The White House Statement on Russia - Part 4 - Trump Era

The White House: Released the following Statement from the President, " Statement by the President on Actions in Response to Russian Malicious Cyber Activity and Harassment..Today, I have ordered a number of actions in response to the Russian government’s aggressive harassment of U.S. officials and cyber operations aimed at the U.S. election. These actions follow repeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behavior...All Americans should be alarmed by Russia’s actions. In October, my Administration publicized our assessment that Russia took actions intended to interfere with the U.S. election process.  These data theft and disclosure activities could only have been directed by the highest levels of the Russian government. Moreover, our diplomats have experienced an unacceptable level of harassment in Moscow by Russian security services and police over the last year.  Such activities have consequences.  Today, I have ordered a number of actions in response...I have issued an executive order that provides additional authority for responding to certain cyber activity that seeks to interfere with or undermine our election processes and institutions, or those of our allies or partners.  Using this new authority, I have sanctioned nine entities and individuals:  the GRU and the FSB, two Russian intelligence services; four individual officers of the GRU; and three companies that provided material support to the GRU’s cyber operations.  In addition, the Secretary of the Treasury is designating two Russian individuals for using cyber-enabled means to cause misappropriation of funds and personal identifying information.  The State Department is also shutting down two Russian compounds, in Maryland and New York, used by Russian personnel for intelligence-related purposes, and is declaring “persona non grata” 35 Russian intelligence operatives.  Finally, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are releasing declassified technical information on Russian civilian and military intelligence service cyber activity, to help network defenders in the United States and abroad identify, detect, and disrupt Russia’s global campaign of malicious cyber activities....These actions are not the sum total of our response to Russia’s aggressive activities. We will continue to take a variety of actions at a time and place of our choosing, some of which will not be publicized. In addition to holding Russia accountable for what it has done, the United States and friends and allies around the world must work together to oppose Russia’s efforts to undermine established international norms of behavior, and interfere with democratic governance. To that end, my Administration will be providing a report to Congress in the coming days about Russia’s efforts to interfere in our election, as well as malicious cyber activity related to our election cycle in previous elections. "

Lets Get Real:

Another Obama failure, one can also add, Syria, Iraq, Daesh, Libya, East Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, and the War on Terror.

Cold War 2 - Russian Diplomats - Part 3 - Trump Era

CNN - Politics: Reports " ...the government has sanctioned nine entities and individuals over their alleged interference in the election: the GRU and the FSB, two Russian intelligence services; four individual officers of the GRU; three companies that provided material support to the GRU's operations. The US also sanctioned two Russian individuals for using cyber-enabled means to cause misappropriation of funds and personal identifying information. "

Lets Get Real:

It can be said that 2016 has been a hell of a year, with family loss,  with Brexit, the election of Trump, the many deaths of actors and singers, not a Year I would like to repeat.   The latest round in the New Cold War 2 shows how things change but remain the same, what will a Trump Administration be like, will it be able to deal with the domestic and international challenges it faces.   Thus predictions for next year, one can expect that North Korea will go for a missile launch nuclear weapon that can reach the US, the Tehran Regime will use the nuclear deal as a way to develop a secret bomb.   The Russians might try something in the Baltic States, or God forbid the Eastern block Countries.   In the UK it can be expected that there will be more Court cases when it comes to Brexit, there might even be a General Election.  One can only hope for some stability on the whole, but do not keep me to that promise.

New Cold War 2 - Russian Diplomats - Part 2 - Trump Era

Fox News: Reports " Using an executive order, President Obama sanctioned the GRU and the FSB -- two of Russia's intelligence services as well as other entities and individuals associated with the GRU.....he hacking came from the Fancy Bear group, believed to be affiliated with the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency. "

Lets Get Real:

In this action President Obama is supported by the Republicans and Democrats on the Hill, it has been interesting and ironic to see the Democrats become hawks over Russian when they wanted the Nuclear freeze under the great Ronald Reagan.   The Obama Administration has gone from wanting a new start with Russia to a Cold War set of views, it will be interesting to see how President Trump deals with Russian after January 20th.   It can be argued that he can not keep to his view that the intelligence networks are wrong about Russia, he will have access to ALL the information.   One wonders how long this hawkish stand by the Democrats will hold, its full of weak liberals, who will come out and argue that the Democrats have been to hard on Russia. 

President Obama sanctions Russian Diplomats in the US - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " The US has expelled 35 Russian diplomats as punishment for alleged interference into the presidential election. "

Lets Get Real:

It is like the good old days of the Cold War, now the Russians will send some US Diplomats packing in return.   The failure of the restart with Russia that started with the first Obama Term is shown by this last action by President Obama, as with Bush 43 he thought he could deal with Putin, the reverse has happened, Putin has played him like a fiddle, while Obama was played Syria burned.  In looking at the Obama foreign policy one sees failure, the deal with allows IRAN to become nuclear, let us hope that Trump dumps the Iran deal and fast.   WHAT will the new Administration do with Russia is interesting, Trump does not want to state that the Russians helped him get elected as it would taint that victory, on the other hand the US intelligence bodies all agree that Russia hacked US during the election, let us see what happens once Trump becomes President.

After the Oval Office for President Obama - The Trump Era

CNN - Politics: Reports " CNN commentator David Axelrod said President Barack Obama had a few examples in mind for how he should handle life after the presidency: President George W. Bush and his father, President George H.W. Bush. "

Lets Get Real:

In other words President Obama in tends to keep out of the spotlight, like hell, he likes people falling at his feet, and with the Democratic Party leaderless after the HRC loss the Party will be looking towards him to state the Democratic view of Trump.   Also if Trump follows through he will take a wrecking ball to the Obama legacy, Obama Care, the Iran deal, and the many regulations passed by Obama with his pen.   Thus President Obama will be fighting for the Democrats and his legacy.    That is the problem with younger Presidents, up to Reagan the Presidents were older, thus when they left it was more time with the family, Carter, was young when he left Office, even if he looked old after the Iran hostage crisis,  Clinton, Bush 43 and Obama are young men, they have more to achieve, one can make one promise, that Obama will not be on the speech circuit when it comes to Israel.

UK behind anti Israeli UN Resolution - Trump Era

Telegraph: Reports " Israel accuses Britain of secretly playing lead role in UN resolution on settlements "

Lets Get Real:

One can see the hand of the FCO behind this move at the UN, the FCO is pro Arab and is very much anti Israel.    The Trump Administration has to make it clear to US allies that Obama is on the WAY OUT, they will have to deal with a President Trump, so in other words back off.   The two State solution is dead in the water, the Israeli Government can not afford for there to be a Palestinian State, it would be a security threat and could be used by Iran to plan attacks on Israel.   The Israeli State is a Jewish State, after World War 2 and its horrors there should not be a reason for Israel to justify its policy of keeping Israel Jewish.   The West owes Israel, and should keep supporting what ever liberals think of the policy.

The fractures between President Obama and Trump - Trump Era

Guardian: Reports " A smooth transition? 'NOT!' Trump decries Obama's 'roadblocks' in tweets...The president-elect complained about Obama’s ‘inflammatory statements’, but didn’t specify what the US president has done or said to anger him this time  "

Lets Get Real:

The FORCED friendship between Presidents Obama and Trump is OVER, President Obama has used his last few days to upend the relationship between Israel and the US, and his Secretary of State has gone after Israel today, saying it cannot be Democracy on its current road.    The Trump incoming Administration should be make clear that it takes on the right to reverse ANY Obama policy, in this it has stated throughout the campaign, well it has to send a signal that Trump will make mention of these policy changes in his speech on January 20th if the Oval carries on and forgetting its nearly over.   The relationship will not be as bad as between Truman and Ike, in that January of 1953 the future President refused to get out of the car at the White House to meet the President.   It was cold car ride between Ike and Truman.   President Obama should remember he will be out of power, and he does not need Trump on his back for four years or even eight years. 

Kerry on Israel - Part 2 - Trump Era

Fox News: Reports on remarks by US Secretary of State, John Kerry, " In an at-times scathing address, Kerry blasted what he called the “settler agenda” pushing Israel toward seeking one state – which he asserted could not be both Jewish and democratic. He called the current government the "most right-wing" in Israel's history and claimed its agenda is "driven by the most extreme elements." "

Lets Get Real:

This shows how low the relationship has been reached by the US and Israel.   The Obama Administration would NOT be saying the above if Hillary Clinton had won, they would have been more measured and not wanting to tie the a new Clinton Administration to policy.   The President - Elect had been nice things about how President Obama had treated him, well that is finished.   The very fact that the Oval waited while it was near the door shows how vindictive the move is, if it had done this during its eight years, that would be one thing, but the UN resolution and this speech shows the contempt that Israel held by Liberals.    THE two State solution is DEAD IN THE WATER, only liberals hold this view, the actual road has changed, there will NEVER be a Palestinian State, there will be state under the control of ISRAEL, they need to keep their security, and they are right to do so.

Obama Administration stabs Israel in the back again - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " US Secretary of State John Kerry has said the prospect of an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal based on a two-state solution is in grave jeopardy. "

Lets Get Real:

This is President Obama and Secretary Kerry settling scores with Israel, if HRC had won November the Oval would have waited its hand, but since Trump is coming in to power in January the Obama Oval wants to make it clear that there is a sharp difference between its record and that of Trump.   The US and Israeli relationship has been in a deep freeze over the eight years of the Obama term, now the President Obama is making it clear that the troubles in the Middle East Peace process is down to Israel and its refusal to budge on buildings in Israel.   The Israeli Government just has to wait in till President Trump comes in to power, there will be a total new relationship and no one will care what Obama thinks about the Middle East.  As this blog has stated there is nothing worse that being a former President, you either have a good relationship with the President or you are in the COLD.

Obama would have won a THIRD TERM - Obama

Guardian: Reports " Barack Obama: I'm 'confident' I could have won a third term as president..The president claimed in an interview that most Americans still have progressive politics "

Lets Get Real:

Since the modern Era ( 1980 onwards ) all Presidents who have served two terms have thought they could have won a third term.   The Bush 41 success to become President after Ronald Reagan shows that Reagan would have won a easy victory, while Gore lost to Bush 43 it can be argued THAT Bill Clinton would have in 2000.   In the case of Bush 43 it can be argued that Obama would have beaten him after the economic collapse of 2008.   In 2016 it would have been a harder fight for Obama, as the loss of HRC shows the base of the Democratic Party, the old white working class or the Reagan Democrats were looking for a new leader to brush the old inside away in D.C.    Thus a new Year and new President, it will not be boring.

Trump vs. Obama = Israel - The Trump Era

Telegraph: Reports " Barack Obama in clash with Donald Trump after 'abandoning' Israel as UN passes resolution against Palestinian settlements  "

Lets Get Real:

This move by President Obama when it comes to Israel shows how petty he is and why is foreign policy has been a disaster for the US, you have the removal of troops from Iraq which allowed the growth of Daesh.   The Obama Oval saw Daesh as minor league, in till they become a threat to Baghdad.  In Syria the secular rebellion become a religious fight, that allowed Daesh and Al Qaeda to grow in the War zone that was Syria.   In Libya the US air force and its allies got rid of Gaddafi but did not place ground troops to secure the peace, thus Libya is a failed State.   Thus we come to the cases of Afghanistan and Iraq, in Afghanistan Obama would tell the enemy when the US would get out, thus the would wait, and the cost the US is still in Afghanistan.  In Iraq after removing US troops the Obama Oval had to send air and ground support.   The Obama Presidency has been a lesson for future Presidents on how not to be a US President.

Obama Betrays Israel - The Trump Era

Fox News: Reports " US abstains in key Israel vote, clearing way for condemnation of settlements "

Lets Get Real:

The Obama Oval has betrayed Israel, IF HRC had won the 2016 election there would have been no way that President Obama would have done this move.    This shows why President Obama was a failure as President, he does not understand his own failures and sees his Presidency as start and end of things, other Presidents would have listened to a President - Elect when it comes to a close US ally.   The Democrats will pay a price for this in the 2018 Mid Terms, Israeli supporters will want to send a clear message to the Democrats, if backstab an ally you pay the political results.  President Obama does not care, he will be in Hawaii writing his memoirs on how great he was as President.  The political bubble has overtaken Obama, the Democrats will pay the cost.

Trump on US Nuclear Arsenal - Part 2 - Trump Era

Daily Mail: Reports " 'Let it be an arms race, we will outmatch them at every pass': Trump doubles down after tweeting U.S. should 'expand' its nuke capability – as Putin says relations with the US 'can't get any worse'  "

Lets Get Real:

IF the Russians did set out to help Donald Trump become President in the 2016 race they might come to regret the move, the new Trump Oval will want to make it clear that it will not allow Russia or other nations to gain by developing or improving their nuclear arsenals.  It will be interesting to see in the first few weeks of a Trump Administration what the Russian Bear does, it will try to improve the relationship with the White House or will think it has a free hand to take action either in Syria or the Eastern Europe.   As Assad has won in Syria in effect, the Russians might try to subvert the Baltic States as they did in the Ukraine, or cause problems on the Polish border.   There could be tense times ahead in 2017.

Putin on his Nuclear Arsenal - The Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia is "stronger than any potential aggressor" because it has modernised its nuclear missiles and other forces. "

Lets Get Real:

The incoming Trump Administration should expect to be tested by President Putin in the first first few months, the Russians could try something in Eastern Europe, move  more troops in to Eastern Ukraine or try to subvert the Baltic States, the Moscow will want to test Trump, to see how far they can push him, they should be careful, Trump has the same ego as Putin, he does not like to lose and has very thin skin, this could trouble, we know how much Trump likes to use his Twitter feed.

Trump and Muslims - The Trump Era

Telegraph: Reports " Donald Trump says Berlin attack 'proves him right' about banning Muslim immigrants from America  "

Lets Get Real:

This is the President - Elect at his worse, wanting to ban muslims from the US, after the German terrorist attack he thinks he was right and thus his support of his previous statement that he would ban muslims from the US.   The US Court system will have a field day with this, the rule will break US civil rights laws, it will also cause problems for the new Administration on the Hill and abroad, which countries will find their citizens band from the US and how will they react.   Think voter we will have four to eight of this kind of views.

The Russian military build up - The Trump Era

Daily Mail: Reports " Putin demands an upgrade to his nuclear arsenal, tests anti-satellite missiles and shows off kamikaze drone tanks - as he is nominated for a Nobel prize for the second time "

Lets Get Real:

Thus when President Trump comes into power in January 2017 he will be faced by two major threats, there is Daesh in Syria and Iraq and the growing Russian threat in Eastern Europe.   The President - Elect has promised that the US military will wipe out Daesh and has stated he wants a better relationship with Putin.  The question is how long will Trump allow Putin to do as he wants, Bush 43 thought he could have a better relationship with Putin, so did Obama with his famous restart, neither worked out as planned, Putin is a tyrant on the make, he wants to push his power while the West is weak.   The new Trump Administration must have its eyes open and be ready to react should Putin try something in the Eastern Europe.

Trump - US needs more Nukes - The Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " Donald Trump has called for the US to "greatly strengthen and expand" its nuclear arsenal. "

Lets Get Real:

The President - Elect is correct in his view that the US needs to upgrade its nuclear systems, in the future Iran will go nuclear, and North Korea will ability to hit the US mainland.   The enemies of the US will have to learn that there is a new Sheriff in town and the US will not be pushed around any more, by the likes of Russia, Iran or North Korea.   This blog read an article that stated Japan was increasing its defence budget, that is about time, both Obama and Trump have raised the fact that US allies do not pay their way, things have to change, this move should ruffle a few feathers around the World.

German Investigation - Part 5 - Age of Terror

Daily Mail: Reports " Revealed: Tunisian asylum seeker wanted for Berlin massacre was jailed for four years in Italy for burning down a school and arrested three times in Germany before police lost him  "

Lets Get Real:

The Germans really need to get their act together, no wonder terrorists see Germany as an easy target, the Age of Terror seems not to have been noticed  by Germany.   By allowing in a million refugees in the German, the Government has created its own problem, they should have been checked for any terrorist links, the Islamic terrorists are working the system, the legal system in Germany seems for the benefit of the criminals, that could go back to World War 2, but this is now, Germany has to toughen up or its the rest of Europe that will be paying the price.

Trump and the Popular Vote - The Trump Era

Fox News: Reports " President-elect Donald Trump lashed out at the media Wednesday over the sustained focus on Democratic rival Hillary Clinton’s popular-vote lead on Election Day, firing off a string of tweets reminding America that he campaigned specifically to “win the Electoral College.” "

Lets Get Real:

The President - Elect should not allow the Democrats to get under his skin, there will be more serious issues to face when he becomes President in 2017.   President Trump should be more annoyed with the Russians who have cast a shadow over his election, rather being nice to Putin the new Trump Administration should shut the lights in Moscow for a day to teach the Russians a lesson if they are going to cyber attack the West there should be consequences, but making sure they DO NOT turn the lights off in Hospitals other important civic centres.  Also make sure the Russian military has control of its nuclear assets, the new President does not want WW3 on his first week in the job.

The German Investigation - Part 5 - Age of Terror

BBC News: Reports on the latest information released by the Police on the new suspect in the Berlin Terror attack, " German prosecutors named the man they are searching for as Anis Amri, 23, from Tunisia, warning he could be armed and dangerous. "

Lets Get Real:

The suspect could either trying to get out of Germany or planning further terror attacks, the German people should report anything suspect to the Police.   As long as Daesh is allowed to exist in Syria and Iraq it is a constant threat to the West, as Western forces push Daesh back they will attempt to cause further attacks in the West.    The new Trump Administration has promised to take out Daesh, let us hope Trump who has been successful at winning elections has the same success in foreign policy over the next four years.

German Investigation - Part 4 - Age of Terror

Telegraph - Live Reporting: Reports in its 2.35pm post the following, " Berliner Zeitung newspaper reports that blood and DNA found inside the cab of the hijacked lorry do not match that of the arrested man, casting further doubt on whether he was involved. "

Lets Get Real:

IF the above is true, it leads the investigators to think that the suspect or suspects could be out there in Berlin, and that they remain a threat to the public, hence the warning for the public to keep their eyes and ears open and to report any suspect action.   As German elections are coming soon, the politicians will want answers, as will the German people, if you have to worry about being run over at a Christmas event the World is in hell of a shape for the future.  That is of course what the terrorists want, to spread terror.

The German Investigation Part 3 - Age of Terror

Daily Mail: Reports " Detectives interrogating suspect Naved B, 23, have said he has no blood on his clothes, no injuries and denies hijacking a 25-tonne lorry and using it to murder 12 people and injure 48 more last night.  "

Lets Get Real:

The Police have stated that they might have the wrong man, the suspect has a low level criminal record in Germany.  The West has to get the fact that the success of drones and special forces in Syria and Iraq mean that Daesh are moving their targets to Europe.   They see Europe as an easy target, a soft target.   As Daesh has been pushed back it needs to keep its image as a threat, thus it can be expected that there will be more attacks in the near future.   It has been stated by President - ELect Trump that he will ask the Joint Chiefs to come up with a plan to erase the Daesh, lets hope Trump follow through with his promise, the West needs a leader at the moment, and Obama has failed.

The WRONG Man ?- Berlin Terror Attack - Age of Terror

Fox News: Reports " Berlin attacker still on loose, wrong man in custody, police sources tell German press "

Lets Get Real:

Thus you find this happening in this 24/7 news cycle, leads that look promising turn out to be false trails.   In good investigation takes time, but this is under the glare of TV news, that wants new leads to fill up their air time and the paper press who want to do in depth reports based on scant information.    The German Police seem to leak like all public bodies, it does not help the investigation and causes people to have a false picture.   People might read one news feed but miss out another, thus not a full picture. 

The German Investigation - Berlin Terror Attack - Age of Terror

Guardian - Live Posting: Reports in its 12.38pm post the following, " The Berlin police chief has given a press conference. He has revealed that it is not absolutely clear whether the person in police custody is the driver involved in the attack on a Christmas market in Berlin. The man, an asylum seeker from Pakistan, has denied the offence. "

Lets Get Real:

This sounds like a long investigation, on one front you have 12 deaths and 48 that were injured, thus the public will demand a quick investigation, but in this Global World it will take time to investigate all the leads.   From the various news feeds it looks like the Lorry was hijacked and then used as a weapon, one of the victims was a the driver who was dead in the lorry.   There COULD be someone still out there in Berlin, but that has not been confirmed and the Berlin Police are asking for the German people to report any incidents or fears they might have, thus still a developing story.

Berlin Incident = Terrorist Attack - Age of Terror

BBC News: Reports " German police say they are unsure if a man they have in custody was behind Monday's lorry attack in Berlin that killed 12 and wounded 48 others. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus German authorities have confirmed that the Berlin Tragedy was a terrorist attack, but beyond that the Police are not sure who the driver was and the man they captured has denied that he was the driver.  If the terrorist was one of the refugees that Germany took in last year the consequences for domestic German politics could be severe, there are elections coming up, and any incident like this plays in to the hands of the extreme right.  Poor Berlin, to be hit at Christmas time, what a World.

Mr President, President Trump - Trump Era

The Hill: Reports  " Texas put Trump over the 270 electoral vote threshold at about 5:30 Eastern Time, putting him at 304 votes to Hillary Clinton's 163, according to news reports across the various states. "

Lets Get Real:

The Donald has passed the final hurdle, there is no stopping him now, he will be President on January 20th 2017.   I did win a bet on him, as in gambling, it is the only bet I wished I had lost.  Let us hope the US voter and the West does not come to feel sorry for this vote, the Trump Era is about to arrive in Washington D.C.

When the LEFT goes BONKERS - Trump Era

Telegraph: Reports " Thousands send letters, death threats, to pressure Electoral College to avert outcome of presidential election "

Lets Get Real:

The LEFT has gone bonkers, they do not like the result and what do they do, they want to change the rules at the end.   The election was there for the taking by HRC, but she blew it, you can blame the FBI or the Russians, but at the end of the day HRC lost the rust belt States to Trump.  The artistic left will be critical of Trump whatever he does, if he found a cure for cancer the left would be arguing that it was okay as a disease.  The Democratic Party has to look in on itself, why did the Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania go for Trump, was the ground game not as good as though by the Democrats, is the Democratic Party a Party for the workers or Hollywood liberals?   The Democrats have in till 2018 to work out the answer, then you get into the Mid Terms and 2020 election cycle.

The Electoral College Meets - The Trump Era

Guardian: Reports " Electoral college meets to elect Donald Trump in statehouses across US "

Lets Get Real:

This is the last chancec for the Democrats and Greens to stop Donald Trump becoming President, so far the States are falling in to line to elect Trump.   The artistic left are in a state of madness of the possibility that Trump will be the successor to their President Obama.   The Obama legacy will be seen as the reason that Trump won, the President has been liberal at home and quiet on the international stage, thus the success of Putin in the Crimea and East Ukraine.    The Democratic Party has to win the white working class vote, as that block now seems to vote in a block, that is a problem for the Democrats, without Obama on the ticket the Obama supporters do not come out.   Thus the Democrats need to win the rust belt States, otherwise it could be  along eight years.

Assassination in Turkey - Update 2

Daily Mail: Reports " The shooter has been named on social media as Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, 22, an off-duty police officer from the Ankara special forces department. Altintas was later shot dead by police, according to local reports  "

Lets Get Real:

This Assassination could either be part of Daesh reaction to Syria or a lone wolf, an individual who sees Russia as the main threat in Syria.   It is to early to say at this point the motive for the attack, with the exception that it comes from Russian action in support of Assad in Syria and its bombing of people in Syria.   As stated this story is developing.   In this age of terror the West and the Russians need at least a working relationship, it might be the right time for a Trump Presidency.

Bill Clinton on Trump Voters and the FBI - Trump Era

Fox News: Reports " Former President Bill Clinton mocked President-elect Donald Trump’s intelligence, said “angry, white men” helped secure his victory and blamed FBI Director James Comey for Hillary Clinton’s November defeat during a spontaneous Q-and-A at a New York bookstore earlier this month. "

Lets Get Real:

The former President is not helping his wife or the country with the above remarks, we might share his view but the election is OVER, HRC has lost, the question is what next for the former First Couple.   The blog would suggest a short holiday, away from politics and then find something else to run for, Governor of New York, or back to the US Senate as a Senator from New York.   There is nothing like a new political fight to make the past the past, and then the old hound dog will have fun on the campaign, the former President has been off his game of late when it comes to elections, a new fight would make them both happy.

Shooting in Turkey - Age of Terror

BBC News: Reports that the Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov has been assassinated in Turkey.

Lets Get Real:

The Ambassador Andrei Karlov was visiting a photo gallery in the Turkish Capital.   The gunman was killed by Turkish security forces, at present it is to early to say if the attack was due to Russian military action in Syria, as the BBC reports notes the assassin did shout out  " He can be heard yelling "Don't forget about Aleppo, don't forget about Syria" and uses the Islamic phrase "Allahu Akbar" (God is great").  " . The death will confirm to Moscow that the real threat to the West is not Russia but Islamic terror.  This is a developing story.

Obama vs. Trump - The Trump Era

CNN - Politics: Reports " Gloves-off White House creates rift between Obama and Trump teams "

Lets Get Real:

This is why Presidents like either their Vice - President to win or the Party nominee.   The only President who has been that lucky is the great Ronald Reagan, his successor was Bush 41, his Vice - President.    Every other President in the modern era, ( 1980 onwards ) with the exception of Reagan has seen his Vice - President or Party nominee lose.   The fact that Bush 41 won helped the Reagan legacy, while you would be hard pressed to see other Presidents invoked as much as Reagan is by Republicans and Democrats.   At the present the Democrats are being foreign policy hawks, this is a great surprise to this blogger, the Gipper has to put up with constant attacks by liberals that he was to hard on the then USSR.  That is what happens Dems when you lose an election.

Hillary Clinton vs. Putin of Russia - Trump Era

Guardian: Reports "  Clinton accuses Putin of acting on 'personal beef' in directing email hack..Hillary Clinton says cyberattack targeting the Democratic National Committee and John Podesta was Vladimir Putin’s way of seeking personal revenge "

Lets Get Real:

The above is about right, but its not the whole story, HRC was a bad candidate, she did not connect to the rust belt voters, the old Reagan Democrats.   The white working class has fallen behind in economic terms in the Obama Era, while the top 1% of the country has gotten all the benefits.   One only has to look at the rusted factories in these States, they were the life blood of communities, once they went towns and cities started to decline.   The Trump promised to bring back jobs to the rust belt States, we shall if he can give rebirth to the industrial heartland of the US.    HRC was a bad candidate who did not come across as authentic, she is no Bill Clinton.

Obama to HIT back at Russia - Trump Era

Daily Mail: Reports " Trump and Obama at war: Handover turns sour as the President vows to hit back at Russia over hacking after 'ignoring it because he thought Hillary would win' - as Trump AGAIN dismisses the intrusion by bringing up DNC dirt "

Lets Get Real:

Thus President Obama will strike back against Russia, we have heard before that he would strike after a red line was passed, and what did he do, NOTHING.  The Russians must laugh when Obama says he is going to ACT.   The US in cyber warfare could close down Moscow etc, but will they, any action must not be an overreaction, also how good is Russian IT.   The US should be careful not to cause WW3 by hacking the wrong thing, that is not an argument for doing nothing, it is an argument for doing something with a brain cell.  Let us recall in 1983 the Russian systems showed a nuclear strike by the US on the then USSR.  The Soviet Officer in charge did not get the Kremlin up, he thought it was technology error, as it was, the West and Russia got lucky, those chances are rare in history.

NO Hope - Michelle Obama - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports on remarks by First Lady Michelle Obama, " ..US First Lady Michelle Obama has struck a much less upbeat tone in her last TV interview before the family leaves the White House. "

Lets Get Real:

The above remarks do not help in bringing the US together after a tough election, in fact they can be stated to be self indulgent and a little on the egotistical side, the election of President Obama did not make the US a shinning city on a hill, it was that before Obama and will be after Obama, the above shows what can happen if you read your own press statements and think they are true.   The Obama Administration has been a disaster for US on the domestic front, thus with the case of ObamaCare and on the international front with the birth of Daesh in the Middle East and the deaths in Syria.  The election of Donald Trump is a rejection of the Obama legacy, that can be hard to take, no President wants to feel rejected.

PUTIN in the FRAME for RUSSIAN HACKING - Trump Era

Telegraph: Reports " Vladimir Putin 'personally directed Russian hack of US election"

Lets Get Real:

The question that has to be asked is how Putin thought he could get away with hacking during the US election, the answer is simple, Moscow does not fear Obama, he has shown himself to be weak when faced by a strong opponent.   A charge that Russia was helping an opponent at the height of the Cold War would lead to that campaign going down to a major loss, these days that is still true if President Obama had been a strong leader, but when he failed to follow his own read lines in Syria it was shown that he was weak and would not stand up to the enemies of the US.   The major failure for US foreign policy and national security is President Obama.

The Republicans and the Electoral College - Trump Era

Guardian: Reports " Republicans do not plan to defect from Trump in final electoral college vote...Only one GOP electoral college member refuses to ratify state election results while others say thousands of appeals have not shaken their sense of obligation "

Lets Get Real:

The Democrats and the Greens and those on the left have tried everything to stop Trump, it looks like the electoral college path is closed down, it was long shot anyway.  The Presidential Election was there for HRC to lose, and she lost it for the 2nd time.   The Democrats have to regroup and find a new leader, the Clinton years of leadership is over, the power that the Clintons had was based on the fact that they would be the next couple in the White House, that path now is also closed.    The Democrats need to look at the younger generation of leaders to come to the fore, they have four years to search for a new leader, it can not be leaders who are in their 70s, there day is OVER.

Capital Hill and US Intelligence - Trump Era

Daily Mail: Reports " CIA officials REFUSE to brief Congress on the truth about Russian hacking claims - and are rebuked by GOP congressman for 'disgraceful' move "

Lets Get Real:

This blog was shocked that the CIA refused to brief the US Congress, not telling them is one thing, this blog expects that but to state in public that they are refusing is another matter.  This blog in its years of appearing has supported the CIA when it comes to its operations, this blog is not to keen on ever Congress being let in to secrets, they LEAK.   But this is different, this is a Russian secret operation to cause problems in the US elections.  Either there is proof or the material coming out of the CIA is being used for political reasons to hurt the new Trump Campaign.   Let's see what material can be released without hurting US national security.

DID the Russians HACK the Republicans ? - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " Senior US Republican senator Lindsey Graham has said his campaign email account was hacked by Russians. "

Lets Get Real:

Senator Graham was an early opponent of Donald Trump, so the news that Russian intelligence hacked him is no great surprise if you think that the Russians went out of their way to support Trump and his campaign.   The question is WHAT to do about it, the idea to block Trump at the Electoral College is a long shot, would 37 electors really vote for HRC or someone else, one has doubts.   Thus the intelligence networks and their friends on the HILL have to make Trump change his mind, that is going to take time, as we know Trump has a thin skin, much like Obama, so good luck to those that think they can change the World view of Trump.

Democrats either LOSE the PLOT or SAVING the US - Trump Era

The Hill: Reports " House Dem wants Electoral College vote delayed until after intelligence briefing "

Lets Get Real:

WHAT would be the point of delaying the Electoral College vote, the Democrats can not change the FACT that HRC was a bad candidate, she did not connect to Main Street, and it was her campaign's fault that she did not go to Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania enough. The rust belt Democrats or the old Reagan Democrats did not trust her, and half the country wanted her locked up for using a private email server that could be hacked by the enemies of the US.  This blog is NO Trump supporter, but trying to subvert democracy while trying to save democracy only ends up in destroying democracy.   The Democrats should become foreign policy hawks and fast, if Trump is a Putin's fool they can make gains in the 2018 Mid Terms and get a better candidate in 2020.  The Trump Presidency is NOT going to be like the past eight years, there is something to be said for that development.

President Obama and Russian hacking - Part 2 - Trump Era

Guardian: Reports " According to the New York Times, the Obama administration was slow to respond to the hacking threat, underestimated its seriousness and fluffed several opportunities to stop it. The resulting email furore damaged Clinton’s election prospects and helped Trump to victory, as the Kremlin had almost certainly intended. "

Lets Get Real:

The Obama Administration using its favourite metaphor was asleep at the wheel, the Car was US Democracy and the threat from the Russians.   The Oval Office should have gone on about it every day, every minute in fact, but it did not and thus we will have a President Trump, a fool for Russia to play with over the next four to eight years.   The President could make  a speech to the nation from the Oval Office, asking that the electoral college either vote for another Republican or Democrat, of course it would not be HRC.   This is a serious matter, and the President should go to the mat to make sure his successor is not Donald Trump.

WHY was the Obama Administration slow to respond to Russian hacking ? - Trump Era

CNN - Politics: Reports " In addition to a fear of sparking a wider cyber-conflict and an attempt to save talks with Russia over Syria, the administration did not want to give Donald Trump reason to cry foul following what they were certain would be a Hillary Clinton victory. "

Lets Get Real:

IN other words the Obama Administration got foreign policy WRONG again, also they did not read the polls correctly, in that every political writers shares the blame.   The Russian bear only understands a strong leadership, in President Obama they found a weak leader who thinks he understands everything better than any else, that what comes of getting a Nobel Prize for doing nothing.   The Russians of course wanted to see Trump win, he has been soft on Russia, so it will be up to the Obama Administration to place sanctions or cyber attack Russia, they have to be careful, they do not want to start WW3 over a cyber attack.

The Russian hacking and the 2016 Election - Trump Era

Daily Mail: Reports " Revealed: How Obama warned Putin face-to-face to stop hacking the election - but is now under fire for botching response from intelligence experts "

Lets Get Real:

The most noise about Russian hacking the 2016 election is coming from hack Democrats who have not gotten over the result, TRUMP WON.   There have been a few Republicans who have stated that they want an investigation, but they were never friendly with Trump in the first place.   The US Congressional Committees need to have a tough and fast investigation in to the supposed Russian hacking, and the US should take some action against Russia while President Obama is in power and place Trump on the spot, does he support new sanctions or not.  The Russian bear must be laughing his backside off, the West under the leadership of Obama has been very weak.

The Electoral College - HAIL MARY PASS - Trump Era

Fox News: Reports " Elector push for Russia briefing heats up after Podesta fans flames "

Lets Get Real:

The chance that the electoral college would take the Presidency away from Trump is LOW, the Democrats have not come around to the fact that HRC was a bad candidate and that she lost again.   One can understand why Hillary Clinton might not be happy, this is the 2nd time that she has lost to job, first it was the charismatic Senator Obama, now its the Donald.  HRC has wanted the Presidency ALL her political life, to see it snatched away must hurt a lot, but that is Democracy.  The electoral college threat if it happened would cause a Constitutional crisis, it might even cause urban unrest, and in the end it would go to the House of Representatives, they would give the Presidency to Trump, so what would be the point.