@tinsal.bsky.social
Economics/Finance person, deep into wine industry. Lifetime politics geek, data lover, third gen Democrat. NYC born, CA living.
But they're sending oil to Trump? "A Majority of Venezuelans Struggle to Pay for Food, Poll Shows. A new Gallup survey found that more than half of Venezuelans reported struggling to afford food last year, with economic hardship reaching even the wealthy."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/w...
A Majority of Venezuelans Struggle to Pay for Food, Poll Shows
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:18 AM
But they're sending oil to Trump? "A Majority of Venezuelans Struggle to Pay for Food, Poll Shows. A new Gallup survey found that more than half of Venezuelans reported struggling to afford food last year, with economic hardship reaching even the wealthy."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/w...
But Trump really believes Greenland has "rare earth minerals." He wants to "own" those. Not about national security but money he thinks can be made. Doesn't really understand the rest.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/w... GIFT ARTICLE
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/w... GIFT ARTICLE
Buy Greenland? Take It? Why? An Old Pact Already Gives Trump a Free Hand.
www.nytimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:20 PM
But Trump really believes Greenland has "rare earth minerals." He wants to "own" those. Not about national security but money he thinks can be made. Doesn't really understand the rest.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/w... GIFT ARTICLE
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/w... GIFT ARTICLE
Health Dept. Freezes $10 Billion in Funding to 5 Democratic States: CA, NY, Ill, Colorado, Minnesota. Claims "widespread fraud" but offers no evidence. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
Health Dept. Freezes $10 Billion in Funding to 5 Democratic States
www.nytimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Health Dept. Freezes $10 Billion in Funding to 5 Democratic States: CA, NY, Ill, Colorado, Minnesota. Claims "widespread fraud" but offers no evidence. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
I'm convinced that Donald Trump's brain, such as it is, stop maturing in the 7th grade, assuming it got that far. He's like an adolescent playing video games, just shooting things while his mouth runs.
While describing the US military operation in Venezuela on Saturday, Trump referenced a two-word title for his determination to dominate the Western Hemisphere.
“They now call it the ‘Donroe Doctrine,’” Trump said, crediting unnamed others with the phrase. https://cnn.it/3LbouXP
“They now call it the ‘Donroe Doctrine,’” Trump said, crediting unnamed others with the phrase. https://cnn.it/3LbouXP
January 6, 2026 at 1:54 AM
I'm convinced that Donald Trump's brain, such as it is, stop maturing in the 7th grade, assuming it got that far. He's like an adolescent playing video games, just shooting things while his mouth runs.
Won't be long before Venezuela diaspora realizes the same folks, including secret police, are in power. Then they wll get angry. Unlikely oil majors will risk investing billions required to fix Venez oil just on Trump's promise. Some bottom players may try something. Whole thing likely a fiasco.
"This is insane!" @timmiller.bsky.social tells @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social. "Basically, everybody thinks it's insane...unless you're part of the Venezuela diaspora, or you're just a Trump-humper."
January 6, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Won't be long before Venezuela diaspora realizes the same folks, including secret police, are in power. Then they wll get angry. Unlikely oil majors will risk investing billions required to fix Venez oil just on Trump's promise. Some bottom players may try something. Whole thing likely a fiasco.
These people are simply out-of-their-minds. Which tragically doesn't mean that they won't do more extremely stupid things.
TAPPER: Can you rule out the US is going to take Greenland by force?
MILLER: Greenland should be part of the US. By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? The US is the power of NATO
T: So force is on the table?
M: Nobody is gonna fight the US militarily over future of Greenland
MILLER: Greenland should be part of the US. By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? The US is the power of NATO
T: So force is on the table?
M: Nobody is gonna fight the US militarily over future of Greenland
January 6, 2026 at 1:27 AM
These people are simply out-of-their-minds. Which tragically doesn't mean that they won't do more extremely stupid things.
Qatar sow confusion again. Just like they told Israel that Hamas wanted peace and stability.
"Senior Venezuelan government officials, led by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez...have quietly promoted a series of initiatives in recent months aimed at presenting themselves to Washington as a “more acceptable” alternative to Nicolás Maduro’s regime...funneled through intermediaries in Qatar."
Exclusive: Venezuelan leaders offered U.S. a path to stay in power without Maduro
Delcy and Jorge Rodríguez used Doha backchannels to offer Washington a 'Cartel Light' plan for a managed Venezuela transition that keeps chavismo in power.
www.miamiherald.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Qatar sow confusion again. Just like they told Israel that Hamas wanted peace and stability.
Oy vey. "We love America" is not a newscast. Meanwhile, Doukoupil's first newscast, Saturday's Evening News, has extended poorly prepared interview with Hegseth. No questioning or follow ups to Hegseth's inane non-answers . Altogether bad news, in every sense of the word.
variety.com/2026/tv/news...
variety.com/2026/tv/news...
CBS Evening News Says ‘We Love America’ Is Now One of Its Guiding Principles
Under the oversight of Bari Weiss, the revamped 'CBS Evening News' anchored by Tony Dokoupil is waving the American flag -- and it's not apologizing for its pro-U.S. editorial stance.
variety.com
January 4, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Oy vey. "We love America" is not a newscast. Meanwhile, Doukoupil's first newscast, Saturday's Evening News, has extended poorly prepared interview with Hegseth. No questioning or follow ups to Hegseth's inane non-answers . Altogether bad news, in every sense of the word.
variety.com/2026/tv/news...
variety.com/2026/tv/news...
Great sports writing is the best: this is a wonderful story.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
@theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
@theathletic.com
Mikey Williams was basketball’s next big star. He’s happier now under a smaller spotlight
Followed by a documentary crew and millions on social media before gunfire derailed his career, he's back on the court, at Sacramento State.
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Great sports writing is the best: this is a wonderful story.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
@theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
@theathletic.com
"Opportunities in oil and tourism"? Got it: a Trump hotel & Golf course! We are now invading countries for oil and hotels.
www.businessinsider.com/foreign-inve...
www.businessinsider.com/foreign-inve...
A group of about 20 US investors is already planning a trip to Venezuela in March
Charles Myers, chairman of Signum Global Advisors, told Business Insider he is preparing a group of 15-20 investors to travel to Venezuela in March.
www.businessinsider.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:07 AM
"Opportunities in oil and tourism"? Got it: a Trump hotel & Golf course! We are now invading countries for oil and hotels.
www.businessinsider.com/foreign-inve...
www.businessinsider.com/foreign-inve...
It took an invastion of another country but have to admit T did successfully divert attention from Epstein
Proud to present this pictorial thread of Jamelle Bouie insulting you
#1: You're a dumbass
#1: You're a dumbass
January 3, 2026 at 11:54 PM
It took an invastion of another country but have to admit T did successfully divert attention from Epstein
MAGA Inc. finished out 2025 with a staggering total of $304.3 million in the bank [that they can spend in the midterms] Many donors have interests before the federal government, as described below.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/u...
Trump Super PAC Raised More Than $100 Million in Recent Months
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:40 PM
MAGA Inc. finished out 2025 with a staggering total of $304.3 million in the bank [that they can spend in the midterms] Many donors have interests before the federal government, as described below.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/u...
Democratic transition has nothing to do with this coup. Same folks will likely be in charge, while US companies who gratify Trump will plunder the country.
People are criticizing Macron for accepting the coup, fair enough, but I think the main point is that he is pushing for the loser of the last, rigged, election to be installed rather than a US-chosen crony. Of course, it might be less bloody for the US to deal with the current regime.
Emmanuel Macron statement:
January 3, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Democratic transition has nothing to do with this coup. Same folks will likely be in charge, while US companies who gratify Trump will plunder the country.
He has a 1950s era obsession with oil as the route to being really really rich. Even as tankers filled with surplus oil sit offshore. Maybe his roll back of green energy can revive demand for his "black gold." Otherwise, he is dragging the US into pathetic delusion.
January 3, 2026 at 8:40 PM
He has a 1950s era obsession with oil as the route to being really really rich. Even as tankers filled with surplus oil sit offshore. Maybe his roll back of green energy can revive demand for his "black gold." Otherwise, he is dragging the US into pathetic delusion.
"Mr. Falen’s sale of his water rights also depended on the mine getting a permit from the Interior Department. Without it, Lithium Nevada Corp. could have terminated its deal with him."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/c...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/c...
The Trump Administration Approved a Big Lithium Mine. A Top Official’s Husband Profited.
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:36 PM
"Mr. Falen’s sale of his water rights also depended on the mine getting a permit from the Interior Department. Without it, Lithium Nevada Corp. could have terminated its deal with him."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/c...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/c...
Interesting Vance was not at press conference. Watched the video conference by video feed. Quietly distancing himself from this adventure, preparing for the future? At what point will Republicans have had enough?
How much will they have to "donate" to Trump "library" etc to get access to Venezuela and do any "deals"? Will Jared and Jr now be partners in new oil and mineral deals?
Here comes the profiteering. How much does Trump take for himself and his family and associates? www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
January 3, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Interesting Vance was not at press conference. Watched the video conference by video feed. Quietly distancing himself from this adventure, preparing for the future? At what point will Republicans have had enough?
How much will they have to "donate" to Trump "library" etc to get access to Venezuela and do any "deals"? Will Jared and Jr now be partners in new oil and mineral deals?
Here comes the profiteering. How much does Trump take for himself and his family and associates? www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
January 3, 2026 at 8:24 PM
How much will they have to "donate" to Trump "library" etc to get access to Venezuela and do any "deals"? Will Jared and Jr now be partners in new oil and mineral deals?
No plan beyond capturing Maduro. Trump thought US just could "run" Venezuela's oil industry, not the country. Now thinks Rubio & Hegseth can do both? Oil expert tells NYT turning around Venezuela's dilapidated oil industry needs billions over several years. Not "pay for itself." More chaos.
January 3, 2026 at 8:21 PM
No plan beyond capturing Maduro. Trump thought US just could "run" Venezuela's oil industry, not the country. Now thinks Rubio & Hegseth can do both? Oil expert tells NYT turning around Venezuela's dilapidated oil industry needs billions over several years. Not "pay for itself." More chaos.
Trump claims that the woman who won last Venezuelan election "doesn't have the support" or "what it takes" to run the government.
Rubio, Hegseth & Maduro's cronies instead. "Many cheered, danced, cried and embraced each other as they celebrated the capturing of Maduro, something they say will bring long needed change — and hopefully liberation — to their country."
Read more at: www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Read more at: www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Venezuelans in South Florida celebrate Maduro’s capture, hope for return to democracy
Venezuelans, especially in South Florida, react as Nicolás Maduro is reportedly captured by the U.S., following a year of contested elections
www.miamiherald.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Trump claims that the woman who won last Venezuelan election "doesn't have the support" or "what it takes" to run the government.
Rubio, Hegseth & Maduro's cronies instead. "Many cheered, danced, cried and embraced each other as they celebrated the capturing of Maduro, something they say will bring long needed change — and hopefully liberation — to their country."
Read more at: www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Read more at: www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Venezuelans in South Florida celebrate Maduro’s capture, hope for return to democracy
Venezuelans, especially in South Florida, react as Nicolás Maduro is reportedly captured by the U.S., following a year of contested elections
www.miamiherald.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Rubio, Hegseth & Maduro's cronies instead. "Many cheered, danced, cried and embraced each other as they celebrated the capturing of Maduro, something they say will bring long needed change — and hopefully liberation — to their country."
Read more at: www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Read more at: www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
This is WaPo's editorial today. Bezos is now totally Trump-owned.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Justice in Venezuela
The next challenge is setting the country up for long-term success.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:26 PM
This is WaPo's editorial today. Bezos is now totally Trump-owned.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...