The Taliban Claim TERROR attack in Kabul - 2nd Term Blues

Guardian: Reports on the murder of three US Contractors and one wounded and a Afghan Soldier, the article notes the following, " The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on Thursday saying a militant infiltrator had carried it out. "

Lets Get Real:

The Taliban can wait out the Obama Administration, they have one PR aim, to make it appear that they chased the US out of Afghanistan as the forefathers had done to the British Empire and the USSR.   The Obama Administration is keeping troops in Afghanistan as it does not want the image of the Taliban walking in victory in to Kabul.   Thus the Obama mistake of not keeping troops in Iraq means that he has to keep Kabul and Afghanistan secure for the new President and US forces.    If Obama lost Iraq and Afghanistan his legacy in World history would be BAD, you do not get reviews if your weak, just ask Jimmy Carter. 

Scandal - Pentagon back Channel to Gaddafi - 2nd Term Blues

Fox News: Reports " Pentagon officials were so concerned with then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's push in 2011 to back Libyan rebels against Muammar Qaddafi that they opened their own back-channels with Qaddafi to try and prevent the U.S. from entering the civil war, according to a report that cited newly uncovered audio tapes.  "

Lets Get Real:

If this story is confirmed its a major scandal, you can not have the Pentagon running its own foreign policy because they do not like what their political leaders are doing.   From the article it seems that President Obama left the problem of Libya to Hillary Clinton, the Clinton State Department was pushing for action, while the Defence Department did not want to take military action.   The new Republican Senate should drag in Hillary Clinton and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to discuss what the Defence Department was up too, this blog supported US action in Libya, that is not the point, you can not have the military cutting the bridge under the US Secretary of State. 

Keystone XL pipeline Passes the US Congress - 2nd Term Blues

BBC News: Reports " The US Senate has passed a bill to approve the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, sending it to President Barack Obama's desk for a likely veto. "

Lets Get Real:

One can expected President Obama under pressure from the green lobby to veto this Bill, that is good for the Republicans in the long term, they can showcase a White House driven more by a political agenda than good Government.   The Republican Congress should pass bills that force President Obama to veto, then in 2016 the Republican nominee can say that the Congress with Republicas and Democrats passed bills only for the to die on Obama's White House desk.   As these bills go down the drain the Obama poll numbers should also go down. Thus 2016 is starting to look good for Republicans. 

Senator Warren for the Democratic Nomination - Election 2016

The New York Times: Reports on the growing support from Republicans for Senator Warren to be the Democratic nominee in 2016, the article notes the following " Ms. Warren represents Republicans’ best hope for an expensive, prolonged battle for the Democratic nomination, weakening Mrs. Clinton along the way, political operatives on both sides say. "

Lets Get Real:

In reality its only 2015,  and we have  nearly a year of this kind of commentary to come, the VERY LIBERAL NYT it seems is supporting the Clinton Camp, not by choice really but due to hard politics, they think that Hillary Clinton will be the nominee, thus they want to build bridges.   If they could really chose they would go with Senator Warren or another Democratic African - American candidate.   The NYT will spend the next two years trying to make sure that the Democrats pick their kind of Democrat or someone they can work with in the future.   Thus expect calls for no one to challenge HC, that Party unity is important.  On the other hand should Senator Warren run it will be hard for the liberal NYT, they will want to support her, but will know she would never get elected President, IF Warren runs and catches fire with the liberal base of the Democratic Party she could give HC a run for her money.   THUS WARREN FOR THE DEMOCRAT NOMINATION 

Ukraine vs. Russia - The Cold War 2

BBC News: Reports " US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew has said sanctions against Russia could be extended because of the escalation of violence in east Ukraine. "

Lets Get Real:

The Kremlin is putting two fingers up to the West and the Obama Oval, the sneaky Russian bear is placing its troops in the Ukraine to fight the Kiev Government.   The West should go hard on Russia, as suggested by one Fox anchor, the US should block all credit transactions from Russia.   Thus would cut people going to Russia to visit and reduce Western interest in any business in Russia.   The Russians think that the Obama Oval is weak and only has two years to go, so they have decided to play him.    The Obama Oval has given its hand out to Moscow, but all that the Oval gets is a snub.    The Russian bear respects an enemy who stands up to it, then the game is understood by both sides, the look of weakness by the Obama Oval could cause a major crisis within the next two years, think Cuba and 1962.

The FUTURE of Greece - Euro Crisis Update

Guardian:  Reports " Greece’s new anti-austerity government set on collision course with Brussels..Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras heads coalition of left and right parties with mandate to take on country’s paymasters "

Lets Get Real:

Either the EU holds the line or every Country with election will have Parties of the extreme spending German money on their own promises.  The EU can make the loans to Greece on a longer period, but they can not write off billions, it would make the Euro in the long term a dagger in the heart of those Countries that do not have a corrupt political system, the German tax payer is not going to pay for the political promises of Greece, Spain or Italy.   Of course in typical EU style they might find a solution that no one understands and push the issue down the road, lets see what the Germans say over the next few days.

POTUS on 50% Approval - 2nd Term Blues

Gallup: Reports in its daily tracking that President Obama has gained a 50% Approval rating, while 45% Disapprove of the Obama record. 

Lets Get Real:

The Oval Office is having a good session, as noted the Kurds have pushed IS out of Kobane, the US economy is showing growth, the Oval has tried outreach to Cuba, and the Iran talks are still going on.  Of course its January, lets see what the Oval numbers are at the end of the year, if POTUS has strong numbers then VP Biden might take the risk and run against Hillary Clinton, yes its funny, but other odd things have happened in Presidential Elections.   The Oval Office should use his high poll numbers as political cash to get his Agenda through the Republican Congress, its not going to happen but it will define the race for the year and for 2016. 

Kurds BEAT IS in Kobane - New War on Terror

BBC News: Reports " Kurdish forces have driven Islamic State (IS) militants from Kobane, officials say, ending a four-month battle for the northern Syrian town. "

Lets Get Real:

This is a great PR win for the Kurds and the Obama Oval, it shows that in the fight for Kobane the best policy was to use US planes in the air and Kurds on the ground.   As the article notes IS has actually gained more land since the US started bombing and to be fair to the Obama Oval it has stated that the fight will take years.   Thus a good day for President Obama and the people of Kobane. 

The Greek Banks - Greek Crisis Part 3

Telegraph - Live Blog: Reports " The anti-austerity party led by Alexis Tspiras won on Sunday but EU will threaten the collapse of Greek banks and prospect of going bust unless he signs up to existing austerity measures. "

Lets Get Real:

The new Greek Government has to start to worry that the people of Greece on the safe side will take their money out of the banks, leading to a banking economic crisis, the people of Greece are wise, they will understand that either the EU has to buckle or the new Greek Government has to go back on its promises.   The EU can move a bit, but Germany will not pay for the promises of a left wing Party in Greece, that opens as stated for other Governments within the EU to back on their deals.   The coming days and weeks should show how strong the new Greek Government is, can it keep its promises or does it have to row back, at present it could either way, poor Greece. 

What NEXT for Greece Part 2 - The Greek Crisis

Guardian - Live Blog: Reports in its 2.11pm post the following, " Alexis Tsipras, the 40-year old left-wing radical, has been sworn in as Greece’s next prime minister by outgoing president Papoulias. "

Lets Get Real:

IF Germany pulls the plug on Greece what should Greece do, that is simple, it should go back to its old home made currency, yes there will be serious economic results, people will take their money out of the banks in Euros and then keep them to see what happens with the new currency.   The prices in the shops will go up, but better than kind of quick pain than a cancer that grows on the body politic of Greece.   If Greece prints it own money it can control the economy better, and write off some of the money it owes to the banks.   Better the hard road taken now, than one that leads to more pain.  What the classical Greeks would make of this, is any ones guess, the birth place of Democracy has failed its people and the system. 

What NEXT for Greece - Greek Crisis

BBC News: Reports " The far-left Syriza party, the winner of Greece's election, has formed an anti-austerity coalition with a right-wing party, the Greek Independents. "

Lets Get Real:

The EU,IMF, and Germany have a problem, to they cut off Greece and see it fall out of the Euro or do they pay for the political promises of the left wing Syriza Party, if they fold then other Countries will ask for a better deal, Ireland, Italy and Spain.   The Germans for once will have to stand tough, will German tax payers pay for the promises of political party in another Country, this blog has it doubts.   THE watch word has to be austerity for the EU, if the EU just prints money it will cause a backlash in in inflation.   Time to tell the Greeks, thanks but no thanks for the git of your election. 

One Japanese hostage killed, one left with IS - New War on Terror

CNN - Politics: Reports " One of ISIS' two Japanese hostages has been killed after a deadline for ransom passed, and the terror group has issued a new demand for the other's freedom -- a prisoner exchange.."

Lets Get Real:

The IS terrorists group is low life scum. their terror knows no bounds, the West and Japan have to fight IS with everything they have, it is important that IS does not go in Lebanon and Jordan, that its control of Syria and Iraq is reduced.   The West has to make it clear that any Western people going to IRAQ and SYRIA are going at their own risk, and that the West will not pay ransom for them if they are taken, the West has to be clear on that, there should be no back room deals, no dealing with terrorists. 

IS Update - New War on Terror

Telegraph: Reports " Islamic State lose only one per cent of captured territory in Iraq after airstrikes..US-led strikes have allowed Kurdish peshmerga forces and Iraqi government troops to retake just 270 square miles of ground in northern Iraq "

Lets Get Real:

If after all the air bombing and the millions spent on the operation ALL that IS has lost is 1% then the West has a problem, modern missiles cost hundred of millions dollars, and this rate the WAR will last years, not just the expected three.   The IRAQI army wants to take Mosul, but for that they will need US troops, one can see that the Obama Oval is waiting to hand over the problem to the next President.   The rise of IS is down to the move by President Obama to withdraw all troops from Iraq in 2011.   THE REAL WORLD has a way of making an out of control ego look foolish.   The problem is that Obama has no RFK or Nancy Reagan, all his staff kiss his backside and the press are worse. 

Obama, Democrats vs. Israel - The Middle East

Guardian: Reports " Democrats rally around Obama amid furore over Netanyahu Congress visit..Boehner’s invitation sparked controversy despite White House growing more confident it can withstand efforts to frustrate its policy of nuclear talks with Iran "

Lets Get Real:

Interesting an article saying that the Democrats on the Hill are going to oppose Iran sanctions and support Obama over Israel, this blog has its doubts, will Democrats really allow their political future to be in the hands of a Chicago pol and Iran.  If they do they are fools.   One would be surprised that Democrats want to risk the taint that they would rather appease Tehran than support Israel.   The problem the Democrats have is that Obama might sign a bad deal, this would be like adding a steal ball your feet and jumping off a cliff, lot of pain.   One can expect the Israeli Lobby to be in action, reminding Dems in Congress that 2016 is not far away.   Politics is about money at the end of the day!

The THREAT to Mariupol, East Ukraine - The Cold War 2

BBC News:  Reports " At least 15 people have been killed and 46 injured in a series of rocket attacks by pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine's government-held port of Mariupol, police there say. "

Lets Get Real:

The Port of Mariupol is of strategic importance to the Russian rebels, its through Mariupol that you get to the Crimea,  the increase fighting would show that any statements from the Obama Oval about the pressure of the sanctions it has placed on Russia are not serious.    The Putin Regime is the short term does care about the economic sanctions, its given Russians back their feeling of bride that was taken away from them with the end of the USSR.    This is the crisis that could blow up and lead to a European Crisis, watch the developments  in the Ukraine.  The Russians as confirmed by NATO are using their own troops in the fighting and in secret has had secret burials of those killed. 

Obama's Yemen Problem - The New War on Terror

Telegraph: Reports " President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi resigned Thursday saying the country was in "total deadlock" after the powerful Huthi Shiite militia took control of most of Sanaa. "

Lets Get Real:

The fall of the Yemen President is a problem for the Oval Office, the Huthi Shiite Militia are supported by IRAN, thus on the one side the last government supported the use of US drones to strike Al Qaeda in Yemen, the question is will Iran carry on that support and what does that mean for the US and Iran nuclear talks.    The US needs to keep Al Qaeda on the ropes but IF Iran is in control it might use that to force the US to grant Tehran a better deal.  AS stated Israel is already worried that the US will sell them out, this added pressure on President Obama could help Israel with its message, that IF Obama does a bad deal with Tehran to keep the Yemen operation going what will he give away, the Obama Oval has two years to go, Israel has to take long the long view on the strategic front , they can outlast Obama and any sanctions he might place on Israel should Israel attack Iran over the objections  of the Oval Office.  In politics everything is connected. 

Greece OUT of the Euro - The Euro Crisis is BACK

Guardian:  Reports " Syriza stretches poll lead as Greek election campaign ends..Anti-austerity party leader Alexis Tsipras pledges historic change at Sunday’s ballot, as PM Antonis Samaras warns of catastrophe "

Lets Get Real:

This is the time for decision for Greece, the view from Berlin, Germany is clear, the Greeks for getting life support on the economic front have to follow through with tough austerity, if Athens backs off this agenda, the Germans have made it clear that Greece will be OUT of the Euro.   The Germany taxpayer is not going to pay for the left wing promises of the Syriza Party in Greece.    The Greek people have to smell the coffee, there is only the German way or it is OUT of the Euro.   The Sundy ballot will be decision time for Greece and the EU. 

Israel vs. The Obama Oval - 2nd Term Blues

BBC News: Reports " Barack Obama will not meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits in March to speak to Congress, the White House says. "

Lets Get Real:

The Israeli PM and the US President do not get along, the main focus now is Iran, the Oval Office wants a BAD deal, any deal over no deal.    The  Oval Office knows that if there is no deal there is a chance that the US will have to take military action against Iran for its nuclear development.   The Israeli Government feels that a nuclear armed Iran is a THREAT to its existence, thus is placing pressure on the US not to take a bad deal.   The visit to the US Congress is the reaction the State of the Union address by the President were he stated that he would veto any new sanctions against Iran.   The Israeli Government is placing pressure on the US through the Israeli lobby to be tough with Iran, at present ALL it sees is weakness.    In this debate one has to give ones support for Israel, they feel under threat, and its their neighbourhood. 

Obama, Iran vs. Israel, the US Congress, Israeli Lobby - New War on Terror

CNN - Politics: Reports on Democrats reaction to the Obama's Administration talks with Iran, the article notes the following, " In the U.S., the Iran talks are a topic that has pitted President Barack Obama against senior Democrats in the Senate, one of whom accused the administration on Wednesday of using talking points "straight out of Tehran." "

Lets Get Real:

The Israeli Government has to place pressure on the Israeli lobby to use their political influence to move Democrats in to opposing the talks with Iran, IF the US Congress passes sanctions and the Oval Office places a VETO, then the Republicans in the Senate and the House will need to get Democratic support to ove rule a Oval Office veto.   The Democrats can not hand their political fate over to President Obama, he wants a BAD deal rather than no deal.   The Israeli Government and Lobby can outlast President Obama, the Democrats running for the Oval will need to distance their campaign from the foreign policy of Obama.  There are always elections and elections need money, and the Israeli lobby gives out millions to their candidates. 

VP Biden for President - That is Funny!

Telegraph: Reports " Vice-president Joe Biden: 'I might challenge Hillary Clinton'..Joe Biden says he will decide this summer whether he will run for president in 2016 "

Lets Get Real:

The though that VP Biden is even thinking of running for President is a laugh, when this blogger saw the headline he laughed, and it takes a lot in politics to make this blogger laugh. There is more chance of my dead dog lucky, who was Welsh to be elected President before Biden, and Lucky never chased cats in his old age, just sniffed and walked long, that should have gotten a Nobel Peace Price.   Lets try to take this with some serious interest, NOT REALLY, but its, fun, the last VP to be elected President was Bush 41, but with the best will in the world, Obama is NO REAGAN.   One does not see the US voter wanting a third Obama term.    Just read and smile. 

Iraq and Tony Blair - The Iraq War

Guardian: Reports " Tony Blair says he is not to blame for delay in publication of Chilcot report...Statement by former prime minister’s office comes as David Cameron calls for report to be published as soon as possible after the election "

Lets Get Real:

The UK Civil Service is about to drop a brick on the legacy of Blair and Iraq but does not want to do it before the General Election, if before the Election it would be seen as an attack on the Labour Party, lets recall if Labour does not want too, that Blair was the Labour leader and Prime Minister.    The faults of the Iraq War will be placed on a political level, thus the civil service will be in the clear, their hands area always clean before placing a political dagger in the back of their nominal bosses.   One can assume that the Iraq report will be highly critical of Blair years in power and his political relationship with Bush 43.    It is always quiet before the dawn, and trouble is coming for the Blair Era Ministers. 

East Ukraine Crisis Update - New Cold War 2

BBC News: Reports " Russia has 9,000 soldiers and 500 tanks, heavy artillery and armoured personnel carriers in eastern Ukraine, President Petro Poroshenko has said. "

Lets Get Real:

This is the ONE crisis that keeps this blogger awake, Putin pushes and pushes, and the West does nothing.   The Russian air force invades West air space and is causing problems and worry for the Baltic States.  IF the Russian rouble goes through the floor the Kremlin might decide that a crisis with the West is in its best interest, thus support Russian locals in the Baltic States, or cause problems on the Polish border.   Putin so far has taken the Western sanctions and caused worry, what if his job and life are on the line, Putin might go to far, this Russian bear has its claws out and is after what he can get, keep an eye on the Ukraine, this is a major developing story. 

How WILL History rate President Obama - 2nd Term Blues

The New York Times:  Reports on the outcome of the President Obama's State of the Union speech, " ..coming off a midterm election defeat that handed full control of Congress to Republicans, the president faces long odds in actually enacting his agenda and in essence is trying to frame the debate for his remaining time in power and for the emerging 2016 contest to succeed him. "

Lets Get Real:

This State of the Union speech is about 2016, the Oval Office knows that since VP Biden wont be the Democratic nominee he wants some influence with Hillary Clinton as the nominee.    FAT CHANCE, there will be only one ex President that gets the ear of Hillary Clinton if she is the nominee, yes the Big old dog himself, Bill Clinton, if the Clintons are in power President Obama can sing for supper or any influence with the Clintons, when you call someone a racist and its Bill Clinton expect political revenge served cold.   Also as stated as the economy returns the old left wing argument for taxes will have less power, the very success of the US economy could thwart the Obama Agenda.   

The Political Reality of the SOTU - 2nd Term Blues

Telegraph:  Reports on the outcome of the State of the Union speech, " Although Mr Obama knows his plan has almost no chance of becoming reality, he hopes that the Republicans' opposition will at least put them in the politically uncomfortable position of being aligned with America's millionaires against working families. "

Lets Get Real:

For once the Oval Office is making a big mistake, its allowed its ideology to over take facts, the US economy is coming back, thus expect the unemployment rate to go up, as before millions had stopped searching for work, thus with the economy returning there will be people want to get rich or least pay for the week with a job.   If by 2016 the US economy has come back to pre 2008 levels this populist attack on the rich will look old as will President Obama with his white hair.   That is the problem when your run your White House like its the campaign, you govern in prose as a Democrat once said.  If the economy does come back the middle class will not support tax hikes as they know that the rich wont pay them and the burden will fall on them, thus bad strategic move by the Oval Office. 

The Next WH Chief of Staff - Please - New War on terror

Guardian:  Reports " White House chief of staff: Paris unity march snub 'rests on me'..In response to backlash over President Obama’s absence from the 11 January march, Denis McDonough takes full blame for the gaffe "

Lets Get Real:

In other words the veto came from the Oval Office and Mr McDonough has fallen on his sword to protect President Obama, someone should have said to the outgoing Chief of Staff that POTUS would not have done the same for him, that goes for any President.   In the fact the Obama White House is doing something normal for once, its is shielding the President, that is the job of the White House Staff, they can be sacked and thrown in jail as long as the President is protected.    Of course the Paris snub means that McDonough has used up his nine political lives and must go, the Obama Oval needs someone that IS NOT afraid to to tell truth to power, time for regime change at the office of the White House Chief of Staff. 

IS Update - Hostages Threat - New War on Terror

BBC News:  Reports " Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has condemned an apparent threat by the Islamic State group to kill two Japanese hostages. "

Lets Get Real:

This is the latest outrage by IS, they are demanding two hundred million dollars for two Japanese hostages, the PM has made it clear that no such deal will be made.   The US and the UK special forces should try to find the hostages and get them out, setting a time limit of 72 hours on the demand gives one the impression that the terrorists have watched to much 24, they are building up the tension, placing extra pressure on Tokyo.    There is no dealing with terrorists, the IS have to be destroyed root and branch, the West might not have three years to win this WAR, IS is producing its own currency, its getting its members young and thus creating a next generation terrorist.   Time is short the West has to win this WAR. 

IS Update - New War on Terror

Telegraph: Reports " Islamic State fighters mass on Lebanon border and threaten to launch attacks across it..Exclusive: How Islamic State fighters have been training new recruits close to Lebanon – and could launch cross-border attacks "

Lets Get Real:

It would be a nightmare for the Obama legacy if in its term in Office the influence of IS extended from Iraq via Syria to Lebanon.   The air power alone plan of the Oval is not working, a incursion by IS in to Lebanon would bring Iran in to the mix, while the Oval is trying to get a nuclear deal with the Tehran and keep the US Senate from passing new sanctions on Iran.   The US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs any day soon will be back in the Oval Office to tell the President that more US ground troops will be needed in Iraq and special forces for Syria.   The bombing of IS has not stopped them from gaining ground, the US is sending million dollar missiles to take down trucks or groups of terrorists.    There is a limit on this and its value, the US needs ground troops in the Middle East. 

US bugged North Korea - North Korean Crisis

BBC News: Reports  " The US knew North Korea was behind the Sony Pictures hack because it had secretly infiltrated the country's computer networks in 2010, according to the New York Times and Der Spiegel. "

Lets Get Real:

The Obama Administration needs to come down hard on those that leak the above information, they are damaging US national security.   It seems someone at the NSA thinks they should cover to the NSA, as to show the NSA knew about the Sony cyber attack but did not think that it required the action of the NSA, what producers and film actors think through email is hardly a matter of national security, but that is not the point, if after the Sony the North Koreans could go after other computer mainframes that control nuclear power, hospitals etc.    The US NSA should be their not only to defend US national security but also the security of the US economy. 

Romney and 2016 - 2nd Term Blues

CNN - Politics: Reports " Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney acknowledged Friday that he is once again considering running for the Republican presidential nomination, declaring that the country is in worse shape on both the domestic and foreign fronts since President Barack Obama took office. "

Lets Get Real:

It can be argued that either Bush or Romney could make it a good political fight against Hillary Clinton, all the candidates have a BRAND name, thus half the fight will not have to be fought, on the Republican side, Bush has the foundations of the Administrations of his father and brother, while Romney has been a candidate in 2008 and 2012.  On the Democratic side Hillary Clinton has her record as New York Senator and the US Secretary of State in the 1st Obama Administration.  Then there is her role for eight years and the First Lady of the US.   It does give the 2016 election the feel of a battle of political dynasties.   The question is WHO will WIN. 

Obama and the US Congress - 2nd Term Blues

Guardian: Reports " White House pushes Obama tax plan as Republicans line up to voice opposition..Announcement comes ahead of Tuesday’s State of the Union address, where president will outline $320bn plan to help struggling middle class "

Lets Get Real: 

This move by the Oval Office will allow Republican Candidates to appeal to the right of the Party, they will be opposed to such a tax move, the idea has benefits and negatives for the Democrats, Hillary Clinton must make sure that she is seen to support the move, but not to close in case the idea goes down like a brick with the US VOTER.  In other words both sides will play Obama agenda for their own political agenda.   The tax idea itself is not going anywhere, the Republicans will not pass it and the Oval Office can not write it in to law.  This Obama trying to to tie the Democratic Nominee in 2016 to HIS agenda, and cause problems for the Republicans.   The Oval Office missed the mid term elections, the US voter has shown its opinion of the 2nd Obama term, and its not very good if your a Democrat. 

State of the Union Address, Tax Hikes from Obama - 2nd Term Blues

BBC News: Reports " President Obama is to use Tuesday's State of the Union speech to call for tax increases on the wealthy to help the middle class, officials say. "

Lets Get Real:

In simple words this idea from POTUS on tax hikes is not going to happen, the Republicans now control the Senate and House, the Oval can not force tax hikes and it is not within his power to make then happen without Congressional authority.    This is POTUS playing to the left wing base of the Democratic Party, the Oval knows this is not going to happen, their radar can not be that faulty.   In the past the Oval could use the Senate to get its idea through, this is no longer an option, as the Republicans have retaken the House.    This is an ode to the left wing of the Democratic Party, nothing more that smoking mirrors. 

France at War with Terrorism - New War on Terror

BBC News: Reports " French PM Manuel Valls has said his country is at war with extremism and terrorism - but not with Muslims. "

Lets Get Real:

The Obama White House will like that the French as using Obama's method, at War with extremism and terrorism.   The problem is the major focus of terrorism of late has been from Islamic followers, these terrorists use Islam as a reason for the attacks on the innocent.   It was brave for the BBC to show the version of the latest issue of Charlie Hebdo with the cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad.   One can assume that there were talks at the hightes levels of the BBC as to show the cartoon,   In many respects the BBC had no choice, it could not allow terrorists to decide what is shown on the BBC.   This time the BBC did the right thing for a change.  

The Obama EGO and the Paris Attacks - New War on Terror

CNN - Politics: Reports " President Barack Obama's administration admitted it erred by failing to send a higher-ranking representative of the United States to the Paris unity march on Sunday. "

Lets Get Real:

It is simple, the Ego that is the Oval Office can not cope with attention not being on him, his constant need for press support means that ANY event that is not about Obama is of less importance.  One blog worries that when the ego leaves office in 2017 that he will have a mid life crisis, no press attention, no press kissing his backside, the President will need PR Rehab, coping with the real world after the Oval.   

UK General Election - Poll LEAD for Tories

Telegraph: Reports " General Election 2015: Tories grab six point lead over Labour in Lord Ashcroft poll..Despite the surge in Lord Ashcroft's poll that it would still leave the Conservatives two seats short of a majority "

Lets Get Real:

Before we start to celebrate lets recall this is one poll, the UK voter has months of constant campaign by the political parties,  by the end the typical voter will just want it over, for political geeks its fun, the present poll has the following results, " The results put the Tories on 34 per cent, up four points, ahead of Labour on 28 per cent, down three points, compared with the same time last month. "  One has to think that the Labour Party will get a better result that it got in 2010, thus this blog is still going with its original thought that the Labour Party will win the General Election with a narrow majority or with the support of the Lib Dems and other parties.    The structure of the election means that it takes more Torie voters to vote an MP that it does Labour.   Thus in pure math terms the Labour Party should win. 

IS attacks US Cyber Military Accounts - New War on Terror

Guardian: Reports " US Central Command Twitter account hacked to read 'I love you Isis'

Twitter avatar used by @CENTCOM was replaced with an image of a masked militant and the legends ‘CyberCaliphate’ and ‘I love you Isis’ "

Lets Get Real:

In modern terms the IS terrorists did some vandalism on US cyber accounts, that is not the problem, the problem is how the cyber terrorists managed it, a PR success for IS and a own goal for the Obama Administrtation and the Defence Department.   The Oval Office has to make sure that the terrorists can not attack other cyber foundations.   The North Korean attack on Sony showed how much companies have their daily routines on the cloud, what if the IS could attack a US nuclear plant, or other vital points in the US.    The US Congress should invest in building up US security, the next time the US might not be this lucky.   The problem was fixed, what if the next time it leads to deaths in the US or abroad. 

The Written Word Strikes Back - Charlie Hebdo's Return

BBC News: Reports " Charlie Hebdo's latest edition to depict Prophet Muhammad "

Lets Get Real:

The failure of the terrorists is shown by the fact that the Charlile Hebdo front cover will have an image that will send the terrorists nuts again.   The  right of freedom of speech is more important than any religion.  The Islamic faith has to get in to the 21 Century, its extreme views has to be rebuked, and those thta turn Islam in to an evil force have to be thrown out by their friends and neighbours.   If we do not  have free speech we have nothing, the humour of Charlie Hebdo might not be my kind of humour, that does not matter, it has a right in the Western secular World to write and poke fun at anything, that is the point of liberal democracy, 

Freedom of Speech and Religion - New War on Terror

Telegraph: Reports " Charlie Hebdo's Wednesday edition to include Prophet Mohammed cartoons..Wednesday's edition of Charlie Hebdo will 'naturally' contain cartoons of Prophet Mohammed, the magazine's lawyer has announced "

Lets Get Real:

On this issue this blog has to be honest, it is a christian and is not that keen on rebukes of the christian faith, BUT this blog to its last breath will support the right of the written word to be critical and to poke fun at any religion, Islam does not get out of jail card when it comes to critical review.  It can be argued that Islam need its own reformation, the terrorists use Islam as a cover, thus Islamic scholars have to look at Islam and see were it has been used to support terror and bring  a new view to it, Jewish/Christian centres do not on the whole produce mass murders, that is not something Islamic faith can say at the moment.   Thus time for Islam to reform, from within, and for the terrorists to lose their foundation. 

France on Alert - Paris Aftermath - New War on Terror

Guardian: Reports " France deploys thousands to guard vulnerable locations..Mobilisation of 10,000 troops comes on top of 5,000 police sent to protect Jewish sites "

Lets Get Real:

One has to assume that the French Intelligence services have information that there might be more terror cells out there, it seems odd to place ten thousands troops on the ground after the event.   As a wise US Defence Secretary once said, its the unknown's of the uknown's that are the most troubling.  One can assume the rest of Europe has had its secret services going back to check if they have missed something.   An attack on the written word should lead the Police to come down hard on those that are suspect terrorists and those that help terrorists, their enablers.  Western freedom of speech has to be defended no matter the cost. 

Obama vs. Republican Congress - 2nd Term Blues

BBC News: Reports " The US House has passed a bill approving the construction of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline. "

Lets Get Real:

If President Obama does use his veto pen the US voter will know that the Oval Office has decided to rule as a extreme left winger for the last two years of his Administration.   The Keystone pipeline is supported by the Unions, but Obama is more interested in keeping the green lobby happy.   The Republican Congress should use political payback, stall ALL Obama nominees in till the Oval will deal.   The Oval thinks its is a King, time to show that Obama he is equal to the rest of Congress not above it, time for Chicago political payback. 

Romney for 2016 - 2016 Presidential Race

CNN - Politics: Reports " Mitt Romney told an audience of Republican donors in New York on Friday that he is seriously considering a third presidential bid. "

Lets Get Real:

The Romney camp could argue that Ronald Reagan ran three times for President and only won on the third attempt, and it is true that most Americans NOW think it was a mistake to elect President Obama for a 2nd term as President.   The problem is that Romney is NO Reagan, with the best will in the world.   The liberal elite would use the same playbook they used on 2012 on any Romney attempt in 2016, he is too rich, he is not interested in main street, that only Democrats can protect the Middle Class.   Of course there are differences for Democrats, President Obama will not be on the ticket, it could be Hillary Clinton, and her famous remark that the Clintons left office broke.   In pure political terms, the best candidate for the Republicans is Jeb Bush, he is for immigration, wants a smaller government and supports lower taxes.    The Democrats on the whole it can be expected will nominate Hillary Clinton.   Thus a re - match of 1992. 

End of the French Terror Suspects - New War on Terror

BBC News: Reports " French police have stormed two hostage sites in Paris and north of the city, with the hostage takers reported dead. "

Lets Get Real:

The West in the shape of the US, UK and France have to take on Al Qaeda in the Middle East, the original Al Qaeda has become a franchise operation as is the case in Yemen and has morphed in to IS in Syria and Iraq.   As with the old USSR they have to be destroyed, they can not allow to grow, the IS is a very rich terrorist group, they are thinking about developing their own coinage, they are pushing their views on to children as to have a next generation of terrorists, they have  a brutal police conduct, no horror is out of bounds.   Thus this might be the last chance to smash Islamic terror from the Middle East, the West has to work together. 

The End of Terror in France - The New War on Terror

Fox News: Reports " DEVELOPING: SKY NEWS REPORTS PARIS MASSACRE SUSPECTS KILLED, HOSTAGE FREED; HOSTAGES HELD IN PARIS DELI FREED, NO WORD ON FATE OF 2 HOSTAGE TAKERS. "

Lets Get Real:

This will happen again and again as the terrorists see the West as weak, the West in the shape of the powers have to come down hard on its own citizens who become terrorists and arrest those it might think are heading in the way.   The question is will France and the EU learn, one has doubts, there is a need for an increase in defence spending and better structure for Intelligence to get hold of suspects before they do any damage.   Thus security has to become more important that liberty, if liberty just gets you killed it is pointless. 

More Details on French Terror Attacks - The New War on Terror

Telegraph - Live blog: Reports the following details on both hostage events, " After three days, the al-Qaeda terrorists behind the Charlie Hebdo murders were finally tracked down to a small printing firm near Paris Charles de Gaulle airport..Police later named the suspect in the Paris grocery shop siege as Amedy Coulibaly, 32, whose girlfriend Hayat Boumeddiene, 26, is with him and is also a suspect. Unconfirmed reports suggested two people had been killed in the hostage-taking at the grocery store. "

Lets Get Real:

The French Republic has to look at internal reasons that men and women are converted in to terrorists, what signs are missed in French culture that allow people to miss use Islam to defend their actions.    The EU has a problem with the breakdown of cultures melting as they do in the US, it has created ghetto areas, for the breakdown of hate people have to meet and understand each other, when you allow cultures to run their own schools you are asking for trouble.   This will sound odd considering the above but do not get these problems with Jewish or CofE Schools.   The West has to expect and demand that people live by its rules.  The whole of the EU start to think about this issue, or there will be more terror attacks like France. 

2 Hostage EVENTS Linked in Paris - The New War on Terror

Guardian - Live Blog/Paris: Reports in its 2pm post the following, " A police official has told AP that the man who has taken people hostage in a kosher market in Paris appears linked to the Charlie Hebdo suspects. "

Lets Get Real:

The French Police will assume that either the terrorists are still in contact with each other or have planned for this kind of event.   The main strategy of the Police will be to make sure that the areas are in lockdown, that the terrorists can not escape and to get any hostages out.   The French Republic has to deal with the reasons that these three men become terrorists, how and why the French Police did not stop an event like this happening.   There will be months questions and debates, but for the moment the Police have their hands full with two linked hostage events.