Notations From the Grid (special edition): On An Outreach by Prominent Iranian-Americans

We have been working on gearing up for our latest quarter as we just finished a meeting with our founder.    He advised us of a tweet he released on an open letter by Prominent Iranian Americans coordinated by +PAAIA-a prominent Iranian American Group that drafted an open letter to all Presidential Candidates for 2016 which our team wanted to report on here as talks with Iran continues through July 7:

Thank you @PAAIA !!! Open Letter to 2016 Presidential Candidates from Prominent Iranian Americans - PAAIA http://t.co/i8tIFT6a4F via @paaia

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) July 1, 2015

We also wanted to make sure that Iranian-Americans currently detained in Iran are not forgotten including Amir Hekmati and Jason Rezaian of the Washington Post.       We also wanted to report on another high note:  The opening of the US Embassy in Havana which we look forward to comment on over the ensuing days.

Onward.....

Thought 4 the Week: Step beyond the limitations

As the quarter comes to a close throughout #outsiders,  our team chose this to underscore an implicit objective we have had throughout Outsiders as we look forward to the on-going development and engaging work ahead:

Step beyond the limitations

Don’t take refuge in seeing yourself as a victim. Take pride in getting yourself to do good and valuable things. 

Everybody has problems and limitations and extenuating circumstances. Yet progress is always possible no matter what.

Sure, there is unfairness and there is injustice in the world. Work to right those wrongs but don’t fall into the trap of using them as excuses.

When you choose to move forward, there are all kinds of things that could go wrong. But that is no reason to hide from life or to remain stuck where you are.

You don’t have to be defined by your disappointments, injuries or limitations. Choose instead to define yourself by your highest visions, your dreams, goals and ambitions.

You are a unique, creative bundle of positive possibilities, so live your life that way. There is so very much good you can do, so let go of the excuses, step beyond the limitations, and make more of the goodness happen today.

— Ralph Marston

Notations on Our World: On the US, IS/Daesh & Other Thoughts

June 30, 2015 is turning out to be another pivotal day in our World.  The Greece impending default rattled markets throughout the World yesterday as it noted that it will not pay a loan due to the IMF today.   Although negotations are apparently continuing with a new proposal, banks are closed and capital controls are in effect.  The German Chancellors emphathic statement that there will be no new negotations until after the referndum was clear enough.   But there is a new proposal that the Greek Government has sent forth to Europe as the final deadline looms.

Beyond Europe, there is the continued inferno in the Middle East.     Daesh (also known as the Islamic State) is now one year old.   The war continues with no clear end in site.    This is as the World was shocked by the triple attacks in France, Kuwait and Tunisia.    It was hoped that somehow the attacks will dissipate during Ramadan.   This has simply not happened as the attacks underscored.   In our team's daily roundup, we saw that 3 Iranians had lost their lives in the Kuwait Attack as a Senior member of the Iranian Government was in Kuwait to meet with Kuwait Officials and visited the wounded in the Hospital:

It is also quite busy on the US Political Scene.   Our team has been working on the "Notations" series on US Politics.    Jeb Bush had fundrasiing appeals sent out under his Son's Name (whos is now Texas Land Commsiioner).    Late yesterday, a fund raising appeal was sent out under his Father's Name, Former President George H.W. Bush.   This is as Hillary Clinton also sent out a fund raising appeal as well as the quarter is drawing to a close.   Governor Jindhal of Louisiana is already in the race as is Governor Christie who just announced today.    This is as the US Supreme Court again came down with a number of pivotal decisions on the Enviroment and on redistricting in Arizona.   One example of th extent of the Social Conservative Backlash was underscored by this call to action from the President of the Heritage Foundation, Jim DeMint as some who have undertaken reforms of redistricting in California can rest easy.

What is ever so interesting as this call to action from Senator DeMint underscores:  It is bound to be quite an exciting year: 

There's no way around it -- this was a horrible week for Americans like you and me who believe in rule of law and the Constitution. It's disheartening to see the leaders of our beloved country trample all over the principles which made America great. Even the Supreme Court, which like the President and the Congress is obliged to uphold the Constitution, has in the span of two days issued rulings on marriage and Obamacare that undermine the rule of law and ignore the Constitution. Reporters and pundits are already saying these decisions are the final word. You and I know better. And we at The Heritage Foundation won't sit back and allow this contempt for the Constitution to continue. Add your name to our open letter demanding that the rule of law and the Constitution be upheld. With your dedication and support, we can get America back to the principles you believe in: free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. Sign our open letter to Congress to today. Thank you for all you do. Your support makes us stronger, so we can make your voice louder. Sincerely, Jim DeMint President

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