By Caitlin Johnstone
Things keep heating up in Venezuela, with possible “military options” now being seriously discussed at the Pentagon. And of course you know what that means! That’s right, it means we can expect to see even more lies and manipulations from the political/media class as the narrative managers try to get their rapey little fingers into our minds to manufacture support for unconscionable acts.
This can create a very confusing environment for everyone, where up means down and black means white and “humanitarian intervention” means “murdering thousands and thousands of innocent human beings”. With that in mind, here’s a handy translation key to help you understand what the establishment mouthpieces are really saying:
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“I stand with the people of Venezuela” = I stand with some of the people in Venezuela, specifically the ones who support US government interests.
“Interim President” = Some guy most Venezuelans had never heard of until January of this year.
“Brutal dictator” = Elected leader who opposes US dictates.
“Usurper” = The guy calling the shots and leading the country.
“Opposition-led, military-backed challenge” = Coup.
“The people of Venezuela are starving” = Oil! Oil! Oil!
“All options are on the table” = One option is on the table.
“Popular uprising” = Unpopular uprising.
“Grassroots activists” = Let’s pretend the CIA’s not a thing.
“Freedom and democracy” = US control of Venezuela’s petroleum resources.
“Humanitarian aid” = Pretext for further escalations.
“Failed socialist policies” = Inability to overcome US economic warfare.
“Foreign interference” = An ally of Venezuela supporting its ally.
“We support the National Assembly” = Foreign interference.
“The Venezuelan Constitution” = Our convenient interpretation of the Venezuelan Constitution.
“We can’t just sit around and do nothing” = I have learned nothing since the Iraq War.
“54 countries recognize Guaido as president” = 141 countries don’t recognize Guaido as president.
“Troika of tyranny” = John Bolton’s second-favorite masturbatory fantasy.
“Special Envoy to Venezuela” = Convicted war criminal.
“The Monroe Doctrine” = I think all the countries on this side of the planet are my personal property.
“Operación Libertad” = Operación Libertad para el Petróleo de Venezuela.
“Shut the fuck up, bitch.” = Standard talking point from Venezuela coup narrative managers on social media.
“Talk to Venezuelans” = Talk to the wealthier, English-speaking Venezuelans with abundant free time and internet access who support a coup.
“You love Maduro” = I don’t have an argument for your opposition to US interventionism.
“You’re just a socialist who loves socialism” = I don’t have an argument.
“Go live in Venezuela if you love socialism so much” = I don’t have an argument.
“Maduro is killing his own people” = Yeah I’m just making shit up now.
“Maduro refuses to let in aid” = I just believe whatever the TV says.
“Trump is liberating the people of Venezuela” = I just believe whatever QAnon says.
“This US regime change intervention will be different” = I have replaced my brain with shaving cream.
Caitlin Johnstone: Rogue journalist. Bogan socialist. Anarcho-psychonaut. Guerrilla poet. Utopia prepper.
Caitlin Johnstone
Rogue journalist. Bogan socialist. Anarcho-psychonaut. Guerrilla poet. Utopia prepper.
