Syrian Army Split ?

Daily Mail: Reports from sources within Syria that there is a split in the Syrian Army who are in Deraa, from reports it seems that that parts of the Syrian Army are protecting the protesters while they are being shot at for not following orders to suppress the opposition. If the Syrian Army can be made to split from the Assad Regime then it’s a new ball game, as was shown in Egypt, once the Army smells the coffee or is looking to protect its own future then a regime is heading for the toilet. Lets hope the Syrian protesters have more luck than the Libyan people did it getting the Army to turn. In Libya Colonel Gaddafi has kept bought the loyalty of the Army but has also bought in mercenaries to kill his own people. Will Syria follow Libya or Egypt folks, to early to say, but money has to be on the Regime, they are brutal murders who will not give up without a bloody fight.

Libya vs. Tunisia - Libyan Conflict

Telegraph: Reports that Security Forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi crossed the border between Libya and Tunisia to fight the Libyan rebels and Tunisian Forces. This is the problem with the conflict in Libya, so far it has been kept internal thanks to the military strikes by NATO, but the military stalemate will force the Gaddafi Security Forces to take greater risks to counter the rebels. The advance in Tunisia can be seen as a move to prevent Tunisia becoming a safe heaven for the Western Rebels, think Pakistan/Afghanistan border and you get the idea. Thus as the conflict becomes a stalemate each side has the greater advantage to take greater risks to end the conflict. Should the conflict drag in Tunisia in the West and Egypt in the East it could get very messy for the Western Allies folks. Lets hope this border clash was a one off, otherwise the conflict could drag Western Forces to get some order back in to Libya.

48 Killed in Syria - Friday Unrest

BBC News: Reports from sources within Syria that forty eight people have been killed today by Syrian Security Forces, this adds to the estimated five hundred killed since the unrest started in Syria. The World Community will do nothing about Syria, the US has taken independent action on Syria, individuals and institutions are to face sanctions The UN has been blocked from taking action by Russia. In the Cold War period Syria received military equipment from the Soviet Union. Thus as stated the Assad Regime might be the lesser evil for both Israel and the US, with NATO in Libya the West does not have the ability to deal with another Middle East military operation, thus fine rhetoric from the West but bugger all in action. Lets hope the Syrian people don’t suffer to much in the search for freedom.

Watch the Great Day - The Royal Wedding

The Royal Marriage

Telegraph: Follow the Royal Marriage Day in Detail - Click Here. Also Read the Full Official Programme.

49% Disapproval Rating for POTUS = Gallup

Gallup: Reports that President Obama has a 49% disapproval rating among average voters, while 42% approve of the job performance of President Obama. This Chicago Re-Elect Committee of President Obama have to start to move these ratings, the political wisdom is that Obama will win a second term, well its not the political wisdom of this blog, this blog still predicts that POTUS could lose by 48/49 States next year. The Washington Beltway still thinks that President Obama is Candidate Obama of 08, well folks that was yesterdays news, the Obama of 2012 will have a Foreign and Domestic record, and lets be honest here folks, the record is not that great, Afghanistan is a mess, lets see if NATO can rally get out by 2014, Iraq is quite on the whole, but when the final US troops leave at the end of this year, lets see if Iran moves in, the US voter wont be best pleased to see Iraq, a country that has cost the US blood and treasure handed over to Iran. Then we have the Arab Spring, if Gaddafi is still in charge in Libya the Obama White House will have a PR problem. Lets see how Syria works out. Then on the domestic front, ObamaCare is a political disaster for Obama, he is stuck with a policy that he will have to defend, also the US Courts at the end of the day could throw the Law out. Recently President Obama has stated that he wants to raise taxes on the rich as to cut the US deficit, lets see him run on that in 2012, voters are not fools, they know sooner or later that Democrats would want to start to tax the middle class, there are not enough rich people to pay for ObamaCare and cut the deficit folks. President Obama might need that billion dollar election war chest, it just might be a hard fight folks.

CONGRATS = The Royal Couple

Congratulations to the Royal Couple on this day of their Marraige

God Save the Queen

President Obama on his Birth Certificate Debate

The President has stated the following on the release of his birth certificate, “ Now, normally I would not comment on something like this, because obviously there’s a lot of stuff swirling in the press on at any given day and I've got other things to do. But two weeks ago, when the Republican House had put forward a budget that will have huge consequences potentially to the country, and when I gave a speech about my budget and how I felt that we needed to invest in education and infrastructure and making sure that we had a strong safety net for our seniors even as we were closing the deficit, during that entire week the dominant news story wasn’t about these huge, monumental choices that we're going to have to make as a nation. It was about my birth certificate. And that was true on most of the news outlets that were represented here. And so I just want to make a larger point here. We've got some enormous challenges out there. There are a lot of folks out there who are still looking for work. Everybody is still suffering under high gas prices. We're going to have to make a series of very difficult decisions about how we invest in our future but also get a hold of our deficit and our debt -- how do we do that in a balanced way. And this is going to generate huge and serious debates, important debates. And there are going to be some fierce disagreements -- and that’s good. That’s how democracy is supposed to work. And I am confident that the American people and America’s political leaders can come together in a bipartisan way and solve these problems. We always have. But we’re not going to be able to do it if we are distracted. We’re not going to be able to do it if we spend time vilifying each other. We’re not going to be able to do it if we just make stuff up and pretend that facts are not facts. We’re not going to be able to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers. We live in a serious time right now and we have the potential to deal with the issues that we confront in a way that will make our kids and our grandkids and our great grandkids proud. And I have every confidence that America in the 21st century is going to be able to come out on top just like we always have. But we’re going to have to get serious to do it. ”. In other words my poll numbers are in the toilet because the US voter is to thick and is listening to this crap, poor POTUS he really cant see the woods from the trees can he, he thinks his budget speech didn’t work because the speech didn’t have the right kind of attention. The problem with the speech was that it was dead on arrival on the Republican House. The American left as represented by POTUS thinks that if you just tax the rich more then all the debt will go away, Obama is AMERICAN but from odd place called the extreme American left. At the of the day to fund ObamaCare the working and middle class will have to be taxed, there are not that many rich folks. That’s the lie the American left gets, the taxing rich rubbish is a Trojan horse, once that does not work it will be taxing main street. Depending how the US voter reacts to the above this could be another mistake, the elite left will go with the birth certificate debate, thus make the jump that the rest of the arguments against Obama are wrong. But if you read the above it’s a typical left wing elite view of the voter, they are thick and they should listen to their betters from the Academic left, that being Obama.

President Obama’s Birth Certificate ( PDF)

The White House has released the full birth certificate of President Obama, Click here. I think the Oval has some other more serious issues to deal with, this kind of story used to come up in the August silly season in the UK, this UK political virus has moved to the US.

Was President Obama Born in the US? = YES

The Hill: Reports that the Obama White House has released the full birth certificate of President Obama. Why President Obama is even dealing with this issue is beyond VIEWS, either way it makes Donald Trump look good, it has forced POTUS to release his birth certificate, YES he was born in the US, but that is not the point, it makes Mr Trump look like a leader, a man who forced an arrogant President to deal with an issue that has no importance what so ever, this could fuel the poll ratings for Donald Trump. A silly issue that has been dealt with in a silly way, can we NOW get back to real issues.

Hubert "Hub" Schlafly = Mr Teleprompter

Guardian: Reports on the death of Hubert "Hub" Schlafly the inventor of the teleprompter. Have to admit didn’t know that Mr Schlafly had invented the teleprompter, and this blog should have known, its part of the image of the Presidency these days, you have the Hail to the Chief, the flags, the Presidential symbol on the stand and the teleprompter that allows any President to look good, but even President Obama who has a rather good line in rhetoric found himself repeating the same line twice due to the faulty operation of the prompter. It is that trusted folks, the modern politician in many respects places his/her political future in the prompter, if you not good interacting with the prompter your not for high office, you have to be good on the TV, and part of that deal is following the prompter. Our thoughts are with the Schlafly Family at this time.

Labour UPSET by Blair/Brown SNUB

Daily Mail: Reports Labour MPs are upset that former Leaders, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have not been invited to the Royal Wedding: Poor Labour, so far no apology from Tony Blair for Iraq, a mild apology abroad from Gordon Brown for nearly bankrupting the Country as Chancellor and PM. I think the Royal Couple can invite who like to THEIR wedding, the Labour Party really don’t get the fact as to why the lost in 2010, if they think that they don’t have any responsibility for Iraq or the banking collapse then they are heading for defeat in 2015.

General Petraeus = Next CIA Chief

BBC News: Reports that the US Commander of NATO Forces in Afghanistan General David Petraeus will be the next head of the Central Intelligence Agency. The present head of the CIA Leon Panetta will take over from US Defence Secretary Robert Gates when he retires this year. One has to say this is smart move by POTUS, he keeps the well respected General Petraeus in national security system of the US government, there for advice over Afghanistan policy but also keeps the General from running against President Obama in 2012. As to Afghanistan Policy the US has a problem, the Obama line is that the US would start withdrawal this year, dependent on the security context in Afghanistan. Lets be clear folks, once you tell the enemy that you are leaving they can either wait you out, of course there is the risk from their side that NATO might have created a firm foundation for Kabul to run a secure Afghanistan, not holding my breath on that folks. On other hand the Taliban/Al Qaeda might want to claim victory for pushing out the Western forces, aka the Soviet Union. If the security in Afghanistan is not secure then the Taliban can move in once the West has left, the Taliban of Pakistan would have a secure base as to attack the Western supported Government of Pakistan. The problem is that Pakistan is a nuclear armed country. When one thinks of Afghanistan and Pakistan and the right policy, one thinks of Vietnam, no good options but lesser evil choices, its that bad folks.

NATO Unleashed - Libya

The New York Times: Reports that NATO has escalated its attacks in Libya, the next step is to attack the command and control structure of the Gaddafi Regime, also take out the power structures of the Libyan Regime, even State TV. This is down to the fact folks that Washington D.C, London, Paris, and Rome can not afford for Gaddafi to win, lets take the example of POTUS, he faces re-election next year, in the Presidential debates does he want the Republican nominee to attack him for being weak over Libya. In the UK Coalition PM David Cameron does not want a long war, there is always a chance that a RAF plane might get shot down, or the military advisers might get in to combat and get killed. Thus in pure political terms both Obama and Cameron want a quick kill of Gaddafi, either he dies in Libya or dies abroad, as long as he is no longer in power that is the end result required by the West. Thus lets see if NATO can get lucky, and more important the Libyan people.

Deraa DEATHS = Libya

Guardian: Reports that the residents of the Syrian City of Deraa face artillery and sniper fire from the Syrian Security Forces. Thus one has to ask what is the point of the UN, people are getting killed in their own streets by their own government, and so far d-m all from the UN. The World Community reacted to the repression of Colonel Gaddafi with military force, why not Syria, simple folks, Syria is a major player in the inter connected politics of the Middle East, any attack on Syria would bring in Iran. The Obama Administration has tried the hand out approach to Syria, so far not that successful, thus the West does not want to push Syria more in to the clutches of Iran, the Arab Spring started to fall apart in Libya but has finished in Syria. There will be strong words from the World Community but that’s it folks, Libya has proved to be problematic, any action over Syria could lead to a regional Middle East War, thus a nuclear armed Israel and the prospective nuclear armed Iran could come in to conflict, thus it’s a game no one wants to play, in this POTUS is right to keep to the rhetoric.
　

Hot Air and Syria

Telegraph: Reports on the statement by the UK Foreign Secretary William Hague that the UK and EU could seek sanctions on the Syria Government should the repression continue in Syria. This is hot air folks, hundreds have been killed and all the UK can do is threaten sanctions at some future date, as stated the Obama Administration and the West is very wary of placing sanctions on Syria, it’s a major player in the Middle East, also it would make Iran even more important to Syria. Not holding my breath for sanctions folks.

The Long Road in Libya = UK Government

BBC News: Reports that Number 1O Downing Street has flagged that the UK will be in Libya for a long time. It easy to get in to a War, its not easy to get out, also its more difficult when that War in military terms in a stalemate, the NATO air strikes have prevented the Gaddafi Regime from wiping out the Eastern rebels and a total massacre in Misrata in the West of Libya, but in the long haul this War is damaging to NATO, the UK and its close Allies and the Obama Administration. Lets be honest here folks, Libya in military terms is a third rate power and this War is still going on, NATO image is hurt by the impression that it cant topple Gaddafi, the UK, France and Italy look weak by not getting boots on the ground. In the case of Obama Administration it looks like President Obama wants to see a post super power US, a lot like Great Britain after the loss of India in 1947. Also at end of the day Gaddafi could still win, thus the people of Libya will suffer, a lot of negatives folks, Libya might just be to costly for the West in PR terms.

Syrian Unrest = Deraa

BBC News: Reports from sources within Syria that the Syrian Regime is using tanks against the Southern City of Deraa. It seems the Assad Regime has learned the lesson of Libya well, if you kill your own people and fast enough the outside world will do nothing till its to late. Lets be clear the UN might just pass economic sanctions against Syria but that it folks. All the powers within and outside the region have reasons for keeping the lesser evil of Assad in power. One has to feel sorry for the people of Syria who want Democracy, there will be no NATO air cover or military advisers, this is a fight they will have to win against a terrorist regime.

The LIES of Colonel Gaddafi = Libyan Front

Guardian: Reports that Misrata has come under fire from Gaddafi Forces even after the Gaddafi Regime had stated its forces would be pulled back as to allow talks between the Rebels and local tribes. The Gaddafi Regime is using spin to get some breathing space, it has lost its advantage in Misrata, it controlled some of the highest buildings in the City, the rebels have pushed the Gaddafi forces back, thus the Gaddafi Regime is spinning peace moves while its killing its own people. In other words folks BS is coming out of the mouths of those that represent the Gaddafi Regime. The Allies have to get boots on the ground, otherwise Misrata could face a massacre that will horrify the World.

1,000 KILLED in Misrata = Libyan Front

Guardian: Reports that an estimated one thousand people have been killed in Misrata since the revolt against Colonel Gaddafi started in Libya. There are reports that the Libyan Government has removed its troops form Misrata and left the local tribes to deal with the rebels of Misrata, but from news footage the security forces of Colonel Gaddafi are still firing on the rebels of Misrata, if there is a lull in the fighting lets hope the rebels from the East send some more fighters to Misrata and that the West sends some “ military advisers ”. One has to wonder how long before the West has the guts to get troops on the ground to finish this bloody War.

The Royal Wedding = Blair, Brown OUT

Telegraph: Reports that former Labour Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have not been invited to the Royal Wedding at the end of April. Would you want Blair and Brown at YOUR wedding, people would be looking at them, expecting a fight to break out. Also Blair got the UK in to Iraq and Brown was the Chancellor of the Exchequer who created the foundations for the banking collapse. They are lucky they are not in the Tower of London, but we live in liberal times, you have to take the bad with the good.

UK TELLS UK Subjects = Get OUT of SYRIA NOW

BBC News: Reports that the FCO has advised UK subjects to leave Syria due to the unrest, since the protests have started an estimate three hundred people have died. One of the two Countries in turmoil, Syria and Libya, its Syria that is the important one folks, one side it has Israel and the US who on the whole would prefer the lesser evil of the present regime due to the fact that Israel on the whole has had a peaceful border with Syria, a new regime might want to take action against Israel to build support at home, on other hand Syria in many respects is a satellite of Iran, its through Syria that Iran effects the internal polices of Lebanon, thus a new regime might seek Western support by cutting links with Iran. Thus both the US and Iran might want the lesser evil of the Assad Regime. Lets see how it plays out folks, don’t expect UN action folks, Syria is far more serious Middle East player, no one on the UN Security Council is going to seek sanctions against Syria.

Dr Who WINS for the BBC

The Doctor Who News Page: Reports that the new episode of the new season of Dr Who was the highest rated show on BBC 1 on Saturday night, with the overnight rating at 6.5 million viewers. Lets recall folks when you add those that have recorded the show due to the fine Easter break the figures should go up. As to the episode, didn’t see that spoiler, how will the writers get the Doctor out of this, never seen Companion shoot a gun I think, lasers yes. etc, but never a gun, and the target, to simple just to miss, then what, also to the revelation by Amy, what has the Doctor been up too, or Rory the Roman for a matter of fact, cant have a miracle ( spoiler ) lets see how that works. Saturday night just got fun folks.

Update: Just seen Doctor Who Confidential, it was a treat to see how they did the Oval Office, it looked d-m good. Having seen the episode for a second time, and the Doctor was really ( spoiler ) then it will be tough for the writers to keep this storyline simple and be understood by the viewers. The fans will have to pay attention through the new series, lets see what magic the writers produce for the Doctor.

President Obama on Syria

The White House has a strong Presidential Statement on the violence in Syria, the President states the following, “ The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the use of force by the Syrian government against demonstrators. This outrageous use of violence to quell protests must come to an end now. We regret the loss of life and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims, and with the Syrian people in this challenging time…Over the course of two months since protests in Syria began, the United States has repeatedly encouraged President Assad and the Syrian Government to implement meaningful reforms, but they refuse to respect the rights of the Syrian people or be responsive to their aspirations. The Syrian people have called for the freedoms that all individuals around the world should enjoy: freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and the ability to freely choose their leaders. President Assad and the Syrian authorities have repeatedly rejected their calls and chosen the path of repression. They have placed their personal interests ahead of the interests of the Syrian people, resorting to the use of force and outrageous human rights abuses to compound the already oppressive security measures in place before these demonstrations erupted…. ” What is interesting is the following, “ Instead of listening to their own people, President Assad is blaming outsiders while seeking Iranian assistance in repressing Syria's citizens through the same brutal tactics that have been used by his Iranian allies. ”. If POTUS has this been tough in 2009 then there might be a new Regime in Tehran. The end part of statement could have come from Bush 43, “ We call on President Assad to change course now, and heed the calls of his own people. We strongly oppose the Syrian government’s treatment of its citizens and we continue to oppose its continued destabilizing behavior more generally, including support for terrorism and terrorist groups. The United States will continue to stand up for democracy and the universal rights that all human beings deserve, in Syria and around the world. ”. The Liberal Candidate Obama who wanted to talk to everybody without conditions has come to his senses at least when it comes to rogue regimes like Iran and Syria, but what is he going to do about them, at the end of the day this all rhetoric.

Building by Building COMBAT = Misrata

Guardian: Reports that the Eastern Rebels in Misrata have taken the tallest building in Misrata, the building had been the base of the Gaddafi Security Forces. Building by building combat and snipers, this is something out of Russia during World War Two, the death toll at its most conservative is in the hundreds, and it will rise folks. The sending by the US of armed drones should help the rebels in the long term, the short term they just have to keep buildings. That the UK, France and Italy are sending “ Military Advisers ” will help the rebels develop their military structure, lets not forget that the UK and US have Special Forces in Libya, the question that has to be asked is how long before there is a Coup within the Libyan Government against Colonel Gaddafi or that the Allies get lucky with their air strikes. The sanctions over the long term will starve the Gaddafi regime of money, but it will take time folks, this war could be long and bloody folks.

Syrian Massacre = 54 Killed

Telegraph: Reports from sources within Syria that at least 54 people have been killed a day of protests in Syria against the Assad Regime. The reaction by Syria, Libya to protests has a connection to the protests in Iran to the stolen election of 2009, the US under President Obama didn’t take a tough stand and allowed the Tehran Regime to kill its own people. Thus Syria and Libya saw that Egyptian Regime a close ally of the US was thrown under the bus by Obama, even after offering concessions after concessions, thus the repressive regimes figured out that Obama will throw an ally under the bus but will be slow to be critical of an enemy. Thus President Obama failed to lead, the problem with clever people like Obama is that they don’t questions their own Agenda, their own ideas, they think the are right all the time, when in fact as Vietnam shows, the clever and the brightest in a Administration from the President down don’t have clue, only in retrospect can the right path be seen, Obama should have lead in 2009.

53% Disapproval Rating - Rasmussen Reports

Rasmussen Reports: On its latest daily tracking poll of likely voters, in this poll President Obama has 53% disapproval rating, while 47% of voters approve of the job performance of POTUS. Thus how do you dig your self out of a hole, the one thing you don’t do is to play to your base, your left wing base, that loves tax hikes if never tax cuts, both JFK and Reagan seen as great President by the voters had tax cuts, so far POTUS wants to place tax hikes on those earning more that two hundred and fifty thousand. The problem with this liberal extreme view of the world is that its rubbish, there are never enough rich people to fund the welfare system of the US. At the end of the day POTUS will have to tax the middle class and Reagan Democrats if he wants to keep ObamaCare, if POTUS is forced down that path by the Republican House he can kiss re-election goodbye, does POTUS have the ability to see beyond his own narrow extreme liberal agenda, odd that a candidate that was seen beyond political parties in 2008 is now seen by many as more left wing than FDR, LBJ on their best days. The race is not lost to Obama, but any more narrow minded polices that Donald Trump will be taking over in 2013.

President Obama 49% Disapproval Rating - Gallup

Gallup: The latest Gallup daily tracking poll has President Obama on a 49% disapproval rating, while 43% approve of the job performance of POTUS. This is not good folks, the Obama Administration is fighting actual wars, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya and on the domestic front it is following the Republican House it developing a budget reduction plan and getting the House to pass increase in the debt ceiling, also its fighting to keep health care reform being thrown out by the US Courts. It still early folks, and the Main Stream Media is backing Obama in 2012, the general view in the political commentary is that Obama should win next year, but its very early in the Republican race, someone might not enter till later in the year, to see the look of the land. Then we come to the Donald Trump, the Obama re-election must really worry about Trump, lets recall Trump has billions to spare, if he does enter the race it would mean that President Obama would have to be on the phone every day, every hour to raise money. What about running the country you might just ask? That is why you got to love US politics, it never ends, always polls and money.

US Armed Drones = Libya

BBC News: Reports that the US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates has announced that the US has sent two armed drones to the Libyan theatre. The drones have been very successful in the badlands of the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, they have hit the Taliban/Al Qaeda leadership hard and with great success. As the drones can fly lower than planes they will have a better chance at hitting the Gaddafi Security Forces in Misrata, the Eastern Rebels in Misrata need some military relief from the over powerful Gaddafi forces. The Military Advisers sent by the UK, France and Italy will help over time, but the question that has to be asked how much time do the rebels in the East of Libya have, and when will the Western rebels be ready to move from the East and take the Capitol of Tripoli in the West of Libya. The Obama re-elect committee must worry that this low scale war will be still going on next year and that the Republican Nominee will use the issue to show that POTUS is weak. One can postulate that Obama is not a Liberal Reagan but a CARTER MARK 2.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has announced the name of the Soldier that died in the UK of wounds sustained in Afghanistan, the Soldier was “ Captain Lisa Jade Head from 321 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squadron, 11 EOD Regiment RLC ”. Our thoughts are with the family of Captain Head.

UK, France and Italy = Military Advisers to Libya

BBC News: Reports that the UK is to be supported by France and Italy, they are also sending military advisers. The more London, Paris and Rome have at stake in Libya the more chance of boots on the ground, by JFK’s death in 1963 the US had sixteen thousand military advisers in South Vietnam, from there it really was a small step to a full scale war in South Vietnam. Lets hope the MOD has a plan ready for a War in Libya, one cant really see any other end, the West can not allow Colonel Gaddafi to remain in power.

Death in Afghanistan

Urgent Update: Previous Post wrong due to lack of information. Corrected:

MOD: Reports that a Soldier has died of her wounds sustained in Afghanistan, the Soldier was from the “ Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps ”. Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 364 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 320 in combat action and 44 due to illness, accidents or other incidents.

Elisabeth Sladen had Died

The Doctor Who News Page: Confirms the death of Dr Who/ Sarah Jane Adventures actress Elisabeth Sladen. This news is a sad day for Dr Who fans, with the loss of the Brig the Dr Who family has lost two of its beloved characters. This old cynic had a tear in his eye when he watched Dr Who episode School Reunion with Elisabeth Sladen and David Tennant. Of course this blog send outs its sympathies to the family of Elisabeth Sladen, in this it is joined by the thousands of fans across the world.

Spectacular Attacks = Afghanistan

Guardian: Reports that the UK military in Afghanistan is predicting that the Taliban are planning spectacular attacks over the fighting season. As stated this blog the Taliban are looking for a South Vietnam style Tet offensive in Afghanistan, it can be postulated that the Taliban see POTUS as a LBJ type President, they might use massive attacks to undermine the Obama Re-Elect Campaign in 2012, lets recall LBJ in many respects was push out of the 1968 campaign by the Tet revolt, the Viet Cong didn’t win, but that was not the point, it showed that the US was not winning in South Vietnam, lets be honest folks what ever the actual war front there are critics such as this blog who will never see a WIN in Afghanistan, just how the Allies can spin not winning. Lets see if the Taliban mount such massive attacks how this effects the Western Allies.

Get Lost Gordon Brown!

Telegraph: Reports that UK Coalition PM David Cameron will veto any attempt to make former Labour PM Gordon Brown the next head of the International Monetary Fund ( IMF). One thing about former Labour PM Tony Blair is when he went he made sure he had a new job to go to in the Middle East, thus when leaving No.10 it was not such a sharp end, Lady Thatcher like Gordon Brown had no job after her time in High Office; Lady Thatcher did not resign as a MP but she was on the backbenches, the same fate as Gordon Brown, when he can be bothered to turn up to the House of Commons; one day she was PM of the UK, the next she was down to making speeches for money, Blair, Brown have followed suit with that, but Blair has a real job as a Middle East Peace Envoy. It keeps Mr Blair in the game so to speak. The real problem for Mr Brown is the fact that he was Chancellor of the Exchequer for ten years under Tony Blair, thus the banking collapse had its origins while he was at No.11. It is only of late that Mr Brown has admitted that New Labour got it wrong with its banking reforms in 1997, it didn’t not help that Mr Brown said this abroad. Thus in the eyes of many voters Mr Brown is one of the chief culprits for the banking collapse of 2008 and his the heavy cuts that the UK faces in 2011. The move to veto Mr Brown is a good move by PM Cameron, the IMF is to important to allow someone like Mr Brown to make the same mistakes as he did in the UK.
　

British Military Advisers for Libya = Vietnam Again!

BBC News: Reports that ten UK Military Advisers will be sent to Libya to help the Eastern Rebels. This is how the Vietnam War escalated folks, how long before Coalition PM David Cameron gets fed up with the rebels not winning, the UK voter not supporting the War due to cuts at home while money is being spent in Libya. Also how long before the War in Libya starts to effect Afghanistan operations. Lets not jump in to the Vietnam Anti War frame of mind, there are differences, Colonel Gaddafi is not North Vietnam, there is no one outside Libya supporting him, so far he has kept the Eastern rebels in the East of Libya, his security forces have blunted their move to the West. But the question has to be asked how long before the Mad Dog runs out of money and supplies, the UN sanctions have been effective in preventing supplies getting in to Libya, even if this has hurt the Eastern rebels. Colonel Gaddafi is playing out the clock folks, that clock is being seen in the Washington D. C, London and Paris, this is why the military advisers have been send to Libya, No. 10 does not want this war to be still going on in six months, thus it can be predicted one way or another that there will be boots on the ground, sooner or later, that is the history of the Vietnam War folks, politicians don’t like defeats.

Donald Trump for President ?

The Hill: A call from a Democrat for Donald Trump to run for the Republican nomination. Of course the view among Democrats is that Mr Trump would be great for President Obama, in a race between Obama and Trump it is postulated by Democrats that Obama would win hands down. Lets recall Democrats in 1980 wanted Ronald Reagan to win the Republican nomination, the great Democratic Speaker Tip O' Neill was one of those Democrats, they thought Reagan would be easy to beat, big mistake. There is an old saying, be careful what you wish for, lets recall Mr Trump is very rich, POTUS is expected to raise one billion dollars for his re-election campaign, it can be postulated that Mr Trump could double that with a phone call, yes he’s that rich. One of the reasons that Mr Trump is high in Republican polls is his doubts about where POTUS was born, but this just might be a way to win the Republican nomination, then move to the centre, so careful Democrats what you wish for, if Oval don’t be to critical of DT, if you annoy him to much he just might run in 2012.

Unrest in Syria

The New York Times: Reports on the still growing unrest in Syria and the funding by the US Government of those opposed to the Syrian Regime. The Syrian protesters should not expect actual help from the Obama Administration, so far some critical press statements from the White House but that’s it, the Oval after Libya can not afford any more military adventures, the liberal left wing of the Democratic Party would revolt if POTUS helped the protesters in Syria. The extreme left wing of the Democratic Party is so anti war that it would rather see innocent bystanders die than for the US to save them, they are very narrow minded, all they want do is spend money on the creation of a welfare state, even if the US is broke. Thus poor Syrian people your on your own as far as the Oval is concerned.

EU Military Force for Misrata ?

Guardian: Reports that EU is awaiting the nod from the UN to send in a thousand troops in to Misrata with humanitarian Aid. Not holding my breath folks, the UN Security Council will not pass another resolution that allows troops in to Libya, the Russians for a start have been critical of NATO strikes, thus one can postulate that they would Veto any such new resolution. At the end of the day the EU is not a military forces what ever France wants, this seems another French attempt to push the US out of the military leadership of the West. At the end of the day, either the UK and France will have to take military action or Misrata will be retaken by Colonel Gaddafi.

The End of Empires

BBC News: Reports that the US Government has been told by Standard & Poor's a Credit Agency that its credit rating could be cut. Here it is folks, the end of a political and economic Empire, the US in many respects is following the path of the Roman and British Empire, it is going broke, the Roman Empire devalued the its coin as the years went by, the British Empire was broke after World War Two, thus time wise the rabid end of Empire, the UK was out of India in 1947, the Empire become the Commonwealth by the 1960s. The last throw of Empire was the failed UK and French attempt to retake Suez in 1956. The US liberals from the New Deal onwards have tried to make the US like Western Europe, a welfare state, the problem is simple folks, the US is to big, the debt is to much , fourteen trillion not something you can hide under the carpet. The Obama Administration on the domestic front has been a disaster, its economic stimulus failed to create jobs, those that argue that it protected Government jobs in the States are missing the point, its the private sector that creates jobs, makes the economy grow. ObamaCare is an attempt to create a NHS in the US, the problem is that the advances in health allow people to live longer and save people that would have died in previous times, its costs folks, you cant think if you force people to buy health cover that this will reduce costs, it wont, the NHS in the UK has grown and grown, the costs have never gone down. The next economic Empire will be China, lets hope they learn the lessons of the British and US Empires, 1) You cant have a welfare state that has no end, 2) Don’t get in to Wars or Empires that never end, 3) Be tough on the banks, 4) Always save for a bad day, it will come. Good luck China.

President Obama’s Polls

RCP: Reports on its average of the poll ratings for the job performance of President Obama, its not good folks, on the approval side POTUS has 46%, while those that disapprove of the job performance of POTUS stands at 49.3%. The Chicago Obama Re- Elect Committee has its work cut, the Obama/Biden 2012 ticket needs to get back independent and conservative voters, the US Supreme Court would do POTUS a favour by revoking ObamaCare, if the Court waits in till next year the President will have to defend ObamaCare right up to the election, it would be ironic if Obama was to win in 2012 but then for the Court was to revoke the foundation of his domestic polices, that being ObamaCare. The real worry for the Re-Election Committee is the developing view within the US that President Obama is not serious about Budge Cuts, his polls fell after his speech on the budget cuts, this was due to one simple fact, Obama is a typical liberal, he wants to tax the rich, the problem is Americans want to be rich. In many ways Obama is the US version of Gordon Brown but with charisma. Then we come to Foreign Policy, and the worry that the Taliban/Al Qaeda will mount a version of the South Vietnam Tet Offensive of 1968 just before the 2012 election in the US. One piece of good news on the horizon for the Oval is the final withdrawal of US troops from Iraq at the end of 2011. This should make the liberal base happy, as long as Iran does not invade as soon the US is out of Iraq. As to Libya POTUS must be hoping that Colonel Gaddafi is overthrown and soon, any end that allows Gaddafi to stay would be a disaster for Obama, he would have been seen as throwing away the best chance in years to get rid of a major threat to Western interests. Also lets not forget Al Qaeda, and the threat of a major terrorist attack in the US or the West before 2012, also the worry that Pakistan could fall to the Taliban of Pakistan. That could lead to an War between Pakistan and India and cause the US a nightmare on the diplomatic and military front, Afghanistan would get worse, and the US would be there for years. Thus a lot on the desk of POTUS, well he wanted the job. 　

Split in Democratic Party ? = Afghanistan

CNN: Reports that the Democratic Majority Leader in the Senate, Senator Harry Reid has stated that he is not confident about the result of the Afghanistan Campaign. One has to wonder did Senator Reid tell the Oval he was going to make this statement. The Afghan War was the War that Candidate Obama wanted to fight in 08, he has made two surges in Afghanistan, lets get real here folks, the Taliban/Al Qaeda read the news from the States, if they see a split within the Democrats leadership they might think this is the best time to really have a go at NATO troops in Afghanistan. Also as noted in previous blog posts the Obama approval ratings are in the toilet, thus in many respects Obama could turn to another LBJ. This Summer/Spring there is expected heavy fighting in Afghanistan, lets see if NATO can cope and if the Kabul Government can control areas under its suppose control. Is 2011/212 turning in to another 1968 for the Democrats.

Misrata Rebels call for NATO Troops

Guardian: Reports that Eastern Rebels in the city of Misrata are calling for NATO troops to be sent to save the people of Misrata. The question that has to be asked in Washington D.C, London and Paris is what will be the reaction by the public should the Gaddafi forces retake full control Misrata and wipe out the rebels, do the Allies want another Bosnia on their hands. It can be argued it better to get troops on the ground NOW and deal the legal and political consequences later, how may images of the innocent getting killed does it take for the West to take full action, what is the point of the UN if does not protect those that cant protect themselves. Shame on US, UK and France for waiting, some things are above political calculation.

41% Approval for President Obama = Gallup

Gallup: Reports that President Obama has 41% Approval rating in its latest daily tracking poll, on the negative side 49% disapprove of the job performance of POTUS. Thus folks it can be argued that political speech that POTUS gave on US debt went down like a lead balloon. It was seen as the start of his 2012 run, that might go down well with Liberals, but the election is a year and half away, thus it’s a major turn off for those with a limited interest in politics or Independent/Conservative voters. These voters want answers to the basic fact that the US cant carry on with a fourteen trillion debt for the long term, the US will go over a cliff and take the West with it, thus the idea that you would raise taxes during the recession the foundation of the Obama speech shows someone who has never had a proper job in his life. It is typical liberal rubbish, the problem with tax hikes for the rich is that there are not endless rich people, also US voters want to be rich, that is the part that the elite liberal mind set wont or cant get its head around. If you tax rich they spend less, less products or services bought the less people are employed. The more people that are unemployed the more the welfare system has to care for them, then your back to arguing for the rich to pay more or the middle class, there are more people in the middle class, thus a big bunch of people to tax. Did Obama ever due economics at University, one would not mind seeing his grades, would be greatly surprised if he passed the Unit. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　

The Libyan Front Part Two = Misrata

BBC News: Reports on the escalation of force by the Gaddafi Security forces in Misrata. The Allies will have to decide sooner or later if they really want to win in Libya, a deal that allows Gaddafi to stay in power would be a major defeat for the US, UK and France. The UN would look feckless, NATO would be seen as weak and not fit for purpose. The War in Afghanistan could also be affected, the Taliban/Al Qaeda could see a weak NATO and think since Obama is weak over a UN authorized attack he will not be able to cope with a Vietnam type Tet offensive in Afghanistan, lets recall at the end of the day it was Vietnam that bought down LBJ, next year is a Presidential year, and in the Summer and Spring of 2012 the Taliban/Al Qaeda might go for broke, and try to take over the limited major cities in Afghanistan. This has to be a worry for the US Military and for the Chicago Obama Re-Elect Committee, or that President Obama could face a nomination challenge from his left wing base in 2012, this was the background to LBJ’s withdrawal from the 1968 race.

The Libyan Front and the Allies

Folks, the War in Libya and it’s a War folks, is just Libyans are getting killed as a surrogate for Allied Troops getting on the ground. The Allied leaders of Obama, Cameron and Sarkozy published a strong letter on Thursday night but there is a major contradiction in this letter, the letter states the following, “ Our duty and our mandate under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 is to protect civilians, and we are doing that. It is not to remove Qaddafi by force. But it is impossible to imagine a future for Libya with Qaddafi in power. ”. It is either removing Gaddafi by force folks or leaving him in power, that are the only two options. The Allies state the following on the actions of the Gaddafi security forces, “ …rockets and shells rained down on defenseless civilians in Ajdabiya. The city of Misurata is enduring a medieval siege, as Qaddafi tries to strangle its population into submission. The evidence of disappearances and abuses grows daily. ”. The reaction of the West is endless diplomatic meetings, the Allies have to get troops on the ground, resolution 1973 it can be argued does not prevent a limited non occupation force from taking action, those that argue that this would be against the spirit of 1973 fail to see that the resolution at its heart is about Regime change. Thus the innocents in Libya will due to the weak response from the Oval, No.10 and Paris, it seems leaders never learn from history.

50% Disapproval for POTUS = Gallup and Rasmussen

The debt cutting speech didn’t go down well with the folks, the latest Gallup poll of Average voters has POTUS on a 50% Disapproval rating, while the Rasmussen Poll of likely voters has the same rating of 50% Disapproval. The Approval rating in Gallup is quite bad, in that poll President Obama has a 42% Approval rating, while in Rasmussen its better at 49%. The US voter is not thick, he or she knows that there have to be deep cuts in the welfare system of the US, you don’t drag yourself out of recession by putting up taxes, the idea that only the rich will pay is a left wing con job, the really wealth can find ways around the system or leave, thus it’s the Middle and Working Class that gets hit with the tax hikes. Thus if your in the Chicago office of the Obama re-elect you need someone close to POTUS who really knows him and can lead him to water, see the real world, even the great Ronald Reagan had to have Nancy Reagan to see the exit out of Iran Contra. The problem with the bubble of the Oval is that sometimes Presidents see what they want to see, does President Obama want to be another Jimmy Carter or Bush 41. To lose after a first term hurts folks, if your young like Obama and he does lose he could spend decades wondering what might have been if his ego had been kept in check or he had a close adviser who could show him the real world. This blog has been very critical of POTUS, bright people sometimes are their own worse enemies, lets see if President Obama can see beyond his own narrow liberal agenda, otherwise he might find in November of 2012 that he joins a very select club, one term Presidents.

Bombing Tripoli - Libyan Front

Guardian: Reports on the bombing of Tripoli this afternoon. In less NATO gets lucky and takes out Colonel Gaddafi this cant go for months, thus the Allies in the shape of the UK and France should request that the rebels request a limited ground operation by the Allies. This would end the War in weeks if not days. Otherwise Colonel Gaddafi will just wait the Allies out. That would be a Gaddafi win and that is not something the Oval, No.10 or Paris can afford to be the final result.

Vote YES on AV and you get A = B'Stard

Daily Mail: Reports how the No Campaign has showed how the Rt Hon Alan B'Stard could come back in to power if you VOTE YES on AV. This is quite fun and a very good move by the No Campaign, the character of Alan B’stard on TV was fun but you might not want him in power till the end of time. Thus folks if you don’t want politicians of any party to decide who will be the next government you should vote NO in the AV vote. The first past the post system is not perfect, it gave us Tony Blair after all, but its Democracy folks.

Misurata under Threat of Massacre

Telegraph: Reports from rebels in Misurata in the West of Libya that it faces being massacred by forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi. This folks does bring back the memory of Bosnia in the 1990s, the Clinton Administration waited years to take action and thousands died. The Obama Administration wants to remove the Gaddafi Regime but it does not want to do the heavy lifting, well folks someone has to tell POTUS he wanted to be President and leader of the West, well elections have consequences, the World does not work according the World view of OBAMA, the protesters in Iran after the stolen election didn’t get any help from President Obama, he thought he could talk to Tehran, thus Obama barely said word, then he sold out the Czech Republican and Poland to get a fresh relationship with Russia, that did the West a lot of good, NOT. If POTUS does not get re-elected in 2012 does he want Libya to be added to the dishonour roll of his Foreign Policy. Thus time for POTUS to send back in the US Air Force, and also with the UK and France send in ground troops to end this War, as the Bay of Pigs or Iran - Contra showed at the end of the day, a quite arms length War never ends well for the Oval.

Bay of Pigs - Chronology

NSA: See how a plan can go wrong when politicians want a quite War, the failure of the Bay of Pigs is down to President Kennedy, he didn’t want a World War Two operation, he wanted a covert arms length operation, in many respects JFK created his own failure.

Bay of Pigs and JFK

BBC News: Reports on the anniversary of the failed invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs by CIA trained Cubans. This was a major failure for the young Kennedy Administration, the plan pre - dated the election of President Kennedy but he had given the green light for the CIA to follow through under the Kennedy Administration. After the failure of the Bay of Pigs, President Kennedy and his brother Attorney General Robert Kennedy increase pressure on the CIA to get Castro, in the end in pure political terms Castor won, both Kennedy brothers were assassinated and it was ill health that forced Castro from power at the end. But if you going to understand JFK and RFK you have to understand the Bay of Pigs and its consequences. 　

48% Disapproval for President Obama - Gallup

Gallup: Reports on its latest Daily Track Poll, not good news for President Obama, he has 48% disapproval rating, while 44% approve of the job performance of President Obama. As President Obama has announced his plan to cut the US deficit lets see what his poll numbers are like after a few days. The question the Chicago Re- Election Committee must be asking, have the US voters given up on President Obama, was his push for health care reform the line that POTUS crossed that means he will never get back conservative and independent voters. If that is the case it does not matter how many speeches Obama gives, its over, its just matter of time in till the 2012 election for voters to send him back to Chicago after just one term, that should be the nightmare for the Obama team.

Obama/ Mondale

Well folks here it is, that tax and spend liberal, the White House has just released the following, “ The President's Framework for Shared Prosperity and Shared Fiscal Responsibility ”. At its heart is the following by the Obama White House on how to cut the debt, “ Shared Sacrifice from All, Including the Most Fortunate Americans: The President believes strongly that, as we make difficult choices to live within our means, we cannot afford to make our deficit problem worse by extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. ”. Thus in the biggest recession since 1930s the best thing that Obama can come up with is this liberal rubbish, tax the rich. One thing about clever guys they are not that clever after a certain point. Obama is just a charismatic Walter Mondale. In way feel quite sorry for POTUS, he cant see beyond his how ego and agenda.

Tax and Spend Liberal = President Obama

The New York Times: Reports that President Obama will request in his revised Budget for 2012 that taxes go up. This tax hike is dead in the Republican House, if the President does suggest such a move one can say that POTUS is not serious about cutting the debt of the US Government. A tax hike in a recession is just stupid, it would show that President Obama has not grown in office, the Republicans will laugh the Budget out of the room. The idea would be seen as a pandering to the liberal base of the Democratic Party that has not found a tax hike it does not like, it would be a great issue for the Republicans to run on in 2012. The Republican candidate could paint POTUS as a tax and spend liberal in the shape of Walter Mondale of 1984. Lets see what POTUS does folks, lets see if he can surprise this cynical blog.

Hague = Heavy Strike Force for Libya

Telegraph: Reports that the UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has called for a heavy strike force to be on hand in case needed in the Libyan combat operation. One gets the feeling that the UK and France do not want to wait months to remove Colonel Gaddafi, thus the pressure on NATO to respond to the calls by the Eastern Libyans to attack the military equipment of Colonel Gaddafi. Lets recall the UK Armed Forces are still in Afghanistan and are still recovering from the Iraq War, the UK is going through tough economic cuts and can not afford another long term War at the moment. Thus PM Cameron does not want to be in the same boat at Bush 43, stuck in War that is not popular at home.

No Exit for the UK when it comes to LIBYA - Foreign Secretary Hague

BBC News: Reports on remarks by the UK Foreign Secretary William Hague that the UK has no exit timetable for Libya. If you UK is not going to stop bombing part of Libya still under the control of Colonel Gaddafi then it has to train the Eastern Libyans, and also arm them and show them how to use their new weapons. Also the UK with France will have to increase its Special Forces in Libya, this War cant not be endless, while the UK tax payer is facing cuts at home you cant have the UK Government in two Wars, the other being in Afghanistan. The Libyan Forces under Colonel Gaddafi are still attacking Misrata, it can be argued that this is the place to have boots on the ground, the troops could push the Gaddafi forces out, allow the rebels some breathing space, then the rebels could move from Misrata to attack the Capital, that is still under the control of Gaddafi. How ever great the RAF is it cant win a land war, it needs boots on the ground folks.

My Mistake - Gordon Brown

BBC News: Reports that former Labour PM Gordon Brown has admitted he made a mistake in the regulation of the financial market from Labour coming in to power in 1997. This came out of the blue folks, why now, what is Gordon Brown up to, is it an attempt to slap down his former advisers in the shape of Ed Miliband who threw him under the bus, and his Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls. This is great news for the Coalition Government they can now stress even more how the collapse of the banks was the fault of New Labour and how Brown, Miliband and Balls are the guilty men at the heart of New Labour.

55% Disapproval Rating for Obama - Rasmussen

Rasmussen Reports: In its Daily Tracking Poll President Obama has a 55% disapproval rating, while 44% likely voters approve of the job performance of President Obama. One would assume that POTUS would get a hike in his polls after the Budget Deal but it does not seemed to have happen, thus if the election was held today Obama would be out on his ear. If your in the Chicago office of the Obama Re - Election Committee you have to move your candidate to the centre to get back those Independent voters that he lost with this ObamaCare. In your heart of you hearts you must be hopping that the US Supreme Court throws out ObamaCare and fast, that would allow POTUS to move away from the subject, it does not matter how much he defends the Act, the foundations of ObamaCare that Americans have to buy health care insurance will never be popular, the moment an American born he has a tax that he or she has to pay to cover Americans that don’t have health care. The Budget Cuts that will cut the US welfare system should have gotten Obama a hike in the polls, the fact that this has not happened shows that Obama has a long road re-election. The Budget deal was the start but it’s a long road folks.

The US Debt Ceiling and the Liberal Media

The New York Times: Reports on the upcoming battle between the Republican House and Obama White House over raising the debt limit. It should come as no great surprise but the liberal NYT is trying to place the blame for the level of the debt on the Republicans, it does not seem to get the fact that their LIBERAL President had added trillions to the national debt with his failed economic package and ObamaCare. The Republicans should make it as clear as water to President Obama if does not want the US to go in to default the price will be the repeal of his beloved ObamaCare. The Republicans in the House should make it clear that this is not a bluff, a US in default would place ALL Liberal reforms since the New Deal on the chopping block. The Republicans should make it simple, either Obama revokes ObamaCare or ALL Liberals reforms from FDR onwards will be revoked as a price for the Congress to act once the US goes in to default. This is called Chicago politics folks.

No Money or Food = Benghazi

Telegraph: Reports that Eastern Rebel town of Benghazi is running out of food and money. A rebel army needs food and money, but at its base it needs to feed the population that support the rebels, otherwise over time the Gaddafi regime will start to look good for the basics of life. Thus the West, in this case the Allies of UK the France will have to fund the rebels with food and money, the endless War, and it feels like an endless war plays in to the hands of Colonel Gaddafi. In the case of the UK does PM Cameron want to have to justify why the RAF is still bombing in Libya six months or a year later, time for arms and UK trainers to be sent in to the East of Libya, all under cover, a D notice etc, but this War has to end soon, and that does not mean six months.

Budget Fight - All Win = Republicans and Democrats

The resolution to the 2011 Budget fight is a way for both POTUS and the Republicans, from the view of the Republicans they have got nearly forty billion of cuts, while POTUS can argue to his liberal base that abortion for women will not be cut, President Obama stated the following about the deal, “ …This agreement between Democrats and Republicans, on behalf of all Americans, is on a budget that invests in our future while making the largest annual spending cut in our history. Like any worthwhile compromise, both sides had to make tough decisions and give ground on issues that were important to them. And I certainly did that. Some of the cuts we agreed to will be painful. Programs people rely on will be cut back. Needed infrastructure projects will be delayed. And I would not have made these cuts in better circumstances. But beginning to live within our means is the only way to protect those investments that will help America compete for new jobs -- investments in our kids’ education and student loans; in clean energy and life-saving medical research. We protected the investments we need to win the future. At the same time, we also made sure that at the end of the day, this was a debate about spending cuts, not social issues like women’s health and the protection of our air and water. These are important issues that deserve discussion, just not during a debate about our budget. ”. Thus stressing that the cuts will be painful will go down well with Conservative and Independent voters, that is good for the 2012 Campaign, but POTUS should make his liberal base happy by stressing that abortion is not part of the cuts. Thus a win all round folks. Only the extremes of both parties should have a problem.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has announced that a Soldier has died of his wounds that he suffered in Afghanistan a Year ago, the Soldier was “ Colour Sergeant Alan Cameron (Senior) from 1st Battalion Scots Guards ”. Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 363 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 319 in combat action and 44 due to illness, accidents or other incidents. Our thoughts are with the family of Colour Sergeant Cameron.

US Government Shutdown and 2012 Re-Election of Obama

It seems that President Obama playing to his base with it comes to the prospects of a Government shutdown, the President stated the following to the press on the consequences of a shutdown, “ ….800,000 families -- our neighbors, our friends, who are working hard all across the country in a whole variety of functions -- they suddenly are not allowed to come to work. It also means that they’re not getting a paycheck. That obviously has a tremendous impact. ”. In other words POTUS does not want to upset the Unions, one of the major backers for Democrats. POTUS really milked the Union angle with the following remarks, “ So, again: 800,000 federal workers and their families impacted; millions of people who are reliant on government services not getting those service.. ”. This is the time for the Republicans to hold their ground, get major cuts, but not cut abortion, that is a woman’s right. Otherwise Republicans should keep the Democrats feet close to the fire, no deal without massive cuts in the 2011 Budget.

Is Spain Next ? = Bailout ?

Guardian: Reports that Spain is stressing that it is not in the same boat as Portugal, that its economic reforms and austerity will prevent Spain needing a bailout. At present it can be argued that Spain has a point, but as the Guardian article points out Spain holds seventy five billion of Portuguese debt and it exports heavily to Portugal. Thus with the debt from Portugal and the austerity measures that the EU and IMF will ask for it can be postulated that depression in Portugal will be a recession in Spain. As Spain is already in recession this could push Spain in to its own Depression. Thus Spain it can be predicted will be the S in the PIGS of the EURO.

The Kennedys - Review

Telegraph: Has a very negative review of the Kennedys TV drama. This blog found it very interesting, if you have a interest in the Kennedys there was nothing new in this drama, but if you have no interest in politics or the Kennedys then you would on the whole found it quite informative. The blog did have a problem with Joe Kennedy Junior being scathing about the heroic World War Two record of JFK, one can see the point, recall reading a biography of JFK that took the view that the episode either deserved JFK a medal or a Court Martial. In less that scene is taken from some historical source one has raise doubts, also would JFK really have had a affair; ( that’s being kind, there are rumours that he played away on the day he become President ); on the night of 1960 election. As to Greg Kinnear as JFK and Barry Pepper as RFK, they are excellent, Mr Kinnear has that JFK Kennedy charm, and Mr Pepper has that intensity of the younger brother. Lets see how the drama develops and what they cover and how they cover the historical episodes of the Kennedys. Out of 10, it would be fair to give the show 8.5. It could be real winner, and the Kennedys if anything were about winning.

Portugal Bailout and the UK

BBC News: Reports on the EU meeting to discuss the economic bailout of Portugal, the bailout is estimated to be about eight billion euros, while the UK cost will be about 4.2 billion pounds. Thus when Spain goes belly up the PIGS of the Euro will be formed, already there are reports that Greece will need more money and that Ireland wants to redraw the bailout package it received, the general economic commentary is that both Greece and Ireland sooner or later will have to default on their debts. One can postulate that Spain due to its property crash will be the next country with its hand out, this should be the line in the sand for the UK Coalition Government, the UK taxpayer should not bailout Spain. The politicians of Europe will have to discuss if they can keep the Euro, the stronger Euro Countries such as Germany are pushing the general economic policy of the EU, this is okay for the Germans but it is hurting the weaker countries such as the PIGS. The Euro at the end of the day in a fraud, good money down the toilet, time to flush the system, clean house and get some sanity back in to the economic system, this will be at the cost of the PIGS.

Human Shields by Gaddafi Security Forces = Misurata

Guardian: Reports that France has stated that the Gaddafi Security Forces in Misurata are using human shields to prevent NATO attacks. This is why the Allies of the UK and France, sooner or later if they want to finish this conflict in Libya will have to place ground troops on the Libyan soil. The idea of giving arms to the Eastern rebels has caused some worry, this was the Western policy in Afghanistan during the Cold War, and the end result was the birth of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Thus to finish the conflict there should be a statement from the UK and France that Gaddafi has 24 hours to get out of town or face troops on the ground, this would be a limited operation, in and out, no long term occupation, just surgical strike and WIN.

Misurata Paradox = Libya

Telegraph Live: Reports from the BBC that rebels in the Western City of Misurata are reporting that the Gaddafi Security Forces are destroying the town. The UN Resolution 1973 called for the protection of innocent bystanders in the Libyan Civil War, but the Gaddafi Security Forces have tanks in hidden in Misurata, they are very hard to hit from the Air without causing innocent bystanders to be hurt or killed. Thus the frustration by the Eastern rebels that NATO has not gone in harder, the more time Gaddafi has the harder to get rid of him, a peaceful Libya is not possible with the Gaddafi family still in charge of the country. Thus the paradox of the UN 1973, it might allow Gaddafi to remain in power, that would hurt Libya and Arab spring.

More RAF Attack Planes - Libya

BBC News: Reports that the RAF should shortly have twenty attack planes in its operation in Libya. The need for more RAF planes comes about due to the fact that the Obama Administration has removed its own planes, this shows that POTUS has abdicated the leadership of the West, who would have thought that it would be the UK and France leading NATO in its latest military operation. The question is how much is this going to cost and how long can the UK and France keep public opinion on its side. What point does the UK either arm the rebels and allow them to win Libya or go home and allow Colonel Gaddafi to win.

No Deal on 2011 Budget

The Hill’s Blog: Reports that a White House meeting between President Obama and Speaker Boehner did not lead to a deal for the 2011 Budget. Thus a US Government shutdown is still on the cards. As POTUS has started his 2012 re-election campaign on Monday all his actions have to be seen in that context, President Obama can not afford to annoy his Liberal base with deep budget cuts, while on the Republican side the Republicans took the House on the promise to curb the Obama spending, thus the Republicans should go for broke, allow the Government to be shut down, while funding defence through the year. The Democrats should be very wary of this move, what if the world does not fall apart, what if the US gets along fine without an active government. The tea party supported Republicans will find deep support from the tea party members, they tea party in many respects comes from the fact that many voters do not approve of the spending of the Obama White House. Time for Republicans to hold their ground, they might lose, but they might win, that’s Democracy folks.

9/11 Trials and 2012 Presidential Race

The New York Times: The Liberal NYT attacks the Obama Administration for reverting to the Bush 43 plan to place Al Qaeda terror suspects on trial at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The extreme liberal NYT writes the following on the decision by the Obama Administration, “… it did little to prepare the political groundwork for a local trial and barely defended the idea after the unfounded attacks began. ”. This is the right if long overdue decision by the Obama White House, lets recall the election for POTUS started yesterday, the majority of the US voters do not want Al Qaeda suspects picked up Abroad to be face trial in the US, they want the suspected terrorists in a secure place that cant be attacked by terrorists, a trial in New York of KSM would make New York a target again, what if terrorists had taken hostages in New York and demanded that KSM be released from his trial. That was the prospect that faced the Obama Administration, thus the right decision to keep KSM far from the US homeland, a quick trial and a quick execution would be in the best interest of the US. Also it would be a warning to future terrorists, that the US will take revenge and that revenge will be served cold. Thus good on policy and politics by the Obama White House.

WHAT a WAY to WIN a WAR! - Libya

Guardian: Reports that as the US removes its attack planes from the Libya operation it is leaving NATO short in attack aircraft. One has to be amazed, can one see Reagan or Kennedy abdicating the leadership of NATO to France, it shows how weak POTUS is, a unfit leader of the West. It is easy to see why Iran told POTUS to get lost, one would think with a UN Resolution that Obama would want the US to lead, but NO, Obama does not want to remove the Mod Dog of North Africa, lets recall Colonel Gaddafi has in the past given the green light to the murder of US Citizens, and what does Obama do, announce that he is running in 2012. Lets hope the US voter turns to real leadership in 2012, otherwise Obama will make Jimmy Carer look good.

Obama and the “Non” War - Libya

Telegraph Live: Reports the US has been spending four million dollars day on the Libyan operation. If this is not a War its costing, the US might not be doing strikes but it is NATO, thus however much POTUS uses his rhetoric to distance the US from action it’s a US War, no US support then the Allies, UK and France could not take action over Libya. Lets hope the US Congress gives the green light to this operation after sixty days, as required by the War Powers Act, otherwise the UK and France will have to be out. Thus the US is in three Wars, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. What is the EXIT route out of Libya for the UK and France.

1995 US Government Shutdown = 2011 ?

BBC News: Reports that POTUS has bought in Republicans to the White House to discuss avoiding a US Government shutdown. The last US Government shutdown was in 1995 under the Clinton Presidency, in general it seen to have helped Clinton in his re-election in 1996. As then liberal Democrats and their friends in the liberal main stream media will paint the Republicans as extreme, closing down essential services, but this time its different, the US is in debt to the tune of over fourteen trillion, yes folks, TRILLION. The Republicans retook the House based on the plan to curb the Obama spending, the Tea Party supported Republicans should stick to their agenda, they should demand before anything that POTUS withdraw ObamaCare, the White House under President Obama has spent trillions to please its extreme left wing base, well time to PAY folks. The US cant just spend money and expect not to go over a cliff, someone day the dollar could end up like money in the Weimar Republic, that is worthless. Thus time to bite the bullet, take the political hit and the heat form the MSM, the Republicans should refuse to fund the Government in till Obama caves on his health care reform, a suspended Government has not hurt Belgium! This is time for the Republicans to WIN one for the Gipper.

No to AV

Its getting close folks, the Alternative Vote Referendum of May 5th, it time to protect our democracy from having the Liberal Democrats in power forever with the Labour Party. Lets be honest folks, the hard core of the Liberal Democrats are left wing, if they had the choice Gordon Brown would still be in power, thus protect our Democracy for US and the next generation, VOTE NO on May 5th. Visit the Official No Web page, arm yourself with the facts to challenge this media left wing elite attempt to take away our Democracy and make the UK the North Korea of Labour with the Lib Dems as their servants.

Thanks for Nothing! = Obama on Syria Protests

It shows that the Oval has not thought about dealing with the protests in Syria, here is the short statement by the Obama White House on Syria, “ We condemn and deplore the use of violence against citizens demonstrating in Syria, and applaud the courage and dignity of the Syrian people. We urge all parties to maintain calm and avoid violence, and call on the Syrian government to respect human rights and to allow for peaceful demonstrations. The Syrian government has an important opportunity to be responsive to the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. President Bashar al-Assad has a responsibility to promptly take concrete steps and actions that deliver on his promises and advance a meaningful reform agenda. Violence is not the answer to the grievances of the Syrian people. What is needed now is a credible path to a future of greater freedom, democracy, opportunity, and justice. ”. The Oval cant even get rid of the Mad Dog himself Colonel Gaddafi, its not going to do a d-m thing about Syria, a Syria in revolt would be very dangerous in some respects to both the US, Israel on one hand and Iran on the other, they both have reasons in wanting the Assad regime to last, on the US, Israel side the border between Israel and Syria has been quiet for a long time, better the devil you know kind of policy, on the side Iran it is a close ally of Syria, dose not want its regional plans thrown in the bin by a revolt in Syria. Democracy is great folks, but not when it’s a threat to your national interests.

History Lesson, World War Two and Libya

Guardian: If your Gaddafi or the Allied Leaders you should really read this article, it covers the War in Libya between the World War Two Allies and Nazi Germany. In essence folks you need ground troops that will go all the way, you cant fight a War in Libya with your hands tied behind your back, in the modern ERA you cant rule out ground troops and expect to win. In World War Two the British Forces lost some of their best resources to other operational theatres and could not follow through against the Germans, the Allies today cant win Libya on the cheap, your either in or out.

Obama Re- Election 2012 Campaign - Monday Start ?

CNN: Reports that President Obama could announce on Monday that he is running in 2012. The election cycles get early and early folks, the voter must get annoyed to use a mild phrase, what about running the Country, this goes for Democrats and Republicans. This is the problem with the present US election cycle, its only April 2011 and a US President has to start his re-election this early, and the article states that the Obama Campaign is seeking to raise 1 billion dollars, this means Obama Administration can not annoy its liberal base, thus it cant meet the Republicans in the middle when it comes to the US Budget. It can be argued that both political parties should come to an agreement that moves the election cycle closer to the election year, this is a silly way to run a Democracy.

War Powers Resolution Act 1973 and Libya

The New York Times: Reports that the Obama Administration wont give Congress assurances that it will follow the War Powers Resolution Act of 1973 that requires Congressional approval after 60 days of military action by the President. The War Powers Resolution Act has been seen as illegal by both Republican and Democratic Presidents, the Act came out of the Vietnam War and the mess that was Watergate, it was the Democratic Congress trying to set limits for future Presidents. The Obama Administration is right to tell Congress to get lost, it has been argued that if the Act was ever seen by the US Courts it would be struck down as illegal. The US Foreign Policy cant not be set by five hundred members of Congress who see nothing beyond the next election cycle. The Liberal left will go bonkers, but POTUS should tell them to get lost, lets be honest here folks, the liberal left are not going to attack the first African - American President, that’s the real world. Also on this occasion POTUS is doing the right thing, late but the right thing, lets hope the policy works.

Libyan Action and UK Voters

BBC News: Reports that the UK Public are split on the Libyan action, while 38% support the policy, 35% do not support the military intervention. This split folks is down to one thing, it’s a limited conflict, the voters it can be argued want a max strategy when it comes to the use of its Armed Forces. If you are sending in UK forces the aim should be to win, not for a limited long term deployment, the operation will cost millions, and you have in many respects a farcical war, the Eastern Libyan rebels and the Gaddafi Forces fighting over a single road in the East of Libya. Either win or get out should be the military strategy.

Watergate and Liberals

The New York Times: Reports on the Watergate Exhibit at the Nixon Presidential Library. This really makes New York Times Liberals go weak at the knees, Watergate, they really like to hit Nixon even after his death. The question good reader you should ask will the EXTREME Liberal NYT also ask that the stained blue dress of the Clinton Impeachment be front and centre at the Clinton Library, also the lies that Clinton told the US and the World during the year of his impeachment be centre stage, have my great doubts folks, that is why most people have a low opinion of the NYT, well they did cover up for Stalin.

Don’t TRUST the Banks - World Wide

Daily Mail: Reports that Irish Government will have to give its banks another 21 billion to keep them afloat. Folks its simple, the banks cant be trusted, it can be argued that they have not been honest with any government, how much real debts are they still hiding, at what point do Government have to say NO, and use the to protect the people. The West can not afford to keep bailing out the banks, sooner or later, and folks it will be sooner the money of the West will be worthless, lot like Weimar Germany of the 1930s.

When a Soldier is not Soldier! - Libya

Guardian: Reports that there are many Special Forces from the US and the UK in Libya, also the Intelligence Services, CIA and MI6 have people on the ground. One can argue with some justification that both the US and UK have been economical with the truth when it comes to boots on the ground, as in are there main armed forces there the answer is NO, but Special Forces it seems don’t count, well they do for this blog, they are boots on the ground, they are soldiers, lets hope they have great success and no failures. The rebels need to be trained, they need a structure of command, also if the US and the UK do give weapons to the rebels they will have to be trained in the use of these weapons, lets make sure they a low grade weapons, nothing that come back to haunt the West in the future. Who Dares Wins folks.

Moussa Koussa - Profile

Telegraph: Has an excellent profile on the defected Libyan Foreign Minister and Spy Chief, Moussa Koussa. This does in way recall the arrival of Hess from Nazi Germany in World War Two, but between that arrival and the end of World War Two there were many years and deaths. This is a great coup for MI6, but it does raise questions, the hope is from the Allies is that others will defect, thus Koussa cant be thrown to the Courts just yet for his past terrorists actions, the Allies need show those close to Colonel Gaddafi that if they defect they wont be thrown to the wolves. Thus the loves ones of those killed by Koussa will have to wait, there might even be a legal deal that means that Koussa never sees inside a Court. Thus the greater good might mean that to save lives in Libya a alleged terrorist will have to be set free, this harsh politics 101 folks.