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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNOTHING HAS CHANGED, MR. RHODES, NOTHING HAS CHANGED' - EmptyWheel
https://www.emptywheel.net/2023/05/25/nothing-has-changed-mr-rhodes-nothing-has-changed-seditious-oath-keeper-elmer-rhodes-sentenced-to-18-years/NOTHING HAS CHANGED, MR. RHODES, NOTHING HAS CHANGED: Seditious Oath Keeper Elmer Rhodes sentenced to 18 years
Excellent reporting by Brandi Buchman. She gives a concise view of the proceedings interspersed with dialogs and opinions from others involved.
It would have been surprising if Rhodes took any other tack when it was his chance to speak.
But Rhodes offered no surprises at the Prettyman courthouse in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.
He was unrepentant, just as he was at trial when he testified on his own behalf for a little over a day. Even then, as a jury actively held his fate in their hands, he publicly smeared proceedings in jailhouse interviews while comparing himself to Nelson Mandela. And just four days ago, in yet another interview from jail, Rhodes kept up The Big Lie.
erronis
(15,241 posts)I could have excerpted hundreds of paragraphs but I hope you have the time to read some of her post.
Marcus IM
(2,201 posts)Even to the point of recognizing the leader of a violent insurrectionist Nazi group who got less than 2% of the popular vote in the Ven Assembly as the official leader of Venezuela (in "exile" ).
Nothing new ...
Operation Condor: The Cold War US Conspiracy That Terrorized South America
https://www.transcend.org/tms/2020/09/operation-condor-the-cold-war-us-conspiracy-that-terrorized-south-america/
cab67
(2,992 posts)But Maduro is far more similar to Trump overall.
Marcus IM
(2,201 posts)Uh huh.
cab67
(2,992 posts)So are ignoring due process and using torture to gain information. These are all on the record - not just by the US, but. by the UN.
And the country's economy has been circling the bowl for a long time.
Maduro is not a good guy. He's a populist like Hugo Chavez - he brings electricity and schools to small villages, but the people living in those villages are still dirt-poor and have no opportunities once they finish school.
I've actually been to Venezuela and seen what's going on with my own eyes.
And regarding the health clinics -
https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/12/venezuelas-health-care-crisis-now-poses-global-threat
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/17/world/americas/venezuela-cuban-doctors.html
Marcus IM
(2,201 posts)Using your standard, the US - the supposed richest nation on earth - is in much poorer shape.
Look at the child poverty and homeless rates in the US ... and you are saying that Venezuela - under extraterritorial sanctions designed to destroy the economy - is worse that the US because of Maduro or Chavez? Ridiculous.
I lived there, not on a visit or vacation. A short term visit reveals little to a foreigner.
Just like Cuba, US extraterritorial sanctions do more harm to the poor than Castro, Díaz-Canel, Chavez, or Maduro, ever did.
And you think the US recognizing RW grifter Juan Guaido (with 2% electorate support in the Ven. National Assembly) as the Head of State (in "exile" ) of Venezuela is recognizing the result of election?
Just wow.
Have a good day.
cab67
(2,992 posts)In fact, I have ongoing collaborations there. Please ask before assuming.
Comparing the poorest parts of the US to the poorest parts of Venezuela doesnt persuade me, as Ive seen both.
Thats new.
Marcus IM
(2,201 posts)Ever since Hugo Chavez was elected the US corporatocracy has been gunning for Venezuela. But, as is usual, sanctions affect the poorest of the population... and then blame is heaped upon the victims.
It goes on here with any mention of Venezuela here too.
Iggo
(47,552 posts)wiggs
(7,812 posts)pardon him.
erronis
(15,241 posts)"Do you want all of the insurgents from January 6 to be pardoned and free to overthrow the government?'
Since the (r)s are all lock-step behind either trump or desantis, and both have indicated that's one of their priorities, then we need to make the American people understand that a repeat - and worse - is in the future.
Hassler
(3,377 posts)To the full 25 years?