Deaths in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that two UK soldiers have died in Afghanistan, the soldiers were from " The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland " Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 210 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that number it has lost 179 in combat operations and 31 due to illness, accidents or other incidents. Its end of August, how many more soldiers will the UK lose in Afghanistan, why do I have this worry that Afghanistan has become a political football for politicians in the USA and UK. I know understand the mindset of LBJ in the Vietnam War, lets hope its not the same result, the UK's track record in Afghanistan has not been great, lets not add another negative chapter.

LBJ = Obama over Afghanistan

Telegraph: Reports that the Liberal Left that opposed the War in Iraq is going to oppose the Obama's War in Afghanistan. Thus we are starting to see that President Obama is fast becoming LBJ, he has a War in Afghanistan that he cant win but can not afford to lose, it has been argued that Afghanistan is lot more important than the War in Vietnam, the simple reason that on the whole the domino theory for South Asia didn't happen, when the Communist North took over the South they didn't go marching in to other countries. In the case of Afghanistan we have Al - Qaeda and the Taliban ready to set up bases in Afghanistan if the West was to withdraw. This would have two negative effects, Obama would have made Pakistan a target for the Taliban/Terrorists, lets not forget that Pakistan is a nuclear power, also NATO would be damaged. On this issue one has to look at the fraught tensions between Russia and Ukraine and the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008. A weak NATO could give the Russian bear ideas, ideas that could lead to an invasion of the Ukraine and a threat to Poland, a NATO member. Thus President Obama cant lose Afghanistan, if he does lose Afghanistan he could become Neville Chamberlain and Jimmy Carter. If that was to become the legacy of his First Term he would lose his re-election bid in 2012.

Lose or Win in Afghanistan ?

The Washington Post: Article on how Bush 43 failed in Afghanistan, and how to turn Afghanistan around, the article states that the new US military and diplomatic leaders in Afghanistan can, "......win only if they are allowed to manage both the civil and military sides of the conflict without constant micromanagement from Washington or traveling envoys. " In the 1960s LBJ even selected targets to be bombed, that is a level of micromanagement that is seen as negative but Ronald Reagan in 1983 as reported by the historian Richard Reeves after being informed of the number of soldiers for a mission asked to double the force due to the fact that if Jimmy Carter had sent more resources in his bungled attempt to rescue the hostages in Iran he would have won the 1980 Presidential Election. Thus it is not a matter of micromanagement but if the management is right, is Obama in the mold of Jimmy Carter or Ronald Reagan.

Health Care Reform this Year ?

The Hill: Reports on the battle between Liberal and Blue Dog Democrats in the House of Representatives over Obama's Health Care Reform. The fate of this will decide if Democrats keep the House in the Congressional Mid Term Elections, Blue Dog Democrats will be thrown out of office by their voters if they support a Liberal Agenda of a Public Option in the Health Care Reform package. The Speaker of the House, the extreme Liberal Nancy Pelosi will throw Blue Dog Democrats under the bus or over the cliff, as long as she gets 218 votes in the House she does not care, thus if your a Blue Dog Democrat you have to think about your own political survival, thus some advice to Blue Dog Democrats, tell the Speaker to take a hike!

Voter Fraud in Afghanistan

The New York Times: Reports on the allegations of voter fraud in the Afghan Election, the NYT writes the following, " Western officials say they are increasingly ill at ease with the prospect of a national government in limbo..." Thus the Obama Administration faces two problems, on the one hand it has a corrupt government in Afghanistan, that should not be new to Chicago Politicians in the West Wing, on the other it will get a request for more troops by the end of the year to turn Afghanistan around, thus as Nixon had his policy of Vietnamiztion over the War in Vietnam, Obama will have to develop a Afghnamization of the War in Afghanistan. The biggest problem that the Obama White House will face is selling the idea of more troops in the support of a corrupt government, ballot stuffing in Afghanistan or the allegation that the Governor of Obama's home state tried to sell his Senate seat when he become President, its a matter of spin for Obama White House. As stated in previous post, Obama has about a year and half, if you include the Mid Term Congressional Elections to turn Afghanistan around, if no success expect call to get out of Afghanistan. The problem for Obama is that if he caves to the pressure of the left wing of his party he will place a target on the back on Pakistan. The Taliban/Terrorists could move from the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan back to Afghanistan and then strike Pakistan. The major worry for the West is that secular Pakistan with its nuclear weapons could fall to the Taliban/Terrorists. In that event, India would use its nuclear weapons on Pakistan and you could have a nuclear war in the region. Thus at the end of the day Obama has to sell in Afghan Policy to avoid a domino effect on Pakistan.

Obama’s Low Poll Approval

Rasmussen Reports: Reports on a new low for the President Obama’s approval rating, he now has the approval of 47% of the likely voters vs. 52% of disapproval of likely voters. The health care reform bill has really damaged the Obama Presidency, also lets be harsh here, his eulogy of Senator Edward Kennedy might go down great with the Liberal Base of the Democratic Party but it also went down like lead balloon with Republicans and Independents. Let’s see if President Obama has the managerial skills of LBJ when it comes to Congress, so far he makes LBJ and Ronald Reagan look like titans when it comes to Congress. It seems Obama is all flair and NO substance.

New Strategy for Afghanistan

BBC News: Reports that General McChrystal, the US Commander in Afghanistan has stated to the Obama Administration that a new strategy is needed in Afghanistan, the face of the War has to be changed from a Western to an Afghan Face. Thus more Afghan soldiers and police are need in Afghanistan. This strategy has echoes of Vietnam and the policy that was developed by the Nixon Administration, it was called Vietnamization , having Southern Vietnam soldiers fight North Vietnam, and get the USA out of Vietnam. The end result of the Nixon policy was the peace treaty of 1973 but later the fall of South Vietnam to the Communist North. Thus to make the War in Afghanistan a pure Afghan affair, President Obama will have to build up the Armed Forces of Afghanistan and its civic authorities, the BBC reports that it will take three years to build up the Army; thus more Western Troops to fight and train the Afghan Security Forces; Obama does not have three years, he has less than a year, the Liberal base in the Democratic Party wants out of Afghanistan, they see it as another Bush 43 War, the Liberal NYT has already started to run negative stories about Afghanistan, the same pattern if followed over Iraq. Also we have the Mid Term Congressional Elections in 2010, with health care hitting the Obama poll ratings the President can not afford to be seen as another LBJ or Nixon. Thus the US military has about a year to turn Afghanistan around, after about year you will start to hear the drums for withdrawal form Afghanistan.

Karzai the New Diem

The Sunday Times: Reports in depth on the stormy meeting between President Karzai of Afghanistan and the Obama Envoy, Richard Holbrooke, it seems that Karzai was being bullied to have a second round of elections in Afghanistan. This does recall the problems that the Kennedy Administration had with Diem of South Vietnam, Diem would not listen to US concern about his running of the Government, in the end the Kennedy Administration gave the green light for coup against Diem. This was the worse mistake of the Kennedy Administration, after the removal of Diem there was no stable government in South Vietnam, the the history lesson to Obama don't push a shaky barn, you might end up with no barn and barren land. In simpler language, if you get rid of Karzai you could end up with no leader that has support in Afghanistan and you end up being the Government of Afghanistan, does Holbrooke want to Viceroy of Afghanistan?

No More US Troops for Afghanistan Yet - Fox News

Fox News: Reports that the US Commander in Afghanistan, General McChrystal will not ask for more troops now but later on in the year, but he will ask for more kit. If this is the result the Obama White House will be very happy, its in the trenches over Health Care Reform, Liberals would not be happy in supporting a surge for Afghanistan, Obama would need Republican support, that might cause friction with his Liberal base. On the other hand President Obama might need Republican support at the end of the year for a surge, can he afford to burn them on health care reform and expect them to support him down the line, one wonders does the Obama White House think that far, so far they are not the best First Term Term, that goes to the Reagan Administration and the Chief of Staff James Baker.

The Afghan Election and the Obama Administration

The New York Times: Has an interesting Editorial on how the Afghan election will effect the Obama policy on Afghanistan. The perceived flawed election, in other words it was fixed or even better the Chicago way to run elections might not help the Obama Administration in selling its policy on Afghanistan, the NYT writes the following, " Obama administration officials had hoped that the election would show that Afghanistan was moving forward enough to justify more money and troops..." As BBC News reported the US is very concerned about the election outcome, this has caused tension between the USA and Afghanistan Governments, thus Obama faces two problems, the election in Afghanistan could cause people to go on to the streets as in Iran, this would be massive headache for Obama, also the Liberal NYT is building the same negative stories that caused the US voter to go negative on Iraq. Also the Obama White House has caused friction with the CIA, it would not matter if the USA was not fighting two Wars but it is, thus expect the CIA to leak against the Obama Administration, Obama really could be the next LBJ.

Families sending Kit to Afghanistan

The Times: Reports on one soldiers family sending out thousand pounds of kit to Afghanistan. I nearly fell out of my chair when I read this story, we have just lost another soldier on Saturday and our troops need their families to send out kit, kit that they should get from the MOD. This is a national disgrace, this is fighting a war on the cheap, its out of World War One when it comes to the treatment of our Armed Forces Personnel. It can be argued that UK PM Gordon Brown is not fit to be a PM in a time of War. Brown is no Winston Churchill in a time of War. UK PM Brown wants to fight a war on the cheap, sorry Mr Brown but war is a serious business, our troops need the kit and extra and troops, either support our Armed Forces or take them out of theatre. This is national disgrace folks, lets support our troops.

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that a British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the soldier was a " Royal Marine " Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 208 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that number, 177 have died in combat operations and another 31 have died due to illness, accidents or other incidents. I ask myself what will be the total number lost after we leave Afghanistan, after we leave can we look back say it was worth it, Iraq on the whole was a disaster, both Iraq and the USA wanted us out, thus Afghanistan is the country we cant lose, if Great Britain is to mean something, we have fight and we have to send more kit and troops, its that simple and harsh. If we are forced out in Afghanistan we might as well become another Belgium, needing the help of others aka 1914 and France in 1939/40.

STEALING from the POOR

The Times: Reports that New Labour is cutting benefit to the poorest families in the UK. I thought Labour was created to help the poor not to penalise them for being poor. In the USA Obama is throwing money at the poor through his economic package, while in the UK we are taking food in many respects from the mouths of the innocent. It seems the UK Government can save the banks but will allow people to starve, the Conservatives would never try to pull this kind of vile underhand policy move, it can be argued that UK PM Gordon Brown as the political instincts of the Captain of the Titanic.

President Obama, the US Justice Department vs The CIA

The New York Times: Reports on the decision by the US Justice Department under Eric Holder to investigate the CIA over its methods post 9/11, the NYT writes the following, " Few cabinet officers are closer to Mr. Obama than Mr. Holder,.... Aides said that they could not rule out that the two discussed the matter..." It seems that President Obama is out to get the CIA, this is bad mistake by the Obama White House, it should recall its has two wars to deal with, Afghanistan and Iraq, the CIA leaked the Bush White House to distraction, if it wants to it can make Obama's first term hell, they are the CIA, Obama is Chicago politician, the CIA has the National Security Agency that spies on everybody, thus lets hope the Obama White House is totally clean or they might find that leaks come out when they least want them and they spend rest of the time having to deny stories that make them look bad. At the end of the day you don't win against the CIA, when your President you need them more than they need you, Obama will find over the next few years that his main enemy is not the Republicans in Congress but the CIA and their leaks, they are experts, even better than Chicago politicians.

Russia vs Ukraine

The New York Times: Reports on the growing tensions between Russia and the Ukraine, the NYT writes the following on Russian actions, " is engaging in an increasingly hostile standoff with another pro-Western neighbor, Ukraine. " The issue is the Crimean Peninsula and the Russian Naval Base on Ukraine soil, on this issue it can be argued that Russia should get the Crimean Peninsula back, its part of Russia proper, it only lost due to administrative change at the time of the USSR. The move of the Crimean Peninsula to the Ukraine was done under Khrushchev the leader of the USSR, and the NYT is right in stating the following, ".... decision had little significance because both were part of the Soviet Union. " The Obama Administration on this issue should try get a deal between Russia and the Ukraine for the return of the Crimea back to Russia. But President Obama should make clear that Russia can not do another Georgia, no invasions, President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should make it clear to Russia that the West would support the Ukraine in any armed conflict between Russia and the Ukraine. Keep an eye on this story folks.

The US and the Afghan Election

BBC News: Reports on a stormy meeting between the Afghan President Hamid Karzai and President Obama's Envoy Richard Holbrooke, the issue the Chicago Type election in Afghanistan, in other words the vote was rigged in favour of Karzai. One has to wonder does the Obama Administration under the lessons of Vietnam, the Kennedy Administration got rid of the Diem Regime in South Vietnam and found it self saddled with the War in Vietnam. Lets hope this supposed heated debate is spin by the Obama Administration to show that it cares about Democracy. The Obama Administration should keep its nose out of internal Afghan politics, its like Chicago politics, dirty and deep and they do things differently there, President Obama should recall Chicago politics and keep well out of this election in Afghanistan.

Reagan and Kennedy - A Friendship

CNN News: Reports on a interview by Mrs Nancy Reagan to Larry King of CNN, Mrs Reagan stated that President Ronald Reagan and Senator Edward Kennedy did have a friendship. Its shows that two old lions can meet at the centre, shows that both leaders were classy Gentlemen.

Elite Media BAN free speech on Health Care Reform

Fox News: Reports that ABC and NBC have banned a Ad that is critical of the Obama/Kennedy Bill for Health Care Reform. This is the start folks, they elite media will try to use Senator Kennedy's death to suppress all debate about health care reform, the elite media knows that that Health Care Reform is on its last legs, thus expect the elite media to carry water for the Obama Administration, this is the time to fight folks, if you allow the elite media to win over Health Care Reform the country will go to the dogs, if your old or a veteran you will not benefit under Obama care, you will be seen as a hindrance to all things Obama. The Democrats and the Elite Media will use Kennedy's death to push their political agenda, Democrats don't believe in God so it does not matter that the Senator has not been buried. They will milk Kennedy's death to get support for their twisted version of health care reform, to quote Winston Churchill, lets fight them in the blogs, lets fight them with YouTube Ads, folks this is your time, fight the Obama/Kennedy plan to destroy your health coverage.

Win One for Teddy ?

ABC News: Reports that Democratic Congressional Leaders in Congress are going to push for health care reform as a tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy, thus the Democratic take on the old Reagan line, Win one for the Gipper becomes Win one for Teddy. Lets be brutal and honest here, Senator Kennedy was a old style Liberal, he was loved by the old liberal base in the Democratic Party, the Liberal base is not the United States. Senator Edward Kennedy's scandals had besmirched the Camelot myth, Mr Kennedy was not JFK and RFK, he lost to President Carter in 1980, and his treatment of Judge Bork was a national disgrace, not just a Senate matter. Liberals have the right to show respects, but that does not give them the right to con the US voter. Kennedy was 1 Senator in a hundred, nothing more or less, its just the Kennedy part that the elite media are obsessed with at this minute, the same media that covered for JFK and RFK and their darker moments, let not the media con you, respect to a Senator but not give away the shop, don't allow Democrats to take the USA over the cliff and destroy the health system in the USA and worse bankrupt the country.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has released the name of the British soldier who died of his wounds sustained in Afghanistan, the soldier was "Fusilier Shaun Bush from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers " It does seem this month that the battle attrition faced by our Armed Forces has decreased, have recent military pushes back against the Taliban/Terrorists worked, are we winning, lets hope there are not more deaths this month.

The Health Debate - No Reform ?

The Lakeland Times: Reports that the US Senator Russ Feingold a Democrat has stated that a Health Reform Package might come at the end of year or never. The effect of the town hall meetings on House and the Senate will be interesting, Blue Dog Democrats in the House have gotten a ear full from the voters, also Senators have gotten the message. Also with the death of Senator Ted Kennedy this could effect the progress of the Bill. As the New York Times notes " Republicans think...................that if.....Kennedy were still around — to cajole and influence both sides of the aisle — he might have made a difference. " Thus after Senator Kennedy burial on Saturday what is the political reality for the Obama White House and Democrats, at its most basic they don't have sixty votes in the Senate, thus we come to the nuclear option, to push a health care reform package through with just 51 votes, the Hill states the following, " Democratic leaders will have to resort to a special procedural maneuver, known as budget reconciliation, to pass the most controversial elements of reform,..." Thus we are waiting to see if the Blue Dog Democrats will cave to the Liberal Leadership in Congress, if Senate Leaders can keep all their Senators in line. The death of Senator Kennedy has robbed President Obama of a very import point man in the Senate, lets see if Obama can manage the Senate like LBJ.

Chappaquiddick and Kennedy

ABC News: Reports how the incident at Chappaquiddick effected the political career of Senator Edward Kennedy. Read of the Day.

The Next Senator from Massachusetts IS ?

The Hill: Reports on those in the race to be the successor to Senator Edward Kennedy. Lets be brutal here, politics is brutal, and the King is Dead, Long Live the King. The State of Massachusetts has to decide if it’s a heredity Senate seats for the Kennedy's or if it’s a Democracy, it cant be both, lets have a fresh face with new ideas, even more left wing that Teddy Kennedy but new and not a Kennedy.

The Death of Senator Edward Kennedy

BBC News: Reports on the death of Senator Edward Kennedy. Senator Kennedy was the last of the Kennedy Brothers, President Kennedy being assassinated in 1963, Bobby Kennedy being killed in 1968, and Joe Kennedy being killed in World War Two. Senator Edward Kennedy was the last link to the Kennedy Camelot of 1961 - 1963. Ted Kennedy in many respects achieved more than his brothers, he was the last liberal lion of the Senate, his name is attached to many reforms that have helped those that need help in society. The question that has to be asked do these reforms make up for Chappaquiddick, in this case he drove his car off a bridge and drowned an Campaign Aide of RFK, Mary Jo Kopechne, he swam away from the car, contacted his political aides before the local authorities. Thus does public good negate the death of Mary Jo Kopechne, it cant, it does not matter how many good works you do if you destroy a life there are consequences, for Edward Kennedy it was that he was never President, but he helped a young Senator Obama become President. President Obama stated the following after the death of Senator Kennedy, " The outpouring of love, gratitude, and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives. His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education's promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just -- including myself.......in the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth, and good cheer. He could passionately battle others and do so peerlessly on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintain warm friendships across party lines........And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy.......His extraordinary life on this earth has come to an end. And the extraordinary good that he did lives on. For his family, he was a guardian. For America, he was the defender of a dream. " But dreams are complicated, the dream of Camelot, of JFK, RFK and Edward Kennedy had light but also darkness, thus back to Chappaquiddick.

US Liberals and Afghanistan and Iraq

The New York Times: It has started already folks, the Liberal left is starting to undermine the War in Afghanistan as they did in Iraq, the NYT writes the following, " The war in Afghanistan made sense once but it doesn’t any longer. The war in Iraq never did..." Thus here is the groundwork for next year folks, the Liberal New York Times has started with negative stories about Afghanistan, as it did with Iraq. The extreme Liberal New York Times wants to give American rights to terrorists, leaks national security information, tax the middle class to pay for the poor to have a health service. The question is does Obama have the backbone to stand up to the Liberal NYT, so far he has not, he has allowed his Attorney General to damage the national security of the USA by appointing a special prosecutor to investigate torture claims post 9/11. The President has appointed the FBI to be the main agent in the War on Terror, thus showing a pre 9/11 mindset. It can be postulated that Obama will cave to the Liberal NYT when it comes to Afghanistan, but the cost will be to the security of the USA and the West. The silver lining is that Obama will lose his re-election bid in 2012, the problem is does the Republican Party have another Ronald Reagan.

The Left and Pakistan

Guardian: Reports on the deaths of Taliban/Terrorists in the Swat Valley in Pakistan, the Left Wing Guardian writes the following, " security forces are under pressure to hold an inquiry after being accused by human rights groups of summarily executing suspected militants in the Swat valley. " What is it with papers like the Guardian and the The New York Times, they seem more interested in giving rights to terrorists than to the people, the Taliban/Terrorists wanted to take the Swat Valley back to the stone age, it seems that Guardian types don't see the real world, they seen their cosy left wing views as representing the real world, it never has and never will, the Taliban/Terrorists deserve a summary trial and execution in most cases, we don't have time for cases at the Hague. The Army of Pakistan should be given thanks for doing a good job, not get some nagging from the UK Guardian, on most issues that the Guardian cares about the Taliban are on the other page, don't see many civil partnerships under the Taliban. The Taliban/Terrorists have to be destroyed, they are the modern Fascists or Satanists, they have to be placed on the ash heap of history.

Torture Worked = Saved Lives

Fox News: Reports on the release of secret documents that seem to justify the use of torture on terrorists. It is hard to understand why President Obama wants to get in to a fight with VP Cheney on the issue, it is the one issue that the voters have made their minds up on, and they support the Bush 43. When it comes to National Security the Democrats never seem to learn, the recent appointment of a special prosecutor to look in to acts of the CIA after 9/11 will only work against the Obama Administration, the American people are not interested in the 1980s left wing seminar opinions of left wing Democrats when it comes to the security of the USA. The Obama Administration is making the same mistake as Bush 43, it is making an enemy of the CIA, they CIA has the NSA what dose Obama have that can match the power of the CIA to leak an Administration to distraction. It is a hard fact folks, torture worked post 9/11, it saved lives, if you got a terrorists you get the information any way you can, Obama can not afford a major terrorist attack on the USA while his Justice Department is trying to convict CIA Officers, Obama has done a major gamble, if he loses he just loses the Presidency in 2012, the USA and the West could lose thousands or hundred of thousand of lives if the terrorist get lucky with a major operation in the USA or the West.

Taliban/Terrorists kill Innocent Afghans

BBC News: Reports on the latest atrocities by the Taliban/Terrorist in Afghanistan, they have set off bombs in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The bombs have killed around 40 people and injured many more in Kandahar. The NATO and US Forces have to bring security to the urban areas of Afghanistan, the people of Afghanistan have to believe that the West has the morale backbone to stay as long as it takes in Afghanistan. If the Obama Administration does not send extra troops to Afghanistan as will be requested by the US Military, then there is no hope for the Western Military and people of Afghanistan, it can be argued that this is Obama's LBJ moment. Obama in his hearts of hearts does not want to send extra troops to Afghanistan, one the whole one can understand the Presidents points of view but as stated of late many times on this blog, the Obama Administration and the West does not have a choice, we cant leave Afghanistan, a Western pull out would help the Taliban/Terrorists and would make Pakistan a target. The major worry is that Pakistan is a nuclear armed power, thus there are no good options when it comes to Afghanistan, its just the lesser bad choice, Obama might not want to be LBJ but history is fickle, it might be time for another LBJ, and that crown is now on the head of President Obama.

The USA in Afghanistan

The New York Times: Reports on the latest US deaths in Afghanistan; four soldiers died on Tuesday; the NYT writes the following, " making the 2009 death toll for foreign forces in Afghanistan the highest since the war began nearly eight years ago. " Since 2001 as noted by icasualties.org the USA has lost 802 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, this year alone the USA has lost 172 of its soldiers. The Obama Administration has about a year to turn Afghanistan around, if within the next 12 to 18 months the landscape is the same the Liberal Left in Congress will get cold feet, they will want to pull out of Afghanistan, the calls are there already, even the Liberal New York Times has started to build the ground work for pulling out. This is the Just War that Obama wanted to fight in the 2008 Presidential Race, but politics is a hard business, Liberal Members of Congress will start to hear from their Liberal base that Afghanistan like Iraq is a Bush 43 war and that the USA should get out. The Liberal Members of Congress the need the base to get out the vote in the Mid Term Congressional Elections, thus they will start to feel the heat next year to get out of Afghanistan. If Obama folds to Congress he will lose the House in 2012 and his re-election in 2012.

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that a British soldier has died in the UK of wounds gained in Afghanistan. News Reports state that the soldier was from the " 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers " Thus in total the UK has now lost 207 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that number it has lost 176 in combat operations, another 31 due to accidents, illness or other incidents. The BBC News notes that the UK has now lost 70 of its Armed Forces Personnel this year alone. Also icasualties.org notes that 2009 has been very bloody for the Armed Forces in Afghanistan, as of today after the above report the Armed Forces in Afghanistan have lost 296 deaths in combat and other incidents. Thus now in at the end of August the there have been more military deaths in Afghanistan than through any year since Western Forces of NATO, the USA went in to Afghanistan in 2001. There will be more deaths, lets hope we achieve something at the end, have my doubts.

Aid for Pakistan

Telegraph: Reports on a five billion aid plan for Pakistan, in essence to win the heart and minds of those that have been effected by the War between the the Army of Pakistan and the Taliban/Terrorists. This is an excellent move, it should be noted that this blog has argued for this kind of aid from the start, winning the War against the Taliban/Terrorists is important but you cant lose the people. Thus lets hope this aid to the civic society of Pakistan can help those that have been directly effected by the War, thus aid spent on schools, hospitals, local democracy, economic aid to those at the bottom of the civic structure of Pakistan. This is a good start, but its the start of a long road, it will be hard and difficult, the West can not lose Pakistan.

Obama's Rendition Policy

The New York Times: Reports that President Obama will carry on with the rendition of terrorist suspects, the NYT writes the following, " .....will continue the Bush administration’s practice of sending terror suspects to third countries for detention and interrogation,.....But human rights advocates condemned the decision,...." The Obama Administration has stated that the suspects will not be tortured but that is spin, that's the point of rendition, its to get information that you might need in a hurry, in less the US will have CIA officials with the suspects for 24/7 there will be torture used on suspects, that is the brutal truth post 9/11. Lets see if the Liberal New York Times follows up this story, or will they cover for Obama.

The Liberal Left on Obama and Reagan

The New York Times: It seems the Liberal New York Times still goes not get it, here is another attack on the Reagan Presidency, the Liberal Mr Paul Krugman writes the following, " Washington, it seems, is still ruled by Reaganism..........the blame also must rest with President Obama, who famously praised Reagan during the Democratic primary, ....." Lets look at the record here, President Reagan left office in 1989, he died in 2004, there must be a few Presidents in between, the age of Reagan as it has become known of late seem to have started on 20th January 1981 and lasted till 20th January 2009. What about Bush 41, Bill Clinton, and Bush 43, didn't they do anything that is worth of age prefix before their name. What really gets the Liberal New York Times is that they could never really throw arrows at Reagan while he was President, it really drives them around the twist to see President Obama give Reagan praise. It simple folks, Reagan left office with a Gallup approval of 63%, in the New York Times poll it was 68%. Also Reagan's VP was his successor, also Bush 43 was the political heir to Reagan. Lets be honest here folks the Democrats on the whole don't have a great political record, thus lets hope the Gipper will drive the Liberal New York Times batty till the end of time.

FBI takes over the War on Terror

Fox News: Reports that the FBI will take over the interrogation of top terrorists, the FBI will report to the National Security Council. As reported by the Liberal LATimes a few months ago the FBI will run the War on Terror. The Obama Administration has a pre 9/11 mind set, if its lucky the Bush Administration will have broken the back of the terrorists, thus this mistake will not have serious consequences for the National Security of the USA and the West, but what if Obama is not lucky, what if he has a ticking clock, a case out of the TV series 24. Lets look in the future, the President is informed that a top-level terrorists has been caught and he wants a lawyer, the FBI believes that a major terrorist attack going to happen within the next 12 hours, you do not have time for tea and biscuits with the terrorist. The question one has to ask what is more important to Obama, the security of the USA or his own arrogance. Lets start building those nuclear bunkers folks!, he has allowed his Attorney General to damage the security of the USA by appointing a Special Prosecutor to investigate past torture claims against the CIA, does he have the morale courage to defend the United States, that is the question folks.

President Karzai WINS in Afghanistan

The Times: Reports that President Karzai has won a second term in Afghanistan. Of those that are kind to read this blog that is not breaking news, the Chicago Fix was in for Karzai, good old Mayor Daley of the 1960 Presidential Election would be proud. Thus far no reports of any one who fought in the 1st and 2nd Afghan Wars of the 19th Century against the UK voting yet but give it time. The result was pre destined, the West needs Karzai, he is our Diem, lets just hope we don't have to give the green light for a coup. The question is can Karzai clean up the Afghan Government, clean up the corruption, build schools, hospitals, give the Afghan people hope. That is the question, my prediction is no, expect the need for a strong man to lead Afghanistan, the USA and the UK can not stay in Afghanistan for 40 years, five years would be pushing the political limit. Thus expect a weak and corrupt government in Kabul, the security situation will get worse, the USA and the UK will come to crossroads, more troops our out, its that simple and brutal. The problem is that the West does not have a choice, you have weak government in Pakistan, more problematic you have a nuclear armed Pakistan, if the West was to leave Afghanistan the Taliban/Terrorists would have a base to attack the secular government of Pakistan. Think of a Pakistan under the Taliban/Terrorists with the bomb, yes India would attack in a heartbeat, NATO would have to fold as it would be seen as weak, this might lead to Russia attacking the Ukraine, yes folks President Obama does not have a choice when it comes to Afghanistan, never had a choice, he has to send in more troops and he can not afford to lose. I wonder does Obama in his dreams see himself not as a great President like Ronald Reagan but LBJ, a man with a great domestic vision who's Presidency was destroyed by a country that he didn't understand but could not afford lose.

The Obama Administration and the CIA

BBC News: Reports that the US Attorney General Eric Holder has appointed a Special Prosecutor to review the alleged tortures cases of the CIA. This could be a costly political bone that President Obama has thrown to his Liberal base. If Obama didn't approve this move then he has an out of control Attorney General, if he did approve the move it shows that he lacks political judgement not seen since President Ford announced to the press that that the CIA had a murky record when it came to Cuba and Castro. The US political world was around before President Obama, even if some of his most ardent supporters think he is the secular second coming, history repeats itself, this is the case with the CIA. After Vietnam and Watergate the CIA in the mid 1970s found itself under Congressional attack for doing what Presidents wanted in Foreign Policy, thus the Church Committee hearings in to the CIA. The actual result was that the Democrats managed to destroy the reputation of President John F. Kennedy, it was through these hearings that it came out that he shared a girlfriend with Mafia Chief, also the Mafia was trying to kill Castor for the CIA. Lets look in the two possible futures here, the Attorney General decides to prosecute the CIA officers, he successful and the Liberal Left wing love Obama. On the other hand there is a prosecution and then the terrorists attack, what are the odds on Obama winning re-election. Think in to the future, the Government has placed CIA officers on trial and on the TV a dirty bomb has gone off in New York or Washington D.C Do you think the voter is going to forgiving of Obama and the Democrats, Obama could be lucky, that the tough methods of the Bush 43 could have broken the back of the terrorists, but what if they are waiting, Obama will lose if he is seen as weak on National Security its that simple, does not matter about the law, CIA officers can be pardoned by Obama's successor, the Deputy Director of the FBI who turned out to be Deep Throat of Watergate fame got a Pardon from President Reagan for allowing illegal acts by the FBI. Thus a Republican successor in 2012 could benefit from this act by Obama, lets hope Obama is lucky, if not lets hope we have another Ronald Reagan.

The State of Afghanistan

The New York Times: Reports that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral Mullen has described the present situation in Afghanistan as getting worse. The NYT writes the following, " Top American commanders have been making similar grim pronouncements for months, but Admiral Mullen’s remark came amid the election,.....strategy review by General..... McChrystal..." As noted in previous post in seems that the New Labour Government wont send more troops as needed in operational theatre by our commanders, lets hope President Obama has the backbone to follow the recommendations of this Theatre Commander. The reaction to the military report by General McChrystal by the Obama White House will show if President Obama is serious about winning in Afghanistan, if the need for more troops is not meet then the Taliban will know that Obama is not serious about Afghanistan and that they can wait out the Obama Administration.

The Taliban Cowardice and the Afghan Election

Telegraph: Reports that the Taliban/Terrorists carried our their cowardly threat to cut off the fingers of those that voted in the Afghan Presidential Election last Thursday. This act shows how low the Taliban/Terrorists are, they are nothing better than cowards, they deserve a summary trial and to be shot, they are dirt, the best thing to do with dirt is to wash it way.

New Poll - 69% in the UK want out of Afghanistan

The Daily Mail: Reports on a shocking new poll, 69% of the UK population want UK soldiers out of Afghanistan. New Labour needs to get a better spin on Afghanistan, the old New Labour magic when it came to dealing with the press has long gone, that went with the War in Iraq, thus PM Gordon Brown need a big hitter to take over as Defence Secretary, the present Secretary of Defence, Bob Ainsworth is to low on the political greasy poll to make an impression. Thus we need a master spin doctor in charge at Defence, what about Lord Mandelson, the Dark Prince of all that is unholy in winning elections can turn his hand to getting support for the War in Afghanistan.

No More Soldiers for Afghanistan

The Sunday Times: Reports that the UK Government will not send more soldiers to Afghanistan, simple reason we cant afford the cost. My support for staying in Afghanistan was based on sending more troops, if we are not sending more troops as needed to keep the ground we just won with so much UK blood then lets quit Afghanistan. Whats the point of our brave soldiers dying if they are not supported back here in the UK by the Labour Government. This is a NATIONAL DISGRACE, our Armed Forces deserve lot better, this Labour Government has no shame.

Voter Fraud Allegations in Afghanistan Election - UN

Fox News: Reports that the UN Election Commission has reported allegations of electoral fraud that could effect the result in Afghanistan. I keep to my prediction that the Chicago Fix was in for President Hamid Karzai, the West might not like or trust Karzai but he is our man against the the Taliban/Terrorists. Thus as the old saying goes, better the devil you know, the next one could be worse, think of Diem in Vietnam, the Kennedy Administration gave the green light to a coup in South Vietnam in 1963, it can be argued that it was worse mistake by the Kennedy Administration, after 63 there was no real stable governments in South Vietnam.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has released the names of the soldiers that died last Thursday, the soldiers were " Serjeant Paul McAleese, of 2nd Battalion the Rifles, and Private Johnathon Young, of The 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's), " Our thoughts are with their families.

McCain supports Obama over Afghanistan and Iraq

ABC News: Reports that the former Republican Nominee for President in 2008, Senator McCain support President Obama over Afghanistan and Iraq. This will really annoy the Democratic Left, if the Republicans are supporting Obama over Afghanistan and Iraq then Obama is not following the Left wing view of the Democratic Party, at least when it comes National Security in the cases of Afghanistan Iraq, President Obama on the whole, taking everything in to consideration has been somewhat moderate on Foreign Policy, lets see what he does with Iran.

Is Afghanistan the New Vietnam War, is Obama the New LBJ

The New York Times: Reports on how the War in Afghanistan could become another Vietnam, and how President Obama could become another LBJ. The NYT writes the following on Afghanistan, " the government there remains so plagued by corruption and inefficiency that it has limited legitimacy with the Afghan public. Just as.......... South Vietnamese governments, " As stated many times in this blog, Afghanistan is now Obama's War, he has made himself the new LBJ. The War in Afghanistan was the Just War that Obama wanted to fight and used as a club against the Republicans in the Presidential Election of 2008. Afghanistan in many respects is Vietnam, its a War that the West cant completely win but can not afford to lose, NATO's credibility is on the line when it comes to Afghanistan. Also the additional problem with the War in Afghanistan is that Obama cant leave due to the fact that any pull out would endanger the security of Pakistan, lets recall Pakistan is a nuclear armed power. If the West was to leave the Taliban/Terrorists would have a base to attack the civic structure of Pakistan. The Taliban in control of Pakistan would make the War in Vietnam look like amateur hour, thus Obama is stuck in Afghanistan, as was LBJ in Vietnam.

Vodafone Out - Back

Vodafone still off, what about my 15 quid a month!! Must admit am impress that Vodafone got the system back up after my call, well they did say that a few people had the same problem. On the whole god job Vodafone.

Vodafone OUT

Mobile Vodafone is down, NOT HAPPY

Obama = Summer Meltdown - Washington Times

Washington Times: Reports that President Obama is feeling the heat over health care reform, the WT writes the following, ".....Mr. Obama is in the throes of a summer meltdown...." Mr Obama is learning the fact that at the end of the day the best friend for a President is a dog, that was the advice of the great President Harry Truman. Kennedy, Reagan the great modern Presidents in their time had Administrative meltdowns, from the mess that was the Bay of Pigs of Cuba and Vietnam for Kennedy and Iran - Contra for Reagan, it how you come back that matters not that you have either a personal or political defeat. Its to early to write off the Obama Administration, this is like having Walter Mondale with TV skills.

The Public Option on Health Reform - What do Democrats Want ?

The Hill: Reports that the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives Steny Hoyer has stated that he is open to leaving out a public option for health reform. This will make Liberals go bonkers, but the Congressional Leadership of the Democratic Party would like to be the majority party after the 2010, thus it seems the town hall meetings have had some effect on the Blue Dog Democrats in the House. Thus does President Obama have the votes to push health care reform through the House and Senate without Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats, the next couple of weeks will tell the political environment after the recess of Congress.

The Winner in Afghanistan IS ?

The Times: Reports that both President Karzai and his main opponent, Dr Abdullah Abdullah claim victory in the Presidential Election in Afghanistan. It can be argued that one way or another that President Karzai will win, the West knows him, in essence better the devil you know, thus either fairly or through a Chicago Fix it will be another term for President Karzai. It will be up to Karzai to turn Afghanistan around, if need be talk to moderate Taliban, the next few years will decide how long the USA and the UK will have to stay in Afghanistan.

Security Leak by The New York Times

The New York Times: Has more reporting on the role of the private company Blackwater in the USA's War on Terror. This time the NYT reports that Blackwaters arms the Drones that have been very effective against the Taliban/Terrorists. The NYT writes the following, " The division’s operations are carried out at hidden bases in Pakistan and Afghanistan, .......... existence of the Predator base in Jalalabad has not previously been reported. " This is a very dangerous leak by the extreme Liberal New York Times, now the Taliban/Terrorists know that the Drones are not only in Pakistan but they are in Afghanistan. Lets see how long before the Taliban/Terrorists try to hit the base in Afghanistan. If any people are killed due to the attack in Afghanistan the blood will be on the hands of the New York Times. It seems that the extreme Liberal New York Times can cover for Stalin but will not keep the security of the United States. I hope shareholders and those that advertise in the extreme Liberal New York Times will now consider either selling their shares or not advertising in this rag of journalism.

Deaths in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports on the death of two British soldiers on Thursday, the soldiers came from " one from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's) and one from 2nd Battalion The Rifles " Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 206 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, in that total we have lost 175 due to combat action and another 31 due to accidents, illness or other incidents. All of our Armed Forces Personnel have died in a fight to give democracy to Afghanistan, the two elections in Afghanistan since 2001 has shown that they have not died in vain. The UK Government under PM Brown needs to send more troops and kit, also transport that protects our Forces while in action. Lets hope we are not in Afghanistan for 40 years, but if we have to be, lets make sure our Armed Forces Personnel know that we support them and we also support the demand for more troops and equipment, also for better care of our injured soldiers. Those that have died and suffered long term injuries are brave and should be seen as heroes.

A Different View of the Election in Afghanistan

The Times: Reports on the election in Afghanistan. The paper of record has a more negative view of the election in Afghanistan, it points to the low turnout due to the threat from the Taliban to cut fingers of those that voted in the election and the violence of the Taliban on election day that prevent some polls opening in Afghanistan. I think it can be argued that this is to negative, yes, there are problems, but Afghanistan did hold its second Presidential Election since 2001, people did vote. The development of a civic society in Afghanistan is going to take time; it is the job of the Western Forces to bring security to Afghanistan and for the Government of Afghanistan to help in the economic and social development of Afghanistan. Thus, the new government has to crack down on corruption, it has to build schools for both genders, it has to show the farmers of Afghanistan than growing food is more profitable that growing drugs. All this will take time, let us hope not 40 years but it will take time, let’s hope the West has the nerve to stay in Afghanistan.

Outsourcing Assassination by the CIA ?

The New York Times: Reports that the CIA hired Blackwater, a private company to help in its War on Terror, the NYT writes the following, " It is unclear whether the C.I.A. had planned to use the contractors to actually capture or kill Qaeda operatives, or just to help with training and surveillance in the program. " What is interesting is that the above quote is the fourth paragraph, so you have to read down the article to get to the fact that the Liberal NYT does not have a story, the mind set of the Liberal New York Times is pre - 9/11, it equates the terrorists group Al Qeada with a state. It is illegal under US law to kill a Foreign Leader, the NYT in their heart of hearts see no difference between Cuba and Al Qaeda, that's is why the Liberal NYT has released state secrets at the expense of the National Security of the USA. Lets be honest here the Liberal New York Times would not use CIA drones to kill terrorists on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, they would want their rights read to them, they would never support use of Special Forces to kill terrorists if that prevented the use of Drones that might kill innocent people. One can postulate that if the New York Times had acted like this in World War 1 and 2 they would have been closed down as a threat to National Security.

The Count in Afghanistan

BBC News: Reports on the election count in the Presidential Election in Afghanistan. It seems on the whole that the Taliban/Terrorists didn't really have that much of an effect on the whole, in some areas their threats have worked, but on the whole a clear and fair election for Afghanistan. That is not to say that it would past muster in the West, but then the Presidential Elections in the USA in 1960 and 2000 didn't really pass the smell test for historians. This is the second Presidential Election since 2001, so on the whole not bad Afghanistan.

Bloggers are Not Above the Law - Good

Telegraph: Reports that Google has unmasked a blogger by order of a US Court who defamed a Vogue Model. This is a good move by the US Court System, bloggers should be under the same rules that apply to anybody that reports, its a matter of fairness. A blogger should be a civic reporter, using negative terms to describe someone else should not be allowed. If your going to say something that is personally negative then you should have the guts to place your name by the article. Lets be clear there is a difference between political blogs and celebrity blogs. This blog uses the title Views from the UK 2006 as it deals with International Politics, Politics in the UK and the USA, International History, History and the Arts. It is not interested the world of celebrity, it does not do gossip or personal attack on individuals. Thus good for the US Court System.

Media BLACKOUT in Afghanistan on Election Day

Guardian: Reports on the terror media blackout that has been announced by the Government of Afghanistan for the Election Day in Afghanistan. The Guardian writes the following, " government spokesmen said local journalists who defied the ban would be put out of business, whilst foreign media would be "kicked out" ..." On the whole do not support the idea of the suppression of the news but this is a special case, as in the UK and the USA there are tough restrictions on what can be reported when the Polls are open. The idea of this election is to get the people to vote, if they are frightened out of their minds by the idea of voting then they will not vote and the Taliban will win in the long term. Thus any terror attacks can be reported after the polls are closed, its only a few hours, its not suppressing the election, its to make the election more representative of the people. So lets give the Government of Afghanistan a break on this subject during the voting.

The Nuclear Option on Health Care Reform, Only 51 Votes Deal !

Politico: Reports that the Obama Administration might push its health care reform package through with only 51 votes. As reported in the Liberal New York Times at the start of August, the Democrats in the Congress have already passed a framework that would allow them to use the 51 vote margin to win the debate. The Democrats would use the reconciliation procedure, an arcane Congressional method to by pass the 60 votes need in the Senate, and just use their majorities in both Congressional Chambers to pass the Health Care Reform Bill. The Republicans should allow the Democrats to own Health Care Reform, if like any other government run programme it will be slow and full of bureaucrats and lawyers, let Obama pass the bill and then when it goes wrong push it down his throat. Lets seen when old people cant get new drugs, when they are considered to old for new drugs, when they are advised to just fall of the perch, push it down the Presidents throat. Thus the Republicans will retake Congress in 2010 and the Presidency in 2012. If President Obama wants to play Chicago Dirty Pool, lets be more ruthless, let him own Health Care Reform, and the minute it passes start to list his name as the man that destroyed the health care of the USA and then show the pictures of the people this HIS Bill have destroyed because of his ideological arrogance.

Day of Terror in Baghdad - Iraq

BBC News: Reports on a day of terror in Baghdad, Iraq, nearly a hundred people have been killed and five hundred injured. This is the result when you create a time table for leaving a country that is on a brink of civil war without the USA there to prevent such attacks. The Bush and Obama plan to leave Iraq has created a political vacuum that allows the terrorists in the shape of al-Qaeda to fill in the political vacuum, they can claim that when the USA leaves in 2011 that it was al - Qaeda that pushed them out, this is not true but works well on the Arab Street. The Government of Iraq and the Obama Administration have to create a new deal that allows the USA to stay beyond 2011, otherwise the victory of Bush 43 will turn in to a political defeat for Obama, he can not afford lose Iraq and Afghanistan. Lets be very direct here, of the two Iraq is lot more important than Afghanistan, the simple reason the oil, if the West was to lose the oil to Iran then Iran would have no reason to give up its nuclear plans, also Israel would have no choice but to hit Iran to prevent a nuclear Iran.

USA back to North Iraq

The Times: Reports that the oil rich North of Iraq is to get the presence of US Troops due to increase of violence between the Kurds and the Arabs. That is the problem with a Time Table for withdrawal that both Bush 43 and Obama have gone along with for Iraq. The local powers in the region want to fill in the vacuum once the USA has gone, thus you have a Kurds who would like an independent state in the North; this is the last thing that Turkey wants, it has its own Kurdish problem; and the rest of the population at each other throats. Lets be honest here, one could care less in pure hard nose political terms, but its the oil. The present state of the Western economies could not deal with an interruption in oil from the region, thus the US has to calm the region down, gets the locals back to talking and not shooting each other. Lets see if the USA gets out of Iraq by the end of 2011, as a British PM once stated, Events, Events are the master of politics.

Iran wants talks about its Nuclear Plans ?

Fox News: Reports that Iran wants talks about its nuclear ambitions. This is spin by President Ahmadinejad, he knows that President Obama is arrogant and thus thinks that he cant achieve a non - nuclear Iran by his talking to Iran. The point of the talks are simple, they will divert attention at home from the stolen election, the show trials and the fact that Iran is now a even more a totalitarian state. Obama is so arrogant he just might fall in to the trap and think this is real attempt by Iran at talks. The end result will be that Iran will allow Obama to think that he is making progress then announce at the end that Iran is a nuclear power. Lets hope Obama is not really a combination of Jimmy Carter and Neville Chamberlain. I will postulate that Iran might release the American hostages they are holding to show some positive spin and they expect the USA to start talks, or they could demand that Bill Clinton do another of his trips to pick up the hostages. I can guess the great PR President Ahmadinejad would get if he seen in a picture with Bill Clinton. Hillary Clinton might not be to happy, not sure Obama would think its a great idea either in the long term. This is my prediction, Israel will hit Iran, and Obama might just be grateful in the long term.

A New Tet in Kabul ?

BBC News: Reports on the latest attacks by the Taliban/Terrorists on Western Forces in Kabul. One can postulate that the Taliban/Terrorists have read their history, they might think this could be 1968 when the Vietcong attacked US Forces in Vietnam at the time of the Tet Festival. The Vietcong in military terms lost but that was lost on the American voter, what they saw was the disconnect between the Presidential statements of President Johnson and the reality on the ground, lets hope the USA military have Tet in their minds, on election day and after it can be expected that the Taliban/Terrorists will try a major attack in Kabul and other cities. Thus the Western and Afghan Forces should be on red alert. President Obama in PR terms should never allow the impression to gain ground that there is a disconnect between what he says and the images that the voter gets via his or her news. The Obama White House has problems already when it comes to the economy and health and the perception of the voter, the latest polls suggest that Obama has lost the trust of the voter, President Obama can not afford for Afghanistan to make him another LBJ. Thus crucial days ahead in Afghanistan.

Start from Scratch - Blue Dog Democrats on Health Reform

CNN: Reports on what could be a new call by Blue Dog Democrats, start anew on Health Care Reform. I think it can be argued that Blue Dog Democrats have gotten the message from their voters, the US voter does not like the Obama health care reform plan, and worse they might vote against their House of Representative member who votes for the plan. Over the weekend we saw the Obama White House lose grip of the PR of health care reform, on the one hand the US Health Secretary and President Obama walked away from a public option for health care, on the other hand the Liberal base of Obama's support went up the wall. If Obama wants health care reform he will have to stand up to his base, he might lose a few liberal votes but he will get Republican support, and a United Bill is better than a partisan left wing Bill.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has released the names of the soldiers killed on Sunday in Afghanistan, the were " Lance Corporal James Fullarton, Fusilier Simon Annis and Fusilier Louis Carter, all of 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (2 RRF) " Thus this month so far the UK has lost thirteen of its Armed Forces Personnel in combat operations. Lets hope these are the last deaths this month, this year. Our prays are with the families of the brave soldiers.

What is Obama's Policy on the Public Option ?

The Atlantic: Reports that the Obama White House is now going back to its old message that the President wants a Public Option on Health. I would guess that President Obama wanted to make a deal on Health Care Reform without the public option, but before he could make a deal his own Administration in the shape of Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius let the cat out of the bag. Thus the Liberal New York Times is going up the wall, it can be postulated that the Liberal base is also on the wall. The Obama Administration is a PR mess, what is Obama's policy and has he managed to scuttle his own compromise? Does he have to many Liberals in his own Administration ?

Private Richard Hunt - 200th UK Casualty in Afghanistan

The Times: Reports on the death of Private Richard Hunt, the 200th UK casualty of the War in Afghanistan. There will be more deaths, the UK is going to send out more troops, thus more troops more body bags, its a very simple and hard equation. This is a War we can not afford to lose, Iraq didn't end well for the UK, this time we have to stay put and fight, we have to support our Armed Forces, that means more troops, better equipment from land to air. Also we need to win the hearts and minds of the locals in Afghanistan, they have to understand we wont abandon them as we did after USSR was defeated in Afghanistan with the support of the USA. This is not just about the USA and the UK; its about the future of NATO; NATO can not afford to lose in Afghanistan, if the West leave Afghanistan we will have another 9/11 or 7/7 in the future, thus this is the battle ground for the near future.

Obama vs Liberals over Health Care Reform

The New York Times: Reports on the move by President Obama to ditch a Public Option for his health care reform and the problems this might cause him, the NYT writes, " Word that the public option might be dropped angered many liberals. " In other words the extreme Liberal New York Times is not happy, they would TAX the wealthy at 100% to fund a public option. If Obama can annoy the the Liberal New York Times he just might get a good health care bill, that cuts costs, allows patients and Doctors to use what methods they need, but would allow in the future for those that don't have medical cover to get cover at a lower cost. As stated that is the point of two terms as President, but does Obama have to the will to buck his own base, the Liberal Congressional Leadership and the extreme New York Times.

Public Option on Health, A Deal Breaker ?

CNN: Reports that President Obama might have a problem in selling health care reform without a public health option, Liberals in Congress might balk at this level of compromise. Just spotted a report on Fox that stated that the White House is backtracking on the comments by the Health Secretary yesterday that the Obama Administration would support a health care reform without a public option. I thought there was deal folks, it seems that Liberals are going to be a hard sell in Congress, does Obama have the will and the power to bring his liberal base with him, this really could be the test of this Presidency, is he willing to buck his own Party to get health care reform.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has released two of the names of the five soldiers killed over the weekend, the soldiers were, " Private Richard Hunt from 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh and Sergeant Simon Valentine of 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers " The MOD has also released a statement on the death of three soldiers from " The 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers " that were killed on Sunday morning. Our thoughts are with the families of these brave soldiers.

Deaths in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that another three British Soldiers have died in Afghanistan this morning, the soldiers were from the " 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers ". Thus in combat operations the UK has lost 173 of it Armed Forces Personnel, it has also lost 31 due to accidents, illness or other incidents. In total the UK has lost 204 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, there will be many more deaths, that is the cost of Afghanistan.

Senate Democrats NO to Public Option on Health

Fox News: Reports that Senate Democrats are moving away from the Public Option on heath, thus the move by the Obama Administration to compromise with Republicans. One can see the formation of a deal here folks, the Insurance companies are protected from a Government run programme that would make them bankrupt, but health care would be made more available through the development of heath co - operatives, thus this would allow people that don’t have insurance to be covered. Let us see the details but looks like Obama will get his health care reform package with Republican support in the long run.

Obama's Partial Compromise ?

The New York Times: Reports that the Obama Administration is open to compromise on its health care reform package, the NYT writes, " the White House is ready to accept nonprofit insurance cooperatives instead of a government-run public option in a health overhaul plan. " This would be a very pragmatic move by President Obama, as stated this blog support health care reform but not at the cost of bankrupting the USA. Thus if Democrats and Republican can come together and get a health care reform package that cuts costs, allows Doctors and patients to decide what they need, does not prevent people who have conditions already from getting cover, but also allows in steps to cover those that don’t have cover this could be a good morale and political move by the Obama White House. If you had a Government run health care you would see costs go up, they always go up; the taxpayer would have to pay for it in the long term. The art of politics is getting a majority of what you want, Ronald Reagan was pragmatic, its getting most of what you want out of Congress that’s shows your a great manager of Congress. Thus if Obama follows through and keep the Liberals quite he will get health care reform, it does not matter about the content, it is the title that is good. Also down the line he can deal with those that don’t have medical cover, that the point of two terms. Let us see if the Liberal Leadership in Congress buy this deal.

The Daily Mail on Afghanistan - Right but also Wrong

The Daily Mail: Peter Hitchens has a dig at the New Labour over Afghanistan, Mr Hitchens writes the following, " a few political pygmies are too vain and too weak to admit that they have made a mistake. " This blog since started has supported our Armed Forces in Afghanistan but opposed the War, since July this has changed, we lost 21 soldiers in combat and 1 in a accident in July, this month alone we have lost 10 soldiers in combat. New Labour has shown its no Sir Winston Churchill when it comes to war, it has wanted to fight the War in Afghanistan on the cheap, thus our soldiers have not had the helicopters to transport them around, thus they have used land transport that cant defend against IEDs. But the UK after Iraq has to draw the line in Afghanistan, we have a long and bloody history in both Afghanistan and Iraq, but Afghanistan is now the main problem, we got chased out of Iraq by the the USA and Iraq, if Great in Great Britain is to mean something then it we have to stand and fight in Afghanistan. I disagree with the present Defence Secretary, Bob Ainsworth who stated that there was a mood of defeatism in the air over Afghanistan, the mood is one of reality, Afghanistan is going to cost, this blog has changed its stand due to the fact that to much UK blood has been spilled to walk away now, it would be cowardice in the face of the enemy to leave Afghanistan. But the support is conditional we need more troops and better equipment out there, our troops need and deserve the best, lets not let them down, they never lets us down.

Heat Back Home - Blue Dog Democrats and Health Care Reform

Investors.com: Reports on the pressure on Blue Dog Democrats to oppose the Obama health care reform push, the article states the following, " the opposition may have the inside track, based on an IBD survey of these moderate-to-conservative House lawmakers. " The Blue Dogs know that they will face a tough election in the Mid Term Congressional Elections if they vote for the Obama Heath Care Reform Bill. It not easy to explain why you are destroying the system if the majority are happy with their health care coverage, also if your old you will be worried that you will be thrown on the scrap heap because its to expensive to cover your medical costs later on in life. Thus it is important that if your old that you contact your Representative in the House and Senate and tell them you oppose the Obama plan. If you have paid your dues over the years why should you lose your health coverage to those that might be in the USA illegally. If your want to be covered when your old, if you want to keep your Doctor oppose the Obama bill before its to late, once its gone its gone.

Obama's Grandmother Story, THE TRUTH

The New York Times: Reports how President Obama has used the case of his dead grandmother to sell his health care bill; as his Administration would not pull the plug on a aged grandparent. The President stated the following, " I just lost my grandmother last year. I know what it’s like to watch somebody you love who’s aging deteriorate.." I wonder if calling his grandmother a racist to save Reverend Wright helped her health, sorry if the Liberal NYT wont call him on that I will, you don't throw your family under the bus to get the Presidential Emblem on your coat. The Liberal New York Times might let him get away with that but its not honest, Obama cant use his own grandmother for when he needs her and then not be expected to be called on it when its shows a contradiction. If your aged parent or grandparent is ill do you go national TV and call them racist? If Obama wants to play dirty Chicago pool let him but lets call it what it is, dirty pool with no style.

Mad Men and 2009

The New York Times: Frank Rich writes on the return of to TV of the TV series Mad Men, set in the 60s Advertising Company. Mr Rich writes the following on the series, " That the early ’60s of “Mad Men” seems more contemporary than the late ’60s of Woodstock.. " The great thing about Mad Men is one hand its not political correct but on the other hand your grateful for the changes that 1960s bought to the civic society of the USA, civil rights, the arts in general and politics. The difference in looking back; Liberals go back to JFK and the New Frontier; is that for Republicans we saw the emergence of Ronald Reagan as Governor of California, the election of Richard Nixon as President in 1968. Obama is no JFK, the reaction to his health care reform bill shows that he comes from an elite arrogant perspective of the 1960s, the very same people that created a political backlash that lead to the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980. This blog has predicted that President Obama will lose the bid for re-election in 2012, the question is there another Reagan out there that can save the USA.

UK vs USA over Musa Qala in Afghanistan

The Sunday Times: Reports that the USA wants to take over Musa Qala in Afghanistan from the UK. It seems that we are seen as to weak a force to control the city. As the Sunday Times reports we have lost 18 soldiers in Musa Qala this is a matter of honour, we have been pushed out of Iraq by the USA and Iraq, not this time. This is a NATO operation not just an American operation. If the UK has to be there, we are equals, after losing 201 of our Armed Forces Personnel this weekend we should not allow the Obama Administration to push us around. We control Musa Qala and we stay, to much has been lost to be pushed out by the USA.

201 Armed Forces Personnel Killed in Afghanistan - UK

BBC News: Reports on the latest soldiers to die in Afghanistan. The News wires state that the soldiers came from the " 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh and the 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers " Thus in total the UK has lost 170 of its Armed Forces Personnel in combat and 31 due to accidents, illness or other incidents. In total since 2001 the UK has lost 201 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, and it has been stated we will be in Afghanistan for another 40 years. That is not going to happen with this level of attrition for soldiers, we no longer conscript. In August alone we have now lost 10 soldiers, how much more by the end of the month.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has released the names of the soldiers killed last Thursday in Afghanistan, the soldiers were " Captain Mark Hale and Rifleman Daniel Wild of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles (2 Rifles) and Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton of 40th Regiment Royal Artillery (The Lowland Gunners) " Our prays are withe families of these brave soldiers.

The Taliban Side of the War in Afghanistan

Guardian: Reports on the Taliban side of the War in Afghanistan. Not sure I approve of a UK newspaper running a story on the Taliban side of the War in Afghanistan, even if its the left wing Guardian, but makes me worry. The simple reason is the West is fighting a 21 Century War against a people who are fighting in some respects a 19th Century War with some IEDs. The people of Afghanistan if not fighting each other like nothing more that fighting from their point a view a perceived invader. Also your dealing with terrorists who are fighting a religious war when your fighting a Western secular War. Why did the UK have to fight a War in Afghanistan, the two worse places to fight a Western War are Afghanistan and Vietnam. In Afghanistan the Taliban are fighting a religious War, in Vietnam the North was fighting a Revolutionary War that was also a Civil War, not easy to fight against, in both cases the enemy was hard to see from the civilians, at the end of the day the USA lost in Vietnam, it took the election of President Reagan in 1980 to bury the ghost of Vietnam, lets hope Bush 43 and Obama have not created another Vietnam, does the USA have another Reagan that is the question.

The Chicago Fix for the Afghanistan Election

The Times: Reports on the prospects for a clear winner in the August Presidential Election in Afghanistan, in essence don't hold your breath. It can be argued that the West has a horse in this race, that is the present President Hamid Karzai, he might have failed in his promises to Afghanistan from getting rid of corruption and drugs but he has not caused major problems for the the Obama Administration and that makes him Chicago's Man in Afghanistan. In between the Taliban threatening to cut off fingers and the buying of votes by the Karzai this really looks like the 1960 Presidential Election in Chicago, just replace the Taliban with the Mob and the corruption of Mayor Daley with Karzai doing deals to buy votes. It must bring back good memories to the New Chicago Leaders in the White House, when they are not picking up your email address if you oppose Obama. The Chicago Fix is in, Karzai will win, Obama needs he devil he knows, Afghanistan could become his Vietnam, and Karazi could be his Diem. The question is can Obama stand up to the Liberal Left of his Party, with the raising death toll in Afghanistan they will want to act as Neville Chamberlain, in other words appease the Taliban/Terrorists, has Obama the statesmanship of a Kennedy and a Reagan, that is open to question folks.

The Threat of a BLOODY Afghanistan Election

Telegraph: Reports that the Taliban have threatened to cut off fingers of those that vote in the August Presidential Election in Afghanistan. Thus its more important that Western Forces secure Afghanistan, thus a need to increase troops levels, the USA and the UK will have to send more troops, the UK troops will need better kit from the New Labour Government, thus when they travel they need land and air transport that is secure form IEDs or other attacks from the Taliban/Terrorists. If the good people of Afghanistan go out and vote they should be protected, they should not need to fear they will lose fingers, we cant lose now Afghanistan, thus the Government has to spend the money, if we can bail out the banks we can support our Armed Forces in combat.

The Price of Afghanistan

The Times: Reports on the human cost of Afghanistan, the dead and wounded soldiers, the expected lost of the 200th death in Afghanistan and how long the War attrition will have the support of the UK voter. As noted this blog for years has supported our Armed Forces in Afghanistan but not the War, those kind to read this blog might have noticed that since July of this year this blog has taken a marked different tone, we have to win in Afghanistan now, we lost 22 Armed Forces Personnel in July, in August so far we have lost 8. The blood has been spilled we got chased out of Iraq in many respects, not enough troops and not enough public support in the UK. The War in Afghanistan is different, we have lost more of our Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan than Iraq, in Afghanistan the total is now 199 in Iraq at the end we lost 179. The War in Afghanistan never going to make Afghanistan a Democracy in the model of the UK or the USA, women's rights are never going to be the same as they are in the UK or the USA. The idea that Western values can be transported to Afghanistan is an illusion. If and when we leave Afghanistan, and we will leave with the USA, it does not matter, a semi democracy with rights for women that protects the back of the West would be great but a one man rule by a strong man that gives not rights to women but protects the West is also okay. The UK and USA Governments have to understand that we cant nation build in Afghanistan, its the Wild West in many respects and we don't want to be General Custer, the UK has done that and got the T-shirt in the 19the Century. Lets hope the military planners know their history, because if they don't Afghanistan will be the modern Vietnam War for the USA and the UK.

Obama to raise your TAXES

Fox News: President Obama has admit that he will have to raise taxes to pay for his health care reform bill, the exception being those that earn under two hundred and fifty thousand will not pay, it will be the rich. This is rubbish, the one thing about health spending is it will go up, the NHS in the UK just soaks money. Lets be pointed here, the NHS in the UK is great, it has served millions for decades, but and here is the but its not totally free, it cant be, have you tried to get a NHS dentist of late, the last time one had an open list there was a long a very long line to sign up. Also if you don't want NHS glasses you have to pay more, its call NHS reality. But these issues are on the outskirts of major issues. The NHS is the best but that's the problem, when the NHS was created when you left the work force at 60 for women and 65 for men you didn't live that long afterwards, thus it didn't cost that much to the NHS. This is 2009, you can retire at 60 and 65 and expected to live for another forty years. Of course as you get older, the more things tend to go wrong, its life. Thus if the UK was staring the NHS now it would not be the same, yes it it would be free but people would be expected to pay a supplement NHS payment based on your DNA record, as in if your get heredity health issues you would pay more, that the real world folks. Just to prevent the attacks if you read this, the NHS is great but you cant place the NHS in the USA, the population of the UK is around 60 Million, in the USA is three hundred million, thus what Obama is trying to do is create the NHS model of 1945 in the USA. In the end it wont work, you cant soak the rich for 100% to pay for those that don't have health care, the USA is the new world not the old world, the USA has to find its own solution, a NHS USA is not the way, if you want bankrupt the USA support President Obama, if you don't want to be rich and old support Obama. President Obama is tax and spend liberal with but with TV skills.

Deaths in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports on the death of another three British soldiers in Afghanistan this morning, the soldiers came from " two from The 2nd Battalion The Rifles and a third from 40 Regiment Royal Artillery " Thus in combat operations the UK has lost 168 of its Armed Forces Personnel and another 31 due to illness, accidents or other incidents. Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 199 of its Armed Forces Personnel. As of the above deaths the UK has lost eight soldiers this month, in July the UK lost 22. In the lead up to the Presidential Election in Afghanistan the UK should expect to lose more of its Armed Forces Personnel, we have lost to much to walk away now, thus we need more troops in theatre and more and better transport for air to land so we don't lose troops due to IEDs.

VP Cheney - Bush 43 was a weak President in 2nd Term

Fox News: Reports that VP Cheney has stated that Bush 43 went weak in his Second Term as President. Lets be honest here folks, all Presidents in their second terms want a place in history, Reagan after the hawkish 1st Term went on to become a fan of Gorbachev in the 2nd Term, both men helped end the Cold War. Bill Clinton after the Impeachment wanted to bring peace to the Middle East, it goes with the job, in the first term you act on ideology, in the second term you want to be Reagan, you want to leave office with an approval rating of 63% and your VP as your successor. Clinton left office with a 66% approval rating but he was replaced by the son of the man he defeated, Bush 43. Thus they all want to be the Gipper at the end of their second terms.

VP Cheney critical of Bush 43

CBS: Reports that former VP Dick Cheney has been critical of his former boss, President George W. Bush. The former VP is not happy that Bush 43 in the second term didn't follow his advice. I think but can be wrong this is the first time that a former VP has been so critical of his boss. I cant think of another case in memory when a VP has trashed his President. There is the case of Al Gore who had to distance himself from Bill Clinton in 2000 but that was due to the Presidential Election. I wonder what Bush 41 is thinking, Cheney was his Defence Secretary in the Gulf War, what is more interesting what will Bush 43 think, he has been very quite of late about Obama and Cheney.

Obama's Polls in the Basement!

Rasmussen Reports: Reports the downward trend of President Obama's approval ratings. In the latest Daily Tracking Poll of President Obama's approval/disapproval rating, Obama has 47% approval and 52% disapproval. The Obama White House is being hurt by his health care reform push, also the President is overexposed in the media, he all over the place. The Presidency needs some mystic, JFK and Reagan had mystic to give away, Carter never had it and never developed an it in his four years in the White House. Obama needs more selective TV appearances, he also cant hate Fox News, he might not notice but Fox is major player in the message of American Politics, for a President who used the Internet to great effect Obama is missing the fact that Fox News is Cable News, it was CNN in the day but not any more, thus interviews with the Liberal media gets you nothing, Obama needs to get on Fox, and that means the Factor with the No Spin Zone. If President Obama wants to get his health care reform through he needs new media advisers.