Ramón
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jocularchitect.bsky.social
Ramón
@jocularchitect.bsky.social
92 followers 65 following 29 posts
Designer, social progressive & fiscal conservative, egalitarian, learning thru hobbies.
Save Democracy!
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Reposted by Ramón
mari-rochelle.bsky.social
From Rachel Hurley:

Something about Venezuela is not sitting right with me.
This is a long one.
And take this all with a grain of salt, because who the hell am I? I could be overthinking this whole thing.
Something about Venezuela is not sitting right with me. This is a long one. And take this all with a grain of salt, because who the hell am I? I could be overthinking this whole thing. Here's what can be backed up by reporting: 14 days before the U.S. captured Nicolás Maduro, Russia evacuated the families of its diplomats from Venezuela. December 20th. Wives and kids. Quiet, organized, done. Then on January 3rd, Delta Force drops in, grabs Maduro and his wife, and it's over in under thirty minutes. That doesn't seem like a coincidence. Russia publicly condemned the whole thing - called it armed aggression, demanded a UN Security Council meeting, the whole performative outrage routine. But you don't evacuate your people two weeks in advance unless you know something's coming. And if you know something's coming, someone told you. Here's where it gets weirder. Cuba - Venezuela's other major ally - didn't evacuate anybody. Cuban doctors are still there, confined to their quarters, families back in Havana losing their minds because nobody warned them this was happening. China? Same thing. No evacuation, just reactive condemnation after the fact. So Russia knew. Cuba and China didn't. Or at least they didn't foresee any consequences from a US intervention - because sure;y they knew that Russians were leaving. Now let's talk about how the operation actually went down. Venezuela spent two billion dollars on Russian S-300 air defense systems - the kind that are supposed to turn the Caribbean into a no-fly zone for the U.S. military. On paper, these things track 24 targets simultaneously, knock cruise missiles out of the sky at 250 kilometers. Caracas should have been a fortress. The U.S. neutralized all of it in under twenty minutes. Either American military tech is so vastly superior that we can casually dismantle a Russian-backed air defense network before anyone even knows we're there, or those systems were ordered not to fire. Maybe both. But the speed of it - the totality of it - that's what doesn't add up. And if we can do this - why is the Ukrainian war with Russia still happening? Anyway - one helicopter took minor damage. That's it. No U.S. casualties. No significant Venezuelan casualties that anyone's bothered to specify. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez went on TV and said "innocent people died" but never gave numbers, never gave details, and hasn't brought it up again. For a surprise military raid on a hostile capital city, that's remarkably clean. And then there's Maduro himself. He and his wife both surrendered. Not fought to the death, not tried to escape, not holed up for a siege. Surrendered. The FBI Hostage Rescue Team was part of the extraction force - not just Delta, but FBI HRT, the guys who specialize in cooperative extractions. You bring HRT when you're expecting the target to come willingly. The whole transport route screams pre-arrangement. Maduro goes from his compound to the USS Iwo Jima, then Guantanamo, then a nice clean flight to New York where a 25-page indictment is ready to unseal the same day he lands. That indictment was prepared. The grand jury had already done its work. Jay Clayton's signature was on it before Maduro ever got on that helicopter. They knew exactly when he'd be in custody. Here's what I think happened - and again, I'm speculating here, but the pieces fit. Maduro was cornered. His economy collapsed. He lost the 2024 election and the international community recognized his opponent. His former intelligence chief, Hugo Carvajal, pled guilty back in June and started cooperating. That guy would have known everything - security details, schedules, which officers were loyal, which ones would fold. Maduro's wife was indicted. His son was indicted. He was facing life in prison if the U.S. ever got him. actually watched a video of a recent interview that Maduro did where he said that he was ready to work with the US - he was just waiting for them to call. So what if he made a deal? What if Maduro, through back channels, offered to surrender in exchange for a reduced sentence? Maybe witness protection, maybe unfrozen assets, maybe immunity for his kid. The U.S. gets him in custody, gets control of Venezuelan oil, gets a clean regime change without a prolonged war. Russia gets advance warning, pulls their people out, avoids an international incident. And everybody gets to maintain their public positions for domestic audiences. Maduro looks like a victim - kidnapped by imperial aggression, not a guy who cut a deal to save his own ass. The U.S. looks strong - tough on dictators, military dominance, America first. Russia looks outraged - standing up to American hegemony. And Venezuela's power structure stays mostly intact because Trump's not working with the democratic opposition, he's working with Maduro's own vice president. That last part is what really cinches it for me. María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize. She won the opposition primary. Her guy, Edmundo Gonzalez, won the actual presidential election by a two-to-one margin and got international recognition as Venezuela's legitimate leader. Seventy percent of Venezuelans support the opposition.
January 4, 2026 at 6:05 PM
jocularchitect.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/12/26/a...
Fear and confusion in Nigerian village hit in US strike, as locals say no history of ISIS in area | CNN
A day after part of a missile fired by the United States hit their village, landing just meters from its only medical facility, the villagers of Jabo in northwest Nigeria are in a state of shock and c...
www.cnn.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:56 AM
jocularchitect.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-thre...
Now Trump Is Threatening Naturalized Americans
He’s not just bashing refugees and illegal immigrants. He’s going after U.S. citizens born in other countries.
www.thebulwark.com
December 7, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Reposted by Ramón
eviebauer727.bsky.social
Border Patrol protest today in Charlotte, NC. 11/15
November 15, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Reposted by Ramón
humanetech.bsky.social
CHT co-founder Tristan Harris returns to "The Daily Show" for an incisive conversation about the reckless AI path we're on, driven by the race to achieve market dominance: "This is an insane way to roll out a technology."

Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=675d_6WGPbo
Tristan Harris – The Dangers of Unregulated AI on Humanity & the Workforce | The Daily Show
YouTube video by The Daily Show
www.youtube.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by Ramón
derekmay.bsky.social
Source: @kylec.bsky.social
An amazing crowd and photo.
No Kings, Denver, Colorado.
October 18, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Reposted by Ramón
altnps.bsky.social
Organizers have reported 7 million attendees at the No Kings events and we’re happy to confirm 7 million and counting! More events are still happening across the country today, so we’ll need additional time to fully certify the final numbers.
October 18, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Reposted by Ramón
allysammarco.bsky.social
What a day!!! So inspired by everyone out today at No Kings. We are the majority 🇺🇸
October 18, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Reposted by Ramón
fightingliberal.bsky.social
Big turnout in Plano, Texas No Kings rally…

youtube.com/shorts/fzEMl...
Thousands turn out for 'No Kings' protest in Plano, Texas
YouTube video by KERA
youtube.com
October 18, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Reposted by Ramón
azulequalsblue.bsky.social
Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is spending $200 million of taxpayer money on a pair of top-of-the-line luxury Gulfstream G700 private jets during a government shutdown.
October 18, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Reposted by Ramón
nothoodlum.bsky.social
Kristi Noem has approved the purchase by the Coast Guard of two Gulfstream G700 jets for $172 million for her use. Democrats said reflects her over-the-top spending to ensure her comfort.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
October 18, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Reposted by Ramón
danmcneilwrites.bsky.social
Kristi Noem slammed for ‘prioritizing comfort' after $172M 'luxury' purchase exposed

www.rawstory.com/kristi-noem-...
Kristi Noem slammed for ‘prioritizing comfort' after $172M 'luxury' purchase exposed
The Department of Homeland Security has acquired two luxury jets at a cost of $172 million to be used by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and other top agency officials, new documents reviewed by The New Yor...
www.rawstory.com
October 18, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Reposted by Ramón
thebhp.bsky.social
Kristi Noem is probably furious about this.

Keep your dogs indoors today.
October 18, 2025 at 10:41 PM
jocularchitect.bsky.social
www.ocregister.com/2025/10/18/n...
Masses gather at today’s ‘No Kings’ protests in Southern California, nationwide
More than 2,600 rallies were planned, including dozens from Los Angeles to the Inland Empire.
www.ocregister.com
October 18, 2025 at 10:43 PM
jocularchitect.bsky.social
substack.com/@thefrankfig...
Frank Figliuzzi (@thefrankfigliuzzi)
Trump: The US military should use America’s “dangerous” cities as a “training ground”. My take.
substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:30 AM
jocularchitect.bsky.social
A number of Americans who started life in countries run by an authoritarian leader see lots of warning signs in Trump's behavior. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
These people grew up under dictators. They're worried about what's happening here.
A number of Americans who started life in countries run by an authoritarian leader see lots of warning signs in Trump's behavior.
www.usatoday.com
September 28, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Reposted by Ramón
bannerite.bsky.social
Trump asks Supreme Court to let him fire Lisa Cook from Federal Reserve

www.cnn.com/2025/09/18/p...
Trump asks Supreme Court to let him fire Lisa Cook from Federal Reserve | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump took his effort to remove a governor from the Federal Reserve to the Supreme Court on Thursday, asking the justices to remove Lisa Cook from the powerful board a day after it cu...
www.cnn.com
September 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
jocularchitect.bsky.social
zeteo.com/p/charlie-ki...
Charlie Kirk in His Own Words
17 quotes you should read from the right-wing activist and Trump ally who was tragically shot and killed on Wednesday in Utah.
zeteo.com
September 13, 2025 at 7:23 PM
jocularchitect.bsky.social
www.huffpost.com/entry/brian-...
'Just Kill 'Em': Fox Host Makes Shocking Comment On Homeless People
"Fox and Friends" co-host Brian Kilmeade made a jaw-dropping remark while discussing homelessness and mental health.
www.huffpost.com
September 13, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Reposted by Ramón
mommamia.bsky.social
You have to hear this to believe it.

This Fox host actually suggests “involuntary lethal injection“ for the homeless.

He still has a job.

(…But, Matthew Dowd doesn’t?
Shame on you @MSNBC.)
September 13, 2025 at 3:31 PM
jocularchitect.bsky.social
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
No, Charlie Kirk was not practicing politics the right way
His assassination deserves full condemnation; his full impact should not be sidestepped.
www.motherjones.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Reposted by Ramón
motherjones.com
Read the full report with more responses here:
“THIS IS WAR”: Some right-wing figures call for retribution following Kirk killing
“More people will be murdered if the Left isn’t crushed with the power of the state.”
www.motherjones.com
September 11, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Reposted by Ramón
denverpost.com
BREAKING UPDATE: One teenager is dead after a student fired on schoolmates at Evergreen High School in the Jefferson County foothills Wednesday, injuring two before shooting himself.
1 dead after student shoots 2 schoolmates, himself at Evergreen High School
One teenager is dead after a student fired on schoolmates at Evergreen High School in the Jefferson County foothills Wednesday, injuring two before shooting himself, authorities said.
trib.al
September 11, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Reposted by Ramón
maddenifico.bsky.social
Holy shit! During the national anthem at the US Open men's final, the moment Trump is shown on the jumbotron the entire stadium erupted in boos. To say the pedophile president is loathed in his own hometown would be an understatement. 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣👇
September 7, 2025 at 7:50 PM
jocularchitect.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/06/p...
President Trump portends immigration actions with ‘Chipocalypse Now’ post; Gov. Pritzker calls it ‘not normal’
But Democratic governor acknowledged that absent the courts, he was powerless to combat President Donald Trump’s efforts.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 6, 2025 at 6:57 PM