Is our flag still there?
Without Congressional approval or scant consultation, Trump has ordered or assisted in 622 overseas bombings in countries such as Syria, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Yemen, Somalia and now Venezuela. Maduro is definitely a bad actor who may be a cartel boss but Trump pardoned a convicted drug cartel leader, Juan Orlando Hernandez, former president of Honduras.
So, this is not about stopping fentanyl, cocaine or narco cartels. Maybe oil money or chaos?
Trump’s foreign policy shifts from the commitment to international order to spheres of Influence. In other words, if you are the big dog in the area, everyone should do as you say or die. The US has essentially declared war on Venezuela without provocation or Congressional approval.
Yes, a few Republicans were informed quietly but it is Congress that has the power and the responsibility to debate if we should go to war.
After WWII, nations came together realizing that the next war could result in the end of the world as even a small nation or group could get nuclear or biological weapons and use them.
The United Nation Charter established international laws that members agreed to follow. Of course, this does not always happen. Article II says that Nations are sovereign and not to be invaded by others and if they are the UN shall come to their assistance. SOOO.
When a big dog, like the U.S., breaks this provision, it is the gateway for others to follow suit.
This and a host of illegal actions require more than impeachment. The behavior of Trump and the cabal that supports him rings of treason. Article III of the U.S. Constitution defines treason as levying war against the United States or adhering and providing aid or comfort to its enemies.
I would suggest that Trump himself and his business empire are an enemy of the United States who seek to overthrow this democracy. Trump and his designates have provided money, favors and protection through many tentacles that include money laundering, hiding information like the Epstein Files, prostitution, extralegal executions, denial of due process, weaponizing branches of government to eliminate any competition or disagreement, muzzling the press, ignoring court orders and facilitating efforts to overthrow elections.
If this seems improbable, look at history as other nations slid into dictatorships. A 2022 Carnegie report shared that early in the 21st century, there were 98 free governments compared to 80 dictatorships. By 2019, 87 democracies and 92 dictatorships.
The key to this change was simple. Create FEAR and DECEPTION. SOUND Familiar? In the dawn’s early light, will our flag still be there?
WILLIAM RICHARDS WALNUT GROVE
