KRAKOW, Poland -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday that Washington could accept a political agreement between the Afghan government and Taliban rebels along the lines of a truce in neighboring Pakistan.

Gates' comments contrasted with those of Richard Holbrooke, the new U.S. envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, who said this week that he was worried that the peace deal was tantamount to surrender by Pakistan.

On Monday, Pakistan announced it would agree to the imposition of Islamic law in the restive Swat valley in the northwest part of the country as part of an agreement aimed at restoring peace after an 18-month military campaign. The pact was spearheaded by a hard-line cleric who is negotiating with the Taliban in the valley to give up their arms.

Looks like we may have found a way out of Afghanistan.  At the very least this is a trial balloon to see how Americans feel about doing such a truce with the people that refused to give us Osama Bin Laden and allowed training camps to organize in their nation.

After reading the history of Afghanistan and other nations trying to 'control' it -- this may be the only way of ending our war there.

I can see where we agree to stop fighting Taliban with the conditions that we leave a couple of bases there to stop any new 'camps' from forming.

I'll be curious as to how this is accepted here.

I see that former President Bill Clinton is out on the trail 'talking' and giving 'his' opinion about the way President Obama is conducting his administration.  May I ask -- why?  May I also ask if Bill Clinton will be on the TV route through out Obama's administration?  He practically ignored former president George W. Bush's administration -- why is Bill suddenly interested?

While, so far, the former president is saying nice things except for today's comments about Obama, "should talk more optimistically' during an interview with Good Morning America.  Excuse me?  In each and every speech Obama has given since taking on the recession and housing crisis, he's always added the FACT that American's will get over this hill, as we have always done.

President Clinton, your wife is overseas doing her job, President Obama is doing his.  Why don't you go back to traveling to other nations instead of sending signals to others on TV about how 'you' feel Obama is doing?

I have a gut feeling what the former president is doing is, he's playing Mr Nice Guy about Obama now, making subtle suggestions.  Then in about 2010-2011, the former President will use those same words to justify why he thinks things worked or didn't work pertaining to the economy. If Obama solves the crisis and has good ratings, Bill Clinton will take credit for some of the success claiming, "I told him to do that...". 

On the other hand, if Obama looks like he will do badly in 2012, Bill will come out swinging and supporting his wife (she'll resign in late 2010) for president saying -- I tried to help Obama but he wouldn't listen, now we need somebody in there that can do the job right.

Am I way off base or what?

I just don't trust Bill or Hillary anymore.  Even if I did, I'm not sure I want him out there talking about what Obama is doing or not doing.

WASHINGTON - Republicans are preparing to pounce on any wasteful spending in the $787 billion stimulus package as they refocus their criticisms of a measure whose success could hurt their 2010 election prospects.

President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats also promise rigorous oversight, including a new Web site to help people track various projects funded by the massive bill. But the two parties will reap different political rewards if they find waste or abuse, which is virtually inevitable when the government tries to spend so much money so fast, authorities say.

Looks like Obama was right.  The stimulus package 'will' create jobs, many of them will be those working for the Republican Party.  Since the Senators and Representatives don't do their own leg work, they will need to hire extra help to go over every inch of the stimulus expenditures.  They'll be spending their every waking hour trying to do a 'gotcha' on the president and the Democrat Party.

The money for the jobs that are created to report those expenditures on the website and elsewhere, was included in the stimulus bill.

I'm not sure where the GOP will come up with the money to pay for those new researchers they hire to search for errors in the stimulus spending.  Perhaps since they are 'so mindful' of taxpayer dollars, they will pay the researchers out of their very own pockets?

David Gergen  questioned the fairness of giving help to some mortgage holders that have been delinquent compared to those who are paying on time.

Mr Gergen, it's not about being 'fair', it's about stopping the bleeding.  With your logic, we've never feed the homeless or shelter them.  How's that fair to those that have homes and food -- people like you would say.

The nation has a huge slice down the middle of it and it's bleeding profusely.  If we don't stop it now, those that aren't hurting will begin to feel the pain soon too.

It's cheaper in the long run for everybody to help those most in need (by sharing the bill) rather than waiting till we ALL need help.

Wake up people.  This isn't your run of the mill recession.  If you see a man bleeding lying on the ground, do you ask yourself, "should I help him and if so why?  What does it get me?" -- HELL NO, you help the guy.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- An Iranian firm has won a $1.5 billion contract to build a new town in the southern city of Basra, Hayder Ali, the head of Basra Investment Commission said.

The town will include 5,000 housing units as well as modern amenities like schools, markets, parks and health facilities, he said.

It is Iran's largest construction contract in Iraq since the 2003-US invasion and signals Tehran's economic arm in a country that is practically still ruled by its nemesis, Washington...

Iran has expanded its diplomatic reach in Iraq. Besides its embassy in Baghdad, it now has diplomats offering consular services in at least four other cities...

Iranian construction firms are active in several places in Iraq and currently dominate the country's building projects.

I thought Iran was killing people in Iraq?   I thought Iran was Iraq's enemy?  Why are we threatening to attack Iran if they continue to build their own weapons?  Wouldn't an attack  by the U.S. be seen now, as an attack against Iraq too - since they seem to be ONE now?

Or is this new offer to build a town just a part of U.S. strategy to get Iran to back away from their nuclear projects?  Anybody know?

Those that voted no on the Recovery and Reinvestment bill sure are jumping to get their share of the dough.  Even those same republicans that called this a mugging, it stinks, it's a skunk and America's worse days -- are now making plans on how to spend it.  

At least 4 of the 22 republican state governors supported it out loud, a few have admitted they would have voted no but that they need the money so they'll be glad to take it.  A few admit behind closed doors they would have voted yes if in the Senate.  According to the republicans that voted for it in the Senate, other GOP members WANTED to but couldn't cross that picket line made by the GOP leadership.  HYPOCRITES!

If they TRULY felt this was a mugging or America's worst days -- they would send the money back.  Be TRUE patriots; but they won't.

It's like watching a bank robber run off with the money and then asking for a share of it (just don't tell anybody I asked).

I'm curious.  What do you all think of asking former President Bill Clinton to be Obama's Commerce Secretary?

The job is, "to foster, promote, and develop the foreign and domestic commerce.

For those of you that thought it was Clinton that helped get us to a surplus in the 90's - what's your opinion?

Republicans in Illinois are now going after Senator Roland Burris for possible perjury.

Calls for Burris's resignation come after Burris over the weekend released a Feb. 5 affidavit that he filed with the Illinois House committee investigating the impeachment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The affidavit contradicts statements he made last month in front of the committee, before being sworn in Jan. 15.

The discrepancy could mean he perjured himself.

You know, it's too darn bad Democrats can't have the 'guts' (loved to use another name but can't) to go after the Republicans like they have gone after the Democrats lately.  

Suddenly Republicans CARE about LIES and ILLEGAL ACTS?  They sure were quiet the past 8 years.

I've heard recently that Democrats fear making Republicans angry and less willing to work together in Congress with future bills.  Bullwicky!  They are already refusing to work with Democrats.  Just look at the stimulus bill.

Democrats need to go after the Bush administration's actions and if anything is found to be illegal, they should be indicted immediately.

Republicans need to be reminded that they TOO can be hurt by wrong doing.

Did anybody else notice in the paper today (classified section) announcing the Illinois Department of Transportation Public Participation Opportunity?

The Illinois Dept of Trans is seeking your comments on state highway projects ready for federal funds from the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The Addendum to the FY 2009-2012 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for state highways is available through the state library system, the Illinois Dept of Transportation's district office in Effingham and via the internet at www.dot.il.gov.  The listed projects are considered provisional and are subject to change based on final federal legislation, new appropriation by the Illinois General Assembly and approval by the Governor.

They want your comments by March 3, 2009.

Call either 10800-493-3434 or go to www.dot.il.gov/email.html

There's also an address listed to write to.

The Recovery and Reinvestment bill/act hasn't even been signed by President Barack Obama yet (that's tomorrow) but States are more than ready for the funds.  Looks like jobs will be created or saved after all.

Perhaps republicans should make an announcement today that they will refuse any and all funds from this stimulus package?

Some of you might remember that Republicans claimed the bill was 'not' a stimulus package and refused to vote for it.

I sincerely hope Illinois voters remember this fact when they vote again for their Illinois legislators in 2010.

Does it worry anybody else that foreign nations like Japan are buying up our foreclosure homes across America?

I worry that some day other nations will own the U.S. and we'll have to abide by their wishes because of it.

Am I being overly pessimistic?

Should American's pets be counted as an exemption or tax credit on taxpayers income tax forms?  I happen to think they should.  I think pet owners of dogs and cats should be allow to claim at least a partial exemption or tax credit for owning and taking care of their pets.

Why you might ask?  Because these pet owners help to create business and jobs, just as any child raising would do; just ask any veterinarian or pet food shop in the nation.  These businesses have to hire people to stock supplies and sale the store's items.  Vets spend years in school learning to be a vet.  They have to hire others to help handle the animals in their veterinarian shops.

Pet owners are helping society by taking these animals into their homes instead of leaving for the local dog/cat pounds to impound and shelter using taxpayer dollars.

Just imagine if Americans thought they could gain a tax credit or an exemption for raising a pet from the local pound.  It would sort of like Americans that offer to adopt a child - they are saving taxpayer dollars (that would be needed to raise that child in a state facility) by doing so.

To anyone that claims animals don't cost much, think again.  My one dog alone, cost me in the range of $2000 per year to raise and keep healthy.  Oh sure, not all pets require such care as mine does; but for the most part, if you count food and yearly checkups and vaccinations the price can be at least $700 - 900 a year.

In return for all that they do for society, pet owners deserve a little help in return for their efforts. 

What's your opinion?