Updates....Obama, Iran, Afghanistan etc.

      The health reform, as expected is meeting with some resistance, from conservative Republicans, some Democrats, especially those who are in the pockets of the HMOs and the Insurance industry. Some are putting on a show for their constituents and their financial backers in the private sector, but the bill will pass. Their may be some minor modifications to take into consideration, small business and also to raise the level for taxation. Judge Sotomayor's confirmation is certain. Some senators eg. Graham, have had their public posturings, defending the "honor" of "white men" against the "wise Latina", and some, the arch-conservatives will continue to oppose her, but it's all over but the swearing in. Good-bye, Palin, your fifteen seconds are over and there is no "revival' time. It was interesting to see the extent to which ignorance still dominate some sector of American society.

      Amadinejad has had his hands slapped by the real power in Iran.....the Ayatollal Ali Khamenei, and has had to let his vice-president go after he was told to do so by Khamenei. He has now fired his intelligence minister and his culture minister has resigned. Seems like "a hot time in Teheran"

      The soap opera in Honduras is still dragging on. Zelaya drives up to the border and shakes his fist at those who have replaced him...the Congress and the Supreme Court, and they in return, refuse to play, even though Hillary and the Organisation of American States, have demanded his return to power. In the meantime the military is musing and waiting for an excuse to grab power, in the name of security and stability.
     
      I have just returned from a week in New York, and I can tall you that things are looking up. The worst seem to be over, business is picking up, housing sales are looking good and the money is being made. On my recent visit to Tornto(before the garbage started piling up),at the end of June, I was surprised by the amount of building cranes dotting the skyline of Toronto and Mississauga and Brampton and eleswhere. Understand this however, this is a "jobless recovery"....business is improving but jobs are still being lost and those that are lost will not come back. New jobs have to be found and this is especially bad news for many in their late forties and fifties. The high paying jobs are being replaced by mediuym and low-paying jobs in the service sectors.

      The wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan are intensifying. Losses are heavy on all sides and it will get worse. These are the months when Taliban and al Qaeda, are expected to mount fresh and bold attacks. Expect the " suicide bombers" to increase their activities. They will try to bloody the Coalition forces, thinking that if they can cause many deaths and casualties, and that pressure will build to end the war. They are mistaken. Pres. Obama is determined to stay, and there will be pressure from him on the Canadians, the Dutch and others to extend their mission.      
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