Michael Fletcher
@mefletcher54.bsky.social
Retired Intelligence Analyst. Cold War era US Army Vet. Fairly familiar with System Dynamics and History. Personal eccentricities: Scadian KSCA, USCF NM&LM. Details and periodic commentary at http://mefletcher.blogspot.com/
Pinned
Does Congress even have a Red Line for impeaching and removing Trump?
Context As a process, impeachment and removal of a President has been a weak hitter. It barely hits its weight. There have been five seriou...
mefletcher.blogspot.com
Does Congress even have a Red Line for impeaching and removing Trump?
mefletcher.blogspot.com/2026/01/does...
mefletcher.blogspot.com/2026/01/does...
Comedy is always best when it references an underlying truth that we may be uncomfortable confronting.
January 5, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Comedy is always best when it references an underlying truth that we may be uncomfortable confronting.
Does Congress even have a Red Line for impeaching and removing Trump?
mefletcher.blogspot.com/2026/01/does...
mefletcher.blogspot.com/2026/01/does...
Does Congress even have a Red Line for impeaching and removing Trump?
Context As a process, impeachment and removal of a President has been a weak hitter. It barely hits its weight. There have been five seriou...
mefletcher.blogspot.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Does Congress even have a Red Line for impeaching and removing Trump?
mefletcher.blogspot.com/2026/01/does...
mefletcher.blogspot.com/2026/01/does...
We already have. The US, with all its flaws, was a linchpin in some modicum of an international order (even though we often violated its tenants in pursuit of Kissingerian national self-interests).
The US crossing toe aisle to play with Team Autocracy is a sea change. Things could unravel fast.
The US crossing toe aisle to play with Team Autocracy is a sea change. Things could unravel fast.
We know Obama is intelligent and read his briefings. We know the people around him were qualified. And it still was a disaster.
These clowns are some of the most anti-intelligent, anti-intellectually curious, unqualified leaders in our nation’s history. We are about to destabilize the world.
These clowns are some of the most anti-intelligent, anti-intellectually curious, unqualified leaders in our nation’s history. We are about to destabilize the world.
January 5, 2026 at 10:32 AM
We already have. The US, with all its flaws, was a linchpin in some modicum of an international order (even though we often violated its tenants in pursuit of Kissingerian national self-interests).
The US crossing toe aisle to play with Team Autocracy is a sea change. Things could unravel fast.
The US crossing toe aisle to play with Team Autocracy is a sea change. Things could unravel fast.
After Poland, who's next? Hitler spurs speculation about his plans for France, Britain and the Netherlands.
There is still time to stop this rampage of Mad King Donald America, but time is rapidly running out.
apnews.com/article/trum...
There is still time to stop this rampage of Mad King Donald America, but time is rapidly running out.
apnews.com/article/trum...
After Maduro, who's next? Trump spurs speculation about his plans for Greenland, Cuba and Colombia
A day after the ouster of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump is renewing his calls for an American takeover of the Danish territory of Greenland and is threatening Colombia with milita...
apnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:38 AM
After Poland, who's next? Hitler spurs speculation about his plans for France, Britain and the Netherlands.
There is still time to stop this rampage of Mad King Donald America, but time is rapidly running out.
apnews.com/article/trum...
There is still time to stop this rampage of Mad King Donald America, but time is rapidly running out.
apnews.com/article/trum...
The tragic fact is that the US is inured to mass death.
The steady drumbeat of gun deaths in the US adds up to a number greater than all the military deaths in all US Wars. School shootings are now routine. No actions result.
/1
The steady drumbeat of gun deaths in the US adds up to a number greater than all the military deaths in all US Wars. School shootings are now routine. No actions result.
/1
The death toll is now 80? I know the pandemic made life cheap amid mass death, but 80 dead is staggering
Other people are real and the United States should not murder them
January 5, 2026 at 9:31 AM
The tragic fact is that the US is inured to mass death.
The steady drumbeat of gun deaths in the US adds up to a number greater than all the military deaths in all US Wars. School shootings are now routine. No actions result.
/1
The steady drumbeat of gun deaths in the US adds up to a number greater than all the military deaths in all US Wars. School shootings are now routine. No actions result.
/1
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
The Epstein Files Transparency Act is a law, passed by Congress on November 19 with an overwhelming vote. Complying with it was not optional. The Department of Justice did not comply.
I want to make sure this is very clear.
I want to make sure this is very clear.
January 4, 2026 at 6:18 PM
The Epstein Files Transparency Act is a law, passed by Congress on November 19 with an overwhelming vote. Complying with it was not optional. The Department of Justice did not comply.
I want to make sure this is very clear.
I want to make sure this is very clear.
The best laid plans of mice and men.....
It's almost amusing to think that Putin helped bring Trump to power to unwind the US, but things are moving so fast and Trump is degenerating so quickly that he could end up unwinding the world, which, the last time I checked, includes Putin.
It's almost amusing to think that Putin helped bring Trump to power to unwind the US, but things are moving so fast and Trump is degenerating so quickly that he could end up unwinding the world, which, the last time I checked, includes Putin.
We know Obama is intelligent and read his briefings. We know the people around him were qualified. And it still was a disaster.
These clowns are some of the most anti-intelligent, anti-intellectually curious, unqualified leaders in our nation’s history. We are about to destabilize the world.
These clowns are some of the most anti-intelligent, anti-intellectually curious, unqualified leaders in our nation’s history. We are about to destabilize the world.
January 4, 2026 at 11:20 PM
The best laid plans of mice and men.....
It's almost amusing to think that Putin helped bring Trump to power to unwind the US, but things are moving so fast and Trump is degenerating so quickly that he could end up unwinding the world, which, the last time I checked, includes Putin.
It's almost amusing to think that Putin helped bring Trump to power to unwind the US, but things are moving so fast and Trump is degenerating so quickly that he could end up unwinding the world, which, the last time I checked, includes Putin.
Ah yes, history. Meddling in the affairs of other nations, especially with a bloody hammer, almost always has negative unintended consequences.
ISIS would not have come into existence without Bush's Invasion of Iraq. /1
ISIS would not have come into existence without Bush's Invasion of Iraq. /1
Nixon insisted the bombing of Cambodia was just targeting Viet Cong outposts there and not meant to undermine its government, but the bombings destabilized the Lon Nol government and paved the way for the Khmer Rouge’s killing fields and the massacre of more than a million people.
NBC's sources said that "the potential mission in Mexico is not designed to undermine the Mexican government." But that's what it will do if the US is doing CIA drone strikes on Mexican soil over the objections of the president.
January 4, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Ah yes, history. Meddling in the affairs of other nations, especially with a bloody hammer, almost always has negative unintended consequences.
ISIS would not have come into existence without Bush's Invasion of Iraq. /1
ISIS would not have come into existence without Bush's Invasion of Iraq. /1
She didn't call for Trump and Hegseth to be impeached and removed. A fail for Harris.
January 4, 2026 at 5:26 PM
She didn't call for Trump and Hegseth to be impeached and removed. A fail for Harris.
An oldie but goodie.
January 4, 2026 at 2:59 PM
An oldie but goodie.
I know I'm nitpicking here, but Congress definitely could stop him. 😎
Watch this. Watch again.
"This incredible thing last night... We have to do it again [in other countries]. We can do it again, too. Nobody can stop us."
"This incredible thing last night... We have to do it again [in other countries]. We can do it again, too. Nobody can stop us."
January 4, 2026 at 2:57 PM
I know I'm nitpicking here, but Congress definitely could stop him. 😎
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
New euphemism for "bottomless corruption and naked abuses of power" just dropped
January 4, 2026 at 11:35 AM
New euphemism for "bottomless corruption and naked abuses of power" just dropped
The Trump carpetbaggers didn't waste any time. It's almost like they knew in advance.... 😎
And there ya have it…
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Finance Industry Eyes Investment Opportunities in Venezuela
Some on Wall Street are already considering possible investment opportunities in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, according to Charles Myers, chairman of consulting firm Signum Globa...
www.wsj.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:08 PM
The Trump carpetbaggers didn't waste any time. It's almost like they knew in advance.... 😎
Being run by Canada for a bit? Given what we have, it doesn't sound bad. At least we wouldn't have a pay-out-the-nose for worst in class outcomes healthcare system.
Hopefully they have forgotten about the War of 1812 and "54°40′ or fight" misunderstandings. I hope they don't hold a grudge. 😎
Hopefully they have forgotten about the War of 1812 and "54°40′ or fight" misunderstandings. I hope they don't hold a grudge. 😎
January 4, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Being run by Canada for a bit? Given what we have, it doesn't sound bad. At least we wouldn't have a pay-out-the-nose for worst in class outcomes healthcare system.
Hopefully they have forgotten about the War of 1812 and "54°40′ or fight" misunderstandings. I hope they don't hold a grudge. 😎
Hopefully they have forgotten about the War of 1812 and "54°40′ or fight" misunderstandings. I hope they don't hold a grudge. 😎
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
The US invasion of Venezuela is against international law and it is against US law. It represents a monumental breakdown of rules-based order. Failure to condemn it in the strongest terms possible – and failure to impeach and convict Trump is to be complicit with his barbarism and despotism.
January 4, 2026 at 3:58 AM
The US invasion of Venezuela is against international law and it is against US law. It represents a monumental breakdown of rules-based order. Failure to condemn it in the strongest terms possible – and failure to impeach and convict Trump is to be complicit with his barbarism and despotism.
Externally forced regime change by the USA has not been effective since World War II. Germany and Japan were unique cases. Unfortunately, the Mush-For-Brains in the US FP establishment then latched onto the idee fixe that regime change efforts can work and practically became the go-to strategy /1
What I am reading is that VENEZUELA is divided. Some pro Maduro half pro change.
RIPE for a civil war that the US would cause
RIPE for a civil war that the US would cause
January 4, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Externally forced regime change by the USA has not been effective since World War II. Germany and Japan were unique cases. Unfortunately, the Mush-For-Brains in the US FP establishment then latched onto the idee fixe that regime change efforts can work and practically became the go-to strategy /1
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
It would be so cool if the United States Congress still existed.
January 4, 2026 at 5:04 AM
It would be so cool if the United States Congress still existed.
I can't wait for Denmark to invoke NATO Article 5 against the US if Trump wakes up one morning and decides that Greenland is in dire need of immediate regime change.
January 4, 2026 at 10:07 AM
I can't wait for Denmark to invoke NATO Article 5 against the US if Trump wakes up one morning and decides that Greenland is in dire need of immediate regime change.
[Sarcasm On] I'm sure the nations of Central and South America are much relieved that the US has decided to interfere in their internal affairs once again, and are very appreciative of the arrogant, paternalistic, ham-handed, mercantile Neo-colonialist to their north.
Given our incredible track record of regime changes e.g. Iran (wtf to fubar), Iraq (Saddam to ISIS), Afghanistan (Taliban to Taliban), I’m sure Venezuelans feel pretty good about their prospects.
January 4, 2026 at 10:02 AM
[Sarcasm On] I'm sure the nations of Central and South America are much relieved that the US has decided to interfere in their internal affairs once again, and are very appreciative of the arrogant, paternalistic, ham-handed, mercantile Neo-colonialist to their north.
👇 Exactly.
In short the Democratic leadership is failing badly. They need to get their heads out of their asses fast or be replaced by people who can act as the moment demands.
In short the Democratic leadership is failing badly. They need to get their heads out of their asses fast or be replaced by people who can act as the moment demands.
Democratic leadership badly fumbling the response so far. Shocking right?
They’re denouncing Trump but it’s usually around the sixth paragraph. Enough throat clearing. The president is out of control and the opposition party needs to act like it.
They’re denouncing Trump but it’s usually around the sixth paragraph. Enough throat clearing. The president is out of control and the opposition party needs to act like it.
January 4, 2026 at 9:47 AM
👇 Exactly.
In short the Democratic leadership is failing badly. They need to get their heads out of their asses fast or be replaced by people who can act as the moment demands.
In short the Democratic leadership is failing badly. They need to get their heads out of their asses fast or be replaced by people who can act as the moment demands.
It's difficult to imagine a scenario worse than the Trump Administration making things up as they go along.
George W. Bush winged it in Iraq after the invasion. The State Dept. spent months coming up with plans on how to govern following the US attack. The White House and DoD ignored them. And there’s no way Trump admin. devoted months-or weeks-to preparing for an occupation of Venezuela.
"My strong assumption is that they now seem to be totally winging it," writes @joshtpm.bsky.social about Trump's assertion that the U.S. will now "run" Venezuela.
January 3, 2026 at 10:46 PM
It's difficult to imagine a scenario worse than the Trump Administration making things up as they go along.
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
Expect to see a lot of this classic Onion headline, from 23 years ago, over the coming weeks.
January 3, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Expect to see a lot of this classic Onion headline, from 23 years ago, over the coming weeks.
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
Blows my mind that some of the same journalists who see Trump as a want-to-be dictator at home are earnestly discussing the "challenges" for this same man to "bring democracy" to a country it just illegal invaded. Please grow up.
January 3, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Blows my mind that some of the same journalists who see Trump as a want-to-be dictator at home are earnestly discussing the "challenges" for this same man to "bring democracy" to a country it just illegal invaded. Please grow up.
Just one historical example:
The Falkland War was a result of the unpopular Argentinian Junta making the fateful decision to undertake a military adventure to take the islands. They suffered a humiliating defeat, which contributed to their ouster 18 months later.
The Falkland War was a result of the unpopular Argentinian Junta making the fateful decision to undertake a military adventure to take the islands. They suffered a humiliating defeat, which contributed to their ouster 18 months later.
It's an old and obvious pattern. An unpopular president - failing on the economy and losing his grip on power at home - decides to launch a war for regime change abroad.
The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.
The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.
January 3, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Just one historical example:
The Falkland War was a result of the unpopular Argentinian Junta making the fateful decision to undertake a military adventure to take the islands. They suffered a humiliating defeat, which contributed to their ouster 18 months later.
The Falkland War was a result of the unpopular Argentinian Junta making the fateful decision to undertake a military adventure to take the islands. They suffered a humiliating defeat, which contributed to their ouster 18 months later.
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
The House Armed Services Committee also was not briefed, I've confirmed.
News: Gang of Eight in Congress were only notified about Trump's Venezuela operation after it began, source familiar tells me. That means the heads of the Intelligence Committees in Senate and House were *not* consulted. Just crazy.
January 3, 2026 at 3:58 PM
The House Armed Services Committee also was not briefed, I've confirmed.