You, nor anyone else, has challenged that Venezuela sends few drugs to the US and almost no fentanyl. They don't produce fentanyl and their cocaine goes to warlords in West Africa for Europe. After all the discussions on opposing Russia, you really back blowing up ships to block drugs for Europe?
A lot of Fentanyl comes from China, much of the rest from Mexico. Are we sinking them? If not, why Venezuela.
You might want to rethink your position when Trump has you arguing for the drug smugglers.
For the drug smugglers, arrest them, that is what we do. Try them, convict them, put them in prison . Get low level flunkies to flip on bigger fish.
But MAGA after MAGA have said this is all about stopping fentanyl from coming into the US. That appears to be a bold faced lie. Do you or anyone else have any evidence that they are shipping fentanyl to the US? Are we really bombing those boats for sending cocaine to Europe. Do you think that is really what we are doing? Why not bomb people sending drugs to America?
I think the second strike issue, while important, is distracting us from the main story here.
Our administration is clearly involved in regime change in Venezuela. I'm guessing because they act as a western hemisphere toehold for Iran and China. But we've had no congressional debate. No national debate. No Address to the Nation. Are we okay with that?
1. Should the U.S. be this involved in regime change in Venezuela? Does this feel a little Iraq-ee?
2. What methods/tactics should be used or off the table?
3. What kind of authorization do we feel comfortable with?
@arthur-dent I don't care if they are only trafficking cocaine, hence my comment. I am happy that our military is focusing on drug smugglers, cartels, and designating them as terrorists. I voted exactly for this.
I think the second strike issue, while important, is distracting us from the main story here.
Our administration is clearly involved in regime change in Venezuela. I'm guessing because they act as a western hemisphere toehold for Iran and China. But we've had no congressional debate. No national debate. No Address to the Nation. Are we okay with that?
1. Should the U.S. be this involved in regime change in Venezuela? Does this feel a little Iraq-ee?
2. What methods/tactics should be used or off the table?
3. What kind of authorization do we feel comfortable with?
We have a much better record at destabilization than in stabilization. That concerns me. But if Venezuela is a threat I have no issues with the standard bombing campaign until the regime leaves. But that involves doing what Bush did, going before Congress and laying out the case. We have not come close to doing that. I think we are hoping Venezuela tries something provocative in retaliation than the President can do this without any approval.
The only thing that is obvious is this isn't about drugs.
Bush impressed the hell out of me after 9/11, he did things exact right even if he was wrong. We take these things to Congress. We don't move to militarily for e regime change without Congress. Frankly NATO and UN should be involved but Congress is non-negotiable.
@snarlcakes so, why are we not going after the ones sending drugs to the US? Aren't you one that wants us not involved in Ukraine? Why support fighting Europe's drug war over ours?
@snarlcakes so, why are we not going after the ones sending drugs to the US? Aren't you one that wants us not involved in Ukraine? Why support fighting Europe's drug war over ours?
I'm for locking down the America's, forcing out China, and moving as many supply chains as we can.
I'd prefer to not waste money in Ukraine, but at this point am indifferent. We're not balancing the budget if we're giving them money or not. I've given up on fiscal austerity. It's not happening.
I think the second strike issue, while important, is distracting us from the main story here.
Our administration is clearly involved in regime change in Venezuela. I'm guessing because they act as a western hemisphere toehold for Iran and China. But we've had no congressional debate. No national debate. No Address to the Nation. Are we okay with that?
1. Should the U.S. be this involved in regime change in Venezuela? Does this feel a little Iraq-ee?
2. What methods/tactics should be used or off the table?
3. What kind of authorization do we feel comfortable with?
We have a much better record at destabilization than in stabilization. That concerns me. But if Venezuela is a threat I have no issues with the standard bombing campaign until the regime leaves. But that involves doing what Bush did, going before Congress and laying out the case. We have not come close to doing that. I think we are hoping Venezuela tries something provocative in retaliation than the President can do this without any approval.
The only thing that is obvious is this isn't about drugs.
Bush impressed the hell out of me after 9/11, he did things exact right even if he was wrong. We take these things to Congress. We don't move to militarily for e regime change without Congress. Frankly NATO and UN should be involved but Congress is non-negotiable.
Some past precedent for using the military to stop drug trafficking:
President Reagan's 1986 directive that drug trafficking be considered a threat to national security opened the way to counternarcotics uses of the military--uses beyond the airborne and satellite surveillance help already being given to Colombian forces. In 1989 Bush sent Special Forces to train Colombian soldiers in rapid-strike tactics. Since the 1988 bombing by Libyan terrorists of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, airline safety had become a world concern. The destruction of the Avianca plane was viewed, Bowden writes, "as an attack on global civilization."
It led to the 16-month manhunt in Medellin, a city of 2.9 million. The hunt was conducted primarily by a Colombian police contingent called Search Bloc. It was assisted by intelligence gathered by U.S. assets, including so many planes that at one point an AWACS aircraft was sent aloft to direct air traffic over the city. On the ground there was a U.S. Army unit, then called Centra Spike, specializing in spying--and in finding individuals. Dispatch of this unit was approved by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the secretary of Defense--Colin Powell and Dick Cheney.
I think the second strike issue, while important, is distracting us from the main story here.
Our administration is clearly involved in regime change in Venezuela. I'm guessing because they act as a western hemisphere toehold for Iran and China. But we've had no congressional debate. No national debate. No Address to the Nation. Are we okay with that?
1. Should the U.S. be this involved in regime change in Venezuela? Does this feel a little Iraq-ee?
2. What methods/tactics should be used or off the table?
3. What kind of authorization do we feel comfortable with?
We have a much better record at destabilization than in stabilization. That concerns me. But if Venezuela is a threat I have no issues with the standard bombing campaign until the regime leaves. But that involves doing what Bush did, going before Congress and laying out the case. We have not come close to doing that. I think we are hoping Venezuela tries something provocative in retaliation than the President can do this without any approval.
The only thing that is obvious is this isn't about drugs.
Bush impressed the hell out of me after 9/11, he did things exact right even if he was wrong. We take these things to Congress. We don't move to militarily for e regime change without Congress. Frankly NATO and UN should be involved but Congress is non-negotiable.
Some past precedent for using the military to stop drug trafficking:
President Reagan's 1986 directive that drug trafficking be considered a threat to national security opened the way to counternarcotics uses of the military--uses beyond the airborne and satellite surveillance help already being given to Colombian forces. In 1989 Bush sent Special Forces to train Colombian soldiers in rapid-strike tactics. Since the 1988 bombing by Libyan terrorists of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, airline safety had become a world concern. The destruction of the Avianca plane was viewed, Bowden writes, "as an attack on global civilization."
It led to the 16-month manhunt in Medellin, a city of 2.9 million. The hunt was conducted primarily by a Colombian police contingent called Search Bloc. It was assisted by intelligence gathered by U.S. assets, including so many planes that at one point an AWACS aircraft was sent aloft to direct air traffic over the city. On the ground there was a U.S. Army unit, then called Centra Spike, specializing in spying--and in finding individuals. Dispatch of this unit was approved by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the secretary of Defense--Colin Powell and Dick Cheney.
The military has been used for interdiction of drug trafficking for decades. I joined in 1985 and retired in 2012. We did drug interdiction the entire time. The way we’re doing it since September 2nd is different, but not at all more effective.
I think the second strike issue, while important, is distracting us from the main story here.
Our administration is clearly involved in regime change in Venezuela. I'm guessing because they act as a western hemisphere toehold for Iran and China. But we've had no congressional debate. No national debate. No Address to the Nation. Are we okay with that?
1. Should the U.S. be this involved in regime change in Venezuela? Does this feel a little Iraq-ee?
2. What methods/tactics should be used or off the table?
3. What kind of authorization do we feel comfortable with?
We have a much better record at destabilization than in stabilization. That concerns me. But if Venezuela is a threat I have no issues with the standard bombing campaign until the regime leaves. But that involves doing what Bush did, going before Congress and laying out the case. We have not come close to doing that. I think we are hoping Venezuela tries something provocative in retaliation than the President can do this without any approval.
The only thing that is obvious is this isn't about drugs.
Bush impressed the hell out of me after 9/11, he did things exact right even if he was wrong. We take these things to Congress. We don't move to militarily for e regime change without Congress. Frankly NATO and UN should be involved but Congress is non-negotiable.
Some past precedent for using the military to stop drug trafficking:
President Reagan's 1986 directive that drug trafficking be considered a threat to national security opened the way to counternarcotics uses of the military--uses beyond the airborne and satellite surveillance help already being given to Colombian forces. In 1989 Bush sent Special Forces to train Colombian soldiers in rapid-strike tactics. Since the 1988 bombing by Libyan terrorists of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, airline safety had become a world concern. The destruction of the Avianca plane was viewed, Bowden writes, "as an attack on global civilization."
It led to the 16-month manhunt in Medellin, a city of 2.9 million. The hunt was conducted primarily by a Colombian police contingent called Search Bloc. It was assisted by intelligence gathered by U.S. assets, including so many planes that at one point an AWACS aircraft was sent aloft to direct air traffic over the city. On the ground there was a U.S. Army unit, then called Centra Spike, specializing in spying--and in finding individuals. Dispatch of this unit was approved by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the secretary of Defense--Colin Powell and Dick Cheney.
We have provided Intel and training for a long time. As Aloha notes, this is different. Has the UK ever dropped out of the Five Eyes before over training and Intel gathering? They are no longer give us Intel in that area of the world out of fear it makes them party to a war crime.
Maduro is under criminal indictment. We don’t recognize his position. His primary political opponent won the Nobel Peace Prize for her anti- Maduro activities, and probably is urging regime change behind the scenes. Her life is in danger so long as Maduro is in charge.
