The demonization dog and pony show.

 JUSTIFYING ACTION ON VENEZUELA

THREAT, PLUNDER OR JUST NEEDING A WIN

We are now witnessing the parade of talking heads, demonizing everything Venezuela and it leader Maduro. It is reminiscent of the same tactics we have witnessed many time over the last few decades. From Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Russia, Libya and now Venezuela. All the reasons to justify a military attack and a hoped for regime change operation. In every instance that this has been perpetuated, it has ended in disaster for the people of those countries, even while claiming victory.  

Are the people better off in Iraq, Syria and Libya? Has the U.S. national security actually been preserved and enhanced? Is Ukraine now in better place than before the U.S. funded and aided revolution in 2014? Is Russia now weaker and less of a challenger to the U.S. since our decades of demonization? We have witnessed similar tactics concerning Iran, the supposed major funder of international terrorism, which is a lie. Every President since George Bush 11 has been coaxed and chided into attacking Iran, so far, all have decided to pass. Is Iran an actual threat to U.S. national security? Is Venezuela? 

The U.S. citizens and the world have all seen this theatrical escalation to justify wars and death and destruction without any redeeming result, at least not in the national interest, but likely in the interest of some special interest. Whether it was for the plunder of the oil reserves in Libya and Iraq or the wish list of a middle east ally. These all have ended with disaster for the people of those countries and may continue for several more generations.  In fact, this pattern has eroded U.S. standing in the world, contributed to an escalating debt and imperiled the economic future of our people. 

Donald Trump's instincts wanted to stop this pattern of forever war, so far he has avoided plunging the U.S. into another participation in a major war. We can all see the immense pressure from within and without for the U.S. to take part in military action in many places. Can he say no to Venezuela?

Of course there are those who seek to plunder the resources of Venezuela, all which could readily be bought on the open market to the benefit of all. Then there are those who understand that protracted conflict in Venezuela and South America will be very damaging to Trump's hope of reform at home and his standing in the world.

Then, maybe it is just a hope for some sort of win, similar to Panama and Granada, rather than the risk associated with war in Iran. Trump still has some time to get out of this possible fiasco, but the clock is ticking, the cash register is ringing with costs associated with these forces standing by and the pressure is likely extreme by many factions to pull the trigger. It may be another defining moment in Trump's legacy.