from Congress and their staff. Everybody knows it. It's a joke, but not a funny one.

Posted by: DudeAbiding at January 04, 2026 12:56 PM (setIA)

185 I'll have to listen to my grouchy coworker bloviating about how evil Trump is. "

May they have many years of grouchiness...

Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 12:57 PM (XuXeR)

186 Just because you can do something and it's 100% justified doesn't mean you should do it.

The only difference this time is we have Trump running things, not the Deep State.

I hope he can pull this off because it just reeks of another US power move justified by an easy short term gain but lacking in a coherent vision capable of producing a positive long term outcome which seems to be the hallmark of US foreign policy since WW2.

If this isn't "Nation Building", then what exactly is it?

Posted by: pawn at January 04, 2026 12:57 PM (Rmqfl)

187 Also, a few here have noted the issues with Venezuelan oil production, transportation, and refining. It will take a very robust effort to produce viable petroleum products...
Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 12:43 PM (XuXeR)

Canadian, specifically Albertan oil tech could help there. The oil sands mining at Athabaska would not be a going concern without the upgrader, which turns heavy, molasses-like crude into light sweet crude, using enrgy and hydrogen derived from natural gas.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 12:57 PM (8zz6B)

188 Orson in the early 300's made a couple good points and didn't even address the drug issue.
This was a strategic move on multiple levels and it was absolutely necessary. Planning began months ago. The entire National Command Authority recognized the threat Venezuela posed to the long term health of America. That threat is now gone.
Posted by: Diogenes at January 04, 2026 12:38 PM (2WIwB)

Exactly! Cynical Publius on X has a great long form post up on this topic today (if any of you don’t read him, you should). In a nutshell, while stopping the drug trade was a worthy goal and a legal justification for what the action, that is probably the *least* significant accomplishment of this action.
We have just shutdown the doorway through which China, Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah were establishing a permanent presence in the western hemisphere. Every single one of those players got a big kick in the teeth yesterday, probably China most of all.
Oh and by the way, Cuba is now guaranteed to collapse within a few months.

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 12:58 PM (bYhL4)

189 This was essentially like attacking pirates. No AUMF is needed.
Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 12:54 PM (WDjG6)
----------
And blowing up Chavez' tomb. Because we could.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at January 04, 2026 12:58 PM (qbLEp)

190 Reading after the nuke strike on Iran the people don't want a foreign intervention they just want the means to effect one themselves.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 04, 2026 12:58 PM (sDNVV)

191 Rubio has been so impressive in the last year I’m beginning to think maybe he’d be a better nominee in 28 than Vance. He’s making me ponder….

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at January 04, 2026 12:58 PM (xT8gx)

192 No grabbing the Mullahs.

Kill the Mullahs. Kill. The. Mullahs.

Posted by: Zombie Mohammad Reza Pahlavi at January 04, 2026 12:58 PM (R/m4+)

193 >>Slight correction... AUMF (Authorized Use of Military Force).

Another correction. He sent a law enforcement team to get a wanted criminal and used the military for support thus negating the requirement to inform Congress.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 04, 2026 12:59 PM (viF8m)

194 If this isn't "Nation Building", then what exactly is it? Have faith One day at a time

Posted by: doug at January 04, 2026 12:59 PM (Hy+R4)

195 AOP for Energy Secretary of Venezuela because when a job needs doing you need the right man for the job.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 04, 2026 01:00 PM (sDNVV)

196 I feel some roiling...in my pants.

Posted by: And they blew up Chavez tomb too! LOLOL at January 04, 2026 01:01 PM (TbWk/)

197 Afternoon.

Posted by: Robert at January 04, 2026 01:01 PM (R6aIA)

198 Thx CBD. That the left is complaining at all about this strike against Venezuela tells you who they are. And it ain't pretty,.... or intelligent, or sane, and thoroughly communist

Posted by: Smell the Glove at January 04, 2026 01:02 PM (BLGhW)

199 Worthy of investigation:

"Venezuela’s former Chief of National Intelligence Hugo Carvajal has OFFICIALLY RELEASED every U.S. Senator who is on THE VENEZUELA LIST of politicians who have been receiving MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN KICKBACKS from the Maduro regime and Venezuelan drug trafficking organizations that make up his government in exchange for using their government positions and influence to undermine President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s ongoing war with these narcoterrorists."

(List to be posted. It's long.)

https://tinyurl.com/3msreyf2

Posted by: The Reptilians in Antarctica at January 04, 2026 01:02 PM (/mCq0)

200 If this isn't "Nation Building", then what exactly is it?

Posted by: doug at January 04, 2026 12:59 PM (Hy+R4)
-

America First.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at January 04, 2026 01:02 PM (Ippjd)

201 If this isn't "Nation Building", then what exactly is it?
Posted by: pawn at January 04, 2026 12:57 PM (Rmqfl)

We don’t have to “nation build” because Venezuela was a prosperous and functional country before the locusts descended on it. Maduro’s government only stayed in power by recruiting and importing gangs of thugs to terrorize the population - read any of the accounts online of Venezuelans who have fled. Also - and this may be the most important point - Venezuela is still an overwhelmingly Christian country, not a Muslim one.

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 01:02 PM (bYhL4)

202 >>If this isn't "Nation Building", then what exactly is it? Have faith One day at a time

We aren't rebuilding Venezuela, we are liberating it so that it can return to it's previous democratic governance which it had for many years prior to being taken over by a dictator. This has nothing to do with trying to impose a western democracy on a bunch of goat herders who never wanted democracy and had no history or culture to support it.

Any comparison of the situation in Venezuela to Iraq or Afghanistan is retarded and has all the depth of analysis I would expect from AOC or Omar.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 04, 2026 01:03 PM (viF8m)

203 157 So I imagine we are gonna get a lot of "As a life long republican..." today
Posted by: It's me donna
------
"as a concerned conservative veteran..."
Posted by: Mike Hammer
=====
Chicoms through their billionaire puppet Singh (Codepink, People's Forum and other nasty Commie organization funding) are fully deployed.

Those were the protesters appearing in NY with professionally printed signs, etc.

China's 17 billion dollar investment in Maduro's regime is at risk along with guaranteed low cost millions of barrels of oil for which special refineries are set up in China to refine. Those will have to be refitted at big expense if the Venezuelan heavy crude is not available anymore.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:03 PM (WDjG6)

204 and the technology already exists (Canadian oil sands are similar"

Indeed. The issue will be duplicating the various systems... the tar sands weren't easy...

Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 01:03 PM (XuXeR)

205 Initial BDA reported hits on a lot of proxies and their material. We apparently destroyed about $6b worth of Russian made air defense systems, a bunch of Chinese made carp, Cuban intelligence operations and a bunch of other stuff. The Chinese delegation that just two days earlier said they would help Maduro deter any attack also got a front row seat, since the were still in country.

We call that a win.

Posted by: Marcus T at January 04, 2026 01:04 PM (ATSTk)

206 Why? Islam is stronger now than it was in 2001.

By what metric?

Posted by: DaveA at January 04, 2026 01:04 PM (FhXTo)

207 I see the trolls are *still* squealing like the little piggies they are. Must have been something really important to them that got 'sploded.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 04, 2026 01:04 PM (ULPxl)

208 Now, who could argue with a Reptilian when it comes to conspiracy and skullduggery?

Off sock!

And here is the list - nearly every Dem is on it (Fetterman isn't) and the usual list of GOPe suspects as well:

Below is EVERY U.S. SENATOR ON THE VENEZUELA LIST:
Lisa Murkowski - R - Alaska
Mark Kelly - D - Arizona
Ruben Gallego - D - Arizona
Alex Padilla - D - California
Adam Schiff - D - California
Michael Bennet - D - Colorado
John Hickenlooper - D - Colorado
Richard Blumenthal - D - Connecticut
Chris Murphy - D - Connecticut
Chris Coons - D - Delaware
Jon Ossoff - D - Georgia
Raphael Warnock - D - Georgia
Brian Schatz - D - Hawaii
Mazie Hirono - D - Hawaii

Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original Trans-Wookie at January 04, 2026 01:05 PM (/mCq0)

209 The Iranian Mullahs have lots of proxy armies

Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 01:05 PM (Ia/+0)

210 208 Why? Islam is stronger now than it was in 2001.

By what metric?
Posted by: DaveA at January 04, 2026 01:04 PM (FhXTo)

Real time customer-facing dashboard metrics.

Posted by: On a stable robust best in class platform at January 04, 2026 01:05 PM (TbWk/)

211
Dick Durbin - D - Illinois
Tammy Duckworth - D - Illinois
Chuck Grassley - R - Iowa
Joni Ernst - R - Iowa
Mitch McConnell - R - Kentucky
Rand Paul - R - Kentucky
Bill Cassidy - R - Louisiana
Susan Collins - R - Maine
Angus King - I - Maine
Chris Van Hollen - D - Maryland
Angela Alsobrooks - D - Maryland
Elizabeth Warren - D - Massachusetts
Ed Markey - D - Massachusetts
Gary Peters - D - Michigan
Elissa Slotkin - D - Michigan
Amy Klobuchar - D - Minnesota
Tina Smith - D - Minnesota
Roger Wicker - R - Mississippi
Deb Fischer - R - Nebraska
Jacky Rosen - D - Nevada
Catherine Cortez Masto - D - Nevada
Jeanne Shaheen - D - New Hampshire
Maggie Hassan - D - New Hampshire

Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original Trans-Wookie at January 04, 2026 01:05 PM (/mCq0)

212
Cory Booker - D - New Jersey
Andy Kim - D - New Jersey
Martin Heinrich - D - New Mexico
Ben Ray Lujan - D - New Mexico
Chuck Schumer - D - New York
Kirsten Gillibrand - D - New York
Thom Tillis - R - North Carolina
James Lankford - R - Oklahoma
Ron Wyden - D - Oregon
Jeff Merkley - D - Oregon

Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original Trans-Wookie at January 04, 2026 01:06 PM (/mCq0)

213
Dave McCormick - R - Pennsylvania
Jack Reed - D - Rhode Island
Sheldon Whitehouse - D - Rhode Island
John Thune - R - South Dakota
John Cornyn - R - Texas
Bernie Sanders - I - Vermont
Peter Welch - D - Vermont
Mark Warner - D - Virginia
Tim Kaine - D - Virginia
Patty Murray - D - Washington
Maria Cantwell - D - Washington
Jim Justice - R - West Virginia
Tammy Baldwin - D - Wisconsin

Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original Trans-Wookie at January 04, 2026 01:06 PM (/mCq0)

214 >> We apparently destroyed about $6b worth of Russian made air defense systems

Can anyone name a country equipped with Russian Air Defense Systems that have successfully defended their airspace?

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 01:06 PM (ddphe)

215 Apologies for the multiple posts - Pixy spam filter was rejecting these posts.

Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original Trans-Wookie at January 04, 2026 01:06 PM (/mCq0)

216 >EVERY U.S. SENATOR ON THE VENEZUELA LIST:
-----

list of what

Posted by: Don Black at January 04, 2026 01:06 PM (ZxPkt)

217 *If this isn't "Nation Building", then what exactly is it?
Posted by: doug at January 04, 2026 12:59*

A "minor incursion."

Posted by: Foreign Policy expert Joe Biden at January 04, 2026 01:06 PM (2Ez/1)

218 Pawn,

Tom said it right. Maduro's government drove out the professional classes and technicians in Venezuela (approximately 25 percent of the population before Chavez took office). He replaced them with Russia, Iranian, Cuban, and Chinese techs and simply looted the country along with his generals to the tune of billions.

Venezuela can rebuild itself and a lot of Latin American countries like Argentina, Chile, etc. are ready, willing, and able to provide help to fix and feed the Venezuelan people during the interregnum. A lot of Venezuelan displaced population live in Latin America and want to go home.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:07 PM (WDjG6)

219 >>Slight correction... AUMF (Authorized Use of Military Force).

Another correction. He sent a law enforcement team to get a wanted criminal and used the military for support thus negating the requirement to inform Congress.
Posted by: JackStraw at January 04, 2026 12:59 PM (viF8m)

One could argue that closing Venezuelan airspace and parking a carrier battle group off their shores should have been more than enough of a heads up for Congress.

Most importantly is the fact that Maduro was pushing his drugs and gang bangers into the United States for so long and killing so many Americans that his regime had gone well beyond being an imminent threat.

Posted by: Robert at January 04, 2026 01:07 PM (R6aIA)

220 I love it when big daddy Donnie kills brown people in the name of freedom and America.

Ohh yeah baby. More more More.
Posted by: Sexy MAGA

So why are you here?
Very few her want to kill 'brown or any other color people.

Go back to your basement.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 04, 2026 01:07 PM (9MJNg)

221 You know Trump is on to something when the Dems say they want to impeach him over something...

Similarly, Walz has been posting stupid videos about jogging and his Nike windbreaker during the Somali fraud circus and generally not engaging.

Nick Shirley suggested yesterday that Vance Boelter was ordered to kill the woman because she was sniffing around Walz's fraud. Walz immediately dropped his "too cool for school" routine and is screaming and ranting. Sounds like a tell.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:08 PM (QZThv)

222 >> Can anyone name a country equipped with Russian Air Defense Systems that have successfully defended their airspace?

No. Because even the most advanced systems they sell to other countries has been defeated.

Remember behind oil, defense is Russias #2 source of income.

Posted by: Marcus T at January 04, 2026 01:09 PM (ATSTk)

223 Senators (and reps) being on the take from cartels would not surprise me at all. Helps explain their hostility toward border security, which makes it harder for drug smuggling and human trafficking. However, I take the list with a grain or two of salt since we have nothing but a bald assertion at this point and don't want to get caught in a "too good to check" trap.

Posted by: Some authentication would be nice at January 04, 2026 01:09 PM (TbWk/)

224 208 I see the trolls are *still* squealing like the little piggies they are. Must have been something really important to them that got 'sploded.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket
=======
Chicom and cartel loving Dems are the troll sources. I think the resident liberaltarian contigent is doing their typical dance of movable principles that morph everytime you pin them down.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:09 PM (WDjG6)

225 All these pols, if found guilty, need to be disemboweled slowly before being sent to hell.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at January 04, 2026 01:09 PM (Ippjd)

226 Can anyone name a country equipped with Russian Air Defense Systems that have successfully defended their airspace?

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 01:06 PM (ddphe)

Russia is lucky they have nukes. Although...maybe they won't work when they use them!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 01:09 PM (n9ltV)

227
Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF)

Am I the only one that is mentally substituting the A-team's Audios Mother Fvcker (AMF) when seeing this?

Posted by: BifBewalski - at January 04, 2026 01:10 PM (QVmho)

228 "Am I entirely happy with the way the President decapitated Venezuela? No. In a perfect world he would have consulted our representatives in Congress, but they have made it perfectly clear that they cannot be trusted to support the best interests of the country, or oppose the administration in a principled way."

*considers dashing off a comment about Octavian and Julius Caesar and their popularity compared to the moribund Senate BECAUSE they ACTED, but wants the idea to cook some more*

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 04, 2026 01:10 PM (bss/y)

229 >> You know Trump is on to something when the Dems say they want to impeach him over something...

If Trump walked on water they’d accuse him of not being able to swim
If Trump cured cancer they’d complain it took too long and why not heart disease and AIDS?

TDS… it’s real and it’s spectacular

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at January 04, 2026 01:10 PM (xT8gx)

230 Indeed. The issue will be duplicating the various systems... the tar sands weren't easy...
Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 01:03 PM (XuXeR)

But now, knowing how it was done in Alberta, the knowledge gained there can be applied in VZ. The wheel does not have to be reinvented.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 01:10 PM (8zz6B)

231 >>> 223 Can anyone name a country equipped with Russian Air Defense Systems that have successfully defended their airspace?
==
No. Because even the most advanced systems they sell to other countries has been defeated.

Remember behind oil, defense is Russias #2 source of income.
Posted by: Marcus T at January 04, 2026 01:09 PM (ATSTk)

Sounds like Donny Two Scoops is hitting them in the pocketbook... *far* more effectively than the EUtards and Brandon ever did.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 04, 2026 01:10 PM (ULPxl)

232 Can anyone name a country equipped with Russian Air Defense Systems that have successfully defended their airspace?

But the media was shouting that 51 experts said Russian air defense is awesome and would completely cock-block Delta.

Weirdly there are no follow-up stories.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:11 PM (QZThv)

233 191 Rubio has been so impressive in the last year I’m beginning to think maybe he’d be a better nominee in 28 than Vance. He’s making me ponder….
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at January 04, 2026 12:58 PM (xT8gx)

He was truly impressive with Stephanopoulos this morning - shut that grinning shitweasel down!

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 01:12 PM (bYhL4)

234 whig, great point and I'll Melei is already in the process of setting things up. This is indeed the difference in helping people that had a free society compared to a bunch of sandrats.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 04, 2026 01:12 PM (sDNVV)

235
Can anyone name a country equipped with Russian Air Defense Systems that have successfully defended their airspace?
Posted by: garrett
=====
Russia is lucky they have nukes. Although...maybe they won't work when they use them!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
=====

There is a very nice meme of a fake Amazon one star review with two entries. One from the Iranian mullah, and another from Maduro.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at January 04, 2026 01:12 PM (QVmho)

236 Another point is that if the heavy sour can be transported out, what impact will that have on Alberta production...

It will be quite interesting. And will keep transportation costs in check...

Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 01:12 PM (XuXeR)

237 >>But the media was shouting that 51 experts said Russian air defense is awesome and would completely cock-block Delta.

Surely because they were manned by Iraq's Elite Republican Guard...

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 01:12 PM (ddphe)

238 So for those of you keeping score at home, Democrats support;
- illegal aliens, especially criminals
- Somali fraudsters, and anyone defrauding taxpayers
- Communist dictators.

Posted by: Marcus T at January 04, 2026 01:12 PM (ATSTk)

239 Am I entirely happy with the way the President decapitated Venezuela? No. In a perfect world he would have consulted our representatives in Congress, but they have made it perfectly clear that they cannot be trusted to support ~~the best interests of the country, or oppose the administration in a principled way.~~ and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 04, 2026 01:13 PM (RIvkX)

240 apparently that list is of dubious provenance

Posted by: Don Black at January 04, 2026 01:13 PM (ZxPkt)

241 EXCELLENT essay, CBD.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at January 04, 2026 01:14 PM (kpS4V)

242 So why are you here?
Very few her want to kill 'brown or any other color people.

Go back to your basement.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 04, 2026 01:07 PM (9MJNg)

Not to mention that Venezuelans are pretty damned white, for the most part.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 01:14 PM (8zz6B)

243 163. Ace and the COBS need to step up their game. These Dollar Store trolls are really irritating.

Posted by: Some Lurker at January 04, 2026 01:14 PM (nPp6w)

244 RUMINT is Hakeem J. (D-Cesspool) tried to warn Maduro.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at January 04, 2026 01:14 PM (DtrWo)

245 Excellent summation, CBD … now let's hope that the effing traitors who remain in the ranks can be purged quickly and efficiently in order to prevent sabotage and 'leaks' to our enemies from jeopardising future ops. Good on ya, Mr President … and a hand salute to the troops who carried out the mission.

Posted by: Dr_No at January 04, 2026 01:14 PM (ayRl+)

246 knowing how it was done in Alberta"

Well, Venezuela doesn't have to worry about subfreezing temps...

Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 01:14 PM (XuXeR)

247 >>I have a small dick

Posted by: Sexy MAGA at (lqxkv)

Nobody is surprised, faggot.

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 01:14 PM (ddphe)

248 Maduro effed around. He found out. Trump doesn't play.

Congress has passed only like 50 bills in its first year of the second Trump presidency, one of the lowest ever. Like they could be trusted to pass anything helping the people of Venezuela. This is what happens when they don't do their job!

Leftists are realizing, to their horror, by letting in Venezuelan refugees, they let in Cubans 2.0. If we don't botch the handoff to an actually democratic new president, and can make Venezuela great again, that is a new voting bloc of immigrants that hate communism. Well done libs. The comments from the Nobel peace prize winner praising Trump should've been a clue in their feelings.

Posted by: LizLem at January 04, 2026 01:15 PM (gWBY1)

249 Me love sexy time.
Me so horny
Me want suck big Donnie dick.
Mmm mmm mmm
Give it to me king.

Posted by: Sexy MAGA at January 04, 2026 01:16 PM (oHcxQ)

250 Not to mention that Venezuelans are pretty damned white, for the most part."

Shhh...

Posted by: man at January 04, 2026 01:16 PM (XuXeR)

251 I wonder if Xi has realized he no longer controls the Panama Canal?

Posted by: JackStraw at January 04, 2026 01:16 PM (viF8m)

252 244 So why are you here?
Very few her want to kill 'brown or any other color people.

Go back to your basement.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 04, 2026 01:07 PM (9MJNg)

Not to mention that Venezuelans are pretty damned white, for the most part.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 01:14 PM (8zz6B)

White hispanics, like me!

Posted by: George Zimmerman at January 04, 2026 01:16 PM (pKACW)

253 Posted by: All Hail Eris, She Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at January 04, 2026 01:14 PM (kpS4V)

Thank you young lady!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 01:17 PM (n9ltV)

254 If at some point we get Venezuelan and Iranian oil back on the world market, prices will drop so far that Russia will be searching for change in the couch. Plus the Russians are strong proud mostly Christian people. There are quite a few who don’t like nor trust the Communist Chinese and the appearance of being subservient to them. It’s gonna get interesting very quickly.

Posted by: Marcus T at January 04, 2026 01:17 PM (ATSTk)

255 By what metric?

Posted by: DaveA at January 04, 2026 01:04 PM (FhXTo)

Come to Minneapolis and see.

Or drop by the mega-mosque they're building down the block from the World Trade Center.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:17 PM (QZThv)

256 Another correction. He sent a law enforcement team to get a wanted criminal and used the military for support thus negating the requirement to inform Congress.
Posted by: JackStraw
=====
Not required to inform prior to acting even under War Powers. War Powers simply says Congress has to be informed within 48 hours. Other provisions don't kick in until after 30 days of military action.

Louis Fisher, longtime resident scholar at Library of Congress (worked in the Congressional Research Section), actually has compiled a list of all executive actions involving force. Most of them never had any congressional involvement. Fisher was critical of that but honest in his compilation.

For example, Biden actually had the president of Honduras arrested and extradited for similar charges to Maduro and never revoked the indictment of Maduro either since 2020.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:18 PM (WDjG6)

257 201
'Venezuela is still an overwhelmingly Christian country, not a Muslim one.'

Also, there isn't an Iran on Venezuela's border to subsidize and give sanctuary to an insurgency. Nor are there thousands of rounds of ordnance to use for IED's

Posted by: Dr. Claw at January 04, 2026 01:18 PM (fd80v)

258 I'm pissed we didn't see any live footage of the delta boys smoking any maduro thugs, body guards, or supporters.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division

************

This works:

https://tinyurl.com/mpbmyzfk

Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original Trans-Wookie at January 04, 2026 01:18 PM (/mCq0)

259 But the media was shouting that 51 experts said Russian air defense is awesome and would completely cock-block Delta.

Weirdly there are no follow-up stories.
Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:11 PM (QZThv)

We don't even know if the Russian air defence was turned on. As I understand it, some targeted strikes took out generators or substations providing electricity to the Russki hardware. And it sure looks like the VZ military mostly sat on its hands. Maybe the only real resistance came from Maduro's thug bodyguards.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 01:18 PM (8zz6B)

260 Man...David Axelrod's troll team was exponentially better than the garbage we're getting lately.

Posted by: Those guys were pros, these guys are fags at January 04, 2026 01:18 PM (TbWk/)

261 Oh... and eff Mamdami. His whiny statement about how unhappy he is with Trump's capturing of Maduro and bringing him to HIS city was disgusting. And also piling on with calling it a war crime.

You know if he had any power to do it, Mamdami would free Maduro today. One commie supporting another.

Posted by: LizLem at January 04, 2026 01:19 PM (gWBY1)

262 Venezuelans used to be gang bangers taking over apartment buildings. Deport them all.

Now they are communist hating patriots.

🤣🤣

Posted by: lol at January 04, 2026 01:19 PM (uJYzI)

263 What is with all the Somalians blathering on about "Nation Building" ?

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at January 04, 2026 01:19 PM (/lPRQ)

264 I am guessing that these trolls are all graduates of The Learing Center.

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 01:20 PM (ddphe)

265 Here’s a little known fact. The Chinese have been importing thousands of their citizens into Venezuela with Maduros help. Part of their belt and road initiative depended heavily on Venezuela. Their citizens were meant to help that effort.

Posted by: Marcus T at January 04, 2026 01:20 PM (ATSTk)

266 I echo Diogenes at #44

Posted by: 496 at January 04, 2026 01:20 PM (l/++U)

267 If at some point we get Venezuelan and Iranian oil back on the world market, prices will drop so far that Russia will be searching for change in the couch.

Russians have already started panicking about that on social media. They see what's coming and they're not sure Putin does.

The great thing about this Maduro operation is that it kicks out the sticks holding up a *lot* of the anti-American Jenga.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:20 PM (QZThv)

268 Ace and the COBS need to step up their game. These Dollar Store trolls are really irritating.
Posted by: Some Lurker
=======
First troll rule of AOS.

Don't quote and paste the trolls nor paste their nics etc. into your posts even to flame them. It complicates removal.

Second, AOS customer refunds are only available on a blue moon that occur on the 3rd Thursday of October. That window won't be open for awhile.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:21 PM (WDjG6)

269 We don't even know if the Russian air defence was turned on. As I understand it, some targeted strikes took out generators or substations providing electricity to the Russki hardware.

Fox was running pictures of Russian hardware in VZ that was on fire. Maybe they tried to turn it on and things didn't go well.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:21 PM (QZThv)

270 Maybe the only real resistance came from Maduro's thug bodyguards.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 01:18 PM

Supposedly Cubans.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at January 04, 2026 01:21 PM (9QMMT)

271 "Any comparison of the situation in Venezuela to Iraq or Afghanistan is retarded and has all the depth of analysis I would expect from AOC or Omar."

I agree but answer my question. If this isn't nation building, what is it?

It's the same plan but under different circumstances that we may have better control of because it's in our backyard.

Everyone here hopes that the place can go back to what it was before. How often does that happen, anywhere?

We do have a chance to restore it. I agree that something had to be done.

Trump decided it was a job of someone who had the balls to do it. More power to him and us, I really hope we can pull it off.

I really hope you are right but does anyone know what the next step is because I don't see the US joining together for the sake of the future of the Venezuelan people.

This is just going to divide the US even further.

Posted by: pawn at January 04, 2026 01:22 PM (Rmqfl)

272 Ian S, yes it does. PDT looks at the world in panavision.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 04, 2026 01:22 PM (sDNVV)

273 >>Don't quote and paste the trolls nor paste their nics etc. into your posts even to flame them. It complicates removal.

Yeah...I don't play by those rules.

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 01:22 PM (ddphe)

274 Here’s a little known fact. The Chinese have been importing thousands of their citizens into Venezuela with Maduros help. Part of their belt and road initiative depended heavily on Venezuela. Their citizens were meant to help that effort.

Which is why, for whoever upthread questioned the timing, the timing was specifically because that's when the ChiCom delegation had front-row seats.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:22 PM (QZThv)

275 Russians have already started panicking about that on social media. They see what's coming and they're not sure Putin does.

The great thing about this Maduro operation is that it kicks out the sticks holding up a *lot* of the anti-American Jenga.
Posted by: Ian S.
=======
It is also funding a stupid war where both sides need to stop the killing even if the result is a cold peace.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:22 PM (WDjG6)

276 Somalians blathering on about "Nation Building" ?
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher

They see all the money being prevented from going to their warlords in Somalia.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 04, 2026 01:24 PM (9MJNg)

277 > We don't even know if the Russian air defence was turned on.
---

curiously, there was a major power failure in Caracas while US aircraft were overhead

Posted by: Don Black at January 04, 2026 01:24 PM (ZxPkt)

278 Mostly clean operations with low casualties are nice and have become standard for the US Military. But it can be both addictive and creates high expectations that they will continue to be so.

How we, as a nation, react to a bad situation, a trap or miscalculation, say losing half a division in a week is what I worry about. It's easy and tempting to say Oh yeah, let's kick their ass, and another to say Yeah, this is worth 5K Americans and two aircraft carriers.

Posted by: toby928(c) at January 04, 2026 01:25 PM (jc0TO)

279 The great thing about this Maduro operation is that it kicks out the sticks holding up a *lot* of the anti-American Jenga.
Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:20 PM (QZThv)

From the looks of it 98% of the Ds in the Senate.
I find it interesting that a list comes out and it is NOT a list trying to take down the party who executed this but the very people who are against it.
This operation may have been a trap.

Posted by: Reforger at January 04, 2026 01:25 PM (gKsV+)

280 Supposedly Cubans.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at January 04, 2026 01:21 PM (9QMMT)

Thugs are thugs. Nationality is not too important. I doubt all the Tren de Aragua thugs seizing apartments in Denver were native-born Venezuealans, either. But they were instigated by Maduro.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 01:25 PM (8zz6B)

281

Second, AOS customer refunds are only available on a blue moon that occur on the 3rd Thursday of October. That window won't be open for awhile.
Posted by: whig

Paging publius. Publius to the white courtesy phone for an important message.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at January 04, 2026 01:25 PM (QVmho)

282 Has Mamdani sprung the Maduros from jail using the NYPD yet?

Posted by: So Much Treason Goin' 'Round at January 04, 2026 01:26 PM (oftw2)

283 I agree but answer my question. If this isn't nation building, what is it?

We did much the same thing to Manuel Noriega back in the 1990s. This is hardly unprecedented or anywhere near as dramatic as nation-building.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at January 04, 2026 01:26 PM (SSEhk)

284 217 >EVERY U.S. SENATOR ON THE VENEZUELA LIST:
-----

list of what
Posted by: Don Black at January 04, 2026 01:06 PM (ZxPkt)

***********

Sorry about this. It was a long post that would run afoul of Pixy's spam filter. You'll find the initial paragraph in post 199 and the link as well, which I'll post below:

https://tinyurl.com/3msreyf2

Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original Trans-Wookie at January 04, 2026 01:26 PM (/mCq0)

285
I think that it is difficult to know the exactly perfect time to act. Our country has often waited too long. While acting early might not be appealing, it is obvious that Venezuela was, is, and would always be a problem if we didn't do something.

churchill said america always does the right thing....after trying everything else.

Posted by: choogle at January 04, 2026 01:27 PM (7Cd3O)

286 This is just going to divide the US even further.

Posted by: pawn

Not really. Most Americans do not care about foreign policy unless a bunch of Americans are getting killed or we are shelling out a bunch of money. The opinion class jackasses simply do not matter nor sway opinion. True Democrat/leftists will still hate Trump until he dies and then even after that. That is the price of success. GOP voters only want competence if war must be fought. Liberaltarians will go left but then again, they were really never on board with making America great in the first place. Too many of them accept leftist tenets and as a result almost always over time drift left.

Comes from base assumptions of their worldview which are more similar to leftists than anything our Founders believed when setting up the US.

What Trump did was as old as the Lousiana Purchase which got Napoleon outta here and the Monroe Doctrine which stated it more definitely. We cannot and should not abide foreign powers in our back yards doing bad shit.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:27 PM (WDjG6)

287 >>>We don't even know if the Russian air defence was turned on. As I understand it, some targeted strikes took out generators or substations providing electricity to the Russki hardware.

If so, it is simply another Russian integrated air defense system failure mode,l one the designers and Maduro's people should have recognized and remedied.

Posted by: Gref at January 04, 2026 01:27 PM (5rh/l)

288 >>Everyone here hopes that the place can go back to what it was before. How often does that happen, anywhere?

Been happening in the US ever since the 2024 election.

Again, helping a nation return to the government structure it had before corrupt forces stole control an crushed the rule of law is not the same as installing an entirely new form of government on a 3rd world shithole. Venezuela was one of the richest countries in the world and a fully functioning democracy prior to Chavez. They even still have their own constitution which Chavez shitcanned with his Bolivarian/Marxist constitution.

Sure, the will be challenges but this is a fundementally different thing than installing a government on a country that never had a working democracy and doesn't have a culture that wants it or will support it.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 04, 2026 01:27 PM (viF8m)

289 Oh she's a cool kinda mama Sure gonna slam the hammer down
Get it up and ram it up And baby gonna ram the hammer down
When you loosen off the brake Oh when you're body starts to shake
Fill her up with juice then baby Gonna slam the hammer down.

It's a Slade kind of day.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at January 04, 2026 01:28 PM (2J/Lj)

290 273
'I don't see the US joining together for the sake of the future of the Venezuelan people.

This is just going to divide the US even further.'

The US was going to be divided regardless of what Trump did in VZ. It's divided because half of the country buys into nihilistic, America-hating collectivism.
It will join together only when one side or the other wins.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at January 04, 2026 01:28 PM (fd80v)

291 Second, AOS customer refunds are only available on a blue moon that occur on the 3rd Thursday of October. That window won't be open for awhile.
Posted by: whig

Specifically, August 30, 2028.

Posted by: Wesley Crusher at January 04, 2026 01:28 PM (9k7xC)

292
I'm liking Rubio better than Vance for 2028 and I'm seeing trumps brilliance in picking these 2 for their respective jobs.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia's Phone at January 04, 2026 01:28 PM (n7rxJ)

293 There are photos and video of VZ anti-air systems; AAA and missile rigs that were hit by us. So "some" of their AA assets were active.

We also were jamming the shit out of them.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 04, 2026 01:28 PM (NwnyJ)

294 I am waiting for a Commissar Judge to either order him returned or set free pending a immigration hearing.

Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 01:28 PM (Ia/+0)

295 It is disappointing that the Army was not properly trained in what to do with Communists when you're over the ocean in a helicopter.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at January 04, 2026 01:28 PM (f0sNM)

296 Has Mamdani sprung the Maduros from jail using the NYPD yet?
Posted by: So Much Treason Goin' 'Round at January 04, 2026 01:26 PM (oftw2)

It would be great if he did. Then he could be legitimately killed for treason.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 01:28 PM (8zz6B)

297 I agree but answer my question. If this isn't nation building, what is it?
============

I see it more as "nation freeing" than "nation building ", but YMMV.

Posted by: Cheerful Reprobate at January 04, 2026 01:29 PM (8WtOr)

298 >>> We do have a chance to restore it. I agree that something had to be done.Trump decided it was a job of someone who had the balls to do it. More power to him and us, I really hope we can pull it off.

I hope so too. In an ideal world this would not have been be necessary. But commies make tough times.

We "ruled" Japan and Germany and they turned out ok. If we work with the rightful Venezuelan president to establish order, infrastructure, and kick out the commies, showing the people democracy can work and be great for them, it'll be fine. If weak leaders make things worse and they decide need a strong man in change, their own Putin or Napoleon, that will be a problem.

Hopefully Trump can be the strong man, for now. And Rubio. Rubio will probably start going grey from all this, but it will be a good look on him.

Posted by: LizLem at January 04, 2026 01:29 PM (gWBY1)

299 That's the next blue moon after 30 September 2026.

Posted by: Wesley Crusher at January 04, 2026 01:29 PM (9k7xC)

300 224 Senators (and reps) being on the take from cartels would not surprise me at all. Helps explain their hostility toward border security, which makes it harder for drug smuggling and human trafficking. However, I take the list with a grain or two of salt since we have nothing but a bald assertion at this point and don't want to get caught in a "too good to check" trap.
Posted by: Some authentication would be nice at January 04, 2026 01:09 PM (TbWk/)

********

This is what I think of the list as well. It could be something very serious and so it is worthy of being seriously investigated.

It also may not be anything. Again, a serious investigation should show this to be the case if so.

Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original Trans-Wookie at January 04, 2026 01:29 PM (/mCq0)

301 The US has (or had) an anti-radar missile that would lock on to a radar pulse, and then fly to the source of the pulse and go BOOM

Posted by: Don Black at January 04, 2026 01:29 PM (ZxPkt)

302
I haven't read all the comments but getting the elected veep in there and forcing her to oversee new and fair elections is not nation building

Posted by: Blonde Morticia's Phone at January 04, 2026 01:29 PM (n7rxJ)

303 Yeah...I don't play by those rules.
Posted by: garrett
======
Admin have it hard enough to deal with trolls, etc. I don't aim to complicate them nor should others. YMMV though. I did some of that way back on Firearm forums and it ain't fun.

Helps that you have the ultra cardboard membership though--membership in that rarefied air does have its privileges.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:29 PM (WDjG6)

304
Again, I haven't read all the comments, but I did see on Twitter that someone said that the administration had been communicating with Machado for some time and was not confident in her statements about how she would rebuild a state

Posted by: Blonde Morticia's Phone at January 04, 2026 01:31 PM (n7rxJ)

305 270. Sorry. I'll return to lurking.

Posted by: Some Lurker at January 04, 2026 01:31 PM (nPp6w)

306 >>We also were jamming the shit out of them.

We overloaded their system with incoming sea-born missiles.

We flew a large flight of flat flying, slow moving missiles straight at their net. Once inbound, these missiles are controlled by individual planes flying at high altitude. Essentially, these missiles become ersatz drones that can be directed towards any signals coming out of the Air Defense Net.

Pretty neat trick.

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 01:31 PM (ddphe)

307 If this isn't nation building, what is it?

When in the past has nation building involved strict adherence to the country's existing Constitution? We're literally fixing the result of an election so blatently stolen that the likes of Mark "Walking Penis" Kelly, Joe Biden, and Pete Butt-gigger denounced it when it happened.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:32 PM (QZThv)

308 a country that never had a working democracy and doesn't have a culture that wants it or will support it.
Posted by: JackStraw

Exactly what the Bushes didn't see.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 04, 2026 01:32 PM (9MJNg)

309 Helps that you have the ultra cardboard membership though--membership in that rarefied air does have its privileges.
Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:29 PM

* side eye*

Posted by: Duncanthrax, Emerald Membership Holder at January 04, 2026 01:32 PM (9k7xC)

310 Second, AOS customer refunds are only available on a blue moon that occur on the 3rd Thursday of October. That window won't be open for awhile.
Posted by: whig

Paging publius. Publius to the white courtesy phone for an important message.
Posted by: BifBewalski
------

Possibly on the Blood Moon. Again, Publius will keep us up to date.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 04, 2026 01:32 PM (XeU6L)

311 Is Nick Shirley in Caracas yet?

Posted by: I gotta ask at January 04, 2026 01:32 PM (2Ez/1)

312 Interesting that Mamdani wants to jail Netanyahu and free Maduro.

Posted by: proudvastrightwingguy at January 04, 2026 01:32 PM (MNCvZ)

313 I wonder if other dictators are going to fire their cuban bodyguards now

Posted by: Blonde Morticia's Phone at January 04, 2026 01:32 PM (n7rxJ)

314 it's not nation-building

more like a chance at restoration

Posted by: Don Black at January 04, 2026 01:32 PM (ZxPkt)

315 Apropos of nothing, could we say that Eugene Stoner is the successor to John Moses Brown, pbuh, in the American pantheon of gun designers? Admittedly, he was more of a synthesizer than an inventor but still, huge impact.

I probably should ask this on the Gub Thread.

Posted by: toby928(c) at January 04, 2026 01:33 PM (jc0TO)

316 I just read Hamas is condemning the abduction of Maduro. Some wag pointed out "So NOW they have a problem with kidnapping?"

Posted by: 496 at January 04, 2026 01:33 PM (JT+vB)

317 256 If at some point we get Venezuelan and Iranian oil back on the world market, prices will drop so far that Russia will be searching for change in the couch. Plus the Russians are strong proud mostly Christian people. There are quite a few who don’t like nor trust the Communist Chinese and the appearance of being subservient to them. It’s gonna get interesting very quickly.
Posted by: Marcus T
=======
It goes quicker than a lot of people realize with the right people doing the repairs (not Iranians, Russians, or Chinese as their idea of maintenance is not up to spec). I remember that 'experts' were claiming that it would take years to restore the Kuwaiti oil fields. I think it took months instead.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:34 PM (WDjG6)

318 Sorry. I'll return to lurking.

Posted by: Some Lurker at January 04, 2026 01:31 PM (nPp6w)

Too late! Now you have to comment! It's the law.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 01:34 PM (n9ltV)

319 OK, you guys make me feel a little better but I am still pretty sure this is going to cost the US taxpayers a lot of money because eventually Congress is going to get involved.

You break it, you own it.

Posted by: pawn at January 04, 2026 01:34 PM (Rmqfl)

320 Helps that you have the ultra cardboard membership though--membership in that rarefied air does have its privileges.
Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:29 PM

* side eye*
Posted by: Duncanthrax, Emerald Membership Holder at January 04, 2026 01:32 PM

You can be a blazer with the Platinum card.

Posted by: toby928(c) at January 04, 2026 01:34 PM (jc0TO)

321 Is Nick Shirley in Caracas yet?

Nope. But he's making the Vance Boelter link to Walz, and Walz has dropped his consultant-approved posture and started frothing like a rabid pitbull with something to hide.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:34 PM (QZThv)

322 curiously, there was a major power failure in Caracas while US aircraft were overhead
Posted by: Don Black at January 04, 2026 01:24 PM (ZxPktA)

Yes I noticed that! And at one of the press conferences, an American military official was asked a question about that. He simply said “We have ways. Next question?”

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 01:35 PM (bYhL4)

323 You can be a bl@zer with the Platinum card.

Posted by: toby928(c) at January 04, 2026 01:34 PM (jc0TO)

-------
I genuinely thought that word was for idden here. I never understood why, but never dared use it!

Posted by: 496 at January 04, 2026 01:35 PM (JT+vB)

324
Sorry about this. It was a long post that would run afoul of Pixy's spam filter. You'll find the initial paragraph in post 199 and the link as well, which I'll post below:
https://tinyurl.com/3msreyf2
Posted by: Sasquatch

Thank you this. I see the normal run of surrender monkey GOPe assholes on that list. Maybe elon can use it to effectively primary them.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at January 04, 2026 01:36 PM (QVmho)

325 >>You can be a bl@zer with the Platinum card.

RIP Red Leader.

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 01:36 PM (ddphe)

326 I genuinely thought that word was for idden here. I never understood why, but never dared use it!
Posted by: 496 at January 04, 2026 01:35 PM

It is the pinnacle of banning when your very nic is hardcoded into the website as banned.

Posted by: toby928(c) at January 04, 2026 01:37 PM (jc0TO)

327 I think Trump is on a rid the world of socialist tyrants kick, I bet he told Rubio, how'd you like to give speech in Havana marking the fall of communism.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at January 04, 2026 01:37 PM (XV/Pl)

328 Interesting that Mamdani wants to jail Netanyahu and free Maduro.

Lefties have no principles other than power and money and (wo)men. And Islam adds the bonus buff of taqiyya where you can lie freely if it gains you money or power or (wo)men.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:37 PM (QZThv)

329 RIP Red Leader.

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 01:36 PM (ddphe)
-------
So was it a former commenter here? Never made sense

Posted by: 496 at January 04, 2026 01:37 PM (JT+vB)

330 So was it a former commenter here? Never made sense
Posted by: 496 at January 04, 2026 01:37 PM

Yep. Hardcoded ban.

Posted by: toby928(c) at January 04, 2026 01:38 PM (jc0TO)

331 Venezuela being freed up is going to put more barrels of oil on the market

Not a black-pilled yabbut, but a li'l bit of yabbut just the same:
Venezuelan refinery 'infra'structure has been in shambles for some time. Techs who know the fairly small group of refineries that have specialized in heavy sour crude are going to be in high demand -- and if the last 60 years are any indication, will be wanting some protection if they go to work there.

Albertan Spanish with a Louisiana accent will be the new lingua franca of Empire. Not only will this be fun to watch, but any movie maker better than Otto Preminger could score a long string of epics just observing it all. Sorcery will be performed.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at January 04, 2026 01:39 PM (zdLoL)

332 315 Apropos of nothing, could we say that Eugene Stoner is the successor to John Moses Brown, pbuh, in the American pantheon of gun designers? Admittedly, he was more of a synthesizer than an inventor but still, huge impact.

I probably should ask this on the Gub Thread.
Posted by: toby928(c)

I think Stoner was more limited that JM Browning and more like Garrand as a designer. But his effect has been an original design that is still hard to beat for cost, use of common industrial processes and parts available in his era, and accuracy.

I've taken apart to clean some of Browning's designs and they are like Swiss watches compared to an AR-15. His 1911 is a bit better but still requires, if you are building one, considerable handfitting, etc. and expensive forged materials.

People have built AR lowers and uppers out of plastics or even plywood in the case of lowers taht still function. If parts are within tolerance, you can mix and match to your heart's content with Stoner's AR series (leaving aside his specialized Stoner series for the Seals or his later piston model).

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:39 PM (WDjG6)

333 326: he must've done something really bad... I'm thinking shaken Manhattan with a side of syrup on French toast. That bad!

Posted by: 496 at January 04, 2026 01:39 PM (JT+vB)

334 I don't think all lights went out in Caracas, they hit just vital spots to blind

Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 01:39 PM (Ia/+0)

335 >>So was it a former commenter here? Never made sense

What's really amusing is lauraw just happened to pop in her yesterday.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 04, 2026 01:39 PM (viF8m)

336 So was it a former commenter here? Never made sense

Yes, former commenter who went out in a, you know, of glory. I don't remember the actual stuff even though I was commenting on the thread when it happened. Something very violent though.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:39 PM (QZThv)

337 So for those of you keeping score at home, Democrats support;
- illegal aliens, especially criminals
- Somali fraudsters, and anyone defrauding taxpayers
- Communist dictators.
Posted by: Marcus T

- Sadistic pedophiles who get off on mutilating the reproductive organs of children.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at January 04, 2026 01:40 PM (/lPRQ)

338 Is it better that low IQ trolls hang out here rather than being belligerent on the streets?

Posted by: Northernlurker , Maple Syrup MAGA at January 04, 2026 01:40 PM (8CIFn)

339 Is the bolt as internal piston idea original to Stoner?

Posted by: toby928(c) at January 04, 2026 01:41 PM (jc0TO)

340 Possibly on the Blood Moon. Again, Publius will keep us up to date.
Posted by: Mike Hammer
=======
I thought that was for arranging computer sacrifices to Pixy Misa? I always get my dates confused.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:41 PM (WDjG6)

341 Is it better that low IQ trolls hang out here rather than being belligerent on the streets?

If we're on the target list, we're important/dangerous. Real badge-of-honor moment.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:41 PM (QZThv)

342 I just saw on X that Keir Starmer is shucking and jiving and asserting that he had nothing to do with this and wasn’t informed til the rest of us were.

Well duh. That’s one of the reasons it was so successful.

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 01:41 PM (bYhL4)

343
Too late! Now you have to comment! It's the law.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

Or what, his nic will be banned?

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 04, 2026 01:42 PM (9MJNg)

344 I haven't read all the comments but getting the elected veep in there and forcing her to oversee new and fair elections is not nation building
Posted by: Blonde Morticia's Phone at January 04, 2026 01:29 PM (n7rxJ)

Was she elected ?I though Maduro appointed her ?

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 01:43 PM (VE6XX)

345 339 Is the bolt as internal piston idea original to Stoner?
Posted by: toby928(c)
=======
Offhand, I would say yes as far as ones that actually got into production. Lots of crazy ideas were patented but not necessarily sound for manufacturing.

There were prior full gas impingement rifles and the MAS 49/56 was very successful for the French.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:43 PM (WDjG6)

346 Kamala Harris blasts Trump administration’s capture of Venezuela’s Maduro as ‘unlawful and unwise’
Former VP accuses Trump of endangering troops in lengthy social media post

Genuinely amazed at the hypocrisy of those that didn't vote for Harris. They claimed Hillary and Harris would do what Trump's fucking doing right now.

Anybody claiming that it would be no different if Harris got elected is either huffing dangerous levels of copium to try to not feel bad about their voting decision, or is genuinely just stupid. There's no universe where any of this shit would have happened with her in office.

How about impeach Trump, keep Maduro, and let Venezuelans actually pick a leader. I'm not sure why we need to punish Venezuelan citizens

Have the security council recommend the case to the ICC, I feel like you could convince Russia and China to agree if the alternative is him being tried in American courts. Hell it'll never happen but ratify the rome statue. This feels like a great justification for it.

She was VP when Biden put a 25 million dollar bounty on Maduro. It’s a little late to play innocent now, she wanted this too.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at January 04, 2026 01:43 PM (ycI94)

347 336'
'I don't remember the actual stuff even though I was commenting on the thread when it happened.'

Maybe someone who does remember can tell the rest of us what the hell you're talking about.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at January 04, 2026 01:43 PM (fd80v)

348 I remember that 'experts' were claiming that it would take years to restore the Kuwaiti oil fields. I think it took months instead.
Posted by: whig
------

'Five years' the media-consulted 'experts' said, to control things.

'Nine months', capped and controlled, said Red Adair.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 04, 2026 01:43 PM (XeU6L)

349 , I bet he told Rubio, how'd you like to give speech in Havana marking the fall of communism.

Posted by: Thomas Bender

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

I'd like to see a spanish language presidential debate between rubio and AOC in 2028.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia's Phone at January 04, 2026 01:43 PM (n7rxJ)

350 331 Venezuela being freed up is going to put more barrels of oil on the market@

It’s going to take a while - from all reports, their infrastructure is a shambles right now.

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 01:44 PM (bYhL4)

351 This was posted on X:
"Hoy nacera un venezolano llamado Deltafors Donaltrom Vasques"

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 04, 2026 01:45 PM (yZU0/)

352 It is just impossible to respond rationally to the DU types.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 04, 2026 01:45 PM (XeU6L)

353 >>She was VP when Biden put a 25 million dollar bounty on Maduro. It’s a little late to play innocent now, she wanted this too.

I'll bet those retards there went full tilt on that one.

Posted by: one hour sober at January 04, 2026 01:46 PM (Y1sOo)

354 The same reason so many here comment, being able to post anonymously, is no doubt the same reason most trolls? do.

There is a huge difference between the trolls? that use this site daily for fun and games and people that want to share an opinion, like lauraw.

Posted by: old chick at January 04, 2026 01:46 PM (F3Dlr)

355 @296 It would be great if he did.

If Maduro ran a coup on Mam-dani, he'd be the moderate.
Gives you something to think about, no?

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at January 04, 2026 01:46 PM (zdLoL)

356 Libre Hemisferio Occidental

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 04, 2026 01:46 PM (yZU0/)

357 > and it would have been leaked to the NYTimes in minutes

The astonishing thing here is that the op apparently WAS leaked to the NYT and the WaPo, and both of them refrained from publishing it.

In other news, I looked out my window just now and saw a herd of pigs flying by.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at January 04, 2026 01:46 PM (IG3/x)

358 Was she elected ?I though Maduro appointed her ?
Posted by: It's me donna

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

Oh, good question. Well, say, quasi-legitimately in office.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia's Phone at January 04, 2026 01:46 PM (n7rxJ)

359 @348/Mike Hammer: "'Nine months', capped and controlled, said Red Adair."

It's amazing how much you can get done when the government doesn't interfere and just stays out of your hair.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at January 04, 2026 01:46 PM (O7YUW)

360 Where do I get the ultra cardboard membership at AoS? Is there a link with an application form?

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at January 04, 2026 01:46 PM (xT8gx)

361 the DU types They do make your brain hurt

Posted by: doug at January 04, 2026 01:47 PM (Hy+R4)

362 Venezuelan National Bird:

https://tinyurl.com/2ej2axft

Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original Trans-Wookie at January 04, 2026 01:47 PM (/mCq0)

363 It's amazing how much you can get done when the government doesn't interfere and just stays out of your hair.
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at January 04, 2026 01:46 PM

and you're an expert with decades of experience.

Posted by: toby928(c) at January 04, 2026 01:47 PM (jc0TO)

364 >'I don't remember the actual stuff even though I was commenting on the thread when it happened.'
-----

that's a great story

Posted by: Don Black at January 04, 2026 01:48 PM (ZxPkt)

365 Venezuela being freed up is going to put more barrels of oil on the market@

It’s going to take a while - from all reports, their infrastructure is a shambles right now.
Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 01:44 PM (bYhL4)

You have worked in the oil patch, Tom. You know the overriding ethic is "git 'er done". Give the oilfield workers a free hand, and it will get done.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 01:48 PM (8zz6B)

366
There is a whole lot of accumulated dictatorship infrastructure in place there. The biggest, best motivated, and most knowledgeable counterforce is the Venezuelan people themselves.

I recall the disintegration of the Iraqi military after the 2003 invasion. 400,000 men suddenly unemployed, and no plan to pay them. Said to ve a mistake, in retrospect.

So, are we now going to ship in massive amounts of food and construction supplies? It's going to get sabotaged and looted without security.

We'll just have to see.

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at January 04, 2026 01:49 PM (azNOR)

367 338 Is it better that low IQ trolls hang out here rather than being belligerent on the streets?
Posted by: Northernlurker

No, they are simply pestilent because they add nothing to the discussion. Someone who was leftist but genuine might take some flak for idiotic ideas or positions but almost all the trolls left here nowadays are either former butthurt banned commenters or low rent paint by numbers talking point trolls.

Occasionally I think you actually get the rare insane person posting.

Influencer types are the most subtle--they tend to disrupt and derail conversations to what they want to talk about, they like to cause fights for fun, and often they immediately turn vile and nasty in personal insults when losing an argument like an Octopus squirts ink. Some will react when called out about it, the paid ones don't.

Tech threads going way back have formulated the insertion of Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD) techniques by noting how paid shills operate in discussion threads.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:49 PM (WDjG6)

368 If any Marxist would have been told a IM would have been sent out and Maduro would havd vanished

Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 01:49 PM (Ia/+0)

369 >Where do I get the ultra cardboard membership at AoS? Is there a link with an application form?

Posted by: LinusVanPelt
---

when you are ready for the ultra cardboard membership at AoS, the ultra cardboard membership at AoS will present itself to you

Posted by: Don Black at January 04, 2026 01:50 PM (ZxPkt)

370 Interesting that Mamdani wants to jail Netanyahu and free Maduro.

AtC said he should definitely try. LOL. IDF and Mossad don't play.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:50 PM (t5upi)

371 @363/toby928(c): "and you're an expert with decades of experience."

That too, and Red definitely qualifies in that department. I've watched a few documentaries on him and his work. Amazing man.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at January 04, 2026 01:50 PM (O7YUW)

372 Where do I get the ultra cardboard membership at AoS? Is there a link with an application form?
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at January 04, 2026 01:46 PM (xT8gx)

Printed on the inside back of every Kaboom box.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 01:50 PM (8zz6B)

373 Before oBama, PL had a monster blog and the trolls were liberals, sincere liberals come to debate. Of course there were participants who loved it.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 04, 2026 01:50 PM (yZU0/)

374 Good write-up, CBD.

Posted by: Eromero at January 04, 2026 01:50 PM (Qp4d3)

375 are either former butthurt banned commenters or low rent paint by numbers talking point trolls

IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE IT'S TRUE

Posted by: BEN ROETHLISBERGER at January 04, 2026 01:50 PM (jc0TO)

376 But the media was shouting that 51 experts said Russian air defense is awesome and would completely cock-block Delta.

Weirdly there are no follow-up stories.
Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:11 PM (QZThv)

We don't even know if the Russian air defence was turned on. As I understand it, some targeted strikes took out generators or substations providing electricity to the Russki hardware. And it sure looks like the VZ military mostly sat on its hands. Maybe the only real resistance came from Maduro's thug bodyguards.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 01:18 PM (8zz6B)

I had a similar thought. What good are all those missile defense and artillery systems when there's no one to man them?

My personal rrat that I'm developing is that the generals were all lying to Maduro regarding readiness, told their men to stay home and just basically let the attack happen without responding. The reason being because we were seizing the oil tankers which, as I understand, the revenue from which was used to pay them.

Caveat: I have a 99% failure rate on all my hypotheses.

Posted by: Robert at January 04, 2026 01:50 PM (R6aIA)

377 >>There is a huge difference between the trolls? that use this site daily for fun and games and people that want to share an opinion, like lauraw.

lauraw is an original moron, co-blogger and host of the very first meet up. Also an extremely nice person.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 04, 2026 01:51 PM (viF8m)

378 Somalians blathering on about "Nation Building" ?
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher

They see all the money being prevented from going to their warlords in Somalia.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron

I use "Somalians" as a synonym for never Trump pinko commie vote rigging cheese eating ...

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at January 04, 2026 01:51 PM (/lPRQ)

379 It's amazing how much you can get done when the government doesn't interfere and just stays out of your hair.
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant
-------

I've pretty much stopped commenting about it, but my experience here with FEMA, state, and local bureaucracies in the aftermath of Helene has been...educational.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 04, 2026 01:51 PM (XeU6L)

380 lauraw.

Posted by: old chick
=========
I don't think Lauraw is a troll nor a particularly bad cob back in the day from what I recall and her comments were pretty mild yesterday.

Comments here pretty rarely now though as that was the first time I saw that nic in years.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:52 PM (WDjG6)

381 62 Don't quote the trolls

Posted by: one hour sober at January 04, 2026 12:19 PM (Y1sOo)

Don't push your luck.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 04, 2026 12:20 PM (n9ltV)

Don't fear the reaper.....BOC

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 04, 2026 01:52 PM (QGaXH)

382 that's a great story

Sometimes you don't *want* to remember, because if you get it right you're ultra-banned too.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:53 PM (t5upi)

383 when you are ready for the ultra cardboard membership at AoS, the ultra cardboard membership at AoS will present itself to you
Posted by: Don Black

However the barrel might be involved.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 04, 2026 01:53 PM (9MJNg)

384 >>>Interesting that Mamdani wants to jail Netanyahu and free Maduro.

It's perfectly understandable coming from him. One is a Joooo, the other is a communist.

Posted by: Gref at January 04, 2026 01:54 PM (5rh/l)

385 I had a similar thought. What good are all those missile defense and artillery systems when there's no one to man them?

I mean, we've been getting a live demonstration of Russian defenses manned by Russians for the last few years in Russia and people aren't real impressed.

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:54 PM (t5upi)

386 I've pretty much stopped commenting about it, but my experience here with FEMA, state, and local bureaucracies in the aftermath of Helene has been...educational.
Posted by: Mike Hammer
========
It seems running Somali daycares with no students, facilities, and nothing more than a bank to deposit checks from gubmint is the thing to do nowadays if you want minimal regulations and bureaucratic oversight.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 01:54 PM (WDjG6)

387 But the media was shouting that 51 experts said Russian air defense is awesome and would completely cock-block Delta.

----------
51 former intelligence offcials !

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 04, 2026 01:54 PM (XeU6L)

388 I see MTG was on some Talking head show whining about Trump's "wars" and complaining about the Epstein files release...

Posted by: It's me donna at January 04, 2026 01:55 PM (VE6XX)

389 I saw 51 Former Intelligence Officials open for 99 Luftballons. I forget where; had to leave because of all the hot air.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 01:56 PM (8zz6B)

390 One of the best Trump impressions I've ever seen, and the content is 100% HQ worthy:

https://x.com/shawn_farash/status/2007531476087087436?s=10

Posted by: Ian S. at January 04, 2026 01:58 PM (t5upi)

391 it is no coincidence that conservative leaders are arising in Central and South America. They know they have a friend in America.

I love this, and I wish it weren't so fragile. America is a true ally only until the left steals an election or successfully impedes a principled leader.

Posted by: Emmie -- be strong and courageous! at January 04, 2026 01:58 PM (TWH4X)

392 You have worked in the oil patch, Tom. You know the overriding ethic is "git 'er done". Give the oilfield workers a free hand, and it will get done.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 04, 2026 01:48 PM (8zz6B)

You’re right at that! I recently was reminded of a pipeline called “The Big Inch”; we’re accustomed to pipelines taking years to complete now. During WW2 the US was having shortages of tanker capacity to carry crude to NYC and other northern ports, where it was needed. So “the big inch” was a 24” pipeline running from East Texas to New Jersey, over 1100 miles, built in just under a year from ‘43 to ‘44. Shows what can be done when there is the will to do it. (Some of it is still in service)

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 04, 2026 01:59 PM (bYhL4)

393 >>lauraw is an original moron, co-blogger and host of the very first meet up. Also an extremely nice person.

Her Hump brings all the boys to the yard.

Posted by: garrett at January 04, 2026 01:59 PM (ddphe)

394 Biggest problem with Operation Broken Empanada is that El Presidente Menudo wasn't raped with a single stick in the process.

Posted by: guy who can't be trusted with sticks at January 04, 2026 02:00 PM (iidJN)

395 352 It is just impossible to respond rationally to the DU types.
Posted by: Mike Hammer
======
Socratic questioning sometimes works until the underlying lack of logic and fallacies are revealed.

Then generally you get a huff and puff personal insult followed by a flounce.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 02:00 PM (WDjG6)

396 CBD, in case you missed this:

Geiger Capital
@Geiger_Capital
9h
Legendary clip…

"To those who say that the United States is only interested in our oil, I ask those people: What do you think the Russians and the Chinese wanted…

The recipe for Arepas?"

Posted by: m at January 04, 2026 02:00 PM (RuTUS)

397 1WP NOOD

Posted by: Skip at January 04, 2026 02:01 PM (Ia/+0)

398 lauraw is an original moron, co-blogger and host of the very first meet up. Also an extremely nice person.
Posted by: JackStraw

Yes, I know.

My point was, if lauraw can be called a troll, then the shaming/naming of troll has lost all meaning here.
It defines anyone with an opinion.

Posted by: old chick at January 04, 2026 02:01 PM (F3Dlr)

399 This is a terrific piece CBD. Balanced.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 04, 2026 02:02 PM (RIvkX)

400 400

Posted by: m at January 04, 2026 02:02 PM (RuTUS)

401 So “the big inch” was a 24” pipeline running from East Texas to New Jersey, over 1100 miles, built in just under a year from ‘43 to ‘44. Shows what can be done when there is the will to do it. (Some of it is still in service)
Posted by: Tom Servo
------

Also, cross-channel pipeline laid to fuel allied equipment:

WWII's cross-channel pipeline was Operation PLUTO (Pipe-Lines Under The Ocean), a secret British project to pump fuel across the English Channel to the advancing Allied armies in France after D-Day, preventing fuel shortages and vulnerability from tanker attacks by using innovative undersea pipelines laid from large floating drums. This massive engineering feat used specialized flexible pipes (HAIS, HAMEL) unwound from "Conundrums," with camouflaged pumping stations disguised as ordinary buildings to supply troops with vital oil for the push into Germany.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 04, 2026 02:03 PM (XeU6L)

402 388 I see MTG was on some Talking head show whining about Trump's "wars" and complaining about the Epstein files release...
Posted by: It's me donna

Trying her hand at punditry. Won't go well for her. She was elected to a position above her intelligence and now is just out for money and revenge. Supposedly her resignation takes effect on Monday, Jan 5 but we shall see. The Governor of GA is notified of a vacancy by the Speaker and schedules a special election to fill the vacant seat.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 02:03 PM (WDjG6)

403 Dammit! Too late to cry Havoc!

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 04, 2026 02:05 PM (XeU6L)

404 >>Yes, I know.

I know. I was agreeing.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 04, 2026 02:07 PM (viF8m)

405 You wrote a great thing, CBD.

Posted by: m at January 04, 2026 02:07 PM (RuTUS)

406 403 Dammit! Too late to cry Havoc!
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 04, 2026 02:05 PM (XeU6L)

Oh, wow! No one else had said it!

Posted by: m at January 04, 2026 02:07 PM (RuTUS)

407 315 Apropos of nothing, could we say that Eugene Stoner is the successor to John Moses Brown, pbuh, in the American pantheon of gun designers? Admittedly, he was more of a synthesizer than an inventor but still, huge impact.

I probably should ask this on the Gub Thread.
Posted by: toby928(c) at January 04, 2026 01:33 PM (jc0TO)

Stoner, Browning, and Garand may be the holy trinity of gun designers.

Posted by: I'll grant dispensation for being Canadian at January 04, 2026 02:08 PM (TbWk/)

408 My point was, if lauraw can be called a troll, then the shaming/naming of troll has lost all meaning here.
It defines anyone with an opinion.

Posted by: old chick

Having unreasonable positions for a long period of time can also be trolling. If someone simply comes here and dumps Orangeman bad over and over again, that is trolling behavior whether or not the person intends to be a troll.

Simply put, commenting here is a privilege, not a right, and the Luap Nor types, groypers, etc. are not interested in discussion but simply talking point dumps.

So if others folks want to point out that is trolling type behavior, which is often done by brand new nics (with certain characteristics not necessary to go into in open comms), that is okay.

LauraW has commented and been a cob here but anyone new to the blog in the last several years may not have known that. So emotions were high yesterday and some people saw a new to them nic and an opinion that was less than gungho, and smelt a rat.

Occasionally you will also get a troll that socks regulars or using old nics which disrupts the whole blog.

Posted by: whig at January 04, 2026 02:10 PM (WDjG6)

409
Oil is not the issue that finally justified the action in Venezuela. Their low-quality, high-sulfur crude was not really missed all that much. It is of interest for revenue to rebuild their country.

The trigger was the Chinese, Russians, and Iranians being invited in, and what they were up to.

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at January 04, 2026 02:10 PM (azNOR)

410 JS, I sounded snarky, I apologize.

If the people that natter on ad nauseum about trolls want something done to stop trolls, then hopefully they are prepared to sacrifice the thing they appreciate most about aos, the anonymity.

Posted by: old chick at January 04, 2026 02:15 PM (F3Dlr)

411 I hope he can pull this off because it just reeks of another US power move justified by an easy short term gain but lacking in a coherent vision capable of producing a positive long term outcome which seems to be the hallmark of US foreign policy since WW2.

If this isn't "Nation Building", then what exactly is it?
Posted by: pawn at January 04, 2026 12:57 PM (Rmqfl)
==
You're being obtuse. Yes, it will help stop drugs and probably has some long term energy advantage. But this is primarily all about kicking China, Iran and Russia out. Maduro was holding out for more, and increasingly inviting in these powers - some of which he already had good relationships with - which was going to create a serious problem for us. China was probably about ready to move sanctioned oil on Chinese flagged tankers. Russia had just signed an agreement for the purposes of avoiding sanctions as well. All of this would have complicated things for us, and would have interfered with our other efforts to get the western hemisphere free of these country's meddling's.

This was a clear strategic move, if you choose not to see it, that's on you. So you can stop asking your question again and again and again.

Posted by: Black JEM at January 04, 2026 02:16 PM (UVyKP)

412 ĐⱤØ₲Ø @KAGdrogo

Trump just posted this video about Dominion voting machine fraud.

You think the timing is coincidence?

A Venezuelan Military Intelligence whistleblower confirmed the CIA outsources election rigging technology like Smartmatic and Dominion from Venezuela.

X video (5:32): https://bit.ly/4q6cKFj

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 04, 2026 02:17 PM (P5BPp)

413 I thought Hamas was in favor of r@pe, murder and kidnapping. Now they are against US apprehending Maduro. Mrs Maduro should be happy we didn’t do what Hamas did.

Posted by: High tech at January 04, 2026 02:25 PM (37cEZ)

414 What is it about Jews and war?!

People are (((noticing))).

Posted by: Exiled2Texas at January 04, 2026 02:39 PM (YINx+)

415 What is it about Jews and war?!

People are (((noticing))).
Posted by: Exiled2Texas at January 04, 2026 02:39 PM

People keep trying to murder them.

Posted by: toby928(c) at January 04, 2026 02:40 PM (jc0TO)

416 ĐⱤØ₲Ø @KAGdrogo

Trump just posted this video about Dominion voting machine fraud.

You think the timing is coincidence?

A Venezuelan Military Intelligence whistleblower confirmed the CIA outsources election rigging technology like Smartmatic and Dominion from Venezuela.

X video (5:32): https://bit.ly/4q6cKFj
Posted by: Clyde Shelton

Venezuelan is a grab-bag of goodies.

If there is a 'there' there it could result in a massive wave of arrests of deep state and UniParty actors for the Harris-Biden Junta. Have seen it also claimed that VZ had a hand in Obama winning. But at least Obama was actually popular. Unlike Harris-Biden.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at January 04, 2026 02:43 PM (/lPRQ)

417 Trump Shares Video Questioning if Tim Walz Ordered the Assassination of Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman to Cover Up Somali Fraud Scheme

It is funny because that is what was said when she got wacked....
Months later the fraud is exposed

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at January 04, 2026 02:58 PM (/lPRQ)

418 What is it about Jews and war?!

People are (((noticing))).
Posted by: Exiled2Texas at January 04, 2026 02:39 PM (YINx+)

Nice try, Abdullah.

Posted by: Robert at January 04, 2026 03:25 PM (R6aIA)

419 Can anyone imagine what would have happened to the Iran and venues military actions of the Deep State didn't try to defenestrate Pete Hegseth in the failed Signal scandal? Both operations would have been leaked long before the actions took place.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at January 04, 2026 03:45 PM (PSEyT)

420 At this point, you could roll up all of Congress and just start the fuck over.

Posted by: melodicmetal at January 04, 2026 03:50 PM (XLfSN)

421 People don't leave a strong and free country, they leave poverty and despair. And, when there isn't industry to employ the masses, they do what they can to earn a living. They run drugs. They flee to places like the US, legally or illegally. Bring back the oil business and industries in Venezuela and people won't leave, and you can start to return the current illegals. The rest of the western hemisphere should take note. This is no longer business as usual.

Posted by: Indy Bill at January 04, 2026 04:08 PM (pIv1O)

422 The only question I have is, can he do the same to the Portland City Council?
Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at January 04, 2026 12:07 PM (qbLEp)

From my contacts in the wider world, the uppermost levels of Oregon governance are suddenly quite cranky.

For. Some. Reason.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 04, 2026 04:14 PM (rbvCR)

423 You break it, you own it.
Posted by: pawn at January 04, 2026 01:34 PM (Rmqfl)

If I own it, why did I have other idiots telling me how to run it?

Posted by: Kindltot at January 04, 2026 04:16 PM (rbvCR)

424 Very late meme drop:
https://shorturl.at/oqgy9
From Sarah Hoyt today, and she has more.

On a different note:
https://is.gd/WozYKy
@toobaffled
The single largest and most rigorous study ever conducted on vaccines and dementia - spanning 13.3 million UK adults - has uncovered a deeply troubling pattern.

Adults receiving common adult vaccines (influenza, pneumococcal, shingles, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) had a 38% increased risk of developing dementia.....

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 04, 2026 04:54 PM (ULPxl)

425 What does any of this have to do with Jewish people?

Where are Owens and Carlson getting this from? It must suck to be living in a perpetually crazed state like that

Posted by: melodicmetal at January 04, 2026 05:02 PM (XLfSN)

426 As I have tried to point out to my lefty friends, Trump's renaming of the Gulf of America was more than just symbolic trolling: he could've named it The Gulf of the United States, and THAT would be trolling. Gulf of America means he's got his eye on kicking off the development of a strong North, Central, and South American union. The American Union has a nice ring to it, eh? Or maybe The American Confederation would be closer?

There's a TON of work to be done for sure, but it's worth it, it's achievable, and it's right next door.

Posted by: Dale at January 04, 2026 05:17 PM (f45WX)

427 actual Daily Beast headline:

"Trump’s Illegal War Forces Leonardo DiCaprio to Miss Glitzy Awards Show"

How can you people sleep at night knowing there will be slightly less glitz in DiCaprio's life? You're all monsters!

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at January 04, 2026 05:28 PM (pIfcn)

428 Glad he did not consult Congress, the leaking sieve and yapping whiners. Just got it done.

Meanwhile, as expected, the Dims are horrified.

The weird RINO on another blog is outraged, as predicted. Thinks "we" will now be starting another war as "we" did in the Ukraine? She has also, based on consultants, thinks Israel is going to nuke someone.

Her kid is in the AF and I have to wonder if they tell her crap or she is just plain nuts. She acts like people consult her vs reading podcasts.

I'm giving her rope til she ticks me off again as she did with a Kirk conspiracy and liking Fuentes. I am slow to boil over and figured as much. I may be an olde supermodel but I can see through crazy people.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at January 04, 2026 05:38 PM (WONhk)

429 “ Congress” as it is quaintly known, is full of traitors.

Posted by: tubal at January 04, 2026 05:40 PM (pDt9x)

430 Neoconservatives condemned Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine as a violation of sovereignty and international law. They warned of risks from unchecked aggression.

They ignore US support for the 2014 Maidan Revolution in Ukraine. The CIA provided funding, training, and intelligence aid to opposition forces. This helped remove pro-Russian President Yanukovych and contributed to tensions that led to Russia's actions.

When the US conducted airstrikes on Caracas, captured Nicolás Maduro, and began a temporary occupation of Venezuela on January 3, 2026, many neocons stayed silent or supported the move. They framed it as action against a rogue regime.

I support Trump's decision to remove Maduro and dismantle narco-terrorist networks. These networks drive drug trafficking and the migrant crisis at our border. This step was necessary for American security.

The US operation uses similar tactics to those neocons criticized in Ukraine:
- Unilateral military strikes
- Regime change
- Occupation without broad international agreement

Posted by: MikeN at January 04, 2026 05:57 PM (cwEgX)

431 Russia's actions were called imperial overreach. The same tactics are now called justice when done by the US.

America First policy should prioritize:
- Securing borders
- Rebuilding the economy
- Protecting troops

It should avoid neocon escalations into long conflicts. Past interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan cost trillions of dollars, thousands of American lives, and hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths. They produced strategic setbacks.

Neocons apply principles selectively. They support empire-building over restrained policy.

Posted by: MikeN at January 04, 2026 05:58 PM (cwEgX)

432 Posted by: MikeN at January 04, 2026 05:57 PM (cwEgX)

pro-Russian President Yanukovych

Remind me how he got into office again? Which Ukrainian leader did Putin poison? I've actually lost track, myself. How long do you want to keep beclowning yourself with this ridiculous comparison?

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at January 04, 2026 06:42 PM (pIfcn)

433 Ive recently determined that Libertarians are useless.

Am I late to the party on this?

Posted by: Fen at January 04, 2026 07:11 PM (ciYHQ)

434 I'm late to the party, and besides, I was on one hell of a hike when this dropped. So I decided to skip it and not let the Isolationists and Code Pinkers ruin the hike.

Pretty good turn around. What, two weeks ago, CBD said "we are not the world's policeman", which is code for "I am extremely embarrassed and ashamed of this country;s ability to project power; I want it all gone and for America to be whiny and toothless and if that means the PRC take over everything, well, then, so be it." And now?

One more thing: there is ONE CinC. NOT 535.

Posted by: Cow Demon at January 04, 2026 07:24 PM (53Xua)

435 I could not wholeheartedly agree more!

Posted by: Tracy at January 05, 2026 06:50 AM (yv4KX)

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