UK Servicemen killed in Iraq

The BBC Reports that three servicemen have been killed in Iraq. The UK has lost 162 personnel since the war started in 2003. The MOD reports that it was the RAF that suffered the loss.

Cash for Honours Final Result

The Cash for Honours investigation has come to and end, no charges. VIEWS has argued from the start this should be the end result.

McCain Comeback?

The Politico: A interesting article that looks at the come back plans for Senator McCain. The campaign is using the Reagan example from 1980, readers of this blog will recall that views was using that argument a week ago. Is McCain another Reagan, McCain needs a " Mr Green I paid for this debate " In 1980 the Reagan paid for a Republican Debate the Moderator would not allow Reagan to speak thus the above comment. All the Republican contenders for 1980 where on the platform but there was only one President that night. Reagan showed he could be tough and would fight his corner. In some respects Senator has to be lucky, needs to show himself in a good light, needs to show he can fill the shoes of the Gipper.

Iraq

British Troops presence in Iraq is to be reduced to five thousand by end of the year at present it is 5500.

Those Bad Old Days!

Well those bad old days are back, diplomats are being thrown out of the UK and Russia. But the circumstances are different, the Cold War is over and both the UK and Russia have developed greater economic ties. The incident that started the problem is not something you can dismiss, killing someone with Nuclear Material in London the Capital of the UK. In the Cold War days that could have been seen as an Act of War. Views is a realist but there are lines you do not cross in covert action in another country, nuclear use is one of them, what if the operation had killed more people or a dirty bomb situation had developed. The UK government has to be firm follow its present policy but on the other hand back channels should be in constant use, the world is very dangerous at the moment, talking is important in this age of mass terrorism.

Iraq and the Democrats

Washington Post: The Democrats have shelved their plans to force a change in policy over Iraq. It is a simple matter of maths, they don't have sixty votes to close debate and they really don't have 67 votes to overturn a Presidential Veto. The Republicans have learnt from the party games played by Democrats when they where in the minority. Iraq has to be give time, winning is the only real option.

NYT: As usual the NYT does not surprise, attacking the Republicans supporting the Democrats over Iraq.