Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Tuesday, December 16, 2025

US President Donald Trump has said he is ordering a "a total and complete" blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into and out of Venezuela.

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Trump calls for a "blockade" of Venezuela. Lots of questions here -- about legality, about end game, about growing risks to U.S. sons and daughters in uniform.

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-- Dan Lamothe (@danlamothe.bsky.social) Dec 16, 2025 at 8:19 PM

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Has Pres Trump stated his end aim in deploying a significant US military presence to the coast of Venezuela?



#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-12-16 08:35 PM | Reply

"In a post on Truth Social, he said Venezuelan leader Nicols Maduro's government had been designated a foreign terrorist organisation and accused it of stealing US assets, as well as "Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking".

One has to wonder what other countries Gov he will designate a 'foreign terrorist organization'... what excuses he make up for doing so?

Canada, for exporting too much maple syrup?
Greenland, for being in the wrong geographical location at the wrong time?
Ukraine, for hoarding all OUR valuable minerals?
Panama, for having a Canal?
Mexico, for calling him Taco?

#2 | Posted by Corky at 2025-12-16 10:07 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

How bout them beef prices??

#3 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-12-16 11:58 PM | Reply

Also, that fat idiot needs to be put down asap

#4 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-12-16 11:59 PM | Reply

Has Pres Trump stated his end aim in deploying a significant US military presence to the coast of Venezuela?

#1 | Posted by LampLighter

Does he need to? He's above the law and the constitution. Republican party has decided he can do whatever he wants.

Clearly its about oil. Trump told the oil companies he'd do whatever they want if they helped him get back into the white house instead of going to jail.

#5 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2025-12-17 12:11 AM | Reply

@#3 ... How bout them beef prices?? ...

'Code red' issued at steakhouses across America as beef prices soar, and it's bad news for customers
www.msn.com

... Soaring beef prices in the United States have forced steakhouses across America to issue code red warnings and pass on price hikes to consumers who are already feeling the pinch.

Halls Chophouse, with fine dining restaurants in South Carolina and Tennessee, has been forced to up the price of an eight-ounce filet mignon from $57 to $61 after initially trying to absorb the costs.

That marked an increase of about seven percent.

'Every time we do a price increase, I have butterflies in my stomach wondering how customers will take it,' Tommy Hall, the restaurant's president, told The New York Times.

Hall said his business found itself in a 'code red' situation earlier in 2025, and he felt there was no choice but to act decisively.

'We had to raise prices or we weren't going to be able to cover costs,' he said.

'I'm not so nervous about December, but I'm extremely nervous about January and February.' ...


#6 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-12-17 12:37 AM | Reply

... and ...

If you think beef is expensive now, just wait until next year when prices could soar nearly 60%
fortune.com

... Beef prices have been giving Americans sticker shock at grocery stores lately, and they are poised to reach even more stomach-churning levels next year, according to Omaha Steaks CEO Nate Rempe.

In an interview Friday on Fox Business' Mornings with Maria, he pointed out that the U.S. cattle herd is at 70-year lows while beef demand is at all-time highs.

To rebuild herds, ranchers must hold on to heifers rather than sending them out to meat processors. There are signs of that happening, but that also means beef supply will shrink in the near term, Rempe warned. ...


#7 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-12-17 12:41 AM | Reply

@#5 ... Clearly its about oil. ...

That is the way it seems to be looking of late. The drug-trafficking emphasis seems to be diminishing and now looks like more of a distraction, with the possible murdering of ship-wrecked people. The latter will be lingering for a while like an unclaimed air-biscuit, as it is beginning to look like yet another Trump admin cover-up to me.

OK, let's go with the "it's about oil aspect."

Does that justify the expense of the military force that Pres Trump has deployed?

Does that even justify his actions off the coast of Venezuela?


#8 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-12-17 12:49 AM | Reply

while beef demand is at all-time highs

Obviously enough people can still afford it.

#9 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-12-17 01:04 AM | Reply

On topic, what "land" did Venezuela steal from the US?

#10 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-12-17 01:26 AM | Reply

@#10 ... what "land" did Venezuela steal from the US? ...

Isn't the oil in the ground "land?"

And doesn't Pres Trump think he is entitled to that "land?"

#11 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-12-17 01:47 AM | Reply

And doesn't Pres Trump think he is entitled to that "land?"

Oh, I'm sure he does. He's certainly going to take it.

#12 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-12-17 01:53 AM | Reply

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