The REAL LBJ and Civil Rights - Civil Rights Era

The New York Times: Reports on the row between those that are critical of a film version of LBJ and his role in the Civil Rights Agenda, the article notes the following, " But it has also drawn some sharp criticism for its depiction of Johnson as a laggard on black voting rights who opposed the marches and even unleashed the Federal Bureau of Investigation in an effort to stop Dr. King’s campaign. "

Lets Get Real:

A film and the reality of a historical events are no going to match up most of the time, if your looking for truth of events in film then your looking in the wrong place, moder viewrs want to know who is the bad guy and who you should they be supporting.   President Johnson due to Vietnam War does not get high grades from historians, but when it comes to the Great Society and Civil Rights this blog has a lot of respect for LBJ, he was willing to lose 1964 Presidential Election before giving up Civil Rights, one a quick reading of the history that the film covers one finds that LBJ was concerned about getting another bill through the Congress that dealt with this issue, also that the Democrats would lose the South to the Republicans, it can could be argued that LBJ needed the political pressure on his  back to get something done, but the idea that LBJ was a block on Civil Rights is not true.    As LBJ noted Kennedy could get nothing through the Congress when it came to Civil Rights and thus LBJ would make it part of his record.   LBJ was a master of Congress, he got two civil rights bills passed in two years, yes it helped that the African American leaders and supporters were on the streets in peaceful marches, and the over reaction of the State police.   It was a partnership between LBJ and Dr King, they might not have wanted it, but it worked.  Politics is like making a grand meal, making it is not great, but the eating makes up for any bad memories. 

Two Italian Hostages held by Al Qaeda Franchise - Syria

Telegraph: Reports " Italian hostages beg for their lives in new video message..Two Italian aid workers captured in Syria by al-Qaeda appear on Youtube video "

Lets Get Real:

Thus another hostage crisis from the Middle East, now two women faced death at the hands of a Al Qaeda franchise group.    One can see how this will play out,  the Italian Government will face pressure from its own people to act, thus another payment to hostage takers, then more hostages will be taken.   This blog is calling for the EU and the West to block its citizens going to Syria and Iraq, no matter if they want to help, they are undercutting the effort to get rid of IS, if they want to go they must sign a document that means that should anything happen to them their own Governments do not have to buy them back.    The West has to stand firm, no talk or monies to hostage takers, no matter the results. 

IS Update - New War on Terror

Guardian: Reports " US-led coalition launched 29 air strikes against Isis on New Year's Eve...Fighters, bombs and aircraft attacked 17 targets in Syria and 12 in Iraq "

Lets Get Real:

In the next two years the US and the UK will have to place US/UK Special Forces in Iraq, the new Iraqi Army while starting to be built up and having success is no match for IS is such places as Mosul.   In the house to house fighting in Mosul the air power of the Allies can not be used, thus it will be harder to rid Mosul of IS, the new Iraqi Army might want to take the fight to IS, but its better to give them time and then for them to have success, than run in and lose, Kobani should be lesson to ALL, that when it comes to towns and cities the Allies will have to use their forces, one wonders if the Oval Office is dreading the day when the call comes from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs for US forces to clear IS out of major populations areas.    The decision to that call will decide how history writes about the Obama Era. 

Is Jeb Bush the NEXT President ? - 2016 Presidential Election

BBC News: Reports " Former Florida governor Jeb Bush has reportedly scaled back his business commitments as he thinks seriously about a White House run. "

Lets Get Real:

The one plus for Jeb Bush should he face Hillary Clinton is that the Democrats can not use the charge that Bush Family is becoming a Dynasty, as Hillary Clinton is the wife of President Clinton and served as Secretary of State in the first Obama Administration.   As of now Jeb Bush is the front runner, it can be expected that Senator Paul and Governor Christie will also run, this works for Bush as it will split the vote and thus help his campaign, the Conservative Republicans will split their vote thus allowing Bush or either Governor Christie to come through.   It has been argued that more Republican candidates suites Jeb Bush, interesting and right theory.  The base the Conservative core will see Bush as to moderate on education and immigration, thus in the early stages they will test out different candidates, the more room for the Bush strategy to come through in the middle.   Two years to go in till new President in the Oval. 

Germany vs. Greece - EU Crisis

Telegraph: Reports " Greece 'on a collision course with EU' warns Germany..Country’s far-Left anti-austerity opposition stands poised to win snap election in four weeks’ time following defeat for Greek government’s presidential candidate "

Lets Get Real:

Thus in the New Year expect the Greek mess to be at the front of the news headlines, the Germans have made it clear that the only path is their path, if Greek votes left then the Germans will cut the money that keeps Greece going.    The people of Greece have to GROW UP, without the German tax payer giving handouts to the Greek Government the Greek economy would be in the toilet.   The austerity plan for Greece is the ONLY plan in town, wake up with a left wing Government Greece and your OUT of the Euro. 

LBJ and Civil Rights - LBJ Era

Guardian: Reports on a recent row on the role of President Johnson in the Civil Rights movement, the article notes the following on LBJ, " He embarked on an ambitious legislative programme which included the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act and the “War on Poverty”, though his presidency was later undermined by an unpopular and costly war in Vietnam.  "

Lets Get Real:

This blog admits it, it has a soft spot of LBJ, this President was willing to go to the wall to defend new civil rights for African - Americans, as he stated at the time what was the point of the Oval Office is not to take risks to do the right thing.   This blog would have respected President Obama if he had stated that ObamaCare was a tax to help poor people, might not agree how it worked but one could understand the moral point, instead the President stated it would help ALL Americans, also they could keep their Doctor if they liked their heath plan.   That is now taken as the one of the biggest lies in political history.   LBJ was willing to use the power of the Oval Office to get Civil Rights through the Congress and have diect talks with Governors so they would protect African - Americans.   This blog hopes that this film is not meant to downgrade LBJ as to put Obama in a better light, one got that impression with the Butler.   If your making a left of centre film say so, if your going to mess up facts expect come back from historians, its your own fault.   This blog will wait in till the film Selma comes out.   Then will do a full historical review of the film and history. 

IS in Iraq - Update

BBC News: Reports " Iraqi government forces and allied Shia militia have recaptured the town of Dhuluiya, north of Baghdad, from Islamic State, security sources say. "

Lets Get Real:

This is a good start by the new Iraqi Army and Government, but they should not run before they can walk, after this victory they will go to Mosul, but that means house to house fighting, one doubts the new Army has the ability to win a major city without the US ground forces.   Thus early next year the Baghdad Government might ask for the US to help with ground forces, that is the day the Oval Office has dreaded for months.   Thu Oval can not afford for the Iraqi Army to lose in Mosul, thus they will need to be backed up by US/UK special forces.  That fight will decide how long the new War on Terror goes on in Iraq and Syria.