Bill Richardson - OUT

MSNBC: Reports that New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has pulled out as the Nominee for Commerce Secretary due to a Federal Investigation in his state. This is a great surprise, was aware of the investigation but Richardson is such a straight arrow, are the Obama Team looking for no waves at all during the confirmations hearings, well what about Bill Clinton and his business dealings, that will raise a few questions. The Clintons will be smiling, Richardson was seen as a Judas by some in the Clinton Camp for his support of President - Elect Obama. Richardson will be back, he has a future in the Democratic Party.

Obama and Gaza

Guardian: Has an article on the negative perception that President - Elect Obama is having in the Middle East, the issue his lack of comment on the Gaza Crisis, the article states the following, " The danger is that when he finally peers over the parapet on January 21, the battle of perceptions may already be half-lost. " The article misses a simple point about American politics, as the late Speaker of the House of Representatives Tip O' Neill pointed out in his excellent Memoir both Presidents Carter and Reagan asked about the power of the Jewish Lobby in American Politics, as O' Neill pointed out there are many more Jewish Americans in the USA than of other religions from the Middle East. Thus USA policy towards Israel has many aspects, political, culture, economic, an American President if he wants to get re - elected will always at the end of the day support Israel, thus Obama's change message might not be what the Arabs of the Middle East thought it would be, Obama might be tougher with Israel but at the end of the day he will support Israel.

EU Policy over Gaza ?

The Times: Reports on the confused statements from the EU on the crisis in Gaza. That is the problem with the EU, different countries have different interests and views of the conflict, some support Palestinians while others, in most cases the old Warsaw countries support Israel. There will never be a United Foreign Policy for Europe, they could never organise a tea party in a brewery. At the end of the day its down to the USA, Bush 43 supports Israel, Obama will not change policy that much to please Europe, American Politics is first, Obama wants to get re- elected in 2012. If it comes down to placing troops to monitor a ceasefire the old Europe will run a mile with their tails between their legs, they are weak, just look at their weak response to Afghanistan, a NATO operation but as usual has the UK, USA and Canada in front, taking the losses. They day that Europe will take to the line and protect that line is the day that people will listen to the EU.

The Long Haul in Gaza for Israel

Telegraph: Reports on the battle between the Hamas Terrorist group and Israel, also that Israel is in for the long haul. It will be interesting to see if the conflict is still going on after January 20th what President Obama will do about the crisis. The new Administration will have to hit the ground running, the Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, the aged old conflict between Pakistan and India and the present conflict in Gaza. Also economic 9/11 that faces the Western economy will also be on the Oval Office Desk for President Obama. Let hope the President - Elect has an early night; not to many Inaugural Parties; work will start early for him on January 21st 2009.

New Time Lord - Matt Smith

The Times: Reports on the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith, the younger Doctor in the TV shows history. I think is just might be the right choice, from clips of his previous work and his interview he does recall the Doctor in many respects, Mr Tennant for 2009 and Mr Smith for 2010, we have our Doctors, Thank God for regeneration.

Remove Hamas from Gaza ?

The New York Times: Reports that the real aim of the limited invasion of Gaza by Israel is to remove the Hamas from power in Gaza. If this is the real aim of Israel then its a very good idea, you cant have a two state solution with Hamas in Gaza. Hamas has one aim to destroy Israel, thus Israel should push Hamas in to the Water if they wont leave Gaza. It is harsh but its the truth, for the long term peace of the Middle East Hamas needs to be destroyed by Israel. Read of the Day.

Limited Attack on Gaza

BBC News: Reports on the Israeli objective of a limited attack on Gaza to prevent the terrorists attacking Israel with rockets. This is the time to clean house in Gaza, force the terrorists in to the water if need be, when the Obama Administration comes in to Office, Israel will not have such leave way of action. Thus Israel has to destroy Hamas in Gaza then you can have a Two State Solution in the Middle East.