Trump Elected: The True MAGA Era Begins, Now What?

[rognaill]

it seems rather unrealistic for it to be stopped by a mere administration taking them on - and who exactly is it they would taking on (in a fair fight they might inflict a couple of dents, maybe)?

I think that enough of the connective tissues have been mapped that there will present an opportunity to disconnect the global pods of evil from each other. This in turn would seem to be a time to maintain that disconnection by grace, so that it is still within free-will that humans chose to wake up or remain distracted.

yet it would probably take a great comet to finish them off

Not so sure that would remove the reverse polarity of the nature of our human interactions. Ying/yang, self balancing but on one hemisphere you have more mass where on the other hemisphere you have less mass. The other part of that sphere is not a vacuum but that reverse polarity filling the voids with it's mass. Seems like architecturally that is how this planet is wired.

precursors

Precursors = ingredients

the narrative "deadly chemicals killing Americans" when the truth is that they are killing themselves.

With?

 

[mabar]

With?

Opiods, statins, vaccines, to name a few. Brought you by the legal pharm mafia.

 

[SOTTREADER]

Opiods, statins, vaccines, to name a few. Brought you by the legal pharm mafia.

You forgot too many McDonalds

 

[Joe]

The actual problem people see is that this was made into a military operation at all, setting a dangerous precedent. Plus, the stated goal of fighting Venezuelan drug cartels is most likely a lie - the real reason seems to be the US wish to control Venezuela's oil.

Pretty much. Trump's attack on the "drug boat" was, IMO, a show of force that has little to do with drugs and everything to do with trying to cow Venezuela (and by implication other LA countries) into staying aligned (or realigning) with the US.

The US sees Venezuela as its "back yard" in much the same way Russia sees Ukraine as its back yard. Ukraine convinced Trump that the US is no longer able to wage and sustain foreign interventions thousands of miles from home.

Back in 2016, Trump decided on a policy of "strategic isolationism". He just didn't really know how to go about it at the time.

Eight years later, he has settled on a plan and is attempting to put it into action, partly based on his own vision of how to "MAGA" and partly due to his new-found understanding of the reality of peer competitors (Russia, China, India) able to stand their ground against US threats.

In this context, for Trump's strategic isolationism to have any chance of forestalling a drastic collapse of American global power, he must focus on America's 'near abroad': countries that the US has at least a reasonable chance of bringing to heel (by various means available to them) due to their geographic proximity.

 

[Puma]

the narrative "deadly chemicals killing Americans" when the truth is that they are killing themselves.
With?

Here is Grok's summary of Americans' favorite poisons.

Regional Summaries of Use by State

Estimates are for ages 12+ unless specified. High-use states often overlap with legalization (marijuana) or economic stressors (opioids/stimulants). Overdose notes indicate harm levels.

Northeast

Lower overall illicit drug use (avg. 20-22%) but higher alcohol/tobacco. Marijuana use 18-22%; opioid misuse 2-4%. SUD rates 10-12%.

Connecticut: Marijuana 20.5% (CI: 18.2-23.0); cocaine 2.1%; meth 0.7%; opioid misuse 3.2%; illicit SUD 3.2%; alcohol SUD 5.5%. Overdose rate: 33.4/100,000 (opioids dominant).
Maine: Marijuana 22.1%; cocaine 2.5%; meth 1.0%; opioid misuse 4.1%; illicit SUD 3.8%; alcohol SUD 6.2%. High overdose (35.2; fentanyl up).
Massachusetts: Marijuana 21.3%; cocaine 2.3%; meth 0.8%; opioid misuse 3.0%; illicit SUD 3.1%; alcohol SUD 5.4%. Overdose: 30.1 (stimulants rising).
New Hampshire: Marijuana 20.8%; cocaine 2.0%; meth 0.9%; opioid misuse 3.8%; illicit SUD 3.5%; alcohol SUD 6.0%. Overdose: 28.7 (opioids 75%).
New Jersey: Marijuana 19.7%; cocaine 1.9%; meth 0.6%; opioid misuse 2.8%; illicit SUD 2.9%; alcohol SUD 5.2%. Lowest regional overdose (22.5).
New York: Marijuana 20.4%; cocaine 2.4%; meth 0.8%; opioid misuse 3.5%; illicit SUD 3.3%; alcohol SUD 5.7%. Overdose: 29.8 (cocaine/opioids polysubstance).
Pennsylvania: Marijuana 21.0%; cocaine 2.2%; meth 1.1%; opioid misuse 4.0%; illicit SUD 3.6%; alcohol SUD 5.9%. High overdose (42.5; Appalachia influence).
Rhode Island: Marijuana 21.5%; cocaine 2.3%; meth 0.7%; opioid misuse 3.4%; illicit SUD 3.2%; alcohol SUD 5.6%. Overdose: 32.1.
Vermont: Marijuana 22.3%; cocaine 2.6%; meth 1.2%; opioid misuse 4.2%; illicit SUD 3.9%; alcohol SUD 6.1%. Overdose: 34.8 (fentanyl high).

Midwest

Moderate marijuana (18-23%); higher meth in rural areas. Opioid misuse 3-5%; SUD 11-13%.
Illinois: Marijuana 20.2%; cocaine 2.0%; meth 0.8%; opioid misuse 3.1%; illicit SUD 3.0%; alcohol SUD 5.3%. Overdose: 28.4.

Indiana: Marijuana 19.8%; cocaine 1.9%; meth 1.0%; opioid misuse 3.9%; illicit SUD 3.4%; alcohol SUD 5.8%. Overdose: 32.7 (decline from 2022).
Iowa: Marijuana 18.5%; cocaine 1.7%; meth 1.1%; opioid misuse 3.5%; illicit SUD 3.1%; alcohol SUD 5.7%. Low overdose (15.2).
Kansas: Marijuana 19.0%; cocaine 1.8%; meth 1.2%; opioid misuse 3.6%; illicit SUD 3.2%; alcohol SUD 5.9%. Overdose: 18.9 (significant drop).
Michigan: Marijuana 21.2%; cocaine 2.1%; meth 0.9%; opioid misuse 3.7%; illicit SUD 3.3%; alcohol SUD 5.6%. Overdose: 31.5.
Minnesota: Marijuana 20.1%; cocaine 2.0%; meth 1.0%; opioid misuse 3.2%; illicit SUD 3.1%; alcohol SUD 5.4%. Overdose: 22.3.
Missouri: Marijuana 20.6%; cocaine 2.2%; meth 1.3%; opioid misuse 4.0%; illicit SUD 3.5%; alcohol SUD 6.0%. Overdose: 35.6.
Nebraska: Marijuana 18.2%; cocaine 1.6%; meth 1.1%; opioid misuse 3.0%; illicit SUD 2.8%; alcohol SUD 5.2%. Lowest overdose (9.0).
North Dakota: Marijuana 19.5%; cocaine 1.9%; meth 1.4%; opioid misuse 3.4%; illicit SUD 3.2%; alcohol SUD 5.8%. Overdose: 16.7.
Ohio: Marijuana 20.9%; cocaine 2.3%; meth 1.2%; opioid misuse 4.5%; illicit SUD 3.9%; alcohol SUD 6.3%. High overdose (38.4; opioids 80%).
South Dakota: Marijuana 18.8%; cocaine 1.8%; meth 1.5%; opioid misuse 3.3%; illicit SUD 3.0%; alcohol SUD 5.5%. Overdose: 11.2 (low but meth rising).
Wisconsin: Marijuana 20.3%; cocaine 2.1%; meth 1.0%; opioid misuse 3.6%; illicit SUD 3.3%; alcohol SUD 5.7%. Overdose: 28.2.

South

Higher opioid misuse (3-6%) and SUD (12-15%); marijuana 19-24%. Alcohol SUD elevated in some.

Alabama: Marijuana 20.7%; cocaine 2.4%; meth 1.1%; opioid misuse 4.2%; illicit SUD 3.7%; alcohol SUD 6.1%. Overdose: 36.8 (increase).
Arkansas: Marijuana 21.4%; cocaine 2.3%; meth 1.3%; opioid misuse 4.5%; illicit SUD 3.9%; alcohol SUD 6.4%. Overdose: 37.2.
Delaware: Marijuana 21.0%; cocaine 2.2%; meth 0.9%; opioid misuse 3.8%; illicit SUD 3.4%; alcohol SUD 5.8%. Overdose: 40.1.
Florida: Marijuana 20.5%; cocaine 2.5%; meth 1.0%; opioid misuse 3.9%; illicit SUD 3.5%; alcohol SUD 5.9%. Overdose: 32.9 (decline).
Georgia: Marijuana 21.1%; cocaine 2.3%; meth 0.8%; opioid misuse 3.4%; illicit SUD 3.2%; alcohol SUD 5.6%. Overdose: 30.5.
Kentucky: Marijuana 20.8%; cocaine 2.1%; meth 1.2%; opioid misuse 5.1%; illicit SUD 4.2%; alcohol SUD 6.5%. Very high overdose (50.2; opioids dominant).
Louisiana: Marijuana 22.0%; cocaine 2.6%; meth 1.0%; opioid misuse 4.3%; illicit SUD 3.8%; alcohol SUD 6.2%. Overdose: 42.7 (fentanyl high).
Maryland: Marijuana 21.6%; cocaine 2.4%; meth 0.7%; opioid misuse 3.7%; illicit SUD 3.3%; alcohol SUD 5.7%. Overdose: 39.3.
Mississippi: Marijuana 19.9%; cocaine 2.0%; meth 1.1%; opioid misuse 4.0%; illicit SUD 3.5%; alcohol SUD 6.0%. Overdose: 33.5.
North Carolina: Marijuana 21.2%; cocaine 2.2%; meth 1.1%; opioid misuse 4.1%; illicit SUD 3.6%; alcohol SUD 5.9%. Overdose: 34.8 (sharp decline).
Oklahoma: Marijuana 20.4%; cocaine 2.1%; meth 1.4%; opioid misuse 4.6%; illicit SUD 4.0%; alcohol SUD 6.3%. Overdose: 36.2.
South Carolina: Marijuana 21.3%; cocaine 2.3%; meth 1.0%; opioid misuse 4.2%; illicit SUD 3.7%; alcohol SUD 6.1%. Overdose: 38.9.
Tennessee: Marijuana 20.9%; cocaine 2.4%; meth 1.2%; opioid misuse 4.8%; illicit SUD 4.1%; alcohol SUD 6.4%. High overdose (46.5).
Texas: Marijuana 19.6%; cocaine 2.0%; meth 1.1%; opioid misuse 3.3%; illicit SUD 3.0%; alcohol SUD 5.4%. Overdose: 25.6.
Virginia: Marijuana 20.7%; cocaine 2.1%; meth 0.9%; opioid misuse 3.6%; illicit SUD 3.3%; alcohol SUD 5.5%. Overdose: 30.2.
West Virginia: Marijuana 21.5%; cocaine 2.5%; meth 1.3%; opioid misuse 5.5%; illicit SUD 4.5%; alcohol SUD 6.7%. Highest overdose (81.9; opioids 85%).

West

Highest marijuana (22-26% due to legalization); meth 1-2%; opioid misuse 3-5%. SUD 12-14%.
Alaska: Marijuana 23.1%; cocaine 2.7%; meth 1.6%; opioid misuse 4.0%; illicit SUD 3.8%; alcohol SUD 6.2%. Overdose: 28.5 (increase).
Arizona: Marijuana 22.4%; cocaine 2.3%; meth 1.5%; opioid misuse 3.8%; illicit SUD 3.5%; alcohol SUD 5.9%. Overdose: 35.1.
California: Marijuana 24.2%; cocaine 2.6%; meth 1.4%; opioid misuse 3.5%; illicit SUD 3.4%; alcohol SUD 5.8%. Overdose: 29.8 (stimulants high).
Colorado: Marijuana 25.1%; cocaine 2.4%; meth 1.2%; opioid misuse 3.2%; illicit SUD 3.2%; alcohol SUD 5.6%. Overdose: 27.4.
Hawaii: Marijuana 22.8%; cocaine 2.0%; meth 1.1%; opioid misuse 3.0%; illicit SUD 2.9%; alcohol SUD 5.3%. Overdose: 20.5 (lowest West).
Idaho: Marijuana 20.1%; cocaine 1.9%; meth 1.5%; opioid misuse 3.7%; illicit SUD 3.3%; alcohol SUD 5.7%. Overdose: 22.1.
Montana: Marijuana 22.6%; cocaine 2.2%; meth 1.7%; opioid misuse 4.1%; illicit SUD 3.7%; alcohol SUD 6.0%. Overdose: 25.3.
Nevada: Marijuana 23.5%; cocaine 2.5%; meth 1.6%; opioid misuse 4.2%; illicit SUD 3.9%; alcohol SUD 6.1%. Overdose: 40.5 (increase).
New Mexico: Marijuana 23.0%; cocaine 2.3%; meth 1.4%; opioid misuse 4.5%; illicit SUD 4.0%; alcohol SUD 6.3%. Overdose: 48.7 (fentanyl surge).
Oregon: Marijuana 24.8%; cocaine 2.4%; meth 1.8%; opioid misuse 4.0%; illicit SUD 3.8%; alcohol SUD 6.0%. Overdose: 39.2 (increase; meth high).
Utah: Marijuana 19.8%; cocaine 1.8%; meth 1.3%; opioid misuse 3.4%; illicit SUD 3.1%; alcohol SUD 5.5%. Overdose: 25.6.
Washington: Marijuana 23.7%; cocaine 2.2%; meth 1.5%; opioid misuse 3.9%; illicit SUD 3.6%; alcohol SUD 5.8%. Overdose: 32.4 (increase).
Wyoming: Marijuana 21.0%; cocaine 2.0%; meth 1.6%; opioid misuse 3.8%; illicit SUD 3.4%; alcohol SUD 5.9%. Overdose: 22.8.

Trends and Insights

Marijuana: Highest in legalized states (e.g., Colorado 25.1%, Oregon 24.8%); lowest in South/Midwest (e.g., South Dakota 18.8%). Past-month use among youth (12-17) is 10-15% higher in West.
Opioids/Stimulants: Misuse highest in Appalachia/South (e.g., West Virginia 5.5%, Kentucky 5.1%); correlates with overdoses (e.g., WV's 81.9 rate, 85% opioid-involved). Meth use elevated in West/Midwest (1.5-1.8%).
Alcohol/Tobacco: More uniform, but SUD higher in rural states (e.g., West Virginia 6.7%). Youth binge drinking (12-20) 20-25% in Northeast/South.
Disparities: Rates 2-3x higher for males; peak SUD at ages 18-25. Racial/ethnic variations: Higher illicit SUD among multiracial (5-7%) vs. Asian (1-2%).

Treatment: Nationally, 23.6% needing SUD treatment received it; lower in high-use states (e.g., 18-20% in South). Overdose declines in 2023 tied to naloxone access and fentanyl supply shifts.

TOP 10 cities in the US with the highest drug consumption (mapping of an addicted country)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1963607843598184529

 

[Beau]

In this context, for Trump's strategic isolationism to have any chance of forestalling a drastic collapse of American global power, he must focus on America's 'near abroad': countries that the US has at least a reasonable chance of bringing to heel (by various means available to them) due to their geographic proximity.

And if Vance is indeed going to be the next prez in 2028, we can expect more of the same.

 

[Ben]

Ben your sentence reminds me Ilhan Omar's sentence when she was talking about 9/11 ie: "...some people did something..."

It reminds you of it. Are you also suggesting that my meaning was similar? Because obviously it's not. We don't know the details. There is one connection though, 9/11 was a pack of lies pretext for military action and so are 'Venezuelan drug cartels'.

This was a military operation and rarely does any military (any military globally) disclose how they obtain tactical information when conducting military operations. That is the inherent posture of military planning as one strike does not win anything long term but typically an iterative step to a larger plan.

A military operation against civilians. Near a different country, one in which regime change has been an objective spanning multiple US administrations.

I wonder if the sentiment/reaction would be the same if the narrative shifted and instead of a boat full of "drugs" was instead "cluster bombs". Which both result in the same outcome, random loss of life.

It would be different. Cluster bombs and drugs are different. Especially when the use of military force is concerned.

 

[mabar]

I suppose they also believe they won the war in Vietnam, very much in line with what Vance says in the post above. Have they seen the film, or did they just get the idea of victory? What a dense film, showing the worst that the US armed forces can be, and seems they are proud of it.

 

[JEEP]

Not a fan of the Trump/Vance, Dept. of War, Might makes Right policy punctuated with profanity. Undignified and well below the level of stature one would expect of our top Executive branch office holders. But then, if you're going to engage in lawlessness, particularly while also continually ranting about all the lawlessness of the previous administrations, spouting profanity fits the bill.

Just like Yemen being the only country to take a stand against Israel's genocide of the Palestinians, Rand Paul is the lone Senator to criticize the Venezuela boat attack:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1963382824880259393

The above appeared in an article on ZeroHedge with this interesting tidbit in the last paragraph:

Other Venezuelan officials have downplayed the US strike on the boat, claiming that the video Trump released purporting to show the bombing may have been a fake, AI-made video.

A fake AI-made video? Have to say, the thought never occurred to me. Is there any actual proof other than the vid that the boat was blown to smithereens?

This remark by Maduro caught my attention: “We defend our seas, our skies, and our land." Has a familiar ring to it . . .

EDIT: Just to add, it's my understanding the source ingredients for fentanyl are coming from China. Are we going to bomb their boats now?

 

[JEEP]

The above appeared in an article on ZeroHedge

From the comments:

Judge Napolitano having an interview with former CIA guys. They think this is a scam created by Trump.