On #Ferguson, #FieldsPrize & #Iran: Thoughts & Views

I noted in a newsflash last night about the horrifying scenes out of Ferguson Missouri which was broadcast all around the World.    What a difference 24 hours brings:

Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol walks along with the Ferguson march. Compare this to Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/Vtezu4MuHk
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) August 14, 2014

It was gratifying to be witness to a total change in tone in #Ferguson Missouri as the Governor Nixon of Missouri put the Missouri Highway Patrol in Charge--with Captain Johnson, a Ferguson native, in command.     It was an absolute pleasure to retweet this beautiful scene.  While on the "Grid" earlier, I noted that this is how policing should be--Police and the Community as one.

But as this good news was making the rounds of the "grid",  one more beautiful headline made the news as Professor Maryam Mirzakhani of Stanford--an Iranian Native--won the Fields Prize in Mathematics.   It was also gratifying to see that her name generated over 1.6 Million Hits!! President Rouhani congratulated Professor Mirzakhani as well. 

This wonderful milestone, though, is tempered by the realities in Iran Today as epitomized by this tragedy: 

Post by ‎توانا: آموزشکده جامعه مدنی ایران‎.

If President Rouhani is to really live up to his mission to be thougthful and hope and realize the essence of the roadmap he noted in his remarks to Iranian Ambassadors, he should use all his persuasive powers to free up such gems as they languish on in Prison especially as he just congratulated the head of the Judiciary in the County as he was just reappointed by Ayatollah #Khamenei--the Supreme Guide of the Country (or what the West refers to as the Supreme Leader).

It was quite appropriate as I saw this:

He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything. -Thomas Carlyle

& not forgetting this at all:

Onward!!!

A "Thought 4 the Day" ...

For "Outsiders Thursday", I decided to release a series of "Thoughts" across all the Blog Channels to underscore the beauty and majesty of life.    It is challenging as one reflects upon a rather challenging World.  But,, we have got to in order to constantly live up Gandhi Ji's admonition to be the change we want to see in the World.

This one I ran across while on the "Grid" speaks For itself...may it be ever so for all.... :-)

It might seem crazy what I’m about to say
Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break
I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Here come bad news talking this and that, yeah,
Well, give me all you got, and don’t hold back, yeah,
Well, I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine, yeah,
No offense to you, don’t waste your time
Here’s why

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

(Happy)
Bring me down
Can’t nothing
(Happy)
Bring me down
My level’s too high
(Happy)
Bring me down
Can’t nothing
(Happy)
Bring me down
I said (let me tell you now)
(Happy…)
Bring me down
Can’t nothing
(Happy…)
Bring me down
My level’s too high
(Happy…)
Bring me down
Can’t nothing
(Haha)

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Because I’m happy
Because I’m happy
Because I’m happy
Because I’m happy
~ Walk off the Earth

An "Outsiders' Newsflash: Hard to be Hopeful...While being Witness to Horrific Scenes out of Ferguson Missouri

While on the "Social Grid",   this was posted by a Facebook Friend calling for friendship & love..which I hope we will all remember:



This is as America is witness to horrific scenes out of Ferguson Missouri in the aftermath of the shooting of Michael Brown.   A local Radio Station has been broadcasting this live..and it is horrific:

.

On the Dawn of a New Day...A "Thought 4 the Day" :-)

..and as a new day dawns here in "outsiders", A beautiful thought 4 the day from the Great Rumi--may we be ever so blessed:

Words & Ideas Can Change Our World.....

While on the "Social Grid" tonight, a Facebook Friend noted how his Page "exploded" on the death of Robin Williams who passed away today.  But this simple yet profound thought was ever so evident in my mind which drove me to launch this labor of love: Outsiders and have a firm belief in it--one way I hope to continue to be the "Change" as Gandhi Ji taught us all:

:   

Onward!!

On a "Virtual Stroll Around the World " For the Day: An Interesting Day

Robin Williams was found dead of an apparent suicide today.    At first, I though it to be a hoax--but when I saw reports from France24, i24News From Israel and Al Jazeera confirming what came out of Marin County, I was frankly shocked.   It is sad to see anyone perish.

As I made the rounds on the "Social Grid",  I saw this:

Post by Mike Pouraryan.

This is the crew of the Iranian Airliner that crashed in Tehran in a residential neighborhood as it took off from Mehrabad Airport.  I have flown in those planes and it is an absolute death trap.   I hope their death is not in vain--there have been too much death already as the crippling sanctions have taken a heavy toll on Iranians.    It was with great joy as I read Mr. Rouhani visibliy angry during a meeting with Iranian Ambassadors as he told the dead-enders in the Country who are "afraid" to basically "go to hell..and hope they find a warm place".   He called them cowards.  It was gratifying to see that at least he came out swinging against them all.

What I find also interesting is the latest out of Iraq.    It was a welcome development (also welcomed by the White House) --but Maliki said he would sue the Iraqi President and apparently the Iraqi Supreme Court has said that Maliki does not need to go anywhere.    This is as the thugs from the so-called Islamic State Gang continue their advance towards Baghdad and engaged the Kurds up North.   It is an increasingly difficult situation with no apparent solution in sight.   The right in the United States is clamouring for intervention yet again--and noting that the US should have never left.  Although the Status of Forces agreement negotiated by the Bush (II) Administration left the Obama Administration left virtually no choice.   Being everywhere is clearly not an answer.

There is one bit of good news at least:  The latest ceasefire in Gaza appears to be holding for now.   But the day after is yet to be clearly defined by all parties.  i24News is reporting that the two sides are close to a deal.    However, Israel is also blasting the appointment of a commissioner to investigate abuses in Gaza.  I have seen reports that George Clooney's Wife-To-Be, Amal Alamuddin, is part of a 3-Person Panel to investigate the abuses--however she has refused to serve on it citing her existing work commitments.    The "Social Grid" was abuzz about the real motives behind her backing out after the fact that she had made her reputation in the field of Human Rights defending the likes of Julian Assange.  H opefully this report will not suffer the same fate as the Goldstone Inquiry which Israel destroyed--and it appears that it is to do so here and now with its stance.    One such sense of the truth was depicted in this by a Facebook Friend:

Post by Abouzar Headyeh.

Israeli Pro-Government commentators and spokesmen are already pushing the narrative

It has been a very challenging day.   It is not easy to live up to this admonition while being witnessing to such thuggery around the World--but Gandhi Ji Reminded us to be the change we want to see in the World:  

Onward..with a continued sense of hope !! :-)

View of the Week: On a Challenging World over the past few days....

Madeline Albright, the former US Secretary State, noted how our World is right now:  A Mess.    The so-called thugs of the Islamic State have taken over Iraq's Biggest Christian City, are within striking distance of Erbil and already have enough forces inside Baghdad to really fight for Iraq.    Saddam former Vice President's admonition that they will "liberate" Baghdad is not to be taken lightly.   What is tragic is how in the name of Faith, they are undertaking acts that are contrary to a sense of humanity.

As I write this, the latest Gaza ceasefire is only in name only.   The Palestinian Delegation has threatened to leave Cairo unless the Israeli Delegation returns to Cairo.    Israel has refused to continue to negotiate unless the rockets stop.   i24News from Israel is reporting that the Israeli Prime Minister is under pressure from the so-called right-wing in his coailition to basically finish the job--crush Hamas or take over Gaza yet again.    What they don't realize is the day after as more thuggish fools are waiting in the wings.    It is interesting, though, that the Israeli Foreign Ministry has come up with an idea for an International Monitoring Force for Gaza and Tzipi Livni has also been pitching a peace plan to the Israeli Prime Minister.     It will go on for a while as the Israeli Prime Minister just said that "Hamas won't wear us down"  .     The right wing's pronouncement was noted in this Real News Report clip: 


Deputy Speaker of Israeli Knesset Calls for Expulsion and Jewish Reoccupation of Gaza
Max Blumenthal tells Paul Jay that Moshe Feiglin's program is part of a growing incitement to genocide against Palestinians
Go to story | Go to homepage

As Hamas and Israel are at each other's throat,  if only all remembered this admonition:

Will this truth be embraced?  That's the ultimate challenge--As reports of a new truce have just emerged out of the Middle East.   

As Iraq Burns....

The reports coming out of Northern Iraq are absolutely horrific.     This was shared courtesy of the Financial Times Borzou Daragahi:



The narrative is in Kurdish.   However, the scenes of the desperate Yazidis is heartbreaking to watch. This is as Haaretz has reported that scores of Yazidi women have been kidnapped by the Islamic State to potentially be married off to the Islamic State Thugs.

The thugs of the Islamic State are threatening Irbil and a few cities have fallen.   Although the decision by President Obama is a welcome one, it is simply not enough as this profound tragedy continues to unfold.  But Vijay Prasad noted that the Islamic State will have a fight on its' hands as it decides to take on the Peshmerga:

When Islamic State engage YPG/PKK corridor for Yazidis to escape to Syria, this is who they'll face. pic.twitter.com/X0bEPwf3WM
— Vijay Prashad (@vijayprashad) August 9, 2014

View of the Week: On the Rising Inequality// The View From Standard & Poors

Standard & Poors has just issues a tough report which should cause some concern for all--whether this will be headed is another profound question @

The Global Report From Standards & Poors 

Economic Research:

How Increasing Income Inequality Is Dampening U.S. Economic Growth, And Possible Ways To Change The Tide

05-Aug-2014

View Analyst Contact Information

• Table of Contents

The topic of income inequality and its effects has been the subject of countless analysis stretching back generations and crossing geopolitical boundaries. Despite the tendency to speak about this issue in moral terms, the central questions are economic ones: Would the U.S. economy be better off with a narrower income gap? And, if an unequal distribution of income hinders growth, which solutions could do more harm than good, and which could make the economic pie bigger for all?

An "Outsiders" newsflash: Meanwhile...in India.....

Over the last 24 hours, the opposition in the Indian Parliament seems to have come alive.  Rahul Gandhi led Opposition in the Lok Sabha protesting the on-going communal violence and how the BJP has stifled debate.    The Indian Home Minister has rejected the assertions and the Finance Minister has asserted that Congress is under pressure and is trying to avoid a "Palace Coup".   As the Indian Prime Minister is touring the World and making waves at Home--including another trip to Jammu & Kashmir--it is clear that the opposition has a challenge on its' hands to make its' voice heard.

Fascinating Times....

Ever So Hopeful: Brief Thoughts 4 the Night

As a 72-Hr ceasefire comes into force and as Israel says it has "withdrawn" from Gaza,  this newsflash while on the grid was beautiful to note:

Post by Elahe Amani.

A Virtual Token of Appreciation :-)

As a new month begins here at "outsiders", we wanted to begin by sharing this TED TALK compilation which we hope all enjoy and hopefully reflect upon the message given on simply "Being Happy":  

What makes you happy? (10 TED Talks)

Everyone wants to be happy. But how does one go about it? Psychologists, journalists and monks suggest some answers that may surprise you.Watch »

Total run time 2:37:01

View of the Week: On #Gaza, #Syria & Other Thoughts....

We here @ Outsiders have been assessing the week while we went "dark".  It has been a horrific week--to say the least.

Libya is on the brink of collapse.   Reports out of  Libya note how Tripoli and Benghazi are in chaos.    An Al Jazeera noted how Egyptian Workers have been streaming to the border with Tunisia in a bit to escape the chaos.   It appears that Filipino workers are refusing to evacuate due to the fact that they do not wish to walk away from the lucrative jobs that are out there.  As for the Gaza War, it appears that Israel is supposedly redeploying forces towards the border as it has continued to underscore that operations will continue.   Israeli Media is noting that Israel is winning due to the 'realignment" of relationships with Egypt as Hamas is weakened.  Just one indication of the level of destruction is epitomized by this:   Out of Gaza's 7 hospitals, two are utterly destroyed.  

The day after is coming where guns will go silent.  As we went to the Press with this week-end newsflash, Israel had announced a 7-Hour Humanitarian ceasefire with Rafah being the only exception.  It is only a matter of time.  But as this "day after" In Gaza is assessed, this was reported by the National in the United Arab Emirates:

[I]"Soros Fund Management, the family office of the billionaire investor George Soros, has sold its stake in SodaStream, the soda making appliance producer that profits from the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and was made popular by actress Scarlett Johansson’s endorsement. The decision comes as a number of big international investors, including the fund linked to the Microsoft founder Bill Gates, join in a burgeoning financial boycott of Israel amid a push by the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement and other groups seeking more rights for Palestinians." [/I].   There is also word on Chinese Hackers attacking Israeli Defense Firms.   It is clear that Israel apparently needs a Virtual Iron Dome as well.  

Israeli View of the BDS has been that it has been an utter failure. [LINK=http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-makdisi-israel-apartheid-20140518-story.html] But the "day after" is ever so critical to note in lieu of the fact that the Arab Citizens of the State of Israel continue to be faced with discrimination on an unprecedented scale and those under occupation in the West Bank continue to be ever so subject to harsh military restrictions as noted in this LA Times Editorial.   [/LINK]  Such questions are yet to be fully addressed as Gazans continue to suffer ever more.    The images of Gaza is reminiscent of Dresden during the Second World War.    

Beyond Gaza and Libya, there is Syria and Iraq.   Bashar Assad continues his murderous rage on Syrians as epitomized by this clip reported on YouTube within the past 24 hours  from the eastern Damascus neighbourhood of Ghouta--As Borzou Darghai of the Financial Times noted, it is remarkable that the Cameraman continues to run his camera:

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 as the so-called Islamic State continues its' reign of terror in Iraq   It was with horror as reports were reviewed noting that the Islamic State is either close to or has already taken over Iraq's largest dam.   Islamic State fighters have also apparently had their first encounter with Kurdish forces and have prevailed upon them.    Reports were also seen noting that elements of Iran's Quds Force seem to be fighting to "send ISIS back to the caves".  

It is ever so chaotic--with no apparent end in sight.  This is a sampling of the continued discussions:

https://www.liwwa.com/

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/07/will-gaza-topple-netanyahu-2014725144216942703.html

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/07/how-many-palestinians-been-kil-2014726131843576945.html

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/07/arrogance-war-2014725142910124298.html

What is clear is that Israel has a fight on its' hands on the "day after".

Portions released to http://www.outsiderviews.com, August 2014

Thought(s) 4 the Week: On Admonitions :-)

  

Simple admonitions.....Wishing all a fabulous August!!

View of the Week: On The Continued Challenges In Gaza

While on the "grid" saw this from Professor Dabashi that underscores the true sense of realities on the ground:

Post by Hamid Dabashi.

As August 2014 is Before Us......

Welcome to August :-)

This last week of July 2014 has been rather challenging again.   Yet, this simple admonition epitomizes what is possible and the driving force behind this initiative:

“Dwell in possibility.” ~ Emily Dickinson

 

Onward!!!

"Thought 4 the Week"

Remembering this Admonition to always underscore how life is ever so beautiful....

..and remembering to be happy--because even in the Palestinian Territories the sentiment is there:



Wishing all the very best of Weeks....

A "View of the Week": May we be ever so blessed....

Wishing all the very best--and continue to be ever so hopeful:

We come this way but once.

We can either tiptoe through life

and hope we get to death without being badly bruised

or we can live a full, complete life

achieving our goals and realizing our wildest dreams.

- Bob Proctor
& not forgetting this: 

Although it is not an easy admonition to live up to as one is witness to a potential Third Intifada, we have to remain ever so hopeful and pray that sanity and purpose prevails over despair.   

A "Walk-About" On the Grid: On #Gaza (with updated footage from the West Bank Protests) & Other Thoughts

We here at "outsiders" wanted to share some late breaking comments as we prepare to "go dark".   It has been another extremely challenging 24 hours.   Another school was hit and the civilian toll in Israel has passed 700 in Gaza.     A CNN reporter asked the question from a Doctor: How many children were killed?  He noted too many.     The images are horrifying and unbearable to watch.

As the war goes on, it appears that the West Bank has arisen as well:

Post by Hamid Dabashi.

As the agony of war continues, It was quite distressing to see how Senator Ted Cruz of Texas came out with a blistering attack questioning the motives of the FAA by holding up State Department Appointees.  It appears that Senator Cruz--who is a Lawyer--does not either know the law or willfully decided to ignore it.     Beyond the the political noise in the United States, one view of the reality was reported by   The Institute for Middle East Studies:   FAQ: Misperceptions about the Conflict in Gaza | IMEU

It is also crucial to underscore these statistics as reported by i24News:  

According to the army's latest data, Israel struck 3,333 terror targets since the beginning of Operation Protective Edge on July 8, some 1,853 since the ground operation began a week ago.

In addition, Israeli forces detained 150 Palestinians suspected of involvement in terror activity on Wednesday and transferred them for questioning.

Some 2,270 rockets have been launched from Gaza at Israel, 448 of which were intercepted and 1,777 which struck Israeli territory.

The Palestinians are reporting 788 fatalities, among them more than 120 children, and over 5,000 wounded. The UN says more than 100,000 Gazans have been forced to flee their homes....

J Street initiated a petition to urge Secretary Kerry to press on.   We here at Outsiders were privileged to add our name to this quest for Peace.   As the war has continued, Israel inaugurated a new President who will take office on Monday August 28.   Arab Members of the Knesset boycotted this to protest the continued war in Gaza--even though they supported him.   His speech, though, is a sign of hope--if only the Foreign Minister of Israel embraced the same view the new President.    His Facebook Page has consisted of an attack on Qatar, the UN Human Rights Commision and a member of the Knesset for exercising his Constitutional Rights.   

As The War continues (and it appears that it will continue for a while due to further "expansion" being authorized by the Israeli Security Cabinet), there is Iraq, Syria, Libya--and Egypt.     Beyond the Middle East, there is also Ukraine.   The Government of Ukraine has collapsed as the Prime Minister has resigned.    The victims of Malaysian Flight #MH17 have started to be sent back to The Netherlands.   It was an extremely dignified ceremony which showed the whole World a sense of humanity and a sense of beauty which was beyond words.   It was in direct contrast to how the Ukrainian Rebels and the Government of Russia has dealt with the aftermath of the tragedy.  The propaganda and disinformation has been horrendous.

As this tragedy unfolds,  The war in Ukraine continues with no apparent end in sight as two more Ukrainian Military Planes were shot down by rebels.  It is just so tragic how war again is happening in the middle of Europe after all Europe has gone through.

As we go "dark" til August,  the thought drifted back to what Teddy Roosevelt reminded us and Jonathan Lockwood Huie shared in his daily outreach: we will do what we can with the best that we can:

One can't help but wonder when will sanity ever prevail?   

A Commitment to A Sense of Purpose w/Love: Reflections on "Outsiders"

 

"Outsiders" will be dark til August 4.    As this "labor of love" began with a sense of purpose and "hopefully" with a sense of love, there will continue to be the effort to do one's utmost to continue to create a "ordinary face" outlook and reflect upon a World that is ever so challenging.   Although there will be stumbles, it will continue to be driven by a sense of love as Van Gogh reminded us--and as this admonition courtesy of the ever perceptive Jonathan Lockwood Huie which was received here @ "outsiders" earlier tonight:

Understand the difference between "failing,"

which each of us does often,

and "being a failure,"

which is a state of mind no one should

ever allow themself to fall into.

Sometimes you get the results you wanted,

sometimes you don't.

What matters is that you did your best.

Know that your true self,

a spiritual being,

is always perfect.