The U.S. Media Unsurprisingly Fails to Present the Venezuelan Government’s Version of why Maria Corina Machado has been Barred from Running for President

 Today the U.S. government announced the re-implementation of economic sanctions against Venezuela in response to the decision of the Venezuela supreme court to bar María Corina Machado from participating in the upcoming presidential elections. On more than one occasion, Machado called for U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. The country that is trying to extradite Julian Assange for “treason,” certainly knows what that word means. In the following video, Machado calls for the “use of international force” as the only means to restore democracy in Venezuela. When asked whether she was calling for a military invasion, Machado refrained from denying that this was her intention. Obviously, it was. And on countless occasions she also called for the tightening of U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuela. Few countries in the world, if any, would tolerate this from a leading politician.   

https://twitter.com/yvangil/status/1751310020459868195?s=52&t=Kqn97sRo-SKblVjFuSGfhw 

WHAT’S WORSE, THAT THE U.S. BASE WHERE 3 SERVICEMEN WERE KILLED BY A DRONE ATTACK IS LOCATED IN JORDAN, WHERE WE ARE UNWANTED, OR IN SYRIA, WHERE WE ARE UNWANTED?

 

The government of Jordan denies that the base is located in its territory, knowing full well how unpopular that would sit among the people of the country and of the region, especially in light of U.S. military support for Israel in its assault on Gaza. Washington denies that the base is in Syria and that it understands why Jordan refuses to recognize the existence of a U.S. base in their nation. So if the U.S. understands why the Jordanian government has made this denial because it’s against the will of its people, what justification is there for having the base there in the first place? And if the claim of the Jordanian government is correct, what right does the U.S. have to maintain a base in Syria against the will of the government of that nation? The U.S. has 3,000 military personnel in Jordan.

Another question: Why doesn’t’ any U.S. media outlet raise the issue of national sovereignty and the will of the people of the regions where we intervene? The entire focus of U.S journalism is on whether the U.S. will strike Iran, or what other hostile options are open to Washington, in spite of the fact that Iran firmly denies that it ordered the attack. U.S. journalism holds much of the blame for the perpetual war that the U.S. is engaged in (for which taxpayers foot the bill).  

US CAPITALISM IS CRONY CAPITALISM. TRUMP JUST PROVED IT

He threatened Nikki Haley's donors with permanently excluding them from the MAGA movement if they continue to support her. He will not accept donations from them if they don’t withdraw support for her? Just read between the lines! He’s not going to turn down money from anyone. What he’s saying is that corporate donors will forfeit the possibility of getting a piece of the Republican pie once Trump is elected president. Capitalism always worked this way, but it was never quite this blatant. 

 

School Children Speak to the staffers of U.S. Senators about Israel’s Decimation of Gaza

Over 20 children of about 7 to 11 years met at the Dirksen and Hart Senate Office Buildings in Washington DC to speak to the staffers of different senators. I accompanied one group and the reception we received was friendly with the exception of the office of Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan with facial expressions of “we could care less.” I was pleasantly amazed at how these primary school kids were so articulate. I was especially impressed at how the kids refuted with cogent arguments the statement of the head of staff of Minnesota senator Tina Smith, who basically justified Israel’s invasion of Gaza. Nevertheless, Stabenow’s two staffers were pleasant, as were those of the offices (with the exception of Stabenow) of senator Dick Durbin (Illinois) and especially the two staffers of senator Chris Van Hollen (of my state of Maryland).

I asked the chief of staff of Senator Stabenow if, even though the senator’s principal concern is the opinions and interests of her constituents of her state, and those of the U.S. in general, does she consider world public opinion which is overwhelmingly opposed to Israel’s attack on Gaza. He responded by affirming that she is, as is the government in Washington and just as is Israel. I responded by saying “I would like to correct you on this, the government in Washington may be concerned about world public opinion but Israel is not, as has been shown time and time again.”   

 

Biden and Netanyahu were the Main Targets at Today's Massive Free Palestine Protest in Washington DC

Today’s Free Palestine protest of tens of thousands (the corporate media, true to form, put it at “thousands”) was as animated as the one I went to several months ago. Both of them congregated at Freedom Plaza (named in honor of MLK) and marched to Lafayette Square in front of the White House. Much more than the previous protest, the target was Biden (and Blinken). Code Pink’s Medea Benjamin said: “the moniker “Genocide Joe” will stick with Biden for a certain segment of the community.” Indeed, it’s hard to believe that any of the protesters will vote for Biden. Speakers called on people to vote for only candidates that oppose Israel’s attack. That means that third party candidates will have an open field. Two presidential candidates, Green Party Jill Stein and Cornel West, spoke, with the latter getting a big applause. Hopefully the left will get its act together and unite around one candidate.

Today’s protest is a demonstration (as if one is needed) of the bogus nature of the accusation of anti-Semitism against those who oppose Zionism. I saw scores and scores of banners, and heard an equal number of slogans and speeches. None of it was even subtly anti-Semitic. Everything to the contrary. Speakers remarked positively on the participation of so many Jews in opposition to Israel’s attack on Gaza. There was a procession (just like at the last DC protest, but bigger) of Hassidic Jews with sidelocks, long dark coats, etc. carrying signs in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Demographics: 95% of the protesters were Z generation or Millennials and perhaps 50% or more were U.S. of Arab descent. Simultaneous protests were held in major European cities.