N. Korea Stops Nuclear Armament

The N.Y. Times says:

North Korea agreed Tuesday after arduous talks to shut down its main nuclear reactor and eventually dismantle its atomic weapons program, just four months after the communist state shocked the world by testing a nuclear bomb.

The deal marks the first concrete plan for disarmament in more than three years of six-nation negotiations, and could potentially herald a new era of cooperation in the region with the North's longtime foes -- the United States and Japan -- also agreeing to discuss normalizing relations with Pyongyang.

This is a step in the right direction for the world, bringing an end to nuclear weapons in North Korea shows that in some instances diplomatic talks works. I think however we will have to see how this affect U.S. Foreign policy in general.

John Bolton, former U.N. Ambassador says that this is similar to the deal that the Clinton administration tried to make in the ending days of his administration. The Chief U.S. Negotiator told CNN's American Morning, that this is different because this was not a "bilateral" agreement but an agreement between North Korea, its neighbors and the United States.

Obama announcement Video

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Obama Video

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Blog the Vote- Obama announces his bid for President

Its official early Saturday morning in front of a large crowd where President Lincoln "called on a divided house to stand together," Sen. Barack Obama announced he is running for the democratic nomination.

Obama said in his speech that "people who love their country can change it," and thats what he wants to do.

A Political Cartoon for the Weekend

Romney concedes: War was mismanaged

The Assoiciated Press reports

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney conceded that the war in Iraq has been poorly managed and may hurt Republicans again next year, but he refused to oppose the course President Bush has charted.

I would have to agree with Romney. The war has been mismanaged to this point however I think Romney is right not to oppose the new course because it is completely brand new. It seems to be the only viable option for "victory," the American people and members of Congress should give it an opportunity to work. If you don't we are still in a "poorly managed" war, the tables may change.

What do you think?

Blog The Vote- Gore Supporters Meet Without Gore

CNN Political Ticker says:

Some Al Gore supporters apparently aren't taking "no" for an answer.

They're plotting to get him into the 2008 presidential race, although he's repeatedly said he's not running.

Gore's top policy adviser from his 2000 presidential bid and other key supporters met in Boston today to mull a potential Gore campaign.

They say the former vice president wasn't involved in the meeting.

I highly doubt that Al Gore will run for President, I do not believe he has the will and drive to run for president again. If he did he would have done so again in 2004.

Hamas and Fatah sign Peace Agreement

The rival Palestinian powers signed a peace agreement late Thursday, that would create a National Unity government controlled by Fatah and Hamas, the NY Times Reported. This could mean great things for the region, however unless they end Hamas' terrorist way they are going to get no where.

The National Unity government is not going to be successful until it recognizes the State of Israel and its right to exist. U.S. and other foreign aide will continue to be withheld until the Palestinian Authority does so. The Unity government will do very little in terms of the Israel--Palestinian Conflict.

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Political Cartoon on Slate.com

Pelosi's Palace in the Sky

I tend not to read the New York Post however they had an article online today which cited that the plane requested by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi costs tax payers $22,000 an hour to operate.

The U.S. Air Force say it has offered Pelosi a different plane (C-21 Executive Jet) that operates at only $900 an hour. Pelosi's predecessor Dennis Hastert used the same plane following 9/11 when additional security for the person second in line to president was needed.

Pelosi's issue with the C-21 Executive Jet is that it must refuel enroute to San Francisco, her home town. I would have to agree with Pelosi (for once), politicians need to get back to their districts as quickly and efficiently as possible. Stopping to refuel make her trip longer, members of Congress need to spend time in their districts and on the hill. They need to be able to make this almost weekly trips as easy as possible. If she took a commercial flight she would be able to fly from Washington to San Francisco in 7 hours stopping to refuel would force the trip to at least 10 hours, almost an entire business day. The time saved by the larger plane outweighs the cost, more business will be able to be conducted.

What do you think?

Insurgents Changing Tactics?

Over the past 3 weeks six helicopters have gone down in Iraq, many are speculating that Iraqi insurgents are changing to more aggressive and intelligent tactics.

American officials told the NY Time that the streak strongly suggests that insurgents have adapted their tactics and are now putting more effort into shooting down the aircraft.

This was the sixth helicopter to be shot down in the last three weeks: "The helicopter was flying and passed over us, then we heard the firing of a missile," an eyewitness told the Independent.

I think that insurgents are changing their tactics because they have run out of options and are scrambling for victory. I think that we will see a great topple of the insurgency in the coming months.

7 Republicans Push for a Vote on Iraq War Resolution

CNN.com reports that yesterday several anti-troop surge GOP senators lead by Sen. John Warner circulated a letter to leading Democrats and Republicans, saying the "current stalemate" over the Iraq resolutions is "unacceptable" and they intend to offer the Levin-Warner resolution "disagreeing" with the increase in troops to future bills coming before the Senate.

"We strongly believe the Senate should be allowed to work its will on our resolution as well as on the concepts brought forward by other senators," Warner said on the Senate floor, reading from the letter. "Monday's procedural vote should not be interpreted as any lessening of our resolve to go forward advocating the concepts" of the resolution.

Sen. John McCain offers his own Iraq Resolution

Sen. John McCain released a resolution backed by Sen. Lieberman, Sen. Graham, Sen. Cornyn, Sen. Hutchison, Sen. Domenici, Sen. Thune, Sen. Hatch, and Sen. Roberts. The resolution creates 11 benchmarks which the Iraqi government must meet as well as supports the presidents troop build up.

"In order for us to have a solid chance of success in Iraq, both Americans and Iraqis must fulfill certain responsibilities," McCain said.

The Senate resolution calls on on Congress to provide the U.S. troops the necessary support that would allow General Petraeus to carry out the U.S. mission in Iraq.

The benchmarks built into the resolution enables the U.S. to see if the new strategy in Iraq is working. Sen. McCain told ABC's "This Week," that:

the consequences are obvious. I mean, if they’re not meeting those benchmarks, then obviously the new strategy isn’t succeeding. And I can’t tell you what the other options are, because there are no good options to this. If there was a good option to what we’re doing, to sending more young Americans in harm’s way, I’d tell you. They’re all bad options, in my view, if this one isn’t supported and succeeds.

He estimated that it will only take a few months for us to see success from the new strategy and determine whether the Iraqi government was assuming more responsibility and moving toward both economic and political stability.

Their is no option for further defeat in Iraq, the Americans and Iraqi forces need to overcome and beat the insurgents. If not we have taken a million steps backward and we are just sitting ducks for another attack on Americans. McCain's resolution offers the check, that congress has been looking for in order to hold power over congress. Those who claim the only power congress holds now is that of the purse--are wrong. Congress cannot and will not withhold funds from the troops, the American people will not stand for it.

Power Struggle in the Middle East

The Middle East is on the brink of all out Civil War, said Syrian President Bashar Assad. In Lebanon Hizbullah is gearing up to fight the democratic government, in the Palestinian territories if scheduled peace talks fail Hamas and Fatah are ready to go to war. Someone will gain from these conflict the Saudi's fear that Iran may act on these conflicts to grasp hold of power in the region.

"With the prospect of three civil wars looming over the Middle East — and Iran poised to gain from them all — Saudi Arabia has abandoned its behind-the-scenes checkbook diplomacy and taken on a central, aggressive role in reshaping the region’s conflicts," said the New York Times. If the Saudis are unable to take control of the region, Syrian President Bashar Assad is ready to do so.

The Syrian leader told ABC News that he is ready to sit and talk with the United States although he lacks confidence in such talks. He does not think that Washington will consider meeting although it could be the "last chance" to avoid civil war. Assad feels that the Presidents administration does not have the will or "vision" for peace in Iraq and the region. He pointed out, that the President father had the "will to achieve the peace in the region."

Assad said Syria could play an important role in "supporting the dialogue between the different parties inside Iraq with the support from the other parties like the Americans and the other neighboring countries..."

The region is a powder keg ready to explode at a moments notice. The countries heading towards civil war really need to resolve their conflicts before the race for power grows to--imperialism, which is what will happen. As these countries begin to engage in Civil War, we will begin to see the Iranians, the Saudis, and the Syrians taking an active role in these areas and one force will over take the rest. We could experience another power like the U.S.S.R. The one I am describing, a superpower controlled by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is far more dangerous than U.S.S.R. ever was.

What do you think?

Blog The Vote- Giulliani says he can win.

Monday, former New York City mayor and republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giulliani filed the necessary paper work to announce his bid for President in 2008.

Rudy told Fox News' Hannity and Colmes that he is in to win and that all the candidates are good people. He also offered his perspective on the war on Terror. He said that the "war on terror" is a war we must win and we must consider the other forces in the region.

Giulliani cited that we must put pressure on Iran and that we are facing the same dilemma we faced during the cold war. Nuclear arms cannot be in the hands of an irrational person.

Rudy maybe the moderate that many Americans are looking for.

What do you think?

Republicans Block Troop Build-up resolution

The Republican minority was successful today in blocking a Senate resolution against the surge in troops.

"We must heed the results of the November elections and the wishes of the American people," told Majority Leader Harry Reid to ABC News.

The vote was 49-47, 60 short of the required majority to pass a resolution. This is can be deemed both a success and failure for America. It continues to illustrate the great divide in American society about the war and the surge in troops. I think it is really important for the Senate to support the troops, the resolution in my opinion is doing the opposite.

Republicans block the anti-War resolution

Senate Republican leaders Friday threatened to block the Senate from taking up a bill that would put the chamber on record disagreeing with President Bush's troop increase in Iraq unless Democrats agree to allow Republicans to offer alternatives to the measure, reports CNN.com

The possibility of a filibuster does not surprise me. This is a long needed debate on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Congress can pass any resolution for or against the war and it would be fine with me if and only if members backing the anti-war resolution offered their own plan for success. If you cannot offer an alternative then you should support the only plan currently on the table.

The African American Vote=Key to Democrats Nomination

The Politico Reports: A key supporter of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama urged united African-American support for his presidential bid, questioning whether black Democrats still "owe" Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton their support, according to several people who attended a meeting of black Democratic politicians.

The comments by Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr., which he confirmed Saturday, angered Clinton backers and deepened a sharp rift among African-American political activists.

This is exactly what Republicans would want if Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama split the African-American vote it will be difficult for them to get through the primary. The Democrats will nominate a less then qualified candidate, more likely a candidate that can't win on the national stage. The only Democrats capable of competing in a national election are Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton. The former is the strongest, Obama in my opinion is riding a wave of stardom that will not likely last through a Presidential election.

The Baghdad Operational Command

Col. Douglass Heckman, the senior adviser to the 9th Iraqi Army Division told CNN "Officially the Baghdad Operational Command takes over tomorrow, so the expectation is that the plan will be implemented soon thereafter, very soon thereafter."

Although U.S. source have said the plan will gradually go into effect, big changes on the ground are expected to occur throughout Monday. The pressure on insurgents will increase as the days go on forcing the insurgent to submission

Thousands of U.S. and Iraqi reinforcements already were in place for the neighborhood-by-neighborhood sweep to clamp off the violence by Sunni insurgents and Shiite militia.

He declined to give precise numbers, although U.S. President George W. Bush has ordered 21,500 additional troops to Iraq by the end of May.

I think we will see great changes in Iraq by the end of May. As the surge in troops grow and the new strategy on the ground goes into effect the American people will see what we have been waiting for success in Iraq.

What do you think?