Again I say, let's extrapolate Trump's saber rattling to the actual Cuban condition and what might be "achieved." I'm Cuban American, and my family home was nationalized when Castro took power; relatives were allowed to live there because they supported the Communist government, likely in name not deed. All we had was a Havana apartment; other Cuban Americans lost much more, and the hardliners have been voting in America for those promising to restore their riches for decades on end. Now, with Marco Rubio a step away from fulfilling that goal, let's ask: What the hell for?
Cuba's economy is in freefall. What would regaining land do for expatriates? Do you think the Miami contingent in any way wants to return to live in Cuba? What value would property with no infrastructure have? How stable would assets really be if the U.S. begins what would be a series of regime changes? It's ridiculous. A pipe dream. What they really want is revenge. Now, do the majority of Americans not of Cuban heritage want to fund a revenge scheme for Marco Rubio's angry pals? Yesterday Trump suggested Rubio could helm Cuba. For what? Do you think that sycophant wants to take responsibility for an impoverished and unstable country? What a fckng joke.
Yesterday I read that this flurry of "Mine! Mine! Mine!" is a sign that Trump, a malignant narcissist and sociopath, is addicted to increasing power. The sociopaths who surround him know he's easy pickings for exploitation. That is all.
Contrarians are so lucky to benefit from this wide ranging interview with Jen asking the probing questions and Rep. Smith responding from his deep knowledge of foreign affairs.
Perhaps a favorite statement from Rep. Smith was, "Autocracy vs. democracy. Which side are we on. Not really a question any more."
Also appreciated that Rep. Smith reminded us that the history of US foreign involvement is complicated and not always pretty. As Castro being the consequence of US government and corporate support of Cuban dictator Batista. As Iran theocracy being the result of US support of the Shah. And appreciated Rep Smith being. straight with his Iranian constituents that the US is not in the regime change business. Simplified version.
That said, I'm a pie-in-the-sky idealist and still find jarring the world view of an unapologetic realpolitik. I'm old enough and have read enough history to think of myself as not naive. But I still hope from my leaders an aspirational ideology. So instead of "at least some respect for their sovereignty and the people who live there", an unassailable respect. How about outrage instead of a shrug at the possibility that within the next week this government will land 500 marines in Greenland and start bombing Iran.
I do believe the minority Democrats can do more right now than respond with a shrug. But when in power, hopefully as soon as 2026, I absolutely expect explosive action from Democrats. That action should include ruthless prosecution of all the wrong doers from the current government. I do not agree with Rep Smith that Democrats should not punish oil companies who are complicit with stealing Venezuelan oil. Punishment is not an abuse of power. It is the exercise of power. And I fervently hope Democrats will use it.
Despite Trump's erratic and motivational stances on actions taken globally -(meaning if there were some means of grift for himself or if there were some retribution involved), there is some merit to taking action against the current Iranian regime. Recently, in 2024 or 2025, 2,000 protestors were hanged. The regime has promised to escalate the numbers to use horror as a means of control. If there were any time for American forces to become involved in saving innocent lives, now is the time. Having lived in Tehran and taught English there, from what I observed, Iranians just want to be able to live their lives like anyone else. Freedom is precious. One particular analyst on PBS reported tonight that what may be the perfectly rational reason for considering Greenland a vital interest for America is the lack of polar ice that would allow Russian and Chinese war ships to enter American waters - especially since the two nations have been working closely militarily. That consideration notwithstanding, it would be in the best interest of America to regain Iran as an ally by aiding the protestors in their attempt to abolish the cruel and corrupt Islamic regime currently controlling Iran.
Again I say, let's extrapolate Trump's saber rattling to the actual Cuban condition and what might be "achieved." I'm Cuban American, and my family home was nationalized when Castro took power; relatives were allowed to live there because they supported the Communist government, likely in name not deed. All we had was a Havana apartment; other Cuban Americans lost much more, and the hardliners have been voting in America for those promising to restore their riches for decades on end. Now, with Marco Rubio a step away from fulfilling that goal, let's ask: What the hell for?
Cuba's economy is in freefall. What would regaining land do for expatriates? Do you think the Miami contingent in any way wants to return to live in Cuba? What value would property with no infrastructure have? How stable would assets really be if the U.S. begins what would be a series of regime changes? It's ridiculous. A pipe dream. What they really want is revenge. Now, do the majority of Americans not of Cuban heritage want to fund a revenge scheme for Marco Rubio's angry pals? Yesterday Trump suggested Rubio could helm Cuba. For what? Do you think that sycophant wants to take responsibility for an impoverished and unstable country? What a fckng joke.
Yesterday I read that this flurry of "Mine! Mine! Mine!" is a sign that Trump, a malignant narcissist and sociopath, is addicted to increasing power. The sociopaths who surround him know he's easy pickings for exploitation. That is all.
Rubio ‘s a hack and a huge disappointment.
Unbelievable that he would even have the word riots in his mind much less describe what is going on in Minnesota as “riots”.
Has he seen the footage from Iran? Now there's a riot. Compare and contrast with a Midwestern city.
Contrarians are so lucky to benefit from this wide ranging interview with Jen asking the probing questions and Rep. Smith responding from his deep knowledge of foreign affairs.
Perhaps a favorite statement from Rep. Smith was, "Autocracy vs. democracy. Which side are we on. Not really a question any more."
Also appreciated that Rep. Smith reminded us that the history of US foreign involvement is complicated and not always pretty. As Castro being the consequence of US government and corporate support of Cuban dictator Batista. As Iran theocracy being the result of US support of the Shah. And appreciated Rep Smith being. straight with his Iranian constituents that the US is not in the regime change business. Simplified version.
That said, I'm a pie-in-the-sky idealist and still find jarring the world view of an unapologetic realpolitik. I'm old enough and have read enough history to think of myself as not naive. But I still hope from my leaders an aspirational ideology. So instead of "at least some respect for their sovereignty and the people who live there", an unassailable respect. How about outrage instead of a shrug at the possibility that within the next week this government will land 500 marines in Greenland and start bombing Iran.
I do believe the minority Democrats can do more right now than respond with a shrug. But when in power, hopefully as soon as 2026, I absolutely expect explosive action from Democrats. That action should include ruthless prosecution of all the wrong doers from the current government. I do not agree with Rep Smith that Democrats should not punish oil companies who are complicit with stealing Venezuelan oil. Punishment is not an abuse of power. It is the exercise of power. And I fervently hope Democrats will use it.
Hmm, re. China v Taiwan, many, maybe most of us would "boycott" Chinese sources.
Sadly, we couldn't get a simple Black Friday boycott of the billionaires last November.
The last thing we need is another dictator in Central or South America.
Despite Trump's erratic and motivational stances on actions taken globally -(meaning if there were some means of grift for himself or if there were some retribution involved), there is some merit to taking action against the current Iranian regime. Recently, in 2024 or 2025, 2,000 protestors were hanged. The regime has promised to escalate the numbers to use horror as a means of control. If there were any time for American forces to become involved in saving innocent lives, now is the time. Having lived in Tehran and taught English there, from what I observed, Iranians just want to be able to live their lives like anyone else. Freedom is precious. One particular analyst on PBS reported tonight that what may be the perfectly rational reason for considering Greenland a vital interest for America is the lack of polar ice that would allow Russian and Chinese war ships to enter American waters - especially since the two nations have been working closely militarily. That consideration notwithstanding, it would be in the best interest of America to regain Iran as an ally by aiding the protestors in their attempt to abolish the cruel and corrupt Islamic regime currently controlling Iran.
Thank you both for this needed interview.