Banana Republic Newsflash

[Sigma_Orionis]

Wouldn't be surprised in the least.

[Sigma_Orionis]

And now we have another blackout...

[Sigma_Orionis]

Power just came back on.

Radio was wall-to-wall government propaganda.

[SciFiFisher]

too bad you don't have a solar power set up.

[geonuc]

Power just came back on.

Radio was wall-to-wall government propaganda.

Imperialist Americans screwing with the power grid again?

[Sigma_Orionis]

Power just came back on.

Radio was wall-to-wall government propaganda.

Imperialist Americans screwing with the power grid again?

Oh yeah, "Electro-Magnetic Attack by the Evil Imperial Imperialist Gringo Empire"

[Sigma_Orionis]

too bad you don't have a solar power set up.

I can't even imagine how much that would cost. Solar Power is not all that popular 'round here...

[Sigma_Orionis]

Up till not too long ago, this guy was our vice-president.

[Thumper]

Seems like a nice enough guy.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Oh yeah. Standup guy, Pillar of the Community kinda' guy

[SciFiFisher]

He loves his mother.

[geonuc]

ICE probably just wants to have a chat with him to get ideas. He seems expert in fucking over a country.

[Thumper]

Wrenching babies out of the arms of mothers who have parking violations and putting them in cages can get boring. They wanted to try something new.

[Sigma_Orionis]

IF all ICE wants is to throw his ass in Jail, It would be an improvement for everyone. IF OTOH they want to hire him as a consultant....

[SciFiFisher]

IF all ICE wants is to throw his ass in Jail, It would be an improvement for everyone. IF OTOH they want to hire him as a consultant....

They can't afford his rates. They have a wall to fund.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Just read the results of a poll at a local newspaper

70,4% Blames Maduro and his government for the current crisis. 4.3% blames private industry (a frequent target of Maduro's) 4% blames the opposition only 3.2% blames "The Empire".

And this is where it gets confusing

The role of the US and allies in dealing with our crisis is viewed favorably by 30.8% of the polled. 19.4 want Maduro to resign, 17% favors elections while Maduro is still in power, 13% would support a military coup and 12,3% favors the current Norway sponsored negotiations.

Oh yeah, 70% of those polled who favor the opposition (28,5% of those polled) thinks the only way out is through force. Those favoring the government prefer elections and negotiations.

And just to start the week well: Trump freezes all Venezuelan government assets in bid to pressure Maduro

[geonuc]

Do you have confidence those poll numbers accurately reflect the populace? Some polls are bullshit.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Do you have confidence those poll numbers accurately reflect the populace? Some polls are bullshit.

Dunno, It was published in an opposition newspaper that has plenty of scores to settle with Maduro (its CEO had to flee the country) However, before the current debacle it was considered one of the most trustworthy papers in the country.

[Sigma_Orionis]

I tend to trust Michael Shifter when he talks about Venezuela. Which is why this worries me a lot: ‘It Worked in Panama.’ This Is Not True.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Oh Brother

[SciFiFisher]

Oh Brother

I am sure someone loyal to Maduro can read the news. What could possibly go wrong?

[geonuc]

The U.S. has made secret contact with Venezuela’s socialist party boss ...

Secret?

[Thumper]

"I don't think that word means what you think it means."

[Sigma_Orionis]

Oh yeah.

[SciFiFisher]

If this were any other U.S. administration I would say it was a disinformation campaign intended to make the Maduro regime even more unstable. But, I don't think the current set of clowns have that type of smarts.