NOTHING HAS CHANGED, MR. RHODES, NOTHING HAS CHANGED' - EmptyWheel

[erronis]

https://www.emptywheel.net/2023/05/25/nothing-has-changed-mr-rhodes-nothing-has-changed-seditious-oath-keeper-elmer-rhodes-sentenced-to-18-years/

NOTHING HAS CHANGED, MR. RHODES, NOTHING HAS CHANGED’: Seditious Oath Keeper Elmer Rhodes sentenced to 18 years

Excellent reporting by Brandi Buchman. She gives a concise view of the proceedings interspersed with dialogs and opinions from others involved.

After expressing zero remorse and heralding himself to a federal judge as a “political prisoner” who “like Donald Trump only committed the crime of opposing those who are destroying our country,” Oath Keeper Elmer Stewart Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role leading and orchestrating a seditious conspiracy to stop America’s transfer of presidential power by force on Jan. 6, 2021.

It would have been surprising if Rhodes took any other tack when it was his chance to speak.

But Rhodes offered no surprises at the Prettyman courthouse in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

He was unrepentant, just as he was at trial when he testified on his own behalf for a little over a day. Even then, as a jury actively held his fate in their hands, he publicly smeared proceedings in jailhouse interviews while comparing himself to Nelson Mandela. And just four days ago, in yet another interview from jail, Rhodes kept up The Big Lie.

[erronis]

1. Please read some of Brandi's post on EmptyWheel - it is so excellent.

I could have excerpted hundreds of paragraphs but I hope you have the time to read some of her post.

[Marcus IM]

2. Keep in mind that the USA supports violent insurrectionists like Juan Guaido's peeps in Venezuela.

Even to the point of recognizing the leader of a violent insurrectionist Nazi group who got less than 2% of the popular vote in the Ven Assembly as the official leader of Venezuela (in "exile" ).

Nothing new ...

Operation Condor: The Cold War US Conspiracy That Terrorized South America

https://www.transcend.org/tms/2020/09/operation-condor-the-cold-war-us-conspiracy-that-terrorized-south-america/

[cab67]

5. Not saying I'm a fan of Guaido -

But Maduro is far more similar to Trump overall.

[Marcus IM]

7. Oh yeah. Building schools and expanding health clinics is just like tRump.

Uh huh.

[cab67]

9. ignoring the results of elections certainly is.

So are ignoring due process and using torture to gain information. These are all on the record - not just by the US, but. by the UN.

And the country's economy has been circling the bowl for a long time.

Maduro is not a good guy. He's a populist like Hugo Chavez - he brings electricity and schools to small villages, but the people living in those villages are still dirt-poor and have no opportunities once they finish school.

I've actually been to Venezuela and seen what's going on with my own eyes.

And regarding the health clinics -

https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/12/venezuelas-health-care-crisis-now-poses-global-threat

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/17/world/americas/venezuela-cuban-doctors.html

[Marcus IM]

10. I lived in Ven. Ever been to poor areas in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana?

Using your standard, the US - the supposed richest nation on earth - is in much poorer shape.
Look at the child poverty and homeless rates in the US ... and you are saying that Venezuela - under extraterritorial sanctions designed to destroy the economy - is worse that the US because of Maduro or Chavez? Ridiculous.

I lived there, not on a visit or vacation. A short term visit reveals little to a foreigner.

Just like Cuba, US extraterritorial sanctions do more harm to the poor than Castro, Díaz-Canel, Chavez, or Maduro, ever did.

And you think the US recognizing RW grifter Juan Guaido (with 2% electorate support in the Ven. National Assembly) as the Head of State (in "exile" ) of Venezuela is recognizing the result of election?

Just wow.

Have a good day.

[cab67]

14. Mine was not a short visit.

In fact, I have ongoing collaborations there. Please ask before assuming.

Comparing the poorest parts of the US to the poorest parts of Venezuela doesn’t persuade me, as I’ve seen both.

[Iggo]

11. Wow.

That’s new.

[Marcus IM]

12. No. It isn't new.

Ever since Hugo Chavez was elected the US corporatocracy has been gunning for Venezuela. But, as is usual, sanctions affect the poorest of the population... and then blame is heaped upon the victims.
It goes on here with any mention of Venezuela here too.

[Iggo]

13. LOL...not that.

[wiggs]

3. He must have complete and total faith that Trump or another similar one will be elected and will

pardon him.

[erronis]

4. This is an absolute campaign win for anyone against the (r)epuglicons

"Do you want all of the insurgents from January 6 to be pardoned and free to overthrow the government?'

Since the (r)s are all lock-step behind either trump or desantis, and both have indicated that's one of their priorities, then we need to make the American people understand that a repeat - and worse - is in the future.

[Hassler]

6. After listening to Elmer's rant, why didn't the judge amend his sentencing

To the full 25 years?

[Javaman]

8. See if he still feels that way after being in solitary for a few weeks nt