A bit of a reality check is needed, me thinks.

[Dobson73]

The Middle East is very loudly falling apart again but this time with Syria in the mix in addition to Israel and Palestine. Europe's economy is crumbling hourly and about to take the rest of the world with it.

Russia is ruled by an ex-KGB master and slipping back in to the worst the USSR ever delivered (Can someone tell me when the cold war actually ended, I didn't hear the whistle) and China has just elected one of the most regressive group of ageing leaders ever seen who will protect the status quo for their Princelings.

Japan is ready for it's 6th Leader in 2 years and about to enter their 3rd recession in less than 6 years, India is stagnating and can't feed half her population.

And people are worried about David Petraeus's sex life?

Seriously? WTF?

[rareboy]

Welcome to 2013.

[eastofeden]

And people are worried about David Petraeus's sex life?
Seriously? WTF?

Not everyone.

Alot of people understand that what consenting adults do is none of their business but you aren't going to hear about them because after they say that...assuming they even bothered...what else is there to say?

[BostonPirate]

Seventeen European nations are now officially in an economic recession. That is dragging the market south right now in a major way. Unfortunately there are conservative News outlets that need to ignore that, or their assertion that Obama's re election is causing the slide in the market will be exposed as a lie.

We have a big problem in the mid east that no one is paying any attention to, but the facts are as of right now on the New Mid East war.... In the last month, for the first time in history, the US and Iranian air forces had a conflict in which a drone and fighter jets exchanged fire over the Persian Gulf. The Egyptians are recoiling from America from a series of gaffes and affronts by the Bachmann McCarthist movement, and they have also withdrawn their ambassadors from Israel. Hammas has been firing rockets into Israel, and the Israelis are now in the midst of their largest military action in three years. They have been strategically taking out the leaders of Hammas with smart weapons, and have now moved 30,000 troops to the border... If they invade with tanks, they will have a hot border with Egypt, and that is making Egypt very paranoid, as it's a new Government. The military is LOOKING for a good reason to take control of the nation again, and a war with Israel will give them that.

Oh and lets not forget that the estimated fix for Mannhattan and Staten Island is now 30 Billion, as requested by Gov Cuomo, and that is far more than the budget has allowed Fema this year, not even mentioning New Jersey. They will cost just as much, and gov Christie has told his state that EVERYONE's taxes in that state are going to be going up. Because he thinks the people of his state need to have skin in the game if the Feds are willing to help as well.

What I think all of this means?

I think that Egypt, Iran, and Palestine are about to go to war with Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. I think that we will provide air dominance to our allies via drone strikes and drone patrols. We will also supply intel on movement. We will own the sky and tell our allies what we see in effect. It is inline with the Obama War doctrine IMO.

The Economic prediction?

I think that we will be paying more for food, and more in taxes due to the natural disasters as a result of a 12 inch rise in coastal waters in the hurricane season. we now have about a half trillion dollar rebuild for the coast. There are A LOT of jobs there. Ifrastructure bills will be passed to rebuild, and they will create jobs in the housing market I was declaring dead all last year.

There is a chance that if the Political environment does not improve, that the fiscal cliff will slowly degrade the US economy, but if we act now and make real fixes, the US will most likely profit in a big way. If we get the tax and sequestration stabilized, we will be the safe place that European banks invest in. Our Market is incredibly robust and resillient under the Obama admin, and this new wobble will in the end lead to profit taking and another big uptick.

Unless the fiscal cliff politics............

Shiny penny. Petraeus is the shiny penny they are all using to distract the voters while the real deals on the fix are happening. It's the right's temper tantrum over losing the election, but the Dems are working behind the scenes while they are distracted getting the deal done. The GOP senators can make noise about being bullies with Rice to not lose face as they give Obama his tax increase.

The slow gears of america grind on...........

[paatreides]

(Can someone tell me when the cold war actually ended, I didn't hear the whistle)

Supposedly it was when they took down the wall in Germany. At least Reagan keeps getting credit for ending the Cold War at that point in history.

[ChickenGuy]

The Middle East is very loudly falling apart again but this time with Syria in the mix in addition to Israel and Palestine. Europe's economy is crumbling hourly and about to take the rest of the world with it.

Russia is ruled by an ex-KGB master and slipping back in to the worst the USSR ever delivered (Can someone tell me when the cold war actually ended, I didn't hear the whistle) and China has just elected one of the most regressive group of ageing leaders ever seen who will protect the status quo for their Princelings.

Japan is ready for it's 6th Leader in 2 years and about to enter their 3rd recession in less than 6 years, India is stagnating and can't feed half her population.

And people are worried about David Petraeus's sex life?

Seriously? WTF?

But, but, but, but, who CARES about all the REAL problems of the world when we have the latest, brand new, must-have, all-fangled, all-doing, all-conquering .... *drum roll* .... iGadget (C) TM v. 6.3 .... coming to stores near you soon! Advance orders of only £399.99! Yes! I CAN'T WAIT! I've already got my tent and quilt ready to be first in line about 15 hours before the store opens! I'll be there from 6pm in the evening and no-one will budge me from first in the queue!

I KNOW what my priorities are and what matters in life!

[Jack Springer]

We just went through an election in the USA where those issues were rarely if ever seriously discussed.

... and now some of the biggest topics on the news in the USA are the loss of Twinkies(r) and the legalization of pot. I'm serious.

[JayHawk]

Russia is ruled by an ex-KGB master and slipping back in to the worst the USSR ever delivered (Can someone tell me when the cold war actually ended, I didn't hear the whistle) and China has just elected one of the most regressive group of ageing leaders ever seen who will protect the status quo for their Princelings.

things are rough all around but on this point I can be certain. The USSR ceased to exist. Before that due to economic ruin they ceased to operate militarily... dont get me wrong they still have a ton of supplies and folks but their navy and technical aspects which we were actually in a state of undeclared war CEASED to operate against us. Does that mean the country and it's intents cease to be scary? NOPE However, it does mean we stop spending billions in underwater war games and spying on one another... that war definitely ended.

Supposedly it was when they took down the wall in Germany. At least Reagan keeps getting credit for ending the Cold War at that point in history.

The wal fell in 89 whereas the war ended in 91 when the USSR collapsed....

[Rolyo85]

It's only right wingers talking about twinkies so far. Just saying.

[maxpowr9]

Stephen Colbert said it best last nite:

"This sex scandal is all anyone in Washington can talk about. I wonder why the country is in financial ruin. ...He [Gen. Allen] is the top General in the War in Afghanistan. Afghanistan, really? Please, if our troops were still really fighting a war in Afghanistan, don't you think we would be hearing about that on the news instead of all this bullshit?!"

[Jack Springer]

^^

Perfect example taking the word and opinion of a comedian as a journalist. Things are indeed screwed up.

[Rolyo85]

Well, everyone in fox is a comedian. Just not as sharp as Jon Stewart. And if you knew anything about comedy, you'd know the best type requires serious understanding of current events.

[chance1]

Well, everyone in fox is a comedian. Just not as sharp as Jon Stewart. And if you knew anything about comedy, you'd know the best type requires serious understanding of current events.

except max was quoting stephen colbert not jon stewart

so jack may not be a comedic genius - that is certainly debatable

but he does read posts before responding

[JayHawk]

The great thing about our comedians and why so many people get any inkling of news from them is because the main news sources are so out of their minds....

How hard is it to understand that while all that is listed in the OP is going on the American Media is infatuated with General Patraeus's dick and that is ridiculous.

[Jack Springer]

Well, everyone in fox is a comedian. Just not as sharp as Jon Stewart. And if you knew anything about comedy, you'd know the best type requires serious understanding of current events.

Why are you talking about FOX?

[Rolyo85]

Because of your usual glaring double standards. Just presenting a point of contrast.

...sorry, did I go over your head again?