Paul L
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onepaul.bsky.social
Paul L
@onepaul.bsky.social
Free, Independent, One World
Argue ideas, not intent. Trolls and intent‑policers get blocked.
A standard reaction: declare a state of emergency ensureing no protests for democracy can happen and muzzle the press while setting up pro-regime "spontaneous" manifestations.
The regime in #Venezuela is doing everything by the book.
#FreePress
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Venezuelan security forces detain journalists from foreign news organisations
Venezuelans describe their fear of speaking out as 14 media workers are detained and police check people's social media.
www.bbc.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:58 AM
#Maduro relied on Cuban bodyguards like #FidelCastro relied on Soviet ones.
A dictator fears the enemy within as much as the one from abroad.
32 out of 56 means over 60% of casualties are Cuban.
#Maduro was groomed and inspired by the Castro's he trusted
#Cuba #Venezuela
www.bbc.com/news/live/cw...
Venezuela latest: Trump says 'many' Cuban soldiers killed in Caracas raid but calls operation 'brilliant'
It comes after Nicolás Maduro and his wife were seized from Caracas and flown to the US. They have since appeared at a New York court.
www.bbc.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:54 AM
#MariaCorinaMachado is right.
Her coalition got the overwhelming vote if the people of #Veneziela. #Maduro and #Trump have no right to impose a dictatorship on #Venezuela for their economic and dogmatic benefit.
Trump hates her just because she got the Nobel prize.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Nobel winner Maria Machado says her coalition should lead Venezuela
President Trump has publicly dismissed the Nobel winner Machado saying she doesn't have local support and respect.
www.bbc.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:43 AM
#Putin knows #Trump fears him. He has started him down in #Ukraine and made him cave-in using the fool ##SteveWitkoff as his tool.
He humiliated Trump in #Europe, now he is calling his bluff in #Venezuela.
A clear military message from Putin: I do what I want.
#Russia
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Russia sends navy to guard oil tanker being pursued by US forces
US officials say that American forces plan to seize the Russian-flagged ship, which is accused of breaking sanctions.
www.bbc.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Good leadership is based on principles and steadfast.
#Trump is amoral and erratic.
As such he is unsuitable as leader of both the #USA and the West.
He fears the stronger nations and preys on the weaker.
A bad partner for #Europe.
#Ukraine #Greenland
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Chris Mason: UK grapples with new era of US unpredictability
This week has seen two case studies in how Europe is trying to bind the US into its future, writes the BBC's political editor.
www.bbc.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:32 AM
#Zelensky needs to regain the trust of the people of #Ukraine and #Europe.
He needs to deny #Putin propaganda opportunities and #Trump excuses over issues with his government.
So clarity is needed and apparently lacking in some cases.
#Ukrainewar #SBU
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Zelensky replaces Ukraine's powerful security service leadership
The Ukrainian president has come under heavy criticism for his reshuffling of one the country's most successful security agencies.
www.bbc.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:27 AM
A red line as far as #Putin is concerned. #Russia wants no #NATO nation to have boots on tbe ground.
For #Ukraine it is not enough.
Without a treaty based security guarantee from the #USA #Trump can just abandon everyone.
#UK #France #Europe
www.bbc.com/news/article...
UK and France to send troops to Ukraine if peace deal agreed with Russia
The announcement was made by UK PM Sir Keir Starmer after a meeting of Ukraine's allies in Paris.
www.bbc.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:01 AM
#Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.
As #Denmark is part of the #NATO defensive alliance and the #USA already has the military bases it needs under international agreements there is no "national security" problem.
Without NATO #Europe needs it for its security.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
US discussing options to acquire Greenland, including use of military - White House
It came as European allies rallied behind Denmark, which is pushing back against Trump's ambitions for the Arctic island.
www.bbc.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:51 AM
For #Trump it always has to be about Trump.
How pathetic is it to see a supposed president acting in such childish way.
#Venezuela #Maduro
www.bbc.com/news/videos/...
Watch: Trump says Maduro copied his dance moves. Did he?
The US president on Tuesday claimed the ousted Venezuelan leader imitated his moves. Here's a side-by-side look at both men's dancing.
www.bbc.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:07 AM
#Trump is distracted. #Putin must be very happy as he sees how the deadlock he and Trump created is blocking a ceasefire and any hope of peace.
If he wanted to destroy he couldn't do any better than what he is narrow-mindedly is doing right now.
#Ukraine #Europe
www.bbc.com/news/article...
The painful questions for Nato and the EU if Trump takes Greenland
The White House has said that 'utilising the ‌US military is ‍always an option at the commander-in-chief's disposal'
www.bbc.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:03 AM
#Trump is as vile as it can get.
He just is giving himself $3.2Bn to spend as he wants. Spending it in #Venezuela will not get him votes so most will end up in the US or in projects he can benefit from.
With every demand he is making a solution harder.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Trump says Venezuela will be 'turning over' up to 50m barrels of oil to US
Earlier the president said US oil firms could be "up and running" in the country within 18 months.
www.bbc.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:59 AM
#MarkKelly, a respected veteran that reminded US soldiers of the military law on illegal orders is given a blemish on his record by "secondary strike" and blabbermouth #PeteHegseth and is threatened with more sanctions ?
#Heghseth and #Trump that are stains on the US
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/u...
Hegseth Starts Proceedings Against Sen. Mark Kelly Over His Remarks
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:35 PM
So because they think #Trump encouraged them to march on and eventually storm the #Capitol destroying, rampaging, attacking and even killing people these rioters feel he owes them not just impunity but also a cash payment.
Maybe #Jan6 veteran pension as well?
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/u...
For Many Jan. 6 Rioters, a Pardon From Trump Wasn’t Enough
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:26 PM
The depravity of the #Trump regime that out of political spite deprives millions of people of in #California, #Colorado, #Illinois, #Minnesota and #NewYork of child benefits and other #childcare subsidies, social services and cash support for low-income families.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
Health Dept. to Freeze $10 Billion in Funding to 5 Democratic States
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:17 PM
I wonder why #StephenMiller, an evil spirit of #Trump, thinks that #Greenland "rightfully" belongs to the #USA?
Why should Trump think he can "seize" it from #Denmark?
Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, not to a bunch of power and raw materials hungry imperialists
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/u...
Stephen Miller Asserts U.S. Has Right to Take Greenland
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:08 PM
#Trump clearly isn't after regime change in #Venezuela. He has no intention to help the democratic forces that won the election to take its rightful place as government.
It's all about oil and how to get part of the riches of Venezuela.
#NoKings
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/o...
Opinion | Don’t Call It Regime Change. This Is Something Else Entirely.
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:38 PM
The era of historic peace the author refers to is a bit of a romantic exaggerration.
International law has been broken over and over again.
From #Tibet to #Ukraine to name two.
What has changed is that the #USA now has a complete amoral man in the #WhiteHouse.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/o...
Opinion | The Great Unraveling Has Begun
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Oil and self-glorification for a bullyboy to start with.
#Trump wants to create a legacy of success.
He also needs to divert attention from both domestic and international failures.
The oil lobby has supported him, so they need rewarding.
#Venezuela was an easy target
www.nytimes.com/video/opinio...
Video: Opinion | What Trump Wants in Venezuela
The journalist Jonathan Blitzer explains the various interests and factions at play in the Trump administration’s strike against Venezuela.
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:07 PM
#Trump is on a well prepared campaign to eradicate any element of the wide mix of cultures that make the US a rich and divers society.
His aim is to reduce freedom in cultural expression to one standardized format of a retro and idealized version.
#CultureWar
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/o...
Opinion | The Trump Revolution Is Going Much Further Than We Realize
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Everyone knows by know #Trump lives in his own fantasy world.
Imaginary peace that only exist for the photo opportunity.
Economic achievements that never exist
Now he sees himself as the conqueror that has slain the enemy king and expects the peasants to submit to him
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/o...
Opinion | Trump Is Falling for a Trap We Can All See Coming
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:43 PM
#CBS and #BariWeiss have are submitting to the implicit Schriftleitergesetz of the #Trump regime.
Factual reporting considered "anti-Trump" will be banned.
Part of the agreed price (in addition to the $16M) for the #Skydance #Paramount merger apparently.
#PressFreedom
newrepublic.com/article/2049...
Bari Weiss Is Dead Wrong—Good Journalism Isn’t About Being Pro-America
The CBS boss and her new evening anchor have released new “principles.” Among them: “We Love America.” They have no understanding of journalism—but they sure know where their bread is buttered.
newrepublic.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:26 PM
#Trump is a vindictive man.
The fact #MariaCorinaMachado got the #NobelPeacePrize infuriated him.
She tried to defuse the situation by calling him "more worthy", but Trump still prefers a deal with the current regime.
Now she offers him the medal as bribe.
newrepublic.com/post/204969/...
Nobel Winner Offers to Give Trump Her Prize After He Rejected Her
Donald Trump had passed over María Corina Machado as Venezuela’s interim leader.
newrepublic.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:30 PM
The cost to rebuild the oil production system in #Venezuela is high but just part of the total cost.
But the cost to the reputation of the #USA is tremendous.
#Trump used drugs and terrorism as excuse and shamelessly admitted it was about oil and not even democracy.
newrepublic.com/article/2049...
Taking Venezuela’s Oil Won’t Come Cheap
If you remember the second Iraq War, you know how this story ends.
newrepublic.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Under #Trump the extreme right is increasing its power fueled by dogma and greed.
The #DHS is run by #KristiNoem who thinks Habeas Corpus is the right to put people in jail without trial. #PamBondi abuses the #DOJ for revenge.
Wars are started for the oil lobby.
newrepublic.com/article/2049...
The Far Right Is Quietly Building Power Under Trump
Extremist groups are some of the biggest winners of the second Trump administration.
newrepublic.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:22 PM
The "drugs cartel" now becomes a "patronage system".
A patronage system cannot be a terrorist organization. It isn't van smuggling ring, it is a corrupt state system.
#Maduro copied the #Castro system that allowed #Cuba to be used as a transshipment base for drugs.
newrepublic.com/post/204966/...
Trump’s DOJ Quietly Changes Crucial Detail in Charges Against Maduro
The Venezuelan president originally was charged with running a drug cartel.
newrepublic.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:36 PM