Probably off topic given recent events but it’s always worth calling bullshit to Russian propaganda. The Ukrainian People’s Republic was founded in 1917. The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic became part of the Soviet Union in 1922. But Ukraine’s distinctive Cossack identity actually stretches way back to the Hetmanate which was founded in 1642 and way beyond. In many ways Ukrainian cultural identity is as old as Russia.Because Russia losing part of its empire to result in a never before existing country in 1991
I did what?Because you did...
Its not bullshit and it's not Russian propaganda. I support Ukraine, I'm simply pointing out the incoherence of some of the stances on here.Probably off topic given recent events but it’s always worth calling bullshit to Russian propaganda. The Ukrainian People’s Republic was founded in 1917. The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic became part of the Soviet Union in 1922. But Ukraine’s distinctive Cossack identity actually stretches way back to the Hetmanate which was founded in 1642 and way beyond. In many ways Ukrainian cultural identity is as old as Russia.
I asked you if you posted any comment. You said "why would I dae that". I confirmed you did post comment.I did what?
Well you had me fooled but as I say probably a distraction from current events where once again international law plays second fiddle to a doctrine of Might is Right.Its not bullshit and it's not Russian propaganda. I support Ukraine, I'm simply pointing out the incoherence of some of the stances on here.
Looks like Maduras plans in case this happened will still be carried out, military mobilising seemingly, not so sure it's a great day, it's not upto Trump who another countrys leader is.If Maduro really has been deposed with minimal bloodshed it's potentially a great day for Venezuelans: assuming they can avoid the all too often after-party of western regime change.
Might that be because you assume everyone to fit into the ridiculous binaries that underpin progressive thought (even while actual binaries are denied, such are the contortions that arise from a post truth school of thought, founded on falsehoods)?Well you had me fooled but as I say probably a distraction from current events where once again international law plays second fiddle to a doctrine of Might is Right.
No it's up to the Venezuelan people and hopefully they will now get it, with the removal of a dictator who falsified the last election. That said the commies and narcos aren't going to roll over and it could turn into your typical commie apocalypse.Looks like Maduras plans in case this happened will still be carried out, military mobilising seemingly, not so sure it's a great day, it's not upto Trump who another countrys leader is.
Go for it I say.Presumably this is a go ahead for Canada and Denmark to do similar given the threats to their sovereignty?
You asked me and then went looking? WowI asked you if you posted any comment. You said "why would I dae that". I confirmed you did post comment.

No. Someone else put up a link. As you already knew of course.You asked me and then went looking? Wow
![]()
Possibly. Venezuela was also a gangster state allied with Putin and pumping drugs into the US while oppressing its own people.The fact Venezuela has possibly the world's biggest oil reserves is pure and utter coincidence. Can't believe anybody can think this is anything but a grab on the oil which nearly all the middle east conflicts were about. Pure coincidence that tangomans poll numbers are beyond repair and the gop is splintering into factions. Just a distraction tactic used time and again in the past. Thought this had been consigned to history but seems trump must think that enough Americans will fall for his nonsense. I doubt it this time.
I seen no link, so no I didnae know.No. Someone else put up a link. As you already knew of course.
A pity. Youre 'they've gone Caracas' was a thread highlight!I seen no link, so no I didnae know.
As it happens I don't think Trump is driving this. He's going to be in lame duck territory soon. But the people around him are positioning themselves for post Trump politics. They have an 11 month window before the midterms and they will use it.Well. I would say I am surprised but I am not. Been on the cards since the first time they sunk a boat with little or no evidence.
Another lesson that Humanity will never learn and it will always be the same. Oil has been a bit if a curse in many ways (blatant motivation here) but Humans would find an excuse for violence etc in something else. We give the worst of us power and then wonder why shit happens. Also puts the lie that the US military won't do whatever they are told to without question.
Maduro is a prick but a prick that Venezuela needs to deal with themselves. If a better country is wanted then it needs to have been peaceful and bottom up to have a chance. So, the figurehead is gone and so now a power vacuum that will be filled by nasty people. But maybe nasty people who will agree to give Trump access to the oil. In which case they will magically become "really high goodly people". It is very predictable.
Or, and this is my theory, it is an overcompensation for erectile dysfunction and to feel like a "Big Alpha Manly Mans". With the state of the top leadership in the US this may just actually be much of what it is.
It is also funny because of all the boasting by Trump about ending wars and his Peace Prizes.
As it happens I don't think Trump is driving this. He's going to be in lame duck territory soon. But the people around him are positioning themselves for post Trump politics. They have an 11 month window before the midterms and they will use it.
On the sinking of boats, you would think if they wanted to stop the drug traffickers they would interrogate survivors for intel. But no, the first survivors were repatriated to their home country. The second ones were executed. What does that tell you?
I think your manly mans point is in there but in the form of much bigger things. I think it's more about manly countries so to speak.Always assuming Trump really is going to go for a third term if he lives that long. I think we can see the much vaunted checks and balances being driven off a cliff in any case and so why not? There are very unpleasant people behind him indeed but I really struggle with the idea they can really plan more than a day ahead (regardless of this Project 2025), the competance just simply is not there.
It is a personality cult, their problem is that the rest of them don't have one and simply won't have the charisma to match Trump. And so descend into a civil war, and then we will see if there is anything left of the old Republican party that can reestablish control. Of course all that is moot if an excuse can be found to "postpone" the mid terms. But I really think all of this is based around needing distractions from domestic issues (they will be fuming at New York right now) and the oil.
If there is Oil, it is always the oil.
And the seemingly bizarre need to be seen to be Manly Mans. Putin is a Manly Mans and so must be emulated or how can Trump also be the Manly Mans?
Interesting. He's not going for a third term. It's just noise. But you can be sure the DOJ and FBI will be weaponised around the mid terms.Always assuming Trump really is going to go for a third term if he lives that long. I think we can see the much vaunted checks and balances being driven off a cliff in any case and so why not? There are very unpleasant people behind him indeed but I really struggle with the idea they can really plan more than a day ahead (regardless of this Project 2025), the competance just simply is not there.
It is a personality cult, their problem is that the rest of them don't have one and simply won't have the charisma to match Trump. And so descend into a civil war, and then we will see if there is anything left of the old Republican party that can reestablish control. Of course all that is moot if an excuse can be found to "postpone" the mid terms. But I really think all of this is based around needing distractions from domestic issues (they will be fuming at New York right now) and the oil.
If there is Oil, it is always the oil.
And the seemingly bizarre need to be seen to be Manly Mans. Putin is a Manly Mans and so must be emulated or how can Trump also be the Manly Mans?
What's good for the goose...?But you can be sure the DOJ and FBI will be weaponised around the mid terms.
At this point I have very little clue what you are talking about.Might that be because you assume everyone to fit into the ridiculous binaries that underpin progressive thought (even while actual binaries are denied, such are the contortions that arise from a post truth school of thought, founded on falsehoods)?
I don't know how many times me and others have tried to explain the world is not like that, but apparently to no avail. Recent pages of the podcasts thread touch on the cognitive blockers that may explain it.
That quibble aside, your additional background is useful vs my attempt at avoiding my usual verbosity. But it's entirely in line with the point I was making.
Let's face it, there is absolutely no coherence in the right on stances here: we don't want America involved except where we do, other countries politics are not our concern unless we decide that they are, we favour the descended subjects of imperialism except when they're Jews, we deplore racism except the most pernicious and actually influential kind, we support workers but our stances align with the interests of capital, on and on.
A car crash because it's an ongoing attempt to reconcile false initial premises and rationalise irrational bigotries.
WelcomeAt this point I have very little clue what you are talking about.
Interesting. He's not going for a third term. It's just noise. But you can be sure the DOJ and FBI will be weaponised around the mid terms.
Trump will always drop hints at a third term because he knows he pushes the buttons to get a reaction from the democrats and their support base in the media and Hollywood.
From some of the clips I'm seeing a lot of Venezualans are quite happy about Maduro being deposed.
Nobody can tell me that this is about anything other than getting a deal done for oil for the US.I think he was a Poundshop version of Chavez without the charisma, I would only be wary of what comes next. The whole system of power Maduro had is still intact as only the top is gone so depends how the inner circle react. There is unlikely to be a full and fair election and democracy however, I would put money on that.
Most likely whoever can command most support in the armed forces will take power and likely double down on anti US sentiment while quietly doing a deal to sell the oil to the US majors at a cut price.
I'm just not sure that someone imposed after a military intervention by a foreign power will be that popular. Especially as they will have to implement US approved measures. Most likely outcome - chaos.Well there's usually a massive period of unrest after a change of leader and I can't see it being any different now. And this is the lassie who MAY unite the country eventually.....
María Corina Machado.
Machado has vowed to continue her fight for democracy and has confirmed she plans to return to Venezuela to join a potential transitional government led by González Urrutia as his vice president.
- Challenging Maduro She won the opposition's presidential primary in 2023 but was subsequently barred by the government from running in the 2024 presidential election, a move condemned internationally as arbitrary and politically motivated.
- Living in Hiding and Exile Since August 2024, she had been living in hiding in Venezuela, fearing for her life and freedom, after claiming the opposition candidate she backed, Edmundo González Urrutia, won the election by a landslide, a result the government-controlled electoral council disputed. She recently made a clandestine escape to Oslo, Norway, to accept her Nobel Prize in person in December 2025.
We use essential cookies to make this site work, and optional cookies to enhance your experience.