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#1
Off the Record / Re: Trump's Venezuela Vendetta
Last post by Syt - Today at 11:49:23 AMThanks for the extra insight. 
#2
Off the Record / Re: Quo Vadis, Democrats?
Last post by Valmy - Today at 11:49:11 AMI have always firmly rejected the idea that human rights is dependent on citizenship. Fuck that bullshit. There are not second class people.
#3
Off the Record / Re: Trump's Venezuela Vendetta
Last post by The Minsky Moment - Today at 11:42:55 AMIt's a fascinating story, as much for its timing and what it does not say, as for what it says.
The struggle for post-Trump supremacy in the GOP/MAGA is well underway, and this story looks like a plant from the Rubio side, as even though it places him in the center of a corrupt neo-imperialist arrangement, in the backwards logic of MAGAland, that is a positive that shows Rubio's mastery and hard-headed nationalism while drawing attention away from the Iran fiaso.
The Times story is light on key details. It doesn't mention the Qatari account used to launder hundreds of millions in Venezuelan oil export money, an account that still has not been subject to any audit despite promises. Another indication this may be a sanitized account from Rubio's people. It doesn't explain the mechanisms being used by US Treasury, other than the use of Trafigura and Vitol as middlemen. The latter is a red flag, as these are multinational trading companies, subject to neither direct US nor Venezuelan jurisdiction, both with dubious track records for involvement in overseas corruption. Important to keep in mind that one of the first acts of the Trump administration was to suspend enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which regulates foreign bribery schemes involving US persons.
It alludes in passing to two key sources of US financial leverage over Venezuela: US control over the sanctions regimes which basically allows the US to dictate who Venezeula does business with, and big liability judgments entered in favor of US oil company investors, which Treasury has the ability to circumvent if its wishes. But the Times story doesn't give the key details on flow of funds, either because their sources don't know, or (more likely) don't want to say.
The article claims that: "This system has allowed Mr. Rubio to stop Venezuela's most egregious corruption schemes." This is both wrong and a strong indicator that sourcing comes from the Rubio camp. In reality, the opaque, purely discretionary, and unaudited payment flows make no sense as design, unless the purpose is to: (1) maximize opportunity points for corruption, and (2) keep control on the US end outside of regular government control mechanisms subject to audit. It is a perfect mechanism not only for directing bribes to key people in the Venezuelan regime, but for diverting funds to pretty much anyone anywhere along the chain. Millions sloshing around a Qatari slush fund can be directed anywhere (recall Iran-Contra, with illegal support to rebels funded by an Iranian arms deal and by payments from friendly petro-states through Swiss accounts).
The struggle for post-Trump supremacy in the GOP/MAGA is well underway, and this story looks like a plant from the Rubio side, as even though it places him in the center of a corrupt neo-imperialist arrangement, in the backwards logic of MAGAland, that is a positive that shows Rubio's mastery and hard-headed nationalism while drawing attention away from the Iran fiaso.
The Times story is light on key details. It doesn't mention the Qatari account used to launder hundreds of millions in Venezuelan oil export money, an account that still has not been subject to any audit despite promises. Another indication this may be a sanitized account from Rubio's people. It doesn't explain the mechanisms being used by US Treasury, other than the use of Trafigura and Vitol as middlemen. The latter is a red flag, as these are multinational trading companies, subject to neither direct US nor Venezuelan jurisdiction, both with dubious track records for involvement in overseas corruption. Important to keep in mind that one of the first acts of the Trump administration was to suspend enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which regulates foreign bribery schemes involving US persons.
It alludes in passing to two key sources of US financial leverage over Venezuela: US control over the sanctions regimes which basically allows the US to dictate who Venezeula does business with, and big liability judgments entered in favor of US oil company investors, which Treasury has the ability to circumvent if its wishes. But the Times story doesn't give the key details on flow of funds, either because their sources don't know, or (more likely) don't want to say.
The article claims that: "This system has allowed Mr. Rubio to stop Venezuela's most egregious corruption schemes." This is both wrong and a strong indicator that sourcing comes from the Rubio camp. In reality, the opaque, purely discretionary, and unaudited payment flows make no sense as design, unless the purpose is to: (1) maximize opportunity points for corruption, and (2) keep control on the US end outside of regular government control mechanisms subject to audit. It is a perfect mechanism not only for directing bribes to key people in the Venezuelan regime, but for diverting funds to pretty much anyone anywhere along the chain. Millions sloshing around a Qatari slush fund can be directed anywhere (recall Iran-Contra, with illegal support to rebels funded by an Iranian arms deal and by payments from friendly petro-states through Swiss accounts).
#4
Off the Record / Re: Iran War
Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 11:38:57 AMQuote from: HVC on Today at 11:24:48 AMQuote from: crazy canuck on Today at 11:22:47 AMThe fact the US tried blockading seems to have been forgotten. It was several weeks ago, which in social media time is decades ago, so I suppose that is understandable?
Trump is so erratic that people forget what happened a week ago because he's changed direction 10 ways in the meantime. Kind of like a psychological deke.
Yeah, good point
#5
Off the Record / Re: Iran War
Last post by HVC - Today at 11:24:48 AMQuote from: crazy canuck on Today at 11:22:47 AMThe fact the US tried blockading seems to have been forgotten. It was several weeks ago, which in social media time is decades ago, so I suppose that is understandable?
Trump is so erratic that people forget what happened a week ago because he's changed direction 10 ways in the meantime. Kind of like a psychological deke.
#6
Off the Record / Re: Iran War
Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 11:22:47 AMThe fact the US tried blockading seems to have been forgotten. It was several weeks ago, which in social media time is decades ago, so I suppose that is understandable?
#7
Off the Record / Re: Motorhoming in Spain
Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 11:17:18 AMQuote from: Threviel on June 20, 2026, 08:53:47 AMQuote from: Maladict on June 20, 2026, 07:36:00 AMLooks like a great trip. I cancelled mine and am now betting on next year's eclipse in Cadiz.
Sorry to hear, was it Trump?
Cadiz is probably even worse with heat, so hopefully we won't have to go there to experience one.
Cadiz is actually very pleasant. It gets refreshing ocean breezes. There are wide boulevards that are lined with large wonderful trees and large treed public spaces.
I highly recommend even in the summer months.
#8
Off the Record / Re: Quo Vadis, Democrats?
Last post by Razgovory - Today at 11:17:17 AMAfghanistan was an occupied territory, it was a puppet state. With out US support it collapsed in 11 days. Just like the Occupied territories of Palestine, Afghanis did not have the right to travel into any NATO country at will, nor could they vote in our elections, nor did they enjoyed the full protection of our laws. Yet we killed them all the time over the course nearly 10 years. The situation is very similar. Occupying a country isn't a form of apartheid. It is not a form of genocide.
The colonists are very unfortunate, I would advise to the Palestinians sign a treaty with Israel that protects their borders. They have chosen not to do that.
The colonists are very unfortunate, I would advise to the Palestinians sign a treaty with Israel that protects their borders. They have chosen not to do that.
#9
Off the Record / Re: Iran War
Last post by HVC - Today at 11:16:39 AMTrump knows a good idea to steal when he sees one i guess.
#10
Off the Record / Re: Iran War
Last post by Zanza - Today at 11:15:45 AMQuoteTrump says US will blockade Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and will charge ships for safe passage
It's hilarious that the greatest negotiator in the known universe has the Uno reverse card as his only idea.