Thursday, April 4, 2019
Checkmate in Venezuela
There’s a lot of gnashing of teeth about Russian and Chinese troops being stationed in Venezuela. National Security Advisor Ambassador John Bolton is having kittens over the whole thing.
Okay, first of all, John Bolton should have gone to prison for his efforts to get us into the second Iraq war. Anyone remember the non-existent weapons of mass destruction? Why he’s got a position of power in this administration is beyond me. That’s just my opinion.
The limited number of Russian and Chinese troops can’t actually provide much of a military threat. What they can do is act as a tripwire. If US troops invade and start killing Russian and/or Chinese troops things could escalate dramatically. The foreign troops in Venezuela basically provide the same guarantees that US troops in Berlin did during the Cold War. They aren’t strong enough to be much of a threat, but there’s enough of them that they could get killed and incite the folks back home.
US moves in Venezuela have been blocked. It’s checkmate unless some idiot decides to risk WWIII. The smart move for the US here is take our lumps and walk away.
Something of concern closer to home is the flooding in the Midwest. Early indications are that food production in the region will suffer greatly. Expect food prices to go up. They probably won’t go up in a hyperinflation spiral. That’s where a three dollar loaf of bread is suddenly a hundred dollars or more. What we are more likely to see is that three dollar bread rising in price to six dollars. That’s high, but not the end of the world.
It’s not just grains, of course, but all the farm animals that rely on those feeds. Maybe it won’t be as bad as feared. There’s also the chance that good harvests in other parts of the country could help keep prices down. Over the next few months it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on the sales and stock up your pantry and freezer if you can. You might be able to put off the impact of price increases. Every little bit helps.
Of course, if the US decides to have a little South American military adventure, you’ll be glad you’ve got a well stocked pantry.
-Sixbears
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
"The smart move is..." Honestly, how often do you see people in government doing that?
ReplyDeleteHow often indeed. I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.
Delete. . . sometimes . . .
Notice how the US only "spreads Democracy" in those countries with OIL?
ReplyDeleteBolton is the ultimate war-monger.
How many countries have the misfortune to be sitting on top of US oil?
DeleteSixbears, prices are already going up. Meat prices in Wal-Mart seen yesterday appear to be about 50% higher than last week. Beef - chicken - pork across the board.
ReplyDeleteThe threat of loss of Mexican produce was also noticed - higher bell pepper and avocados were really high. Meat can be frozen or canned so get it while you can. I'm glad I have venison already in the freezer - good to know a local outdoorsy person who has meat and fish to go around.
Definitely going to be eating more local fish this year.
DeletePoint of order, Sixbears. Saddam Hussein had WMD's and he used them on the Kurds. He publicly promised to use them on others all the time. We know he had others because we and our allies sold them to him. Do you remember convoy after convoy after convoy of covered military trucks driving past the UN inspectors without stopping? Do you know what was on those trucks? Do you know where they went? Saddam Hussein was a clear and present danger to the US, Israel, Kuwait, Iran, Britain and no bones about it. Bolton can't sleep at night because he is probably wondering where that material went, and who has it today.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me how millions of otherwise intelligent Americans think that the USA is the only unethical country in the world. Global geopolitics is a nasty game with murderous players. If you don't get in the game, then the game comes for you - as it doing right now in Venezuela. If you think being a vassal to China is the same as being a vassal to America, you have some growing up to do.
Yes, he gassed the Kurds and it was a terrible crime against humanity. However, there's a big difference between being able to distribute industrial gasses and building nuclear weapons. Yellow cake anyone?
DeleteStill pretty sure Bolton is a criminal. Still feel like friends and family died or suffered in an unnecessary war.
Just because other countries are unethical does not give us permission to be bad actors ourselves. Our ideals say we are better than that so our actions should be more in line with our ethics. A better world has to start somewhere. I feel sorry for those who think nastiness is the only way to act on the global stage.
Big article at Moon of Alabama yesterday that debunked Chinese troops being in Venezuela.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.moonofalabama.org/2019/04/no-chinese-troops-arrived-in-venezuela-.html#more
Sure don't get why Bolton is in the cabinet- he's the reason that the latest Trump/Rocketman summit failed.
This recent flooding event will end up having a huge cost. At least one million calves died, that will really hurt and the land has to be ready for planting by certain dates to get insured- big problems ahead.
Well, the Russians are real enough. Food issues can get out of hand quickly.
DeleteHeck -- bread up a few dollars? Our food co-op is out of oat groats, certain grains and many other items and even some bread shortages. It's not even a matter of price, but availability.
ReplyDeleteWell that was quick.
DeleteGuess all us Preppers are not as crazy as it was first thought. Shortages can come at any time.
ReplyDeleteYou never know what's going to happen. However, you do know that in the future you'll want to eat, have shelter, good water, and security.
Delete