Get OUT Iran - UK

BBC News: Reports that the Foreign Secretary William Hague has closed down the Iranian Embassy in the UK and thrown out its diplomats after yesterdays attack on the UK Embassy in Tehran. The UK has removed all its staff from Iran. This is good tough line to take with Iran, the EU should follow the same policy, this will make it clear to Iran that it cant treat the UK as it treated the US between 1979/80. Also should Israel strike Iran the Tehran Regime will not be able to strike back at UK diplomats. Lets hope the MI6, CIA and the Mossad are using extreme covert actions to delay and prevent Iran going nuclear. What would Iran be like if it had the bomb, yesterday would look like happy hour, time to get tough with Iran folks, before its to late.

Conservative and Lib Dem Pact ?

Guardian: Reports due to the grim economic news in the Autumn Statement the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats might have to “ … come to a detailed agreement with their coalition partners before the 2015 general election, ”. This might be the best news for the Coalition Government folks, the economic conditions are going to be bad, this blog would not be surprised to see three million people on the dole, thus the Coalition Parties will need each other, otherwise they will allow the Labour Party to win the 2015 election. At its most basic folks both PM Cameron and DPM Clegg have political enemies within their own Parties, their best friend might be each other, the Conservative right wont be thrilled with the idea of a joint Campaign, and those on the left of the Liberal Democrats will have a nervous breakdown when they get the fact that if they want to be in the next Parliament they will need an election pact with the Conservative Party. Lets recall the National Government in the 1930s before WW2 was very successful in election terms. As they say don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

6 Years of AUSTERITY - UK

Telegraph: Reports that the Coalition Government plan to remove the structural deficit by 2015 has been revoked, the article states the following on the statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, “ He instead announced plans to continue cutting public spending until 2017.…. he will have to campaign for the 2015 general election against the background of another austerity agenda. ”. As the Chancellors No 2 at the Treasury a Liberal Democrat support the statement on Newsnight it does raise an interesting question, in effect the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats will be tied in economic terms when it comes to the 2015 election, as the cuts will go in 2017 it has to be asked is the leadership of the Liberal Democrats taking the Liberal Democrats in to a joint election with the Conservatives, they can hardly resign in 2014 and say its nothing to do with them, this might benefit the Coalition PM David Cameron, if the Conservatives and Lib Dems run a semi joint platform, they will beat the Labour Party. The interesting possibility raises the question what will be the reaction of Conservative and Lib Dems MPs, in essence the Lib Dems are tied even more to the Conservative Party when it comes to economic matters, they have agreed cuts well in to 2017, SIX years of austerity, thus this blog would not be surprised to see a election pact between the two Parties, either they hang together or they might get hung apart. Lets get real folks, the Labour Party will never go in to Coalition with Nick Clegg, that is a non starter, thus if Mr Clegg want to stay as DPM he will have to get more in to bed with the Conservative Party. The left of the Lib Dems will be spitting feathers folks, but that’s the fun part of politics folks, the voters decide not the elite, lesson there for Italy and Greece.

Public Sector Strikes - Wednesday

BBC News: Reports that two million public sector workers are expected to strike tomorrow over their pensions. Folks the Government should follow the Reagan line, lets start sacking those in the public sector who care more about their expensive pensions and not the public good, President Reagan gave the air traffic controllers a warning, when they did strike he sacked them, that message was heard by the Unions and the USSR. The UK is in a grim economic phase, private sector workers wont get the gold plated pensions of the public sector but are expected to fund those pensions. There are lot of young people out of work, lets train them to take over from these strikers, with new contracts and pensions, this is not time for the Coalition Government to be weak, time to find their inner Thatcher and Reagan.

US on UK Embassy Attack - Iran

The White House: Has released a statement by the White House Press Secretary on the attack on the UK Embassy in Iran. The statement states the following, “ The United States condemns in the strongest terms the storming of the British Embassy in Tehran. Iran has a responsibility to protect the diplomatic missions present in its country and the personnel stationed at them. We urge Iran to fully respect its international obligations, to condemn the incident, to prosecute the offenders, and to ensure that no further such incidents take place either at the British Embassy or any other mission in Iran. Our State Department is in close contact with the British government and we stand ready to support our allies at this difficult time. ”. Hardly the roar of thunder folks, but what do you expect from President Obama, he still thinks he can talk to the Tehran Regime. The UK and the EU should remove its Embassies from Iran, they are under threat, the Tehran Regime will use this tactic again when it wants to make a point. The EU leaders should have this figure in their heads, 444 days and that should equal Jimmy Carter.

Autumn Statement

HM Treasury: Reports that public sector pay will only go up by 1% after the freeze of 2013 comes to an end. The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne stated the following, “ So while I accept that a 1% average rise is tough; it is also fair to those who work to pay the taxes that will fund it. ” The Daily Mail reports that the Office for Budget Responsibility has stated that those getting the sack from the public sector due to Coalition Cuts, will go from four hundred thousand to 710, 000. The Chancellor stated the following on unemployment in the UK, “ The OBR forecasts that unemployment will rise from 8.1% this year to 8.7% next year, before falling to 6.2% by the end of the forecast. ”. This was a tough statement folks, the public sector has taken a hit, but this is the story throughout Europe folks, the gravy train has come to an end. The Unions tomorrow are brining UK to an standstill, but it will be interesting to see who goes on strike, the difference between the Winter of Discontent of the late 1970s and NOW folks is the Thatcher Union reforms, the NUM could not bring down the Government, these strikes are stupid. They hurt the workers, they lose pay, and the public wonders why they are paying for the pensions of the public sector. Lets recall the early Thatcher Government had a grim economy, but the tough medicine worked, the UK had an economic boom in the 80s. Also lets recall Lady Thatcher won the 83 and 87 election and Sir John Major won in 1992. Tough polices work folks. 　

Tehran Regime and the UK Embassy Attack

Guardian Live - Iran: Reports that the Tehran Regime is trying to distance itself from the attacks on the UK Embassy. The Tehran Regime has no problem in sending in protesters, letting them get hurt by the Police, they are that cynical and ruthless folks, they don’t value human life, even of their supporters. The UN should come down hard on Tehran, enforce strict new and tough sanctions, make Tehran learn an important lesson, this is not 1979.

“ Death to England ” - Iran Protesters SHOUTS

Telegraph Live - Iran: Reports that the Foreign Ministry of Iran has stated that it has asked the authorities to have a look at the incident of the UK Embassy being attacked. Folks nothing like this happen in Iran without an Okay from the top. The Tehran Regime is sending a warning shot, what next, will they take our Diplomats hostage on fake Spy charges, the Tehran Regime must KNOW its time is running out, it would not surprise this blog for the above to happen or some other incident. The Tehran Regime is a terrorist regime folks, it’s a threat to its own people and to the international community, the Regime belongs on the ash heap of history folks, it’s a force for EVIL in the world. Lets hope Israel does not take to long to make its mind up, if Iran gets the bomb its become even more of a threat.

UK Embassy in Iran Attacked

BBC News: Reports that the UK Embassy in Tehran has been attacked and another unconfirmed report that a second UK interest has also been attacked in Tehran. Lets recall the Iran revolution of 1979 and the taking of US Diplomats as hostages, that lasted for 444 days and bought down the Carter Presidency. The UK should remove all its staff, the EU should blacklist Iran, the international community should place Iran in a freezer, also toughen the sanctions on Iran, bring Tehran to its knees and prevent a Middle East War should if Israel attacks Iran.

Cain’s 13 Year Affair ? - Republican Race

The New York Times: Reports on a alleged 13 year affair between former Republican front runner Herman Cain and a woman named Ginger White. As to quote Ms White this was a romance one has to ask why is the liberal NYT running the story, it of course from their point of view confirms that Mr Cain has not his kept his marriage vows, Herman Cain has denied the allegation but has admitted knowing Ms White. One can say that the Cain Campaign is finished, there are just to many allegation from sexual harassment to this alleged affair. Thus one can expect Newt Gingrich to get even more of a boost in the polls, the conservative and tea party supporters in the Republican Party don’t have anywhere else to go in time for the Iowa and NH vote. Also this blog would not be surprised to see Governor Romney getting some of the Cain vote, he so spotless he shines, thus its down to Romney and Gingrich folks, one would expect the Cain Campaign to fall off a cliff in the near future.

Gingrich on the Roll in South Carolina

Guardian: Reports that the front runner for the Republican nomination, former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich is in the State of South Carolina, to get votes and raise some needed cash. The article states the following on the Gingrich tour, “ …seeking to exploit the reputation of Romney as a flip-flopper, who in the past has supported abortion, gun controls and healthcare reform. ”. Its all about the ground operation folks, the article notes that Gingrich has more staff in SC than another candidates, but first comes Iowa and NH folks, if Romney can run the board in these two States then the Speaker has a problem, but on the other hand if the Speaker can take Iowa, run close to Romney in NH, and as the race moves South then Gingrich can build up on the tea part supporters in these States. There is something called Christmas in between folks, we political geeks have our Christmas in Iowa and NH. God this blog needs to get a life.

The Crazy World of the Markets - Eurozone

BBC News: Reports that World Markets spiked up on the idea that EU leaders will come up with a real plan for the Eurozone Crisis. These people really need to find a dark room, and lot of tea, and think this through, what over the past couple of moths would tell you that the EU could find a way out of a paper bag, one can postulate that a rumour has been floated out either by Government or private investors to either raise the confidence of the market or to make a quick buck. What if there is NO plan, it seems as if the Markets are afraid to look over the cliff, this really does recall 1929 folks, the start of the Great Depression.

UK and Iran

Telegraph: Reports that the UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has warned Iran that it faces an international diplomatic rebuke should it throw out the UK Ambassador. Lets face it folks, we are at the end game of this latest Iran crisis, the Tehran Regime is going nuclear, its just a matter of time, how long can Israel wait for the West to place crippling sanction on Tehran, when will the West either through the UN or NATO blockade the Naval Ports of Iran. The Tehran Regime has to be bought to its knees, as for it to give up its nuclear plans, if that does not happen then Israel will not have a choice but to ACT, that could lead to a Middle East War folks.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has announced the name of the UK Soldier that was killed on Sunday in Afghanistan, the Soldier was “ Rifleman Sheldon Lee Jordan Steel, from 5th Battalion The Rifles ”. Our thoughts are with the family of Rifleman Steel.

President Obama on the Eurozone Crisis

The White House. Transcript of meeting between President Obama, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. The President stated the following on the Eurozone Crisis, “ ..A large part of that conversation obviously revolved around the eurozone crisis, and Presidents Van Rompuy and Barroso have been very actively engaged with the heads of government and heads of state in Europe to try to resolve this crisis. I communicated to them that the United States stands ready to do our part to help them resolve this issue. This is of huge importance to our own economy. If Europe is contracting or if Europe is having difficulties, then it’s much more difficult for us to create good jobs here at home because we send so many of our products and services to Europe; it is such an important trading partner for us. ”. Fine words folks, but the US has 15 trillion of debt, the Congress wont pass anything that Obama sends up to the Hill. Unlike after WW2 the US will no be bailing out Europe. One has to accept that POTUS is in constant campaign mode, every word stated is poll driven, one has to wonder why the Markets were up, all based on rumour and speculation, no wonder the World economy is in a mess folks.
　

Gingrich and the Republican Race

The Hill: Reports that the former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich has won the endorsement of the influential New Hampshire Paper the Union Leader. This kind support might be more helpful in the general, as could help the Speaker win in Iowa, it seems that Romney has a lock on New Hampshire, but as the race goes to more conservatives areas it could mean that Gingrich could really give Governor Romney a run for the nomination. The advantage that the former Speaker has is the fact that all his past baggage is out there already, also his stand on immigration shows that he is willing to take on the base of the Party. It really comes down to field operation folks and money, the Romney Campaign has the money in Iowa and New Hampshire, as the Speaker had pretty much a disastrous start, he has to raise a shed lot of money, also pay his campaign debts when the Campaign was considered out for the count. Thus one would have to say that Romney still has the edge but its narrow folks, its for Romney to lose folks.

Egyptian Liberals and Elections

Guardian: Reports that secular liberals in Egypt are between a rock and a hard place, the article states the following, “ With one foot in the sphere of formal politics and the other in the politics of the street, they are failing to make headway in either direction. ”. That is the problem with the first wave any revolution, from the French to the Russian, the intellectual elites cant understand that power is taken at the end of the day, the liberals want a peaceful transfer of power, well Lenin took power in October 1917, he was ill and knew this was his last chance, thus he rushed and won, and of course it took Russia up a bloody wrong road. As stated in previous posts the Army and the Muslim Brotherhood want the elections to go ahead for their own cynical motives, the brave protesters want the Army out first, the liberals as the article notes have feet in both camps, thus a weakened force, this allow the Islamic and other power full parties to roll over the liberals. The people who are getting killed and hurt in Egypt might find they are just cannon fodder, the real power wont let them close to victory.

Iran and the UK

Telegraph: Reports that Iran has expelled the UK Ambassador after the UK’s nuclear sanctions. The question that has to be asked folks is how long before Israel pulls the plug on these diplomatic moves, the covert action by the CIA, MI6 and Mossad, either acting alone or in union has been effective in the delaying Tehran getting the bomb, but it’s a matter of time folks, Israel cant wait forever for these sanctions work, in fact these sanctions might push the Tehran Regime to go nuclear, they might think they have nothing to lose. Thus Obama Oval might have to take military action well before the November 2012 election, time is not a friend to the West folks, it can been argued that Tehran could have the bomb before the end of 2012, the West cant wait folks, the clock is ticking.

The Army Warning - Egypt

BBC News: Reports that the effective power in Egypt Field Marshall Hussein Tantawi has warned against any trouble during Monday’s Parliament Elections. It is in the interest of the Army and of the Muslim Brotherhood for the elections to go off without a hitch, as for the Army it gives it time to make sure it safeguards its power within a new Egypt, the Brotherhood want it to be seen that they are the strongest Political Party in Egypt. The Obama Administration just wants Egypt to go quiet, also for the Army to give PR of granting democracy but making sure that the Brotherhood does not get effective power, as this would damage the relationship with Israel and hurt Obama’s re-election campaign. The only people that are not happy are the brave protesters, for different reasons they are a hindrance to both sides.

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that a UK Soldier has been killed today in Afghanistan by an IED, the Soldier was from the “ 5th Battalion The Rifles (5 RIFLES) ”. Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 390 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 346 in combat action and 44 due to illness, accidents or other incidents.

The BACK UP - Banks and the Eurozone

The New York Times: Reports that Banks are creating back up plans should States leave the Euro. Well folks that is a bright idea, lets face it folks Greece has to be the top contender for the chop, followed by Italy and Spain. The Euro contagion is biting at Germany and France, the bond yields are ticking up, also as stated in previous post Germany could only sell 60% of its bonds last week, if Germany is staring to have problems how long before Italy and Spain are frozen out of the market. The tough eye watering cuts needed to save the Euro will not be taken easily by the populations of the Euro, they might want to stay in the Euro but not at the level of austerity it will take, sooner or later, and sooner in this blog view a major politician will say NO to the Euro. This blog is waiting folks.

Coalition Government and the Banks

Guardian: Reports that the Coalition Chancellor George Osborne will raise taxes on the banks due to negative economic conditions, the article states the following, “ ..accept sharply downgraded growth forecasts, big increases in borrowing and a prediction that it cannot meet its plan to eliminate the current structural deficit.. ”. The left wing Guardian will love this of milking the banks folks, but it’s a PR sideshow, the structural deficit is worse than the Coalition PM David Cameron thought it was, also the Eurozone crisis is having a negative effect on the UK economy. If you push the bankers to far they will move, in this Global world all they need is a decent broadband service, they can operate anywhere, you cant punish for getting rich, that is human nature, also this will sound harsh, but you simply might accept a lost generation of young unemployed people, this is the real world folks, people get hurt in a recession or depression, the good days are well and truly over, the effects are not like the Great Depression, no long soup kitchens, but the idea that the welfare state is there from your birth to death has to be reformed, it cant work, in fact is should not work, the point of the great NHS is that people who would have died live longer, thus either you hike TAXES through the roof or you means test care, does someone smoke, drink, are they obese, do they bother to look after themselves, are they on drugs, etc, this will sound uncaring, in way it is, the blog is tired of the expectations that the welfare state is always going to be there, it wont, nothing last forever folks, that is the bloody real world, so those occupy crowd, get a wash, get a hair cut, get job, any job, not the one you expected, but the ones that are there, in many places there is no employment, the North of England, North Wales, even around Cardiff. Those out of work have real reason to be annoyed, not those in the heart of the Capital, who can afford to go home at the end of the night to feed the cat! Lets start by cutting their benefit and tour of duty in Afghanistan.
　
　

Coalition Government and Youth Unemployment

Telegraph: Reports that the Liberal Democrat Deputy PM Nick Clegg is pushing for a freeze on tax credits to working families as to pay for a one billion youth unemployment plan. If you think about it folks its very right wing idea, why should working families get any tax credits, its interesting that there is resistance from the Conservative side to this idea. If the Liberal Democrats are pushing this policy the Conservatives have to make sure that the Liberal Democrats are up front in announcing this policy. One can argue if one member of family is earning more that thirty thousand year as an example they should not get any tax credits or vastly reduced, this blog is not supporting this idea, as it wants to see the details. The problem is that families expect tax credits as a right, not something that is granted based on need, lets see how the polls react this news. If Nick Clegg is pushing this then there is no chance Labour would ever form a Coalition Government with him, they will be shouting the House of Commons down if this is the policy.

Belgium DOWNGRADED - Eurozone

BBC News: Reports that the credit agency Standard & Poor's ( S&P) had downgraded the credit rating of Belgium from AA+ to AA. As noted in previous post folks the yields for Belgium bonds have been growing, also the last time this blog looked there is no actual government in Belgium, on the whole does not seemed to have harmed the good but boring people of Belgium ( yes they still didn’t give us ammo for the 1st Gulf War ). The Euro crisis is like watching a slow train wreck folks, as of Monday it will cost more for Belgium to sell its bonds, after the disaster of the German bonds, one has to ask when are the politicians going to wake up, at this rate the EU elite are going to take the Euro and the UK over a cliff, it will be to late when we hit bottom folks.

Gingrich the MAN ? - Republican Race

RCP: Reports on its average of the polls for the Republican race, as of now former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich leads the pack, here is today’s snapshot of the race, “ Gingrich 23.2%, Romney 21% and Cain 18.2% ”. Lets be honest here folks, the others in the race can be discounted, Perry is a busted flush, first impressions count, and his bad debate performances and his support for allowing illegal immigrants to go to University has not played well with the Republican race. Thus we come to the two man race between Gingrich and Romney, the Cain Campaign has never really come back from the sexual allegations against, not fair but that is politics folks. It can be argued that Governor Romney has to be careful, he has allowed his challengers to self explode on the campaign trail, but Gingrich is different, he had awful start but has come back, plus his personal baggage is well known to the press and to the voters. Romney has to take Gingrich on, he has started this with his attack on the Gingrich appeal for a humane approach to immigration, this attack might work well with the base, on the other hand the base wants someone who can win, they might think Gingrich taking on the base might work well in the General Election, thus give him a pass on this policy. The Speaker has to careful, he as come across as the most intelligent man in the room, but in this modern election cycle you have to be brief and to the point, he would defeat Obama in debates, but he as to get there first, so it could be either Gingrich or Romney folks, six weeks to go before Iowa.

Obama and the Polls

RCP: Reports on its average of the job performance polls for President Obama, today POTUS has a 43.4% Approval rating, while 49.9% Disapprove of the Obama record. Thus next year is going to be tough for the Chicago Re-Elect Committee folks, the economy is still in a hole, the unemployment rate hovers at around 9%, the US has a debt of 15 trillion, the crisis of the Eurozone could send Europe and the US in to recession or depression. On the international front there is the looming crisis of Iran, Syria could have a full scale civil war, Afghanistan is on going, plus there is always the risk of major terrorist attack. The Obama Oval faces its major victory on the Hill, ObamaCare going before the US Supreme Court, could go either way folks. Thus expect the Windy Cit to go nasty next year folks, that is Chicago politics.

The White House on Egypt

The White House: A Press release by the White House Press Secretary on the crisis in Egypt. The White States the following on the crisis, “ The United States strongly believes that the new Egyptian government must be empowered with real authority immediately. We believe that Egypt’s transition to democracy must continue, with elections proceeding expeditiously, and all necessary measures taken to ensure security and prevent intimidation. Most importantly, we believe that the full transfer of power to a civilian government must take place in a just and inclusive manner that responds to the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people, as soon as possible. Egypt has overcome challenges before and will do so again. The United States will continue to stand with the Egyptian people as they build a democracy worthy of Egypt’s great history. ”. What is interesting folks is the fact that the Obama Oval does not make any threats as via the US financial support for the Egyptian Army. If the Oval was serious it would cut off support, but what’s important to the Oval is the fact that Egypt should keep its peace deal with Israel. The Obama Oval does not need this distraction, the crisis with Iran is developing. The crisis itself is developing, the Obama Administration reached out a hand to Iran at the start of the Obama Administration, Tehran told them to get lost, the UN has now stated that the Tehran Regime is developing the bomb, the UK and the US have placed tough sanctions on Tehran, keeping them out of the world banking system. The CIA, MI6 and the Israel’s Mossad are using covert methods to sabotage the nuclear facilities of the Tehran Regime, thus the Oval can not afford for a tense relationship to develop between Egypt and Israel. The Oval needs the Army of Egypt to keep control, can not afford for the Muslim Brotherhood to take charge of Egypt.

Belgian and French BONDS UP - Eurozone Crisis

Guardian Live: Reports on the raise of Belgian 10 year bonds yields, the rate at the present is 5.893%, while triple A France has seen its yield go up to 3.718%. The contagion from Greece and Italy has happened folks, the more Germany and France try to protect all 17 Euro States the more the cancer is starting to hit both France and Germany. The Germans could only sell 60% of their bonds, the UK had the cheapest rate, even than Germany. The Credit Agencies have warned France that it could be next to have the dunce hat, something has to give folks, if Germany wont move on Euro bonds or ECB then the PIIGS have to get out of the Euro, thus the Euro could take down the EU and the Western economic system.

Spain the NEXT Bailout

Telegraph Live: Reports that the incoming Conservative Government is looking for a loan from either the EU or the IMF, before the Markets make that decision. This is wise from the new Conservative Government, getting ahead of the market, but that has not stopped Spain 10 year bonds from reaching 6.67%, close that the end of cliff 7%. Any bailout would come with tough strings, the EU/IMF has been burned by Greece, they will want to make sure all Spanish political parties support such a bailout. Thus more endless meetings folks.

10 Year Italian Bonds - Record HIGH

BBC News: Reports that Italy had to pay a record high to shift its 10 year bonds, the rate was 6.504%. As the article notes this is double the last sell off of 10 year bonds, what is also alarming is the fact that two year Italian bonds are now at 7.814%, in essence the Market is telling the new Italian Government it does not have in till 2013 to solve the economic problems of Italy, it does not have that time to reform the public sector, the Market expects quick action, otherwise the 10 year bond price will go up again past 7%. The ECB is only buying these bonds on the secondary market, and Germany is still saying no for the ECB to issue Euro bonds or print money. Are we seeing the slow death of the Euro, the contagion like cancer might have gone the point of no return folks.

France = AAA ?

Guardian: Reports that Fitch the credit agency has stated that the triple A rating of France was under risk, the article states the following on the view from Fitch, “ ..France no longer has the capacity to absorb any more shocks - as its current austerity measures probably aren't enough to bring its borrowing into line. ”. Thus after Paris and Berlin bullied Greece and Italy, the foot is on the other foot, the Germans could not sell all their 10 year bonds, the French it can be predicted will lose their AAA rating, thus a new French President next year. At the heart of the problem folks is the Euro, how many EU politicians are going to fall on their sword for a fraud of a currency. It will be interesting to see when a leaders just says NO. This blog doubts the world will fall apart, the EU elite have allowed themselves to be taken in by a major con, they are on a class A drug, someone with a brain needs to see the cliff and say no more, the Euro will just have to be flush down the toilet. The elite never suffer folks, its the great unwashed that takes the hurt, from Athens to Rome, well its time for the great unwashed ( This blog is founding member! ) to say NO to the Euro.

German Bonds and the Eurozone

Telegraph Live: Reports that the German Government could only sell half of its six billion bond sale, the article states the following, “ IF Germany can only manage this sort of participation, what hope for the rest. YIELDS are at completely the wrong level. ”. In other words PEOPLE the firewall is starting to breach, if the Germans can only sell three billion of their bonds, the very foundation of the Euro is at risk in the long term, either the Germans allow the European Central Bank to print money, with the danger of inflation or the PIGS get the hell out of the Euro. The article notes even the French triple A rating has come under threat, the austerity package of the French Government has not impressed the markets. Something has to give folks, this kind of nosedive in the market confidence cant be allowed to run and run, its not suppose to be a soap opera.

Gingrich on Immigration

BBC News: Reports on Newt Gingrich’s stand on a humane Immigration policy at last nights Republican Debate. It was interesting to see the former Speaker take a stand that should not go down well with the Republican base, but it was done more with a great political skill, the Speaker called for a humane Immigration policy, that allowes those that have come to the US illegally from between 25-20 years ago but had been a positive to the community to gain a route to legal standing, not citizenship but out of the shadows. Those with no links would be thrown over the border. The Speaker was clever he recalled Reagan had granted citizenship to over three million illegal immigrants but had only done with the condition that tougher reform and enforcement would remove the issue, of course the second part of the plan never happened, thus the Speaker wanted a humane policy but a tough policy. This might cause problem with the Conservative base but could work very well in a General Election, as Nixon went to China, Gingrich reform of immigration would allow him to become another Reagan.

Talking Points for the Oval and the Democrats - NYT

The New York Times: Has an Editorial that is a talking point for Democrats when discussing the failure of the Super Committee, the article states the following on the failure, “ ..because Republicans refused to raise taxes on the rich…calling for the Bush tax cuts to be permanent… ”. The bloated liberal NYT will never support cuts in the welfare state of the US, its base is Hollywood liberals who have more money that real world experience, they think if you tax the rich just a bit more then a bit more all the problems of the world will go away, well PEOPLE that’s BS, it always was, at the end of the day its the Middle Class that gets the hit, and it’s a basic reason folks, there are more people in the Middle Class, thus can sustain high taxes, the American ideal is about becoming rich, Hollywood liberals just want themselves to get rich by acting, hardly your local small business, or your inventor, all actors have to do is hit their marks, not hit the set, and be semi sober or not on drugs on set. The art of acting is making something real, after a time liberal actors start to believe the rubbish they say, then never meet real people, to many YES men around or women. Lets recall PEOPLE the NYT covered for Stalin, it lost its Judgement a long time ago folks.

Egyptian Spring or Army PR ?

BBC News Live: Reports the Egyptian Army has stated it will hand power over by July of 2012. Also there are protests beyond Cario, in Alexandria and Suez. If this blog was a protester it would not be happy, as the liberal NYT reported yesterday the Muslim Brotherhood has been slow to support the protesters as they expect to WIN big in the upcoming Parliament Elections. Thus in the interest of the Army and the Brotherhood one way or another for the protesters to hold off, the Army as the can make sure than any power transfer is a symbolic and NOT substantive, as the BBC’s Jeremy Bowen reports the Egyptian Army controls 40% of the economy of Egypt, thus the elites are not going to give up power without a fight. The Brotherhood wants political legitimacy, they want to be the largest Party in the new state, even if the Army prevents them having real power.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has announced the name of the UK Soldier that was killed on Sunday in Afghanistan, the Soldier was “ Private Thomas Christopher Lake, 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment ”. Our thoughts are with the family of Private Lake.

UK Coalition Government and DEBT

Telegraph: Reports that the Coalition Government could fail to eliminate the structural deficit as planned for by the end of the Parliament in 2015. Thus folks the Coalition has a massive political problem, the Unions are on the street at the end of the month over the present cuts, what if the Coalition has to bring in even harsher cuts as faced by Ireland, Greece and Italy, what if the basic structure of the UK welfare state has to be reformed, what if you as in Ireland have to pay form some health aspects, what if you are means tested for the use of the NHS. The Coalition might have to look at actually not giving benefits to people under 25, that is out there idea folks, there would be exceptions of course, but that kind of radical thinking is needed, the UK could face ten years of low to no growth and austerity, come back Harold Wilson. At some point the Conservative Party might decide that it needs a political scapegoat, no matter the Lib Dems, thus the EU, have a Referendum at the same time as the General Election about getting out of the EU. It would kick the Lib Dems out of the system, the Labour Party would be split, and Conservative Party might just win a election with an overall majority. At the end of the day Conservative Party is about winning folks.

Obama on Iran

President Obama has announced new sanctions on Iran, the President stated the following in a statement, “ Today, my Administration has taken yet another step to further isolate and penalize Iran for its refusal to live up to its international obligations regarding its nuclear program. ….New sanctions target for the first time Iran’s petrochemical sector, prohibiting the provision of goods, services, and technology to this sector and authorizing penalties against any person or entity that engages in such activity. They expand energy sanctions, making it more difficult for Iran to operate, maintain, and modernize its oil and gas sector. They also designate 11 individuals and entities for their role in assisting Iran’s prohibited nuclear programs, including its enrichment and heavy water programs. And today we have taken the next significant step to escalate the pressure by acting under Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act, identifying for the first time, the entire Iranian banking sector – including the Central Bank of Iran – as a threat to governments or financial institutions that do business with Iranian banks. We are joined in this action by the United Kingdom and Canada, who have also acted to cut off Iran from their financial systems today. I welcome these steps and encourage all of our partners to do the same….Iran has chosen the path of international isolation. As long as Iran continues down this dangerous path, the United States will continue to find ways, both in concert with our partners and through our own actions to isolate and increase the pressure upon the Iranian regime. ”. In a odd way folks this statement might be the most under report story of the day, in effect Iran is out of the World Banking system, the Tehran Government will find it hard to funnel cash to buy the nuclear material it needs, this should cause pain to the people of Iran, but also might get them out on the street, lets hope if they do Obama does not waffle like the last time. As stated in previous post one can postulate that Israel has made it clear to the West, the clock is ticking, get something done or else, lets very direct here folks, Israel is a nuclear armed power, it has tested missiles that can reach Iran, if that clock reach the dark hour of 12, Israel will hit folks, Mossad the Israeli Intelligence Agency can only do so much folks using covert means, there might come a time when Israel can not wait, as occurred in 1981 with Iraq and 2007 with Syria.

Egyptian Government and the Protests

The New York Times: Reports that the Government of Egypt has offered its resignation to the Egyptian Military, after according to official figures 23 deaths another 1,500 protesters wounded since the fresh demonstrations. The Army Elite folks are not going to just give up their power, also the West has no interest in allowing the Muslim Brotherhood to gain power in Egypt, that would be a disaster in the long term for Egypt and the Middle East, no matter their PR, the Brotherhood is a threat to Israel and the peace deal between Egypt and Israel. This blog supports peaceful protest, but lets be honest here folks, Egypt was never going to have a Western Democracy, no matter how may Egyptians are on Facebook or Twitter, that’s not the real world. An Egyptian Democracy that benefits Egypt and the wider region would allow political, economic, social freedoms to the young, but the Army would prevent Egypt becoming an Islamic State, the US would pull all funding then, lets recall Egypt get a few billions each year from the US, and lot of that goes to the Army. In odd way the China model would be good for Egypt, freedoms on the economic front, but the Army protecting the security of the State and the region. This blog speaks truth to power but also to brave protesters, that is the real world folks, this is not the 1960s.

The Spanish Election and the EURO

Guardian: Reports how the delay in power transfer between the out going Socialist Government of Spain and the incoming Conservative Party is damaging Spain on the bond market. The New Government the article states will have to do “ ..further massive spending cuts or tax hikes.. ”. The Spanish bond is close enough to 7% mark for the EU to have backup plans to rescue Spain, thus far we have seen Governments fall due to the Euro in Ireland, Greece, Italy, in Greece we have a technocrat in charge, but the main Opposition Party is refusing to play ball, it wont sign an agreement with the EU to fallow through with its austerity package. In Italy the PM and the Cabinet is full of technocrats, the new PM has stated that he expects to last in till the planned election of 2013 as to follow through with his austerity package. It wont happens folks, former PM Silvio Berlusconi is making noises of a comeback, thus the Government of Greece and Italy are on political life support but they don’t know it, they don’t have years, months if they are lucky, to push through tough austerity packages, to deal with the mass protests, then for the Parliaments to pull the plug on them, the Greek people might want to be in the Euro, but if they wont pay the taxes something has to give, if the austerity package is either stalled or slowed down by the Greek system then the EU will have to throw Greece out of the Euro, Italy is 50/50 folks. Expect more ups and downs on the markets folks, will be interesting to see the Asian Markets after the failure of the Super Committee in the US.

UK and Iran

Telegraph Live: Reports that the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has announced today that ALL financial links between the UK and Iran have been cut, as Iran is a threat to the UK national security. This and harsh sanctions from the UN could keep Israel from bombing Iran folks, but they will need the support of Russia and China, one can postulate that Israel is keep a gun at the head of the international community, in essence you have one chance, make Iran STOP developing the bomb or Israel will go nuclear and make sure that Iran does not go nuclear. One wonders really how far Iran has gone with the development of the bomb folks, would it surprise anyone if they announced one day that they had the bomb.

The Markets and Western Debt

BBC News: Reports on the failure of the US Super Committee, and how the Eurozone Debt sent stock markets down. Folks all the Markets see are endless meetings between politicians who don’t risk a big plan and they will get thrown out of office, the Germans will never go for Euro Bonds and they would have to underwrite them, the German Supreme Court has stated it would have problems with such a move, also the European Central Bank, the common view is that the ECB should print money and thus pay off EU debts, the Germans recall the inflation crisis of Weimar Germany and the raise of Hitler, thus another No from the 4th Reich ( they are being pain folks ) the French risk losing their tripe AAA credit rating, the Greeks have internal problems with the Conservative Opposition refusing to sign agreements with the EU that would allow for eye watering cuts, the Italians have a technocrat Government that think it will be around in till 2013, no they wont, the political parties left or right wont allow some non elected theocrats to rob them of power. In the US its down to the 2012 Presidential and Congressional Elections, thus 9 months of a campaign folks. Buy gold folks, paper money just might become worthless, only joking but not to much folks.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Reports that a UK Soldier was killed on Sunday in Afghanistan by an IED, the Soldier was from the “ 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (1 PWRR) ”. Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 389 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 345 in combat action and 44 due to illness, accidents or other incidents.

Romney and Iowa

The New York Times: Reports that leading Republican Candidate Governor Mitt Romney has increased in Campaign presence in Iowa, the Romney Campaign wants to win the Iowa Caucus. If Romney can win Iowa and New Hampshire the race could be over folks, but this could be the liberal NYT building Romney up for a fall, latest polls out of Iowa show either Gingrich in the lead or tie between Romney, Gingrich and Cain. Lets recall the liberal bloated NYT will do all it can to get Obama re-elected, thus any domestic political reporting has to be suspect, and read very carefully. That’s a problem when a paper becomes so tied to an agenda folks, the once paper of record is now the liberal secular bible. On the other hand its international reporting is straight down the line and objective, just wish they had that for their domestic reporting.
　

Egypt Violence - Part Two - Graphic Images

Mail on Sunday: Reports that two people have been killed and hundreds hurt in a second day of violent protest in Egypt. The flashpoint for the violence is Tahrir Square, the centre of the revolution that bought down Hosni Mubarak, it can be argued up to a point that its in the interest of the West, to be specific, the Obama Administration for the Army to be heavy handed, a Islamic Republic of Egypt that tears up the peace agreement with Israel would be disaster for the Middle East, Israel and the Obama Oval. Lets be clear this blog is not against peaceful protest as long as its not Wall Street or St Paul’s Cathedral, that is different, in this case the good people have the right to peaceful protest, the operational word is peaceful, any use of violence and you can see why the security forces would have to take action, sometimes folks there is a thin line between democracy and anarchy. The Egyptian protesters were never going to get a full democracy, the Army and the Egyptian elites had no plans to give up their privileges, now its down to who is the last man standing, the Army or the protesters.

Egypt Violence

Guardian: Reports on mass protests in Cairo, Alexandria and other Egyptian Cities against the Army ruled Government of Egypt. The Army of Egypt is not going to give up power folks, the fall of President Mubarak was a PR stunt, the Army will not allow the Muslim Brotherhood to take control, the US Government in Presidential Election year does not want to see Egypt become another Islamic Republic and a threat to Israel. After the downfall of President Hosni Mubarak there have been growing tensions between Egypt and Israel, on their shared border and the Israeli Ambassador to Cairo had to flee his Embassy back to Israel. Thus the Obama Administration will not want to have an opinion on this growing violence, they give billions to Egypt, so far no calls for cuts. The Obama Administration could pull the plug on Cairo but they wont, they need the Peace Agreement to carry on, polls in Egypt show that the people don’t support the Agreement, and the Muslim Brotherhood cant be trusted. Thus all politics is local folks, better the Army you know than a Middle East War between Egypt and Israel or Israel and Iran and Egypt.
　

Your Terrorist, Heroic Insurgents ? - Syria

Sunday Telegraph: Reports on insurgent attacks on the Syrian Capital Damascus and President Assad has stated he will fight and die in Syria. President Assad does sound like Colonel Gaddafi, don’t they have CNN or SKY News in Damascus, also as a sidebar it is interesting, the Telegraph describes the attackers as Insurgents, while the view from Damascus Regime would be that they are terrorists. As they attacker want rid of the Assad Regime they are good Insurgents, but they will need back up as did the Libyan rebels, insurgents. Lets be direct here folks, Syria is in a small scale Civil War, the rebels are growing, and they are getting their hands on weapons, they need some heavy ammo and tanks, lets see if they can persuade or blackmail parts of the Syrian Army or Air Force to come over to the rebels, that would be a game changer folks. Lets hope the Israelis are keeping eye on their border, the last time the Syrian Regime was in trouble it sent protesters over the Israeli border to tear down the fence. It would be cheap PR move but it would be effective in changing the story for a while again, lets see what Syria does over the next few days and weeks folks.

Arab League vs. Syria

BBC News: Reports that the Arab League has said a NO to demands from Syria that it change its Monitors plan for Syria. The Syrian Regime is playing games folks, it knows that the UN is divided, that its allies on the UN Security Council Russia and China do not want another UN Resolution 1973 that allowed regime change in Libya. Thus the Damascus Regime can go on killing its own Sunni population while the world watches on, it is also backed Iran, this allows Iran through proxies to attack Israel. The Tehran Regime will not want to see the Assad Regime fall, and it might mean that they are next should there be a real threat to the Tehran Regime. Lot more blood on the Streets of Syria folks.

Dallas Proof ? - JFK Assassination

Daily Mail: Reports that modern technology has shown an image that purports to be of Lee Harvey Oswald at the Shooters spot at the time of the killing on 22/11/63. Folks having looked at the picture, its not something this blog would go to Court on, but then the assassination of JFK has very much overshadowed his entire Presidency. Lets be honest folks JFK is the most overrated President in US history, his greatness comes from one action, the secret deal he did with the USSR over Cuba, the Russians would take out their missiles and the US under the counter would take their missiles out of Turkey. Lets postulate that JFK sold out Turkey, and more damaging told the USSR that if they told the press about the deal it was off, this was more politics that anything. Then we come to two issues, Vietnam and Kennedy’s woman, it has been argued for years that Kennedy would not have gotten in to land war in Asia, that it was all the fault of LBJ. This blog does not buy that folks, Kennedy had to draw a line somewhere in the sand when it came to the USSR, the Kennedy Administration had allowed Berlin Wall to go up, it had not gotten rid of Castor, thus it could not afford to lose another Country to the Communist threat, thus South Vietnam. Lets recall it was JFK’s people around LBJ, the new President didn’t want Vietnam, but his tough policy was supported by all Kennedy’s people. The Attorney General Robert Kennedy didn’t resign over Vietnam. Thus the Vietnam War failures is a also a Kennedy failure. Then we come to Kennedy’s women, JFK's girlfriend was also the girlfriend of the Chief of the Chicago mob, the mob was under CIA contract trying to kill Casto, JFK could faced have a blackmail threat. Also as it has been alleged that JKF’s father bough off the mob to help in son in 1960. One can postulate that if Kennedy had lived the 2nd term would have seen scandal, Kennedy lived his life on the edge, but he was still a great President in his own way, just not in the same league as Reagan.

Damascus Games - Middle East

Guardian: Reports that Damascus is demanding that any Monitors to Syria respect the Sovereignty of Syria. In other words the Assad Regimes controls what they see, the Syrian Regime is starting to sound like the old Iraqi Regime, granting access then creating problems, then under granting access hindering Monitors. The US has to place pressure on Russia and China to create No Fly Zones, and protected areas for Syrian rebels. Otherwise folks a lot of good Syrians are going to be killed while the World Community looks on aghast, its time for action, a repressive Syrian Regime would be just as bad as Libya under Gaddafi. Sometimes the World has to do the right thing, no matter the cost, lets hope NATO is ready for another War.

Syrian Civil War ?

Telegraph: Reports how the Shia Regime of President Assad is targeting the Sunni Opposition in Syria, how over 1,000 people have been killed in Syrian City of Homs. In effect folks Syrian is in small scale civil war already, the opposition has targeted Military bases loyal to the Assad Regime close the Capital, the Syrian Regime is playing for time, says it will reform, then when the pressure is off it goes back to killing its own people. The Ace that the Assad Regime has is that it is supported by Iran, the Tehran Regime will do all it can to make sure the Assad Regime does not fall, it needs the Regime to divert attention from its own plans for the bomb. The UN is a busted flush, either the Assad Regime will be overthrown or the delay in action by the UN will allow President Assad as his father did to kill thousands. After Libya the Russians and China don’t want any more regimes changes, thus the West either stands back or does some very covert action to support the Syrian Opposition. Expect more blood on the Streets of Syrian folks, its going to be bloody on the road to Damascus.

UK and Syria

BBC News: Reports that UK Foreign Secretary William Hague is to meet Syrian Opposition leaders on Monday in London. This is a risk for the UK, what happens if the Syrian Regime does not fall, it will have caused Syria to be furious with the UK, also it will mean that Syria will get ever closer to its backer Iran, also the Syrian Regime might think that to gain internal support it needs a small scale conflict with its neighbour Israel, this would be backed Iran, thus the Iran nuclear crisis could be dragged in to a Syrian Civil War or a external War with Israel. Next year look rough for the Middle East between Syria and Iran.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has announced the names of the UK Soldiers that were killed on Thursday in Afghanistan, they were, “ Lieutenant David Boyce and Lance Corporal Richard Scanlon from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards ”. Our thoughts are with the families of Lieutenant Boyce and Lance Corporal Scanlon.

Gingrich TIED with Romney in New Hampshire - Republican Race

WSJ: Reports on a new poll in New Hampshire of Republican voters, the race is a virtual tie, with Romney on 29% and Gingrich on 27%. If the former Speaker could win Iowa and New Hampshire this would the best political comeback since Truman, but can Newt Gingrich not implode as has been the fate of past front runners, Parry, Cain. It is only seven weeks in till the Iowa Caucus folks, if Gingrich can mount a decent field operation and win or come close he has a good chance to take on Romney on his home field of New Hampshire. The close fight causes problems for the Obama team, they had thought that their opposition would be Mitt Romney, thus the early attacks on him, as following the Clinton handbook of 1996. But they just might have to wait, this helps the Republicans, they seem to taken on Reagan’s 11 rule of not attacking fellow Republicans and attacking Obama. There is a CNN debate on Tuesday folks, that Wednesday morning UK time, lets see who wins that and if any other candidates can make an impression.

Nixon’s Oval - US and Israel (Offensive Comments )

Daily Mail: Reports on inflammatory comments made by then NSA Henry Kissinger in the Nixon White House when it came to Jewish pressure groups and the US relationship with the USSR. Lets recall Kissinger was the National Security Adviser to Nixon, also Mr Kissinger is Jewish, thus in Nixon Oval the NSA had to be seen and act tough with Israel, also as the article notes Kissinger did take up the issues that worried the Jewish groups when it came to the USSR. Also Mr Kissinger as NSA and Secretary of State with President Nixon had broad plans for US security, thus the opening of China, better relationship with the USSR, end of the Vietnam War, Israel a close US ally would have never been allowed to fall but that didn’t stop the pressure from the Jewish Lobby in the US, even Carter and Reagan asked about their power. Thus unfortunate comments from Mr Kissinger but in the context of the pressures of the period one can understand the outburst and the its background.

Romney on ObamaCare

The Hill: Reports leading Republican Candidate Governor Mitt Romney has stated that the US Supreme Court will declare that ObamaCare is illegal. This is the one issue folks that can almost make sure that any Republican Nominee wins over President Obama, the final decision by the US Supreme Court is expected in June, so about five months of Campaign on issue no matter the decision. Of course Governor Romney bought in RomneyCare for his own home state, and to his credit the Governor is not walking away from that idea, in fact he is making a virtue of it, stating that the Oval has over stepped the mark with its Federal Policy for the whole of the US, that it should be up to the individual State to decide how to look after the heath of its residents. As stated in this blog if the US Supreme Court did decide that ObamaCare was illegal, at least it would be off the table as an issue between June and November 2012, on the other and if the Court decides it legal, its more trouble, the Republicans will make it an issue very day, also with the US Supreme Court allowing Corporations to spend money on Campaign the business community could be a major thorn for the Obama Oval. This blog cant wait for next year folks, Iowa coming up soon folks.

Great Unwashed ARRESTED - NY

BBC News: Reports that 250 of the Occupy Wall Street protesters have been arrested. What has taken the NY Police so long, how come this blog has not seen any water cannons being used, or Police on horses taking down violent protesters. These people have gotten out of their BEDS because of the class warfare rhetoric of the Obama White House, the Democrats are using envy to make up for the fact that the Obama Administration has failed on the domestic front. The left wing media has given these commie protesters a clean bill of health, in fact in many respects they are being used by the elite, do you think rich liberals really want to give up THEIR money, that BS folks. The Democrats want a balance to the Tea Party movement, thus they support the occupy wall street thugs, this is a cynical Chicago move folks, the Obama Oval is fighting dirty, expect worse next year folks.

56% Job Disapproval for POTUS - Rasmussen Reports

Rasmussen Reports: Reports on its daily tracking poll of likely voters and their opinion of POTUS, today Obama has a 44% Approval, while 56% Disapprove of the Obama record. Lets look at what the main stream media is focusing at the moment folks, the occupy protests in the US and UK. The Democrats and the Labour Party have allowed themselves to be seen as supportive of these great unwashed demonstrators, in the UK so far no major violence, but that is not the case in the US. The class warfare rhetoric of the Oval and the Re-Election Committee has given the occupiers political legitimacy that they should not have, their rhetoric would not be out of place in Cuba, they don’t live in the real world, they belong to the left wing view that they are owed benefits from birth to death, they don’t have to work, the rich will make the money and then the rich will be forced to hard over what they have earned to a bunch of great unwashed mindless political zombies, who have no clear agenda, and if they did have would not get elected dog catcher. Time for the US and the UK to read the Riot Act, tell these idiots to clear off or they will get arrested, then if they don’t move send in the water cannons. Clear them off the street and arrest the ringleaders. Time to action not words, peaceful protest is one thing, being a pain in the backside is something else, get a move on Police.

40% Job Approval for POTUS - Gallup

Gallup: Reports on its daily tracking poll of the job performance of President Obama, today POTUS has a 40% Approval, while 51% of Average Americans Disapprove of the Obama record. As a wise political operative stated in 1992, it’s the “ Economy Stupid ”, and in 92 the economy was not that bad compared to the Obama years. The Chicago re-elect committee has to create the impression that if Obama is re-elected in 2012 the economy will turn around and if the Republicans are elected it will get worse. If unemployment is still around 9% in November 2012 the Oval will have to go negative, the election cant be allowed to be a referendum of the Obama record, thus the Obama re-elect will have to rubbish the Republican nominee, at the moment the Committee have a problem, they cant just attack Romney and spend the kind of money they have, the reason there a least two other viable Republican candidates in the shape of Herman Cain and former House Speaker, Newt Gingrich. Thus the Oval and the Democrats will have to wait in till at least February for clear candidate, then expect a ugly campaign folks, it’s the Chicago way.

Spain and the Bond Market

BBC News: Reports that 10 year Spanish bonds have reached their highest since 1997, today the cost to the Spanish Government was 6.975%. Thus folks after Greece, Italy the bond market has Spain in its sight, with high unemployment and debt and a new government expected the 10 year Spanish bond is close as the article notes to the danger zone of 7%. The New Government is from the right, thus tougher austerity is expected, the question that has to be asked folks will that be enough, or will Spain have to go cap in hand to the EU. The German Government has made it clear even with the odd trial balloon that the European Central Bank will not print money to bailout the PIIGS, thus expect more up and downs on the markets and mass protests in Greece and Italy when the further austerity hits the people on the street. Next year is going to be tough folks, in the UK it can be expected that unemployment will reach three million and the economy could fall back in to recession or very limited growth. Welcome back to the late 70s early 80s folks.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has announced the name of the UK Soldier that was killed on Wednesday in Afghanistan by an IED, the Soldier was “ Lance Corporal Peter Eustace of 2nd Battalion The Rifles, attached to 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment as part of Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (North) ”. Our thoughts are with the family of Lance Corporal Eustace.

Deaths in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that two UK Soldiers have been killed today in Afghanistan by an IED, the Soldiers were from the “ 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards ”. Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 388 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 344 in combat action and 44 due to illness, accidents or other incidents.

Iraq Inquiry and Tony Blair

Guardian: Reports that the Iraq Report has been delayed due to “ Damning criticism of Tony Blair and the way his government led Britain into invading Iraq ” and the struggle between the Inquiry and Government over the release of secret documents. If the report is highly critical of Tony Blair he might have to resign as Middle East Peace Envoy, also the Blair Camp can be expected to rubbish report when it comes out, expect selected leaks and interviews folks just before the report comes out, that is the way New Labour worked. Also the Labour Party under Ed Miliband will want to distance itself from the Blair period and the Iraq War. This should cause more tensions between Ed and David Miliband. As to the release of secret documents that relate to the political relationship between Blair and Bush 43 the Government has a point, the Special Relationship works because of the close relationship between a UK PM and US President, thus the release of direct letters between the Oval and No 10 would be damaging, and should only be released after much thought and consideration. In other words never, Blair will just have to be left off the hook folks. That is the nature of real politics folks.

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that a UK Soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the Soldier was from the “ 2nd Battalion The Rifles ”. Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 386 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 342 in combat action and 44 due to illness, accidents or other incidents.

Germany and the EU

Telegraph Live: Reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel has stated that Germany is willing to give up some of its sovereignty to the EU. This sounds like something that the EU would love, slight problem, in economic terms the EU is Germany, it’s a Trojan horse folks, all it would mean is that Germany would run the Eurozone under the symbol of the EU. Does Germany think the rest of the EU is naïve or stupid, the German Parliament and German Supreme Court would have to okay such a move, it would be an interesting vote folks, does Germany want to be on the hook for the debts of the PIGS forever. This is political gesture that is devious and benefits Germany, NO Germany.

UK Unemployment = 8.3%

BBC News: Reports that UK unemployment has risen to 2.62 million or 8.3%, of that 1.02 million is youth unemployment. As this blog in its time has been in the youth unemployment area in the early 1990’s its not fun folks, also any measures taken by the Government at the time has a delay in getting in to motion and its effect is negated by the economic conditions that develop beyond the original scope of any Government Plan. The great idea in the early 1990’s was for more students to go to University, it was hoped that 50% of students would go in to higher education, the net result folks, the value of a Degree has been devalued, if you want to work in a modern store as a shelf packer you need a Masters, as Graduates cant get jobs in the graduate field they have to go down the food chain, in other words non graduates who would have expected to get jobs that didn’t need a honours degree find that they can be in competition for a low paid job with a someone who might have a Doctorate. Its that bad folks, so any new Government plan wont be enough, will take time and by the time its in motion the economic field will have changed. At the end of the day its business that makes jobs, when Government tries it fouls it up badly, and creates shallow stupid degrees that gives a student a false idea of his or her job worth, lets be honest there to many media degrees etc, thus the Government should cut taxes for business, allow people who make money to keep that money, then they will buy products, people will get hired and unemployment will go down. Its not what people want to hear but it’s the truth folks.

ObamaCare and Congressional Democrats

The Hill: Reports that Democrats in Congress are worried that ObamaCare will be thrown out by the US Supreme Court. In many respects this would help the Oval, at least the hated mandate, by which US Citizens would be forced to buy medical cover would not be an issue in November 2012. The real worry for the Chicago Obama re-elect committee would be if the US Supreme Court decided it was legal, thus would make the tea party movement come out in droves in November. The Republican candidates would have a field day if the Court gave the green light to ObamaCare, even Romney has argued that RomneyCare is not a template for the rest of the US. Thus the Republicans could make ObamaCare their major issue in till November. Thus the tea party supporters and independent voters it can be argued could push the Republican Nominee over the wining line.

Is Germany BREAKING ? - ECB

Guardian Live: Reports that Peter Bofinger an economic adviser to German Chancellor Merkel has stated the following, “ .. has broken ranks and conceded that the European Central Bank should become the "lender of last resort" ”. Is this a trial balloon folks by the Germans, to see how the markets and the German people, react, one can postulate that that a adviser would not have stated the above without a green light from the Chancellor. But as stated it’s a trial balloon, the Germans are VERY wary of this kind of printing money policy by the EBC, brings back the memory of hyper inflation of Weimar Germany and the raise of Hitler, the idea would have to get through the German Parliament and the German Supreme Court, the German Parliament has made it clear it wants to okay any EU polices of the Chancellor. If the ECB did print money it would help Italy and Greece, save the Euro, but it would mean in essence that Germany would have to bailout the EU all the time, lets see if this balloon goes up or gets shot down in Berlin.

Italian Bonds = 7%

BBC News: Reports that the cost of 10 year Italian Bonds has gone over the 7% mark again, even with the formation of a new Italian Government. Lets face it folks, the Markets on the whole are not fools, they know that when the tough austerity package starts to hit Italians this new Government of technocrats has no base, no backup, thus it will fall, also should the 60 billion package of tax hikes and cuts work the political parties will not allow the new Government to take credit, they will call snap elections, they have the votes. Thus if your betting a long term Italian Government you are miss reading the public mood folks, this new Government will be short and brutal, better bet would be on the lottery folks.
　

US Supreme Court and ObamaCare

The New York Times: Reports that the US Supreme Court will decide on the legality of ObamaCare next year. In many respects its in Obama’s interest for the Court to strike down the law, at least then it wont be an issue in November, the worse outcome for POTUS but great for the Republicans would be if the US Supreme Court decided that ObamaCare was legal, this would give an issue for Republicans to run on till the November election. Lets be honest ObamaCare is hated folks, also its promise that health care costs would go down has not happened, they have gone up, thus to lose would be to win for the Oval.

Italian Bonds - Eurozone Crisis

Guardian Live: Reports that Italian 10 year bonds have started to raise again after falling due to the resignation of PM Berlusconi, they have gone up to 6.82%. As noted in this blog folks the idea that you can place technocrats in charge of Democracies in a time of economic danger and this will solve the problem is a mistake, these technocrats will be at the mercy of the political parties, these parties if they think they will lose out in VOTES will remove any such threat by a vote of no confidence, does not matter what Berlin or Paris think. In a modern Democracy, and the last time this blog looked that was the case with Italy and Greece you need the support of the people through them voting for political parties, a technocrat has no power, no base, he has to pander to the political groups just to get minor things passed, these technocrats will not last long folks, they will be ousted, politicians hate to give up power, what they hate most is to give power to someone who has not got elected dog catcher before becoming in to a leadership role. Politics is a brutal business folks, its called Democracy.

Spain Next ? Part Two

Telegraph Live: Reports that Spanish 10 year bonds have reach the 6% cost for the Spanish Government. This could be the double hit folks, short term Italian bonds at around 6% for a long economic period, to be joined by Spain. There is a General Election in Spain soon folks, the right wing Party of Spain is expected to win, thus a reduction in Government, problem folks, the level of Spanish Unemployment is at 22%, think how bad it seen to the US at 9%, also like the US, Spain has heavy personal and government debts. This could be the perfect hurricane folks, what if Italy and Spain ask for a bailout, the EU/IMF/ECB, does not have the money, this could be the start of the end of the Euro folks, yes its that bad, the UK might reap the whirlwind of that disaster folks.

Italian Bonds - Eurozone Crisis

BBC News: Reports that even with the resignation of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Italian five year bonds reached a Eurozone high at 6.29%. At over 6% for a long term period Italians will not be able to go to the bond market, the cost would be just to much for the Italian taxpayer, thus down the road folks Italy will need a EU/IMF/ECB bailout, but for this happen the Germans have to move on their objection that the ECB should not print money. Modern Germany will have to get over Weimar Germany, there is no threat of another Hitler coming to power in Germany. Thus in this specific case the Germans will have to forget about their past and save the Euro, they wanted it well they will have to pay for it, the Greeks will need another bailout in the future, the Greek people will revolt when they face their tough austerity package, in many respects it is a 4th German Economic Reich, an informal empire, didn’t do the British Empire any harm in its informal period, time for Germans to go beyond their history.

Gingrich, The New Comeback! ( Poll, PDF )

CBS Poll: Reports that the Republican Race has become a three man race, the Candidates rate the following, Cain 18%, Romney 15%, Gingrich 15%. Thus the Romney Strategy of being the last man standing could come under attack, Gingrich had a disastrous start to his Campaign, he was written off, this blog wrote him off, but with the sexual allegations against Cain and Romney not being trusted by the Conservative and Gingrich really going after the left wing media he just might have a chance, but then we face the fact that Iowa voting in less that six weeks time, with Christmas and the New Year breaks your really talking about 4 weeks. Thus one has to ask WHY the candidates are spending so much time in debates, how about meeting the voters, the good people of Iowa and NH like to look their candidates in the eyes, shake their hands, have good debates, not quite the same thing seeing them on TV all the TIME. Lets see some polls over the next few weeks before we get excited by a two polls, a week is a long time in politics folks.

The Republican Race - Who’s UP an DOWN

The Hill: Reports a new poll on the Republican Race, the McClatchy-Marist Poll has Governor Romney on 23%, Newt Gingrich 19% and Herman Cain 17%. I will be honest folks, I never saw the former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich coming back in the race after his disaster at the start of the Campaign. As those kind to read my tweets of the last but one debate the Speaker at least got referenced, he had a very good debate, and the sexual allegations against Herman Cain seem to have done some damage. The Republican fight will come down to Romney vs. either Cain or Gingrich. Lets be honest both Cain and Gingrich have baggage, thus as long as the Romney Campaign can keep the Conservative vote split the race is for Romney to lose, if he can win Iowa or come close and then take NH, he will be very hard to beat folks. But the race got interesting folks.

11/22/63 - NYT Review

The New York Times: Has a great review of 11/22/63 by Stephen King, the article even states “ It all adds up to one of the best time-travel stories since H. G. Wells. ”. One h-ll of a recommendation folks, this blog has already gotten its copy, cant wait to sit back with a nice cup of tea and start to read. As stated this blog is a great fan of time travel stories, thus very HARD to impress, lets see if Mr King should start to write for Doctor Who, that would be a compliment.

When Greece Defaults = The German Plan

Sunday Mail: Reports that Germany has developed a backup plan should Greece leave the Euro. Thus the 4th German ECONOMIC Reich has a plan to save its own skin at the expense of Greece, why does that not surprise me, they have made the Greeks suffer years of austerity and when push comes to shove it will count for nothing, the French and Germans will cut bait and allow Greece to sink in the mire, great surprise, the Greeks might want to stay in the Euro but they don’t want the eye watering austerity package that is coming their way. The Greeks have been hung out to dry by the EU, all the austerity has cut Greek economic growth and created more DEBT, thus the Greeks are about to be sold down the river by their EU family.

Israel vs. US = IRAN PROBLEM ?

Sunday Telegraph: Reports that Israel has refused to give the US advance warning of any Israeli strike on Iran. In other words folks the US wanted a VETO on any military strike, the Obama Oval does not want a military strike before the Presidential election in November of 2012. The problem is that the time frame for Iran’s nuclear ambitions does not match Obama’s re-election plan, a threat to Israel might mean that Israel has to take action early next year, thus the refusal to give the Oval a VETO. The past few weeks has seen more reports that the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu wants to take action, he might think that October 2012 might be a good deadline, it would force the Oval to back any move of face Jewish votes voting for the Republican Candidates. Thus watch this developing crisis folks, the Euro is important but there no nuclear warheads as part of the equation.

Romney on Iran

BBC News: Reports that Governor Mitt Romney a candidate for the Republican Nomination for President has stated that if he was President he would okay a military strike on Iran to prevent it becoming a nuclear armed power. As Romney is the likely candidate folks it is interesting to see his world perspective, a military strike would be in the long term interests of the US and Israel, also Romney supports the US Commanders on the ground in Afghanistan deciding when to take US troops out. These defence polices should go down well with the Republican base, the left wing media will of course be appalled, but then that benefits Romney. Thus on the whole a good defence performance from Governor Romney.

Armistice Day - 11-11-11

Thus folks today we remembered those that have died for their Country since the end of World War One, the Great War, the War to end all Wars, of course that didn’t happen, thus the UK/US have been Allies in World War Two, Korea, Gulf Wars 1 & 2 and the on going War in Afghanistan. In individual Wars and conflicts the UK has the troubles in Northern Ireland, Suez, Falklands, the US of course had Vietnam and is still Iraq in till the end of the year. Lets us remember those that have been maimed in body and mind by conflict, sometimes they are overlooked once the Wars are over, let that not happen to those that fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, lets us ALWAYS support our brave Armed Forces Personnel, they fight as to allow us our freedom. God bless them and their families.

Italian Austerity and the Euro

Daily Mail: Reports that the nearly sixty billion Euro cuts and tax hikes in the Italian Austerity package is expected up to a point to save the Euro. This blog has its doubts, are stated many times in this blog the welfare state in the EU is a major structural flaw in its structure, the austerity packages in Greece and Italy does not deal with that, it deals with the consequences, thus there will be more debt, more reduction in the economic structure of Italy and thus the EU will be back to this crisis down the line. Lets hope this blog is wrong, but have my serious doubts, we shall see if China will give money to bailout Euro, that could be the deciding factor folks.

Italian Austerity - Eurozone Crisis

Telegraph: Reports on the Italian Austerity package, here are the highlights, 1, public sector cuts, 2, social security freeze, 3, public sector wage freeze, 4, tax hikes and 5, a balance budget Act. Well folks the Unions will be on the streets, those on benefits will see their benefits go down, so another group, those in the public sector will see price hikes while their wages are frozen. The rich will hire eve more clever accountants to avoid paying tax or move. Folks lets see how long before there is an election, these kind of austerity bought Greece to a standstill, well that might be a picnic compared to what could happen in Italy, lets recall the left is still powerful in Italy, thus like their UK brothers they will be expected to have General Strikes. The public will soon sour on an unelected PM, does not matter what France and Germany think this might not work in the long term folks. It could be argued folks that this package might not be enough, you still have the welfare state, thus the same structural problem. Read the article more detail folks.

Cameron on the Euro - Eurozone Crisis

BBC News: Reports that UK Coalition PM David Cameron has stated there is a question mark over the future of the Eurozone. On the Government level the Coalition Government needs the Eurozone Countries to get their act together, as any break up of the Eurozone would send the UK in to a deep recession, but when it comes to a political decision that is different, the UK is a Coalition Government, thus the Liberal Democrats in their hear of hearts want to still join the Euro and be run by the EU. The present Conservative Party would like to keep the EU at a very long distance, and a great minority would like to leave the EU. PM Cameron is a Conservative, he hast to keep his troops happy, they have become restless of late, they see that their past arguments against the EU and the Euro as being right, while those that love the EU have been wrong about the big issues when it comes to the stability of the EU and the Euro. Thus PM Cameron has to keep a balance, so for so good, but if there are any new treaties, the UK must have a referendum, the Conservative Party should keep any eye on No 10.

Italy and Greece - Eurozone Crisis

The latest is that Greece gets a new PM in the shape of Lucas Papademos a former Greek and EU banker, in Italy the Italian Senate has just passed a tough austerity package, this should allow Silvio Berlusconi to resign to be replaced by a former EU Commissioner Mario Monti. The problem is that these appointments will go down well in Germany and France, but they are unelected and their main job is to run a Coalition Governments for a short time, with one aim, passing tough eye watering austerity packages, sorry but these days you need public support, from the news via TV and print media it seems that people are willing to give these new leaders a chance, well it wont last folks, once the cuts start the political partiers will move heaven and earth to make sure that they don’t have any fingerprints on these cuts. Thus a short term Government when you need tough polices that will last years and be supported by that Government, well its not going to happen folks, this is very thin plaster for a major wound. In this modern age you cant have technocrats running major democracies, if they ran on austerity packages they would not get elected dog catcher, and after the protests start they will be very lonely figures, lets hope they have not been given job that is doom to fail, then blamed and made scapegoats for that failure, that would this blog would do if were the political parties in Greece and Italy, but this blog is ruthless and devious, are Greek and Italian politicians any different from this blog.

Russia and Iran

Guardian: Reports that Russia has stated the following on calls for more sanctions against Iran over its nuclear ambitions, the article states the following, “ …. has rejected as "unacceptable" EU calls for further sanctions ..”. Thus folks we have seen the weak response from the Obama Administration, the Oval does not want another War in the Middle East before November 2012, the EU is spineless, the Veto powers on the Security Council of Russia and China will not support Regime Change, and that has to be the real result folks, Israel can not allow Iran to get the bomb, it would be a threat to the Jewish State and to other Arab States such as Saudi Arabia, thus military action must be taken, with or without US approval, the best time for Israel to act as stated in this blog is mid or late October, place Obama between a rock and a hard place, he would have to support Israel, and as a result of an attack the Middle East would have a few years before the Iran could get close to getting the bomb. The decision will be hard for Israel folks, the World on the whole will go bonkers, but if Israel waits for the World it could find itself five minutes to midnight with a bomb on a way from Tehran.