Has the US Supreme Court sunk ObamaCare - 2nd Term Blues

Telegraph: Reports on the outcome of the Supreme Court decision on ObamaCare,  " The ruling applies only to "closely-held corporations", businesses owned by an individual or small group of individuals...Around 90 per cent of all American businesses qualify as closely-held corporations "

Lets Get Real:

This will be interesting, one can see the US Court system getting very backed with the business lobby arguing that nearly any small company could be allowed to negate ObamaCare.  The fun for the political side will be the fight between social conservatives and liberals, the liberal side will go with the War on Women, how they can support someone like Bill Clinton's with his record with women is not the scope of this post.   The social conservatives will argue that the US Government should not be telling the States how to define their abortion laws, then we get in to social issues debates of the 1990s, the Republicans never win those, they should take this win and keep quiet about it, let the Courts fight it out, and make sure the next man in the Oval is a Republican and he has a Republican Congress, then move on the social front. 

Supreme Court and POTUS - 2nd Term Blues

Guardian: Reports the following on the decision by the US Supreme Court to curtail aspects of ObamaCare that covers abortion issues, the article notes the following,  " Court ruled that some corporations are exempt from law requiring no-cost access to contraception in healthcare plans "

Lets Get Real:

On the political side this blog sees ObamaCare as a disaster for the US, that is plain from many of its posts on the subject, on specific issue of contraception and abortion this blog support the right of women to have an abortion right up to the end, so while liking the ruling as policy, this blog does not agree with the subjective nature of the decision, the Court passed ObamaCare thus it should have upheld the Administration's argument that women should have the power to control their own bodies.    This decision will make the right happy and and make liberals increase the vote for liberal candidates in 2014 and 2016.   The political game on this issue has started, lets see who wins. 

ObamaCare suffers LOSE at Supreme Court - 2nd Term Blues

BBC News: Reports " The US Supreme Court has ruled a Christian-owned company can claim a religious exemption to a law requiring employers to pay for their workers' contraception. "

Lets Get Real:

One can assume that this is the Chief Justice saying sorry for landing the US with ObamaCare, as the above decision was 5-4, all the Conservative Judges voting for the ruling, the Chief Justice made a big mistake when he trusted that President Obama could run the Federal Government, the messy roll out, and the lack of support for the law, the fact that health costs have not gone down, and the millions of Americans were thrown off their health cover and the law still does not cover those it was meant for, thus the US Supreme Court is hacking a way at a law it passed.   One doubts that ObamaCare lasts the decade, will either Democratic or Republican Administration really go to bat for ObamaCare, one has doubts. 

Sarajevo June 28th 1914 Live Reporting - BBC News

BBC News - Sarajevo Live 1914: Reports that the last words of the Archduke Ferdinand was for his wife to stay alive for their children. 

Lets Get Real: 

This smacks of a political conspiracy by Serbia, it is time the Austria - Hungary took action to remove this threat to the Monarchy, the terrorist group known as the Black Hand and its aims for the Slavs people is a mortal threat to the Monarchy and its subjects.   The Government in Vienna should take firm action and demand that Serbia deal with this threat or the Monarchy will have to take action because off the assassination.   This should be a local affair, another Balkan War, the peace of Europe should while having tensions should not lead to the powers taking action, lets recall with the exception of Republican France, the powers are all lead by Monarchies and a threat to one Crown is a threat to ALL Crowns. 

No Unity Government for Iraq - Iraqi PM

BBC News: Reports " Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has rejected calls for a national salvation government to help counter the offensive by jihadist-led Sunni rebels. "

Lets Get Real:

This is not a great surprise, would you trust your future to the Obama Administration and President Obama, the word of Secretary Kerry is NO GOOD, what ever Kerry says you have to have doubts, will the Oval follow through with any red line, or will President Obama bottle any military action, the President had made it clear that he has no interest in the Middle East, the removal of US troops in 2011 was the biggest mistake of the 21 Century, now that mistake has come back to haunt the Oval, thus the sending of three hundred military advisors, if the Oval was serious it would send thousands of advisors aka Vietnam.   The Oval is looking for the easy option when it comes to IRAQ, there are no easy outs, just different levels of pain.  That is the real world. 

The BREAKUP of Iraq - 2nd Term Blues

Telegraph: Reports " Iraq crisis: the country is facing imminent break up say Western diplomats....Western officials say the crisis is 'the real thing' and are concerned that politicians cannot deal with its sheer scale "

Lets Get Real:

It is simple really, the West does not have a Reagan or a Thatcher in power, we have 2nd raters, at the end of the Cold War there was the idea that the World could be managed, well Bosnia and Kosovo showed that was an error, then came 9/11 and the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq,  the West needs bold leadership, Reagan and Thatcher bought down the USSR through morale argument and defence, the USSR ended up in the dustbin, the leaders that followed in the US and UK didn't understand that history in itself does not change, there is always new terrors coming up, the question is can the Western Governments see the problem and deal with it,  the threat form terrorism was seen by the West, but no one saw a 9/11 in New York or a 7/7 in London, thus when those terrors arrived the West was slow and is still slow.    The fault for the present crisis in Iraq is down to President Obama, he withdrew the troops, he still thinks rhetoric is more important than reality, and at the end of the day, its the voter who is to blame, you voted the in, you have to face the results. 

The Kerry WINDBAG blows through Iraq - 2nd Term Blues

BBC News: Reports " US Secretary of State John Kerry has told the BBC there must be regional unity to expel Sunni rebels from the Isis group who have taken large swathes of northern and western Iraq. "

Lets Get Real:

IF this blog was an Iraqi politician it would not take a blind bit of notice of Secretary Kerry, when President Obama didn't use force with Syria when they used WMD he made Kerry pointless on the international stage.   The US Secretary of State made speeches that gave the impression that the Oval would ACT, when the Oval lost its bottle and ordered the troops back home the Secretary of State become a joke.   The only word that matters is the Oval, the Oval has shown that it is weak and makes BAD decisions ALL the time.    Thus if your the Iraqi Government you would better off as in not being overthrown in getting support from Tehran, better to be a puppet of Tehran than an ally of Obama, AT the end of the day Obama is WEAK, and would not support YOU in a foxhole, that is the basic truth, harsh but true. 

President Obama at 40% Approval in New NYT/CBS Poll - 2nd Term Blues

The New York Times: Reports " The president’s approval rating is now at 40 percent, while 54 percent say they disapprove of the job he is doing in office, a six-point jump since May. "

Lets Get Real:

This is what happens when past decisions made in the 1st term come back to haunt you, the decision to leave the future of US and Iraqi relationship to VP Biden was a mistake,  thus the removal of US troops in 2011, the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and its threat to Syria, Iraq and now Jordan  shows that it was a massive strategic mistake for the US to leave Iraq without getting an agreement to leave troops behind, the more that ISIS grows more that the US has to do, one can even see combat troops going back, in some respects Iraq is far more important than Vietnam ever was,  if Iraq goes under, this could wreak the Western economic recovery, the last few days has seen a rise in oil prices, if Al Qaeda controls the oil of Iraq the US might have to go back, what an outcome for President Obama that would be, the political Gods would have shown their verdict on the Obama Presidency. 

You break it You own IT - Iraq - Middle East

Telegraph - Iraq Live: Reports the following in a interesting post at 9.20am this morning, " Senate Intelligence Chairman Dianne Feinstein: The Maliki government, candidly, has got to go if you want any reconciliation....White House spokesman Jay Carney: Whether it's the current prime minister or another leader, we will aggressively attempt to impress upon that leader the absolute necessity of rejecting sectarian governance. "

Lets get Real:

It seems that the Senate and the White House Press Secretary are following the Presidential line that the Iraqi PM has to reform or else, the else being go, how can the Iraqi Government be sovereign if with a snap of his hands the US President can decide who should be the PM.   This  is a massive blunder by the Oval, what if the PM goes and they hate replacement, in essence the Vietnam War after the fall of Diem become America's war, with various South Vietnam Governments in the background, while the US tried to defeat the forces of North Vietnam and failed in the long term.    The Obama Oval can not refuse to bomb after if starts if it finds some policy it does not like, that would make the Baghdad Government a puppet of the US, its better to leave the present PM in, so if things do go wrong, then the US voter and the International Community can put a face to the problem, no face and its the face of the Oval that will get the critical reaction. 

Maliki OUT ? Another Diem Mistake - Middle East

Guardian:  Reports the following remarks by US Secretary of State John Kerry, " In that NBC interview Kerry also insisted the US was not seeking to prop up the Maliki government. "

Lets Get Real:

The Guardian reports that the US has demanded that the PM Maliki goes as a price for the US to take action, that would be a mistake for the US and Iraq, lets recall JFK and the Kennedy Administration  gave the green light for the overthrow of Diem in 1963,  after Diem was assassinated in November the Vietnam War became America's War, if the US is seen to force out the Iraqi PM then the fate of Iraq belongs to the US again, if your break something you own it, so the US afte getting out of Iraq 2011 would be deciding who the next Government will be, what if the Ovla does  not llike that one, can it just snap its fingers and get any Iraqi Government it wants, its better to leave the impression that the Iraqi Government is its own master, even if the truth is that the US controls events.   Lets hope the Oval gets some wiser minds for national security discussions. 

Obama does not need Congress WHEN it comes to Iraq - Middle East

BBC News: Reports " US President Barack Obama has told Congressional leaders he does not need lawmakers' approval for any action in Iraq, the top Senate Republican says. "

Lets Get Real:

It is odd how President Obama finds his backbone when telling off Congress but can not stand up to Iran, Syria and other threats to US national security, the Oval  must know understand that the lack of action in Syria really hurt the Obama Presidency, the Guardian has reported that the Oval might order strikes on terrorist targets in Iraq and Syria, the question is how will the US planes spot the terrorists, they will need spotters, that means troops on the ground, well to be more specific, US Special Forces and the CIA.   The more the US goes back in to Iraq the harder it will be to get out, the Democratic left will start to protest, this could become a major row between the Oval and those running in 2016.  Interesting times within the Democratic Party. 

Benghazi Suspected Captured in Libya - 2nd Term Blues

Fox News: Reports " Sources: Benghazi attack suspect captured, en route to US "

Lets Get Real:

This is good news for the Oval, President Obama polls should go up with this news, the downside is what the suspect says, if he says it was a terrorist operation and nothing to do with a vile video produced in the US then the Oval has a problem, on the other hand to get some brownie points the suspect might say that the Oval was right, it was down to a vile anti Islamic movie.   One can presume the the House Select Committee will be very interested to hear the real story about the attack.  On the whole this a net plus for the Oval Office, lets see how the story develops. 

The Price of Oil and Iraq - Iraq Crisis

Telegraph - Iraq Live: Reports " fighting moves closer to Baghdad as Iraq's biggest oil refinery shut down....Nearly 300 American forces positioned in and around Iraq "

Lets Get Real:

The more pressure there is on the oil market, e.g local prices for gas goes up, the more pressure on the Oval to hold the line in Iraq, the left of the Democratic Party has been quite so far, but how long before State left wingers start to be critical of Obama as Obama was critical of President Bush.   This is why politics is an art not a science, the fact that Obama is the 1st African - President, a historic moment in American and World history has shielded Obama from the political slings and arrows of attack.  But there are limits, if Obama has to send the troops back in with air cover the sound on the left with start to increase.   President Obama must accept something he does not want to hear, or do, he has no choice, he has to get more troops, call them whatever you want back in to Iraq, he can not afford to lose Iraq, the price would be to high, for the region and the World.   This is why Iraq is so serious for President Obama. 

More Boots on the Ground - Iraq Crisis

Guardian: Reports " ...officials told Reuters that the White House was considering sending a contingent of special forces to train and advise beleaguered Iraqi troops, many of whom have fled their posts in the face of the insurgency. "

Lets Get Real:

This has the smell of another Vietnam War in reverse, the gradual development of 2nd Iraq War, the Oval must know that IT can not afford to lose Iraq to a Al Qaeda franchise group, it would be a political and military disaster, the blame would fall on Obama for taking US troops out in 2011, even the liberal press could not protect him from the scathing reviews that would produce.    If Al Qaeda can take Baghdad it would show that the claim by Obama that Al Qaeda was finished was a major fraud, in essence the US voter was lied to in 2012.   Also on the economic front, the price of gas would go up, and Al Qaeda could have billions to play with, yes that kind of bad case study.   Iraq is serious, there are no good answers, just less evil choices. 

US Boots on the ground in Iraq - Iraq Crisis

The White House: Has released the following Statement, " Today, consistent with the War Powers Resolution, the President transmitted a report notifying the Congress that up to approximately 275 U.S. military personnel are deploying to Iraq to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.  The personnel will provide assistance to the Department of State in connection with the temporary relocation of some staff from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to the U.S. Consulates General in Basra and Erbil and to the Iraq Support Unit in Amman.  These U.S. military personnel are entering Iraq with the consent of the Government of Iraq.  The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad remains open, and a substantial majority of the U.S. Embassy presence in Iraq will remain in place and the embassy will be fully equipped to carry out its national security mission.  "

Lets Get Real:

As noted last night in my tweet, these US Soldiers are boots on the ground, whatever you call them, they are there to defend the US Embassy and Embassy staff, they could become a prime targets for the ISIS terrorists, thus in essence President Obama is reversing his decision of 2011 to remove troops from Iraq.   Lets get basic here, if Baghdad falls then the US and the West has even bigger problems, a terrorist group that would control Iraq's oil and have a presence in Syria.    The US will need US Special Forces on the ground to back up any air bombing by the US, they do not want to hit the innocent people of Iraq, the Obama Administration can call the returning troops whatever they want, it is still boots on the ground. 

US Air Strikes on ISIS an OPTION - Kerry

Telegraph - Iraq Live: Reports following in its 2.01pm post, " US airstrikes "may well be an option" to combat Isis militants in Iraq, says John Kerry.....US President Barack Obama is carrying out "a very thorough vetting of every option that is available," including drone strikes, Mr Kerry said. "

Lets Get Real: 

When President Obama left talks on leaving troops in Iraq to VP Biden it 2011 it was clear that the Oval HAD no interest in Iraq, Biden by all reports is a nice man, but that does not mean that you leave a national security issue of such importance to him, this is the same guy that Robert Gates the former US Defence Secretary under Bush 43 and Obama stated had not been right on foreign policy in forty years.   Thus no agreement in 2011 for the US to stay in Iraq.    The chickens have come home in the shape of ISIS, and Obama might have to use the US  Air Force and Drones to take out the threat of ISIS.   Also the Oval needs Iran to back up the Baghdad Government at the same time that the Oval is trying to get Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions, the Tehran Regime has the Oval by the neither regions and might pull to get its way on the bomb, they take out ISIS and Oval allows Iran to go nuclear and try prevent Israel taking action, yes that is the murky world of the Middle East. 

What US and Iran TALKS on Iraq - Middle East

Guardian: Reports " A number of senior Iranian officials have attempted to downplay prospects of cooperation between Iran and the US over Iraq, ...US defense officials are also pushing back against the idea that the US and Iran will cooperate on an Iraq military campaign.  "

Lets Get Real:

Thus when Countries say there are not talks going on, one can be sure  there are back channel talks going on about the issue, on this issue the Tehran Regime and the Oval have the same agenda, to stop ISIS taking over Iraq, this would be a major regional threat and a threat to Western security on the whole.   The Tehran Government wants to make sure that the Shia Government stays in power in Baghdad, the Obama Oval does not want a Al Qaeda State on the ruins of Iraq, this would be a stain on the Obama Administration that no spin or rhetoric could remove, odd bedfellows, but then Churchill had an alliance with Stalin, events, events can change the game if not the board. 

US and Iran working Together ? - Iraq

BBC News: Reports " Washington is considering direct talks with Iran on the security situation in Iraq, a US official has told the BBC. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus as noted in my tweet you have Syria, Iran, the Baghdad Government and the US on the same page when it comes to ISIS, its a strange world, the US has to be careful that it is not seeing as totally supporting Shia followers at the expense of the Sunni Followers.   The Tehran Regime a Shia Country wants to make sure that the Shia Government in Iraq does not fall, the US wants a united Iraq with a democratic government.   All sides are agreed that ISIS is major threat, so various countries can work together, but its due to one issue, if Israel sees that the Oval will not bomb Iran over its nuclear plans it might go it alone.   Thus tough call for the US on the level of talks with Iran. 

ATTACK on Iraq and Syria - Middle East Crisis

The Guardian: Reports the following, " The Obama administration is urgently considering an air assault on Islamic extremists that officials told the Guardian could be directed at targets in Syria as well as Iraq. "

Lets Get Real:

This blog would be VERY shocked if President if Obama attacked the terrorist groups presence in Syria and Iraq.  It would almost be BRAVE, would the Hamlet of the Oval really go that far, to correct past mistakes, the lack of action in Syria to hit Assad really hurt the Obama image, weakness in international politics is the last thing you need,  The question is the blowback, and there will be blowback, once you get in the pit that is the Middle East there are always BAD RESULTS.   The Al Qaeda franchise group could turn its anger at US interests in the area, in might decide to divert its attack to Jordan and Lebanon, that would cause heart burn in Washington D.C.    There are always reactions, lets see if Obama follows through, lets see the results, the Middle East pit always scars any US Administration.   

Hamlet in the Oval - Iraq - Middle East Crisis

Telegraph - Iraq Live: Reports the following in its 5.12pm post, " Mr Obama ruled out sending troops to Iraq. He said that he may order some kind of military action, but that it will not be overnight, and that it is important to ensure that if they do take action, the intelligence is there to make sure it is effective.    He also emphasises once again that US miltary involvement must go hand in hand with Iraqi efforts towards reconciliation. "

Lets Get Real:

This is WHY the Middle East faces a regional WAR, the Hamlet of the Oval is looking for a way to duck taking action, he wants others to give him a reason not to act, the intelligence is not there, the Baghdad Government will not play ball, Iran will do the job, the Al Qaeda franchise groups will stall, the Iraqi Army will actually fight.    Lets see if President Obama really takes action, or could this be another Syria, march the troops up the hill and then take them down, while hundreds and thousands die.  Time for Hamlet to ACT and be POTUS.   The lack of action in Syria has allowed the Al Qaeda franchise group to get better skills, and while Assad has his air force the group was prevented from winning, in Iraq its only now that the Iraqi Government is using its air force, lets hope that will be enough, otherwise the US will have to come in, your either in our out, there is no half measures in the Middle East. 

The Obama Options - Iraq - Middle East in Crisis

BBC News - Iraq Live: Reports in 4.22pm post the following, " Obama administration officials say the president is considering airstrikes using drones or manned aircraft, the Associated Press reports. Other short-term possibilities include more surveillance and intelligence gathering, including satellite coverage, and funds. "

Lets Get Real:

If the US is going to used fixed wing attack planes and drones, it needs spotters on the grounds, this means US Special Forces to direct the attack of the planes, make sure that the US strikes hit the terrorists and not those Iraqi's seeking safety from the Al Qaeda franchise terror group.    The would be that there would be US forces on the ground, just not US troops, its a nice play on words.   One presumes that CIA will be on the ground, looking for targets for the drones and planes.   This is not going to be easy, you have  a government in Baghdad that is full of  Shia supporters, but Iraq needs the Sunni to come on board, after the US left in 2011 the Sunni groups were frozen out of Government, thus the US must keep pressure on Baghdad to run a national government, otherwise a internal Iraq Civil War could go Regional. 

Is the FALL of Baghdad Close ? - Middle East Crisis

Telegraph - Iraq Live: Reports in its 5.36pm post the following, " There are reports that fighting between Iraqi and al-Qaeda forces taking place near al-Taji - 15 miles from Baghdad. "

Lets Get Real:

If Iraq falls to Al Qaeda you could see a regional war, the Tehran Regime is helping the Baghdad Regime fight the Al Qaeda terrorists, odd the US and Iran on the same page for once, even Assad has offered to send troops, that is how much of a threat the terrorists are, the worse do not look as bad as these terrorists.   The US and the Oval in special has to ACT, otherwise it might be to late to save Iraq, and the area from tearing itself apart.   The civil, economic and military State of Al Qaeda would be a threat ALL the States, thus this has to be stopped before we as stated a terrorist State with oil money.   An Al Qaeda Iraq could buy the nuclear bomb, yes it is that bad, they could close down oil to the West, yes bad for Western Europe.   This is a crossroads for the West and the Middle East, lets hope the US ACTS. 

The COST of Office - Obama and Bush 43 - The Race for 2016

CNN - Politics: Reports the following on its new poll, " released Thursday indicates a milestone of sorts: Obama is now as unpopular as Bush. Fifty-one percent have an unfavorable view of Bush; 51% feel the same way about Obama.  "

Lets Get Real:

This is the price that President Obama is paying for keeping his LEFT happy, has not bothered to form a working alliance with the Republican House and he does not have much time for Democratic Senators on the HILL, that is the problem when you run as something more special than you are, in this he was helped by the US press, they saw the colour of his skin not the man, this blog always so a Chicago pol who go lucky with the US economy in the rubbish bin.    Of course one can hear the cries from the left that this is racist, but in fact the left that is racist, ALL is about race to them, not the content of a character as a wise man once said. The Obama Foreign Policy has made Jimmy Carter look good, that is saying something, the US economy is sluggish to say the least, and ObamaCare is hated, thus why President Obama equals Bush 43 in negative polling. 

The FALL of Baghdad ? - Middle East Crisis

Guardian - Iraq Live: Reports the following in its 5.28pm post, " Jihadi militants, led by Isis, were reported to have advanced close to Baghdad. Residents in the capital stockpiled supplies as Isis were reported to have taken a town 56 miles north of the capital, "

Lets Get Real:

It seems that the Oval does not have much time, it needs to take firm action or one morning Obama could wake to be told that an Al Qaeda flag is now in Baghdad, and the oil that the West needs is under threat and so in the US economy.    The US Armed Forces have to get back in to the game, air strikes, with fixed wing planes and drones, the whole drone fleet if need be, and then US Special Forces backed up by US troops if the problems gets worse, then Obama might face the hardest choice of his Presidency, send thousands of US troops in to Iraq to clean up the mess he created in 2011 by taking troops out of Iraq.   The clock is ticking Mr President, what will be your choice. 

Obama on Iraq - All Options Open -Middle East Crisis

BBC News: Reports " US President Barack Obama says his government is looking at "all options", including military action, to help Iraq fight Islamists militants. "

Lets Get Real:

It would be the ironies of ironies if Obama is forced to go back in to Iraq, the Candidate who used his opposition to Iraq as his the selling point of his Campaign in 2008 would be forced to accept that he was wrong in 2011 to take US troops out of Iraq.   Well IF the Oval is serious it should consider a major attack on the terrorists in Syria and Iraq, if your left is going to attack you. it is  better go for 100% in, place troops in Iraq, US Special Forces would be the best and air power to attack the terrorists in Syria.   The West can not afford to see the development of an Al Qaeda State in the Middle East, this would be a major threat to ALL the States, even Iran is worried about that, thus this is the time to ACT, the EU is a paper tiger, do not expect any help from them after the Iraq War of 2003.   Thus this is the time for bold measures, time for Obama to be POTUS. 

BBC News - Live Reporting in Iraq Crisis: Click HERE

The Threat to Baghdad - The Middle East Crisis

The New York Times: Reports the following, " The militants overran the city of Tikrit, seized facilities in the strategic oil refining town of Baiji, and threatened an important Shiite shrine in Samarra as they moved south toward Baghdad. "

Lets Get Real:

The question that has to be asked by the Oval can it afford to see Al Qaeda in total control of Iraq and a leading force in Syria, this would be a disaster for the Obama Administration and its legacy.   Thus WHAT real options does the Oval have, no ground troops, the US public would not support going back to Iraq, a return by Obama would destroy the Democratic Party, the left would go bonkers and the Republicans would rub their hands with delight.  Thus what can the Oval do, that has a real results, it could use drones, a massive operation to set back the Al Qaeda franchise in Iraq and allow the Iraqi forces to fight back, the question is will the Hamlet of the Oval act, does he have the time, does he have the courage to make that kind of decision. 

The US and Iraq - The Middle East in Crisis

Telegraph: Reports in its 6.29pm post the following, " Breaking from Reuters: US 'stands ready' to provide assistance to Iraq  No detail yet on what that means - but almost certain to be diplomatic and equipment, rather than actual military intervention. "

Lets Get Real:

What is President Obama going to do, make another speech that tells the World that the War on Terror is OVER, that this is not Al Qaeda core at work, that its a franchise, a franchise that could turn to out to be bigger than the original Al Qaeda, and more of a threat, ALL that oil money, and control of new State WITHIN Syria and Iraq.   This is a national security disaster and its down to President Obama, his policy decisions have created this mess, does recall Jimmy Carter.   The US needs a new Ronald Reagan. 

World War One Borders Dissolve in Iraq - Middle East

Guardian: Reports Al Qaeda wants to dissolve WW1 borders, the article notes the following, " Statements released by the group claimed that the assault on Mosul was the beginning of the end of the Sykes Picot agreement - the post-colonial settlement which in 1916 enshrined the nation states of Syria and Lebanon and influenced the drawing of the Jordan and Iraq borders.  "

Lets Get Real:

The US and the West HAS to act or it might find that Al Qaeda controls a lot of oil and the money to go nuclear, this is also a threat to the borders of other Countries in the region.  The US should send in US Special Forces and drones to take out this threat, the Oval can not wait for the World to agree, it might be to late.   If Al Qaeda gets the nuclear bomb, or buys one, this would be a threat to the existence  of Israel, thus Israel must be wondering how far it can let this go before having to take action.   The West must and the Oval must get over the fact that the War on Terror is OVER, its not, and if the West is weak there will be more deaths in the Middle East and the West.   Time is running out to take action.

Al Qaeda State of Iraq - Middle East

BBC News: Reports " Islamist insurgents in Iraq have seized the city of Tikrit, their second major gain after capturing Mosul on Tuesday, security officials say. "

Lets Get Real:

Are we seeing the development of an Al Qaeda State in Iraq, if the Baghdad Government can not get control back the terrorists will grow and start to move for the Capital, this would be a threat to Iraq and the West.  An Al Qaeda Government having at its disposal the oil money of Iraq would be a major threat to the Middle East and to Western security, a State controlled by Al Qaeda could prevent oil getting to the West, this could cause massive economic problems in the West.   Thus WHAT will the US do about this THREAT, the answer is nothing, to act now would show that President Obama has become a failed President.  It was his decision to remove troops from Iraq in 2011 that helped the terrorists come back, and also his lack of action in Syria has helped the terrorists create a new State that goes from Iraq in to Syria.   These are troubling developments in Iraq. 

Al Qaeda on the MOVE in Iraq - 2nd Term Blues

Telegraph: Reports " Al-Qaeda seizes Iraq's third-largest city as terrified residents flee

Militants storm northern city of Mosul, freeing thousands of prisoners, as Iraqi army retreats and prime minister asks parliament to declare state of emergency "

Lets Get Real:

The Obama Oval might want to declare that the War on Terror is over, but it has failed to understand one point, it takes two to agree, since Obama has entered Office, we have seen the secular revolt in Syria become a religious  revolt, the winner of that has been Al Qaeda, and the Assad Regime, while the revolt in Syria has allowed Al Qaeda to grown back in Iraq, the feed and support each other, this is down to the failure of President Obama to lead.   All those deaths in Syria and Iraq are down to the NO ACTION of the Hamlet of the Oval.  The lack of action is taking a policy stand, it is that simple. 

Hillary Clinton Memoir - Reviews are IN

CNN - Politics: Reports the following reviews of the Clinton Memoirs as Secretary of State, " How many ways can political reporters, pundits and book reviewers write that Hillary Clinton's memoir "Hard Choices" is devoid of salacious details or titillatingly news? Many, apparently. "

Lets Get Real:

This blogger is still waiting for his copy of the book, but it looks like the VERDICT is in, its a wet blanket, its a safe PR book, keeps the Clintons options open and does not offend any one they might need for 2016 or if they get back in to the White House.   it lacks the sharp verdicts of the Gates book, well then it can be argued that Robert Gates thinks his political public career is over and he does not need to care what others think, while Hillary Clinton has to be careful before her 2016 run.   One has to assume that one will get the real Clinton story after her public career is over, either she wins or loses in 2016, if she wins the events of today will have lost the interest of the public, but there will be other Clinton scandals, that is part of the Clinton record.   Fun political times ahead. 

Hillary Clinton and Benghazi - The 2016 Race

Guardian: Reports " Clinton says inquiries into Libyan gun battle that killed US ambassador are spurring her to run for White House "

Lets Get Real:

If you think that Benghazi IS the reason that Hillary Clinton will run in 2016 your to far gone for this blog, your a mindless LIBERAL.   The ONE reason that Clinton might not run is because of Libya.  While the Clinton book will be supported by the liberal press the agenda is not in the control of Clinton or the press in many respects, there is House Select Committee that will bring Hillary before it, lets see how she really copes under pressure, it might come to  a choice defending herself or throwing Obama under the bus, lets not be fools here, we know the Clintons, if it means that Bill and Hillary are back in the Oval they will what ever it takes, even if it means sending Obama to join Jimmy Carter as one of the US's major failures as President.   The liberal press will try to cover for Hillary, but there is Fox News and the House, they could still cause major damage to the Clintons, this story is far from over, its long time in till 2017. 

The Destruction of Iraq AFTER the Iraq War and the US Leaving - Middle East

BBC News: Reports " Iraq's prime minister has asked parliament to declare a state of emergency, after militants took control of the northern city of Mosul. "

Lets Get Real:

This is what happens when the US does not lead, by 2009 the Bush 43 military surge had done the trick,  it had gotten Iraq on the road to peace after years of terrorist attacks, then President Obama entered Office on the IDEA that Iraq was the BAD War and the noble War was Afghanistan,  the problem with that idea is that it was rubbish, what the Oval managed to do was turn a winning War in Iraq in to a losing War, while increasing troops to Afghanistan and then stating it would leave in 2014, this meant that the terrorists in both Afghanistan and Iraq won by default, the US left left Iraq after 2011 with no troops in place to protect the gains of the Bush surge, while the Afghan Taliban increased attacks in Afghanistan to create the image that the US was been driven out of the Country like the old USSR and the British Empire in the 19th Century.   Lets hope the new President in 2017 understands the importance leadership. 

The Memoirs of Hillary Clinton - NYT Book Review

The New York Times: Has the following review of the new book by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, " The book itself, however, turns out to be a subtle, finely calibrated work that provides a portrait of the former secretary of state and former first lady as a heavy-duty policy wonk. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus the pre roll out of the 2016 Hillary Clinton run for the Presidency, she makes it clear that she wanted ACTION over Syria but President Obama played his Hamlet role out  to perfection, on the trade off of five terrorists for one US hostage in Afghanistan the Clinton camp has made it clear that it set the bar higher when Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State, in other words she would have opposed the deal.    On Iran the Clinton Camp has made it clear it has doubts on IF the right deal can be made with Tehran, a deal that keeps the Jewish vote happy with Democrats in essence.    The Clintons will throw Obama to the political lions if meets getting them to the Oval, one does wonder IF President Obama understands how ruthless the Clintons can be, they make Chicago pols look innocent. 

Hillary Cllinton vs. President Obama on Syria - Clinton and 2016

Guardian: Reports " Former secretary of state convinced arming moderates was best way to turn tide against Assad but was overruled by Obama "

Lets Get Real:

If the Obama Oval gets any lower in the polls the Clintons will make sure that any merit of the Obama Administration goes to Hillary Clinton and any  negative results will be down to the Hamlet of the Oval.   If its a choice of between Hillary Clinton in the Oval in 2016 and throwing Obama to his critics then the Oval should expect no mercy, this is the last chance for the Clintons, they will use the political knife on any one in their way, VP Biden is lucky in some respects that NO ONE sees him as a real rival, if he even thinks of running the Clintons will cut his neither regions off, they are going to WIN the Democratic nomination no matter what or what it takes, this is the rebirth in their view of the Clinton Era. 

Afghanistan Assassination Attempt - Afghan War

BBC News: Reports " The front-runner in Afghan's presidential election, Abdullah Abdullah, has survived a suicide bomb attack targeted at his convoy in Kabul. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus the Taliban are making their presence felt in the 2nd round of the Afghan Election, it seems that the Assassination attempt was a real but also worked as a warning to the new President, you might get elected but the Taliban will be the real power in Afghanistan after the West leaves.   Lets see if this makes a difference in the next Afghan President agreeing for US troops to stay in Afghanistan after 2014.   Once the US and the West leaves in full by 2016 one can see Kabul falling to the Taliban and the West will have gained nothing and learned noting from Afghanistan. 

The Case AGAINST Bowe Bergdahl - 2nd Term Blues

Daily Mail: Report "...a spokesman for the Taliban claimed that Bergdahl has been working as a collaborator with the terrorist organization during his five years in captivity.  "

Lets Get Real:

The White House has lost the PR war when it comes to Sgt Bergdahl, what was President Obama thinking when he gave this scheme the green lights, IF the allegations are true about the Sgt then the Oval has  BIG SCANDAL of its own making, in World War 1 Soldiers were shot for actions far less than those taken by the Sgt, so what does the Oval do NOW, simple, let the Army do the checking, keep the political operation out of the system, do not allow the Republicans to argue that the Oval supporters traitors, some allegations even Obama would not come back from.   Why could Obama not let Sgt rot in Afghanistan, it seems that would have been the best political outcome for the Oval and the Democrats. 

The US Congress vs. Oval over Afghan Deal - 2nd Term Blues

CNN - Politics: Reports " Republicans and Democrats raised serious concerns more than two years ago with the Obama administration about the possibility of swapping Taliban prisoners for captured Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl but said promised consultation never materialized. "

Lets Get Real:

It seems that President Obama has taken the notion of an Imperial Presidency to his  head, he thinks because he has two years left he can do what ever he wants and any political blowback does not matter.   The Democrats on the Hill beg to differ, they face elections in November with a President who is not that popular, also they are worried at losing the Senate and what happens in 2016 should a Republican win, if they do not fight the Oval NOW a future President might followo the Obama example and break as many laws as he or she wants to meet their aims.   Thus expect more conflict between the Oval and the Hill, the Oval thinks the Hill is a nightmare now, wait if the Republicans take the Senate, then the Oval will know what political hell really feels like.  Those Mid terms are coming around the corner. 

The US and the Ukraine - 2nd Term Blues

BBC News: Reports " US President Barack Obama is to discuss economic support for Ukraine when he meets President-elect Petro Poroshenko in Warsaw. "

Lets Get Real:

In talks with the new Ukrainian President the US President can at least show he understands the problems of the Ukraine via its bully of a neighbour Russia, the Oval needs some success, the vets scandal is rumbling on, the case of the returned US Soldier from being kept by the Taliban has a been a PR disaster, the Oval might find that it has to send the unlucky Soldier back to prison for going AWOL in Afghanistan.  The US economy is sluggish, and the Republicans smell political blood in water from Libya to Afghanistan.   It seems the curse of 2nd term Presidents is hitting the Oval, also with the staff looking at their futures, it can be argued that the Oval has 2nd rate staff, the pros have gone to work for Hillary Clinton for 2016. 

The Scandal of Sgt Bowe Bergdahl and the Obama Administration - 2nd Term Blues

Guardian: Reports the following, " Some Republicans are portraying Bergdahl as disloyal, questioning the patriotism of his father and have claimed the president's decision to swap him for the five Taliban fighters – previously held at Guantánamo Bay – was an unlawful move that has endangered the lives of Americans. "

Lets Get Real:

After Libya one would have thought that the Oval would have been more careful when it comes to using foreign policy as a political tool, one can assume that those that were released will be back on the battlefield within a short period of time, the PR value to the Taliban will be great, it will show from their perspective that they have won, that the US like the USSR is on the way out of Afghanistan, forced out by the Taliban.    The truth and Afghanistan is never the final chapter, the US public is weary of the War, it seems to the US voter that the US has not gained from its presence, the Afghan Government is corrupt, the rights of women is under constant threat, the people want to be on the winning side.   Thus another poliitcal and foreign policy disaster for Obama. 

Another TRIAL for Sgt Bowe Bergdahl - 2nd Term Blues

BBC News: Reports the following, " The top-ranking US military officer has raised the possibility Sgt Bowe Bergdahl could be prosecuted if he abandoned his post before his capture. "

Lets Get Real:

The Obama Administration can hardly get Sgt Bowe Bergdahl released by the Taliban and then throw him back in to jail, they Oval would look foolish, the the Taliban would get a major victory, you deal with what you have, the Sgt might be last man you want in a foxhole with you but he is still part of the Army.    The Republicans will be after political blood, they see the Oval going around Congress again and using national security as a political tool.   At the end of the day you have to go with the decision, you have to trust that Oval took the decision for the right reasons, you have to give President Obama the benefit of the doubt. 

Obama's Iran - Contra Deal ?

BBC News: Reports " The main US political parties have clashed over the deal to swap five Guantanamo Bay detainees for a Taliban-held soldier, with Republicans warning it could put American lives at risk. "

Lets Get Real:

This blog has been thinking about this DEAL since the weekend, it did not rush to be critical of the deal, it does sound in part like Reagan's Iran deal in part, the White House has to make it clear that this was a one off, also it needs the CIA to keep an eye on the released Taliban.   The question that has been asked does this deal put a price on the heads of US soldiers still left in Afghanistan, the answer is YES, what if the Taliban take other US Soldiers as hostages, and demand the release of KSM.  This might open a box that comes back to bite the Oval in the backside, on the other hand if things go well in Afghanistan, that is a big hope the US after 2014 can leave with a majority of their troops and think the job has been well done and no one has bee left behind.   Hope and Afghanistan do not go together that often in history.