Portside

Though many wrote it off as a political stunt, it was clear the gathering was much more important than many realized, offering the clearest articulation yet of how the Trump administration thinks about and hopes to use military power.

While many governments in hemisphere would no doubt love to see Maduro gone, they would dislike more the method of his going. The presidents of Colombia and Mexico have criticized the attacks. Others warn of resentment were an intervention to follow.

Problems of power and program — North and South

From 2005 to 2016, against the wishes of both the country’s ruling and opposition parties, the small Venezuelan municipality of Torres underwent a radical experiment in democracy, giving residents direct power over the budget. It worked.

Mass unrest and power shifts

The military build-up off Venezuela’s coast is a slippery slope towards an armed conflagration, far greater suffering for the Venezuelan people, regional destabilization and a potential political quagmire for the United States

Reanimating the heart of democracy

From terrifying the children of immigrants to pepper-spraying frogs, the US under Trump is rapidly descending into mayhem.

“Congress has not authorized military force against Venezuela,” said Sen. Adam Schiff. “And we must assert our authority to stop the United States from being dragged—intentionally or accidentally—into full-fledged war.”

Readers Comments: Chicago Invaded-by ICE, Texas National Guard; Trump's Labor Dept Says ICE Raids Causing Food Crisis; Boat Strikes Just the Beginning, Now CIA Missions Planned Against Venezuela; What's Happening in US Socialism; All-Out for Oct 18;