This week, Lisa and David welcome 2026 and talk about Trump threatening to intervene in Iran if they shoot protestors; Spotify Wrapped for This Week in Outrage; folks we lost in 2025; “Landman” television series; U.S. ouster and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro; “Gilligan’s Island” and the seven deadly sins; and more.
Added Notes for Venezuela Situation
I mistakenly refer to Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as “that guy”.
Here is a distillation of some key details regarding Delcy Rodríguez:
Current Status & Authority
* Role Transition: Formerly the Vice President, she has been sworn in as President following the U.S. capture and extraction of Nicolás Maduro.
* Military Backing: She has been officially recognized as the leader by the Venezuelan armed forces.
* Legal Standing: Her presidency is recognized by Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice, though the U.S. administration (specifically Secretary of State Marco Rubio) views her leadership as a temporary “regime” lacking electoral legitimacy.
Political Persona & Background
* Public Posture: Her rhetoric is characterized as a “mix of defiant and pliant.” While she has historically been a hardline defender of the Bolivarian revolution, she has recently signaled a willingness to discuss “respectful relations” with Washington.
* Resistance to U.S. Interests: Despite Trump’s claim that she has “no choice but to cooperate,” her background as a lifelong leftist and the daughter of a Marxist activist suggests she is unlikely to “roll over” or become a simple instrument of U.S. policy.
* Economic Experience: Before becoming acting President, she served as the Minister of Economy and Finance and the Minister of Petroleum, where she was credited with stabilizing the economy through pragmatic outreach to the private sector.
Relationship with the U.S. Administration
* The “Cooperation” Ultimatum: President Trump has stated she will remain in power only as long as she “does what we want,” threatening further military action if she refuses to comply.
* Strategic Tension: There is a noted contradiction between the U.S. administration’s anti-communist rhetoric and its current attempt to “centrally plan” Venezuela’s future (rebuilding infrastructure and administering elections) through her administration.
* Sanctions vs. Indictment: Unlike Maduro, Rodríguez has not been indicted on criminal charges in the U.S., though she remains under heavy individual sanctions for her role in the previous administration.
Links:
Yergz Radio (yergzradio.com)
Dare Talk Radio (daretalkradio.com)
This Week in Outrage Substack (outrageoverload.net/twio)
