Notations on Our World: On the "Grid" reflecting upon #Iran.....

It has been another interesting 24 hours as the World awaits what happens on November 24 whether #IranTalksVienna (One of the many hashtags prevalent on Twitter) will succeed or not.   As noted before, it will be only half the battle as the New York Times' Thomas Erderink noted in his usual even keel analysis of the minefields ahead:

 

Beyond #IranTalkaVienna Real Hurdles May Be in Tehran, not selling @JZarif & @HassanRouhani short yet 🙏via @nytimes http://t.co/5TWf2GJnoy
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 21, 2014

It is not at all helpful when Friday Prayer sermons are said to undermine the goodwill that seems to be continuing onward--as noted in a recent outreach by the folks @ MEMRI (The Middle East Media Research Institute).    We here @Outsiders noted how it was all "noise"--but it does underscore the challenge being faced by President +Hassan Rohani  and Foreign Minister +javad zarif  as the negotations continue.   One interesting signal of potential change, too, was the pardoning of the so-called #Blogfather of Iran by Ayatollah Khamenei--we here @ "outsiders" were gratified to see his Tweet and ever so happy to see him set free:

“@h0d3r: Pardonded by Ayatollah @khamenei_ir. Freed from prison, finally after 6 years, last night. #iran”glad u r back bro.🎉💥🙏😁
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 21, 2014

The struggle continues...and it is ever so fun to be witness to history...

View of the Week: Remembering Mike Nichols

Mike Nichols passed away earlier today.    He leaves a legacy of talent and beauty as exemplified in films that will endure.  The team @The Jewish Daily Forward put together a very nice retrospective on a remarkable life. We here @ "outsiders" also remember him and pray that his soul RIP:

 11 Greatest Mike Nichols Moments

On the Prowl: An "Outsider" newsflash From the Americas (11/19/2014)

One of the bright spots of conflicts around the World had suffered a setback recently as a Colombian General was kidnapped by the FARC guerrillas in Colombia.   Notwithstanding the circumstances that led to the General's Capture, the FARC has agreed to release the General and President Santos of Colombia has agreed to return the Peace Delegation back to Cuba.   

Good News Indeed!!!

The dispatch From Al Jazeera:

 FARC agree to release captured general - Americas - Al Jazeera English