Meanwhile something like half of the operational US Navy is reportedly in Caribbean near the coast of Venezuela. That includes the newest and largest US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford.
The effort to remove “narco-terrorists” is the basis for the operation according to Secretary of War Hegseth. On the other hand, official estimates say that the vast majority of fentanyl comes by land from Mexico, while the vast majority of cocaine originates in Colombia with secondary sources in Peru and Bolivia. Venezuela is not a significant source for either drug.
Man, I swear I was right with you guys on the war against drugs as more libertarian leaning. That was until fentanyl came out and I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s lost a few people or know of people that’s been taken out by that horrible drug.
If they could just get that off the streets or try, I’m OK with it. I would rather the physicians just give people pain pills and ask no questions then them turn to fentanyl. It’s like the evilest drug I’ve seen ever in my lifetime.
Seriously, I would rather the doctors write people scripts of Vicodin than these people getting on fentanyl and dying instantly.
There was a guy at work we all knew did cocaine recreationally he somehow made it work and still produced at work. Then he got a batch laced with fentanyl boooom dead three children left behind. ■■■■ that drug
Wow talk about exaggeration…one carrier battle group is now “something like half of the operational Navy”??
FYI, the Navy has had a constant presence in that region for years. Boats from the 4th fleet out of Naval Base Mayport and the Destroyer squadron along with the attached Surface fleet rotate in and out of that region on a constant basis.
Nothing better than seeing assets designed to fight World War III against the Russians and cost hundreds of millions per year just to keep running be used to arrest and blow up narcos on speed boats.
Rome became an empire in 27 BC, but it continued use SPQR (Senatus Populusque Romanus, “The Senate and People of Rome”) on its buildings for another five centuries.
There appear to be some parallels with the US invasion of Iraq in response to 9-11. Bin Laden and 15 of the 21 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, and the secular dictatorship in Iraq was the enemy of jihadists. Nevertheless, we invaded Iraq not Saudi Arabia.
Fentanyl is a chemical weapon. Drug traffickers are terrorists so the president can use lethal force against them.
The problem is the law is so broadly written, that this is not an unreasonable interpretation:
(1)Chemical weapon.—The term “chemical weapon” means the following, together or separately:
(A)A toxic chemical and its precursors, except where intended for a purpose not prohibited under this chapter as long as the type and quantity is consistent with such a purpose. . .
(7)Purposes not prohibited by this chapter.—The term “purposes not prohibited by this chapter” means the following:
(A)Peaceful purposes.—
Any peaceful purpose related to an industrial, agricultural, research, medical, or pharmaceutical activity or other activity.
(B)Protective purposes.—
Any purpose directly related to protection against toxic chemicals and to protection against chemical weapons.
(C)Unrelated military purposes.—
Any military purpose of the United States that is not connected with the use of a chemical weapon or that is not dependent on the use of the toxic or poisonous properties of the chemical weapon to cause death or other harm.
(D)Law enforcement purposes.—
Any law enforcement purpose, including any domestic riot control purpose and including imposition of capital punishment. 18 U.S. Code § 229F - Definitions | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
Years ago, I was in a car accident where a number of ribs were broken. They used a fentanyl patch on my arm to stop the pain. I didn’t think it was working because I didn’t get the normal “buzz” with a pain killer. The wife told me it would run out the following night and do I want a refill? I told her no because I didn’t think it was doing anything. When I woke up, two days later, I couldn’t even move and realized how effective this drug is. If used properly, it’s wonderful but…then remember…it’s 100 TIMES MORE POWERFUL THAN MORPHINE. Used incorrectly, it’s deadly.
