Iran attacks Kurds in Iraq - Update

BBC News: Reports  that Iran has started to attack Kurds in Iraq.

Let's Get Real:

The Kurds will want firm promises from the Trump Oval, as the article notes the Kurds do not match the theocracy when it comes to Militarty Kit, thus they will want the air to be dominated by the US, and cover for ground operations.  They answered the call from Bush 41 to rebels against the Iraqi Regime, in the first Gulf War, but got no support, they do not want that again.  This War could take a long time.

Over learning the lessons of Vietnam - Vietnam Lessons

CNN: Reports on the role of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the article notes the following, " Caine has been vocal about the potential downsides of launching a major military operation targeting Iran, raising concerns about the scale, complexity and potential for US casualties of such a mission, according to sources familiar with his advice.  "

Let's Get Real:

These are the ghosts of Vietnam, West Point drills in to the cadets the mistakes of the Vietnam War, from the military to the political, and now they also learn the lessons of Afghanistan and Iraq.  The first reaction of the  military is to scare hell out the President in the Oval, when they plan a military military action, they tried that with Bush 41 when it came to the First Gulf War, the President was not frightened, and gave the operation the green light, Bush 41 had served in WW2, the youngest piolt in the Navy, the problem  with the above in the article is that Trump wants to WIMP out, so the above advice will give him reason to chicken out, its something he wants to do.  This as stated in previous post will come back to haunt Trump in 2028 and his VP who will running for Trump's third term.

Russian frozen Assets for the Ukraine ? - Update

BBC News Reports that President Zelensky has stressed the need for frozen Russians to be given to Ukraine, they need it for the WAR effort.

Lets Get Real:

The Belgium PM has great reservations about the plan, this blog has a long memory, the UK supported Belgium in 1914, thus the start WW1, also Belgium during the First Gulf War would not give missil parts for the UK, they said SORRY, its the first reaction that is important, the European Countries are trying prevent WW3, while Belgium is playing politics, if they are ever invaded again then the UK should consider its position.  Let's hope Europe gets its act together over the next few hours and days.

Former VP Cheney Dies - Bush 43 Era

BBC News: Reports in its 3.19pm post on the political career of former VP Richard Cheney.

Lets Get Real:

VP Richard Cheney was a giant of US politics, Deputy Chief and later Chief of Staff to President Ford after the Watergate scandal had bought down Richard Nixon, a Congressman who was a Reagan foot solider in the Congress, defended Reagan during the Iran - Contra scandal, Defence Secretary to Bush 41, was a key character in Gulf War 1, and later VP to Bush 43, and bought political weight to the Republican ticket, Cheney and was firm supporter of the Iraq War.  The close relationship between the VP and POTUS took a hit due to peace disaster that was Iraq, also Bush 43 would not pardon Scooter Libby for breaking the law, in fact Trump in one of the first things he did was the Oval was to pardon Libby.  This did not help with the frosty non relationship between Cheney and Trump.  The former VP voted for VP Harris in 2024.

What is in a Name - Department of Defence or War - Trump 47

 The Hill: Reports " Trump blames ‘wokey’ Defense Department for US losing wars in agency rebrand "

Lets Get Real:

On this issue this blog will give Trump 47 some benefit of the doubt, if his history is a bit Putin in content, in other words WRONG.   The US won in the First Gulf War, it removed Iraq from Kuwait, in the 2nd Gulf War the US won the War but lost the peace in Iraq, the failure in Afghanistan was down to President Biden and his obsession with getting out, on the other hand, the US had been in Afghanistan for over 20 years and the Kabul Government fell over the weekend, the Saigon Government survived for two and half years before falling in 1975, and that was the fault of the Democrats in the US, who would not fund a rescue package.   Thus the far in the 2nd Trump term, the US has not gone to war, just the be the lap dog to Putin. 

Inflation THREAT to the US - Biden Era

Guido Fawkes: Reports " U.S. inflation up 6.2% in October versus a year ago – the highest inflation since 1990. Inflation was up 0.9% in Oct. alone, a much higher increase than 0.4% in Sept. and 0.3% in August. "a

Lets Get Real:

As someone more intelligent than this blog said, its the Economy Stupid, this was utterance was made during the 1992 Presidential Election, after the end of the first Gulf War 1, Bush 41 look like he was on a easy path to re-election, then a mild recession hit and Bush 41 under pressure from Congress rose taxes, this was seen in the long term as benefiting the US, but at the time Bush 41 was seen to  have broken his word of NO NEW TAXES, that was the theme of the 1988 Presidential Election.   The above is to place in context the hiking of inflation to a thirty year high, also Biden Agenda will take time to get in action, there are no shovel ready projects yet, and they might start after the 2022 Mid Terms.  The infrastructure act will take time, and Biden's welfare bill will cost trillions no matter what the projected outcome, one you give people a benefit, it is very HARD to take it back, that is what the Democrats are counting on.   The question is will Senator Joe Manchin vote for the welfare package, the noises from the Senator are not good.  Thus if maybe turns in to a FIRM NO, the Biden Agenda is finished on the Hill.  Next year the House and Senate are up for election, it will be everyone man ( generic use of the word ) for himself, and like the Titanic they will not be enough lifeboats. 

General Colin Powell DIES of Covid - 19 - American Hero

BBC News: Reports " Tributes are being paid to former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who has died of Covid-19 complications aged 84.  "

Lets Get Real:

The US has LOST a great American hero, the first African American to serve as National Security Advisor to President Reagan, the first African American to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and finally the first African American to be Secretary of State to Bush 43.  It can be stated that Powell become well known with the first Gulf War when he explained US Strategy to the public, to defeat the enemy by over whelming force, he become known as the Powell doctrine, and was standard US defence policy for years.  Then finally Secretary of State to Bush 43, he explained the US evidence to the UN that Iraq had WMD.  When it was found that it didn't have such weapons it was a stain on the reputation of Powell.  As noted in the article, after leaving office Powell was critical of the Bush Administration when it came to the War on terror.  It can be argued that Powell moved to be more liberal as he got older, as the article notes he supported Obama in 08 and was critical of Donald Trump.  

US Defence Department and North Korea - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " A Pentagon assessment has declared the only way to completely destroy all parts of North Korea's nuclear weapons programme is through a ground invasion. "

Lets Get Real:

This is the usual strategy by the US Defence Department, after Vietnam and Iraq the US Department sometimes has to be pushed to take action, thus they develop a terrible end game, ground invasion, many deaths on both sides, it is meant to frighten the politicians over at the White House, they tried that with Bush 41 when it came to the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, the President replied that the US military would get what it wanted, not the endless debates they normally seek.   The Democrats will push this, they have gone to the left, it's the Party of Senator Sanders and Warren, the old THIRD way of President Clinton is long gone.  Let's see who blinks first, Trump, the US Defence Department or North Korea. 

Bush 43 on Bush 41 - The Bush Era

Guardian:  Reports " George W Bush writes biography of his father..Life of George Bush Sr will look at both the career and the 'warm decent man known best by his family' "

Lets Get Real:

This will be interesting, Bush 43 looking at his father's public and private life, it will be interesting to see how Bush 43 deals with the First Gulf War and his father's decision not to go in Iraq, and how that is different from 2nd Gulf War of Bush 43.   How as Vice - President under Ronald Reagan he saw the role of the US in Afghanistan as the Reagan Administration support local rebels against the then USSR.  How the failure to look after Afghanistan by Bush 41 and Bill Clinton lead to the creatoin of the Taliban.     How the defeat in 1992 to Bill Clinton allowed Jeb and Bush 41 to start their own political careers, how Bush 43 made sure he won in 2004.   One wonders will be the book be hard hitting, one has doubts, that would ask to much of a loving son. 

Kerry on Syria - Syria Crisis 4

Statement by US Secretary of State, John Kerry.  Here are the highlights folks, " The United States Government now knows that at least 1,429 Syrians were killed in this attack, including at least 426 children. Even the first responders, the doctors, nurses, and medics who tried to save them, they became victims themselves. We saw them gasping for air, terrified that their own lives were in danger.....We also know many disturbing details about the aftermath. We know that a senior regime official who knew about the attack confirmed that chemical weapons were used by the regime, reviewed the impact, and actually was afraid that they would be discovered. We know this....So the primary question is really no longer: What do we know? The question is: What are we – we collectively – what are we in the world going to do about it?  As previous storms in history have gathered, when unspeakable crimes were within our power to stop them, we have been warned against the temptations of looking the other way. History is full of leaders who have warned against inaction, indifference, and especially against silence when it mattered most. Our choices then in history had great consequences and our choice today has great consequences. It matters that nearly a hundred years ago, in direct response to the utter horror and inhumanity of World War I, that the civilized world agreed that chemical weapons should never be used again.....Our oldest ally, the French, said the regime, quote, “committed this vile action, and it is an outrage to use weapons that the community has banned for the last 90 years in all international conventions.” The Australian Prime Minister said he didn’t want history to record that we were, quote, “a party to turning such a blind eye.”

Lets Get Real:

This is what happens folks when when the appeasers in the House of Commons stabs the UK's closes ally in the back, think about this folks, the bloody French, after World War One and World War Two and various other Wars, we do not even get a mention.  SHAME on the House of Commons, JUST SHAME. 

The REAL US Policy in Syria - Syria Crisis 4

Telegraph: Has the following story about the real US view of the Syrian Civil War, " US 'will not intervene in Syria as rebels don't support interests', says top general ".

Lets Get Real:

Folks the Democrats and the US Defence Department is gun shy after Afghanistan and Iraq, the military feel like they have been left with the baby when it comes to Iraq and Afghanistan, they have taken the terrible losses, while the political top brass take cover and leave the mess for the military to clear up.   If your POTUS you take the advice of the military but you do not allow them to have a VETO, if this had been the case Bush 41 would have waited for sanctions to work to to get Iraq out of Kuwait before the first Gulf War.  After Vietnam the US Military has a typical argument when it comes to taking action, you will need hundreds of troops, it will cost billions and you could lose, President Reagan was a tough War Leader, he lost hundreds of US Marines in a bomb attack in Lebanon in 1983, the the following day he invaded Grenada to protect US Citizens, a  US President must lead, otherwise the enemies of the US will see a weak giant and act, one has to feel sorry for the people of Syria, more will die, SO SAD. 

Obama and Syria - 2nd Term Blues

Telegraph: Reports on the options faced by the Oval when it comes to Syria, they are " ..training the opposition, long-range strikes, a no-fly zone, creating rebel buffer zones and commando raids to secure chemical weapon stocks. ".

Lets Get Real: 

The US Army is creating options for the Oval but the price is almost like throwing yourself off a cliff, the reluctance to ACT is a common mind set of the US Military, in the first Gulf War 1 the Pentagon tried to frighten the Oval with the costs of the War, after Vietnam the US Officer Core does not want to be left with an unpopular WAR, thus the fact of the Army of late in Iraq and Afghanistan.   The decision NOT TO TAKE ACTION, is also a political choice, if the Oval does not take action this will send the signal to Iran that it can go nuclear with no comeback from the US, this would mean that Israel would have to ACT, thus a regional WAR, thus what ever the Oval does its a lesser evil choice, and even that could be a disaster.   The US needs to set a no fly zone in Syria, take out the planes and chemical weapons of Assad and create a buffer zone on the Jordan and Turkish borders, this will be a great risk folks, well President Obama wanted the job. 

Bush 41 on Thatcher - Thatcher Era 7

Telegraph: Has an article written by Bush 41, the former President states the following on Lady Thatcher, " ..was a fearless, unrelenting advocate for democracy, free markets and human rights... ".

Lets Get Real: 

It is nice article but also truthful, the President is honest is that he was not as close to Lady Thatcher as President Reagan and they had more policy disagreements, there is that famous case in the lead up to the first Gulf War when Lady Thatcher told Bush 41 not to wobble, one has to wonder how that went  down with a US President.   Also Lady Thatcher stated in an interview that she though that the US and the UK ended the first Gulf War to soon, but she had gone by then.    By the time of the Bush 41 Presidency the Cold War was over, Germany within a few months of Reagan leaving office was on the way to unification, the USSR was in its death throes but no one knew, the relationship between the US and the USSR that lead to the end of the Cold War and the end of USSR had its foundations in the Reagan - Bush Era, helped along by Lady Thatcher who was firm ally of Reagan and Bush 41. By the time Lady Thatcher left office in 1990 the World and Europe was heading in to the Post Cold War Era, full of smaller crisis points, starting with the Gulf War, then Bosnia, by that time Reagan, Thatcher and Gorbachev has either gone or were on the way out.  Great leaders for a great time folks. 

Bush 41 on Bush 43 - Bush Legacy

CNN - Politics: Reports on the update release of the letters and emails of Bush 41 in a new book by Bush 41.  The article notes the following, “  These newly revealed observations by the 41st president about his son the 43rd president, are outlined in an updated book "All the Best, George Bush; My Life in Letters and Other Writings," .. ”. 

Lets Get Real:

It is interesting folks, Bush 43 was seen as the political son of Ronald Reagan, to the right of his father, for Bush 43 retaking the Oval was revenge for Bill Clinton defeating his father in 1992, he defeated VP Gore in 2000 by few hundred votes in Florida.   Thus Bill Clinton was the man in between the Bush Presidencies, the nightmare for LBJ was if Senator Robert Kennedy had lived and won in 1968, he would have been the guy between the Kennedy Presidencies.   In many ways Bush 43 was totally different from his father, he pushed for lower taxes, he was going in to Iraq one way or another after 9/11.  In the first Gulf War, Bush 41 had not gone to take down the Iraqi Regime, he stated that he would have lost his allies and gone beyond the UN resolution.   Bush 43 allowed UK PM Tony Blair to try the UN route before he was blocked by the French, after that the US was going in to Iraq.  Then it can be postulated that at his core Bush 43 wanted a 2nd term as show he was not his father, and thus he beat Senator Kerry in 2004.   One can tell from an article or book the slant if it about Bush 43, the way Bush 41 dealt with Iraq as compared to the son, it is of course interesting, but its all to recent folks, it will take 20/30 years before father and son can judge and their time in the Oval.  This blog read the first edition of the Bush letters, it will buy the new version when it comes out. 

Modern Warfare and Tweets

BBC News Live - ME: Has reports through tweets from both sides of the conflict in the Middle East.

Lets Get Real:

Even in the I.T 21st Century it seems odd to have tweets from the two sides in the conflict, can one see World War 1 or 2 Generals getting their mobile out to tweet on their last action, it seems its not real in less its on the Web in some form.    It would be simpler if conflicts could be decided by how many followers you had, the winner of the conflict would be the one the one with the most followers or re - tweets.     Ever since World War One the conflict has been open to the sides to create an impression for the international community, but has to say that it was the first Gulf War that created a Media War, seeing strikes up close and personnel, in real time, who can not recall the bombing of Iraq during the 1st Gulf War and the excellent coverage of CNN, those were the days for CNN.     Its a pity the sides could not have virtual War, blood and death but no real deaths, the best gamer wins, laugh now folks, but you never know what is around the corner. 

Obama vs. Romney - Polls

RCP: Reports on its Average of the match up polls when it comes to Obama vs. Romney. Today’s Average has Obama leading Romney by 47.3% to 44.2%, thus a lead of 3.1%.

Lets Get Real:

Its just the start folks, and there will be thousands of polls, endless, but with the Obama Re-Elect Campaign starting this week will formal Campaign events here is the latest from RCP. In pure political terms one has to say that the Obama Oval got off to a great start, its advert with Bill Clinton singing the praises of Obama asked a important question, would OBL still be alive if Romney was in the Oval. It is a change to see Democrats using National Security. Lets recall Bush 41 won the First Gulf War and he still lost to Bill Clinton. Also Bush 43 had a close shave in 2004, but just won re-election by winning Ohio. At the end of the day folks its down to the economy, lets see what this months record brings, that will be a good indicator for the Obama fortunes in the coming months.

Belgium DOWNGRADED - Eurozone

BBC News: Reports that the credit agency Standard & Poor's ( S&P) had downgraded the credit rating of Belgium from AA+ to AA. As noted in previous post folks the yields for Belgium bonds have been growing, also the last time this blog looked there is no actual government in Belgium, on the whole does not seemed to have harmed the good but boring people of Belgium ( yes they still didn’t give us ammo for the 1st Gulf War ). The Euro crisis is like watching a slow train wreck folks, as of Monday it will cost more for Belgium to sell its bonds, after the disaster of the German bonds, one has to ask when are the politicians going to wake up, at this rate the EU elite are going to take the Euro and the UK over a cliff, it will be to late when we hit bottom folks.

Armistice Day - 11-11-11

Thus folks today we remembered those that have died for their Country since the end of World War One, the Great War, the War to end all Wars, of course that didn’t happen, thus the UK/US have been Allies in World War Two, Korea, Gulf Wars 1 & 2 and the on going War in Afghanistan. In individual Wars and conflicts the UK has the troubles in Northern Ireland, Suez, Falklands, the US of course had Vietnam and is still Iraq in till the end of the year. Lets us remember those that have been maimed in body and mind by conflict, sometimes they are overlooked once the Wars are over, let that not happen to those that fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, lets us ALWAYS support our brave Armed Forces Personnel, they fight as to allow us our freedom. God bless them and their families.

51% Disapproval for POTUS = Rasmussen

Rasmussen Reports: Reports that President Obama has a 51% Disapproval rating, while 48% of likely voters approve of the job performance of POTUS. Well the bounce from the death of OBL seems to be on the decline folks, the problem is that President Obama went from the death of OBL to talk about immigration, an issue that rouses passion and can lose Obama moderate and independent voters. As noted by this blog and may commentators, a bounce can go quick, Bush 41 won a War and was out on his ear a year later. Also unemployment is still at 9%, while those first time jobless is still to high to bring the rate down. As the Clinton Election Campaign stated it’s the “ Economy Stupid ”.

Obama’s Bounce in the Polls

RCP: Reports on its Average of the polls, President Obama has a 51.6% Approval Rating, while 42.3% disapprove of the job performance of President Obama. The death of OBL has given President Obama a 9% bounce in the polls, lets recall the unemployed rate has gone back up to 9%. Lets look at leaders who have a good War but are seen as a failure at home, the great Winston Churchill who lead Great Britain to victory in World War Two was thrown out of office in 1945 in a massive landslide to Labour under not a very charismatic leader. In 1992 President George H.W. Bush, or Bush 41 who had lead the Allies in victory in Kuwait was thrown out of office due to the perception that he didn’t understand the needs of main street. Thus the election of President Bill Clinton. Lets see how the polls are in a month, this blog will be surprised to see Obama still over the 50%. The problem for President Obama is that if he does not deal with Colonel Gaddafi of Libya or the suppression of the protesters in Syria the operation to kill OBL will make Obama look like a one trick pony, therefore if the Oval wants to carry on with high poll numbers it needs a very tough Foreign Policy, so far this has been lacking from the Obama's Oval.