Gaza Update 2 - Middle East Crisis

Guardian - Live Gaza: Reports the following, " UN, US announce ceasefire to begin Friday morning...All parties have agreed to an unconditional humanitarian ceasefire’ ".

Lets Get Real:

The optics of taking out UN buildings was not good for Israel, also the Oval it can be assume placed pressure on Israel to agree to the ceasefire, lets see how long it lasts, will Hamas in Gaza really not fire rockets at Israel, or will they just say ISRAEL broke it first even if they have not and start to fire again and use their tunnels.   The Israeli Government must stand tough, it must stand up to the US and the UN, the UN has never supported Israel and in 2017 there will be a new US President, it could be a Republican thus can be expected to support Israel. 

Gaza Update - Middle East Crisis

BBC News: Reports " US says Israeli attack on UN school in Gaza is 'unacceptable'  ".

Lets Get Real: 

As it was the White House Press Secretary stating the viewpoint of the Oval it gets press attention, but it was not President Obama in person, or leading Democrats from the US Congress, thus this story can be dismissed, the Mid Terms are to close for the Democrats to start a political war with Israel, they would lose, the Israeli Lobby can be a good friend or a long term enemy.   There are always election cycles, and politicians  need the money to run their campaigns   thus they have weak points, the Oval does not have to run again thus can spout off, but there is no real threat, the US will not place sanctions on Israel, and should the Oval try it would be blocked by the US Congress.   Thus the media elite can run with this story, but there is no follow up by the Oval, there is never with Obama. 

Russians BREAK INF Treaty - 2nd Term Blues

The New York Times: Reports that Russia has violated the INF Treaty signed by President Reagan and President Gorbachev in 1987, the article notes the following on the INF Treaty, " ..helped seal the end of the Cold War and has been regarded as a cornerstone of American-Russian arms control efforts. "

Lets Get Real:

When it came to the Russians the Gipper stated Trust but verify, it seems that the Russians are back sliding on a Treaty, the Oval should place pressure on the Kremlin to keep to this important Treaty, if the Russian word can not be trusted then the West will have to increase defence spending and place more troops in East Europe and the Baltic States, the US should give Russia time to get back on board when it comes to INF, but a limited time.   President Putin plays games, he sees the lack of resolve in the West, thus time for the West to consider a massive increase in defence spending, the Post Cold War period IS OVER, its a NEW COLD WAR 2.    At the end of the day the Putin's Russia breaks treaties, allows it powerful weapons to shoot down planes, is shelling the East of Ukraine, time to clip the claws of the Russian bear, before he gets out of total control. 

Israel and the US - 2nd Term Blues

Telegraph: Reports " US-Israeli relations become more poisonous by the day..As John Kerry returns to Washington after being pilloried in Israel for a peace proposal that was seen to favour Hamas, the White House leaps to his defence. "

Lets Get Real:

The Oval has a problem, it can threaten the relationship between Israel and the US, but in reality NOTHING is going to change, the Democrats needs the money from the Israeli lobby, and it has been made clear by House Democrats, if its a choice between President Obama and Israel, then the President who thinks he can do what he wants will find himself alone.   Presidents come and go, the Israeli Lobby is always there,  both Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan asked about the power of this lobby before taking over the Presidency, since leaving office Carter has a fraught relationship with Israel, and it was President Reagan who told the Israeli Government if they did not back off in Lebanon then the relationship between Israel and the US would come under threat.   Reagan could win because he was seen as a friend of Israel, thus the threat was real, while Obama has never gotten on with the Israeli PM.     One can assume before the 2014 Mid Terms that Democrats will seek some distance between them and the Oval and the Republicans will use the issue to show that Obama does not understand foreign policy. 

Ukraine and Flight MH17 - Update

Guardian: Reports " Stronger western sanctions on Russia likely within 48 hours..European and US resolve hardens as a result of Putin's suspected role in the shooting down of MH17 over Ukraine "

Lets Get Real:

This is the time to hit the Russian bear in his neither regions, the Kremlin thinks it can take over Crime and there IS no real backlash, it's Russian rebels in East Ukraine either shot down a plane or they had help from the Russian military, and the US and EU place sanctions that look weak.    Then the Russians shoot shells in to East Ukraine, this seems in the tipping point, lets hope these new sanctions really cut the claws of Putin and Russia.   The World is is a new Cold War 2,  Russia is not a friend ITS a threat to Eastern and Westerm Europe.   A real line in the sand has to be drawn, lets hope these sanctions hurt Putin and Russia, make them think about their next move. 

Gaza Update - Middle East Crisis

BBC News: Reports " Gaza and southern Israel have seen an upsurge in violence despite a plea by the UN secretary general for a cessation of hostilities. "

Lets Get Real:

The Israeli Government has ONE job, it has to protect the security of Israel, those outside being critical of Israel do not face the constant rocket attacks, and even worse the tunnels that Hamas has built from Gaza to Israel.   No other Country would tolerate that kind of violence, the people of Gaza voted for Hamas, thus they must face the results, the terrorist group Hamas wants the destruction of Israel, how is ANY Israeli Government meant to deal with such a threat, it has to remove this cancer, in other words the deaths caused in Gaza are the fault of the electors of Gaza, thye voted for Hamas, thus the result.  Hamas hides IN UN buildings, and uses its people as shields, they are nothing but terrorist criminals.    Thus Israel must wipe them out. 

Western Troops in Ukraine - Ukraine Crisis

Telegraph - Ukraine Live: Reports " Netherlands & Australia to send troops to secure crash site "

Lets Get Real:

If the our close cousins the Australians go we of the UK have to be ready to support them, God knows what kind of trouble the Australians might get in to, there is an active War going on between Russian rebels and the Kiev Government, the Russians are sending heavy equipment over, also they are hitting the Ukraine from Russian soil.   Also since the Netherlands are in NATO, we have to support them, IF WE GO, the US goes, it does not matter what Obama likes or wants, he has to support his close allies, he cant backstab Israel, the UK and its Western allies.   Time for action from the US. 

Israel Plans BIGGER MOVEMENT IN Gaza - Middle East Crisis

Guardian - Gaza Live: Reports " Israeli defense minister tells troops ground operation may 'significantly broaden' soon "

Lets Get Real:

This is the time for Israel to take firm and hard action, sometimes the rules of war have to be thrown out, its matters who of who is still standing at the end of the day, and it has to be Israel. Lets be honest here, Kerry is the front man for Obama, who has shown that he has no understanding of the Middle East, and tends to support the Arabs against Israel.  The Oval weakness when it comes to Iran has not gone down well with the Israeli Government or people. The Israeli Government has to throw Hamas out of Gaza once and for all, they are a mortal threat to Israel, what if they get their hands on heavy and more powerful rockets, that is not the kind of threat that Israel can tolerate.   Thus this blog's total support for Israel. 

Israel SAYS NO to US - Middle East Crisis

BBC News: Reports " Israel's security cabinet has rejected a Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by US Secretary of State John Kerry, officials say. "

Lets Get Real:

In the past US Presidents could click their fingers and Israel would back off, in the mid 80s Reagan threatened the US and Israeli relationship if they did not stop killing local Palestinians with heavy arms in Lebanon.  The then Government of Israel got the message and backed off, the Gipper was somewhat surprised that he had that much power through the use of a telephone.   One gets the impression that if Obama called Israeli he would be placed on hold, the relationship is icy between the White House and Israeli Government, when your POTUS and your approval rating by Gallup is 39% you might think your the most powerful man in the World but your quite reverse, you might just be the weakest POTUS there has ever been in the Oval. 

39% Job Approval for POTUS - Gallup

Gallup: Reports its daily job approval for President Obama, today POTUS has a " 39% Approval, while 54%  Disapprove of the Obama record ".

Lets Get Real:

The negative job performance for President Obama is down the IRS investigation by Congress, the failure of ObamaCare to become popular, the growth of ISIS in Syria and Iraq, the failure of POTUS to strike Syria when he said he would, the on going talks with Iran that will allow Iran to go nuclear, the missile attack by Russian rebels in the Ukraine, that has shown that the West is in a new Cold War.    Then we have the on going war between Israel and the Hamas the terrorist group that hold Gaza.   The Obama Administration has shown itself to be anti Israel, thus POTUS is not listened to when he makes points to Israel.  When Reagan in the mid 80's threatened the relationship between the US and Israel they backed down, this time the Israeli Government has turned down a US request for a ceasefire in Gaza, they neither like or trust President Obama, and are worried  that he has NOT their interests at heart.  

What EU Sanctions? - Ukraine Crisis

Telegraph - Ukraine Live: Report the following in its live blog on EU meeting on the Ukraine Crisis, " Foreign ministers agree to impose visa bans and asset freezes but fall short of US expectations on deeper economic sanctions...."

Lets Get Real:

What does it take with Europe, its put its head in the sand again, has it learned nothing from the 1930s, if you appease a tyrant then he will come back for more,  what if Putin places troops in the Baltic States or makes threats to Poland, when does the EU really react, does it take armies moving to react, has the EU become fat on the welfare state, its people  gutless, they allow a tyrant to get a away with blowing an airplane from the sky.  It seems that HISTORY is the one subject modern leaders never took, lets hope its peoples do not have to pay the price, as Europe had to with World War 2. 

FAA BLOCKS Flights to Israel - Gaza Crisis

CNN - Politics: Reports " The FAA has told U.S. airlines that they are prohibited from flying to or from Israel's Ben Gurion Airport for a period of up to 24 hours. "

Lets Get Real:

The invasion of Gaza, the throwing of rockets by Hamas from Gaza to Israel is starting to get the Western elites to start to call for a ceasefire, it seems to be happening when Israel might be winning a conflict.   The latest development is due to a rocket falling a mile from the airport, after the loss of MH17 the airlines are worried, so they overreact thus the 24 hour block.    The airlines should grow up, the case of MH17 IS different, the Russian rebels wanted to shoot the plane down, either because they thought it was a transport carrier for the Ukraine air force or to get press coverage, the reason does not matter, it was an ACT OF TERROR, there is no evidence that Hamas wants to bring down an civilian airplane in Israel, if they did that Israel would take over Gaza in a day and not ask many questions how it did it, lets hope the airlines change their minds and get back to work. 

The French backstab ALLIES! - Ukraine Crisis

Guardian - Ukraine Live: Reports the following in its 4.29pm post " French President Francois Hollande has confirmed plans to sell a warship to Russia, in defiance of American and British allies.."

Lets Get Real:

This is typical French, selling out their allies for a buck, no wonder President Putin does not care about Western sanctions, there are always Countries that want the money more than the respect of the international community.   Thus although Russia helped in the shootdown of a plane they will not really suffer, if only President Obama lead, but as stated by his White House the Oval likes to lead from behind, well in the case of President Obama is behind playing golf.   There is no passion when President Obama speaks about national security issues, thus what NEXT, will Russia invade the Baltic States, Russia will only back down when there is leadership in the Oval. 

Setback FOR ObamaCare - 2nd Term Blues

BBC News: Reports " A US appeals court has thrown out a federal regulation implementing key subsidies of President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law. "

Lets Get Real:

The next stage is the US Supreme Court, the question IS will the Chief Justice re-write the law again to save ObamaCare, after its failure at the website failure at the start and the law is still not popular, how will the CJ vote.   One can see the Chief Justice going back to safer ground and going with the rest of the Conservatives on the Court.   The issue will become a campaign issue for the 2014 Mid Terms.   This is another negative that the Democrats will have to carry for ObamaCare.   The foreign policy disasters of the 2nd term combined with the slow recovery of the economy makes for a bleak election year for Democrats. 

No dignity in EVEN IN DEATH - Ukraine Crisis

Telegraph - Ukraine Live: Reports in its 11.49am post the following, " At least some of the bodies appear to have been loaded on to a refrigerate train in the town of Torez, but it is still unclear where their final destination may be.  Five grey wagons - four refrigerated carriages and one generator and guards van - have been hooked up to a Soviet era diesel locomotive at Torez station. "

Lets Get Real:

How low can the Russians go, they have removed the bodies from the crash site, they have been accused with the destruction of evidence, there is even the allegation that the Russian rebels have taken the private property of the dead, even used their credit cards.    The Putin Regime is a rogue nation, like the USSR it only understands tough actions, the US and the EU have been weak, can you see JFK or Reagan putting up with this kind of mess on European soil.   The US and UK should consider with the invite of the Kiev Government sending in US and UK Special Forces to keep what remains of the plane out of the hands of the Russians.    The US and EU have entered a new Cold War, thus Putin and his Regime has to be contained, its a threat to Europe and the World. 

Hiding in plain sight - Ukraine Crisis

Guardian - Ukraine Live: Reports in its 11.08am post the following from the Ukraine's " Security Council spokesman added that the rebels had taken debris and bodies from the crash site in trucks, tampering with a scene that investigators need to be secure to have a chance of determining what, and who, caused the plane to crash. "

Lets Get Real:

The Russian rebels are under the control of Moscow, would it surprise anyone if the crash site suddenly points the finger at the Kiev Government, the Russians are playing games with the West., the Russian Bear is laughing at the weakness of the West.    Moscow is destroying and hiding evidence right in front of the press, it is time to get tough with this rogue nation, as Reagan said in the 80s that Russian was an Evil Empire, the same can be said of modern Russia, the Putin Regime has taken a proud nation and sunk it to the depth of disgrace.   Shame on Russia. 

The DEAD of flight MH17 - Ukraine Crisis

BBC News: Reports " Emergency workers in Ukraine say they have now found 196 bodies at the crash site of Malaysia airliner MH17.....Ukraine's Security Council spokesman Andriy Lysenko said the pro-Russian rebels are "not telling where they are taking" them. "

Lets Get Real:

If there was a large number of Americans who had died in the shootdown flight and this was happening the US would have sent in US Special Forces to deal with this mess, as a majority are European and the EU is weak they DO NOTHING.   This kind of terrorism has to be stopped, if Al Qaeda thinks that the EU will not react to this kind of terror then they will look to get their hands on the military equipment needed to take down planes.   The UK should send in the SAS with the power to do what is needed to these Russian terrorists.   The Putin Regime should be seen like the old USSR, a rogue nation with a killer at its helm.    The West has to stand up to Putin and Russia and accept we are in a new Cold War. 

US and Russian Relationship - Ukraine Crisis

CNN - Politics: Reports the following, " The United States predicts the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, likely by pro-Russian rebels, will fundamentally shift the relationship between Russia and the international community. "

Lets Get Real:

It is time for the Oval and the West to understand that we are back in another Cold War, the Russians are not our friends, they are the constant enemy and Putin is a would be STALIN if he got the chance.   The the Western mindset that the Cold War WAS OVER, has to be removed, the new Berlin Wall is the Ukraine, the threat that Russia will miss read the West is high, the Putin Regime could try its luck in the Baltic States or even try to take over the entire Ukraine.  The West has to increase defence spending, NATO should focus more on the threat from the East.   President Obama should ask himself what would JFK or Reagan do with the Putin threat. 

The Black Boxes of MH17 - Ukraine Crisis

Telegraph - Ukraine Live: Reports in its 2.24pm post the following, " Remember, there are conflicting reports on where the black boxes are.  Ukraine says they are concerned the rebels could have them, and they could be taken to Moscow.   This morning the separatists said they did not have them. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus we have two world views, we have the real world that the Russian rebels either shot down the plane or had Russian military support to shoot down the plane, at the end of the day the finger points to President Putin, while the Russian view is that its the fault of the Kiev Government for not having control  of its land.   At this rate any evidence at the crash site, will either be removed, destroyed or made to look like it was the fault of the Ukraine forces.   The rebels are under the control of Moscow, thus this delay is a tactic by Moscow to clean house, make sure the best it can that no one can point the finger at Putin.     It would be better for the Western intelligence to work from its own sources, satellite images, human spies and any telephone or mobile messages picked up.   It is time for the West to call Russia what it is, an Evil Empire out of control. 

The LINK between Russian Rebels and Russia - Ukraine Crisis

Guardian - Ukraine Live: Reports in its 1.51pm post the following, " Ukraine says it has "compelling evidence" Russia played a defining role in the shooting down of a Malaysian airliner by providing the rebels with missile systems and a crew.  Vitaly Naida, the country's counter intelligence chief, said Kiev had proof that three BUK-1 or SA-11 radar-guided missile systems had entered Ukraine from Russia along with a three-man crew. "

Lets Get Real:

The Russians, in a sense the rebels and Russia are playuing a game one step behind, they are trying to destory evidence that they shot down the plane down, well in way the argument has moved on from there, the West 100% in its view that the Russian rebels shot down the missile, they just want the proof that Russia either supplied the missle or helped train the Russian rebels in the Ukraine.  If President Putin was clever he would find a FALL GUY, someone to take the blame, then try to move ahead of the issue, rather the Kremlin is playing catch up with the news from the Ukraine.   The more the West looks the less it likes what it sees, thus expect the Oval to place pressure on the EU for tougher sanctions, kind of sanctions that will make those close to Putin to questin his leadership.    The rich supporters of the Kremlin should be made to feel the cost of that support, more pressure ON Putin and his friends the better chance to get the Russian bear to back off. 

The Aftermath of MH17 - Ukraine Crisis

BBC News: Reports that " Ukraine has accused pro-Russian rebels of trying to destroy evidence of " international crimes" at the crash site of a Malaysia Airlines plane. "

Lets Get Real:

It is no breaking news that Russia and its rebels would try to remove any trace that Russians rebels shot down MH17, if there is evidence the trail  would go back to Moscow, the Kremlin WILL NOT allow the West to make the connections from East Ukraine to Moscow, since any such evidence would force EU to tighten its sanction on Russia, and the US Congress will force the Obama Administration to bring Putin's economy to its knees.    The West should place a 12 months suspension on any trade with Russia,  ALL Citizens should be warned that they go to Russia at their own risk , also as stated BY Mr O of the Factor the Credit Card companies should refuse to take any bills from Russia, time to curb the Russian bear, make it go back to sleep and recall it lost the Cold War. 

Another Tehran Ploy, - Nuclear Talks

Guardian: Reports the following, " Iran makes offer over uranium enrichment programme..Foreign minister says Tehran willing to pause development for seven years, as nuclear talks in Vienna near conclusion "

Lets Get Real:

This is a game that Iran plays, it wants to sucker the US and the West to take at face value the promises of Tehran, it is not worth the paper its written on, also the Oval can not stop Israel taking action if it thinks that the Oval has appeased Iran.   The Israeli Government has Iran in its backyard, if Iran gets the bomb and does a surprise  attack on Israel the Jewish State of Israel will be destroyed.   This blog has argued for years that Israel should strike Iran, the Oval will dither and agree to almost anything to avoid taking action, Syria being a case in point.   It is time for the Israeli Government to take action in Gaza and Iran, when good people do nothing then evil wins. 

The New UK Cabinet - UK Politics

BBC News: Reports the following on the Cabinet Reshuffle, " Unashamedly the prime minister is changing what his government looks and sounds like to voters. It looks like he's doubling the number of women cabinet ministers, albeit from a low starting point of just three. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus the new Coalition Cabinet will take the Coalition up to the 2015 General Election, the Coalition partners will fight the next election with no political pact, one can take from the recent polls that Labour only needs to get around 35% to form the next Government.   In fact the election is for Labour to lose, there are those from the Blair wing of the Labour Party that think that Ed Miliband will lose the next election because he is to left wing, and looks weird, but what does Miliband care, if the Party keeps its present lead it will win and Miliband will be in 10 Downing Street.   This blog sees Labour winning in 2015, God help the Country after Labour has been in power for 5 years. 

The UK Cabinet after the Cameron Reshuffle - UK Politics

No 10: Reports the new UK Cabinet after the reshuffle of Conservative members by PM Cameron:  The Cabinet:  Also the latest job changes at Cabinet and below.

Lets Get Real:

This is about PM Cameron getting younger and more female members of the Cabinet, thus those on the way out by either age or wanting to leave have either gotten the chop or moved downwards as with the case with the Leader of the House William Hague, the former Foreign Secretary.  It will be interesting to see if new Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary Philip Hammond can stand up to the Foreign Office, the Foreign Office is pro Europe, and pro Arab, the Department as other Departments have a way of house training new Ministers, either their decisions will lead to an economic collapse  or start WW3.  The Foreign Office needs a new broom, will Mr Hammond stand up to the civil servants, one has doubts, that is why No 10 on the whole does not trust the Foreign Office and why the great PM's have run their own Foreign Policy.   The new female faces is a good PR touch, lets hope they bring more votes in 2015. 

East Ukraine Crisis - Ukraine Crisis

Guardian: Reports " One killed as Ukrainian shell hits Russian border town...Russia warns of possible irreversible consequences after shell hits courtyard of residential building in Russian town of Donetsk "

Lets Get Real:

Kiev has to be careful that it does not get in to a shooting war with Moscow, it would not be an even fight, the West could end up with a economic basket case if the East is drawn from the Ukraine, the East is the industrial centre of the Country, a West Ukraine split from the East would require massive funds to keep it going, also support with its defences.   Thus the Oval should warn Kiev take it easy with the shelling, the US does not want to end up sending arms TO Kiev as they would require military support from the West, with Syria, Iraq and Iran the Oval does not need any more problems. 

Gaza Update - Middle East Crisis

BBC News: Reports " Israel says it has warned residents in northern Gaza to evacuate as it prepares to launch fresh air strikes. "

Lets Get Real:

The UN and the EU is already showing their yellow streak, they want Israel to go slow, while Hamas in Gaza throws hundred of rockets at Israel, this is why the EU and the UN is held in contempt by the voters of Israel, it always the fault of the Israeli Government, what about the EU and the UN getting touch in Hamas and telling them to stop the rocket fire, the Israeli Government should take over Gaza, remove the threat and let let International Community gets its knickers in a twist after the event.    The Israeli Government has made it clear it will not bow to pressure from the outside, why should they, Israel is democracy, that can not be said of most of the Middle East. 

The Republican House and illegal Immigrants - 2nd Term Blues

CNN - Politics: Reports " House Republicans are making it clear there won't be a speedy vote on President Barack Obama's $3.7 billion emergency proposal to address the immigration crisis on the southern border. "

Lets Get Real:

The Republican House is pure political terms is making the rights moves as to keep its base happy, e.g Conservatives,  the PR for Obama is a nightmare, his base, liberals and groups that support allowing illegals to stay,  is keen on a liberal immigration policy, while on the whole the US public want a secure border.    Thus Obama has to look tough on the issue, while not doing a lot, either way he will annoy voters just before the 2014 Mid Terms.   If President Obama throws the illegal child immigrants out, the news cycle will show crying children being thrown on buses and taken to the nearest airport for transfer back home.    The Oval looks weak and without christian compassion, the base of the Democratic Party will not get out as in in the Mid Terms, and the Republicans keep the House and retake the Senate.   At the end of the day this is about PR, and who wins the PR battle, the poor immigrants are just pawns in a old political game. 

The Gaza Update - Middle East Crisis

Guardian - Middle East Crisis Live: Reports " The Israeli military said more than 100 rockets had been fired into Israel from Gaza on Thursday "

Lets Get Real:

The Israeli Government can not allow this to go on forever, the security of Israel its very life is under threat, the terrorists in Gaza must be taken down one way or another, what if Hamas gets its hands on WMD and uses that in its rockets, they would be fools of course, as Israel would wipe Gaza from the face of the earth, but then logic and terrorists do not go together.   The only Democracy in the Middle East Israel has to protect itself, the US under Obama is hopeless, its only good is to stop any moves in the UN, the US Congress is supportive of Israel, the members want the money from Israeli supporters.   Those on the left that are critical of Israel do not have to live in the backyard of Israel, thus THE people of Israel must demand that its Government finish this threat once and for all, TIME TO ACT.

Obama on illegal child immigrants - US Border Crisis

BBC News:  Reports " ..Mr Obama said he had no "philosophical objection" to increasing the number of border patrol agents and repositioning them. "

Lets Get Real:

This is President Obama trying to pass the buck again, you have thousands of illegal child immigrants coming in to the US and the Obama Administration has no real policy, this times it wants the Congress to ACT, in fact Obama will push the idea on to a State Governor as long as he does not have to take the heat for his weakness on the immigration policy.    In 1984 President Reagan said he supported amnesty for illegal immigrants , the US is a BIG Country, it has taken in millions since its birth, the US should show charity and allow these illegals to stay, they are only looking for a decent life, that is the hope that the US gives to the World.   The fact that President Obama wants to punt the issue shows why he has failed as A President. 

Gaza Update 2 - Middle East Crisis

Telegraph - Middle East Live: Reports in its 9.31pm post the following, " More rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza. Initial reports say several shot down and no damage or injuries understood to have been caused. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus what is the solution to the age old problem of the Palestinian people, lets look at the just and then real world answers, the just answer is that the Palestinian people should have a State they control the air and borders, also have a military and a civic Police structure, and a economy that allows the people to grow and develop as individuals, that is what the EU wants, THAT is what the majority States in the UN want, BUT, its not going to happen.   Then lets move on to a real world answer, its not nice, the EU and UN would throw up their arms in disgust, the answer is simple, the Israeli Government has to take over the West Bank and Gaza, grant the people ALL rights, and those rights should be protected, the BUT and there is always a but is that these people would never be allowed to vote in the Israeli elections, they would be free agents, in ALL other areas their rights would be protected, just they would not change the point of Israel, its a Jewish State, and must remain so, if anyone does not agree the UN and the US should fund any departures and make sure that those that leave are given a handsome economic package, they would be richer than those that stay.   This would be totally, 100% a personal choice, no pressure AT all, in fact it should be set in stone that if any pressure is used then Israel would face harsh economic sanctions, and the US would pull the plug.   This is not a pretty answer, not a nice answer, not a Guardian answer, its NOT EVEN RIGHT, but its a solution, the prevention of more needles deaths on both sides.   One can see the reaction to the left, but they do not live the Israeli backyard, at the end of the day after World War 2, the World needs to protect the Jewish State of Israel. 

Gaza Update - Middle East Crisis

Guardian - Middle East Live: Reports " Meanwhile, people in Gaza City and leaders in Israel alike are preparing for an escalation of the conflict, "

Lets Get Real:

The Israeli people have gone through to  much since the creation of Israel to tolerate the rocket threat from Gaza, whatever the outside world thinks it is time for Israel to smash this threat once and for all, the Oval might dither but the US Congress will support any action Israel takes, its an election year, and when it comes to the Israeli lobby the Hill knows who feeds them with campaign funds, the Jewish vote is one of the core elements of the Democratic Party, thus House and Senate members can be expect to support Israel, also those serious candidates for the Oval in 2016 can be expected to support Israel,  at the end of the day the US is tied to Israel, the Oval after further dithering will support Israel, that is domestic  politics link to the World Stage.  

Gaza Invasion ? - Middle East Crisis

BBC News: Reports " Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to "further intensify attacks on Hamas" in the Gaza Strip after talks with his defence chiefs. "

Lets Get Real:

There will never be a REAL Palestinian State, such a State would be a mortal threat to Israel, the US and the EU want to create such a deal but they do not have to live in the backyard, the Israeli Governments only job is the security of Israel, it can be argued that Israel should invade Gaza and remove the terrorist threat once and for all, reader how would you feel if you faced hundred of rockets from your neighbour, would you follow the advice of those that want talk or would you defend yourself, if you have a brain you defend yourself.  It is time for Israel to ACT, time to settle this crisis once and for all, even you have to push the terrorists in to the sea. 

Hard Choices by Hillary Clinton - 2nd Term Blues

The New York Times: Reviews the memoirs of Hillary Clinton, the article notes the following, " ..Clinton has opted for a safe and unchallenging volume, full of bromides and talking points....Rather than putting in place a new foreign policy...Clinton portrays her tenure as a transition period and herself as just one runner in a relay race, passing along the baton..."

Lets Get Real:

Even the liberal New York Times is not impressed with the Clinton memoirs, even they state its a PR book before the 2016 election, the point of the book is to show that that Hillary Clinton is no President Obama, that she understands foreign policy, won't have to learn on the job.   Everyone thinks Hillary Clinton will state she will run after the 2014 Mid Terms,  this blog is not so sure she will run, the Clintons must think of the political cost should she run and lose, ALL the Clinton power would be gone, it could be argued that IF Hillary Clinton took the role of Kingmaker it would keep the Clinton image intact and ready for her daughter later down the line.   As has been noted Hillary Clinton will be 69 in 2016, then there is her record at the State Department, her reset with Russia that failed, her loss of the 1st US Ambassador through murder  in 30 years in Libya,  her wealth after leaving State.   ALL these issues will be on the table, let see if the Clintons want to take the risk of losing or keep the image for their daughter later. 

The ISIS State that was Syria and Iraq - Middle East Crisis

Guardian: Reports " Mosul video purports to show Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, head of Islamic State...Man said to be the self-proclaimed leader of the 'caliphate' on Iraqi and Syrian territory gave a sermon in Mosul on Friday "

Lets Get Real:

The more time these terrorist thugs of the ISIS have to time to establish their State, the harder it will be for the US to taken them down, without having to use ground and air assets, the Oval should use the CIA to remove the head, then the body of the ISIS might wither, one can assume that NSA and the CIA AND their drones could take out the leadership, its time for the Oval to find its inner Chicago Pol and order executive action, through this the West might save Iraq and Syria, and its own economy, these terrorists are a threat to the entire Middle East, thus ALL action should be on the table, less chat more action.   If the Oval does not take action it might find that oil prices rise, and the US voter will blame the Oval and Democrats, thus time for the Dems to find their inner hawk and push the Oval to take action. 

Romney for 2016 - 2nd Term Blues

BBC News: Reports " According to a Quinnipiac University survey, 44% of Americans think the country "would be better off than it is today" if Mitt Romney were president today, versus 38% who say the nation would be in worse shape. "

Lets Get Real:

One should recall that President Reagan had three runs for the Oval, he had a limited run in 1968 against Richard Nixon, then he ran against President Ford, and took the fight to the Republican Convention before losing, and finally he won the nomination is 1980 and went on to beat President Carter.  The problem is that Romney is NO Reagan, he is an excellent businessman, he made his money that way, unlike the Clintons who have traded on their public careers through books and speeches,  Romney does not have the charisma of a Reagan, the Gipper was a cause, he allowed Americans to feel that THE  US was great again after Vietnam and Watergate.   The Republican Party needs new faces and brand names, this blog would think the US was on the decline if 2016 the candidates had brand names of Clinton and Bush, the US voters needs another Reagan, who will be the next Gipper. 

The Best President since WW2 - 2nd Term Blues

CNN - Politics: Reports on its poll of the best and worst Presidents since World War 2, the poll found that, " According to the poll, Ronald Reagan (at 35%) tops the list of the best president since WWII, with 18% saying Bill Clinton was best, followed by John F. Kennedy at 15%.. "

Lets Get Real:

Of course this blog agrees with the opinion as stated in the poll that Reagan was the BEST President since WW2,  IF Reagan or Kennedy asked you to do something you followed through, with the rest of the Presidents since WW2 you would require a paper order, and signed, its about trust at the end of the day.  Both Reagan and Kennedy had their flaws, but they made you feel that anything was possible, a feeling that the US had been reborn, that great leaders were asking for your help, this blog would make the argument that LBJ would have made the cut with the exception of Vietnam.   One has to be fair we live in the media age, so you see the images of Reagan and Kennedy all the time, those that governed before the age of TV would argue that the US population have a short memory, but with Reagan and Kennedy they would have been popular without TV, they were the greats. 

Iran in the MIX in Iraq - Middle East Crisis

BBC News: Reports " Iran has supplied Iraq with attack jets to help it counter an offensive by Sunni rebels led by the Islamist group Isis, strong evidence suggests. "

Lets Get Real:

The ISIS threat is Iraq has produced some very strange bedfellows, Syria, Iran, the Baghdad Regime, the US, the question is how far these very different interests can be matched before the problems between the US and Syria and Iran diverts attention again, will the Assad Regime in Syria used WMD again against its own people, how will the Oval react, how long will Israel wait before it strikes Iran.    A nuclear armed Iran is out of the question for Israel, will they wait for the Hamlet in the Oval to see the bigger picture.  Lets face it Israel acted in 1981 and 2007 without telling the Oval, will they react this year.