Our Interests, Links, Web Sites, and other things
From Perplexity on 11/9/2026. In everyday usage the two words overlap, but they describe different things: a democracy is about who holds power (the people), while a republic is about how that power is exercised (through elected representatives, under a constitution, without a monarch).[britannica][merriam-webster] The Core Distinction The Classic Formulation James Madison drew the sharpest […]
Continue ReadingCopied from Facebook on 6/23/2026. VENEZUELA: HOW A PROSPEROUS NATION COLLAPSED 1992 – Venezuela is the 3rd richest country in the Western Hemisphere, powered by oil and a growing middle class. 1997 – Venezuelans become the 2nd largest buyers of Ford F-150s—a sign of widespread prosperity. 1998 – Hugo Chávez is elected, promising to “redistribute […]
Continue ReadingHal Van Hercke, second post to FB 3/4/3036, PM. After the Islamic Republic: The Road Ahead for Iran. One of the most common complaints you hear right now is that even if the Islamic Republic collapses, no one really knows what comes next. That assumption sounds reasonable on the surface, but it ignores the institutions and […]
Continue ReadingFB Post by Hal Van Hercke, 3/4/2026. The Kurds — And Why You’re About to Hear a Lot About Them. You’re probably going to hear a lot about the Kurds over the next few days. Here’s what that actually means. The Kurds are roughly 40 million people with no country of their own. Their homeland, […]
Continue ReadingFrom his Facebook post on 1/10/2026. Kevin Hayslett is in Clearwater. Everyone Thinks Venezuela Is a Scandal. It’s a Chess Move. This was a grandmaster move — even if most people don’t see it that way yet. They think what’s happening in Venezuela is a crime story. A narco-state finally exposed. A wanted man. A failed dictator […]
Continue ReadingFrom Facebook post on 1/4/2026. These US politicians woke up this morning realizing the millions of dollars in kickbacks they’ve been receiving from the Maduro regime have ended… Speaking of cartels look at this BREAKING: Venezuela’s former Chief of National Intelligence Hugo Carvajal has OFFICIALLY RELEASED every U.S. Senator who is on THE VENEZUELA LIST […]
Continue Reading