Pelosi OUT of TOUCH ?

Politico: Reports on the problems on the desk of Speaker Pelosi, from Democrats with ethic problems to getting votes for health care reform, how this could be a problem for her authority in the House. On health care reform the Speaker expects moderate and conservative Democrats to go over the cliff with Obama. The problem is that Speaker Pelosi comes from a safe liberal district and Obama does not face re-election in till 2012. If the moderate and conservative Democrats are sane ( liberals and sanity can be a odd combination ) then they will push Speaker Pelosi offer the cliff, otherwise Pelosi will push her own members over the cliff to justify her liberal agenda.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has released the name of the British Soldiers killed on Sunday in Afghanistan, the soldiers were " Lance Corporal Tom Keogh from A Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles (4 RIFLES), part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group and Corporal Stephen Thompson from 1st Battalion The Rifles (1 RIFLES), serving as part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group ". Our thoughts are with the families Lance Corporal Keogh and Corporal Thompson.

The Deal ? - HCR

Fox News: Reports that health care is closer to getting passed by the House, Anti Abortion leader, Congressman Bart Stupak has stated that he is close to deal with House leaders that would prevent federal money for abortion. As stated in this blog some time ago there was a 60/40 chance that the Bill would pass, the moderate and blue dog democrats have this habit of folding under pressure from the House leadership. In this case its wrong that the liberal leadership should fold over abortion, there are lot of poor women out in the USA that should get help with abortion costs and one would expect the Democratic Party to help them, but it seems it does not have the backbone to stand up to Conservative Democrats, thus as always with the Democrats the women lose.

Israel, USA and Iran

The New York Times: Reports on a visit to Israel by US Vice - President Joe Biden, the article states the following on US policy towards Israel and Iran, " Israel has been training for a military attack on.... ( Iran ),....Washington has been pressing it to hold off and help work out a sanctions regime. " The problem with the visit does Israel think that VP Biden has the ear of President Obama, he has failed to win over the President when it comes to Afghanistan, so why would Israel take any notice of Joe Biden. One can argue that if Obama really wanted to send a clear message of support to Israel he would send the Secretary Gates or Secretary Clinton or even stage a Presidential visit to the region. This blog still predicts an Israeli attack on Iran with the year.

The Hurt Locker - Directed by Kathryn Bigelow

Have just see the winner of the Best Film at the Oscars, The Hurt Locker. Have to be honest as in the UK one has seen many War Films from 1930s onwards, the Hurt Locker in a way did recall those War films from the 40s and 50s, more about the characters in a war zone that the actual war itself. At least the film was not Anti Iraq War, the central character of Sergeant William James had the same quality as one has seen in many UK War Films, the man you would want in the foxhole with your in a time of War, but also the type that could get you killed in the process and who's inter personnel skills would make you run the other way if you meet them in a pub. Have to admit the above might sound harsh but after so many Vietnam War films, Platoon and Born on the 4th of July, the Hurt Locker did recall a previous age in film making, not a celebration of War but not an attack, and that's a lot from Hollywood. In Vietnam films there is a strong Anti War message, in the Hurt Locker it shows the perils of War, any one can die but that is a message of all good war films, the Hurt Locker is not about never going to War. The central character Sergeant James goes back to War, thus not Vietnam. It was interesting that on the same night ABC News ran a piece on EOD ( Explosive Ordnance Disposal ) teams in Afghanistan, as the real life soldier stated it helps if your a little bit nuts to do the job. Have also to admit a bit of fan of Danger UXB from UK TV series of the 1970s, about bomb disposal teams in World War Two, on the whole liked the film but its not All Quiet on the Western Front, Great Escape or Platoon.