The Obama Budget, Does he have the VOTES ?

Time: Reports on the problems that President Obama is having in getting votes in the Congress for his Budget. As LBJ once stated, this first year and half is the time that a President has maximum political power, after that period the Congress has to worry about its own re-elections. If the economy is good next year then the Democrats will benefit and thus will increase their hold of the House and Senate. If the economy is still in the toilet, that is a different matter, the Republicans could come back, that would be a nightmare for the Obama Administration. In 1994 Clinton lost the House, it looked bad for the President and his Agenda, at the end of the day it was the best thing that could have happened to Clinton, he worked with Congress, he go re-elected, he left office very popular. If Obama does not have to be pragmatic he could lose his re - election bid in 2012.

Revolution in Pakistan - The Fall of the Government of Pakistan ?

The New York Times: Reports on growing tensions in Pakistan between the Government and their political opponents. The Political Opposition is on the march in Pakistan, the Government is using the Police to prevent political gatherings and arrest the opposition. This could be the final showdown between the opposition in Pakistan and the Government, if the Government falls and the new Government is seen as weak when it comes to fighting terrorism, this will cause problems for the Obama Administration, it needs a strong Government in Pakistan, also it needs a United Pakistan, the appeasement of the Taliban/Terrorists in the Swat Valley has not helped, the Terrorists are moving in to Pakistan proper. This could be the end of Pakistan should it fall in to the hands of the terrorists.

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

Just finished The Reader by Bernhard Schlink, a very moving read, one of those books that makes you want to turn the page, did recall to VIEWS the great 70s movie the Summer of 42, another rites of passage movie. I think all men who have had a disastrous relationship with women have a Hanna somewhere in their past, no not they have a SS Concentration Guard as a love interest, but in that generic woman we define what a WOMAN is to us men, we look for her again and again, the same colour hair, eyes but more important that feeling being in love. The problem is that we are so stuck in the past we never see the future, and when we see the mistake its far to late, far to late.

Nuclear Iran Fault Line - US to UN

CNN News: Reports that the US has told the UN of its concern about a nuclear armed Iran. Thus we have had the UN, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and Israel all state their concern about Iran and its nuclear ambitions, now what, if talks fail and they will fail, will the West have the backbone to strike or will they ask that Israel carry the load as they did in 81 over Iraq.

Government to Fall in Pakistan ?

Fox News: Reports that the US State Department has been very quite about the growing tensions in Pakistan, is the Government of Pakistan about to fall in the next few days. If the Government is on its way out, lets hope the State Department is on the ball, lets hope US and UK Diplomats are in talks with the new government. Also MI6 and CIA should be checking on the security of the Nuclear Armed Force of Pakistan. If need be President Obama should order a strike on these Forces should they be under threat of being taken by the Taliban/Terrorists. Thus folks keep an eye on Pakistan and North Korea over the next few days.

The Obama Budget and Congress

The Hill: Reports that the Obama Budget does not have the votes to Pass in the Senate. The President has to recall that Senators want to be there after Obama has gone, if he serves one or two terms as President. They have to go home, they have to gain support of the players in their states. They are not going to go down in flames to help the President, Presidential Approval ratings go up and down. Is Obama in the league of Reagan and Clinton in their mastery of Congress, or is he another Jimmy Carter, who thought he didn't have to deal with Congress and could push his Agenda through no matter what, Carter is seen as a failed Presidency due to his failure to master Congress.