If it isn't apparent by now that I use this blog to vent my anger and frustration at the current state of the country, this will seal the deal.
Venezuela.
It's a South American country that the majority of Americans can't spell. It's been the subject the last month or so of small boats being bombed for drug trafficking. The official story, anyway.
Today, America woke up to news that our country had kidnapped its dictator and his wife to bring to NYC to stand trial. Apparently, for drug and weapon violations? I'm not exactly sure of the charges. More than likely that's because it's all BS anyway. Look, am I pleased that this tin-pot dictator has been displaced? Yes. However, I also think that Venezuela should have done it for themselves. Or maybe I'm just SO Gen X that I think these kinds of things are what your government does on the down-low by providing secret weapons to "rebel" groups that then overthrow the government to instate a new dictator. Isn't that how we do things? I guess, times really have changed.
Did Congress need to know? Nah. Presidents do this stuff all the time. Just about EVERY President throws bombs at some country at some point. Is this concerning? SURE IS.
See, if this really was a "Law enforcement" activity as Rubio claims, then Trump sure as hell didn't make that very clear in his press conference. He pretty much summed up the whole thing as a kidnapping, bring the bad guy to justice, we run Venezuela because, obviously, they don't know anything about government. Since when, BTW, does the US enforce international law unilaterally like that? I mean, we didn't even talk to the UN or European allies, or anybody to back us up on this? Even Russia is saying this was BS. REALLY? RUSSIA!! This can't be good.
I could write pages on how stupid this whole affair is to me BUT I will sum up my anger on a sliding scale according to the many variables of this situation. On a scale of 1 to 10 with low meaning I don't see it that way and high meaning I whole-heartedly agree with this assessment. The more I agree, the angrier I am about it.
Congress should have approved said mission: 2
We, the US, had no right to invade Venezuela. 5 (I'm still not clear on if the US was "asked" by certain "rebel" forces to help the cause.)
The US has no legal leg to stand on by trying Maduro in NYC. 7 (What the hell kind of evidence are they going to bring? The wreckage of a bunch of little "drug" boats?)
Trump wants the oil and wants to reward BIG OIL in the US for their support of him. 10 (Its always the oil.)
Should Maduro be allowed to go back to his country because all of this is just US colonialism? 4
Will Maduro go back to his country after he strikes a deal with Trump and Trump "pardons" him? 8 (I'm going out on a limb here because the only support Trump really has for this strike is the fact that Maduro is considered a criminal. If Trump does pardon him (however the hell that is supposed to work), it won't look good for Trump. But he's pardoned other drug traffickers and traitors soooo...)
Trump did this because he's the peace President. 10
Trump did this for national security. 10
Trump is a liar at best or a dementia patient at worst. 10
OK.
Let's just talk about one last thing: social media posts.
I'm seeing some troubling posts from government offices and officials on their socials. Trump standing with a bat over the Western Hemisphere, one foot on Canada and one on Mexico. An American flag covering the entirety of Greenland. OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT pages are posting stuff like this. Marco Rubio insinuating that Cuba and other Central and South American countries could be next. Trump making flat out threats against same countries if they follow Venezuela's lead.
These posts lead me to believe that this is now official foreign policy. That we are now the Police of the Western Hemisphere and will enforce the "law" as we see fit. That we will just declare an emergency, call another country a narco-terrorist, and send in the navy. WTF? These posts to social media are just bragging about shady policies.
Is this what MAGA voted for? I thought it was all about America First and keeping immigrants out of the country? This upset in Venezuela may just cause more people to leave that country and head elsewhere. Are we going to take them? Hell, no. Cause that's not our policy either.
In conclusion, I find it hysterical (in a maddening kind of way) that Trump thinks we can "run" Venezuela when his administration can't even run THIS country. People here aren't happy and think life is in the shitter. Why would Venezuela be happy that the US is taking over? It might make perfect sense that they'd want Maduro back after seeing how Trump has run the greatest country into the ground. Poor Venezuela has just traded one dictator for another. They just had the advantage of everyone agreeing with that fact. Which one do you want, V, the dictator you know or the oligarch you don't? He's coming with Big Oil in his back pocket because he sees the dollar signs. (I wonder how much the stock of Big Oil companies will rise on Monday?)
In conclusion; did Trump step outside the bounds of an American President? No.
Was this a smart move? No.
It's time to start really asking what exactly we want from our government and what lengths were willing to accept to attain them.
-Wy
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