For whom?
Venezuela's Maduro 'ready to talk' as US ramps up pressure — BBC News
Following increased US pressure on the Venezuelan government, the two sides say they are open to talks.
Venezuela? What’s up with that?
- Thread starter Ron in Regina
- Start date
Picture it: Uncle Sam rolls in, waves the democracy wand, and suddenly Venezuela is pumping sweet, sweet light crude like it’s auditioning for OPEC’s Got Talent. Overnight, America ghosts Alberta’s heavy, goopy sludge the way you ghost a Tinder date who says “crypto is the future.” Poof! Canadian barrels become the geological equivalent of that ex who keeps texting “u up?” at 2 a.m. Nobody wants it.
Meanwhile, Canada’s still standing there in its prom dress (you know, the one called “no pipeline to tidewater”) wondering why Asia and Europe didn’t ask it to dance. Thirty years of “We’ll build it next year, eh?” and we’re still landlocked like a goldfish in a shot glass. Genius.
Fuel prices? Gonna drop faster than Trudeau’s approval rating in Calgary. America’s economy will be doing the electric slide while Canada becomes New Zealand with worse winters and a national hobby of printing money to pay Ontario and Quebec’s Visa bills. Those famous equalization payments? Consider them cancelled like Firefly. Alberta’s about to go from sugar daddy to “Can you spot me twenty bucks for bus fare?” in one oily heartbeat.
And the best part? Federal debt is now taller than the Calgary Tower made of stacked Tim Hortons cups. We’re so broke we can’t even afford the interest on the interest. But hey, at least the government’s busy changing the lyrics to O Canada so it’s gender-neutral while the economy transitions… straight into the toilet.
So light a candle, hug your roughneck uncle, and stock up on ramen. The 80s neon nightmare is back, baby, and this time it’s bringing hyperinflation, unemployment lines that snake around the block, and a loonie that’s about to be worth less than the chocolate it’s named after.
Alberta, welcome to the sequel nobody asked for: “National Energy Program 2: Electric Boogaloo.” Popcorn’s on you; we can’t afford it.
Meanwhile, Canada’s still standing there in its prom dress (you know, the one called “no pipeline to tidewater”) wondering why Asia and Europe didn’t ask it to dance. Thirty years of “We’ll build it next year, eh?” and we’re still landlocked like a goldfish in a shot glass. Genius.
Fuel prices? Gonna drop faster than Trudeau’s approval rating in Calgary. America’s economy will be doing the electric slide while Canada becomes New Zealand with worse winters and a national hobby of printing money to pay Ontario and Quebec’s Visa bills. Those famous equalization payments? Consider them cancelled like Firefly. Alberta’s about to go from sugar daddy to “Can you spot me twenty bucks for bus fare?” in one oily heartbeat.
And the best part? Federal debt is now taller than the Calgary Tower made of stacked Tim Hortons cups. We’re so broke we can’t even afford the interest on the interest. But hey, at least the government’s busy changing the lyrics to O Canada so it’s gender-neutral while the economy transitions… straight into the toilet.
So light a candle, hug your roughneck uncle, and stock up on ramen. The 80s neon nightmare is back, baby, and this time it’s bringing hyperinflation, unemployment lines that snake around the block, and a loonie that’s about to be worth less than the chocolate it’s named after.
Alberta, welcome to the sequel nobody asked for: “National Energy Program 2: Electric Boogaloo.” Popcorn’s on you; we can’t afford it.
I believe Venezuela is also heavy oil (I could be wrong), so many US refineries are already set up for it because they’re set up for what Canada is selling…
(This almost makes you wish that Canada had the foresight to…Maybe… built some pipelines to not-America from the landlocked provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta, before we have to compete to the bottom with Venezuela for the same one customer)
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday says, “Hard pass. Thanks but no thanks.” She ruled out possible U.S. military intervention in the Latin American country, saying Mexico did not want it in its territory.
"It's not going to happen," Sheinbaum said in her daily morning press conference, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said he supports aggressive action against drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia.
apple.news
apple.news
James Story (a former U.S. ambassador to Venezuela) believes there's an 80 per cent chance the U.S. will soon carry out military operations inside Venezuela or its territorial waters. He argued that withdrawing what he called “exquisite assets” without taking further action would make it harder for U.S. President Donald Trump to claim a political victory.
Nearly a dozen U.S. warships have been joined by the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford and its strike group, considered one of the largest and most advanced military vessels in the world. Around 15,000 sailors and Marines form part of the deployment, the largest in the region since the U.S. invaded Panama and ousted president Manuel Noriega in 1989.
Officially, Washington has labelled the campaign a “counternarcotics” operation and has conducted airstrikes on 22 vessels in the Caribbean region that were allegedly carrying drugs. At least 83 people have been killed in the strikes.
The U.S. has not publicly presented evidence tying the occupants of the boats to drug smuggling. The Colombian government has claimed at least one of the strikes killed fishermen not involved in criminal activity.
apple.news
"It's not going to happen," Sheinbaum said in her daily morning press conference, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said he supports aggressive action against drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia.
Mexico's Sheinbaum rules out U.S. military intervention after Trump comments — Reuters
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday ruled out possible U.S. military intervention in the Latin American country, saying Mexico did not want it in its territory.
Sheinbaum again dismisses Trump’s threat of sending troops to Mexico: ‘We do not want intervention’ — Guardian US
Mexico’s president responds to Trump’s latest warning that he could authorize strikes against drug cartels in country
Nearly a dozen U.S. warships have been joined by the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford and its strike group, considered one of the largest and most advanced military vessels in the world. Around 15,000 sailors and Marines form part of the deployment, the largest in the region since the U.S. invaded Panama and ousted president Manuel Noriega in 1989.
Officially, Washington has labelled the campaign a “counternarcotics” operation and has conducted airstrikes on 22 vessels in the Caribbean region that were allegedly carrying drugs. At least 83 people have been killed in the strikes.
The U.S. has not publicly presented evidence tying the occupants of the boats to drug smuggling. The Colombian government has claimed at least one of the strikes killed fishermen not involved in criminal activity.
As U.S. escalates threats on Maduro, some Venezuelans welcome regime change — CBC News
With U.S. warships and an aircraft carrier massing off Venezuela’s coast, a former U.S. ambassador to the country says the buildup looks less like a counternarcotics mission and more like preparation for regime change.
U.S. escalations against Venezuela raise questions about the future of Operation Caribbe, drug-smuggling interdiction operations that the Royal Canadian Navy and Air Force ships, planes and personnel have been participating in, hand-in-hand with American allies, for nearly two decades.
The Americans have shifted to eliminating, rather than interdicting, alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, reportedly killing 83 individuals since September. But the Trump administration has provided none of the intelligence used to justify the missile strikes.
The dead have been identified only as "narcoterrorists" by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, their actions and impact likened to that of the Islamist terror group al-Qaeda.
This American shift has reportedly already prompted a number of countries, including Canada, to restrict the intelligence they share with the Americans. They are rightly concerned about being implicated in violations of international law, which prohibits extrajudicial killing.
apple.news
U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio said "the United States is under attack from organized criminal narcoterrorists in our hemisphere, and the President is responding in the defence of our country.”
The Americans have shifted to eliminating, rather than interdicting, alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, reportedly killing 83 individuals since September. But the Trump administration has provided none of the intelligence used to justify the missile strikes.
The dead have been identified only as "narcoterrorists" by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, their actions and impact likened to that of the Islamist terror group al-Qaeda.
This American shift has reportedly already prompted a number of countries, including Canada, to restrict the intelligence they share with the Americans. They are rightly concerned about being implicated in violations of international law, which prohibits extrajudicial killing.
Two reasons why Canada should be wary as Donald Trump targets Venezuela — Toronto Star
Over and above the threat of an U.S.-led war in the western hemisphere, Canadians should pay attention to America's weaponization of information.
I see the day when common muggers are deemed "terrorists." Which will be used to authorize military force.U.S. escalations against Venezuela raise questions about the future of Operation Caribbe, drug-smuggling interdiction operations that the Royal Canadian Navy and Air Force ships, planes and personnel have been participating in, hand-in-hand with American allies, for nearly two decades.
The Americans have shifted to eliminating, rather than interdicting, alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, reportedly killing 83 individuals since September. But the Trump administration has provided none of the intelligence used to justify the missile strikes.
The dead have been identified only as "narcoterrorists" by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, their actions and impact likened to that of the Islamist terror group al-Qaeda.
This American shift has reportedly already prompted a number of countries, including Canada, to restrict the intelligence they share with the Americans. They are rightly concerned about being implicated in violations of international law, which prohibits extrajudicial killing.
U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio said "the United States is under attack from organized criminal narcoterrorists in our hemisphere, and the President is responding in the defence of our country.”Two reasons why Canada should be wary as Donald Trump targets Venezuela — Toronto Star
Over and above the threat of an U.S.-led war in the western hemisphere, Canadians should pay attention to America's weaponization of information.
American muggers in America deemed as “terrorists?” Americans on American soil I’m asking.
Not yet. But when you expand the definition of "terrorist" beyond "those who employ attacks against innocent civilians to advance political goals" and authorize government measures against "terrorists" beyond normal law enforcement, expanding the definition to include everybody you don't like and use military force against them becomes an option Trump will never pass up.
I’m running short on time this morning, but the US has a rule/law against using soldiers as police inside the US itself, right?
I know this has become blurred and abused since January of this year, but it’s still a thing that exists, does it not?
I know this has become blurred and abused since January of this year, but it’s still a thing that exists, does it not?
Yes. It's the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 (as amended). Shot through with exceptions and ill-defined terms, it is only worth anything when its intent is honored.
May 4 1970 comes to mind.
“Tin soldiers and Nixon coming, we’re finally on our own. This summer I hear the drumming, four dead in Ohio.”
Buuuuuuut!!! 1807 Insurrection Act does allow it and at the Presidents discretion.
That's what happens when you get your history from rock songs.
The Ohio National Guard was deployed to Kent State by Ohio Governor James Rhodes. It was a state operation.
In case you were unaware, the National Guard is organized by each state, and unless called up for Federal duty, is under the ultimate orders of the governor of the state.
Hope that helped.
Right but 1807 Insurrection Act does allow it and at the Presidents discretion does allow So yeah. 13" 2 toppings.
And that did not happen at Kent State. Nixon made no finding of insurrection, and did not Federalize the ONG. It was an action directed by Governor Rhodes.
Link to Factcheck.org
But you keep on displaying your ignorance, Artless Dodger.
Never was making the claim. Its a damn good reminder of how shit goes wrong.
XL All Dressed please.
The Insurrection Act of 1807 is the U.S. federal law that empowers the president of the United States to nationally deploy the U.S. military and to federalize the National Guard units of the individual states in specific circumstances, such as the suppression of civil disorder, of insurrection, and of armed rebellion against the federal government of the U.S.[1] The Insurrection Act provides a statutory exception to the Posse Comitatus Act (1878) that limits the president's deploying the U.S. military to enforce either civil law or criminal law within the United States.[2][3]
Anywho…U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be considered "closed in its entirety", but gave no further details as Washington ramps up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government.
"To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, Muppets, Klingons, left-handed dyslexics, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY," Trump said in a Truth Social post.
The President told military service members this week that the U.S. would "very soon" begin land operations to stop suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers.
Maduro, in power since 2013, has said that Trump is seeking to oust him and that Venezuelan citizens and the military will resist any such attempt.
U.S. forces in the region have so far focused on counter-narcotics operations, although the assembled firepower far outweighs anything needed for them.
apple.news
"To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, Muppets, Klingons, left-handed dyslexics, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY," Trump said in a Truth Social post.
The President told military service members this week that the U.S. would "very soon" begin land operations to stop suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers.
Maduro, in power since 2013, has said that Trump is seeking to oust him and that Venezuelan citizens and the military will resist any such attempt.
U.S. forces in the region have so far focused on counter-narcotics operations, although the assembled firepower far outweighs anything needed for them.
Trump says airspace above and around Venezuela should be considered closed — Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be considered "closed in its entirety", but gave no further details as Washington ramps up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government.
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Nicolás Maduro has now crossed into Brazil..
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Venezuela's oil is predominantly heavy and sour—over 90% of output, like Merey and Boscan crudes—requiring specialized cokers and desulfurizers, not light/sweet processing. Texas refineries excel at this: CITGO Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi), Valero Three Rivers (Three Rivers), Valero Houston (Houston), and ConocoPhillips Sweeny (Sweeny). These handle Venezuelan grades efficiently, boosting yields.
Oh yeah an CITGO is owned by Venezuela.
Not dead yet, but maybe soon.. MPI found nothing, CT scans, drugs kicking in.. but heart is failing fast.
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