Venezuamerica

[smb0120]

I am still digesting the news and implications of yesterday. What an incredible operation and display of American exceptionalism by our military and intelligence.

In the vein of Field Ethos, I immediately start thinking of the adventure and opportunity that will be opening up in that country over the next undetermined amount of time. I think of Frederick Russell Burnham - seeking out opportunities, adventure, and riches across the globe in the developing western US, Alaska, Mexico, and Africa. Reading his books and biography filled me with a sense of sadness - experiencing an era and life that we seem to have in many ways missed....until now.

This is a chance, maybe once in many of our lifetimes, for that kind of adventurous speculation, risk, and adventure where fortunes could be made or lost. Frederick sought out the wild west to make his way in the world, chasing fortune until it led him to the dark continent. A land where resources abound and were waiting to be developed - much like Venezuela. Boys, we suddenly find world events offering us the very same opportunity. What companies or business opportunities could await a group like this in Venezuela? What could we, adventurous American heirs of Burnham, build? What fortune is calling our name?

 

[Godfather]

Good illustration of many things:

- don’t tug on Superman’s cape unless you want a reaction - and yes, America is Superman in this set up

- know your limits, it’s one thing to grow and play outside your level, it’s another to think you can always do it - Maduro joins a long list of idiot people in power that can’t do that calculus

- always honor your commitments - Maduro was given a deal, some of his guys returned to him, and was given some parameters and expectations, dumb deal IMHO, but it was struck, and he didn’t honor it, so you shake Sinatra’s hand and don’t follow through, you are going to feel the heat or become part of the Jersey Turnpike

- some bullies can’t be reasoned with, they don’t believe you when you tell them the stove is hot, they’ve got to touch it, they’ve got to seek dominance over the playground, and so words end and actions begin, and America can project power when and where it needs to, and just punched another bully in the nose

- Maduro was already living in fear, like Arafat not sleeping in the same bed twice, like Gaddafi switching cell phone by the hour, like Saddam with his special security, and none of it matters if we don’t want it to matter. His enlisted Cuban security force was akin to fielding the second string cheerleaders for a neighborhood U12 boys flag football team against our team, all NFL Hall of Fame players who formed a team and play wickedly well together - not a contest.

Avoidable? Perhaps at one stage, but not when circumstances changed.
Something we preferred to do? Clearly not.
Necessary? Fuck yes.
Executed? Flawlessly!

I am still digesting the news and implications of yesterday. What an incredible operation and display of American exceptionalism by our military and intelligence.

In the vein of Field Ethos, I immediately start thinking of the adventure and opportunity that will be opening up in that country over the next undetermined amount of time. I think of Frederick Russell Burnham - seeking out opportunities, adventure, and riches across the globe in the developing western US, Alaska, Mexico, and Africa. Reading his books and biography filled me with a sense of sadness - experiencing an era and life that we seem to have in many ways missed....until now.

This is a chance, maybe once in many of our lifetimes, for that kind of adventurous speculation, risk, and adventure where fortunes could be made or lost. Frederick sought out the wild west to make his way in the world, chasing fortune until it led him to the dark continent. A land where resources abound and were waiting to be developed - much like Venezuela. Boys, we suddenly find world events offering us the very same opportunity. What companies or business opportunities could await a group like this in Venezuela? What could we, adventurous American heirs of Burnham, build? What fortune is calling our name?

 

[badgererickson]

Yes. Some years ago Robert Duvall set up a huge cattle ranch in Argentina. A couple of AMA SuperBike racing brothers set up a farm down there as well about 15 years ago. A WI friend of ours was bouncing back and forth for many years, to/from Brazil; haven't heard from him in about 10 years. People disappear much more easily "down there", whether it's from going native or a shallow grave, we don't know in many circumstances. Think Moscow about 1992; God abhors a vacuum and people move into position of opportunity! Have your out and people and places and things set up! We'll come visit OFTEN and be your back up!