president Maduro captured after US strikes

[IdeomotorPrisoner]

Meanwhile, costs of living are rising and GDP growth only being moderate in the 2nd to 3rd quarters while the greenback lost 11% of its value early in the year and is set to devalue by a further 10% by the end of 2026.

The last one is the scary one.  

As of early 2026, the U.S. dollar experienced significant depreciation in 2025, losing roughly 9% to 11% of its value against major currencies by mid-year, its worst performance in decades, though it saw some recovery later in the year, with forecasts suggesting potential further dips or stabilization as economic factors shift. The decline was driven by increased policy uncertainty, tariffs, U.S. growth concerns, and a shift in global capital flows, ending a long-term dollar bull cycle.

 
As you can plainly see "It's the hottest its ever been." 

And by that i guess that means like "radioactive" and a few people are concerned about getting near it and dying. 

It's sad... "The dollar will lose 20% of its global value to other top currencies in the first 2 years of this administration"  is only a headline to be concerned about if it happens under a democrat.  Then its the worst thing ever EVER.  But under a republican, and actual economic uncertainty, it is to be ignored completely.  

Inflation, rising costs, even if it's beyond anything under Biden, when not tweeted about by the tin god, has no importance whatsoever, because no one has thought for everyone to care about it and be angry yet... 

The dollar may be taking a turn downhill under the guise of fixing it, but that can be distracted from by the jangling keys of "Hey! Look over here at how cheap your gas is... and ignore everything else."

[KrustyKrab]

Here’s How Prices For Everyday Items Increased In 2025—Like Coffee (Up 30%)

  I’m paying less on many items at Walmart. I get my groceries delivered, so I can see the prices changing every month on my purchase history and I’m also only paying $2.20 for gas, half what it was under biden.  My electric bill hasn’t gone up in over a year, definitely not the 13% Forbes is claiming.  

Rapid inflation we had from the last administration has stopped and we’re currently under the national average. At the very least Trump has stopped the bleeding.  

A large percentage of our population are share holders and they’re loving Trump at the moment.  

I think living here gives me a fairly good platform to evaluate things honestly.   

Your source (Forbes) hates Trump and they’ll find anyway possible to skew anything about Trump, they’re extremely biased on Trump, like most all of your posted sources. JS

[chr0naut]

Americans are winning with everything Trump does but you don’t even live here so you don’t have much comprehension of our reality.

Yes.

Many don't have comprehension of your reality.

[KrustyKrab]

Yes.

Many don't have comprehension of your reality.

Ahh but most do as mentioned by others in this thread.  

Do you think I’m lying to you?  I have receipts and boots on the ground.

[cherokeetroy]

  I’m paying less on many items at Walmart. I get my groceries delivered, so I can see the prices changing every month on my purchase history and I’m also only paying $2.20 for gas, half what it was under biden.  My electric bill hasn’t gone up in over a year, definitely not the 13% Forbes is claiming.  

Rapid inflation we had from the last administration has stopped and we’re currently under the national average. At the very least Trump has stopped the bleeding.  

A large percentage of our population are share holders and they’re loving Trump at the moment.  

I think living here gives me a fairly good platform to evaluate things honestly.   

Your source (Forbes) hates Trump and they’ll find anyway possible to skew anything about Trump, they’re extremely biased on Trump, like most all of your posted sources. JS

Didn't Steve Forbes endorse Trump for President?

[SteamyAmerican]

Obama never did when ordered endless drone strikes, he wasn't the only president that also took action without running it pass congress. You'd be surprised what do around here with out running passed someone first.

Yeah I did t care for that either.

 Gives the point I’m meandering to is for a no-wars Prez, he seems to have set up a whole strike group in the Caribbean for “just one guy”.

It’s like no once cares to deal with real American criminals like Omar or Pelosi and their insider trading gains. Or worse.

He writes over 2000 pardons second term, essentially vexing plaintiffs out of billions. 

No arrests for Epstein. Etc and on and on.

But I’m an asshat because I don’t like the narrative that Maduro had to go down?

Plenty of other fish. It just seems rather extreme this extrajudicial manhunt.

I guess American Imperialism is doing just fine, even as the country circles the drain with 39T debt. But who am I?

[SteamyAmerican]

Yeah, it's a bit more complicated than that; it's not just drugs; they had solid evidence of Maduro's complicity,  an insider with actionable intelligence to get in and get out. 

All without too much collateral damage and minimal casualties...

Logistically just being close to the coast was no doubt crucial, and they had to wait for good weather

FWIW, the socio-political climate needs to be relatively clear, or you need to have the balls to make the decision to go or no go. Putting guys in harm's way

It's acceptable when Americans get in and get out unscathed, but Trump has no room for error, even among the right.

If there were American losses, there would be issues with the general public.

That’s fair.

Except we are just getting started. You think Trump is gonna let the generals, narcos, Wagner, and China just clean it up and leave it to them?

[cherokeetroy]

[KrustyKrab]

Didn't Steve Forbes endorse Trump for President?

IDK I’d be shocked if they did because their articles don’t reflect that they like him at all. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an article by them that wasn’t overly critical of Trump.  

I’ll look it up and come back and tell you what I find.

[KrustyKrab]

Didn't Steve Forbes endorse Trump for President?

As much as I hate using AI for anything, this is what it said…..

“Forbes, as a publication, does not officially endorse political candidates, but its founder, Malcolm Forbes, was known to have supported Republican candidates. Donald Trump has been featured in Forbes articles, particularly regarding his wealth and business dealings, but this does not indicate a formal endorsement.”