I also know around ten Persian immigrants who are now American citizens, and all of them want the regime in Iran gone.
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Misc This Means WAR
- Thread starter Rain Cold
- Start date
It could even be argued that Trump's action could be considered self defense if we take into account that our borders were being violated by the illegal shipment of drugs into our country from Venezuela. While I think this action may be considered a victory in the never ending war on drugs, the war itself will continue with the cartels in Mexico and Central America picking up the slack in supply and making even more profits for themselves.
With the United States taking the reins in Venezuela, oil production will increase once the infrastructure is repaired and put back in full gear. It will be interesting to see what kind of effect, if any, this will have on the world oil market and gasoline prices here.
If we cared about drugs we'd invade Mexico. What comes here from Venezuela is essentially nothing. Seriously look at a map and realize there's no way any of those boats could cross nearly a thousand miles of open ocean to get to the nearest US territory in Puerto Rico. They primarily export them to European protectorates in the Caribbean and then on to Europe. This conflict is for oil and nothing else.
To your last point, probably not very much. It's expensive oil to get out of the ground down there. US demand for petro derivatives is flat since ~2001. Imports are basically the lowest since WW2. With the electrification of transportation still going gangbusters worldwide demand will be falling in the coming decade. Sure, oil isn't going away anytime soon (think of everything you touch that's plastic or eaten that requires fertilizer) but we'll need less of it. What this is good for are US majors in the O&G business that got kicked out of Russia in recent years. Exxon in particular lost their backsides in the Sakhalin projects. Assuming this whole deal doesn't turn into another Iraq (and it's way too soon to say it won't) that will be a huge business opportunity for them.
Not our job to be world police though.
I can’t argue.
Unfortunately it's par for the course with the current party controlling the WH and Congress. Unitary Executive theory has finally reached it's zenith and there's no turning back now when one party fully embraces it.
DCK
Member
Not that I disagree, but aren’t the cartels in Mexico a much bigger problem with regards to trafficking?
You are spot on about Mexico being the main source for the US drug supply. I've often wondered why our government hasn't done more to twist Mexico's arm and coerce that country to cooperate more in stopping the flow of narcotics and other drugs that hit our streets. If we declared war on Mexico, the Hispanic population that has family there would be up in arms so that is a no go.
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Trump has played hard and loose with executive authority and he has added new pages to the playbook that will be used by presidents in the future to get their agenda accomplished. When a president who is on the opposite side of the spectrum is elected in the future, this will backfire in the faces of those who now cheer his use of executive authority.
Shaggy
Member
My sister in law just had surgery on her hip at Duke and the doctors who were providing pain medication nearly overdosed her. They had to provide Narcan to save her because Fentanyl was part of the opiate cocktail they were using. I'm not well versed on prescription drugs and their use but why in the world would they use something as dangerous as Fentanyl for a pain medication?
Shaggy
Member
Not sure but I know the real opoid problem started in the late 90s and it wasn't Mexico. Venezuela, China that supplied it. It was oxy that got that ball rolling.
Mahomeless
Member
Fentanyl is no more dangerous than any other pain medication when properly dosed. If it were, it would not be FDA approved.
Oxy got that ball rolling. And then the ball was kicked hard with the overreaction that forced so many folks to seek street solutions as they were just cut off almost overnight.
Blame is shared by many. That horrible pharma company, the FDA, DEA, big chain pharmacies, greedy lawyers, and impatient politicians and their constituents. Couldn’t have picked a worse class of drugs to just suddenly make so many go cold turkey with. It was cruel without any regard for patients and their success for transitioning off these overprescribed and dangerous drugs.
campamy
Member
I read the book 'Reading Lolita in Tehran' by Azar Nafisi maybe 20 years ago? It was the first time I had ever heard that Iran used to be progressive. I was shocked. It is so incredibly sad and horrifying.
Cad Wedge NC
Member
Only one problem with that statement.... if we pretend it isn't happening and put our blinders on, the problems will eventually come to us, and when they do it will be much, much worse. Global stability is a matter of our national security. We can't afford to let the whole world erupt in chaos while we sit back and watch it burn and let folks die of inhumane treatment as well as starvation. If a leader like Sadam Hussien, for instance, needs to be taken out .... then I am all for it!
We are now reclaiming our title as the greatest Nation on this planet. Let's look at the rest of the world ...... China is struggling as a superpower. Their unemployment rate is skyrocketing. Their population is decreasing yearly due to disease and poverty. They could care less about making sure the rest of the world goes on. Russia has sunk their resources into a war that is completely senseless (not sure what Putin is or was thinking). Their military is proving to be exhausted and depleted as well as their morale. Someone has to take the reins. If you think about it ..... we are in a pretty good position right now. Good time to be an American.
Brent
Member
I think there is a point to be made here... I mean yes I have some concerns we get caught up into another conflict but if we can get out of this without that and get a stable government it's definitely a good thing for the country. Let's not forget that Maduro had been wanted since 2020. It's not like this stuff just happened in the last few weeks
And yes the Russia thing going on for years is just a prime example of that. Why???
I can tell you one thing one of my liberal friends went to several No Kings rallies has complained about Trump many times and hes like glad he's gone right now
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One thing I am thankful for which from looking at social media made a lot of people mad, is that Trump didn’t get approval from congress. To me that has been why the government never accomplishes anything. Everyone wants the last word and then nothing gets done because nobody wants to budge. I like taking action into your own hands.
Like I said weeks ago.....one word.....OIL!!! And for those still on the kool aid. The VP in charge now is a Loyalist. Nothing will change as far as the cocaine dealings and corruption goes. It's about bending to the United states intrests on oil.
GoDuke
Member
Capturing Maduro was worth the edits alone let’s be real here.
Downeastnc
Member
Shaggy
Member
We could be over thinking this as well. The president loves his grudges.
Trump hints support for fringe theory that Venezuela rigged 2020 election | US elections 2020 | The Guardian https://share.google/OJDkylTpsEMhp6YXU
Trump hints support for fringe theory that Venezuela rigged 2020 election | US elections 2020 | The Guardian https://share.google/OJDkylTpsEMhp6YXU
NoSnowATL
Member
USA
Cad Wedge NC
Member
Well, Alberta has basically said, "Screw you Ottawa and your regulations, we are going to do business directly with the US and output 1,000,000 barrels a day to our southern friends" I suggest you watch what's going on right now in Alberta with respect to their oil reserves. They are on the verge of becoming an independent state. This is all because of Carney's decision not to allow Alberta to negotiate a deal with the US... Basically, denying them the revenue they need and deserve. They have vowed to proceed with or without Canada's approval. That's the theme around the world. Politicians could care less about what's good for the people. Let's do what the people want for a change.
Oh I'm glad he's been caught 100% It's about oil though and nothing else. We need hard crude for diesel and other products. It's never been about the drugs. China is the one supplying us with fentanyl. That's what is killing people.
Trump, himself, in his presser emphasized the oil over and over and hardly mentioned drugs during it. The main suppliers of powdered fentanyl to the West are China (as you said) and, secondarily, India as per this image:
It's always about oil just like Iraq. Highly doubt they become independent this year or next. But it could possibly happen. We need to cut off our adversaries and get it right here in our own back yard Venezuela Canada ect. Along with building up our Navy. We need to dramatically increase our ship yard production like WW2. China is our biggest threat imo and Russia expanding their borders in the next few years. NATO and the U.S need to be prepared. WW3 could happen if the right precautions are not implemented shortly we will be hurting. We need more investment in chips semi conductors.
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Shaggy
Member
Let's also not forget trump asking for 1 billion dollars from oil execs last year. Looks like they got their wishlist.
GoDuke
Member
Oh yeah it’s about the oil but it’s not like we’re just going to take it. Trump mentioned oil companies going in fixing infrastructure and making the country rich. Hopefully with many benefits to the US. We’re there no drug boats coming from Venezuela? The drug trafficking gave an opportunity for the commie regime change and it was accomplished with 0 casualties on either side. The country is celebrating the capture of Maduro. What am I missing? Where is the down side to any of this?
Heelyes
Member
GoDuke
Member
Half of congress would have tipped off their commie buddy Maduro so it’s best they don’t know.
Fentanyl has many advantages over morphine in a clinical setting, it's a great drug for that purpose. Quicker action, shorter duration, fewer side effects, etc. That they nearly overdosed her is on the staff, not the drug itself.
Wulfer
Member
Chris I think you've over stated the success of "electrification of the transportation" system. If anything its created more reasons to return to oil and gas systems. Here's just a few reasons why electric cars have failed!
1. They don't handle cold very well. Cold temps completely drain electric batteries. Mountains out west have signs that state that if you have an electric car turn back now! Those signs are there to stop people from having stranded vehicles.
2. 18 wheelers have to have no less than 32 batteries just to do the load of a normal truck. Try getting the trucking companies on board with that cost.
3. Florida during the Hurricane seasons learned what happens to Electric cars when ocean water hits them. They become explosive devices and time bombs. Salt water doesn't play nice with electric batteries!
4. Electric cars are best for flat land use and charging stations are still scarce in rural areas. Try finding an electric charging station in the Great Smokey Mtns. where point #1 is a major concern.
5. China controls the production of Electric car batteries but, the US is learning how to make them.
Hybrids are a better way to go but, the tech is still new.
No, Venezuela's Oil is a big deal because the oil reserve there is bigger than the Saudi Arabia reserves. Venezuela hold's the largest untapped oil reserve in the world. I think you've miss thought on the changes this will have on US markets and the world. Saudi's can no longer put their foot on the US market prices because the US market doesn't have to rely on that market anymore. This battle was very much about the oil reserves instead of drugs!
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Shaggy
Member
We also have to wait and see how strongly the Maduro loyalist fight against any installed interim government. Or how strongly anyone feeling left out of the process and their loyalist want to fight back. Lots of room for a civil war to break out IMO
Downeastnc
Member
The US is already downplaying Machado support, not sure what is going to happen, but Machado somehow being returned to Venezuela to take the reins is not going to happen. Seems like there is not a definitive plan to even help reinstate her and now Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as the new president of Venezuela....
JQPublic
Member
This is nonsense. A decade ago certain vehicles that did not have battery conditioning ability struggled in heat and cold. This is not the case anymore. Some range loss is expected in extremely cold weather if heating demands are huge but it’s nothing extreme. Our Equinox has been well below zero and only went down to about 2.5 mi/kwh from a normal 3.5. EV growth was still 20% year over year in 2025.
Short haul Class 8 trucks are becoming very popular overseas and just beginning here. Anything with a daycab can be electrified with current tech. No one to my knowledge is attempting to make a long haul Class 8.
What do you think happens with traditional cars and trucks when salt water hits them? Circuits short and they catch on fire too.
You’re looking at this through the lens of gas cars. DC fast charging would be great to have everywhere but until that happens you have to have the mindset of charging at your destination. We go up to West Jefferson as often as we can and just plug in wherever we stay. It only takes one quick (20 minute) stop at a DC charger to get there for us. More than 50% of all hotels have destination charging now. It’s like 80% of IHG hotels.
That’s why the previous infrastructure law was so important and why killing it has put us back a decade or more. Just down the road from me the huge AESC battery plant had to stop construction due to tariffs. We know how to make batteries and know where to find the materials, but it requires a federal level approach to stand the industry up. Hybrids have been common for 2 decades now so I’m not sure what’s new about them. They’re an intermediate step to BEVs and range extended EVs.
The US hasn’t needed Saudi oil for over a decade now. We ramped production from 2010-now and actually export light crude because we can’t refine it all. We do import heavy crude but that’s due to decisions made on refining strategies made a long time ago. None of the Gulf states export heavy oil. Venezuelan oil is very heavy and full of sulfur. It requires steam injection to extract and has to be blended with light crude before it can be refined. I don’t have a current breakeven price but I would guess it’s north of $50 which is similar to the cost to extract oil in the US. There’s an excess of crude oil in the world right now which combined with lower economic activity has prices very low. This isn’t expected to change in the future.