Question: Does The United States Need Venezuela’s Oil?

The Trump Administration has seized multiple oil tankers and President Trump has stated that Venezuela will soon cede 30-50 million barrels of oil to the United States. The U.S. was the world’s top producer of oil in 2022 and 2023. Venezuela was not even listed in the top ten. So, does the Trump Administration need Venezuela’s Oil: Probably, Maybe, or Probably Not?

Question: Is the Trump Administration Running Venezuela?

In the late night of January 2nd and early morning hours of January 3rd, the U.S. Military successfully abducted Nicolas Maduro from his residence in Caracas, Venezuela. Maduro has now been extradited to New York to stand trial for various criminal charges being brought against him in that State. The former Vice President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, has now been sworn in as President of Venezuela while President Trump has suggested that a second wave of military strikes could take place if the Venezuelan Government fails to comply with the Trump Administration’s demands. Trump has suggested that U.S. companies will soon gain access to and jurisdiction over Venezuelan oil resources which will then be leveraged for the benefit of both the United States and Venezuela. So, is the Trump Administration in control of Venezuela and its vast oil reserves?

Question: Is Nicolas Maduro alive? – The Abduction of Venezuela’s Dictator is Added to the List of U.S. Interventionism in Latin America

After multiple military interventions off the coast of Venezuela in 2025, the U.S. Military appears to have successful abducted Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro in the early morning hours of January 3rd, 2026. The Trump Administration plans to make a statement on the operation later this morning while multiple Venezuelan officials call for proof that Maduro is still alive.

Love Thy Neighbor: A Reply To Those in Support of ICE at Fort Leonard Wood, MO SB58 (now SB 94), and MO SB72

“…fearing, profiling, or stereotyping others for a $1,000 check or calling the federal government to arrest my neighbors -without accountability to local authorities- degrades the trust, power, and independence of our cities, towns, and communities.”

ICE at Fort Leonard Wood: An Open Letter to Senators Eric Schmitt & Josh Hawley of the State of Missouri

Would you happily turn in your immigrant neighbor for $1,000?

Trump & Zelenskyy 2.0: A Pre-Brief for the Second 2025 White House Meeting

There’s a lot at stake in the Trump & Zelenskyy White House Meeting 2.0, but I’m keeping my expectations low. Here’s why…

A Freedom Worth Fighting For? – On World Class Retail Businesses, Leading Democratic Governments, & The Price of Free Coffee

What makes a retailer world class? Great products and services at an affordable price?! Everything in one place?! FREE COFFEE?! There may be more to this than meets the eye…

Thank You for Your Service: The Fine Line Between Patriots & Parrots

What does the end of the HBO series Band of Brothers have to do with parrots, organizational psychology, and the current cultural zeitgeist? Click the link to find out… (8 minute read – if you’re faster than the average)

President Trump’s Terrific Tariffs, Oversimplified

President Trump’s April 2, 2025 tariff announcement imposes a 10% tax on imported goods, leading to increased prices for U.S. consumers and potential losses of $3,800 per household. While tariffs raise federal revenue, they may also encourage domestic production if U.S. goods can compete with cheaper foreign options. Protests against tariffs are expected as consumers react to rising costs.