Two State Solution for the Middle East - USA

CNN News: Reports that under the Obama Administration the USA is still to support a two state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. At the end of the day Israel has the final vote, it gets to decide if it wants a dangerous Palestinian State as a neighbour. The Obama Administration can huff and buff and use as many words at it wants, Israel gets the final veto. To miss quote President Obama and his statement that words must mean something, if Israel says NO its over, does not matter how many times Obama makes a speech or statement on the issue. The Israeli Lobby is powerful in the USA and in the Democratic Party. In 2012 Obama might need Florida, they are lot of elderly people living in Florida who happen to be Jewish. Thus Obama can only go so far, this is why US Presidents leave this issue for the second term, Bill Clinton was legacy hunting in the Middle East after the Impeachment, it didn't do him any good either, Israel and the Palestinians is not Northern Ireland, they have been fighting a few thousand years before Ireland was Ireland.

SORRY - UK PM Gordon Brown

BBC News: Reports that the UK PM Gordon Brown has said sorry for the smear scandal against the UK Conservative Party. This is a mistake by Mr Brown, it looks forced, it would have been better if the PM had let the story start to to disappear. If your going to say sorry say it the first time, this looks like he has been reading the press and decided he better say sorry. Also it does not negate the fact that the smear web site was registered to the House of Commons. Thus one had to ask who is the PM is covering for, a) Minister, b) MP or c) Aide. This foul smear campaign shows that Labour is worried it is going down the toilet next year, expect more of the same from Labour during the year.

Not Leaving Home even at 30!

BBC News: Reports on how men and women even at 30 are still at home with their parents. This is down to a few factors and one is political, the Government has followed a policy of getting more people to go to University, the problem is that this creates a debt for the students after they graduate. If they cant find a graduate job, they are stuck at home, so they are in either low paid jobs, which can be soul destroying or they cant find jobs. Thus on the male side they don't bring much to the dating game, jobless and stuck at home!. Also when their poor parents do get them out of the door, they parents might find they have to support their new married son or daughter. Thus if your nearly 40 starting a family, whey your children go to Uni you are going to be near retirement age. One can see the point of staying single and on benefits.

A Rat in the House of Commons

The Times: Reports that the proposed web site that was going to smear the Conservatives was registered to the House of Commons. What kind of Minister, MP or Parliamentary Aide is enough of Rat to set up such a vile site. Also the Times reports they have broken the rules, using a false name as the owner of the site. I don't have a high opinion of the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, but even he never went that low, a tyrant yes but at least he was open about the fact, he even banned Christmas. This all smells like Richard Nixon politics, there should be an open investigation by a Select Committee of the House of Commons. On the political front this could be a good reason for Labour to get rid of Gordon Brown and give themselves a chance in the General Election in 2010.

Going after Pirates in Somalia

CNN News: Reports that the US Defence Department is looking at how to close down the the threat of modern pirates from Somalia, one option is go after them on land, in Somalia. This would be a very bad idea, the USA had a very bad time in Somalia during the Clinton Presidency, it fact it can be argued that the failed operation in Somalia constrained Clinton for years. If the USA has to hit on land it should use special forces, drones and other black ops. On the political side USA should try to get a Government for the Somalia, help the poor people of the country. As long as you have a failed country, poor people you will have modern pirates in the region, thus a twin track, covert and overt action.

The Titanic

Telegraph: Reports on a Titanic Cruise Trip to mark the anniversary of the sinking of the great liner. Have to admit if had the money would be on that trip, it seems that the cruise will follow the route of the Titanic while showing respect for those lost. On the lighter side those on the cruise will have the delight of the great menu of the Titanic and being part of history.

UK to the IMF for Bail Out?

The New York Times: Reports that the UK could need a bail out by the IMF. The UK Telegraph has already reported on this issue, this would be the final nail in the New Labour political coffin. This would be seen as a return to the bad old days of the 1970s. In pure political terms UK PM Gordon Brown must do what he has to prevent this cause of action. The Governor of the Bank of England has stated that the UK Government should not spend more to get out of the recession, thus the Brown Government has to cut government spending and also raise taxes. The problem with the two solutions is that if you cut spending you will deepen the recession, if you raise taxes that will bring in less money for the UK Government. Thus tough times ahead for the UK.