UK Coalition Government Split - Leveson Report

BBC News: Reports on the split in the UK Coalition Government between Conservative PM David Cameron and Liberal Democrat DPM Nick Clegg over regulation of the UK press. 

Lets Get Real:

As predicted folks, the Conservative Party on the whole is against legal regulation of the press, while the left wing Parties of Labour and Liberal Democrats want State regulation.  The Liberal Democrats seem to have forgotten that the term LIBERAL is in their name, well when you have been out of POWER for over 80 years you tend to forget your roots.   While the Labour Party is just after the right wing press because they turned on Labour at the last election.  Lets hope PM Cameron can throw this threat to democracy in to the long grass, the Conservative Whips office will have to play hard ball with their MPs also try to get some Labour backbench MPs to support the Cameron line of self regulation without a State overview.   The BBC as expect is taking the anti press line hook line and sinker, not that they would want to spin their own recent troubles on to a different subject, would the BBC be that cynical.    YES folks they would be, the left wing media, the BBC, Guardian, HATE the Sun etc, they drink from the same polluted water, thus their idea to threaten the democracy of the UK, polluted water, polluted ideas. 

Obama, Rice and the 2nd Obama Term

Guardian: Reports the battle to make UN Ambassador Rice the next US Secretary State has to be seen within the context of a 2nd Obama term, the article notes the following, " The combination of the Rice row and the showdown over taxes and spending offer the president an early opportunity to demonstrate he is going to be tougher in his second term. ".

Lets Get Real:

The US Senate gives advice and consent to Presidential nominations from the Government to the Courts, Nixon had two Supeme Court Justices  rejected by the Senate, Reagan had Bork rejected, Bush 41 had Senator Tower rejected as Defence Secretary, Bill Clinton had a nightmare getting a Attorney General, while Bush 43 had could not get his choice as UN Ambassador pass the Senate.   Thus the Rice fight matters folks, if the Republicans keep together they can block the choice, thus lets see if POTUS wants to spend his political capital on a fight that he could lose and does not need to have, Senator Kerry would be an excellent choice for State. 

The Leveson Report in to Press Standards

BBC News: Reports that the Leveson Report in to press standards has been handed to Coalition PM David Cameron. 

Lets Get Real: 

If there is any legal press regulation the Conservative Party of the Coalition Government should reject the idea, one can expect the Liberal Democrats and the Labour leadership to take the tone of the BBC and of the Guardian, they want to regulate the Conservative Press, on the whole they support the Conservative Party.  Lets be clear were the law has been broken there are already on going cases, just not open to discussion, but this shows that the law does work, thus why allow the Politicians to have a hand in running the press.   The idea that once you start down this road of regulation that it will stop it a worry, the UK elite system does not work that way, the elites are to close, what ever a Judge might think.  It would go wrong sometime in the future, and there will be another report on how to scrap any press laws.   Thus expect a fight folks, the majority of the press will fight tooth and nail any regulation and the politicians and the lawyers will try to regulate free speech, law and freedom of the press do not always go together folks, its regulation lead down a control of the press. 

Ambassador Rice vs. Republican Senators - Libyagate

The New York Times: Reports that a meeting between the prospective next US Secretary of State, the US UN Ambassador Susan Rice and Republican Senators, it was not positive, the article notes the following, " ..attested to the bitterness of the feud between the White House and Republicans over Benghazi. ".

Lets Get Real: 

This blog is pointing its finger at the Oval or someone close to the Oval, US intelligence cant have been that slow to work out that the terrorist attack on the US Consulate in Libya was planned.  The spin that it was a mob and linked to a video helped the Oval far to much for it to be unexpected, thus the intelligence talking points were washed by the White House.   The question IS WHO washed the information, who gave the order, who sent Ambassador Rice to the networks to be economic with the truth.    One would have to reason that is was the Oval, why such a push to make Rice the next Secretary of State after Hillary Clinton, in less to keep her on board, in other words to make sure she does not point the finger at the Oval.   This stinks folks, what is worse is that the uber liberal main stream media are not really going after the Oval, they seem to take direction from the Oval.   GROW UP PRESS. 

Beyond Cairo - Fight for Democracy PT3

Guardian Live - Egypt: Reports the following from its 6.51pm post, " While the focus is on Cairo, let's not forget there are protests in many other cities in Egypt: Alexandria, Suez and Luxor to name a few. ".

Lets Get Real:

The Arab Spring has turned in winter in Syria, thousands are dead and the West has done bugger all, while in Libya the US Ambassador was assassinated by Al Qaeda, in Egypt the Muslim Brotherhood would like to turn Egypt in to another Iran.   Lets be very direct here folks, this blog could care less what these different Parties do within their own borders, the sole exception must be the security of Israel.  If Muslim Brotherhood can keep Hamas under control, keep the Arab Street quiet in Cairo, while keeping the peace deal with Israel then let them turn Egypt in to another Saudi Arabia, if the above are not meet then let them fall, this blog sole interest in the Middle East in the security of Western assets and the security of Israel.  It would be nice to have democracy but that is not the real world folks, this blog is interested in the above results, which ever side gives that then that is okay with this blog, brutal folks, but then the Middle East is brutal.    

Cairo Clashes - Fight for Democracy P2

Telegraph: Reports the following from Cairo, Egypt, " Clashes between police and protesters have erupted near Cairo's Tahrir Square.. ".

Lets Get Real:

The Oval has been very quiet over the latest protests in Cairo, the Oval needs semi peace in this part of the Middle East, thus Mursi can become another Hosni Mubarak as long as he keeps Hamas quite in Gaza and does not have a bloodbath in the streets of Cairo.  As the NYT reported before the US Election the Tehran regime has agreed to one to one talks with the US but was waiting for the US Election, the Oval wants to prevent a Israeli strike on Tehran, thus it can not afford for the Mursi to play the Israeli Card, in other words break the peace treaty with Israel, this would undermine the security of Israel and US interests.   Thus in pure brutal real politic terms it can be argued that Mursi can spill some blood as long as it is not on CNN, BBC, Fox, you get the idea folks.   It is matter of who gives up first, the new Egyptian Regime or the protesters and how many have to die.   It could be argued that Egypt could go the way of Iran in 1979, the moderates swept away by Islamic fanatics.   History does like to repeat itself folks. 

Demonstrations in Egypt - Fight for Democracy

BBC News: Reports on the mass demonstration in Cairo, Egypt against the powers granted by President Mursi to himself.   These powers can not be questioned and are seen by the protesters as a threat to the Egyptian Revolution.

Lets Get Real:

This is not new folks, you have the revolution, as in France and in Russia the moderates are swept away and the extremes take over, for no better reason than they have a structure, while the opposition is split and argue   between themselves.   The Mursi problem is also a US problem, they need Egypt to keep Hamas in order, thus keep Israel from going in on the ground in Gaza.   The big picture for the US and Israel is Iran, it can be argued that Iran wants hot spots in the Middle East from the Civil War in Syria, to the rocket attacks from Gaza, also causing problems in Lebanon.   The next few months will see the Tehran Regime try to divert Israel with other problems, also have endless talks with the US, its a game folks, the prize is leadership of the Middle East. 

The EU Budget and New Alliances - PT4

Daily Mail: Reports the following from the EU Summit after the no by the UK and Germany, " France, Italy, Spain and other southern economies who do best out of the budget were horrified at the new alliance between the pair.. ".

Lets Get Real:

What do France, Italy and Spain have in common, more debt than they can handle and a out of control welfare state, of course they are not going to support cuts in the EU Budget, they have major internal problems that are leading these Countries over a cliff with no safety net.    The UK and Germany in a tough time of austerity want a slim down EU, one that lives in the real world, the welfare state Countries expect the German and UK taxpayer to bail them OUT.     Those days are over folks, if you debase the Euro any more it becomes worthless, go ask the Weimar Germans what came NEXT.   Yes folks, the EU has to live within its means, not spend money it does not have, the good days are well and truly over, time to suck in that bloated welfare state gut and go for big run, and no stops for expensive lunches or very fine wine.    If the EU is not to become a JOKE, it has to grow or it will wither away, nothing last forever folks, we walk through time but we are not masters of time. 

Germany and the EU Budget - PT3

Guardian: Reports the following on the role of Germany at the EU Summit, " ..blocked all attempts to isolate the veto-wielding prime minister and so prevent a much worse bust-up. ".

Lets Get Real:

The simple reason folks, the German Government faces a tough election next year, the Berlin/Paris relationship is not as it was, the new French President from the view from Berlin wants to spend Germany tax payers money to fund his election promises, that is not going to happen.    The NEW French President and his election promises have meet the reality of the market, this fight to keep the French Farmers happy is about stopping the nose dive in the polls by President Hollande.   What has been interesting is the tone by the left win press, the BBC tone is that Cameron is ALONE, that is not true, the Guardian is shocked that a German politician is more worried about the German tax payer than then EU.   It is a funny old world folks. 

EU Budget - PT2

Telegraph: Reports the following from the EU Summit meeting, " ..David Cameron won German support in a row with France about his demands for more cuts in spending. ".

Lets Get Real:

This fight is a fight the PM Cameron wants, he could in 2015 go in to a general election that could also be a day to hold a referendum on the role of the UK in the EU.    If Cameron was VERY cynical he could force through a YES/NO referendum, then force the Labour Party to choose a side, the Conservatives would be for OUT, while the Labour Party would be split, it can be argued that Labour Leader Ed Miliband could not prevent Labour splits.  As Ed Mililband is pro EU, he would be forced to support the EU with UK voters, not a good idea.   Lets see if PM Cameron is that cynical, after all folks it would be democracy, the UK voter would have a final say on the role of the UK in the EU and would make sure that the Conservative Party WON the election. 

NO EU Budget Deal - EU

BBC News: Reports that EU leaders have not agreed a new EU Budget, and that the UK PM David Cameron stated that the deal on the table was not good enough. 

Lets Get Real:

That PM Cameron has fought the UK corner will go down well with the UK Conservative Party, even Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government are supporting the UK resistance.   The Labour Party has stated that the PM is alone in EU, this is bit rich when you consider that the Labour Party with Conservative rebels defeated the Government in the House Commons on the issue of an increase in the EU Budget.   It is time that the MODERN UK voter was given a vote on the issue should the UK be part of the EU.   On the whole in the subjective, the UK should be OUT, free trade with the EU YES, not run by the EU.    

Iran and Gaza

Guardian: Reports the following from Iran, " ..elite Revolutionary Guards has publicly admitted that...supplied the Islamic militant group Hamas with the knowhow to develop Fajr-5 missiles ..". 

Lets Get Real:

Thus folks this why Israel will not let go of the Gaza blockade, should Israel have to strike Iran it does not need the worry that that Gaza will turn violent again with either rockets or technology supplied from Iran, thus Israel will expect that Egypt will enforce a military blockade of Gaza, if Egypt fails expect the WAR to start again soon, this is just a temporary true that suits all sides for the MOMENT.   Iran is playing a deadly game folks, it needs Gaza and Syria up in flames, this diverts Israel while Iran gets the bomb, the Israeli Cabinet has to make sure it does not get suckered in to a war on two fronts, with Gaza and Syria, one could see Iran forcing Syria to give some of its chemical weapons to Hamas, then they hit Israel, thus forcing Israel to act, thus more time for Tehran to get the bomb and have endless pointless talks with the Oval.   That is the game of the Middle East folks. 

Israel and the Gaza Blockade

Telegraph: Reports the following on the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, " ..talks will begin to address Hamas's demand that Israel's blockade of Gaza be lifted. ".

Lets Get Real:

This is will NOT happen folks, the Israeli Cabinet with a WAR with Iran on the horizon can not afford for Tehran to re- supply its ally Hamas with longer missiles, the Israeli Intelligence service Mossad will be looking for Egypt to enforce a strict military blockade of Gaza.   The US and the West has made a long term mistake with Hamas, its is undercutting the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.  Hamas is a terrorist group that has close links to Iran, its ONE objective is to destroy Israel, this is not Northern Ireland folks, you can not deal with these people, they seen any weakness by the West as a victory for their terror tactics, they will push again and Israel will have to take action, that is the nature of the Middle East folks, weakness get you killed, go ask Gaddafi what happens when you are seen as weak and loser, a bayonet in not a nice place.   The West and even Israel might regret not taking out Hamas in the long term, but Iran has to be the main target at the moment. 

Gaza Ceasefire - Middle East

BBC News: Reports that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is holding so far after the ceasefire agreement. 

Lets Get Real:

This is temporary deal folks, Hamas have taking a beating, their leaders wanted a deal as not to get killed by Israeli strikes, while Israel got what it wanted, no more rocket attacks from Gaza for a time, the operating world is TIME folks.   This deal with breakdown in a few weeks or months, the question from a strategic point is can Israel use that time to get ready for a strike on its major enemy Iran.   This deal is a blow for Iran, it had a hopped that a Israeli ground war in Gaza would lessen the chance of an Israeli strike on Tehran, thus expect Tehran to rearm Hamas with longer missiles that can hit further in to Israel, this will move will be a try to counter any Israeli strike on Iran.   The game is not over folks, it never ends. 

Obama and the Gaza Ceasefire - Middle East

The White House: Here are the readouts of the telephone chats between POTUS and PM Netanyahu of Israel and President Morsi of Egypt.  To Israeli PM the Oval stated the following, " President Obama spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu today and reiterated his commitment to Israel’s security.

 

The President made clear that no country can be expected to tolerate rocket attacks against civilians.

 

The President expressed his appreciation for the Prime Minister’s efforts to work with the new Egyptian government to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and a more durable solution to this problem.

 

The President commended the Prime Minister for agreeing to the Egyptian ceasefire proposal – which the President recommended the Prime Minster do – while reiterating that Israel maintains the right to defend itself.

 

The President said that the United States would use the opportunity offered by a ceasefire to intensify efforts to help Israel address its security needs, especially the issue of the smuggling of weapons and explosives into Gaza.

 

The President said that he was committed to seeking additional funding for Iron Dome and other US-Israel missile defense programs. ".  Thus POTUS placed pressure on Israel to take the ceasefire, in this case it was the right move, the Israeli people do not support getting sucked in to ground war in Gaza, it would be bloody and the World Community would not support such an over reaction from their point of view, its Iran that Israel has to worry about.   That is the next major crisis folks. 

On Egypt, the Oval stated the following, " President Obama spoke to President Morsi today. The President thanked President Morsi for his efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and for his personal leadership in negotiating a ceasefire proposal.  President Morsi expressed appreciation for President Obama’s efforts in this regard. 

President Obama and President Morsi agreed on the importance of working toward a more durable solution to the situation in Gaza.

President Obama reaffirmed the close partnership between the United States and Egypt, and welcomed President Morsi's commitment to regional security.  ".  Lets recall POTUS of late would not call Egypt an ally, this is a test for the new Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, can they keep Hamas under control, prevent the ceasefire breaking down in a few months and the US and Israel pointing the finger at Egypt.   This blog is not holding its breath folks, this will not last, they never do in the Middle East. 

Obama and the Gaza Crisis

The White House: Has a readout of President Obama's telephone chats with the President Morsi of Egypt & PM Netanyahu of Israel.   POTUS stated the following, "  ..President Obama called President Morsi of Egypt. The two leaders discussed ways to de-escalate the situation in Gaza, and President Obama underscored the necessity of Hamas ending rocket fire into Israel. President Obama also offered condolences for the terrible loss of life in the recent train accident in Egypt. President Obama then called Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, and received an update on the situation in Gaza and Israel. In both calls, President Obama expressed regret for the loss of Israeli and Palestinian civilian lives, and agreed to stay in close touch with both leaders. ".

Lets Get Real: 

It shows how powerless the US is with Obama in the Oval, in many ways the Oval is a bystander, in the old days the US Secretary of State would have been on the plane, trying to calm matters, now the Oval is under attack from two fronts, the Republicans think that the Oval did a spin job on the Libyan terrorists attack, and the US is facing a financial cliff, thus in essence the Oval is impotent, Israel does not trust the Oval, with reason, while the Muslim Brotherhood is in charge in Egypt.  They have to play to the Arab Street.   The Days of Empire have gone folks. 

West Bank NEXT ? = Middle East

Telegraph Live - ME: Reports in its 6.14pm the following, " worrying reports over expanded protests in the West Bank, with hundreds of Palestinian protesters clashing with security forces .. "..

Lets Get Real:

This blog would not be surprised to find out later that Iran has had some part in the present crisis in Gaza and the developing troubles in the West Bank.   Also expect the Syrian crisis to warm up, the Tehran Regime needs to divert Israel and the West from its nuclear plans, what better way that for Israel to face conflicts on its borders.   Thus for Israel think big picture, your strategic interests, do not get sucked in to a ground War in Gaza or react to a stray rockets from Syria. 

The Israeli Paradox, Gaza or Iran

Guardian Live - ME: Reports that the Israeli Cabinet is going in to a meeting to discuss the next step with its on going strikes of Gaza. 

Lets Get Real: 

If the Israeli Cabinet can get a temporary ceasefire it should go for it, it has to think BIG PICTURE, the main threat to Israel is a nuclear armed Iran, any future War has to be between Israel and Iran.   The Israeli Cabinet should make sure it does not blow Western support with a ground game in Gaza, it is a loser, the elite media will say its over kill over images of women and children being buried.   Yes folks the objective is subjective these days.  If Egypt can get a deal with Hamas in Gaza to stop the firing of rockets then Israel should limit its actions in Gaza.   If Hamas breaks it word to Egypt, it will be down to Egypt to show that they get the fact that they have been lied too, works for Israel.    Lets see what happens folks, Israel can not tolerate constant rocket attacks, it has to end one way or another. 

Modern Warfare and Tweets

BBC News Live - ME: Has reports through tweets from both sides of the conflict in the Middle East.

Lets Get Real:

Even in the I.T 21st Century it seems odd to have tweets from the two sides in the conflict, can one see World War 1 or 2 Generals getting their mobile out to tweet on their last action, it seems its not real in less its on the Web in some form.    It would be simpler if conflicts could be decided by how many followers you had, the winner of the conflict would be the one the one with the most followers or re - tweets.     Ever since World War One the conflict has been open to the sides to create an impression for the international community, but has to say that it was the first Gulf War that created a Media War, seeing strikes up close and personnel, in real time, who can not recall the bombing of Iraq during the 1st Gulf War and the excellent coverage of CNN, those were the days for CNN.     Its a pity the sides could not have virtual War, blood and death but no real deaths, the best gamer wins, laugh now folks, but you never know what is around the corner. 

Petraeus on the Hill

CNN - Politics: Reports that General Petraeus, the former CIA Director has stated that the attack on the US  Libyan Consulate was committed by Al Qaeda linked terrorists. 

Lets Get Real:

Thus folks General Petraeus has told two different stories to Congress as to who was behind the attack on the US Consulate in Libya, after the attack it was down to a vile video, of course that was during the US Presidential Election, the Oval would not want the story out that Al Qaeda is still around, after making a show and dance  that it was dead at the Democratic National Convention,  after the election it was terrorists.     THE TRUTH!.  One does not have to be a Time Lord to work out that the Oval and his political staff made sure that the message was that the deaths in Libya were down to a video, lets be honest here folks, the Oval has a ego problem, its gets people killed.   The President as of now has still not given the US voter a time line of what he did on 9/11 2012, we do know that he went on trips to raise money for his Campaign, not what he did to save four brave Americans.   The President stated that those that are critical of his UN Ambassador should come after him, well the Hill or the House to be precise should ask that the Oval come to the Hill under Oath and tell the US public what happened on 9/11 2012, why would the Oval refuse, what is it hiding, of course POTUS will not turn up, that kind of ego is up there with Nixon. 

Petraeus SEX Scandal - The White House Angle

Telegraph: Reports that Jill Kelley the woman that started the Petraeus sex scandal with her complaint to the FBI has visited the Obama White House 3 times. 

Lets Get Real:

The Oval might be great on the Campaign trail but its lousy on Government, the best way to strike up more conspiracy talk is to release this kind of information on a Friday, its a common White House tactic, when in trouble to release tons of stuff on a Friday, with the hope that a nugget like this will not get picked up, YES it will be, the media will be searching for any pics of Jill Kelley at the White House. The visits did not include the President or the VP.  One thinks that the French have the right view on consenting adult  sex scandals, its none of our business, how ever out there the characters.   Thus far nothing illegal has come out, no State secrets were given by CIA Director Petraeus to his girlfriend, Paula Broadwell,   Jill Kelley and her friendships with US Generals has gotten her clearance suspended  from the local Army base,  in less something more comes out folks this blog will not cover this subject again, all the characters have paid a price for their actions, no illegal act has been found, just people being people. 

June Days 2013 - Crisis Point Iran

Guardian: Reports the following on the findings of the UN's IAEA, " At the current steady rate of production, that would bring Iran to the Israeli red line by mid-June...or – as western diplomats hope – strike a deal, exchanging 20% uranium for sanctions relief, and thus defuse the crisis. ".

Lets Get Real: 

Thus as in the July days of 1914 the World awaits the line in the sand of June 2013, the liberal NYT had a story a few weeks ago that Iran was waiting for the US Election before starting one to one talks with the Oval.    Of course Iran wants talks, they are playing for time, they know that President Obama is a ego maniac, who else would take the Nobel Prize for Peace for just turning up.   They are playing a complex but simple game, get the Oval in to endless talks, promise just enough that Oval keeps pressure on Israel not to attack, then on one sunny day show the world that they are a nuclear armed power.  It is simple to understand why President Obama wants to cut a deal at any price, he reads his own press statements, thus thinks his words have reality, YES folks he is that far gone.   Once Iran gets the bomb the Israel will have to act, the Oval will be forced by events to carry out a 2nd strike on Iran to make sure Iran does not get the bomb and to prevent Iran cutting off the fuel supply for the West through the Gulf.   The regime in Tehran has nothing to lose, its economy through UN sanctions is heading for the floor, the Regime is facing growing discontent from the young, they know that the only way for the Regime to go is for it to go nuclear.  They see the lesson of Libya, Gaddafi game up his WMD's and got a sword up the backside for his only good deed of his life.   Thus the Tehran Regime does not want to be hanging from the nearest Yardarm, thus they will go nuclear folks, Israel has to hit hard with their first strike and then shame the Oval in to taking action, also the Israeli Government should get the US Congress to place pressure on the Oval to support an early strike on Iran. 

The Israeli RED Line - Iran

BBC News: Reports that UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that it can not conclude that Iran's nuclear plans are peaceful. 

Lets Get Real: 

As the article notes Iran is in a position to double  its uranium output, thus on its way to getting the bomb.  This is why Israel should be careful of taking any action in Gaza or Syria, the Israeli Cabinet has to look at the big picture, the major league threat to Israel is a nuclear armed Iran.   It can be postulated that Iran wants Israel to get sucked in to a ground war in Gaza, or even better still from their point of view a War with Syria.   The attention of the West would be drawn to such conflict, and then Iran could get on with its plan to become the 2nd Middle East power to be nuclear armed, the 1st is Israel.    The Israeli leadership faces tough choices, he can not get suckered in to a ground War in Gaza, they could be there for months, even years.    BIG PICTURE ISRAEL, the THREAT IS IRAN. 

Is Israel going to War ? - Middle East

Telegraph: Reports the latest developments from Israel, " Israel has mobilised troops to its border with Gaza after rockets fired from the territory came close to hitting its commercial capital, Tel Aviv. "

Lets Get Real: 

Israel has to LOOK at the big picture, the main threat to Israel is Iran, a nuclear armed Iran at that, Gaza is a bad case of gout, a pain, while Iran could be a heart attack.    The Oval might think it would be a good idea for Israel to attack Gaza, if they are at War on that front or with Syria they cant be attacking Iran.   The Oval is that cynical folks.   Thus Israel should stay its hand, deal with Iran first, IRAN is the major threat, any border WARS are small fry, and only help IRAN with time to develop the BOMB.   Lets hope there a clever and cooler heads in Israel, a ground attack on Gaza would be a military and political mistake at present. 

Israeli Land Invasion of Gaza ? - Latest from Middle East

Guardian Live - ME: Reports in its 7.19pm post that Israel could be about to invade Gaza.

Lets Get Real: 

THIS would be a mistake by Israel, the main stream media will go bonkers, the tone of the reporting will be that Israel has over reacted again, and the Oval will go bonkers, but that does not take much these days.    Israel should use Mossad for more covert actions, any overt military invasion would not help Israel in the long term, just more deaths on both sides.    It can be argued that Israel has made its point, time for more talking and less blood, otherwise more deaths that have no meaning, just death for the sake of death. 

Hillary Clinton on the Hill - Libyagate

BBC News: Reports that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will go before  House Committee once the State Department has done its own internal review of the events in Libya. 

Lets Get Real:

This is a minefield for Secretary Clinton, she does not want to throw Oval under the bus, but she also wants a political career after she leaves as Secretary of State.  If Mrs Clinton is found at fault for the deaths in Libya then there is NO chance of her running in 2016.   The Republicans would tear her to shreds on national security.  One can assume that former President Bill Clinton will be helping her with her brief, making sure that she dot not get the blame, but also making sure that she does not leave the impression that it was down to the Oval.   This could be tricky for the Clintons. 

Obama and Israel - Latest Middle East Conflict

The White House: Here is a transcript of President Obama's telephone conversations with the leaders of Israel and Egypt.   " Today, the President spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Morsi about the rocket attacks being launched from Gaza into Israel, and the escalating violence in Gaza. 

The President reiterated to Prime Minister Netanyahu the United States’ support for Israel’s right to self-defense in light of the barrage of rocket attacks being launched from Gaza against Israeli civilians.  The President urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to make every effort to avoid civilian casualties.  The two agreed that Hamas needs to stop its attacks on Israel to allow the situation to de-escalate.  The two leaders agreed to stay in close touch in the coming days.  Earlier today, Vice President Biden received a briefing from Prime Minister Netanyahu on the events in Gaza.

The President also spoke with President Morsi given Egypt’s central role in preserving regional security.  In their conversation, President Obama condemned the rocket fire from Gaza into Israel and reiterated Israel’s right to self-defense.  The two leaders agreed on the importance of working to de-escalate the situation as quickly as possible and agreed to stay in close touch in the days ahead. ".

Lets Get Real: 

A Middle East War is about to happen, and Obama has his joke VP on the phone to Israel.  This shows how icy the relationship is between the US and Israel.   What is odd about this statement is the comment that President Morsi of Egypt has a central role in preserving regional peace, the same leader that POTUS refused to call an ally.   One of the threats to Middle East peace is the Muslim Brotherhood, the Obama Administration should be looking for liberal or secular allies in Egypt, not building up Muslim Brotherhood Morsi.   If you are an Israeli you have to get the fact that POTUS does not have your back, you use Biden, why not slap Israel, if that is the level of respect you have for Israel. 

Libyagate = Watergate ? Petraeus P5

Telegraph: Reports that the alleged women in the Petraeus SEX scandal have gotten lawyers. 

Lets Get Real:

It seems odd to this blog that these women are getting the lawyers in, there something in this story folks, has a smell, from the alleged black ops in Libya, to the alleged affairs of General Petraeus.    It could be in this modern age that when a scandal breaks you need a lawyer, but this is not your typical Washington D.C sex scandal.   Lets see were this goes folks, there something not quite right, JUST SOMETHING. 

CIA Rejects Insurgents Claim - Libyagate P4

Guardian: Reports the CIA reaction to the claim that it was holding Libyan insurgents in Libya at the time of the attack on the US Consulate, the article notes the following, " ..dismissed as "baseless" and "uninformed" claims made by the former lover of ex-agency chief.. ". 

Lets Get Real: 

That folks is not quite a denial, uninformed can mean a lot of things, this blog is a hawk on national security, so on the whole does not have a problem with off the grid jail cells for terrorists, or even torture, but this is the Sainted Obama in the view of the uber liberal main stream media, lets see was the Oval informed before the shock resignation, if so why the Oval not inform the Congress, if not informed a breakdown of the system.  The FBI doing a investigation of the CIA Director should have gotten up the food chain, someone in the White House should have been informed.   If this was Bush 43 the main stream media would be demanding a major press conference, so far they have been very quiet.   Lets see what the Congress digs up, lets hope they are doing their job.   If this rouge operation happened there needs to be questions, if it had a green light from the Oval, even more questions.   This does have the smell of Watergate folks. 

A COVER UP of a COVER UP - Petraeus Scandal P3

BBC News: Reports that the girlfriend of General Petraeus stated in a speech that Libyan insurgents were being held by the CIA before the attack on the US Consulate in Libya. 

Lets Get Real:

Thus folks the resignation of General Petraeus might be a faint, the 1st Obama Administration banned off the books holding of terrorists, so either the CIA was going rouge in Libya or the Oval was being economic with the truth.   It is hard to fathom that the CIA after the election of Obama in 2008 would go off the grid with suspected terrorists.  The video spin after the attack on the Consulate could have been an attempt to cover up a CIA black ops, thus did the CIA station Chief know about this action, was this given the green light by the Oval.    This story just might be more than a sex scandal folks, the scandal might have been a faint, the hope that the uber liberal main stream media would cover for the Oval.   That could be a mistake folks, the main stream media have gotten Obama a 2nd term, they have nothing to lose NOW, they can go after him, he is out in four years.   Also its a sex scandal folks, the CIA Director, an attractive and intelligent girlfriend and the suspected cover up of a illegal CIA operation.   Even the liberal media will have to cover this story folks, otherwise they just might as well give up reporting, they can not have another Edwards case.  This is the kind of story that makes reporting interesting and fun.   That is the TRUTH folks. 

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has announced the name of the UK Soldier that was killed on Remembrance Sunday, the Soldier was " Captain Walter Reid Barrie from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS)  ".  Our thoughts are with the family of Captain Barrie. 

Speaker Boehner and the Republican House

The New York Times: Reports the following facing Republican Speaker Boehner when it comes to the up coming  economic cliff, " ..must decide whether he wants to seal his role as an essential player in a grand plan to restructure the nation’s fiscal condition, or continue the status quo of the very gridlock voters appear to detest. ". 

Lets Get Real:

This is commentary folks, the uber liberal NYT just wants to raise taxes, what the voter did on Election day was keep the present gridlock in place,  the Obama Coattails did not make the Democrats the majority party in the House, without the House no grand deal.   Any economic recession from the US going over the cliff would be a Obama recession, the voters that elected POTUS for a 2nd term as not the same voters that voted to keep the Republican House.   Lets be clear President Obama go re-elected on a narrow margin when looking back to 2008.   The US is split, the Oval could appeal on the TV and the new media for public support for tax hikes, but that group are not Republican primary voters, and they tend not to vote in Mid Terms, thus the reason that the Republicans took the House in 2010.   The Republican members of the House face re-election in 2014, they tend to be in safe seats, thus the main threat is in the primary, thus they have to keep their party base happy, that base has no interest in tax hikes, also the Speaker wants to keep his job as Speaker, thus he has to keep members on board.   The White House will find as other 2nd term Presidents have found their power wanes faster than they thought, the Democrats and Republicans will get getting ready for 2014 and 2016 and the Obama will not be on the ticket. That might be the hardest lesson that Obama learns in the Oval, that he does not matter, none of them like that, that is the bubble of the Oval. 

Petraeus SEX Scandal - P2

Guardian: Reports the following on the Petraeus scandal and its effect in Washington D.C, " ..drip-feed of details concerning his clandestine affair mixes with serious questions over the timing of the resignation. ".

Lets Get Real:

That the FBI would investigate the Director of the CIA is no great surprise, these two Government Agencies can not stand each other, one has to ask does the General not know that the Director Hoover of the FBI blackmailed the Kennedy's so he could bug leading leaders of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s.   Also the great TV mini series of the 1970s Washington Behind Closed Doors had a director with a mistress, also dealt with national security concerns, as the article notes the General was up for a Congressional grilling over Libyagate.  If the General is forced to attend these hearings he might decide to throw the Oval under the bus, he has nothing to lose.    The Oval should be worried folks, the General might think its better to throw the Oval under the bus than take any more rebukes, he has nothing to lose, a ex Director of CIA in the Cold should really worry the 2nd term Obama Administration. 

Petraeus SEX Scandal

Telegraph: Reports on the background to sex scandal that bought down General Petraeus, the hero of Iraq and Director of the CIA. 

Lets Get Real:

This blog has no interest in personal scandals, but the reader if he or she wants to can click the link.   This blog supports the statement of the Oval, " David Petraeus has provided extraordinary service to the United States for decades. By any measure, he was one of the outstanding General officers of his generation, helping our military adapt to new challenges, and leading our men and women in uniform through a remarkable period of service in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he helped our nation put those wars on a path to a responsible end. As Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, he has continued to serve with characteristic intellectual rigor, dedication, and patriotism. By any measure, through his lifetime of service David Petraeus has made our country safer and stronger.

Today, I accepted his resignation as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. I am completely confident that the CIA will continue to thrive and carry out its essential mission, and I have the utmost confidence in Acting Director Michael Morell and the men and women of the CIA who work every day to keep our nation safe. Going forward, my thoughts and prayers are with Dave and Holly Petraeus, who has done so much to help military families through her own work. I wish them the very best at this difficult time.  "  In less there is a national security aspect to this scandal lets hope the press leave the General alone, one can say that he has earned that, we all mess up, even heroes. 

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that a UK Soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the Soldier was from the " The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland ".   Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 438 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 395 in combat/hostile action, while 43 have died due to illness, accidents or other incidents. 

Lame Duck Obama - 2nd Obama Term

Guardian: Reports the following on the second Obama Administration, " Historically, they have been more troubled than first terms, achieving less and seeing presidential authority beginning to leak away almost as soon they win re-election.  ".

Lets Get Real:

Even the left wing Guardian gets the fact that in political terms the 2nd Obama Term has a limited self life, lets look at this pattern, Nixon after a big win 1972 had Watergate on his plate, after winning 49 States, 59% of the vote and 525 electoral votes the great Reagan had Iran - Contra to deal with at the end of 1986, while Bill Clinton had his Cuban Cigar problem that wrecked his domestic agenda, as he needed Democrats on the Hill to prevent getting thrown out of office. Bush 43 had Iraq and the near death of the US and World banking system.   Thus lets take the TARDIS and look at what could face POTUS in his 2nd term, as stated we have the financial cliff, then we have Iran, this folks could the crisis that destroys a 2nd Obama term.  Lets postulate that Israel decides that Obama is trying to sell them down the river, they strike Iran, the Oval has a choice, not really, the Israeli Lobby will make sure that the Congress, Republicans and Democrats support such move, any real candidate for 2016 will support Israel, in other words the Oval will have no choice, it will have to support Israel and follow on with US strikes to finish the job.    The liberal left would lose it, one can see the cries of anger on the uber NYT web site even now, EVENTS, EVENTS and EVENTS folks.  What if Assad of Syria uses chemical weapons on his people, he might think that he can roll Obama, would he be wrong. The US voter does not want any more Middle East Wars after Libya and the death of their Ambassador.  Thus Iran and Syria could break Obama. 

No to TAX HIKES - Speaker Boehner

BBC News: Reports that Republican House Speaker John Boehner has rejected the idea of tax hikes coming out of the Oval.

Lets Get Real: 

Even if the Speaker wanted to deal on tax hikes he could not get his members to go along, lets recall House members do not have term limits, thus they have to look over their shoulder at the next election, they have no interest in agreeing to any Obama idea if it effects 2014.   That is the simple brutal truth.  The Speaker will not raise taxes, and this blog has doubts that even the Democratic Senate would agree to tax hikes at the level the President wants, that cliff will have Obama's attached to it should the US go over it, thus the Oval might have won re-election but it did so with a lower margin than in 2008, the Obama coattails did not help the Democrats take the House, and the House can cut off Obama at the knees when it comes to his domestic agenda, thus two to four more years of gridlock with the US heading the path of Rome and the British Empire, ah those Reagan/Thatcher years look great now folks. 

Obama.2 and Congress

The White House: Transcript of President Obama's remarks on the economic cliff facing the US, the President stated the following, " I’ve invited leaders of both parties to the White House next week, so we can start to build consensus around the challenges that we can only solve together. And I also intend to bring in business and labor and civic leaders from all across the country here to Washington to get their ideas and input as well...  "   ( Good ) " That’s the focus of the plan I talked about during the campaign. (Applause.)  It’s a plan to reward small businesses and manufacturers that create jobs here, not overseas.  It’s a plan to give people the chance to get the education and training that businesses are looking for right now.  It’s a plan to make sure this country is a global leader in research and technology and clean energy, which will attract new companies and high-wage jobs to America.  It’s a plan to put folks back to work, including our veterans, rebuilding our roads and our bridges, and other infrastructure.  And it’s a plan to reduce our deficit in a balanced and responsible way.  " ( The President is still on the Campaign trail, bad for talks ) " Our work is made that much more urgent because at the end of this year, we face a series of deadlines that require us to make major decisions about how to pay our deficit down -- decisions that will have a huge impact on the economy and the middle class, both now and in the future.  Last year, I worked with Democrats and Republicans to cut a trillion dollars’ worth of spending that we just couldn’t afford.  I intend to work with both parties to do more -- and that includes making reforms that will bring down the cost of health care so we can strengthen programs like Medicaid and Medicare for the long haul.  " ( The President gets the fact that there has to be a deal!, that's nice ) " But as I’ve said before, we can’t just cut our way to prosperity.  If we’re serious about reducing the deficit, we have to combine spending cuts with revenue -- and that means asking the wealthiest Americans to pay a little more in taxes.  (Applause.)  That’s how we did it in the 1990s, when Bill Clinton was President.  That’s how we can reduce the deficit while still making the investments we need to build a strong middle class and a strong economy.  That’s the only way we can still afford to train our workers, or help our kids pay for college, or make sure that good jobs in clean energy or high-tech manufacturing don’t end up in countries like China.   Now, already, I’ve put forward a detailed plan that allows us to make these investments while reducing our deficit by $4 trillion over the next decade.  I want to be clear -- I’m not wedded to every detail of my plan.  I’m open to compromise.  I’m open to new ideas.  I’m committed to solving our fiscal challenges.  But I refuse to accept any approach that isn’t balanced.  I am not going to ask students and seniors and middle-class families to pay down the entire deficit while people like me, making over $250,000, aren’t asked to pay a dime more in taxes.  I'm not going to do that.  (Applause.) " ( Does POTUS really understand the US election cycle, in some respects he has a VERY narrow  window for a deal, the Republicans can JUST SAY NO to tax hikes, the US goes over a clliff, and Obama gets a Obama Recession.  The next election is in 2014, and the Republicans and their Super Pacs will make sure that the blame for the recession lands on the Oval.   The Oval has to get the fact that he is not on the ticket in 2014 or 2016, and Biden is a joke as the next President. ) 

The Democrats in the House and the Senate have to run in 2014 and 2016, the Obama voters did not come out in 2010, thus the reason that Obama lost the House, as leaders go on, as with 2nd term Presidents they lose support, thus the Oval might find that Democrats will be quite happy to run against Obama as Republicans.  This is why Presidents move to foreign affairs in their 2nd terms, they are on the whole dead on the Hill, Reagan in 1986 was different he got tax reform through, but that is the exception folks, 2nd term agendas go like the dodo and fast, that is US politics. 

POTUS & Taxes

Lets Get Real:

The election is over folks, and of course its not, the Oval thinks it has a mandate for tax hikes and the Republican House was re-elected to block any such tax hikes.   The issue will define the Obama 2nd term.   In the 80's President Reagan struck important domestic deals with a very Democratic House.   Lets see if Obama.2 can be LBJ/Reagan and work with the Opposition.   Lets get to the politics, President Obama has a few months on the domestic agenda, after that he does not matter, the House will be seeking re-election in 2014, the Republican Districts are not going re-elect a House member that deals with Obama over tax hikes.   The left will have to take hard cuts in the welfare state, that will be hard for the liberal left and NYT.    Lets see if the US Government can work, or is it down the path of Roman and the British Empire, destroyed from within, and with a currency that is debased, that become worthless.   Lets see who leads folks. 

The US and the Economic Cliff - Post 2012 Race

Guardian: Reports on what could happen should the Oval and the Hill fail to get a deal on tax hikes and welfare cuts, the article notes the following, " The fear is that demand in the US would collapse, unemployment would head back towards 10%.... ".

Lets Get Real: 

Thus folks the Oval does not really have time to celebrate, if these talks do not work then a 2nd Obama term would be a nightmare even before it started, the whole US political system would have been seen to fail.    The Oval has to be careful, it should not try to strong arm the Republicans, Speaker Boehner has a very conservative group, they have been elected just like POTUS, and they face election in 2014.  They might not be in the mood to deal, on the other hand the Democratic base will go up the wall should POTUS agree to major welfare cuts, they just want tax hikes.  Lets see who blinks first, its a game folks, but a game that could destroy the US economic system.   Things are going to get serious folks. 

The END of EX - Speaker Pelosi ? - 2012 Result

The New York Times: Reports that the Democratic Leader in the House ex - Speaker Pelosi could be facing the chop, the article notes the following, " The poor showing is likely to result in new questions about whether Ms. Pelosi will remain her party’s leader in the House. ".

Lets Get Real: 

The above folks is the last line in the article, one would expect it at the start, the start of the article is a partisan attack on the Republicans, they used the Democratic system and the law of the land to make sure they did not lose the House, they tone of the article is well off base, it sounds like the Democrats thought they would win the House, beyond the uber LIBERAL New York Times one has doubts that any political expert thought the Dems had a chance, not with the uber liberal Speaker Pelosi as their leader.    In essence the two political parties have spent billions that has resulted in no change from yesterday.   One has to ask is money corrupting the US political system, what is the point of spending billions with no result.  But that is the law and Democracy folks, that the fun of the Democratic system.  

Taxes and the Welfare State

The Hill: Reports that Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner will call for the sides to come together     as " to find some agreement to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff — a combination of tax hikes and spending cuts that are scheduled for 2013. ".

Lets Get Real:

This is why US Presidents on the whole move to foreign policy in their 2nd terms, Republican or Democrat, as the 2nd term goes the Oval might as well be a political dodo, Obama is good for Obama, there is a question if he is good for other Democratic Candidates.   The House can just say NO to Obama, its a risk, but they have the power to kill any Obama Agenda before it moves, the OVAL can go on the TV, but half the Country did not vote for him, and they made sure the House was in the hands of the Republicans.    By 2014, and its not that far away the Oval might be on the sea bed when it comes to the polls, that is the historical patter, Republicans will be stating that they stopped any Obama Agenda, while Democrats will be running away from the Oval, the Obama support does not seem transferable to other Democratic Candidates.   Thus can Obama deal, so far he has shown that he is not that good at it, he is no LBJ or Reagan.  If he wants tax hikes he has to agree to welfare cuts, and not just small stuff, the major welfare areas that is sending the US down the road of Greece.   That would take political courage, as the Democrats can only promise welfare, thus lets see if the Oval has grown in office.