The Spy that TURNED this Blog - Anna Chapman

The New York Times: Reports on the PR for Anna Chapman the hot Russian Spy. Have to admit Ms Chapman would not have to do much to get info out of this blog, smile, what state secrets, sometimes you have IT and Ms Chapman has IT is spades.

Democrats cant even SMELL the COFFEE

The Hill: Reports that a leading Liberal in the House, Congressman Henry Waxman has stated that he expects political trouble next year between the Democrats and Republicans. The Congressman has missed out one word, its called Democracy, the Liberal Democratic leadership has pushed through ObamaCare when it was opposed by a majority of the US voters, next year POTUS will have a roadblock in the House, in 2011 President Obama will face a choice, does he deal with the Republicans and get something through the House and thus sell out the Democrats in the House, or does stand his ground and become another Jimmy Carter. This following year will tell folks.

One Nation Conservatism vs. The Thatcherism

BBC News: Reports on the release of documents from the first year of the Thatcher Era under the thirty year rule. In the documents former Conservative Prime Minister Harold Macmillan calls on Lady Thatcher to do a U - Turn on her economic polices, to return to the polices of past Conservative Governments. In other words to return to failed economic polices of past Labour and Conservative Governments that lead the UK to the Winter of discontent, that allowed the Trade Unions to run amok and for the dead not to be buried. The Thatcher Governments had to break the Unions, in the end Thatcher broke the National Union of Mineworkers, the very same union that bought down Edward Heath in the 1970s. After the Trade Union reforms that New Labour didn’t remove the UK is in a better position to come out of its present economic crisis.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has announced the name of the British Soldier that was killed on Tuesday in Afghanistan, the Soldier was “ WO2 Charles Henry Wood from 23 Pioneer Regiment RLC, serving with the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force ”. Our thoughts are with the family of WO2 Wood .

The Labour Party Split over AV in 2011

Telegraph: Reports that 114 Labour MPs will oppose the move to AV in the 2011 AV referendum vote. It will be interesting folks, you will have a majority if near all Conservatives in opposition to AV, the Labour Party is split, the only people supporting AV will be the Liberal Democrats, Ed Miliband the new Labour Leader and a few Labour MPs and the left wing media, its to early to predict but its going to be hard to get a YES vote folks.

Beefing up the Coalition Government

BBC News: Reports that the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Mr Simon Hughes has been appointed by the UK Coalition Government to spearhead the word that poorer students should go to University and the safe guards in the new tuition fees structure. This is a good PR move by the Coalition Government, the left wing media has not stressed that Graduates will start paying back their tuition fees at a higher level that under Labour and those on the present Labour scheme will be better off. All the fuss seems to have gone away since the riots in London, one can argue that once the Royal Car was hit the students lost the morale high ground. Also students are a lazy lot, its cold out there folks, Christmas, etc, they don’t want to miss the bar opening times at their Universities. This is not the student riots of 1968 folks.

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that a British Soldier was killed on Tuesday in Afghanistan, the Soldier was from the “ 23 Pioneer Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps ”. Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 348 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 307 in combat action and 41 due to illness, accidents or other incidents.

End of Year, 46% Approval for President Obama - Gallup

Gallup: Reports that President Obama has a 46% job Approval rating, while 46% Disapprove of President Obama’s job performance. The following year should decide if President Obama gets re-elected in 2012, the economy has to turn around with the tax cuts just passed, ObamaCare has to get out of the negative rating. The Obama White House has to move away form its Liberal base, in political terms it would help President Obama if he had fights with his liberal base, then he will get a second look from Independents and moderate Republicans, he cant win with just the left, thus allowing gays to serve in the military was the right morale choice it was the wrong political choice, people want jobs not some left wing urban popular policy, this could come to haunt Obama over the next two years, the US is still in Afghanistan and Iraq and thus soldiers are getting killed and what does Obama do, please his left wing base over gays in the military. President Obama has a chance of winning re-election but its not a done deal folks, Obama can chose to be either be a Reagan or a Jimmy Carter.

Republican House vs. POTUS = ObamaCare Repeal

The Hill: Reports on the big first battle between the Republican House and the Obama White House, the issue will be ObamaCare, the Republican House will seek repeal or cut its funding. This is the one issue that Republicans can go to the mat for, ObamaCare is still not popular, they can really force POTUS to take a real political hit if he is stubborn. In the next two years the Republicans are going to make President Obama fight for every aspect of his ObamaCare, that will not be good for the President when he starts his run for re-election in 2012. Also the Bush 43/Obama tax cuts come to an end in 2012, is Obama really going to run on tax hikes. The Comeback Obama might be an illusion as much as his moderate image in 2008.

A Christmas Carol - Dr Who Style

The Doctor Who News Page: Reports that the Dr Who Christmas special had 10.4 million viewers, the 2nd most watch show of Christmas Day, and nearly 40% of UK households had the Time Lord on their screens. It was a fantastic episode folks, the Dr Who meets Jaws in some respects, and great singing, what more do you want on Christmas Day. One has to tip one’s hat to Matt Smith, he is the Doctor, bonkers, funny, the brainiest man in the world, kind, devious, he is getting close to his final regeneration. Lets hope its years and I mean years before Mr Smith decides to move on, his shoes will be hard to fill, he is one hell of an actor and a Time Lord.

Xmas Greetings

Happy Christmas

and

Happy New Year

Hot Air out of North Korea

Guardian: Reports of more threats from North Korea due to the military drills by its neighbour South Korea. This is hot hair folks, the North Koreans backed off the last military drill as the South had made clear it would take action, the US supports its ally the South Koreans, the North is a political and military eunuch, its leadership is in transition, its military is large but morale is rock bottom. Any attack on South Korea would mean the end of the North, it is simple folks, North Korea does not have the balls to fight.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has announced the name of the British Soldier that was killed on Tuesday in Afghanistan, the Soldier was “ Corporal Steven Thomas Dunn from 216 (Parachute) Signal Squadron, attached to 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment Battle group ”. Our thoughts are with the family of Corporal Dunn.

South Korean Military Drills

Telegraph: Reports that South Korea will have further military drills on its contested border with North Korea. The lack of action by North Korea to the last South Korea military drill shows that North Korea has learned its lesson, if the North had attacked the last time the South with the support of the US would have taken action, the lack of action could show the influence of China its ally. These military drills should be a warning to communist North Korea, back off or else, your military blackmail no longer works.

Liberal Democrats - Two Faced ?

BBC News: Reports on more unguarded comments by Liberal Democrat Ministers, from their negative views on raise in tuition fees to the removal of child benefit from those on high earnings. The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg really has to read the riot act to his Liberal Democrat colleagues, the Liberal Democrat Ministers are being two faced ( expletive deleted ), they can keep Cabinet responsibility or resign their red boxes and cars. In the past the Liberal Democrats have been accused of being two faced, saying different things to different people, well that time is over, they are part of the Government, shape up or ship out, one or the other.

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that a British Soldier was killed on Tuesday in Afghanistan by an IED, the Soldier was from the “ 216 Parachute Signal Squadron, Royal Corps of Signals ”. Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 347 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 306 in combat action and 41 due to illness, accidents or other incidents.

Cable - Stripped of Power but in the Cabinet

Telegraph: Reports on how the powers of the Business Secretary Vince Cable have been curtailed due to his unguarded comments that he was at War with the Murdoch Broadcasting Empire. Any other Secretary of State would have gotten the chop but Cable is a political shield for Coalition Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Mr Cable is now a lot weaker, any future walk out of the Cabinet by Cable has been blunted by this character weakness as shown by Dr Cable. After this event the Murdoch Empire will get what it wants in broadcasting terms, and it will be all down to Vince Cable and his unguarded comments.

Winter Fuel Allowance , reduced or scrapped - Vince Cable

Telegraph: Reports on more damaging comments by Dr. Vince Cable the Business Secretary, the Secretary State has stated that he thinks the Coalition PM David Cameron will try to reduce or scrap the winter fuel allowance for old age pensioners. Someone from 10 Downing Street should be send to handle Dr Cable when he talks to people, saying the above to strangers who happen to be undercover reports shows a naivety beyond measure, it’s the Lib Dems that want to scrap the winter fuel allowance for richer pensioners, the Conservative Party under David Cameron has stated that all pensions will get the winter fuel allowance. Nick Clegg the DPM should have a word with his Liberal Democrat colleague, something along the line of SHUT UP!

The UK Coalition Government - Inside Tensions

BBC News: Reports on comments by the Business Secretary Dr. Vince Cable that if pushed he could bring down the Coalition Government. This will be music to the left wing media, starting with the BBC and down to the Guardian, the political left is looking to bring down the Coalition, these unguarded comments by Dr Cable suggest that Liberal Democrats don’t get the fact yet that they are in a Coalition Government, the comments of a Cabinet Minister have consequences. One can see 10 Downing Street rolling its eyes on these comments, but he is a Liberal Democrat and thus cant be fired, but can be replaced in the future during a Cabinet reshuffle with a new Liberal Democrat.

The New START Treaty - Senate Chances ?

CNN: Reports that the Republican Senate Minority Leader, Senator McConnell has stated that he cant support the latest US - Russian Treaty when it comes to cutting the nuclear arsenals of the two countries. The Republicans are afraid that that the Treaty will harm the US’s missile defence shield protection. The US Senate must pass a Treaty by 67 votes for it to come in to force, it can be argued that the US Senate should pass the treaty, if the Treaty has a negative effect the Republicans can use it to clobber the Obama White House for being weak on national security, think JFK and the missile gap in 1960. It would be a good issue to run on in 2012 by any Republican nominee.

Bush Review - NYT

The New York Times: A review of the autobiography by President George W. Bush. Its by the Liberal NYT, thus very sarcastic in tone, but what do you expect from the bloated left wing media. This blog plans to read the book in the new year after finishing the book by Tony Blair.

Korean Tensions

BBC News: Reports that South Korea has stated it will still carry on its planned military drill close to the border between South and North Korea. The South Koreans cant back down, if the South backs down the North just might get the idea that they can invade and the US will not protect the South. If China wants to be a Super Power it should control its dangerous ally the North Koreas. If North Korea attacks the South again then the South should hit back hard, but not over the top, the US can not afford a third war. Lets hope its all spin from the North, otherwise we could see a Second Korean War, that would drag in the UN, and US and UK Armed Forces.

North Korea THREAT to South Korea

Guardian: Reports that North Korea has threatened South Korea with military action should it carry on with its plan for a military drill on the disputed border between the two countries. Should North Korea take action then the South has a perfect right to defend itself, if attacked South Korea should hit back hard, not over the top but a warning to the North, China should make clear to its ally the North that it can NEVER use its nuclear arsenal or its on its own. Lets hope China has some influence over North Korea and is using that influence, a nuclear exchange between North Korea and the US is not in the interest of China at any time. One of the issues that could really sink Obama is North Korea, the worry is that North will see President Obama as weak and take military action, with the US in Afghanistan and Iraq the US would find it very hard to fight a third War.

Ireland Default ?

Telegraph: Reports on the massive downgrade of Ireland’s credit worthiness by Moodys a Credit Agency and the negative effects on Spain and Portugal. Lets get real folks, either Spain or Portugal will default next year, the interest charged by the EU/IMF makes sure the Irish economy will be in the toilet for years, thus mass emigration to the UK and other EU countries. If Spain, Ireland and Portugal default then its over for the Euro, the EU can not afford to bailout Spain, a default Spain would wreck the economies of Western Europe, but the cost of nearly half trillion to bail out Spain would be to much for the German voter and th UK voter would take to the streets in the cold to demonstrate, so would this blog. The bond market should chop Spain, Ireland and Portugal NOW, lets start the recovery with the pain, and there will be pain folks, but then the economic structure would be clean of the known and hidden debts of the EU countries and banks. The more the EU tries to hide this debt the more the cost will be in the future, lets have the pain NOW, a mass unemployment, a cut in the welfare state, less Government not more, then the Western Economy can get out of this mess, otherwise when the fall does come it will be hard and brutal, and lets recall the Great Depression came to and end with World War Two, the West can not afford a World War Three.

The Passing of the Obama/Bush 43 Tax Cuts

The House of Representatives: The US House has passed the Obama/Bush 43 tax cuts by 277 to 148. This is a good news day for the Obama White House, it just might be the day that President Obama got re-elected, depends how he plays it from here, if he moves to the centre even centre right and nicks a few Republican ideas he can do a Bill Clinton of 1996. Although no doubt that Obama has a fine mind, very much like Jimmy Carter does he have the political mind of a Bill Clinton, will he know when to fight and when to give way, will he go down to the mat over ObamaCare, even if the US Courts at the end of the day declare that ObamaCare is illegal. From January its not what Republicans do that will decide if Obama gets re-elected its what the Oval does, Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter, that is the choice for POTUS.

Its ALL about Pakistan - Obama and Afghanistan

Today President Obama announced a review of his Afghan Policy, lets start with the ironic or economic with the truth to be kind ( and that is being kind ), the President stated the following on Afghanistan, “.. I can report that thanks to the extraordinary service of our troops and civilians on the ground, we are on track to achieve our goals. ” From Alexander the Great, to the British Empire to the Soviet invasion of 1979 no one has achieved their goals in Afghanistan, it’s a wild and remote place and that is just the people, the geography of Afghanistan does not help Western Armies, the Soviet didn’t play by the rules and got kicked out in the end, NATO is playing by the rules, lets see how that far that gets the West. But the real point about the statement about Afghanistan is the remarks by President Obama on Pakistan, “ Finally, we will continue to focus on our relationship with Pakistan. Increasingly, the Pakistani government recognizes that terrorist networks in its border regions are a threat to all our countries, especially Pakistan. We’ve welcomed major Pakistani offensives in the tribal regions. We will continue to help strengthen Pakistanis’ capacity to root out terrorists. Nevertheless, progress has not come fast enough. So we will continue to insist to Pakistani leaders that terrorist safe havens within their borders must be dealt with. At the same time, we need to support the economic and political development that is critical to Pakistan’s future. As part of our strategic dialogue with Pakistan, we will work to deepen trust and cooperation. We’ll speed up our investment in civilian institutions and projects that improve the lives of Pakistanis. We’ll intensify our efforts to encourage closer cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. And, next year, I look forward to an exchange of visits, including my visit to Pakistan, because the United States is committed to an enduring partnership that helps deliver improved security, development, and justice for the Pakistani people. ” At the end of the day a nuclear armed Pakistan falling in to the hands of the Taliban / Al Qaeda would be a disaster for the West, it would make the Afghan War look like a fun period. Thus what ever President Obama says about leaving Afghanistan should be taken with a massive pinch of salt, as long as Pakistan is under threat the US will be in Afghanistan, that simple and serious folks.

The Apprentice - Interview Stage - Major Spoiler! Red Alert!

The Daily Mail: Reports that Lord Sugar really goes after Stuart “ The Brand ” Baggs at the interview stage of the Apprentice. At its most essence to misquote Bush 43 on a New York Times Reporter, Mr Baggs is a major league rotten apple. Mr Baggs has been fun to watch but how he go to this round makes you wonder if Lord Sugar should sign a power of attorney to Lady Sugar. Lets see the House of Baggs fall all over Mr Baggs.

North Korea - Third Nuclear Test ?

Telegraph: Reports that South Korea Intelligence thinks that North Korea will try a third nuclear test next year. It is time to take North Korea on, the nuclear blackmail of North Korea has to be seen to fail, the failure has to be seen by Iran, otherwise they will push for the bomb and the Middle East will see a nuclear arms race. One would not be surprise to see that North Korea either sell the information to Iran to create a bomb or sell them a small scale missile. The more weak President Obama looks when dealing with Iran the more his re-election chances go down the drain, thus that nightmare of a 3am call could be that North Korea has invaded South Korea and that Iran has invaded Iraq on the same day and according to a joint plan. Also Israel is being hit from Gaza and Lebanon by groups loyal to Iran. It has to be questioned if POTUS could deal with that kind of political nightmare.

Greek Austerity and the Violent Mob

BBC News: Reports on the violent General Strike in Greece due to the imposed austerity measures by the IMF. It time for all Governments in process of austerity to get very tough with those that protest against the needed austerity measures, any public servant that goes on strike should be sacked, any student arrested should lose his or her University place. All those arrested should have a criminal record that that can VETO any public sector job for life. Time to get tough folks, we had the years of plenty now it’s the time for the harsh real world, you don’t get something for nothing.

The Future of Afghanistan

The New York Times: Reports that US Intelligence Agencies are telling the Obama Administration that there cant be success in Afghanistan as long as the Taliban/Al Qaeda have safe heavens in Pakistan. Well folks this does recall the Vietnam War, the Viet Cong had support from North Vietnam, thus they could never be defeated, the Obama Administration will have to place more pressure on Pakistan to clean up the border badlands between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the insurgents can attack NATO forces in Afghanistan and then run back to Pakistan, safe that NATO wont follow then on the ground, for NATO to place troops in Pakistan could lead to the fall of the Western supporting Pakistan Government. On the he other hand POTUS cant afford to lose Afghanistan, it’s the War he wanted to fight, he didn’t start the War but he has to finish it, in many respects Afghanistan is Obama’s Iraq. The announced 2011 pull out of US troops has been dropped for a NATO end game of 2014 for the transfer of the fight to the Afghan Government. But lets be clear here folks, its not about Afghanistan, its about Pakistan, a nuclear armed Pakistan can not be allowed to fall in to the hands of the terrorists. Thus if this horror story was to develop it is easier to transfer troops from Afghanistan to Pakistan, lets always remember that folks. Many more deaths before peace folks, if there can ever be peace in Afghanistan.

ObamaCare and the US Court System

The New York Times: Reports on the recent defeat in Federal Court of aspects of ObamaCare, in essence the funding for ObamaCare, requiring US citizens to buy health insurance. Thus by 2012 a Presidential Election year the Obama White House will have the Bush 43 tax cuts and ObamaCare as major hurdles to fight. The extension of the Bush 43 tax cuts ends in 2012, will Obama really run on tax hikes in a bad economy, also ObamaCare should have reached the US Supreme Court by then, what if the 5 Conservative Justices throw out ObamaCare, the only thing in the Obama domestic locker will be the tax cuts, does not leave a lot of options. It can be argued that Obama has started his route to re-election in 2012 or that he has created events that will define him as one term President, long road ahead folks.

49% Job Disapproval for Obama - Gallup

Gallup: Reports that President Obama’s job disapproval rating is at 49%, while 45% approve of President Obama’s job performance. It really takes something when your giving the US voter a major tax cut to end up in negatives. This is down to the first reaction of President Obama, he in essence called the Republicans terrorists, he stated they were hostage takers via the Middle Class tax cuts. Thus when you are giving the voter something they want and you tell them they are taking presents from terrorists their reaction will not be great. Also Obama was critical of Democrats, well if you going to annoy both your base and your opposition you get what you deserve in the polls. The Bush 43 tax cuts are now the Obama tax cuts, he better get use to that fact or he will be a one term failed President. Also if the US Courts throw out ObamaCare the Bush tax cuts might be the only thing Obama has on the domestic front, Obama better start liking tax cuts or its Jimmy Carter time all over again for the Democrats.

Spain on the Brink? = Bond Market on Spain

Telegraph: Reports that the cost of funding the debt of Spain has gone up, there are calls from the European Central Bank for there to be a bigger bail out fund. If Spain goes the Euro goes, it is that simple, even the Germans have their limits, they cant not afford to bailout Spain and Portugal, one can argue that there will be a major crisis for these countries next year, thus the bond market should insure its position by charging higher costs for keeping Spain and Portugal afloat, the fat lady will sing one day, and there will be no tips to pay her.

Tuition Fees Vote - House of Lords

BBC News: Reports on the tuition fees vote in the House of Lords tonight, the Coalition Government expects to win the vote in Lords. This is the final hurdle folks, once the Bill is passed by the Lords its goes for Royal Assent, then the Coalition Government can deal with the real problems faced by the UK, in other words the Debt left by the last Labour Government.

The Death of Richard Holbrooke

White House: Has a statement on the death of Richard Holbrooke, President Obama’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. This blog was sad to hear of the death of Ambassador Holbrooke, one has to say he was the best Secretary of State US never had, he was a force of nature when it came to US interests, the high point of his career must have been his drive to bring peace to Bosnia, President Obama stated the following on this event, “ As Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs, he was the tireless chief architect of the Dayton Accords that ended the war in Bosnia 15 years ago this week, saving countless lives. ” US Diplomacy in Afghanistan and Pakistan will suffer due to his loss.

A fight for the Democratic Nomination in 2012 ?

The New York Times Blog: Reports that President Obama has taken a hit in support when it comes to Liberals in the Democratic Party, but they will never less support him in his re-election bid in 2012. If President Obama cant get back Independents, moderate Republicans and his base of support within the Democratic Party is not firing at full support he could very lose the Presidential Election of 2012. The tax cuts should pump the economy to grow, people will have money in the pocket, unemployment benefits have been extended for about a year, thus Obama is not a political dodo for 2012, but the question is what will the New Year bring, the Republicans have learned the lessons of how they allowed Bill Clinton to run and win in 1996, thus the House Republicans are not going to give Obama issues that allow him to make a political recovery. Also lets be real President Obama is not that great a political operator, he in essence called the Republican leadership on the Hill Terrorists for their tax demands, he has to work with them next year, politicians on all sides can have very thin skins, Obama is very thin skinned when it comes to critical comments, a habit that he shares with Jimmy Carter.

Obama/Bush 43 Tax Cuts

Fox News: Reports that House Democrats will go along with the deal struck by President Obama and Republicans to keep the Bush 43 tax cuts for all Americans. At the end of the day the House Democrats are doing what they are told by the White House, that is why they lost control of the House, if moderate and conservative Democrats had said NO to ObamaCare then Democrats would still be in control of the House. The lack of a backbone has a historical example, when Bill Clinton in 1994 lead the House Democrats over a cliff. It seems that Democrats have no depth or historical understanding, that must be the reason that the elected Nancy Pelosi to lead them in the next Congress, they will they be out of power for years.

Obama's Woes

Obama had the light
Light of hope
Light of the poor
Hope would Come

That light has become grey
Grey of the light
Is there light
Light of Hope

Light of the Oval
Oval in surrender
Light of the Left
Light no More but SURRENDER

The WINNER is JFK

Gallup: Has done a poll on the popular rankings of US Presidents in the last fifty years, the winner was President Kennedy, but 2nd was Ronald Reagan. One has to wonder what a Kennedy vs. Reagan election fight would have produced, who would have won, lets recall in 1960 Kennedy won a narrow win over Richard Nixon, so how would he have fought a Hollywood Star at the time, interesting what IF of history folks. That’s a challenge to some history programme, get to two ads agencies to run a Campaign over a month, see who would win, enough historical material for the ads, come on reality TV, do something interesting like that, it would be informative and a challenge.
　

The Dark Side of Richard Nixon

The New York Times: Reports on offensive remarks by the late President Richard Nixon when it comes to people of race and religion. Lets be honest Richard Nixon didn’t like people in general, and Liberals the top spot for his loathing. But also lets be fair, which President spent years having a racist preacher, the very same preacher who got him to Chicago politics. The very same President who was critical of the police when it involved his friend, and told Republicans that they would have to sit at the back of the bus, a reference to African - Americans pre Civil Rights who has to give up their seats to white people and sit in the back of the bus, lets see who would be that President, YES, President Obama, no wonder there is no reference to that in this article.

Obama and the Liberal Left

The White House: Reports on President Obama’s weekly address to the American people and his support for the tax cuts. The Obama White House has a great fear that POTUS will be challenged in 2012, thus President Obama stated the following on the Bush 43 tax cuts, “ Now, I recognize that many of my friends in my own party are uncomfortable with some of what’s in this agreement, in particular the temporary tax cuts for the wealthy. And I share their concerns. It’s clear that over the long run, if we’re serious about balancing the budget, we cannot afford to continue these tax breaks for the wealthiest taxpayers – especially when we know that cutting the deficit is going to demand sacrifice from everyone. That’s the reality. " In basic politics folks Obama cant go in to an election in 2012 with the pledge to raise taxes, the last Democrat to do that was former Vice - President Walter Mondale and he lost 49 states to Ronald Reagan. In essence Bush 43 has won, Obama will have to keep Bush 43 tax cuts or lose in 2012, does President Obama really want to be a one term President.

The Upstaging of a President

Why do they do it to themselves, today we have former President Bill Clinton in the White House, he looked Presidential, who would have thought when compared to President Obama. This is not new, when former President Ronald Reagan met Bush 41 it according to sources drove Bush 41 up the wall, there was the Reagan the President, then his former VP who was President but the light was on Reagan. One would think the White House would have someone who knows history. I guess people repeat the same mistakes.

Obama vs. Liberals = Bush 43 Tax Cuts

The Hill: Reports that Vice President Biden has told House Democrats either take the Obama/ Republican deal as is or not, no discussion on changes. This is President Obama selling the Liberals in the House down the river, he needs a good working relationship with the Republican House next year, the Liberals in the House don’t matter after January. This blog has started to see signs that Obama just and this is big JUST might have a chance in 2012, he needs to get back Independents and Republican moderates, the best way is tax cuts, the Liberal base in the US is only around 20%, that leaves Obama with lot of room to move if he has the guts to be ruthless and move to the centre right on domestic issues, long way to 2012 folks.

The Protest March - Guardian LIVE

Guardian: Reports on the student protest in London. As watching the protest on TV one has seen students break fences set up to keep order, abusing the police with offensive language, time to send in the heavy mob Met. If the great unwashed of students want to be treated as a mob then treat them a violet mob, send in the horses and dogs, make arrests, charge the great unwashed.

The Tuition Fees VOTE - House of Commons

BBC News: Reports on the Student protest in London today against the tuition fees raise planned by the Coalition Government. This is a real test for the Coalition Government and more important a test of leadership for Nick Clegg, the Lib Dems are split down the middle on this issue, in the vote it is expected that those Lib Dems in the Government will vote for the change, while others will abstain or vote against the change in the tuition fees. It is thought that the Government will win, but the real question is how long can the Coalition Government go on, if Lib Dems vote against the change they are breaking the Coalition deal between the Lib Dems and the Conservative Party, it can be argued that Tories might feel they have the right to oppose a AV vote next year. Once a word is broken you never trust the Party again, that is the hard fact of political life folks.

Will Obama get a Challenge in 2012 from a Democrat ?

The New York Times: Reports on the dim prospects that a Democrat would challenge President Obama in 2012 for the Democratic nomination. At present its not on the horizon, Obama is still the first African - American President, and one of the most powerful political groups within the Democratic Party is African - American voters as noted by the article, if Obama was to be challenged the opponent would have to win, as failure would lead to political dustbin. Thus we come to Hillary Clinton the Secretary of State, will she throw her hat in to the ring, well lets recall Obama had a narrow win over then Senator Clinton in the 2008 Democratic race, and also we have the fact that Bill Clinton has and will never forgive the Obama Camp for using the race card on him in the 2008 race. The Clintons don’t like to lose, they will fight to the last second! Also should Obama win and go down to defeat in 2012 then Hillary Clinton can do a Reagan, in 1976 Reagan challenged President Ford but lost, but after four years of Carter the Republican Party and the Country turned to Reagan in 1980. That’s the winning example that both Clintons could live with, the negative would be when the late Senator Edward Kennedy challenged Carter and lost, he returned to the Senate and never ran for President again. Thus VIEWS prediction its to early folks, on the whole think Obama will be the Democratic Candidate for President but will lose big, in less he turns himself in to a tax cutter for all Americans, then all new ball game folks, does Obama have the ability to be that pragmatic?

Obama vs. The Democrats on the Hill

CNN News: Reports that House Democrats feel that they have been sold out by the Obama White House, that the Republicans have WON big and that Obama is not good at Congressional give and take that includes Democrats. NEWS to Democrats you lost the House in 2010, you’re a fiction, in political terms your dead and buried, it’s the Republican House in January, a House that Obama has to deal with or he is dead on the Hill. The Democrats bought this on themselves by passing health care and the Obama economic package against the wishes of the US voter. In harsh politic terms they don’t matter for the next two years, get used to that fact by Democratic friends.

Blair and the Legal Justification for the Iraq War

The Daily Mail: Reports the Iraq Inquiry want to discuss with Tony Blair the legal arguments for the War and those that thought the War was illegal. This is one of those iffy areas for Tony Blair, one can make the argument that Blair was going to War no matter what, legal or illegal, but pinning that on Blair will be quite hard, he had a good first talk with the Iraq Inquiry, one really cant see him admitting to any wrongdoing now, its far to late, to many years, to many deaths, far to late.

The Oval vs. The Dem Leaders in Congress

The Hill: Reports that both House and Senate Democratic Leaders are furious with the White House over its tax deal with the Republicans. This is the best news President Obama has had since winning the Presidency, the more the left go over the cliff the more Obama looks like a moderate when compared to extreme Liberals like Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. As in essence the tax deal keeps the tax levels as set by Bush 43 and cuts other taxes, the Republicans and Moderates on the whole approve the deal, also by the extension of unemployment cash for an extra 13 months the Republicans take the NASTY image way from the Party, think how the nasty image hurt the Conservative Party after 1997 election, out of power for 13 years. Even David Cameron by 2010 could not totally change that image, thus the present Coalition Government. Thus this is a win for Obama when it comes 2012 and for the Republican Leadership on the Hill when it comes to the Congressional Elections of 2012.

Tuition Fees VOTE on Knife Edge - House of Commons

The Guardian: Reports that Chris Huhne a Liberal Democrat Cabinet Minister will have to return home from an International Conference due to the fact that Labour wont pair one of their MPs so as to allow him to carry on his Cabinet responsibilities at a Conference. This is typical of the hollow leadership of Ed Miliband, short term tactical moves that could come back to hurt Labour in the future. The Liberal Democrats will see that Labour cant be grown up, thus Nick Clegg will see that he has no future in a possible Labour / Liberal Democrat Pact, the Labour Party is too tribal, that can be good to keep a Party together as happened when Labour was out of power for 18 years but can make for fraught relationships with other Parties. The Liberal Democrats will see that their boat is the Tory boat not Labour.

Tony Blair Recalled to Iraq Inquiry

BBC News: Reports that former Labour PM Tony Blair has been recalled to the Iraq Inquiry to give further evidence. As stated by this blog the Establishment is wanting to hang someone out to dry for the Iraq War, its never the Establishment, as Labour is out of power and Ed Miliband has stated that he wants to go beyond New Labour the Establishment will feel free to bury New Labour under the headstone of Iraq. Eden had Suez well Blair has Iraq, politics is a ruthless game.

The Left and Obama - Tax Cuts till 2012

The Hill: Reports that outgoing Liberal Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been critical of the tax deal struck by President Obama and the Republicans. It seems that Mid Term Elections have passed by Nancy Pelosi, she wont be Speaker at the start of January, the Republicans picked up 63 House Seats and took control of the House. Its is the interest of President Obama to thrown Nancy Pelosi under the bus, the more the left is critical of Obama the more he looks moderate to most Americans, Presidents have to be ruthless, Pelosi is yesterdays WOMAN. President Obama has look at 2012, he has to get back Independents and moderate Republicans, this can only happen if these groups see Obama standing up to Pelosi and Reid. The Bush tax cuts finish in 2012, a Presidential Election year, Obama cant be seen as a tax hiker, thus time for Obama to be ruthless, throw Pelosi under the bus and get a second term.

Liberal Democrat sees the LIGHT ?

Guardian: Reports on a Liberal Democrat who has opposed tuition fees in the past but will support the Coalition Government on the vote on Thursday, the brave Lib Dem is Chris Rennard. Its is time for all Liberal Democrats to support their own Secretary of State in the shape of Vince Cable. The Liberal Democrats are showing after some teething problems that they are a Party of Government not just a protest vote, in the future they can show they have taken hard and unpopular decisions, this will be in their favour in future elections.

Taking a STAND - Nick Clegg to support HIKE in Tuition Fees

BBC News: Reports that the DPM Nick Clegg the Leader of the Liberal Democrats has stated he will vote in the House of Commons on Thursday to raise tuition fees in England. This shows leadership by Nick Clegg, your either in Coalition Government or not, and you have to keep your word when you agree a policy otherwise others in the Coalition will feel free to break their word. One has to wonder how many Conservative MPs might now vote against an AV referendum in 2011, because of the action of those Lib Dems MPs who vote against the Coalition on Thursday. Can this Coalition Government get to 2015, this issue has placed doubts on that outcome, a great help to the Coalition Government is the weakness of Ed Miliband, but how long before Mr Miliband shows firm leadership or is replaced by a new leader, time will only tell, has Mr Clegg a future as Lib Dem Leader.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has announced the name of the UK Soldier that was killed on Sunday in Afghanistan, the Soldier was “ Private John Howard, from 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment ”. Our thoughts are with the family of Private Howard.

Tax Cuts and the Obama Re-Elect in 2012

President Obama has done a deal with the Republicans to keep the Bush 43 tax cuts for two years, but the Oval has made a presentational mistake its delivery, President Obama stated the following on the deal, “ Ever since I started running for this office I've said that we should only extend the tax cuts for the middle class………. Now, Republicans have a different view. They believe that we should also make permanent the tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. I completely disagree with this. A permanent extension of these tax cuts would cost us $700 billion at a time when we need to start focusing on bringing down our deficit. And economists from all across the political spectrum agree that giving tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires does very little to actually grow our economy. ” If your Castro YES you want to tax rich, or work for the New York Times, if your NORMAL, it’s the rich that buy things, employ people, tax cuts to the middle class don’t do much, the Middle Class live from week to week, they spend to survive not to create jobs in the economy, but I guess if you have gone to Harvard and lived in Hawaii you don’t get blue collar Reagan Democrats. POTUS is so frightened of the left wing of his own Party that he stated the following, “ I know there’s some people in my own party and in the other party who would rather prolong this battle, even if we can't reach a compromise. But I'm not willing to let working families across this country become collateral damage for political warfare here in Washington. ” The elite view of President Obama is shown in the following remarks, “ But these tax cuts will expire in two years. And I’m confident that as we make tough choices about bringing our deficit down, as I engage in a conversation with the American people about the hard choices we’re going to have to make to secure our future and our children’s future and our grandchildren’s future, it will become apparent that we cannot afford to extend those tax cuts any longer. ” There is no way in hell that Obama can go in to election in 2012 with the argument that he will raise the taxes of Americans, the Republicans wont allow him to disconnect the two, it works for Republicans, tax cuts for all Americans.
　
　
　

Mad Men - Fantastic Season

Thanks again to the actors, writes, etc for another great series of Mad Men. Mad Men shows how a series can be produced without a space fight in sight, where a look is more important than torture, well a look can be torture, how about 22 episodes next years. Also a Xmas Special would be nice.

Guardian Live on Tuition Fees

Guardian: Read the latest Developments from the House of Cards, sorry Commons! Who is YES, Who is NO, Who has Gone Around the Bend! It time that Nick Clegg started to show an Iron hand when it comes to rebel MPs, they have to get the fact if they cross him their political careers are over, that goes for former leaders as well, you cant run a Government by the wishes of the mob.

Cracks in Coalition Government - Tuition Fees

BBC News: Reports on the first possible resignation of the Coalition Government over policy, it’s a Lib Dem over Tuition Fees. The Lib Dem is Norman Baker the Transport Minister. One has to ask why are the Conservatives giving the Lib Dems a vote on AV if they cant be trusted to support one of their own Ministers in the shape of Business Secretary Vince Cable. Its shows that if you have been out of power for decades you forget what real Government is and become a pressure group. How long before the Tories rule alone.

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that a British Soldier was killed on Sunday in Afghanistan, the Soldier was from the “ 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment ”. Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 346 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 305 in combat operations and 41 due to illness, accidents or other incidents.

Liberal Democrats and Tuition Fees - Internal Civil War

BBC News: Reports that the DPM Nick Clegg the Leader of the Liberal Democrats has been supported by a former Liberal Democrat Leader Lord Ashdown over the policy of raising the tuition fees. This is make or break time for Nick Clegg, the voter wont take the Party seriously if the policy is defeated in the House of Commons by Liberal Democrat votes, Mr Clegg has to make sure that those Liberal Democrats in the Cabinet and in Government support the policy. As stated in previous post this is the problem when you have been out of power for decades, lets get to the point, the old Liberals and the Liberal Democrats didn’t matter in the great scheme of things over the years, thus the MPs could take any position they wanted and it would not matter, well today the Lib Dems are in power, they cant have it all, some Liberal Democrats have to grow a backbone, politics is tough, the Liberal Democrats are now in the real world.

Miliband for the CHOP?

Mail on Sunday: Reports that Labour MPs are feeling that Ed Miliband is a disaster as a Leader of the Opposition, there is talk that the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Alan Johnson might take over as Acting Leader. Politics is a brutal business folks, your either have that X factor or your don’t, Ronald Reagan had it but Bush 41 was seen a political wimp, Reagan’s close ally Lady Thatcher had that IT factor is spades, while Sir John Major was seen as a grey bank manager, Tony Blair like Reagan and Thatcher had that something that connected him to the voters thus his three elections victories, Gordon Brown made you take PROZAC. Thus we come to Ed Miliband, a man made to be Student President, not Leader of the Opposition, while Alan Johnson has that common touch, he was ex postman, but he didn’t knife PM Brown in the back when he had the chance, what’s to say he will also fail with Ed Miliband.

The Liberal Democrats and Tuition Fees AGAIN!!

Telegraph: Reports on a developing feud between the DPM Nick Clegg and the Business Secretary Vince Cable. It seems that DPM Clegg wants to keep his political options open, from abstaining or voting for the raise in tuition fees while the Business Secretary wants a clear vote for the tuition fees. The problem for Liberal Democrats is that they have not been in power since World War Two, and central to power since 1922, they have never had to be unpopular, they could always hide behind the two major Political Parties, this time they are the POWER, and they have been caught in the trap of their own making by their opposition to tuition fees. As this blog has stated, your either in Government our your not, time for Lib Dems to grow up, politics is serious.

Iraq and Saudi Arabia

The Guardian: Reports more on the wikiLeaks revelations, it seems that the Iraq Government sees Sunni Saudi Arabia as more of a threat than Iran, SA is Sunni while Iran is Shia, the majority of the population is Iraq is Shia. As stated due to the Obama plan to withdraw all US troops out of Iraq by 2011 the Government of Iraq is looking more towards its future nuclear armed neighbour, thus Iraq will become like Easter Europe in the Cold War, a Satellite of Iran, the reason as stated is simple, the US is on the way out and Iran will have the bomb. Thus POTUS should revise his plan to leave Iraq to the mercies of Iran, if the US hits Iran then Iran can march in to Iraq, and then the US will have to ask what was the point of the second Gulf War. The winner would have been Iran.

Iran MAKES its own Nuclear Fuel for A Nuclear Bomb

BBC News: Reports that Iran has created its own nuclear fuel that be used to make a nuclear bomb. This will send the alarms going in Israel and Saudi Arabia, how long can Israel wait for Obama to get on the same page as Israel and SA, both countries want the US to take action before Iran becomes like North Korea and thus NO ACTION can be taken, the recent covert action in the killing of nuclear scientists can only go so far, it can delay a nuclear Iran but not prevent the development, lets recall Iran has received missiles from North Korea that can reach Western Europe. As all is political POTUS will have to worry that in 2012 Iran will announce it’s a nuclear armed power, this could destroy his 2012 Re- Election bid, thus it would be easier to take the political pain of hitting Iran NOW and not during an election year. This STORY has legs folks.

US/Afghanistan critical of the UK in Afghanistan

The Daily Mail: Reports on the latest wikileaks releases, the US and Afghanistan had a negative view of the UK role in Afghanistan, President Karzai thought the UK was not up to the job, other Afghan sources had the UK hiding from the enemy in their bases, and the US thought the UK had made a mess of the deployment. Our fine and heroic troops doe not need to hear such rubbish, but its out there folks, if the US still has a negative view of the UK role in Afghanistan then the UK should get out, these opinions do recall the UK being thrown out of Iraq in 2009. By the end the Iraqi Government and the US Military Command didn’t trust the UK to fight the terrorists. After the War in Afghanistan is over for our Armed Forces in 2015 the UK Army really has to look at how it does nation building, Basra was not Belfast during the troubles, sometimes one got the impression that some of the Military thought Iraq was Northern Ireland. Thus a new strategic and tactical structure has to be formed for future wars and fast, Iran could be on the horizon folks. Lets salute all our Armed Forces, they are great fighters, they are just let down by their Government.

Democrats and Taxes

The Page - Time: Reports that Democrats are falling apart over the issue of the Bush 43 tax cuts. The problem is that Democrats are fighting the 2006/08 races again, they are like old Generals fighting their past victories, they think that POTUS has influence over the Republicans, that went if it ever existed with the health care fight. The Republicans WON, the Democrats have to get over that fact or they will lose the White House and Senate in 2012. The Democrats are going to have to cave over taxes, otherwise they are going to go over a big cliff, the left might just be the best friends that Conservative Republicans have on the Hill.

9.8% Unemployment in the US

The New York Times: Reports on a sharp raise of those that are unemployed in the US, the rate has gone from 9.6% to 9.8%. One can lay the blame at the door of the Oval, the difference between Obama and Reagan is the fact that the Gipper understood economics, POTUS still believes all the academic and left wing ideology that the rich don’t make jobs, that you have to tax them, that this will help those of work and the poor. One word folks, BS, it always was, if you are rich you spend, that makes jobs, if your poor you don’t because you not sure when the next pay check is going to come from, the Democrats want to raise taxes on rich Americans. The Democrats don’t understand the Mid Term loss of the House in November, they think the voter is stupid and does not understand their high values. Lets get the truth folks, the Democrats need the voters to be poor and stupid, otherwise they join the Communists in the dustbin, that is the dirty secret of the Democrats folks, they need people to be poor, no chance, and angry, that says more about the Democrats than the voter.

WikiLeaks New Domain

The New WikiLeaks site folks. Also the US Cables. If its out there you get to read it, otherwise some don’t and that’s not fair.

Woolas OUT - By Election in New Year = 1st of Coalition Government

BBC News: Reports that Phil Woolas a former Labour Minister has lost his Appeal against losing his Seat in the House of Commons due to laying about his opponent in the UK General Election of 2010. This is the first type of this kind of case in over a hundred years folks, Mr Woolas is finished in UK politics and now we move on to a by -election for the seat of Mr Woolas. This will be the first by - election of the Coalition Government, in the UK General Election of 2010 Mr Woolas kept the Seat by about hundred votes, the Lib Dems were second and the Conservative Party was third. Thus according to the Coalition Government the Parties will go their separate ways for the by-election, thus the Labour Party should have an easy win. Lets see if after the Labour wins the Coalition decides to have one candidate in further elections, the Coalition vote will be split their vote thus allowing an easy win for Ed Miliband, and lets be honest folks Mr Miliband could do with a win, not a great time for young “ Red - Brutus “ Miliband, his Party is thinks they have the wrong Miliband as leader and David Cameron the Coalition PM is showing great form against Miliband at Prime Minister Questions. Thus after the election Mr Miliband will be stronger in the Labour Party and the Coalition Government will need a strategy for future by - elections.

Petty Politics by Democrats = BAD POLITICS

Fox News: Reports that the lame duck Democratic controlled House will pass tax cuts for the middle class but not for more wealthy Americans. In other words they want to raise taxes on those very people that helps a Country get out of a recession. This is just petty politics by the Democrats, as long as the Senate Republicans and Conservative Democrats keep to all Americans getting a tax cut this act by the Democratic House is merely symbolic. They are doing the worse thing a politician can do and that is to pander to his or her base. This is not leadership its cowardice and bad politics of the first order. Did the House Democrats miss the 2010 Mid Term Elections, the one they lost.

Target = Portugal

Guardian: Reports that the bond markets are still uneasy about the debt of Portugal, the markets demanded that Portugal pay 5.2% interest on its yearly bonds. It can be assumed that Portugal will go to the wall in the New Year, then like Greece and Ireland it will have to be bailed out, the big elephant in the room is Spain, will the austerity package of the Spanish Government survive the protests and the political unrest from such protests. If and WHEN Spain goes expect the Euro to follow suite, on to the ash heap of history.

Another Attack ? = North Korea

BBC News: Reports that South Korean Intelligence thinks that North Korea will attack South again after its recent shelling of South Korea. If the Stalinist North Koreans attack again then South Korea has to defend itself, the theory is that South Korea cant react due to the fact that the North has the bomb, and can attack the South and Japan, lets look take a different view, the North must know that if it attacks the South or Japan with nuclear weapons the US will wipe North Korea from the face of the earth, thus South Korea if it reacts to a conventional attack with counter conventional attack will cause the North to pause, they will get the fact that the game is up, they will have to deal due to the fact that the game has changed, as long as the North thinks it has a free hand they will act as if they have the right of attack, change the game and get some real talks underway.

Elections have Results, Bush Tax Cuts vs. President Obama

The New York Times: Reports that the all Republican Senators have informed their Democratic Counterparts that the extension of the Bush 43 tax cuts come first, no movement on that then the US Senate is stalled. As President Obama stated elections have consequences, thus the Republican takeover of the House and the cutting of the Democrats majority in the US Senate means there a new ballgame on the Hill. The Republicans in the House in the new year can veto any Democratic Bill, Obama will have sell his base down the river if he wants a second term in 2012. Over the next two years the US will see if Obama is another Bill Clinton after his Mid Term losses in 1994 or another Jimmy Carter, at the moment Obama looks like a charismatic brother of Jimmy Carter.