The “anointed” have officially crushed self-rule.
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19:17 clicks in
What are we doing in Venezuela?
ANSWER: OIL!
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Supposedly almost no American oil refinery is able to process Venezuelan oil because of its thickness and composition. That was the story when I worked for one of the major oil companies. Ironically one of my coworkers was from there.
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Just seeing reports about the El Segundo oil refinery explosion, 290K barrels refined per day! Might the Russians be following up on their multiple warnings about attacking the sources and participants in the ongoing attacks on their refineries and oil fields, the latest being just yesterday - a new phase in hybrid warfare? Surge in Ukrainian oil refinery attacks sparks Russian fuel shortages
Can confirm. Worked for an oil company myself. Forgotten most of what I knew but here in the US we produce a high paraffin (waxy) oil and theirs is a naphthenic which is thicker, more corrosive and laden with metals. It needs to be thinned down to move. Different base oils are used for different applications.
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Yes but…I spoke at length to an (anglo) petrochemical engineer recently (dinner at neighbor’s house) who has worked all over the world, and spent significant time in Venezuela. His spouse is Venezuelan and he speaks fluent Spanish.
He said yes, Venezuela has lots of oil, but nobody wants it. Few refineries are set up to process it as it’s VERY heavy crude.
So I agree it seems oil would be the prize. But just as likely it’s to keep China from getting a foothold. Lots of minerals, gold etc in Venezuela too.
YES!
China is the primary target.
Oil, is the excuse; the secondary target.
Both are concerned with War.
A foothold in Venezuela; from with which to operate throughout South America.
In fact, China is already drawing up the Venezuelan oil contracts.
[a bridge too far?]
Economic WAR with China.
Iran, would be another China oil target.
… who said WE would refine it? Could the idea be to sell the oil to someone else in order to provide income for Black Projects? Or could it be used as barter for things that the Intelligence Services might need or want? Might The Intelligence Services be interested in the contents of those boats we’ve been blowing out of the water? Might the properties and characteristics of this particular oil have uses of which we ordinary folks are not aware?
More than one way to skin the proverbial cat.
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Reminds me of my dogs marking their territory when walking around the neighborhood. They have their own Monroe Doctrine. 
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“Skin the proverbial cat” sounds like a good name for a game one might engage in at a social gathering of erudite crowds…
Off the top of my head I can picture cards passed around referencing various and well known historical happenings or perhaps written-in with current events which each player would be expected to reply to with a relevant saying, adage or interesting anecdote…
It needs some refining, but I see potential 
Especially if it alcohol was in play…
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… sounds like a Million $ game idea to me … quick copyright it!
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I offer this one up to ScarmoCo. Just pay me some dividends if it works out…Or if we’re still here in a year or two.
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… I’m still working on a nuclear strategy version of RISK called Sling 'Em!
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I call Kansas…
(with all 20 characters)
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… Excellent!
(with assorted necessary characters)