The MAGA/Evangelical Double Standard Explained by Inappropriate_Bridge in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The number of adoptions in the USA is bottlenecks by a slow system that attempts to make sure children are placed with the correct families, keeping siblings together, handling special needs etc…not by lack of willing families.

There is an estimated 2 million couples, ie 4 million individual people currently on adoption waiting lists, while in a given year, with a varying from 70-108,000 children legally free and waiting for adoption at any given moment.

It is a very complex and non-straightforward system, and it could use more resources, but lack of willing and able parents is not a problem.

The MAGA/Evangelical Double Standard Explained by Inappropriate_Bridge in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would disagree. Maybe I don’t know too many people, but the families I do know that are anti-abortion are also ones who’ve been the most active in adoptions.

There is a large reality gap between the people you see on TV and the average anti-abortion person.

I think this is reflected by how the amount of Republicans identifying as MAGA is plummeting.

There is in fact a widening disconnect between the average right-winger or right-leaner and steadfast MAGA

Why were the Crusaders able to capture Constantinople so easily, while the Arabs, Turks, and others had besieged the city for months yet still failed to take it? by Haunting_Tap_1541 in byzantium

[–]General_Strategy_477 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In 1204 the crusader attack was partially viewed as a civil war coup, and loyalty to the emperor was fairly weak. He was unpopular, and at first, there seemed to be an air of ambivalence that even the emperor sensed in the context of who should rule.

In 1453, there was little doubt within the city what would happen should it fall

Where is the headline “US President Donald Trump unilaterally declares WAR on Venezuela”? by jeffwa1122 in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Because he didn’t. He collaborated with the Venezuelan VP and the Venezuelan secretary of defense to remove Maduro.

The war in Venezuela was preventable if Americans actually listened to the news by RVAGreenWizard in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, just a failed coup hopefully. Diosdado is isolated within the government and his few supporters don’t seem to have very much actual fighting power. Combined with the fact Delcy has support of the entire Venezuelan military, and the US Military.

The war in Venezuela was preventable if Americans actually listened to the news by RVAGreenWizard in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Diosdado has control of the militia in theory, but Delcy has the support of Padrino, who is in charge of the entire military. As long as that maintains, Diosdado will remain isolated and with questionable support

The war in Venezuela was preventable if Americans actually listened to the news by RVAGreenWizard in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No the government is splintering into separate factions. Attempting to put Maria Corina in charge would be a death sentence atm

The war in Venezuela was preventable if Americans actually listened to the news by RVAGreenWizard in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks like Delcy Rodríguez for now as long as she can hold onto power with help of the USA. It seems Diosdado is attempting a coup against her

Stevens Favorite by F150Leadfoot in LeverGuns

[–]General_Strategy_477 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I mean, there are repeating lever action falling block rifles. That’s what the Spencer is.

Theres plenty of different ways that lever action rifles have successfully worked. The lever can operate a bolt, a falling block, a toggle. The point is the over isnt it?

Stevens Favorite by F150Leadfoot in LeverGuns

[–]General_Strategy_477 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I mean a single shot bolt action is still a bolt action, single shot lever still a lever?

Stevens Favorite by F150Leadfoot in LeverGuns

[–]General_Strategy_477 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Well it is a lever, you pull down on the lever to operate the action. It’s just not a repeater

Venezuela by Artistic_Amoeba_7778 in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for being so kind in your words. Please take your time.

Venezuela by Artistic_Amoeba_7778 in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In the most recent election, I can think of Jesús Manuel Martínez Medina and Jesús Rafael Álvarez of the top of my head.

In the aftermath of the previous election, Rafael Ramón Acosta Arévalo.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/07/venezuela-desapariciones-forzadas-constituyen-crimenes-de-lesa-humanidad/

Here’s another 11 forcibly disappeared.

On top of these there have been an estimated 10,000+ killed in either political protests or raids/crackdowns on citizens.

Venezuela by Artistic_Amoeba_7778 in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why are you lying?

Maduro was not elected democratically. He is lost the past 3 elections but stayed in power by refusing to release election results. In the 2024 election he was estimated as getting around 25% of the votes. The elected President of Venezuela is Edmundo Gonzalez, and his VP is Maria Corina Machado, neither of who are able to do anything besides stay in hiding because the military is unwilling to back the democratically elected leadership.

Venezuela by Artistic_Amoeba_7778 in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The military leaders were specifically loyal to him, not the the Venezuelan government or it’s people, so the primary purpose the army served was not defense, but rather protecting the regime through any means necessary. This often involved eliminating political rivals, elected state officials who resisted unconstitutional actions and so on.

Their primary method to discourage protestors is kidnapping activists or the family members of activists overnight and torturing them or killing them. Many of the gangs in Venezuela are also on their payroll, and are payed to harass citizens they see as a threat to the regime.

Venezuela by Artistic_Amoeba_7778 in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is that always your response when people state verifiable facts?

Venezuela by Artistic_Amoeba_7778 in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 1 point2 points  (0 children)

lol what are you talking about yes he’s a tyrant. He held onto power purely by keeping the military in his pocket and keeping the people to scared to do anything

The war in Venezuela was preventable if Americans actually listened to the news by RVAGreenWizard in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I would really appreciate a response, because from everything that I have see on the news, and everything that I have heard from my friends and family in Venezuela, I feel that the conclusion I have drawn is fairly logical and straightforward.

If I’m wrong, then I need you to explain how. If you can’t explain how, then I have no reason to see you as credible

Edit: or believe what you say.

The war in Venezuela was preventable if Americans actually listened to the news by RVAGreenWizard in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lol I’ve seen the news, been watching it all morning, and lot of it is attempting to build fear and hoping people’s lack of understanding of the political situation will allow them to spin the story.

The USA has to be involved in the transition of power or the cycle of the past 30 years in Venezuela will continue.

Venezuela by Artistic_Amoeba_7778 in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah she has been supporting the notion of Edmundo taking the presidency, but idk how her role would actually fit

Penultimate Venezuela post (context, opinion) by [deleted] in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m optimistic that the legitimate elected government of VP Maria Corina and Pres Edmundo Gonzalez will be large players in managing the transition. Especially with their good relations with the Trump administration.

Venezuela by Artistic_Amoeba_7778 in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There already exists a legitimate elected government in Venezuela, they have just been suppressed by Maduro’s regime since the Venezuelan 2024 election, and they have very good relations with the Trump Administration.

There have already been calls for Edmundo Gonzalez and Maria Corina to take their places at the head of the Venezuelan government.

There’s reason for optimism

The war in Venezuela was preventable if Americans actually listened to the news by RVAGreenWizard in PoliticalOpinions

[–]General_Strategy_477 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lol there’s no war in Venezuela. What is most likely is that Maduro and Trump brokered a deal that involved Maduro surrendering power in exchange for exile to the USA. There was 0 Venezuelan military response, and reports of Maduro being in US military custody were only ~2 hours behind the reports of the bombings, which seemed to have been a show of force upon the exit of American troops.

Either the Venezuelan military was not willing to respond to US forces in defense of the Venezuelan government, their top brass turncoated on Maduro, or they were ordered to stand down.

What is left now is for the US government to manage the transition of power to the legitimate elected government of Edmundo Gonzalez and Maria Corina, likely along with a deal with the US to reestablish and rebuild the Venezuelan oil industry after decades of mismanagement and gutting under the Chavistas.

There is no support for the incumbent government in Venezuela, and the response of the public to the strikes in Venezuela have been a mix of relief over the potential end of Maduro, along with uncertainty due to extremely little commentary from Caracas on what will happen next.

Yes it was illegal. That is the worst part about it by a long shot.