The NYT Living in the PAST - Obama's America

The New York Times: Has the following editorial on the revoking of section 4 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the article states the following, " What is needed now is a new coalition — as loud and as angry as the voices of 1965 — to demand that Republican lawmakers join Democrats in restoring fairness to the election system.  ".

Lets Get Real:

This is the problem with the liberal left NYT, its living in its glory days of the 1960s, it has not moved on, nothing is forever, the US Supreme Court has moved with the times, thus their ruling in support of gay rights, this was the right move in a morale and political sense, the Voting Rights Act is still in force, it has not been overturned, just now the South will not be treated as a special case, having to cap in hand to the Federal Government EVERY time it wants to change election law, as it has been noted, in many Southern States, the African American vote is higher than the white vote, times changes ALL things folks, it is sad folks that the left can not see that in essence the 1960s IS OVER, there is an African - American President and Attorney General, the great Civil Rights Acts of the 1960s have achieved their gaols, it is time to look at the character of someone and what they do, NOT their colour, Liberals were right to have that fight, but its over, there are other fights out there folks, poor people, people without jobs, people with severe disabilities need people to give them hope, that they are not the forgotten PEOPLE of the US, time for Liberals to grow UP and so NYT. 

NSA Leaks - 2nd Term Blues

Telegraph: Reports the latest on the Edward Snowden leaks, " The US has reportedly been bugging EU offices in Washington and New York, in the latest in a series of revelations about alleged US spy programs.  ".

Lets Get Real:

So one wonders how the EU will react to the remarks by the new US National Security Advisor Susan Rice that the NSA leaks are not serious, this blog would bug the EU ALL DAY AND NIGHT, just for a laugh really folks, but at least this blog is open to the idea, but the most import part is that you DO NOT GET CAUGHT, and you do not give security clearance to a traitor that will blow the whistle on the operation.    The Obama mass support in the EU has long gone folks, this will not help with the European elite or the populations of the EU, the EU might not be popular but they represent Europe, from Ministers to MEPs, the NSA if there is no terrorist link should keep their nose out, the EU might be a threat to European Democracy, but its the concern of the population of the EU not the one man in the Oval. 

Rice Makes Another Mistake - 2nd Term Blues

Guardian: Reports the following remarks by the new Obama National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Ms Rice stated the following, " says diplomatic consequences of NSA leaks are not that significant  ".

Lets Get Real: 

This is the 2nd foul up by Ambassador Rice, she either lied or was clueless about the  terrorist attack on the US Consulate in Libya, now she dismisses China and Russia saying GET LOST to the US President over the Edward Snowden, both Obama and Rice of late have treated the traitor Snowden as if he had taken his dog out with a bin bag,  from State to Defence we have been warned that the action of the Traitor Snowden has damaged US national security and we have this kind rubbish out of Obama and Rice, no wonder China and Russia are not afraid of POTUS, that is the problem when your up your own ego, you start to think your press statements are the truth.   The Congress is not afraid of Obama, now the World understands what those on the right have been saying for years, Obama is a Jimmy Carter with charisma, he also happens to be windbag, his Berlin Speech showed the magic has gone, he was no JFK or Reagan, Obama reminds this blog of a silent film star, when talkies came the spin failed after a time, and the voice did not appeal, and without the appeal of the voice any US President is a lame duck, for Obama its worse, there is no there there with Obama, there never was folks. 

Labour/Liberal Democrats vs EU Vote

BBC News: Reports that the Liberal Democrats in  the Coalition Government will not take part as will Labour in the next reading of the EU Vote private members Bill. 

Lets Get Real: 

The Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats have to be careful that they do not place themselves in a impossible position, the Labour Party can not be sure how many Labour MPs would support the Bill on its third reading, or even vote in the Commons for the Bill.   The idea that is just the Conservative Party that has a problem with the EU is a BIG MISTAKE, a small minority of Labour MPs are also very negative about the EU, also a healthy does of Labour supporters are very anti Europe.   The Labour Party can not go in to the 2015 Election with the idea that they can deny the EU vote to voters, it would give the impression that the Labour leadership is out of touch with its own MPs and its voters and more generally with the UK voter.   There is the idea within the elite that this Bill will die due to the fact that its a Private Members Bill, this blog doubts, the more the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats wait the more they might be forced in to saying YES to a vote, politics is an ART folks not a science. 

The Republican House and Immigration - 2nd Term Blues

CNN - Politics: Reports on the prospects of the Republican House passing the Senate Immigration Bill, the article notes the following, " ..top Republicans in the House are calling the Senate bill a nonstarter. House Speaker John Boehner on Thursday reiterated his position that the House would not vote on the Senate immigration bill.  ".

Lets Get Real:

The House Republicans need the base to come out in 2014 folks, the base wants border security first, the Senate and some Senators want the Republican Party to have a chance of winning the Oval in 2017, thus the need to get immigration of the table.   It could be argued that this could be a win win for Republicans, the House rejects the Senate Bill but then the Republican Nominee states that the 1st thing out of his or her Oval will be a new Immigration Bill that deals with the concern of the base, as the old saying goes, only Nixon could go to China.   The Democratic controlled Senate is not trusted by the base, the Republicans retook the House because there was a demand within the Country to STOP the Obama Agenda.    This Senate Bill is part of the Obama Agenda, it can be argued that Reagan would have supported this Bill, so lets see how the Republican leadership deal with this topical Bill. 

Obama and Syria - Syrian Update

Telegraph: Reports the following from Syria, " The United States plans to start supplying arms directly to Syrian rebels within a month, US officials said, as it emerged that the CIA has begun shipping weapons to a secret network of warehouses in neighbouring Jordan. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus folks after the Oval said NO to State, Defence and the CIA in the 1st Obama Administration when it came to arming the Syrian the rebels, the Oval has finally taken action, the question is it not much to late, the increase of arms to secular Western supporting rebels should increase support for Western supported rebels, but then we have to take in account that Iran and Russia will also increase their arms to the Assad Regime.   Thus check mate folks, thus the need for a no fly zone, and for a buffer zone within inside Syria for the rebels and the refugees, the Kingdom of Jordan is being bought to its knees by the refugees from Syria, Lebanon is returning to its Civil War, while Iraq which had gone quite after the Bush surge is returning its Civil War.   Also Iran is using the Iraqi Air Space to transfer arms to Assad, thus the recent success of the Assad in taking parts of Syria back from the rebels.  Lets see how much the external players are willing to risk folks, we have a proxy Wars on different levels, War between Sunni and Shia, between the US and Iran, and the US and Russia.   The rebels to gain Western support have to take out the Al Qaeda terrorists in Syria, then the Assad Regime or the other way around, while all this is going on Israel will be watching in case terrorists get their hands on weapons of mass destruction.  Tense months ahead folks. 

Ecuador vs. Obama's Oval

Guardian: Reports that Ecuador the suppose destination of Edward Snowden has as the article notes, " ...renounces Andean Trade Preference Act even as Snowden's prospects of reaching Ecuador from Moscow dimmed ".

Lets Get Real:

This what happens folks when an informal Empire is on the slide, the US has a 16 trillion debt, there is a stark differences between the lives of the rich and main street, on Wall Street there having a Party, while Mine Street can barely pay its bills by the end of the week.    The US in voting for Obama in 2008 wanted to be liked around the World, well after the Berlin Speech the love has gone, it tends to happen when non US Citizens find that they have been spied on by the US NSA and in the UK its cousin.   The Obama Era failed to live up to expectations folks, its better to under promise and achieve more than over achieve and under deliver, the War in Afghanistan is still going on, the Arab Spring has been a disaster, in Syria the most effective rebels are Al Qaeda franchise groups, it has been reported of late that a hundred thousand Syrians have been killed in the Syrian Civil War.   The chance of Israel taking military action against Iran is growing month by month, the time frame for action is getting closer folks, Iran within a few months will have the bomb, and US/Israel will not be able to act, the above folks is why Obama is seen as weak, and therefore End of Empires comes to all folks. 

Obama and Edward Snowden - 2nd Term Blues

BBC News: Reports that President Obama has admitted that he has not phoned the Presidents of China and Russia when it comes to the US Traitor Edward Snowden. 

Lets Get Real: 

The folks the reason the Oval has not phoned Russia or China is the fact that these two Countries have Obama's number, it is called weakness, these Countries are having a field day in putting two fingers in to the eyes of the Oval.   At a news conference in Africa, President Obama stated that he would not send planes to get Edward Snowden, this is typical of the Oval, Snowden now knows that he can get on a plane to Cuba and the US Air Force will not try to divert the plane.  In the mid 80s President Reagan sent the US Air Force to divert terrorists to Italy after they had killed a US Citizen and had taken flight.   Thus the weakness of the Oval, no one is afraid of the Oval, after the Berlin speech the Obama " STAR SHOW " is over, thus you have a weak President at home and a President who is not loved or feared at abroad.  One does wish for the 80s folks. 

Forcing the Disable to Work - UK Job Centres

A shocking story was told me folks, a source who has OCD, (Obsessive Compulsion Disorder), the poor chap washes nearly everything he touches at home and then washes his hands through out the day was told by the his local job centre that one was option was to send him to be a cleaner, this blog is tough folks, but you should have seen his hands and arms, like three degree burns, you would have to be a blind as a bat or a Job Centre Official who has never gotten from behind the desk.   Thus the Job Centre is forcing this poor chap to see a Doctor, this source is clever folks, almost up to the standard of this blogger, the poor chap was told that his professional career did not matter, thus if your a teacher or have an  administrative background the Job Centre will treat you like dirt, this poor chap was told it was not their concern if they had not managed over the years to find him a job.   Folks this blog is tough on the welfare state, but there should be human compassion, if you treat those who have a real disability in such a Germanic way then you lose support, time for compassion folks, and for those that work in Job Centres to get from behind the desk and be forced to apply for jobs for a week, and only get benefit of their lowest client, also with their CV, lets see then how far the jump to correct their inhuman manner and approach to a client. 

Senate vs House - Voting Rights Act 1965

CNN - Politics: Reports that Senate Democrats want to pass a new section 4 for the 1965 Voting Rights, but as the article notes, " Republicans – many of whom have expressed opposition to the pre-clearance provision in the Voting Rights Act - control the House of Representatives. With the formula deemed unconstitutional by the court, it appears unlikely the House would pass any measure that re-allows the federal government to oversee local voting laws.  ".

Lets Get Real:

The elite media will blame the Republican folks, but lets get real here, its 2013 not 1965, the South is not the racist South of the 1960s, last time this blog looked, there is a African - American President and Attorney General, the Democrats and African - American political groups have to move with the times, yes there is racism, but there is racism everywhere, not just in the Southern States, and its the Southern States that have to cap in hand to the US Government to change even minor aspects of electoral law, thing change folks.  This blog has had concerns for some time that some African - American groups are more interested in the past and not the future, one would think that these groups would want more African - Americans to get good jobs, for the African - American family to be more stable, for there to be less African - Americans in prison, these are the issues that should be tackled, the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s was needed, and it WON, as it should, but this NOW, if you live in the past you get buried in the past, US voters , what ever their ethnic background want a good life, good economy, good jobs, those are the pressing concerns, not an Act that did it job, it was successful, it should not be used as a political weapon by the Democrats and the elite media, you can see the race card being used folks, if you think the US Supreme Court was right, you are racist, have no understanding of African Americans, you can not have a different view and be right and white, its the truth folks, and this blog is tired of the BS, you judge people by their character and the content of that character, lets allow the US to be ONE people, let colour no longer be a issue or even a subject worthy of discussion. 

Obama and the 1965 Voting Rights Act - Civil Rights

The White House: Has released the following statement by POTUS on the revoking of section 4 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, " I am deeply disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision today.  For nearly 50 years, the Voting Rights Act – enacted and repeatedly renewed by wide bipartisan majorities in Congress – has helped secure the right to vote for millions of Americans.  Today’s decision invalidating one of its core provisions upsets decades of well-established practices that help make sure voting is fair, especially in places where voting discrimination has been historically prevalent.  As a nation, we’ve made a great deal of progress towards guaranteeing every American the right to vote.  But, as the Supreme Court recognized, voting discrimination still exists.    And while today’s decision is a setback, it doesn’t represent the end of our efforts to end voting discrimination.  I am calling on Congress to pass legislation to ensure every American has equal access to the polls.  My Administration will continue to do everything in its power to ensure a fair and equal voting process. ".

Lets Get Real:

This is tricky for President Obama, he is the 1st African - American President, and one of the major Acts of the 1960s Civil Rights movement has been gutted, section 4 set out the conditions for section 5 that stated that on the whole Southern States would need Federal okay to change voting rules, by revoking section 4 the US Supreme Court has in effect revoked section 5, there is not great pressure on Republicans to give Democrats anything, the South of 21th Century is not the racist South of the 1960s, how ever much the Democrats want to go on about the subject, in fact in some States more African Americans are registered to vote that whites, thus in many respects the Act is dated, and the US Supreme Court has had the courage to revoke an out of date Act.   Lets see the political results if any, this blog has reservations, but lets see what happens, the South is not suddenly going to go back to being racist, things change folks, those that live in the past do not see future and in many respects do not want to see, they are blind by their own negative background. 

Reagan and the 1965 Voting Rights Act - Reagan Era

Lets see what President Reagan thought of Section 4 of the 1965 Act, in a letter to his Attorney General in 1981 the President stated the following, " I am sensitive to the controversy which has attached itself to some of the Act's provisions, in particular those provisions which impose burdens unequally upon different parts of the nation. But I am sensitive also to the fact that the spirit of the Act marks this nation's commitment to full equality for all Americans, regardless of race, color, or national origin. Because my Administration intends to maintain that commitment, the question before us in the months ahead will not be whether the rights which the Act seeks to protect are worthy of protection, but whether the Act continues to be the most appropriate means of guaranteeing those rights. ".*  Thus the above can be read two ways, 1.  Reagan would not have approved the move by the US Supreme Court to revoke section 4, 2. Reagan would have understood with the passing of time the context of the US had changed, the Act did not take that in to account, when the Act was granted an extension in 1982 the President stated the following in a Statement, " Voting is one of the most cherished of our birthrights as American citizens. When practiced, it enriches our democracy; when threatened, it must be protected. Today's responsible action by the Senate sends a strong, bipartisan message: No American's vote shall be defiled, diluted, or denied. The Voting Rights Act, and the amendments added to it in 1975, have significantly contributed to the achievement of full constitutional and political equality for black Americans, and for other minorities, especially Mexican Americans. I strongly believe there has also been a good-faith effort by the great majority of our people, in all regions, to ensure the provisions of this act are fully respected. ".**  One can postulate folks that President Reagan would have had moral and political reservations by this move by the US Supreme Court, but its guess folks, what do you think folks. 

* " Letter to the Attorney General Directing an Assessment of the Voting Rights Act June 15, 1981 ".The Public Papers of President Ronald W. Reagan.  Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

** " Statement on Senate Approval of the Extension of the Voting Rights Act June 18, 1982 ".The Public Papers of President Ronald W. Reagan.  Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Immigration Reform and the Republican House

The Washington Post: Has the liberal line on the chances of the Immigration reform passing the Republican House, the article notes the following, " ..that House Republicans may kill reform on behalf of a GOP base that can’t accept it. ".

Lets Get Real:

This is a tricky problem for Speaker Boehner, he wants to see a Republican in the White House in 2017, thus the Republican Party needs to get more of the vote from those than consider Immigration a deal breaker, on the other hand in the 2014 Mid Terms he needs the Party base to come OUT to VOTE, those on the right of the Republican Party see the latest reform idea as a blanket amnesty to those in the US in an illegal context.   On this issue the Speaker should stand up to his base, its right when looked on as a morel issue, and its right when it comes to the politics, so it is time for Speaker Boehner to show leadership, if the Gipper can do it, then Boehner can take a stand, lets see what matters more to the Speaker, his job or the Republican Party, in this case they are not the same thing folks. 

Obama and the IRS Part 2 - 2nd Term Blues

Guardian: Reports on the latest developments on the IRS scandal, " ..lists used by screeners to find groups to examine included terms 'Israel', 'progressive' and 'occupy' ".

Lets Get Real:

Why is this blog not surprised that we suddenly find that left and liberal wings groups were also targeted, when was this done, and how many groups came under close inspection, this smells folks, like someone saw a scandal coming and added these groups to give them cover, just something this blog would do, cover one scandal with another and cause confusion, so Chicago politics.   Lets recall hundreds of Tea Party groups came under close inspection, did these SUDDEN left wing targets reach in to the hundreds, one has doubts.   This sounds so phony folks, the Republican House needs to check if is a major league Chicago con, sounds and smells folks, its the Chicago way folks. 

Obama Poll DIVE - 2nd Term Blues

Gallup: Reports that POTUS has a 45% Approval rating for his job performance, while his Disapproval rating stands at 49%.

Lets Get Real:

This is not good for the Oval folks if he wants to get his Agenda through the Republican House, the next big bill to hit the House will be Immigration Reform Bill, that allows those in the US illegally to start on the road to becoming US Citizens.   The Bill is over a 1000 + pages folks, its hard to call the result in the House, the Republican House was elected to STOP the Obama Agenda, on this Bill the House should approve the measure and get his off the table, 1. It the right thing to do, your not going to throw out nearly 12 million illegals and their families, 2. Its good on the political front, allows the Republicans to show they understand and can show compassion to their fellow man.   On the other hand after ObamaCare there is not much trust in the Obama Administration, thus it might go down because the Oval does not have the political juice to get through, politics is a hard business folks, 50/50 on the Bill folks. 

Obama and the World Stage

BBC News: Reports on the critical reaction from the White House to the State Department by the fact that Hong Kong ( China ) and Russia have did not have not taken the US traitor US Edward Snowden in to custody.

Lets Get Real:

This is what happens folks when you have a weak President, lets recall what happened to Jimmy Carter in 1979, the new Iranian Government took US diplomats hostage for 444 days and the then USSR went in to Afghanistan, you might ask why bring up these historical cases, lets see, Obama wants a deal with Iran on its nuclear plans, not going to happen folks, Tehran sees Obama as weak and easy to roll over, then we come to Afghanistan, the Oval wants talks with the Taliban as to give the Oval a fig leaf to leave Afghanistan with honour, not going to happen, the Taliban just have to wait in till 2014 when NATO leaves, the US plans to leave a small force inside Afghanistan to go after Al Qaeda, this would be a mistake, they would be target from day one to the Taliban and Al Qaeda, the above is due to a weak President, when a US President is weak and out of his depth the enemies of the US will roll him, that is why Obama = Carter folks. 

Obama and the IRS - 2nd Term Blues

The White House: Here is the latest paper statement by the Oval on the IRS scandal, " The President was briefed this afternoon by Secretary Lew and Principal Deputy Commissioner Werfel on today’s report. The President appreciates the effort put into reviewing operations within the IRS, and most importantly, making sure that agency moves quickly to restore the public’s trust.

As the President has made clear, the misconduct identified in last month’s Inspector General report is unacceptable. He will not tolerate inappropriate behavior in any agency and the President believes that IRS personnel must operate with absolute integrity, fairness and neutrality.

The President believes Principal Deputy Commissioner Werfel’s report is an important step in ensuring accountability for any staff that acted inappropriately, identifies the failures in their systems that allowed the misconduct to happen, and takes a forward-looking systemic view at the agency’s management.  The Administration is committed to making sure the IRS continues to reform itself with the goals of providing the highest quality service and reflecting the principles of fairness and neutrality.  ".

Lets Get Real:

Quite funny and cynical by the White House, as stressed in red above by this blog its down to the  " systems that allowed the misconduct to happen, and takes a forward - looking systemic view of the agency's management ", therefore the Oval has decide that is the system fault first, not a people fault, the same people running ObamaCare, the IRS scandal has gone quite of late, so has Libya, press investigations and the State Department, lets see if any of them has legs, to keep a story current and in the minds of the people the Republicans have to have more people before Congress, even better if they take the 5th.  The Republicans have to recall that the liberal press are not their friends, the liberal press will try to divert to any other story, so keep the heat on the Oval Republicans, this is THE Chicago political mob, there is always something there, unlike POTUS, there is no there with Obama, there never was as Berlin shows, and his failure to get Hong Kong and Russia to hand over Edward Snowden shows how weak Obama REALLY IS, a weak US President gets rolled by its enemies, just look at Jimmy Carter. 

Obama's Berlin Speech - Review

Telegraph: Here is a review of President Obama's Berlin Speech, following in the steps of President Kennedy and President Reagan, the article notes the following, " Barack Obama bombs in Berlin: a weak, underwhelming address from a floundering president ".

Lets Get Real:

Thus folks the Obama " Star Show " is over, 2nd terms never go well, just ask Nixon, Reagan, Clinton and Bush 43, but the BIG BUT when talking about Obama's speech is the fact that Reagan had gone through Iran - Contra in late 1986, and then a Congress started hearings, that did not stop Reagan from being Leader of the West, he demanded that President Gorbachev, " .....if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! "*  The 2nd Obama Term is going through its scandals, from Libya to the IRS, and a few other in between, the Obama of 2013 is not the Obama of 2008, a weak President is a weak leader, the US needs another Reagan in 2017. 

* “  Remarks on East-West Relations at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin June 12, 1987.” The Public Papers of President Ronald W. Reagan.  Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Obama's FAILURE on Afghanistan - Afghanistan Update

Guardian: Reports the first attempts for talks between the US and the Afghan Taliban, the article notes the following, " Afghan government anger at opening of Taliban office in Qatar leads US to suspend plans to attend talks  ".

Lets Get Real:

Advice to the Oval, when POTUS gets back to the Oval has really has to sit down and work what he wants to do with Afghanistan, the news that the US was to start talks with the Afghan Taliban looked good at first, but then the Afghan Government threw a wobble and the US has had to back down, the Afghan War was the War that Candidate Obama wanted to fight, it was the GOOD WAR, going after those that had killed three thousand people in New York in 2001.   But there is a difference between being a Candidate and President, the War is not popular, it has cost to much in US lives and in US money.  The US Voter wants OUT of Afghanistan, thus this rush to start talks before all the dots had been connected folks, with the Taliban and the Afghan Government.   After 2014 the Oval can not afford for the Taliban to take over Afghanistan, this would look like Vietnam all OVER AGAIN, Obama does not want to be seen as another LBJ, when one thinks of the Johnson Administration one thinks of Vietnam not the Great Society, one has to give some credit to the Oval for getting out of Iraq, even if there was no agreement on a post war stay for the US, thus the present problems, in Afghanistan Obama does not want to be in the Oval and see people feeling on the last helicopter as was the fate of President Ford in 1975.    The US should get OUT in 2014, leave a shaky Government and make it known, that should Afghanistan become a threat again, the US will nuke them, be very clear on that, the powers never win Afghanistan, its just how much damage the Powers suffer before they get out, time to get out of Afghanistan folks. 

South Vietnam ALL OVER Again!! - Afghanistan Update

BBC News: Reports that President Karzai  of Afghanistan has accused the Obama White House of breaking US word when it comes to dealings with the Afghan Taliban.

Lets Get Real: 

This is not new folks in US Foreign Policy, in 1968 during the US Presidential Election the Republican Nominee Richard Nixon got the South Vietnam Government not to attend the Paris Peace talks, he promised they would get a better deal with him, in 2008 then Candidate Obama wanted to fight the good War in Afghanistan, well by the 2nd Nixon Term the Government of South Vietnam was hung out to dry with the Paris deal of 1973 that removed US troops and left the S Vietnam Government with no defence to counter the Army of North Vietnam.  Thus in 2013 President Obama has sold out Afghanistan, and as the article notes the President Karzai has refused to carry on discussion about the US  presence in Afghanistan after 2014, this is VERY GOOD news for the US, it will allow the US to get out, and not leave a force that could come under attack from the Taliban and Al Qaeda, the War in Afghanistan is loss folks, its OVER, the US and its NATO allies are leaving, those that have supported the Western action should think about getting out, once the Allies are out the Afghan Civil War will start, the US it can be postulated will keep drones in Pakistan, they can be used to take out any threat, thus this action by Karzai might be benefit to the Oval and the US, its not high politics folks, its CYA, and this time the Chicago politics of the Oval is right, still dirty pool but right folks for the US and the West. 

Obama's waffle over Syria - Syrian Update

The Weekly Standard: Reports on remarks by President Obama when it comes to Syria and taking action, the President Obama stated the following, " ..it’s kind of hard for you to understand that the complexity of the situation and how we have to not rush into one more war in the Middle East... ".

Lets Get Real:

One has to say President Obama sounds like UK Foreign Office civil servant who has no backbone for taking action and is trying to talk others out of taking action, but in this case the decision is down to President Obama, he said red lines, he was not forced to say it, then it took pressure from the UK/France and Assad winning on the ground for the Oval to move, and what has the Oval done, NOTHING, small arms will not cut it, the Oval is worried, it has sent anti missiles defences to Jordan and Fighter Planes just in case the Syrian Civil War brings down the Kingdom, while Lebanon faces going back in to Civil War, while the killings in Iraq have started to go up again after the US left in 2011.   If the Oval wants to gain anything from the mess that is Syria, it will have to lead, it can not be UK PM Cameron and French President Hollande, Syria is to BIG, thus its down the OVAL, so will the Oval carry a big stick or lead from behind, those that follow are not leaders, and history is not kind on that kind of weakness folks. 

Is Putin throwing Assad under the Bus ? - Syrian Update

Guardian: Reports the following from the G8 when it comes to Russia support for Assad of Syria, the article notes the following, " Vladimir Putin may allow Assad to go if power vacuum in Syria is avoided ".

Lets Get Real:

One has the suspicion folks that a secret deal has been struck between the US/UK and Russia, Assad out, the Assad Regime stays or one that is not a threat to the Russian interests in Syria, this is just a suspicion folks.    The Oval has to do something, it has Israel breathing down its neck, it has Iran looking one, if the Oval is weak then the Iran might just go nuclear under the perception that the Oval will not follow through, thus AN Israeli strike and a regional war folks.   Also the Oval should worry that that Israel might take a negative view of the Oval staring direct talks with the Taliban, in other words the US is cutting and running, if your Israel can you trust the word of President Obama.   Everyone outside the Oval knows that the talks are just PR for the Taliban, while the Oval thinks they are real, thus the move of the Oval to have endless talks with the Iran over its nuclear plans, even after Iran has told the Oval to get lost so many times.   Everything is connected folks, from Afghanistan to Syria, and they scream weakness and fear by the Oval, Obama is no JFK or Reagan. 

The Taliban Lie - US Deaths in Afghanistan

BBC News: Reports that 4 US Soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan after the US announced talks with the Afghan Taliban. 

Lets Get Real:

Thus folks, US and UK Soldiers will carry on being killed for WHAT, its over, the Taliban can keep the Obama Oval happy by having pointless talks but also keep their internal PR going by killing Allied troops in Afghanistan.  One has to ask is the US seeing what it wants to see, as Bush 43 and the Bush Administration saw when it came to Iraqi Intelligence before the War, it has to be recalled that there are various factions of the Taliban, they have to keep to their internal support, thus they might talk but they also from their internal position with these groups and Afghanistan culture have to take the fight to the enemy, that being NATO in this case, thus folks the word of the Taliban is fools gold, but then Obama has a habit for doing this, he has problems with allies but gives the enemies of the US the benefit of the doubt, some people never change folks, and the bubble of the Oval makes that ego even more out of control.  Thus more Allied deaths to come folks, what will POTUS and PM Cameron say to the families of those that die now, what was the point folks, so SAD. 

1973 = 2013, Afghanistan = Vietnam - 2nd Term Blues

The White House: Here are some of the extracts from the news today that the US will talk to the Afghan Taliban, " At the same time, we also want to discuss today an important development as it relates to the political and reconciliation pillar of our strategy, which is the opening of a Taliban office in Doha for the purpose of negotiations with the Afghan government in pursuit of reconciliation....So later today in Doha, the Taliban will release a statement that says two things:  First, that they oppose the use of Afghan soil to threaten other countries; and second, that they support an Afghan peace process.  These are two statements which we've long called for and together, they fulfill the requirements for the Taliban to open an office, a political office, in Doha for the purposes of negotiation with the Afghan government...a process that, after 30 years of armed conflict in Afghanistan, will certainly promise to be complex, long and messy, but nonetheless, this is an important first step.....The outcome of this process marks that the Taliban and other insurgent groups meet three end conditions:  First, that they break ties with al Qaeda; that they end the violence; and that they accept Afghanistan’s constitution, including its protections for women and minorities.  Further, recognizing that the opening of the office later today is but one milestone on the path toward peace, we call on the Afghan government and the Taliban to begin direct negotiations soon....I would add is that as we pursue this path to peace with this important first step today, our core goal in Afghanistan is always primary, and that is to defeat al Qaeda and ensure that Afghanistan can never again be a safe haven for international terrorism.  While the peace process is just beginning in earnest today with the opening of the Doha office, our troops continue to serve alongside Afghan troops in the mission in Afghanistan.  We plan to continue our robust support to the Afghan security forces, including through our commitments we made at the NATO Summit in Chicago just a year ago....But neither do we plan to let up in our fight against international terrorism in Afghanistan, or in our support to Afghan forces who, as my colleague mentioned, today in Kabul, assumed the lead for operations throughout the country.  Our military and diplomatic efforts continue to be mutually reinforcing. ....".

Lets Get Real:

All very noble aims folks, just one FACT, the US and the UK has lost in Afghanistan, how long will the US keep a force there, they will come under attack the moment the majority of US forces are gone, the Taliban can say what they like, THEY LIE, it can be postulated that that Afghanistan will return to state of Civil War within six months to a year, the US as did the British Empire will uses military bases in Pakistan to keep an eye on the Taliban, and send in the drones if they see trouble.   The Taliban can just wait folks, invaders from Alexander to Obama can NEVER beat the clock when it comes to Afghanistan.  As blog does feel sorry for the women of Afghanistan, their lives will be hell once the Taliban retake Kabul and take control of Afghanistan, the War in Afghanistan will be like the Korean War, as time goes by the forgotten war, the War with no clear victory, it will be seen as a mistake, much like Vietnam and Iraq, and those that died and carry the costs of the War will have died and suffered for nothing, that is the sad part folks, it was ALL FOR NOTHING at the end of the day. 

Are the Taliban the new North Vietnam ? - Afghanistan Update

BBC News: Reports that the Obama White House is to open direct talks with the Taliban of Afghanistan, the articles notes there are conditions, " the talks are on condition that the Taliban renounce violence, break ties with al-Qaeda and respect the Afghan constitution .. ".

Lets Get Real:

This is a fig leaf folks, the Western Allies are running out of Afghanistan in 2014, the US is keeping a small force IN Country to go after Al Qaeda, lets see how long the US stays, a small force will be a tempting target for Al Qaeda and the Taliban.   Lets be brutal here folks, the Taliban can have Afghanistan, they are welcome to it, as long as they understand, should they allow Al Qaeda back in to their former safe heavens the West from bases in Pakistan will use drones to take out any threat.   As in 1973 when the US agreed to leave South Vietnam its only a  matter of time before the Taliban overthrow the Afghan Government and retake Kabul, one does feel sorry for the women in Afghanistan, will will not leave them with much after so many promises of support, it can be argued that the Taliban are the modern North Vietnam/Vietcong, they outlasted another power, the British Empire had to many bloody shirts from Afghanistan, the War in Afghanistan helped bring down the USSR, the US and Allied presence today shows the limit of modern power.   History repeats itself, Vietnam, Afghanistan, one wishes modern leaders had read history at University.    The voters in the US and UK want out of Afghanistan, the War has been to long, and the cost to high, and for what, sand that falls through your hand. 

POTUS at the G8 - 2nd Term Blues

Telegraph: Reports on the visit of President Obama to Northern Ireland for the G8, the article notes the following, " Barack Obama's current trip suggests he is not dazzling foreign audiences like he used to.. ".

Lets Get Real:

This blog gave up listening to President Obama a long time ago, at the end of the day it is about HIM, the great American President Ronald Reagan was called the Great Communicator, the Gipper stated that it was not who gave the message but the message itself.  The Gipper spoke of the US as a Shinning City on a Hill, that the US should have a small government, low taxes, and a strong defence, what is the Obama message, how great President Obama is, when Obama leaves office in 2017 his Agenda leaves with him, the idea that Big Government represents what the US wants only has space in the Oval, once President Obama takes that final helicopter on January 20th 2017 the Democrats will run a mile from the Obama Agenda, one article this blog read stated that the Reagan Era was finally over, IT IS NOT, the very expanse of the Oval has made sure that the Reagan message will carry on, Reagan said in his 1st Inaugural  " ..government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem..From time to time we've been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people...It is no coincidence that our present troubles parallel and are proportionate to the intervention and intrusion in our lives that result from unnecessary and excessive growth of government. It is time for us to realize that we're too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams... "*  The Reagan Era will never end folks because Liberals overreach, as people want to be free, that was the greatness of Reagan folks, he understood the US, while Obama has no clue. 

* " 

Inaugural Address 

January 20, 1981." 

The Public Papers of President Ronald W. Reagan.  Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. 

A CHANCE with Iran ? - Iran Crisis

The New York Times: Reports on remarks by the new President of Iran Hassan Rowhani, the President Elect stated that " ..he wanted to reduce tensions with the United States but ruled out direct talks between the two estranged nations. ".

Lets Get Real:

The 2nd Obama term could try a twin track, talks with North Korea and Iran, the question do these rouge nations want REAL talks or just good PR for offering talks, one can postulate that North Korea with a new leader, after his warlike moves might be willing to talk, thus the call for talks between the NK and the US.  When it comes to Iran, it is a different, the power is held by the religions leaders, they run Iran's nuclear sites, they control Iran sending Revolutionary Guards to Syria, the religious elite are not fools, they know that the majority of the population was born after the 1979 revolution, they want more freedom, they want to be more Western, if Iran had more freedom the religious leaders would no longer have power and could be hanged from the nearest tree, thus they will allow Mr Rowhani the PR of power but they understand what happened to Gaddafi when he gave up his power in the shape of WMD, a sharp metal object in his neither regions, thus Iran will go nuclear folks, this gives Israel a few months to make its mind up, does it trust Obama, can it trust its security to a leader who stated red lines in Syria and only acted when it might be to late, would the Oval really take out Iran if Tehran wiped out Israel, its a matter of trust folks.   This election is about smoking mirrors folks, nothing has changed, just the PR.  

Obama FALLS in CNN Poll - 2nd Term Blues

CNN - Politics: Reports on a new CNN/ORC Poll that finds that President Obama has a 45%  job approval rating, while 54% disapprove of the Oval performance. 

Lets Get Real: 

Thus folks the political hits of the scandals are starting to have an effect, this really hurts the Oval on the Hill, the major bill  that the Oval is pushing is Immigration reform, if the poll numbers of the Oval are in the tank, those in the House and Senate might think its better to oppose the Oval, also lets recall it could get worse folks, ObamaCare comes in to effect at the end of the year, thus many US voters might find that the IRS starts to charge them if they do not have the right kind of healthcare insurance, that is going to go down well, the Oval promised that if people had heath care they were happy with they could keep it, well its cheaper for employers to pay the penalty than offer health care, thus millions of Americans are finding that employers are cutting hours as to avoid offering healthcare, also the States are being very slow to offer the internal markets for ObamaCare, this leaves it to the Federal Government, in other words its a train wreck as a Democratic Senator called the move to ObamaCare.   The scandals are not going to go away folks, thus Obama might find that he has the same bad numbers as Bush 43, that would be so ironic and funny folks. 

The UK and the Syrian Rebels - Syrian Update

Guardian: Reports that the UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has stated the following about arming the Syrian rebels, " ..no decision made to arm opposition to President Assad, but insists it can be done in containable way  ".

Lets Get Real:

If the US wants the UK to be part of a solution to the Syrian Civil War the Oval will have to lead, Obama, Cameron and President Hollande of France will have to shame the Conservative backbenchers who oppose arming the Syrian rebels because of Iraq and Afghanistan.   This would place the Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party against the Obama Oval and France, that should be enough to force Labour leader Ed Miliband to support the Conservatives, thus the Liberal Democrats will not matter, but for this to work the Oval and President Obama will have to take a major role, the UN gave cover for the UK to take down Gaddafi of Libya, the Russians are not going to give UN cover for any action in Syria, they want to keep their warm water port, thus its real politic time.   Syria is the more complex Bosnia Crisis of the 1990s, but a Assad win could cause a regional disaster, the refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey will not go home if Assad wins and thus causing the prospect that the Kingdom of Jordan could fall, Lebanon could return to Civil War and tensions could develop further in Turkey, a NATO member.  Thus folks the Oval can not lead from behind, its far to late for that folks. 

The US and North Korea

BBC News: Reports that the US and South Korea have a given a frosty reply to the call by North Korea for high level talks with the US. 

Lets Get Real: 

This could be a mistake by the US, this blog can see why the frosty reaction, the North Koreans have gone back on their word more times than this blog has had a healthy dinner, the North can not be trusted, but on the other hand they have gotten back in to their box and the rhetoric has been less warlike, the Oval could sent Secretary Kerry to see what they want, lets face it the US talked to the USSR and China whose leaders had millions of deaths on their hands, Stalin being the classic example, lets see if this latest call is just a trick, the Oval might as well give it a try, the North is a nuclear armed power, the US and its Allies are not going to bomb them, so might as well talk, that the point of not allowing Iran to get the bomb folks.   As the Gipper stated, Trust but Verify. 

NYT and Obama/Syria - Syrian Update 4

The New York Times: Has a Editorial attack on former President Bill Clinton and Senator McCain when it comes to Syria, the article states the following, " Mr. Obama has also come under increasing attack from a small number of American politicians, including President Bill Clinton who this week said Mr. Obama risks looking “lame” for not doing more to help the rebels. It was a cheap shot leveled at an event hosted by Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, a leading advocate of aggressive action in Syria. ".

Lets Get Real:

Thus the NYT is no fan of Bill Clinton, the uber liberal NYT in its heart of hearts after Iraq does not want the US to take ANY military action, but even the pure liberal NYT gets the fact that President Obama boxed himself in with his red line comment over Syria, unlike Libya the Oval can not lead from behind when it comes to Syria, if the US is going ALL IN, the Oval has to the public face of this action, it can not be down to UK PM Cameron and President Hollande of France, the disaster that is the Syrian Civil War is having regional results that could lead to the pro Western Government of Jordan to fall, for Lebanon to return to Civil War and we have seen Turkey having its own internal problems, the over million refugees of Syria has spread over the region, they are causing internal problems, if Assad WINS, the refugees might never go home, thus more pressure for Oval to deal with the Assad problem.   The Oval might have to risk losing the uber liberal NYT, that could make him a great President, so what will it be Mr President, greatness or coffee with the NYT. 

The Clinton Factor - Syrian Civil War - Syrian Update 3

CNN - Politics: Reports on remarks by former President Bill Clinton, the former President stated that the US should be more active in Syria, these remarks were before the latest developments.

Lets Get Real:

Lets be clear folks, Bill Clinton can not stand President Obama, why should he, the 08 Campaign called him a racist, Bill Clinton is a lot of things, but he is no racist, it has been argued that he was in fact was the first Black President, as he understands and enjoys black culture, thus the race card attack must have hurt, also his wife when she become Secretary of State was not part on the Kitchen Cabinet, as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pressed to Oval to take more forceful action in Syria, she did not get her way.   The latest move by the Oval to support the Syrian rebels is down the ground won by the Assad Regime, and the critical reaction of Western allies to the lack of US action, but it would be interesting know how the Oval reacted to a critic of a policy by a former President, a President  who dealt with Bosnia after years of doing nothing, and was marched in to Kosovo by the UK PM Tony Blair, at least Clinton acted, also the Oval must be afraid that the Clinton Camp will start to take political shots at the Oval as way to distance itself from the Oval should Obama's polls tank over the next three years.   Politics at its heart can be quite personal, does President Obama want to make Clinton the wise old man of US Foreign Policy while he seen as weak, another Carter, one has doubts folks. 

A No Fly Zone for Syria ? - Syrian Update 2

Guardian: Reports the following on the US policy change towards Syria, " Washington in talks with allies over radical options including no-fly zone as plan for small arms support meets lukewarm reaction  ".

Lets Get Real:

The Oval has a choice, if the Oval is really going to support the rebels and overthrow Assad he has to expect to lose the liberal base, you can not be a liberal at home and abroad, it  is one or the other, and since the Oval stated that the use of chemical weapons would be a red line for the US, well the Oval has boxed itself in, it has to follow through, small arms will not cut it, a couple of years ago it might have helped, NOT NOW, the place is awash with small weapons, the secular rebels need the big stuff, either trained or for the US to take down Syrian combat planes.   The Oval if it goes down this road will need the support of the Republicans, the Oval can not lead from behind as in Libya, the Civil War in Syria is far to complex for that, you have a fight with the Islamic faith, you have a proxy War between Iran and the US/West, you have Russians wanting to keep their Naval base, thus embers of the Cold War,  getting rid of Assad if the US IS ALL IN, is just the first problem, you then have to get the Western supporting rebels to take down the Al Qaeda supporting terrorists, then make nice with the Russians, let them keep their base, then try to make sure Iran does not cause more deaths, and yes deal with the Middle East Peace Process, that is enough for the last three years of the Obama Term.   Thus Syria could define the Obama 2nd term folks, well in till the Iran Crisis. 

President Obama and Syria - Syrian Update

The White House: Here is the most important part of the Statement folks, " Following a deliberative review, our intelligence community assesses that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons, including the nerve agent sarin, on a small scale against the opposition multiple times in the last year.  Our intelligence community has high confidence in that assessment given multiple, independent streams of information.  The intelligence community estimates that 100 to 150 people have died from detected chemical weapons attacks in Syria to date; however, casualty data is likely incomplete.  While the lethality of these attacks make up only a small portion of the catastrophic loss of life in Syria, which now stands at more than 90,000 deaths, the use of chemical weapons violates international norms and crosses clear red lines that have existed within the international community for decades. We believe that the Assad regime maintains control of these weapons.  We have no reliable, corroborated reporting to indicate that the opposition in Syria has acquired or used chemical weapons.  ".

Lets Get Real:

Thus folks we have reached S Day, the day the Obama Oval has tried to avoid like the plague, its allies, the UK and France have been saying for weeks that Assad has used chemical weapons, so what has changed if you have not been not following the Syrian Civil War, quite simple folks, the Syrian Rebels are within a breath of losing, with the support of Iran, Russia and  Hezbollah the Assad Regime could WIN, this would be a disaster for the US, Israel and the Region.    Thus this latest U - turn by the Oval is a fig leaf, so what next folks, well at its most basic the Oval has to impose a no fly zone over rebel cities and areas, it has to either arm the rebels with heavy weapons and get US, UK and French Special Forces to back up the rebels and fast folks.   The Russians are already saying this is a mistake, one has doubts that they would ever had placed pressure on Assad to leave, they need their only warm water port, and Iran needs Assad to threaten Israel.   Thus if the OVAL really means action, it has to be 100%, no half measures, no weasel words, the Oval can not lose, Obama can not lose, if he fails in Syria, the Tehran Regime will just go nuclear because they are not afraid of the Oval, this will force Israel to ACT, and that WAR the Oval does not want, thus best advice to Oval, win this for the Gipper and yourself, failure is not a option. 

Woe and Woe, Obama AND his Agenda - Obama 2nd Term Blues

Gallup: Reports in its daily tracking poll on the approval rating for POTUS, that President has a 45% Approval rating, while his Disapproval rating stands at 47%.

Lets Get Real:

One is hardly surprised that the Oval has taken a hit after the last few weeks folks, scandal upon scandal, and ObamaCare starts to come in to force from October,  the problem is that these scandals will take weeks, they will suck up the political oxygen and the Obama Agenda will take the hit, the Immigration Reform Bill is the one thing that could be a real legacy for the Oval, but first it has to pass the Senate and then the House, if the Oval's ratings do not improve then Democrats worried about 2014 will move away from the Oval, they want to get re-elected, what could really hurt Democrats is when the IRS starts to go after people that have not paid for medical cover, so you would have the IRS under a cloud for the targeting of Tea Party supporters and taking people to Court for not having medical cover, yes a major storm cloud could damage the Democrats in 2014 and 2016 folks.  Watch this space folks. 

NYT and Edward Snowden - The meaning of Treason

The New York Times: Has the following Editorial on Edward Snowden, " Mr. Snowden did not commit treason,.....Mr. Snowden may well be going to jail for exposing practices that should never have been secret in the first place. ".

Lets Get Real:

Is the Uber liberal NYT going bonkers, are they having flashbacks to the Nixon Era, one of the major tools to prevent terrorism has been leaked, the leaker is in China, giving more details away, and the NYT does not think this a problem, one could almost say that the NYT is now a joke, what would they now say about the millions of deaths forced by Stalin in the 1930s, a diet, this paper is no longer a paper that can be trusted on US domestic politics, there international reporting is excellent, could be the reporters have not been tainted by the Home Office, one wonders how the Oval and Conservative Democrats will view this article, the right will just laugh, typical of the paper that covered for Stalin, and releases US State secrets with no regard for the National Security of the US, SHAME ON THE NYT. 

Clapper on the Chopping Block - Obama 2nd Term Blues

Guardian: Reports the following on the career prospects of DCI James Clapper, " Admission that James Clapper gave 'least truthful answer' on domestic surveillance could become a problem for the president ".

Lets Get Real:

Thus Mr Clapper is for the chop folks, he lied to a Senate Committee, it was a direct question, and worse he lied to a Democratic Senator, who had warned him about the question in advance, therefore you have AG Holder who liked to a House Committee, now the DCI, the scandal at the IRS, the search of emails of a Fox reporter and lets not forget Libya, also the new scandal that there are allegations that the Clinton State Department placed pressure for illegal acts done by State staff to be covered up, so the Oval can not afford for his Administration to be seen as a bunch of liars with ego's not based on reality.    Thus expect Mr Clapper after a decent period to resign to spend more time with his family.