Two things to note, from what I've read on the matter, even if this is an attempt to grab the oil:
1. There isn't enough infrastructure in place to get the oil. The oil companies are NOT champing at the bit to start plundering; instead they're wondering why they weren't consulted on it.
2. Crude oil comes in very different "quality" levels. Venezuela's crude is some of the WORST. It's thick, goopy, loaded with sulfur, and will take a LOT of refining to get anything useful out of it. The US's refining capacity just isn't there......
Yes, Trump has also announced he will use public subsidies to oil companies to get them to rehabilitate the infrastructure and get oil flowing to America. The accumulated barrels of oil he aims to confiscate are what Venezuela has ready to export, stored, overflowing in storage tanks and tankers, estimated at 25-50 million barrels, because of decaying infrastructure and as the country has been unable to export, subject to the U.S. naval blockade. Paul Singer, billionaire Trump donor, bought three closed Citgo refineries designed to process Venezuelan crude a few months ago. He stands to make a fortune.Trump makes money all ways.
Consideer also the deteriorated state of Venezuela's oil industry. How long and how much will it take to get to the point where our corporations can get to all of the oil that's supposedly there? Considering the instability of the region that is going to ensue, will they be willing to make the necessary investment? Were there any feasibility studies?
Trump doesn't need studies, though the oil companies might like to have a word before they open this particular Pandora's box. Supposedly, they weren't even consulted. Considering the instability that will surely ensue in the region, they may not want to dive into this particular committment.
Excellent arguments! If the fascists in congress are not willing to do the jobs they are paid for by WE THE PEOPLE, hopefully more legal action with judges below the Roberts court will put sand into the convicted felon's machinery.
Thank you all. We are in desperate need of accountability. This rank imperialism and corruption must be stopped, sober rather than later. I'm grateful for you bringing the court cases.
"When the United States attempted to run Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11, rather than pursue narrower military objectives in the war on terror, we spent more than $2 trillion over 20 years and 6,855 service members lost their lives. No wonder the large majority of Americans—63%—do not want a war with Venezuela. Without congressional debate and approval, America’s sad history of delving into forever wars and occupation is destined to repeat itself here."
I was so grateful to Joe Biden in following through on his pledge to exit Afghanistan, even after having to make good on the rotten strategy Trump forced on America. None of us want to pay the economic or human costs of bullshit wars--not during Vietnam, and not now. Thanks, Norm and friends. And yes, I have a lot to say on this today. I appreciate the opportunity.
"First, we are filing an ethics complaint for investigation of the lawyers who are giving the legal advice that enables all this wrongdoing."
And thank you so much for this little tidbit. Mister's legal goons tend to skate. Even Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman, both of whom should have been tried and imprisoned for their illegal acts, are still living large.
Please stop parroting Mister's made-up names for things--the "X" Doctrine. This is just what he wants. He would name everything after himself if he could; he just won't live long enough to do that.
Insecure children are known to scribble their names on everything that they see. What we have here is a demented old man who is reverting to childhood. He also throws tantrums.
Exactly. A little brazen brat, grabbing everything he wants, destroying anything in his path to get it, throwing tantrums along the way. Indulged by parents who were either distracted or lazy or disinterested in parenting.
" the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel apparently provided a memo that gave legal justification for the military operation."
The Office of Legal Counsel is as corrupted as the rest of the Department of Justice under Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche. We weren't even told that there were (alleged) weapons of mass destruction when the previous effort was to take over Iraq's oil. How did that fiasco turn out? We won't be fooled again. Please, go after these criminals with every legal tool at your disposal, and involve the United Nations as well. It is time to level some sanctions against the United States.
Just reading this, knowing there are remedies and that you will follow up, and helping us to make sense of what's going on is such a hope booster! Thank you all!!!
More ethics complaints, please! As an attorney, I am appalled by the rampant disregard for truth and legal ethics requirements on the part of the administration’s unqualified attorneys—not to mention the utter disdain for the courts.
Thank you for filing the ethics complaint and the FOI demand and for explaining to us the legalities--or illegalities--of these issues. I find it harder to believe daily how this president continues to get away with such idiocy and breaking of laws.
There is no end to the greed. Now it's a grab of 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil—and that ...trump...will control the proceeds from their sale. GOP continues to be blind, deaf, and totally complicit.
Two things to note, from what I've read on the matter, even if this is an attempt to grab the oil:
1. There isn't enough infrastructure in place to get the oil. The oil companies are NOT champing at the bit to start plundering; instead they're wondering why they weren't consulted on it.
2. Crude oil comes in very different "quality" levels. Venezuela's crude is some of the WORST. It's thick, goopy, loaded with sulfur, and will take a LOT of refining to get anything useful out of it. The US's refining capacity just isn't there......
Yes, Trump has also announced he will use public subsidies to oil companies to get them to rehabilitate the infrastructure and get oil flowing to America. The accumulated barrels of oil he aims to confiscate are what Venezuela has ready to export, stored, overflowing in storage tanks and tankers, estimated at 25-50 million barrels, because of decaying infrastructure and as the country has been unable to export, subject to the U.S. naval blockade. Paul Singer, billionaire Trump donor, bought three closed Citgo refineries designed to process Venezuelan crude a few months ago. He stands to make a fortune.Trump makes money all ways.
Consideer also the deteriorated state of Venezuela's oil industry. How long and how much will it take to get to the point where our corporations can get to all of the oil that's supposedly there? Considering the instability of the region that is going to ensue, will they be willing to make the necessary investment? Were there any feasibility studies?
Feasibility studies, Steve? "I don't need no stinking' feasibility studies!" (signed, our President Stable Genius)
Trump doesn't need studies, though the oil companies might like to have a word before they open this particular Pandora's box. Supposedly, they weren't even consulted. Considering the instability that will surely ensue in the region, they may not want to dive into this particular committment.
Excellent arguments! If the fascists in congress are not willing to do the jobs they are paid for by WE THE PEOPLE, hopefully more legal action with judges below the Roberts court will put sand into the convicted felon's machinery.
Thank you all. We are in desperate need of accountability. This rank imperialism and corruption must be stopped, sober rather than later. I'm grateful for you bringing the court cases.
"When the United States attempted to run Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11, rather than pursue narrower military objectives in the war on terror, we spent more than $2 trillion over 20 years and 6,855 service members lost their lives. No wonder the large majority of Americans—63%—do not want a war with Venezuela. Without congressional debate and approval, America’s sad history of delving into forever wars and occupation is destined to repeat itself here."
I was so grateful to Joe Biden in following through on his pledge to exit Afghanistan, even after having to make good on the rotten strategy Trump forced on America. None of us want to pay the economic or human costs of bullshit wars--not during Vietnam, and not now. Thanks, Norm and friends. And yes, I have a lot to say on this today. I appreciate the opportunity.
"First, we are filing an ethics complaint for investigation of the lawyers who are giving the legal advice that enables all this wrongdoing."
And thank you so much for this little tidbit. Mister's legal goons tend to skate. Even Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman, both of whom should have been tried and imprisoned for their illegal acts, are still living large.
Please stop parroting Mister's made-up names for things--the "X" Doctrine. This is just what he wants. He would name everything after himself if he could; he just won't live long enough to do that.
Insecure children are known to scribble their names on everything that they see. What we have here is a demented old man who is reverting to childhood. He also throws tantrums.
Reverting?
Well, there has been a progression. There are significant difference and changes between Trump I and Trump II. In one word, deterioration.
Nah, he never matured. He never had to.
Exactly. A little brazen brat, grabbing everything he wants, destroying anything in his path to get it, throwing tantrums along the way. Indulged by parents who were either distracted or lazy or disinterested in parenting.
Reverting to childhood? Actually I don't think he ever matured past childhood.
That's true, and it is a definite question.
" the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel apparently provided a memo that gave legal justification for the military operation."
The Office of Legal Counsel is as corrupted as the rest of the Department of Justice under Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche. We weren't even told that there were (alleged) weapons of mass destruction when the previous effort was to take over Iraq's oil. How did that fiasco turn out? We won't be fooled again. Please, go after these criminals with every legal tool at your disposal, and involve the United Nations as well. It is time to level some sanctions against the United States.
Not only profiteering in Venezuela but elsewhere too.
Just reading this, knowing there are remedies and that you will follow up, and helping us to make sense of what's going on is such a hope booster! Thank you all!!!
Thank you for defending our Democracy! May your fight result in Victory!
More ethics complaints, please! As an attorney, I am appalled by the rampant disregard for truth and legal ethics requirements on the part of the administration’s unqualified attorneys—not to mention the utter disdain for the courts.
Thank you for filing the ethics complaint and the FOI demand and for explaining to us the legalities--or illegalities--of these issues. I find it harder to believe daily how this president continues to get away with such idiocy and breaking of laws.
Good to see Richard W. Painter is on the team!
There is no end to the greed. Now it's a grab of 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil—and that ...trump...will control the proceeds from their sale. GOP continues to be blind, deaf, and totally complicit.