What an Appalling Rogue

[ndrosen]

There is much to dislike about Nicholas Maduro, and a case to be made for intervention to remove him from power, and install the candidate who won Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election. Unfortunately, that is not what our would-be caudillo proposes to do; instead, Dishonest Donald speaks of choosing other people to run the country, and of having American companies exploit Venezuela’s oil resources. It is also unfortunate, and unconstitutional, that he launched a war of choice without seeking a declaration or war or other authorization from Congress.

I can picture Venezuelans who are not fond of Maduro rallying to his side, or his vice president’s, in response to such blatant Yanqui imperialismo, and I can sympathize with them. If Trump proceeds with his plans, I can see people waging guerrilla war against occupying U.S. forces, and sabotaging attempts to extract and transport oil. Imperialism may well be rendered unprofitable as well as disgraceful. Some Republican congressmen are pro-Trump; others, whatever their private opinions, are afraid of being primaried, and afraid of what MAGATs may do to them or their families; otherwise, Trump would be impeached, convicted, and removed from office in short order. Vance could be given a blunt message that he can govern in accordance with the Constitution, or be removed in turn. If only.

Comments

[thewayne]

I love Little Marco going on his little press junket saying 'We couldn't inform Congress because there would be leaks, besides it was just a quick strike, not an invasion.'

If it's not an invasion, then why are WE controlling the country, and WE are going to decide who runs it?

Kind of sounds like not a quick strike.

[selenite0]

Given that we left zero troops in the country, it seems "occupation" doesn't apply, let alone "imperialism."

As for "war of choice" . . . the opposite of that is a war of the enemy's choice. I am opposed to allowing our enemies to hold the initiative. We should only fight wars of choice.

[ndrosen]

A war of choice may be justifiable in some cases, but the Constitution gives Congress the authority to declare war, and also to grant letters of Marque and Reprisal; one could argue that military and naval actions without an actual declaration of war are the modern equivalent. If the president had ordered U.S. armed forces to respond to an attack by Venezuela, I would not blame him.

[ndrosen]

And, as I should have said earlier, the opposite of “war of choice” may be “war of the enemy’s choice,” but it may also be “peace.” Determining which situation you face can be a difficult exercise in prudential judgment.