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