Venezuela and Jan 6
Tony E Hansen
The invasion of Venezuela and talks about the invasion of Greenland on the anniversary of Jan 6th does enough damage that we have only begun to witness. These are an attempt to distract from memories.
People remember the visions, the anxiety and the horror of watching riots attack the US Capitol building. It was traumatizing for us to watch and deadly for some to be there.
How could people do this? Why? Is the frustration with this government that we are willing to storm the icon of our republic and democracy?
There is an effort to wash the memory of that day that many of us simply cannot.
Venezuela, a sovereign country, was duly attacked without provocation and without authorization.
While I don’t like Maduro, I do believe this act to be illegal in the eyes of international law and unconstitutional in terms of US Constitution. Yet no one in the US is stepping up to say stop.
This attack is intended to distract memories of Jan 6th, but also to shake the fabric of a stable world order (whether we like it or not). Especially when that government looks at attacking an ally.
Alliances are meant to be broken by this action. The UN itself is targeted like the League Of Nations before them.
Why?
Because an ego and power are stifling reason. Now countries and terrorists have open targets without retribution. This isn’t America First this; this is America Only. Secure the resources before others can.
The problem is that this world has products moving around the world and if America continues this path, No longer will we have Taiwan chips, Korean phones, Japanese or German cars. Economies will be shaken and some destroyed.
America has thrived on building multinational corporations that have tremendous wealth with most of management living and working stateside. The shaking of economies will disrupt the corporations and the supply lines more than tariffs could. This will, by itself, destroy American imperialism and their markets and manufacturing as well as agriculture.
That is part of the goals of Project 2025, Putin and groups like the Heritage Foundation: To break up alliances and interdependencies. Even though, all those alliances have been the ones that have helped us build and have a Golden Age as well as global markets that have made America rich.
That golden age has stopped thanks to tariffs that have risen costs and challenged friendships between good countries and between people. It has not raised the living standards for America but instead lowered them.
Who are we willing to goto war? Denmark is part of the alliance and that is going to incite anger from Europe as a whole. Mexico, Colombia? Who will stop this nonsense?
A bully, America has become. I personally am not a fan of bullies.
Why Europe does not help Ukraine now, except, they are not sure if there is another front? Why listen to America that does not follow rules? Why continue to allow American troops in Europe, especially if there is an attack on Greenland? Who knows if they might be used in Europe too.
If I were leadership in any country, I would be seriously considering options as to what next. Any reputable and intelligent person ought to consider who is next. This has definitely shaken faith in how the world thinks of the United States.
If I were leadership in corporate governance, I would be looking at global presence with a strong critical eye. What happens if NATO or the UN collapses? What-if scenarios suddenly become quite possible.
What if North Korea attacks South Korea ? China to Taiwan ? Russia to the Baltic states? That is just the start and never mind regime change efforts that mirror Venezuela? The “what-ifs” used to be unthinkable or wishful. Not anymore.
The United States used to be the policeman and guard for freedom although quite flawed in execution. That position assumed an America with ethics and values. That position was less than enjoyed by many conservatives and independents. It is part of the military industrial complex that enjoys favorable budget slices compared to other needful items. Nevertheless, Americans know how to build weapons.
Besides that, who guards the guards or punishes them when they don’t behave? We well know that execution of power is not always dignified or fair. We know as parents that sometimes we sometimes don’t do the correct action in response to a child’s actions we don’t like. There is nothing different here and we have the receipts of history to prove it. We know that American-sponsored regime change has defied the ideals and articles of the UN when America didn’t go to the UN for approvals.
I guess sovereignty is only important to the powerful. To have permanent security council members in the UN establishes who is powerful (also reinforcing a sense of imperialism) and who can get away with mischief. Maybe that council ought be more rotational. Why can’t Brazil or Poland or South Africa have a say any less than Russia, China or the US?
Now, the government of the United States is the example of dictators and military unrestrained. It is more than Nazi Germany because it has the power to crush the world or to rescue it; to acknowledge that we exist in a family of nations as a family of races too. Hitler tried to do the unrestrained despot, but lacked the weapons to do the real damage that the US, China or Russia can do. The US sending unwanted people to El Salvador and other countries where there is no such thing as cruel and unusual punishment restrictions. At the same time, the government is attacking boats and sovereign nations (Iran and Venezuela) without authorization or a coalition consensus at least.
These random strikes by US government are intended test what response, if any, happens. I think that is mostly because most countries leave well enough alone. Not excluding a Christian ethic, most people leave well enough alone. Think about it, when it doesn’t knock on my door, why should I care? With this attack and threats of more, that changes how much rope the world is going to give the United States. That changes the nature of friendships because the implied understanding is no longer relevant or actual.
A Christian thinking, if followed, however would mean that I do care when people are being kidnapped, killed or given injustice. A follower of Christ is supposed to be empathic , compassionate, forgiving, and graceful. None of that is evidenced in the actions of this government.
Or if Putin has his way, just give the US enough rope to hang itself. That is quite possible.
With government agents acting in offensive mode at home, killing American citizens for no good reason, and an unrestrained military lead by an autocrat is going to leave a lasting legacy that we cannot comprehend. Who here can stop that? Who in the world can?
January 6 is supposed to be a feast day for Christians as Epiphany, but in the future, I sense we will see more exaggerated use of military action leading up to and during the day to continue this distraction. Epiphany is revelation of God living in this world. The Magi visit Jesus to see this miracle and leave without reporting back to Herod. How is that attack a great way to celebrate Epiphany?
Military has always been the way presidents resolve popularity issues. People rally around the flag even if not exactly approving the reason.
As well, per the Project goals, we will witness the broken alliances and global depression (far worse than the 1930s) as we continue this ridiculous path of America only.
That will have consequences way beyond what the Project envisions. Again, if I can’t trust you with your power, why do I want to do business with you? If you won’t respect sovereignty of your neighbors, will you respect mine when there is history that says otherwise.
May we see the grace of God through the Epiphany. May we live out the way of Christ in our lives. May God protect and help the United States and may we come to our senses before it is too late.
