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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#268326: Jan 23rd 2019 at 11:12:02 AM

"Venezuela's Guaido declares himself president, Maduro under pressure" - http://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics/venezuelas-guaido-declares-himself-president-maduro-under-pressure-idUSKCN1PH08T

The reason I'm bringing it up here:

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on Wednesday, while hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans poured onto the streets to demand an end to the socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro.

In a statement minutes later, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate interim president.

Demonstrators clogged avenues in eastern Caracas, chanting "Get out, Maduro" and "Guaido, Presidente," while waving national flags. Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in several areas. A rally the night before left four people reported dead, an echo of tumultuous riots two years ago.

The opposition has been energized by young congress chief Guaido, who has led a campaign to declare Maduro a usurper and has promised a transition to a new government in a nation suffering a hyperinflationary economic collapse.

Guaido, in a speech before a cheering crowd, took an oath swearing himself in as interim president.

"I swear to assume all the powers of the presidency to secure an end of the usurpation," he said.

He has said he would be willing to replace Maduro with the support of the military and to call free elections.

The Trump administration told U.S. energy companies it could impose sanctions on Venezuelan oil as soon as this week if the political situation worsens, according to sources.

KazuyaProta Shin Megami Tensei IV from A Industrial Farm Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Shin Megami Tensei IV
#268327: Jan 23rd 2019 at 11:18:54 AM

Oh my God. Is happening. Is finally happening.

Watch me destroying my country
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#268328: Jan 23rd 2019 at 11:21:46 AM

Aw shit, this isn't good.

Oh really when?
unknowing from somewhere.. Since: Mar, 2014
#268329: Jan 23rd 2019 at 11:38:50 AM

I much I dislike trump, im really glad this is finally happeing, you dont know how happy im right now.

"My Name is Bolt, Bolt Crank and I dont care if you believe or not"
KazuyaProta Shin Megami Tensei IV from A Industrial Farm Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Shin Megami Tensei IV
#268330: Jan 23rd 2019 at 11:40:34 AM

[up] Oh man, I was wondering how you would react since I'd read that new.

Watch me destroying my country
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#268331: Jan 23rd 2019 at 11:44:31 AM

[up]x5 Reading another Article on the matter, it amuses me that the Anti-Maduro, Pro-Guaido Protesters are wearing White, while the Pro-Maduro Protesters are wearing Red. Also, where is Maduro himself in all of this? Is he just hiding somewhere? He was just sworn in for another term, where is he now?

But on topic, Trump might be jumping too quick to support Guaido in this matter, even though I actually agree with the decision. It's not like this is going to change the US's relation with Venezuela, it's already deteriorated to the point of a Cold War; it's either going to remain that way or thaw out. I find it funny though that Trump is throwing his support behind a different kind of Leftist (the Popular Will is a Socialist Party, just not a Chavist/Bolivarian Socialist Party).

Edited by DingoWalley1 on Jan 23rd 2019 at 2:45:04 PM

Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#268332: Jan 23rd 2019 at 11:45:24 AM

We know what comes next don't we?It's a power struggle,so expect more people coming forward trying to claim to be the interim leader,and expect Mandro to not budge an inch

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#268333: Jan 23rd 2019 at 11:51:20 AM

I want Guaido to be President but I've got a bad feeling about this.

Hopefully it won't get messy.

Oh really when?
Lightysnake Since: May, 2010
#268334: Jan 23rd 2019 at 11:53:10 AM

Meanwhile...Trump tries to claim he's giving the SOTU from the House anyways.

Pelosi's response seems to be "Hahahaha no."

Lightysnake Since: May, 2010
#268335: Jan 23rd 2019 at 11:54:24 AM

Oh, as to what Septimus was saying: Obviously it's not a great thing Biden did, and given that the Republican won the general by near 5 points, he probably didn't make the difference, but the guy did support brain cancer research which probably hits a bit close to home for Biden.

There are like a thousand other reasons the nominee shouldn't be Biden besides that, though.

speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#268336: Jan 23rd 2019 at 11:56:19 AM

[up]x2 I'm confused about something. Some say Trump can do the SOTU without Pelosi's approval, others say it's up to Pelosi. Which is correct?

Edited by speedyboris on Jan 23rd 2019 at 1:58:29 PM

Lightysnake Since: May, 2010
#268337: Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:01:25 PM

Trump can do a SOTU wherever he wants, but Pelosi holds full control over the house floor. She has no obligation to let him give it there or have it filmed

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#268338: Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:02:55 PM

He can't. He said he was going to ignore her original letter advising a delay of the SOTU and give it anyway, but just now she sent another letter basically saying, well:

"Hahaha, no."

Edited by Parable on Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:03:22 PM

Lightysnake Since: May, 2010
#268339: Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:04:29 PM

The whole 'televised speech' SOTU is a relatively recent thing. Usually Presidents would just send a note to congress or something.

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#268340: Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:08:41 PM

[up]x3 Then Trump'll just do it in Texas, live, with a crowd of his supporters. Honestly, it might just be better to do it in Congress (even if they won't film it), so that he's just not stroking his ego like usual.

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#268341: Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:12:46 PM

The SOTU is officially an address to Congress. It's an update on how the country and what should be done that is doing specifically for them.

It was originally on the form of a letter because that's what George Washington did. Woodrow Wilson broke the tradition to make a case for entering WWI in person and its been televised since T Vs became popular.

speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#268342: Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:12:47 PM

There were actually rumors that Trump was going to turn the SOTU into a rally at an external location if he couldn't hold it on the house floor. Heck, two states sent him invitations.

Which would've just reinforced what we already knew: That he only caters to his base and nobody else.

Edited by speedyboris on Jan 23rd 2019 at 2:13:36 PM

Lightysnake Since: May, 2010
#268343: Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:21:29 PM

Let him. Who cares? Madam Speaker shouldn't play to his ego

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#268344: Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:22:05 PM

Just saw this notification pop up from Reuters:

"Maduro says Venezuela is breaking diplomatic relations with the United States"

Edited by sgamer82 on Jan 23rd 2019 at 1:22:16 PM

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#268345: Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:22:45 PM

I don't think it even counts as a SOTU if he doesn't actually address Congress in some form or another.

Edited by Parable on Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:24:21 PM

AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#268346: Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:32:33 PM

I didn't realize we were still maintaining diplomatic relations with Venezuela.

KazuyaProta Shin Megami Tensei IV from A Industrial Farm Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Shin Megami Tensei IV
#268347: Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:38:09 PM

Same, you would think that given Chavist sheer Deathtoamerikkka attitude, their relationships would be cut.

Watch me destroying my country
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#268348: Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:39:38 PM

The best part of this is that Trump's government has done its best to ensure that whatever trust and influence we once had in the region are all but gone.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#268350: Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:54:02 PM

Well, yeah, but this is a specific part of the more general problem, and a demonstration of why having foreign influence is important.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"

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