Indians Set Up by Pakistan ?

BBC News: Reports that Indian citizens have been warned by their government not to visit Pakistan. It seems that due to the terror attack on Bombay by suspects from Pakistan that the government of Pakistan is not playing a very sophisticated game, after terrorists attacks in Pakistan those from India have been picked up, the West in this case, Bush and Obama have to get a handle on this issue before it gets out of hand, thus again the present Secretary of State Condi Rice and the future Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should make a visit to the region, we don't have time to wait for the Inauguration.

World War One, July Days 1914 - India and Pakistan War 2008 ?

The New York Times: Reports on the growing tensions in the Capitals of India and Pakistan. In the summer days of 1914 while the British public enjoyed the holidays the tensions of July 1914 grew out of the death of the Heir to the Austro - Hungarian Throne, the Dual Monarch. It was seen as a distant event, how could such event effect Europe and the Empire. Of late we have had the terrorists attacks in Mumbai ( Bombay ) India, in 1914 Austria blamed Serbia with just cause, the Diplomats rushed around their Allies, after the terrorists attacks the USA sent missions to India and Pakistan as to calm the water. After the initial deaths of the Archduke and his Wife it was still seen as a distant event, we are now in the Christmas period in the West, in this 24 hour seven day news world, the worlds eyes moves to other events. Thus we have news that Pakistan is sending its troops from the border with Afghanistan to the border between India and Pakistan, we have tensions brewing, both are nuclear powers, in 1914 the Empires mobilized their troops for the railways, the locomotive engine would have a major effect on the Russian Revolution of 1917. Thus the question as in 1914 the Empires had to move to meet their train timetables for War, will Pakistan or India decide to use the bomb first, it worked in 1945 between USA and Japan and the end of World War Two. The Bush and Obama Administrations could be facing that clock moving to all out war between India and Pakistan, this could help the terrorists on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan and hurt the West in Afghanistan. Are the July Days of 1914 repeating themselves in a distant land over the water.

The NEW India and Pakistan War ?

Fox News: Reports on the growing tension between India and Pakistan as a result of the Bombay Terror Attacks. As the The Times of London of late reported that Pakistan had made a threat to move its troops from the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan if the tensions between India and Pakistan grew, Fox reports that Pakistan is moving its troops from the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan to the border between India and Pakistan. I have to be admit thought this issue had been dealt with by the Bush Administration, the Secretary of State, Condi Rice made a visit to India while Senator McCain visited Pakistan as to cool the environment. It seems that President - Elect Obama could face a major war between India and Pakistan on his first day on the job. This is a time for Bush and Obama to work together, they should send Condi Rice and Hillary Clinton to the Indian and Pakistan, also use Bill Clinton to keep the lid on this boiling pot of trouble. If Pakistan and India go to War the War on Terror could be hurt badly, the terrorists would have a free hand on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Government of Pakistan could fall, what if the terrorists get hold of the bomb. The West has to get his stick out, carrot has not helped, e.g dollars, thus both Pakistan and and India have to be informed that the West can not allow these games between the two get out of hand. The UK and USA has a large presence in Afghanistan and the region, thus India and Pakistan will have to behave as grow ups.

The Left and Bush

Guardian ( UK ): The Left wing UK Guardian has an article calling on Bush 43 to be held to account for his actions as President. What will the left wing do with Obama in the Oval Office, what if at the end of the day Obama has to follow the same anti terror policies that Bush has followed since 9/11. After 9/11 there has not been another attack on the American homeland, if Obama follows the left wing and there is an attack Obama wont get a second term and he will have to reverse to the Bush polices that the left wing hate, WHAT WILL THE LEFT WING DO THEN ?

Obama and the Justice System

The New York Times: Reports on the appearance of President - Elect Obama before Prosecutors. Read of the Day.

Death in Afghanistan

BBC News: Reports on the death of another British Soldier, the total now stands at 136. At this time let us think of his family and the distress this must have caused, all those that have died in Afghanistan are serving a heroic aim, to allow Afghanistan to to be free.

Obama's Report on his own Campaign links with the Governor Scandal

The New York Times: Read the Obama Campaign own report on itself, didn't Richard Nixon try to pull something like that during Watergate. Lets be fair, the words of the Governor has cleared the Obama Campaign, but this is Chicago politics you never know what is hiding under that rock with the Governor, if he has anything on Obama he will use it to get out of going to the Big House, to wait in line for chow with another Governor from the same State. Read of the Day.

Obama talks to Prosecutors in Governor Scandal Case!

BBC News: Reports that President - Elect Obama has talked to the prosecutors who are looking at the attempt by the Governor of Illinois to sell the Senate seat of President - Elect. This is new news, one has to wonder what the prosecutor wanted, and what did Obama say, the US voter will have an interest so will Governor Blagojevich, what are on those tapes and are Obama Camp in the clear, questions lead to more questions, that is the fun of a American Political Scandal.

THE WORLD

Happy Christmas and Happy New Year World

Clintons in Power GRAB

IHT: Reports that in - coming Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wants to extend the influence of the State Department. The Obama West Wing Team should make it clear to Hillary and Bill Clinton that Foreign Policy will be set by the White House. If Obama allows the Clintons this power grab it will be the first of many, the Clintons if they think that Obama is weak will push and push for more power. This is the hard lesson of the Clintons, lets see if Obama has the backbone to say No to the Clintons. It does not matter if the ideas by the Clintons are good ideas, this is about politics and the use of power.

Is Obama another Ford or Lincoln

Fox News: Reports that President - Elect Obama will use the bible that was used in the first Inauguration of President Lincoln in 1861. The Title of this piece comes from a book on President Ford, A Ford not a Lincoln, will Obama like Ford who faced eventual times fail or like Lincoln save the Union through this economic crisis. In 1974 Ford had the Vietnam War and a Economic crisis, Obama has two Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan and the economic 9/11. In Iraq the USA has a time table to get out by 2011, this will allow the Iraqi government to take over the heavy load of security. In Afghanistan the Obama Administration will try a surge to see if this will combat the terrorist threat, the problem is Pakistan, this is very much like the threat that South Vietnam faced from North Vietnam, the Viet Cong had the support of North Vietnam, the terrorists have the support of the Tribal leaders on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, also the terrorists have the support of the ISI, the Intelligence Service of Pakistan. Thus in many respects Obama has many more severe problems, the Economy is in free fall, the typical Liberal answer is to spend money, but as the New Deal of the 1930s showed it was not the government spending that got the USA out of the Great Depression it was World War Two. If the Obama money spend does not work what is Plan B. In 1976 Ford was defeated by Jimmy Carter, in 2012 will Obama be another Ford defeated for re- election or will he win a second term like Lincoln. The War in Afghanistan will define the Obama Presidency on the International Front while on the Domestic Side his vast spending will decide if he wins a second term as POTUS.

The COST of AFGHANISTAN

Telegraph: Reports how the UK is taking more deaths of Soldiers than its Allies. The UK PM Gordon Brown should ask NATO to help us, the UK in the past has come to the rescue of Europe, well folks its time that Europe go off its backside and help the UK. Read of the Day.

New Year Bailout for UK Car Industry

The Times: Reports that the UK Car Industry will get a Government bailout in the New Year. Who is next, the local ice cream van, give me a break, if these companies cant hack it in the global world then they should go bankrupt, this is the return to the Labour of the 1970s. The UK PM Gordon Brown will end up bailing out all by the end, that's the called the USSR and that fell apart folks. The Western Governments will create a Great Depression, there comes a point when you have to say NO, when that time comes a lot more companies will hit the wall. Labour really can muck the country up if they are given time, 13 years just enough time to bankrupt the UK.

Rumsfeld Man - VP Cheney

Fox News: Reports on a interview with Vice - President Dick Cheney. Cheney was a firm supporter of ex Defence Secretary Rumsfeld. It should be noted that when Rumsfeld was Chief of Staff to President Ford his Deputy was a young Dick Cheney and when Rumsfeld became Defence Secretary for the first time under Ford it was Cheney that became Chief of Staff. Thus one can see why Cheney is loyal to his former boss but at the end of the day Rumsfeld was the wrong man at the helm, the success of the Bush surge and of Robert Gates has shown that if Rumsfeld had been shown the door at the start of the second term the results in Iraq could have been different and we might have had a President McCain in 2009.

Obama's New Deal in 2008

The New York Times: Reports on the Obama Economic Plan to get the USA through the Economic 9/11. As usual with Democrats they want to spend, nothing new, given how much Bush has spent on Wall Street and the Car Industry the Republicans cant say much, they voted with their President. The problem with the PLAN is that sounds like Roosevelt's New Deal. The flaw is that the New Deal did not get the USA out of the Depression, in fact it might have made it longer due to the fact that Western Economic system works best when the government is not the major share holder in the economy. It was World War Two that got the USA out of the Depression, we shall see if Obama can change his mind when this does not work, lets be honest he has two years then he start to run for re - election, also the Congress will be up for election, one can expect that the Democrats will lose seats in the House and Senate, thus Congress will want quick results, the economy does not work in that manner, lets see how long it takes for the Liberals in Congress to ask for tax hikes.

Death in Afghanistan

BBC News: Reports on the death of another UK Soldier in Afghanistan, the total of the dead now stands at 135. Of late the US has been critical of UK strategy in Afghanistan, the common wisdom is that President Obama will ask for more troops from the UK, well lets just say NO. The UK are taking heavy losses if you think about the size of our Force level and the casualties. It is time for the NATO Allies to do some sacrifice, why is it always us and the USA. Its about time we made the NATO Allies pay for the protection of the USA and the UK. Thus PM Gordon Brown should follow the example of the late Labour PM Harold Wilson and say no to troops but support NATO sending more troops to Afghanistan. If the government of Pakistan was to fall the terrorists could get their hands on the bomb, or if there is a war between Pakistan and India the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan would be open border to the terrorists. Thus next year Obama has two follow a twin track, Diplomatic, get India and Pakistan back on the same page when dealing with terrorism and nuclear issues, also get Pakistan to clean house on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. If the Obama surge fails next year in Afghanistan, Afghanistan could do to Obama what Iraq has done to Bush. The early days of an Obama Administration should have the CIA and MI6 on high alert, it can be postulated that the terrorists will try something, the question is when and what is the target, the homeland USA or Europe, of course as stated they could try a Tet style offensive in Iraq or Afghanistan. Lets hope all EYES AND EARS ARE OPEN.

How to be the US VP

The New York Times: Reports on the different views of Vice - President Elect Joe Biden and Vice - President Dick Cheney on the role of the Vice - President. It seems Joe Biden wants down play his role, that sounds great, still think it was a mistake by Obama to select a classic liberal from the Senate. The difference between Biden and Cheney is simple, Biden has spend his career in the Senate, he can only see through the eyes of the Senate while Cheney was Chief of Staff to President Ford, the Defence Secretary for Bush 41 and of course Vice - President to Bush 43. Lets see how much time Obama really gives Biden, have my doubts that Biden would have chosen the National Security team chosen by Obama. I think Biden just might have the worse time as VP, as a powerful Senator he had to be heard by the President, Obama can send him on every diplomatic junket to keep him out of the way. What about Caroline Kennedy for VP in 2012 to Obama.

US and UK Surge in Afghanistan

BBC News: Reports on the US plan to send between twenty and thirty thousand more troops to Afghanistan, also that the UK is considering sending more troops to Afghanistan. If we are going to do this foolish thing lets do it right, lets make sure UK troops have the right equipment and that we can hit hit the terrorists bases in Pakistan, the War in Afghanistan has an echo of the War in Vietnam, the Viet Cong could never be defeated as they had support from North Vietnam, thus we have the same problem in Afghanistan, the badlands of the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan is a safe heaven for the terrorists. In the Imperial Days the place was a no go area for the British Army, same problem, this time we cant just drop a bomb on the locals. In looking at the military situation on the border we have to accept that if we cant bulldoze the mountains we have to get the tribal leaders on our side, through talking or money, don't care really as long as they come over to the Western side and tell us in which house the terrorists are hiding. In other words we have to win the hearts and minds of the locals, that is often done with hard cash. Also we have help the locals see that it benefits them to help us, help them get work and also help with the infrastructure, Schools, Hospitals and Libraries to allow the local people to see that the West can help the civic structure. Then after the carrot we come to the big stick, we have to show that the West can be tough and ruthless, we have to make the locals see that they have only one choice, if need be go in heavy handed, bomb the place back to the stone age if need be, this is very much the last option but I don't want to see UK troops in Afghanistan for the next fifty years and losing more troops along the way. Lets have new ideas, the carrot and stick but lets win at the end of the day.

Deep Throat Dead - Watergate

BBC News: Reports on the death of Mark Felt, former Deputy Director of the FBI and the man that helped bring down President Richard Nixon due to the Watergate break in of 1972. Have to admit have mixed feelings about Mr Felt, the criminal nature of the Nixon Administration had to be made public but Mr Felt was the Deputy Director of the FBI. I ask you would you want the Deputy Chief of the FBI giving leaks to the Press. Also later down the line Richard Nixon was a witness for Felt when he was placed on Trial and convicted of breaking the law while in the FBI. I wonder if Nixon would have come to his defence if he had known that this man had bought him down. Also after his conviction he was given a Presidential Pardon by Ronald Reagan, would the Gipper have given a pardon if he had known that Felt had worked hand in glove with the Liberal Washington Post. So Mark Felt Hero or Villain ?

Bush Failure over Car Industry

BBC News: Reports on the Bush plan to bailout the US Car Industry. President George W. Bush has shown why he has the lowest approval ratings for a outgoing US President, he did not have the nerve to let the Car Industry go bankrupt. I will promise the readers of this blog that President Obama will give billions to the Car Industry, the Democratic Party is in the pocket of the Unions. Folks just flush your money down the toilet, the tax payer is going to get fleeced again by big business and unions.

The Bill Clinton Problem!

The Times: Reports on the Donors to the Bill Clinton Foundation, the Foundation does Charity work but also funds the Clinton Presidential Library. There are a lot of Foreign Donors to the Clinton Foundation. I have to ask if this was anyone else would they get the nod if these donors had been known, Hillary Clinton will be Secretary of State, she will be dealing with these countries, at what point will she have to stand back because Bill Clinton has a relationship with that country or that individual, if I was Obama I would rethink this job offer, it could get very messy at the confirmation hearings if the Republicans play hard ball over the issue. Read of the Day.

Obama, Iraq and the Pentagon

The New York Times: Reports on the planning in the Pentagon to get troops out of Iraq, but not in the Time Table of Obama. From the report it can be seen that the Times in so not happy, lets be honest the Liberal Times would rather lose a WON war than change its left liberal view of the world. The Times writes the following, " In the campaign, Mr. Obama said he would not hesitate to overrule his commanders. By early December, however, he signaled some flexibility when he said that he still wanted combat troops out of Iraq in 16 months but that he would also listen to the recommendations of his generals. " The economic recession that we now face could turn in to another Depression, thus the USA can not fight two Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan. In selecting Robert Gates to stay at Defence President - Elect Obama with his statements and staff leaks has shown that he will not pander to the New York Times. The USA will get out of Iraq but with honour, not within his sixteen month time frame but close, its better to be seen as a victor not a failure, just ask President Carter what the voters think of defeat. It will be interesting to see how the Liberal New York Times deals with Iraq with Obama in the Oval Office.

More on the US Car Industry

Fox News: Reports on the different options that is faced by President George W. Bush when it comes to the Car Industry, one being a Government planned bankruptcy or giving money to the Car Industry. Bush has a great chance to help the Car Industry, it will cost and hit the Unions but after reforms the Car Workers will have jobs, the President has to break the back of the Unions, he could be Reagan and Thatcher, Reagan broke the back of the of the Air Traffic Controllers and Thatcher broke the Unions in the UK. Bush to help the workers of the Car Industry has to break the Unions.

Belly UP for US Car Industry - Bush Fashion

My Way: Reports that the US Car Industry could be allowed to go bankrupt but in a planned manner by the Bush Administration. This is the best way for the Industry, all those Union Contracts can be thrown out of the window, from over the water it seems that the Union Barons think this is the 1970s. Its a Global World, you have to be efficient and you need low over head when it comes to wages and costs. If your product costs to much the customer will go buy a cheaper model. WAKE UP UNIONS.

Jobs in the UK

The Times: Reports on the lack of prospects of getting employment in the UK if your in your 20s. wants to force those of work to earn their benefits, in a good economy that is a good idea but we are in a major recession, if your a company you will take someone one for four weeks then dump them, the job centre cant say much as they need these If your in your late 30s and 40s and live in a black spot for work, well you might as well accept that your life is over in many respects. If you have been a straight arrow and done well in Education you find you wont even get a simple job due to the fact that employers might think that you have better qualification than them, so a low paying job is out, also if your over 25 you ought to get the full minimum wage, this means that companies will hire younger people, they are not fools they don't say its your age, they find other reasons. The Labour Governmentcompanies to take on those out of work. So if your late 30s and 40s and live in black spot for work just accept its over, you are finished, sad but the harsh truth, life is never fair.

Drudge Report - Kennedy All The Way

The Drudge Report: Reports that Mayor Bloomberg is supporting Kennedy for the New York Senate Seat. I would be very surprised if Kennedy did not get the nod, Kennedy is still a powerful name, and the USA owes the Kennedy's, so Good Luck Caroline, what next VP Kennedy in 2012.

US Car Industry - Let them go BELLY UP

BBC News: Reports that Car Majors, Chrysler and Ford are to shut down for longer than the Xmas Period. If President Bush wants to do a favour for Obama, he will allow these out dated, Union controlled Companies to go belly up. The point of these extra days off is not to safe money, they will stay pay the workers its an attempt to get money out of the Government. The Bush Administration should allow these companies to go belly up, then what is left behind can be built up. President George W. Bush is allowing the USA to become the Sick Man of Western System. President - Elect Obama should hope that Bush allows the Car Companies to go bankrupt, he has low approval ratings anyway, would not make much difference, but in the long term it would allow the Car Industry and American Business to grow on firmer ground. Its money down the toilet folks, YOUR MONEY.

Death in Afghanistan

BBC News: Reports on the death of another British Soldier in Combat in Afghanistan, the death toll now stands at 134. It seems the deaths are mounting in Afghanistan and we are sending more troops in to a hell hole. ITV News did a report from the combat zone in Afghanistan, the conditions are like something out of World War One, Trenches for God's sake, also our troops do not have the right gear to fight for the freedom of Afghanistan and to protect us from further terror attacks. If we are sending our troops our there to fight and die at least we could make sure they have the right gear.

Governor 1 - Chicago 0

The New York Times: Reports that the embarrassing case of Governor of Illinois who tried to sell the open Seat of President - Elect has a few more days to run, the Illinois Supreme Court has decided to keep its nose out of this sorry event. Thus right up to the Inauguration of the President Obama you will have the news media looking in to the case, they have started to get tough with Obama of late, also we still don't know how much discussions there was between the Obama Chief of Staff and the Governor about who should replace Obama in the Senate. This sorry tale has a few days if not weeks to run.

Iran and the Bomb

Breitbart: Reports that Israel sees the threat of an attack on the USA from Iran if Iran gets the bomb. It can be postulated that Israel is sending a warning to the USA and to the new Obama Administration, Israel will never allow a nuclear armed Iran, a nuclear armed Iran is a threat to Israel and the USA. If and when Iran becomes a nuclear power expect either Israel or the USA to hit Iran. President Obama wants to talk to Iran but Iran is just playing for time, it will talk and give the impression that it wants to talk, it will drag the talks out, while still developing the bomb, then at the last minute it will break talks and announce that it has the bomb. Then comes to real tough question will President Obama has the nerve to attack Iran before Israel does, an attack by Israel could create World War Three in the Middle East.

Kennedy for US Senate ?

Fox News: Reports that the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy wants to take over the Senate Seat of Hillary Clinton, her late Uncle Senator Robert Kennedy was also a Senator from New York. This will not make President Bill Clinton happy or Hillary Clinton, the Kennedy's supported Obama in the Democratic Race, a Kennedy in the Senate would open talks about a possible Obama - Kennedy ticket in 2012. If there going to be a new VP in 2012 the Clintons want it to be Hillary Clinton. Lets be honest the USA owes the Kennedy's the death of President Kennedy and Senator Kennedy in the 60s means Caroline Kennedy should get the Senate Seat, after she becomes a Senator it will be fair to judge her as a Senator, it will be nice to have some class and charisma back in the Senate.

The Threat and The Planning

The New York Times: Reports on the planning that the Bush Administration has done to help the Obama Administration in the area of National Security. When President - Elect Obama become President on January 20th 2009 his team will be ready to deal with any security issues either from rogue states or terrorists groups. In the early days it can be argued that Iran or terrorists will test the metal of President Obama at the start of his Administration, Iran could announce that it has the Nuclear Bomb on the day of the Inauguration of Obama, it could attack Iraq. The Terrorists could start at Tet type offensive in Afghanistan or Iraq. The Terrorists could attack a target in the United States, lets recall its in the early days that that the terrorists attack, as noted in this blog before, 1993 from Bush to Clinton, 2001 from Clinton to Bush, 2007 from Blair to Brown in the UK. Lets hope the CIA, MI6 are on guard.

UK out of Iraq in 2009

BBC News: Reports on the news by UK PM Gordon Brown that the UK will be out of Iraq by the end of May 2009. The Soldiers in Iraq will be sent to another hell hole, this one is called Afghanistan, the expected call by the Obama Administration for the UK to send seventeen hundred extra troops will get a positive nod from the Brown Government, it will not want to annoy the new American President. In these economic circumstances the UK could not have two Wars, the UK presence in Iraq has done its job, it has give the government of Iraq some breathing space as to establish its own security for the country, thus time for the UK to get out. But before lets recall the death of 178 UK Service Personnel, let us never forget them and their heroic effort to help Iraq and protect the UK.

Another Obama Scandal ?

The Times: Reports that Bill Richardson the Governor of New Mexico and the nominee for Commerce Secretary in the Obama Administration is under investigation for money given to his political committee. Have to admit would be surprised if this came to anything, Governor Richardson has always come across as a straight arrow type of character. The Clintons on the other hand would be smiling, Richardson supported Obama over Clinton for the Democratic Nomination, the Clintons always remember!!

Obama and Afghanistan

Salon: Reports on the situation on the ground in Afghanistan. It can be argued that Obama was right that Bush Administration took its eye off the ball in Afghanistan, but the plan for a Obama surge next year can also come under critical review, Afghanistan is not Iraq, Iraq was tired of the violence of the terrorists, thus the move by the people to support the government and the US Forces. In Afghanistan the the Taliban and the Terrorists have come back from their defeat in 2001, the Government of Afghanistan is in the toilet, it is not trusted by the people thus the present problems, Obama's statement that he would place troops in Pakistan has tipped his hand to the terrorists. Thus it can be expected that after his Inauguration he will be tested by the terrorists in Afghanistan, will the USA go after them, to their safe havens in Pakistan. The outcome of the War in Afghanistan will define the Obama Presidency.

USA critical of UK in Afghanistan

The Times: Reports that the USA is critical of our actions in Afghanistan. If the USA thinks we are doing a bad job why don't we just leave, we are fighting and dying in Afghanistan, if we are seen as a weak link we should should get out of Afghanistan. Let the USA take over all combat operations in Afghanistan, please President Bush or Obama ask us to leave the bloody place.

NYT Attacking General Petraeus

The New York Times: The Left and Liberal Times has a go at General Petraeus, the Hero of the Iraq success, it writes a favourable article on the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs who opposed the Bush Surge in Iraq, but states the following on Petraeus and the Chairman, " ( The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs* )....could be more influential in an Obama administration than he has been in the Bush administration, where he has been overshadowed by the success and showmanship of Gen. David H. Petraeus,...." The Liberal Times will never forgive General Petraeus for winning in Iraq, the Times wanted to lose in Iraq as they hate President George W. Bush. Lets hope Obama has better judgement that the Times or its going to be a very long four years.

* My Introduction

Afghanistan Surge by the UK

BBC News: Reports that another three hundred soldiers are going to Afghanistan, the total of British Forces in Country will reach eight thousand and three hundred next year. It is expect that after January 20th 2009 the Obama Administration will ask the UK to send an extra 1700 troops to Afghanistan. It should be clear to UK PM Gordon Brow that he has to say NO. What about our fellow Allied Countries in NATO. The PM should say No, the British are paying a high price already, it time Europe got off its backside and help it Allies. PM Brown should follow the example of Harold Wilson who supported LBJ over Vietnam but did not send troops, we had to send troops due to 9/11 but we are paying the price is the blood of hour heroic soldiers, thus no more troops and an EXIT route please in the near future.

Death in Afghanistan

BBC News: Reports on the death of another British Soldier in Combat in Afghanistan. The Death toll for this bloody war is now 133. The total will go up, as stated many times in this blog what is the EXIT route out of Afghanistan. In the Imperial Days we used to send a plane over and drop the odd bomb, at least that would remove the threat to our troops, also we didn't lose any planes when we had No Fly Zones over Iraq.

Xmas Dr Who

I was watching clips of the BBC shows on BBC 1 at Xmas Time. The reel of clips has moments from the Xmas Dr Who. I wonder did any else notice that one clip had an actor wearing the same costume as the Master had in the mid 1970s. The clip could have been from another show but it could be from Dr Who, is the Master Back?

Who is POTUS ?

The New York Times: Reports on the unusual position of Robert Gates, US Defence Secretary, having two masters to keep happy, Bush 43 till January 20th 2009, and the incoming President Obama. It would be interesting if Bush 43 decided to attack Iran before he left office, would Gates tell Obama if Bush didn't want him to know. Bush 43 will not attack Iran, he will leave Iran to Obama, Iran could also define the Obama Presidency, will Obama prevent Iran becoming a nuclear power. Read of the Day.

Goodbye Afghanistan

BBC News: Reports on the last visit by President George W. Bush to Afghanistan as President of the United States of America. The War in Afghanistan and Iraq has defined the Bush Presidency, the War in Iraq is over, it will become a low level conflict for the Obama Administration. The War in Afghanistan could define the Obama Administration, with the Obama surge next year the War in Afghanistan will become Obama's War. The problem for Obama is that you have Pakistan as a neighbour, the terrorists have free access over the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. If the surge fails in Afghanistan and it can be argued that it cant work given the different conditions of geography and politics then what Iraq did for Bush could happen to Obama. In running a Presidential Campaign you run on poetry, a government is about prose, can Obama be a poet and a writer, they don't often combine in the arts. The folks just might miss Bush when he is gone next year.

The Last Summit, Reagan and Gorbachev 1988

The National Security Archive: Read the Secret US and USSR Documents from the last summit between Reagan and Gorbachev. Read of the Day.

The Impeachment of Bill Clinton

The New York Times: Reports on how the Impeachment of Bill Clinton in 1998 made D.C a rougher town. Read of the Day.

Bush vs Truman

The Boston Globe: Has an interesting article on the view that Bush will be seen as another Truman, low approval at the end while consider great now. The Article states the following, " Neo-cons can stop fantasizing now. Bush is no Truman,.." It is typical of the Main Stream Media, the usual reference points, Iraq, terror. The Elite Media will never forgive Bush 43 for winning in 2000, and yes he did win, if all the votes had been counted like the Democrats wanted in 2000 Bush would have won. In in his time in Office after 9/11 there has not be a serious terrorist attack on the United States, it can be argued that the failure of Intelligence before 9/11 was down to the Clinton Administration, President Bill Clinton had eight years to solve the problem while Bush only had seven months in office. After 9/11 Bush gave freedom to Afghanistan and Iraq, the terror faced by the people has been removed, its up to these countries if they use this freedom. In the Second Term of Truman he faced the the drawn out War in Korea, the Korean War did Truman in, he had low approval ratings due to the War and Scandals. Bush in the future if Obama is weak will be seen as great, his manic bailouts seem odd for a conservative but it can be argued that he does not want to hand over a Great Depression to President Obama. It can be postulated that Truman would have more time for Bush than Bill Clinton.

US Car Bailout

Fox News: Reports that the Bush White House will not rush a bailout of the US Car Industry. Folks this is your last chance to have some effect on this madness of bailouts, if you have the chance, phone, email, telegram, text the White House to tell them not to give money the Car Industry. The new Obama Administration will just pander to the Unions, but they can be prevented from flushing your money down the toilet if Bush allows the bankrupt Car Companies to go in to Chapter 11. This would prevent the new Obama Administration from waisting your money to help the Unions. Thus send a simple message to the White House

NO TO CARS.

Goodbye Iraq!

BBC News: Reports on the last visit to Iraq by President George W. Bush as President. At the end of the day the the United States has won in Iraq, yes there will be low level attacks, Israel has to put up with low level attacks, so this is not new to the region. The economic 9/11 that the West is now facing means we have to get out of Iraq, the government of Iraq has to take over the economic and military burden of running Iraq. The new Obama Administration with Robert Gates at Defence will get the USA out of Iraq with honour. How history will treat Bush 43 will depend how his successors manage the their problems. It can be argued that Bush 43 might not be the successor to Reagan, the bailout of different sectors negates that result but he might be the successor to President Truman, not a bad category.

The War on the Home Front

The Guardian: Reports on how the War in Afghanistan is seen in the UK, and how long the public will support the War. If our suppose NATO Allies will not add their troops to the fight it will be asked by the public how long we should fight to protect Europe. The NATO Allies have to get their crap together and send more troops out to Afghanistan and more to fight in the bloody place. If we lose Afghanistan then Europe could be set ablaze by the terrorists, thus Europe show some back bone and fight with your allies, the UK and the USA.

UK Car Bailout

The Times: Reports that UK Government will bailout the UK Car Industry. Folks this is just the start, it can be guaranteed that other sectors of the economy will come cap in hand to the government to ask for money. The Western Governments will create a stagnant economy, we are returning to history folks, welcome back to the 1970s, rather than the UK being the sick man of Europe, the Western System will be the sick man of the system. The Government will be the major factor in business from banking to cars. The old system of Government control of the economy is back, look what happened to the old Soviet Union. The massive government spending will only delay the final result, bad business structures will fall, but from that harsh environment a new business sector will grow, we could have that now but the government are afraid, thus expect a few years of misery before we have another Thatcher and Reagan.

Never be Forgotten ?

BBC News: Reports on the visit to Afghanistan by the UK PM Gordon Brown and his tribute to those British Soldiers that died in combat yesterday. The PM stated that these soldiers will never be forgotten, it can be postulated that the same thing was stated in the 19th Century when the UK sent in troops to Afghanistan, do you see their names on any walls. The War in Afghanistan can never be won by the West, it can be downgraded to a small scale conflict, the local tribes and the government have to come to together, the people have to want peace. The West can not create a Western system in Afghanistan, it has its own culture, what we can do is to show how its in the interest of the government and the people to move in their culture awareness. The Obama Plan for a surge in Afghanistan might work, but it can be argued that in the long term it will fail, you have to win the heart and souls of the population. Also you have to get control of the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Terrorists can attack in Afghanistan and run back over the border to Pakistan. Thus the future problem for President Obama is will he send combat troops in to the badlands of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

5 Soldiers Dead

BBC News: Reports on the death of a British Soldier in Iraq. The Death was not through combat. The total of those killed in combat and other incidents now stands at 178. This is the second incident of a soldier dying not through combat, why it has to be asked, the UK will be out of Iraq by next year, the Army has to take better care of those still in Iraq, if there are signs and this is a general comment not on this case that troops cant cope they should be sent home for other duties.

On Sky News a Report that four British Soldiers have been killed in combat. The total of the dead now stands at 132. This War will last a long time and will cost a lot more, what is the EXIT for this War. It can be postulated that the Obama surge of next year will cost a lot more, the Terrorists are on the move in Pakistan, the attack on NATO equipment of late shows that the terrorists have the ground, we have to take them out in Pakistan. If we lose Afghanistan we will face more terrorist attacks like those of 9/11 and 7/7.

Who Next ?

The Times: Reports that now that the Bush Administration will bailout the Car Industry that other business sectors will also ask for money. This is madness on a great scale, we are going back to the 1970s. Obama will make the same mistake as Bush, he will bailout all comers, the West will be in Depression for years.

Feeding Time in Chicago, Hard Ball Politics at its Best ?

The Times: Reports more trouble from President - Elect Obama's Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, the paper of record reports that Emanuel had a few talks with Governor Blagojevich as to who should be the successor to President - Elect Obama. One gets the feeling that this is feeding time at the Zoo, who will bet that Emanuel will still be the Chief of Staff to Obama in January 2009. Its why I love Chicago politics, so brutal and to the point, Obama has a government to form he does not need this distraction, Mr Emanuel should step aside while the legal process is underway in Chicago.

LOVE CHICAGO POLITICS !!

Chicago Sun Times: Reports that Rahm Emanuel, Chief of Staff to President - Elect Obama is refusing to answer questions concerning the scandal that the Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was trying to sell the Senate Seat of President - Elect Obama. This is time for Obama to show that he is a reformer, he should inform Emanuel that while this legal process is going on with Governor Blagojevich he will ask someone else to be his Chief of Staff. It has to be stressed and underscored that there is no evidence that Emanuel was aware of the illegal plans of the Governor but he was once close to the Governor so was Obama. Obama can no afford to have another Whitewater, lets recall the Impeachment of Bill Clinton had nothing to do with Whitewater but events outside the original scope of that investigation. Thus Obama has to as Reagan did with Iran - Contra, get a new Chief of Staff and move forward.

Car Bailout in the USA

BBC News: Reports that Bush 43 is going to bailout the USA Car Industry after the US Senate said NO. This is typical of Bush, he has made President - Elect Obama look like a conservative. The Bush Administration has bailed out the Banks, Wall Street, the Car Industry, Ronald Reagan would disown Bush 43, he makes the Tax Hikes of Bush 41 look moderate. It is time that the Republican Party returned to the Reagan Path, low taxes and limited Government. Lets recall that the New Deal did not end the Great Depression it was WW2. If the government run all business what is the point for people to make money or take a risk, no business will be allowed to go bust.

Insurance

What is the point of taking out Insurance for your computer if when it breaks down you don't get much help; thus my absence; all the technical people tell you is that you need to use your recovery disk but you lose all your information. Thus you can spend a hundred quid in a year and all the help you get over the phone is telling you to use the recovery disk. In the end you end up using you local computer store.

Car Bailout, BAILOUT AGAIN !

The New York Times: Reports that Congress is not happy about a bailout for the Car Industry. Folks if you want to throw your cash down the toilet just support this bailout, in fact it is simpler, take your weekly or monthly wage and flush it down the toilet. That is what the Congress has in mind FOR YOUR MONEY. It is time for the American people to Call, Email, Text, Telegram Congress to oppose this deal. I will promise you they will come back for more money later. This is the time to say NO, NO.

Old Man, Out of Time

The Boston Globe: Reports on how Senator John Kerry has been passed over by President Obama. Kerry had his chance in 2004 when he was the Democratic Nominee and he blew it, politics is a harsh business, Obama has no time for losers. Read of the Day.

The Future of the US in Iraq

The New York Times: As Richard Nixon found in 1968, a Presidential Campaign is different from running the Government. Nixon in 68 had promised to finish the War in Vietnam, it was stated in a BBC Documentary on Nixon that his supporters thought he was going to win in Vietnam, Nixon had seen what Vietnam had done to LBJ, he wanted out with honour, thus the 1973 Peace Agreement. Obama ran in 2008 on getting combat troops out of Iraq in sixteen months, Obama is now faced with his own reality, the Liberal Times writes the following, " ........Obama is making clearer than ever that tens of thousands of American troops will be left behind in Iraq, ...... " even if it was possible that the Pentagon can get the combat troops out on Obama's Time Table; any removal of troops has to be done in way that does not allow the terrorists to come back or help Iran. Iraq is close to have been won, Obama does not want to to change victory in to defeat. As stated before, if a Civil War was to develop in Iraq, this would help Iran, if Iran was to take over the Iraqi Oil Fields this could wreck the Obama Presidency. Also as stated before, due to the economic 9/11 the USA and UK have to get out of Iraq but it has to be done in a way that leaves Iraq with a strong government and military. The USA under Secretary Gates will remove troops from Iraq and place them in Afghanistan. Obama was right in a way, the War on Terror started in Afghanistan and it will finish in Afghanistan. Lets hope Afghanistan is not an endless WAR.

No Green Light, War Anyway !

The Times: Reports that Israel could attack Iran without a green light from the USA. This would be a bold move by Israel, of course there are Green Lights and Green Lights, whats on the record and whats off. It would place Secretary Gates in a awkward position should Bush have a change of mind and green light an operation with USA help, would Gates tell Obama ? Have to think that Israel will wait till we are closer to a nuclear armed Iran, if the Diplomacy fails then Israel will attack, an attack could be a couple of years down the line.

Israel and Iran, A Future War ?

TJP: Reports that the Israeli Military is developing plans to attack Iran due to its plan for developing a nuclear bomb. If Israel is going to attack it should attack now, it better to attack with Bush 43 in the Oval Office rather than Obama. If Israel was to attack now it is likely that Bush would support the move and Obama would have no choice but to go along with the move. If Israel waits and Obama tries to have Diplomatic talks with Iran it will be more difficult, Iran will play Obama, they will have talks about talks and the drag the process out, then announce to the World that they have the bomb. Thus Israel should attack Iran now, early and hard, push the Iran development back a few years, this do a favour for Bush and Obama.

The Truth, and Nothing but the TRUTH

Telegraph: Reports that the sole terrorist to survive the attacks on Mumbai in India is to be given truth serum to get at the truth. That's one way to get at the truth, it will tell the Indian authorities how much the Government of Pakistan was involved in any aspect of the attack. I don't have a problem with using such methods as long as they work, not interested if it does not work, that simple and honest. How about using subtler methods first before going in mob handed.

Obama and the CIA

The New York Times: Reports on the problem faced by the Obama Administration in getting a new CIA Director that can work with the Agency but also can make the left of the Democratic Party happy. After January 20th 2009, President Obama will be faced with the reality of the world, the CIA is there to protect the USA, it cant do that and make the American left happy. Lets postulate a crisis, the Director of the CIA comes to President Obama in the Oval Office, the Agency has caught a terrorist who is part of cell that is going to let off a chemical, biological weapon the mainland of the USA within 24 to 48 hours. The Terrorist is not talking, no deals or promises of better treatment are working, so what next Mr President, 1) Do Nothing 2) Shout at him in a loud voice, or music 3) Waterboarding 4) Do what it takes to protect the American People. Lets hope President Obama never has to face this kind of crisis, or if he does that he does the right thing for the American People.

Frost/Nixon Film

The Fox Fourm: A Debate on the Frost/Nixon Film by Ron Howard. I had the honour to see the original play in London. It was one of the best nights I have had in the theatre. Mr Langella ( Nixon ) and Mr Sheen ( Frost ) are great actors, also gracious individuals they gave their time to sign autographs and talks to the audience who waited for them to leave the theatre. I cant wait to see the film.

Rubicon Passed, OUT OF IRAQ

LA Times: Reports on how Robert Gates the US Secretary of Defense will get the US out of Iraq by 2011. The Agreement between Iraq and the USA for the withdrawal of the US forces has allowed Gates to move from the Bush to the Obama Team. As stated before the economic 9/11 in this blog it would have been a mistake to have a Timeline to get out of Iraq, but events change, the USA can not afford to carry two Wars, the violence in Iraq has gone down, the terrorists have gone back to Afghanistan. Thus the USA can have a smaller force in Iraq to train the Police and Iraqi forces to fight the terrorists. The US forces are now needed in Afghanistan, as the surge worked in Iraq it has to work on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The War in Afghanistan needs new ideas and policies, this is a War the West cant afford to lose, but winning could cost more that the West have ever imagined.

New Nixon Tapes and Papers

Nixon Presidential Library and Museum: Hear and Read the new Nixon Material. Read of the Day.

He's Back - Bill Clinton

Politico: Reports that former President Bill Clinton is open to having a job in the Obama Administration. It didn't take long did it folks, Bill Clinton wants a job in the Obama Administration. The simple reason his wife will be the new Secretary of State, that will curtail his business and charity work, also it would drive him up the wall to get a pass from the Obama White House for every action, even changing his tie, thus he wants a Comeback on the Stage. On the whole this is not a bad idea on the whole, Hillary could be at State for four to eight years, thus Bill will need something to keep him out of trouble. Thus what about Ambassador to the Court of St James, a plum post, also gets him out of the country. If Bill Clinton is left to his own devices, lets recall the last time he got bored, Impeachment any body, thus to be fair Clinton good on the International Stage, so in London he could be a good back channel for Obama to London and the Europe.

US and the Mumbai Attacks

BBC News: Reports on the visit to India by US Secretary of State Condi Rice. The US needs to keep these two countries on the same page and not at War with each other, if Pakistan goes to War with India, this would damage the role of the US in Afghanistan, as the terrorists in the badlands of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan could pass the border without having to worry about the Army of Pakistan. Also as these two countries are nuclear armed, this could cause havoc in the region, thus the Bush and Obama Administrations has to make sure that the terrorists don't win the final round, the aim of the terrorists is to create a war between India and Pakistan.

UK SURGE FOR AFGHANISTAN

Telegraph: Reports that the UK is ready to send more soldiers to Afghanistan. It seems that PM Gordon Brown does not have the guts to say NO to Obama when it comes to sending more troops to Afghanistan. I don't have a lot of time for Harold Wilson the late Labour PM but at least he had the guts to say NO to LBJ. The problem is that Afghanistan cant be won, not won so the War is finished, Afghanistan is not like WW1 or WW2. The West will be in Afghanistan for years, its a just war, as in the the West was attacked on 9/11 in New York, but the military planning has failed in Afghanistan. The Terrorists are coming over the border attacking Western troops and then getting cover back in Pakistan. In the 2008 Campaign Obama stated he would attack the terrorists in the badlands of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, there is a problem, this could cause the government to fall. Also with the attacks in Mumbai the government of Pakistan has stated that it might send its troops from the border with Afghanistan to the border with India. Thus Obama so far has been quite sure footed in recent comments about what India should do about the terrorist attacks on its soil. The President - Elect has stated that nations have the right to protect it self but in this case did not go beyond that point. It can be postulated that the terrorists will try to cause havoc within the next few weeks, they want Pakistan and India to go to War. If this was to happen it would be disaster for the West. These two powers are nuclear armed, both Bush and Obama have to be the same page over the next weeks, they have to make sure that both Nations don't start a shooting war over the terrorist attack in India. If Afghanistan, Pakistan and India became failed states this would make the period between 2001 - 2008 look like happy hour, the West has to be on its guard.

Bush 43

The Times: Reports on how Bush 43 perceives his Legacy, his achievements and mistakes. Read of the Day. The Bush Legacy is many respects will be defined on how good or bad his successors are, if Obama is a weak President, if there is another terrorist attack while Obama is President and his answer is seen as weak then Bush 43 will look better looking back, if Obama is another Kennedy or Reagan then Bush will not look great, its matter of events. In recent poll by the BBC, the three favourite Presidents of the USA, drum roll please, 3) Kennedy 2) Reagan 1) Clinton. If you had asked the elite in 1980 if Reagan would over take Kennedy in such a poll they would have laughed. If Obama wants to be Reagan he has to get his Agenda through, also see the USA as Reagan often stated, a Shinning City on Hill.

The Obama Team on National Security

The Times: Bronwen Maddox writing in the paper of record states the following on the Obama National Security Team, " But in policies, not a million miles from the chastened and cautious Bush Administration of the past year. " The Obama National Security Team has won rave reviews from Republicans and Conservatives. The Liberal Left don't have a choice, they have to support Obama, there is no one else they can support if they want influence with the new Administration. It will be interesting to see how the Senate controlled by the Democrats move on with the confirmation process for Hillary Clinton, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee is Senator John Kerry, he wanted to be Secretary of State, he campaigned for the job, not the done thing in the Beltway. It will be interesting to see how he handles Hillary Clinton. Also will the Republicans go after the business deals of President Bill Clinton. I do feel sorry for Bill Clinton, he will have get a pass to change ties from the Obama Administration, how long before he he blows a casket and does or say something that is opposed to Obama. President Obama should think of giving him a job, how about US Ambassador to the Court of St James. That is a plum post by any standards but also would get him out of the country. The fun times are back folks, its Clinton Time.

The Nation on Obama and Gates

The Nation: The Bible for Liberals ( if they believed in God ) is not happy that President - Elect Obama has decided to keep Robert Gates at the Pentagon, the Nations writes the following, " By keeping Gates on Obama worsens the Democratic image on national security--- sending the message that even Democrats agree that Democrats can't run the military. " The real message that the President - Elect is sending is that he will get out of Iraq with honour. Obama does not want to be another President Ford and that last chopper leaving the Embassy. Secretary Gates understands that Iraq is over as a War, there will be low level conflict but the government of Iraq should be able to deal with these problems. Also the USA will keep a presence in Iraq to train forces. The War on Terror has gone back to Afghanistan, it is Afghanistan that needs a surge of troops. By 2011 Iraq will have limited USA presence, Afghanistan if the surge works there should be a low level conflict. The only spot on the horizon is what will the terrorists do in the early days of an Obama Administration, a Tet kind of offensive in Iraq or Afghanistan, or a terror attack on the USA mainland. In many respects Obama is like Kennedy in 1961, Kennedy had Cuba and a very Cold War, Obama has it worse, two wars and the the threat of terror. In keeping Gates, the President - Elect has shown wise judgement. You would think the left would give him a chance to get in to Office.

Pakistan, India and The West

The Times: Reports that Pakistan has threatened to move its troops from the badlands of the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan and move them to the border between India and Pakistan due to the terrorist attack in Mumbai, India. If there is a conflict between India and Pakistan this could damage Western interest in Afghanistan, we need Pakistan to keep its troops in the badlands of the border. If they follow through with their idea to move their troops the USA and UK would have to consider placing Western troops in Pakistan. Lets not jump the gun, the USA under President Bush and Obama should send a diplomatic delegation to India and Pakistan, if that fails we should make clear to both countries, if they want a war then fine, but not nuclear, that has to be made clear to both governments. The West can not afford to see both India and Pakistan in a nuclear rubble, and not with Western troops in Afghanistan. That sounds harsh but its the reality, thus if and this is way off, should the terrorists win the final round, India and Pakistan must not be allowed to use nuclear weapons for any reason. Thus the CIA AND MI6 should make sure they are aware of the sites for these weapons in case they have to be taken out one way or another. This is the time for Obama to show real skill as a statesman, this crisis might not wait for January 20th 2009.

India and Pakistan at War ?

Telegraph: Reports that India has placed herself on a War footing with Pakistan. The terrorists have won the first two rounds, they terrorised Mumbai ( Bombay ) for days, now India and Pakistan are back at each others throats. The West has to make sure that the terrorists don't win the final round, President George W. Bush should send a Diplomatic mission to the region, he should invite President - Elect Obama to send his envoy with the group. If India and Pakistan go to war, the entire region could go up in flames, lets recall both nations are nuclear powers. Thus the security of the West requires that the USA take an active role to get both countries back on the same page, the terrorists can not be allowed to start a nuclear war in the region.

Secretary Clinton

The New York Times: Reports that President - Elect Obama will announce Hillary Clinton as his nominee for Secretary of State on Monday. I cant decide if this move by the President is brilliant or the most foolish since the Russia sold Alaska to the USA; before the Russians knew about the Oil; it can be argued that Bill Clinton will go off the Obama Foreign Policy Reservation within six months. I could not cope with the Clintons for four to eight years, Obama must have the patience of a Saint, he is going to need that patience with the Clintons.

The Military and Obama

The Washington Post: Reports on the future relationship between the US Military and President Obama. As the article points out the main issue that could be a problem is Iraq, the pledge by Obama to get out of Iraq is sixteen months, the article states the following, " ..some Pentagon officials believe an Iraq withdrawal order could become Obama's equivalent of the Clinton controversy over gays,..." Obama will not want to leave Iraq in a mess, he does not want to be President Ford, those images of the Chopper leaving the US Embassy in 1975 are iconic, Obama does not want to turn a victory in to defeat. A quick withdrawal could lead to a civil war in Iraq, the chance for Iran to invade and take over the oil fields, cut off oil to the West, would not make economic sense but who said Iran was working from the Western Page. Does Obama want to see cars waiting for Oil, this would really help the Democrats in the Mid - Term Elections of 2010. Also if the USA is seen as leaving the Terrorists could come back, does Obama want to see Iraq in a Civil War with the terrorists throwing in their bombs. Thus it could be argued that Obama will be more moderate that his Campaign Pledge. Also keeping Secretary Gates on is a good move, will allow Gates to get the USA out of Iraq with honour. Lets be honest, the Western Economy is in the toilet we have to get out of Iraq, they have to take up the burden, we just have to leave with honour and our backs protected by the Government in Iraq.

NYT and Iraq

New York Times: Reports on the Civic Progress in Iraq. Well you could hit me over a with a feather, a positive article about Iraq in the Liberal Times. Read of the Day.

Mumbai ( Bombay ) DEATH TOLL

Telegraph: Reports that the Mumbai terrorist attack could lead to a death toll of three hundred killed. If this terrorist attack on India causes a military confrontation between Pakistan and India then the terrorists would have won. The USA and UK have to play an active role in keeping these countries on the same page. If India moves its troops to the border with Pakistan and Pakistan does the same, this will be a victory for the terrorists, the soldiers of Pakistan are needed on badlands of the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The new Obama Administration will have to work to keep Pakistan together, their economy is in a mess, they have parts of Pakistan under terrorist control and the central government is weak, none of this would matter to be honest but they are a Nuclear Power. The West has an interest in keeping both India and Pakistan in the Western side not falling under the threat of the terrorist.

The Left and Obama

Politico: Reports on how the left has been quiet with Obama appointing hawks by the standard of the Democratic Base or keeping Bush people in place. The Politico writes the following, " Still, it’s clearly a team that tilts to the right of Democratic foreign policy thought. " Obama has an Economic 9/11 to deal with, he needs people who can run Foreign Policy, Gates will get the USA out of Iraq with honour, not like Vietnam in 1975. Secretary of State Clinton will start talks with Iran but from a posture of strength not weakness, Bill Clinton will not allow his wife to become an appeaser. This kind of weak policy would be bad for the Clinton reputation, both him and her. As stated many times with Hillary you get Bill, and Bill bombed the Serbian Capital.

New York Subway Threat 2008

WCBSTV.COM: Has more details on the threat to the New York Subway. As stated the last threat was in 2005, this time the Intelligence Organisations have to worry that al - Qaeda are following an election pattern, 1993 the new Clinton Administration had to deal with the first attack on the World Trade Centre, 2001 the new Bush Administration had to deal with 9/11, in the UK 2007 the new PM Gordon Brown had to deal with the failed threat in London and the attack in Scotland. The attack in Bombay could be a warning to the West or it could be a diversion, lets hope the CIA are connection the dots this time around.

Mumbai ( Bombay ) Terrorist Attacks

The Times: Reports on the terrorist attack on Mumbai ( Bombay ). It argues that it is to early to say who is behind this evil attack on the city. To be honest have not blogged on this Issue due to the fact that it is on going, also it is hard to figure out if this is a internal terrorist group, that might have been trained by al-Qaeda or a franchise group of al - Qaeda. It will take a long investigation and could take months before we have an answer to this question. I did see something interesting on the TV Networks last night, what if India joins Afghanistan and Pakistan and becomes a failed state or forced to become a failed state due to these terrorists actions. Lets recall that both Pakistan and India are nuclear powers, this could be one of the top Issues to face a new Obama Administration.

Deaths in Afghanistan

BBC News: Reports that two more British Soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan. The total of the dead now stands at 128. If we do send more troops in to Afghanistan after the New Year lets have new ideas of how to win, otherwise we are going to lose more good men and women in a War we cant win and we cant afford to lose. We have to strike the safe bases in Pakistan, this is the Obama Plan, but we need to strike in manner that does not cause the Government of Pakistan to fall. A failed State like Pakistan that is a nuclear power could make last few years look like happy hour.

Surge for Afghanistan

Telegraph: Reports that an Obama Administration will send twenty thousand soldiers to Afghanistan. The article makes a great point, " Current and former US officials have warned that a surge of forces into Afghanistan will not necessarily meet with the same success as the troop build-up in Iraq. " The problem with Afghanistan is that throwing more troops in the mix never works, Afghanistan is a nightmare for combat troops, the environment helps the terrorist, also the terrorists can come over the border from Pakistan. All countries that have gone in to Afghanistan have in the end thought better about the idea, the UK in the 19th Century, the USSR in 20th Century, and of course we are back with the USA in the 21st Century. Afghanistan is just a god awful place to fight, high and dangerous mountains, tribal loyalties that are hard to breach. That the problem with the Tribal lands on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. We cant win but we cant afford to lose, the Commander that solves Afghanistan will become a legend.

The Real Iraq Policy - Obama

The New York Times: Reports on the President - Elects move to keep Robert Gates at the Pentagon. What is interesting is the following from the Obama circle, the article states the following on Iraq, " But advisers argued that Mr. Gates was a practical public servant who was also interested in drawing down troops in Iraq when conditions allow. " Thus the sixteen month deadline seems to have gone out of the window. Its a shame Obama didn't say that during the election, then even some Conservative Bloggers could have supported him, as stated this blog is very liberal on Domestic Issues, just when in it comes to National Security I want a President who is a hawk. It seems Obama is a very canny politician, the liberal left have no one else to support, thus he can throw them over board. Thus on the Domestic Front Obama can start a New Deal by public spending, lets recall it was World War 2 that got the USA out of the Great Depression not the New Deal. On the International Front, he will have Clinton at State, she is more of a hawk than Obama, thus don't expect Obama to visit Iran any time soon, the left will not be happy. At Defence Gates will get the USA out of Iraq with honour, not like Vietnam in 1975. This blog takes its hat off to the President - Elect.

Robert Gates at Pentagon

BBC News: Reports that Robert Gates is to remain as Secretary of Defence in a Obama Administration. This is a wise move by the President - Elect, Gates is an outstanding public servant and has made Iraq a low key War. The next job of the Secretary of Defence is to get the USA out of Iraq. The Government of Iraq has take over its own security. The West, UK and USA are in economic meltdown, we cant support two wars, thus Iraq is in a better position to take the load of security off the West. The War in Afghanistan is not going well, we need to win, if we lose in Afghanistan the terrorists will haunt the streets of London and New York again, it will be a long War. As stated in this blog, I want out of Afghanistan, but if we can develop new ideas and win, that would be a excellent development, lets hope Secretary Gates has new ideas for Afghanistan.

New York Subway Threat

BBC News: Reports on a threat to the New York Subway. As it should be recalled al-Qaeda has a pattern of going back to targets. If I recall al - Qaeda had a made plans to strike the New York Subway a few years ago, using poison gas or some the other substance. As we have a new Administration coming in 2009, it can be argued that their will be some reaction by the terrorist group, it follows a pattern. Read this BBC Report from 2005.

Obama's Tax Hikes NO MORE!

The New York Times: Reports that President Obama has decided that his call for Tax Hikes on those on more that two hundred and fifty thousand no longer apply. Have to admit have been very impressed with the Obama Cabinet and this latest news on Taxes, Obama should have a word with UK PM Gordon Brown, Brown wants to after the next General Election to have a 45 percent tax band on those on one hundred and fifty thousand. The PM is pandering to the left of the Labour Party. On the other hand President - Elect Obama is following the example of Ronald Reagan, tax cuts work, the left of the Democratic Party will not be happy, Michigan Senator Carl Levin stated on CNN's Late Edition on Sunday that he wanted to raise the tax on the rich. Lets not get to far head of praise for Obama, lets see what he does after January 20th 2009.

Economic News in the UK

On the economic side we have some good news if you want to be conned, in this case its the new policy by Labour Government to cut VAT, Value Added Tax from its present 17.5% to 15%. The catch is that it will go back up after a year. Have to admit sat down to watch the Chancellor of the Exchequer but he was so boring fell asleep. Its a con, its being done as way to allow Labour to have some good news before calling a General Election. If Labour really wanted to help people it would have cut income tax, all the policies are pandering, make the left happy, what my concern is the future of the UK Economy. WELCOME BACK TO THE 1979 AND THE WINTER OF DISCONTENT FOLKS.

Death in Afghanistan

BBC News: Reports on the death of another British Soldier in Afghanistan. The total of deaths now stands at 126. After January 20th 2009, President Obama is going to ask the UK to send more troops to Afghanistan. I hope PM Gordon Brown has the courage to follow the example of the late PM, Harold Wilson and refuse such a request, in Wilson's case it was Vietnam. The UK is doing her bit, to much it can be argued, its about time that the rest of NATO got off their back sides and helped. The UK is in a War that is without End, we cant win and we cant afford to lose in Afghanistan, also we have the prospect of another Great Depression, we need new ideas and polices for Afghanistan.

Liberal Fury at Obama

Telegraph: Reports that the Liberal Left of the Democratic Base is furious that President - Elect Obama is placing more conservative characters on his National Security Team. This shows a wise President - Elect, also a canny politician, Obama is liberal on the Domestic Stuff, Abortion, Stem Cell, Gay Marriage, but on the International Front he does not want to turn in to Jimmy Carter Mark II. Also Obama knows what happens when you follow the crowd, Munich 1938, Reagan in 1976 said of the then Soviet Union " We Win they Lose ", recall folks this was in 1976. At the time no one in the Foreign Policy Establishment was stating this view, their view was that the Soviet Union had to be dealt with as an equal, not confronted and finished off. Obama has to have a tough impression going in, he will be challenged, Iran and the Bomb, Afghanistan could blow up, the terrorists could try a Tet kind offensive, nuclear armed Pakistan could fall apart. Due to the economic 9/11 faced by the West, the USA has to get its troops out of Iraq, this will take time and has to be done in a delicate manner, Obama does not want a Civil War in Iraq and Iran taking over the Oil Fields, that would make a deep recession a depression. If Iraq falls apart and Iran goes in, could they stop the oil to the West, the 70s all over again. Thus Obama will get out of Iraq but in manner that does not recall the USA getting out of Vietnam in 1975. Obama does not want to see that last chopper leaving and the USA in decline, that would cancel in chances of re - election. The left have no else to vote for, he can afford to throw them over board.

No Tax Hike ?

The New York Times: Reports that the new Obama Administration could delay its idea to tax higher earners. If your in a recession, facing a depression you don't tax the rich higher, you cut taxes so they will spend money, it worked for the Gipper, the USA had years of economic boom. Obama should follow the example of Ronald Reagan, actually cut taxes for the wealthy, the middle class and poor will spend money to survive, the wealthy spend money on goods that they don't need just because they can, but in doing so they give jobs to a vast economic structure that is the United States. The Democratic base wont be happy, so what, who else are they going to vote for in 2012.

Dr Who Meets the Original Time Lord, Albert Einstein

The Times: Reports on a new drama on Arthur Eddington ( David Tennant ) and Albert Einstein ( Andy Serkis), Eddington the man that made Albert Einstein famous. Its a nice cycle if you think about it, Einstein gave us the theory of relativity and from that we can postulate we get our favourite Time Lord. By the way sorry about the header, but could not help my self, not as bright as old Albert!

Update: Two words, Fantastic Drama. It shows why David Tennant is great as Dr Who, also why its sad that he is leaving but you can see why, he is a great actor, the combination of of DT and Andy Serkis made physics fun and interesting. One can Hollywood in the near future for DT. He had in many respects had the more challenging role, a repressed Edwardian not easy to play. Also someone who can see the future and its not Newton, also give it a World War One context even harder when the view he supports comes from a Swiss/German character. Both actors should be up for a Bafta for their roles. Also has the BBC considered Andy Serkis for Dr Who, would be different from DT but that's the point, he held is own and made a character that could not have gotten much sympathy very sympathetic. Also the 11 and 12 Dr Who are more darker characters. See Trial of a Time Lord.

Marc Rich Pardon

The New York Times: Interesting article on the Marc Rich Pardon that was granted by Bill Clinton on his last day in the White House. The issue has come up again due to leak that Eric Holder is to be Attorney General in a Obama Administration, Mr Holder supported the Pardon of Mr Rich. The article in the Liberal New York Times is very critical, the article states the following, " He had the last word at Justice on clemency petitions and he saw to it that he had the only word. He brokered one of the most unjustifiable pardons that an American president has ever granted. " An interesting article to be published by the Liberal Times, Mr Holder would be the first African - American to hold the post if he passes the confirmation process. It can be postulated that the Times has figured out it cant be the press department for an Obama Administration for four to eight years.

More on Clinton at State

The New York Times: Reports on the move by Senator Hillary Clinton from the US Senate to the US State Department. It writes the following, " But it could also disappoint many of Mr. Obama’s supporters, who worked hard to have him elected instead of Mrs. Clinton and saw him as a vehicle for changing Washington. Mr. Obama argued during the primaries that it was time to move beyond the Clinton era ...." In other words the Liberal New York Times, a firm supporter of Obama in the General Election is not happy with the idea either, if the Times is not happy Obama must be doing something right. A interesting aspect of the article is the news that Hillary Clinton can appoint her own Deputies. This is bad move by Obama, the State Department will become a rival Royal Court, the National Security Council will be loyal to Obama, while State will be in the pockets of the Clintons, yes plural, get one and you get one free, in this case Bill Clinton. If your a blogger the good times are back, YES ITS THE CLINTONS.

Woodward on Clinton at STATE

FishbowlDC: Reports that Bob Woodward of Watergate Fame thinks the placing of Clinton at State is very bad idea. Obama is must have great confidence in himself as a manager of people and absolute trust that A) Hillary Clinton will listen to him, B) Bill Clinton will remember that Obama is President. Call me a very very old cynic but politics has never worked like that, even Ronald Reagan had his problems, and Obama is not quite Ronald Reagan, no matter what his press team think at this present time. In 1980 Reagan at least trusted his main opponent, Bush 41 to make him Vice - President, Obama didn't trust Clinton to be his VP, why does he think that making her Secretary of State is a better idea now.

Obama Mistakes in Transition

Lets have a look at the Obama mistakes since he was elected POTUS. The very mistake was his comment in a news conference that he had not spoken to dead Presidents. In this case it was Ronald Reagan, he later phoned to say sorry to Nancy Reagan. The second mistake was his decision to appointment Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, it will be LBJ - RFK feud all over again. The third mistake and this could be costly, was his statement that he wants his Administration to create 2.5 Million jobs in two years. After two years if this has not happened the blame will be placed at the Oval Office Door.

Madam Secretary - Hillary Clinton

BBC News: Has reported that Hillary Clinton will become the next US Secretary of State. The drama of the past few days, would she take the job, Bill Clinton and his business dealings, are part of the package when you deal with the Clintons. Of those who are Conservatives its great news, there nothing like the Clintons for fun blogging. How long will someone bet that Bill Clinton goes off the reservation when it comes to differences between him and Obama. It can be argued that Bill Clinton has been very supportive of his wife, allowing the Obama team to check the donors to his Foundation and Presidential Library. The problem with all great actors, and this goes for Ronald Reagan also, its not a party thing, is very hard for them to allow the spotlight to be taken by someone else, Bush 41 had problems, Obama is more lucky he is already a rock star, but how long before Bill Clinton gets annoyed or needs some attention on the World State. One does not see Bill Clinton as an EXTRA. I give it six months before Bill Clintons blows a casket, and goes off the Obama Reservation.

Helping Africa

The Times: A very interesting and informative article in the Times today on business chances in Africa. Its a different take on Africa, its about business, investing in small companies in Africa and making money from the idea. Its different from the usual African call, Charity, its about helping people in Africa to follow the Western model, developing a business and getting rich. The Company if it makes a profit can develop and hire workers. Thus its a win ( African Company )/win ( more workers, the local economy gets richer )/win ( Investor, makes money and can feel good abut the business). Read of the Day.

Money down the Toilet

Fox News: Reports that Senate Republicans and Democrats have come together to bailout the Car Industry. The Chiefs of the Car Companies came to D.C to ask for money, how did they travel, private plane. Lets cut the bull, the Car Companies have become Welfare Departments. If they fail the argument goes millions will be out of work, lets see why does that ring a bell, yes the UK in the 1970s. It was bull then and its bull now, this is pure welfare by other means, if these companies cant survive without government help they should go down the toilet, that goes for Wall Street also. Lets hope this welfare programme is blocked, because it can be postulated that President Obama who is a Liberal will fund these broke Companies. The USA is going to become the Sick Man of the Western World.

Terror and the Law

Fox News: Reports that five alleged terror suspects have been ordered released by the Courts. This is madness, what if they return to the battlefield, what if they are part of another 9/11, this is out right bonkers. What if the Liberals get their way and terrorists are released and a nuclear terrorist attacks happens on American Soil. In War you keep the enemy as POW's, but since these terrorists are not from a country, you throw them in jail and lose the key. Lets us Pray that the Judge in this case does not over breakfast one day read that these alleged terrorists have killed thousands. There is sometimes a difference between the law and justice, justice was not served today and the law was let down. It can be argued that Bush has failed to make the Judiciary see the threat from the terrorist threat and that Obama will appointment more Liberal Judges.

The Left and Obama

LA Times: Reports that the Liberal base of the Obama support are not happy that Obama is placing Iraq War supporters in his Cabinet. This should make Obama pleased, these Liberals are not the United States and lets be honest they have nowhere else to go in 2012. President Obama can afford to dismiss them, there one concern is getting out of Iraq, his concern is getting a second term. If Obama makes a fast exit from Iraq, the place could fall in to a Civil War, Iran could come in, and Obama would be forced to send the troops back in, what would the Liberal base think then of Obama. This is a good move by Obama, shows he is own man and not under the influence of Liberals.

Nuclear Armed Iran

IHT: Reports that Iran has the ability to make one nuclear bomb. The questions has to be asked what will the out going Bush Administration do with news, nothing, strike Iran, allow Israel to hit Iran. It can be argued that Bush cant wait to leave the White House, does not want another War on his hands before he leaves his office, thus the problem will be passed over to new President. Thus the next question what will Obama do about Iran, will he follow through with stated aim to talk to Iran without preconditions, or he latest plan, well planned meeting before he would talk to Iran. Also what if Hillary Clinton is Secretary of State, is she going to be the fall guy for a weak Obama Foreign Policy. The joker in the pack is Israel, will Israel wait for a Obama Administration to make its mind up, its hitting of Syrian nuclear site shows it wont take threats in its backyard. Expect Iran to be a growing issue for the Obama Administration.