Your most prescient observation here is realizing that our foreign policy is written by Russian strategists or trolls. More digging or pulling in this thread here could help the other seeming absurdities make more sense in a future Substack.
“Other things” deserves more scrutiny. Experts agree that drugs makes no sense, experts agree the economic timeline of the oil motive and price impact seem undesirable, so what is the actual target. What kind of mine do the South African tech bros have their eyes on maybe?
The best part of this podcast was when you were describing the things that show true power. I think this should be a theme for politics leading up to the 2026 election.
Can our democracy survive until November Rick? Can he really order the military to invade Greenland, Mexico, Colombia?? What is it going to take to impeach this insane bastard before he takes us into a nuclear war?
Thanks, Rick. I am not sure the Oil Companies were aware this was going to happen. Not sure Oil invests if their money isn't safe. What a mess for us all.
A very thoughtful and sober perspective. Thank you. I have two somewhat unusual but related questions: 1) why did Trump et al believe it necessary to snatch Maduro’s wife as well as Maduro himself?; and 2) (please don’t laugh) why didn’t Trump simply have Maduro murdered? After all, Trump essentially went full, unvarnished gangster in pulling this off. One of the serious complications that went unmentioned in your piece is that Maduro is now a US criminal defendant entitled to a panoply of rights including the right a public trial and discovery. If I were as sociopathic as Trump I would have just taken him out and been done with it.
None of the big US Oil Corporations are going to Venezuela. They already spent a half trillion dollars in Canada when the Venezuelan sanctions hit. Canada and Venezuela have the heavy crude that the Gulf Coast refineries are set up to use. Big Oil moved up to Canada to get that oil down to Texas. The will protect their Canadian investment by doing nothing in Venezuela.
And Big Oil is also have to be assured Venezuela is stable and safe, and who's gonna be able to give them that assurance? Nobody. The Venezuelan factions from the far right thugs to the left wing communists will be fighting for control of the oil money. The chaos is just starting.
And Trump put us right in the middle of this oil soaked quagmire.
I read (Google) both Russia & China are significant stakeholders in VENEZUELA. Venezuela also has "strategic minerals & rare earth minerals nobody is talking about. I'm certain Many American companies ..Trump donors including Musk's, will be eager to obtain.
In regards to Oil; China is a Major Creditor to Venezuela and "Venezuela oil is a primary means of repayment". "China is currently Venezuela's largest buyer of oil
"providing consistent low cost oil to China" " ..rerouting Venezuela oil to U.S Market will force China to find other sources of oil and will likely be more expensive.
Russia too relies on Venezuela Oil. (Google) "Expanded U.S. influence over Venezuelan oil strengthens Washington's ability to shape global energy markets undermining OPEC+mechanisms Russia relies on".
Very dangerous in my opinion. Trump is playing with 🔥 Fire with China and Russia!!
** Rick, Do you see Any hope the Republicans in Congress Will STOP..maybe Impeach TRUMP and Evade What might be war with China & Russia?
Congrats Rick to you and yours. I understand that one of Trumps cohorts is trying to cut a deal with Maduro, I believe if Maduro claims the 2020 election was stolen from Trump things could go easy on him. The last thing Trump wants is to have to deal with Machado, she wants to clean the country up and form a democracy and I don't think she would let Trump high grade her resources. Trump should get some rest. He looks and sounds like a coke addict . I can't understand why the fossil fuel folks don't get some of their investments into solar and wind power. China is the global leader of these sources,
Trump may think he can stamp out wind power, but it's not gonna happen. Solar and wind produce cheaper energy than coal or gas. And farmers can put up wind turbines on their land in the windy plains of Nebraska and Iowa to supplement the beating they're taking on actual farming after Trump's Tariff Tax took a huge bite out of their profits.
Renee and Rick, congratulations!!! 🎉🍾🎊🎈
Your most prescient observation here is realizing that our foreign policy is written by Russian strategists or trolls. More digging or pulling in this thread here could help the other seeming absurdities make more sense in a future Substack.
“Other things” deserves more scrutiny. Experts agree that drugs makes no sense, experts agree the economic timeline of the oil motive and price impact seem undesirable, so what is the actual target. What kind of mine do the South African tech bros have their eyes on maybe?
Keep writing. 'History is counting on you '
(obvious)Msg: If we can go into another country to get someone,, no less a head of state, we can get (to) you.
The best part of this podcast was when you were describing the things that show true power. I think this should be a theme for politics leading up to the 2026 election.
I bow to your talent with words, my friend. Thank you.
The way I understand it; 75 people don’t usually get killed in an arrest (as reported).
Thanks for this, Rick. I need your podcasts to enjoy while I’m working. It helps, believe me.
Can our democracy survive until November Rick? Can he really order the military to invade Greenland, Mexico, Colombia?? What is it going to take to impeach this insane bastard before he takes us into a nuclear war?
Thanks, Rick. I am not sure the Oil Companies were aware this was going to happen. Not sure Oil invests if their money isn't safe. What a mess for us all.
A very thoughtful and sober perspective. Thank you. I have two somewhat unusual but related questions: 1) why did Trump et al believe it necessary to snatch Maduro’s wife as well as Maduro himself?; and 2) (please don’t laugh) why didn’t Trump simply have Maduro murdered? After all, Trump essentially went full, unvarnished gangster in pulling this off. One of the serious complications that went unmentioned in your piece is that Maduro is now a US criminal defendant entitled to a panoply of rights including the right a public trial and discovery. If I were as sociopathic as Trump I would have just taken him out and been done with it.
None of the big US Oil Corporations are going to Venezuela. They already spent a half trillion dollars in Canada when the Venezuelan sanctions hit. Canada and Venezuela have the heavy crude that the Gulf Coast refineries are set up to use. Big Oil moved up to Canada to get that oil down to Texas. The will protect their Canadian investment by doing nothing in Venezuela.
And Big Oil is also have to be assured Venezuela is stable and safe, and who's gonna be able to give them that assurance? Nobody. The Venezuelan factions from the far right thugs to the left wing communists will be fighting for control of the oil money. The chaos is just starting.
And Trump put us right in the middle of this oil soaked quagmire.
Thinking Exxon would be on Traitor's revenge cowpie list. I recall reporting stating Rex Tillerson called Traitor a "Fn moron."
I read (Google) both Russia & China are significant stakeholders in VENEZUELA. Venezuela also has "strategic minerals & rare earth minerals nobody is talking about. I'm certain Many American companies ..Trump donors including Musk's, will be eager to obtain.
In regards to Oil; China is a Major Creditor to Venezuela and "Venezuela oil is a primary means of repayment". "China is currently Venezuela's largest buyer of oil
"providing consistent low cost oil to China" " ..rerouting Venezuela oil to U.S Market will force China to find other sources of oil and will likely be more expensive.
Russia too relies on Venezuela Oil. (Google) "Expanded U.S. influence over Venezuelan oil strengthens Washington's ability to shape global energy markets undermining OPEC+mechanisms Russia relies on".
Very dangerous in my opinion. Trump is playing with 🔥 Fire with China and Russia!!
** Rick, Do you see Any hope the Republicans in Congress Will STOP..maybe Impeach TRUMP and Evade What might be war with China & Russia?
Congrats Rick to you and yours. I understand that one of Trumps cohorts is trying to cut a deal with Maduro, I believe if Maduro claims the 2020 election was stolen from Trump things could go easy on him. The last thing Trump wants is to have to deal with Machado, she wants to clean the country up and form a democracy and I don't think she would let Trump high grade her resources. Trump should get some rest. He looks and sounds like a coke addict . I can't understand why the fossil fuel folks don't get some of their investments into solar and wind power. China is the global leader of these sources,
Trump may think he can stamp out wind power, but it's not gonna happen. Solar and wind produce cheaper energy than coal or gas. And farmers can put up wind turbines on their land in the windy plains of Nebraska and Iowa to supplement the beating they're taking on actual farming after Trump's Tariff Tax took a huge bite out of their profits.
Thanks Tim