On Being Thankful Always.......

It is the eve of Thanksgiving Week in the United States.    It is a time for us all to step back and remember ever more all that we're thankful for.     As we go "dark" for this Thanksgiving Week on all #Outsider Channels, we wanted to simply say thanks to all who have supported this "labor of love".  We also remain ever so hopeful about our World as we look forward to reflect upon a World that although challenging, it is one to embrace and believe in.

Wishing all the happiest of Thanksgivings....

Notations On the Eve of The Week-End: On #Iran, #IranTalksVienna & #DiplomacyIsPersonal

We here @ #Outsiders have been continuing to monitor the talks in Vienna.   As reported by +i24News earlier this evening, there are comments attributed to US officials that ssignificantgaps remain and that the Secretary Kerry may propose another extension.    As the meetings are continuing, we were gratified to see the handshake between Dr. Zarif and Secretary Kerry as witnessed by Baroness Ashton who continues her role as the meditator despite no longer being the European Union Foreign Policy Chief.   We wanted this picture to be at hand (courtesy of the team at +i24News just in case some dead-enders in Tehran or Washington decided not to have it available .    Although the agreement is the first step, getting it through a hostile US Congress and going through the "worried" in Iran is a whole different matter.

It will be an interesting and challenging Week-End.  The team at the National Iranian American Council has undertaken a concerted effort to help push for an agreement which we here @ "outsiders' were happy to lend our support to with the hashtag #DiplomacyisPersonal that we had noted earlier. This Twitter feed was to help lend further support to Congressman Rohrbacher earlier tonight:

@DanaRohrabacher hoping to count on support for #IranTalksVienna in how #DiplomacyisPersonal...Happy Thanksgiving :) pic.twitter.com/bAkolPsCVH
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 22, 2014

Despite the apparent low expectations, we here @ #Outsiders remain hopeful for a deal. It will be a welcome respite for a region in turmoil especially as we just reviewed late breaking reports of riots again breaking out in the occupied West Bank and as Syria and Iraq continue to burn.

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

Notations on Our World: On #Israel & #Palestine

The past 24 hours have been horrific yet again in the Middle East as the cycle of violence on both sides continues to escalate ever more.    What is ever more disturbing is this late breaking development as reported by the Middle East Monitor:

Post by Middle East Monitor.

If this in fact occurs it will formalize the death of the so-called peace process that began with Oslo that resulted in the historic handshakes between Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin and King Hussein (who are no longer with us).   The so-called process for all intent and purposes dead despite half-baked attempts by the United States to resurrect it.    One of the aspirants to the Office of the Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett underscored this in a recent opinion he did for the New York Times:

For Israel, Two-State Is No Solution Marta Monteiro By NAFTALI BENNETT The Oslo plan for a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is finished. We need a new model. This is as Akiva Eldar wrote an scathing criticism of the Israeli Prime Minister in Al-Monitor as he noted how he "captains Israel into the doldrums".       When this cycle of violence and mistrust will be broken is not certain.

View of the Week: On #BandAid30 & Remembering a Humanitarian

It is always ever so gratifying when one is witness to humanity in action.    We here @ #Outsiders just bought the single produced for #BandAid30 to support the fight against #Ebola.    The World will overcome this.

As the World is witness to such humanity by the leading artists of our World, it is also a disheartening day as the World was witness to two grieving parents work up the courage to remember their son Abdul Rahman "Peter" Kassig: 

All of us are hearbroken...& justice will be done..may his soul RIP: Parents of slain US aid worker 'heartbroken' http://t.co/ult5w94XDu
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 18, 2014

We are all heart-broken by his horrific death.   The same sub human mutant scum of the Earth who brutally murdered Mr. Kassig also murdered Syrian Soldiers as well.    They were all fathers and brothers and did not deserve their fate in this way--as some 200,000 Syrians have perished in this senseless war.

Abdul Rahman "Peter" Kassig sought to make a difference--and truly did what he could to live up to the admonition from Desmond Tutu when he noted for us all to remember to, "...Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world......".    That would be the ultimate legacy for this selfless soul.    As his Mother eloquently noted, good will prevail.

Introducing a New Feature: The Weekly Musical Interlude (Got to Keep Moving)

Hope all enjoy..as the #outsiders journey continues....

On Our World: Notations For the Week-End

It has been "Summit Week" around the World as APEC and G20 happened with leaders smiling and talking--with no clear indication on what can and should be done about the challenges being faced around the World.    Russia was rightly berated for its' actions and left early because "he wanted to catch up on sleep".    But beyond the summitry, there is one true reality that  seems ever so true was exemplified in this Economist Twitter Feed: 

The Economist@TheEconomist The Pacific Age has now clearly arrivedecon.st/1EElmEApic.twitter.com/poQjysKRH4 06:46 PM - 14 Nov 14

It was fun to see the #POTUS moment with a Koala:

  

(Photo Source:  The White House) 

Although one highlight of the week was a deal that the United States and China struck on Climate Change.     However, the Republican Majority in the House has begun to assert its muscle despite commitments by the Republican Leadership to Govern after what has ostensibly been two years of gridlock and the subsequent discussion on Conservative Outlets like The Media Research Center and RedState:   

GOP leaders denounce U.S.-China climate deal:

Criticism by House and Senate GOP leaders dimmed hopes for bipartisanship in the new Congress.

Andrea Mitchell Hails Obama's 'Landmark' Climate Deal; Slams GOP As Anti-Science

At the top of her 1hour MSNBC show  host Andrea Mitchell cheered President Obama "achieving a landmark climate agreement" with China to restrict carbon emissions: "I know this is going to take place over a long time, but – there are a lot of obstacles ahead, but this still marks a very big change from the stalemate between the U.S. and China..." NBC chief environmental affairs correspondent Anne Thompson could barely contain her excitement: "Absolutely, this is a huge step forward in the transition to a low-carbon economy, Andrea....[it] sends a powerful signal to the business world and the rest of the world....very, very big developments in the battle against climate change.

All of these dismisses some of the realities out there today--the continued drop in the price of oil and how a sense of self-sufficiency is ever so in the United States which is causing profound headaches for countries like Russia, Iran and Venezuela who depend on Oil for a profound share of their revenue.    

In the meantime, it has pushed the Keystone Pipeline as it passed legislation to get the project off the ground.  It was quite ironic that the opponents in the US Senate Race in Louisiana were the lead sponsors in each House of Congress.   The comments by #POTUS was telling in this regard: 

Post by The Daily "Outsider".

There is also the broader challenge of Climate Change in general that seems to be lost in the braoder debate: 

Post by The Daily "Outsider".

It is also striking how another signature #POTUS initiative, Obamacare will have to endure further onslaughts as a #SCOTUS will be hearing a new challenge as the onslaught from the right continues.  This is as the open enrollment period begins in earnest and the GOP pounced on comments by Jonathan Gruber.  We will be releasing commentary it on Soon.  

Beyond the domestic political scene, there is the on-going deliberations with Iran that the GOP has also set its' sights on:

Post by The Hill Newspaper.

We noted in earlier comments how it seems both #POTUS & President Rohani of Iran seem to be kindred spirits in more ways than one.

Notations on Our World (II): On The UK As Countdown to the General Elections Begin....

As Elections loom, an apparent crucial by-election in the United Kingdom is at hand.  For the benefit of all in the United States and beyond, by-elections occur for Parliament Seats and their outcome are in many ways a referendum on the Sitting Government and Prime Minister.    According to a ruling Conservative Party source, the Conservatives are poised to lose this to the UK Independence Party that has been gaining inroads over the past year.    This is explaining the increased bellicose rhetoric coming out of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary on Europe and how the UK may leave it.

But, the ruling Conservative/Liberal Democratic Coalition has a bigger problem on its' hand as noted in this front page on the Guardian of London this morning.      This is as the Labor Party and its' leader, Ed Miliband, are in the doldrums over their poll numbers.    It was no accident that the new leader of the Scottish National Party noted how they would hold the balance of power in London after the 2015 Election season:

“@guardian: Guardian front page, Sunday 16 Nov 2014 – Revealed: how coalition has helped rich by hitting poor pic.twitter.com/3vzzp3Xf2o”😱😥
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 16, 2014

It will be quite a show....

Notations On Our World: On the Struggle In Iran.....

The plight of Rohani's Government as it continues to deal with the economic challenges and the Foreign Policy challenges is ever so acute.    The Iranian Parliament has balked at Rohani's 4th Nominee to head the Science/Education Ministry which may apparently prompt Rouhani to trigger extra ordinary powers given to the Supreme Leader/Supreme Guide under the current Constitution.    He had appeared before Parliament to urge a vote of confidence noting that by quarreling, nothing can and will be solved.

What is quite interesting to observe is how the extent  of the effect the  Green Movement continues to be felt even today as such Ministers are accused of being part of the alleged coup in 2009.   The Paranoia is astonishing.    This is as two more of Rohani's Ministers have been summoned to Parliament to answer questions on how the "Zionist" Phillip Morris has been allowed to sell Cigarettes in the Country--as the Country's own Official Broadcaster had a special on the dangers of smoking recently .


It is interesting how to see both Obama and Rohani are in some ways kindred spirits:



«احتمال استفاده روحانی از حکم حکومتی برای وزارت علوم»

On The Eve of an #outsider week-end: A "Mojo" To Share....

While assessing the daily state of the World "On the Grid", ran across this courtesy of the Success Magazine's Darren Hardy...one of the implicit tenants of what #outsider is about:

Post by Darren Hardy.

An "Outsider" NewsFlash: ISIL fighters driven out of Iraq's Beiji - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

This is the latest out of Iraq--whether Iraq can sustain it or not is the open question:

ISIL fighters driven out of Iraq's Beiji - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

An "Outsider" Newsflash: The New Congressional Leadership

The New Congressional Leadership for the 2015 Congress has been elected.  The election of Senator Warren is an interesting choice--the question is what they will do: 

Post by C-SPAN.

View of the Week

The idea behind #outsiders is ever so epitomized by this--although it is a tough steep mountain to climb: 

Onward!!!

Not forgetting this on the occasion of my 7600th Tweet :-) “If everyone is thinking alike then somebody isn’t thinking. ~ George S. Patton "
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 12, 2014

On the Grid For the Day: The Latest From #Syria

Syria continues to burn despite a new UN plan for a "Freeze" as the UN Envoy met with Bashar Assad as Syria continues to be destroyed acre by acre hourly:

+++ 'WE WILL SAVE KOBANI'. This morning's @Independent front page, by Patrick Cockburn in the Kandil mountains: pic.twitter.com/OzkDPPqDV8 +++
— amol rajan (@amolrajan) November 12, 2014

Supporting vulnerable families through winter inside Syria, continues to be a huge challenge http://t.co/rHJIznpgtm
— UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) November 12, 2014

The scenes from Aleppo shown yesterday on the BBC were simply horrific as this from BBC as it continues its' reporting on Syria was even more stark:

Civil War in Syria has left millions homeless http://t.co/VM0IVhXmkP #BBCGoFigure #BBCSyriaWar pic.twitter.com/uxlJKF6859
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) November 12, 2014

On This Veterans Day in the United States...and Armistice Day Around the World...

The World is  remembering  the fallen.   Scenes from France was quite moving as France unveiled a a " Ring of Remembrance” by architect Philippe Prost that has the name of  579,606 soldiers from around the world who died between 1914 and 1918.   As reported by France 24, "..A majority of the names – 241,214 – are British, alongside the 173,876 German names and 106,012 French...."  It is so simple & yet so beautiful a tribute to the sacrifice as the names are listed in alphabetical order with no regard to where they were from to underscore a sense of unity: 

Photo Source;  The Daily Telegraph/Reuters

Among the countries who celebrate this day, Australia did as well as it remembered the fallen.   Over 102,000 Australians have fallen in wars throughout the World.     In Britain, the Queen led  the Nation as the fallen are remembered with 800,000 celebratory ceramic poppie.    Everything came to a halt at 11 AM Local time to remember that day as Military cadet Harry Hayes was given the distinct honor of placing the last poppy at the Tower of London installation:  

.

Photo Source; The BBC

As the World remembers, conflicts rage on throughout the World.   It was with great interest how we here at #Outsiders ran across the work by Team Rubicon who have worked to leverage their expertise learnt in conflict to help make a difference.   We hope to feature such stories throughout our Work in #Outsiders over the course of the ensuing months.

We conclude with this beautiful tribute to the Veterans of the United States and yes the World-we must never forget: 

“To The Veterans
of the United States of America
Thank you,
for the cost you paid for our freedom,
thank you
for the freedom to live in safety
and pursue happiness,
for freedom of speech,
and for all the freedoms
that we daily take for granted.”
~ Sara Niles

On Another Challenging Day: Notations For the Day

As the drama over the Iran Nuclear Negotiations has continued, the "Social Grid" has been abuzz on the latest.     The official Iranian Media has been sounding optimistic, however the "buzz" is creating a different impression:

@lrozen sorry ..its correct /#Araghchi : Still can not claim to have made progress in negotiations.
— ahmad mousavi (@mousavi_ahmad) November 10, 2014

The heartbreaking news out of Nigeria has also been horrific as a school was attacked by a suicide bomber in the North Part of the country infested with the Boko Haram insurgency.    It was quite laughable how the Nigerian Federal Police Spokesman said how everything was OK as the BBC interviewed him earlier today.    The Nigerian Political Analyst who appeared later on underscored the deep level of anxiety as there are reports of Nigerian Soldiers who are running away as Boko Haram is winning and holding territory. The inaction by the Government of Nigeria is bordering on being criminal.   

Beyond Nigeria, there is Israel.    Israel continues to be faced with unrest.    Two young Israelis--a 26 year old woman and a 20-year Israeli Soldier--died from wounds suffered from a Palestinian attacker.        The latest unrest began when an Israeli Arab was allegedly killed by Israeli Police which has led to unrest.    Israeli Right wingers--let by the Foreign Minister of Israel--have noted that Israeli Arab citizenship must be revoked upon an establishment of an Palestinian state as others like Bennett are not even willing to accept that--and are calling for more building and more building.   

APEC, in the meantime, has begun and China is playing host to rivals in Beijing which included a handshake between the Japanese Prime Minister and the Chinese President and as all the leaders are sporting matching outfits despite all the fissures underneath:



In the midst of all the terrible news from Nigeria and Israel,  we here @ #outsiders wanted to report on this courtesy of the Business Insider Twitter Feed: 

 

“@businessinsider: Meet the 12 People who won $3 million for their breakthroughs in science and math http://t.co/zK9yR3dQmB”🎉🎉👏👏😁
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 10, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the tragedy in Nigeria and Israel today.

View of the Week: On Negotiations with Iran & the View from the UAE's National On the Pending Nuclear Deal

  

Image Source; www.irna.ir 

We here @ #outsiders couldn't agree more with this insightful editorial by the National--especially on the eve of Thanksgiving here in the United States.  It is our hope that the dead-enders in Washington and Tehran will not derail the deal.    We believe that the fact that this image was directly reported  on the official Islamic Republic Website underscores the commitment by the Iranian Leadership to get a deal done--and negotiations are due to continue tomorrow:  

From the UAE as Nov 24 comes close...hope they pull it off: Iran nuclear deal is in our interests | The National http://t.co/0SrI3Enoh8
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 9, 2014

Notations For the Weekend: On #India, #US & a sense of Hope

It is another week-end here in #outsiders.    The grid has been "abuzz" about all that has been going on with the leader of Dayesh (also known as the Islamic State or ISIS) being killed.    It is also quite extra ordinary as reports have been circulating around the World on a private letter by #POTUS (President of the United States) to Ayatollah Khameini of Iran and as stories have circulated to potentially prepare the public for a deal with Iran.

There is also of course, the US Elections.   We here @ #outsiders released insights on it earlier in the week.    The Democrats have noted that they would have a comprehensive review of the state of the party in lieu of the results.    The US Sunday Public Affair Shows will feature GOP Stalwarts who have been reaffirmed as stars as the Economist of London noted what is ahead:

It is also as the World has also celebrated another anniversary:   The Fall of the Berlin Wall as Europe continues to be ever so challenged on the Economic Front.   It is also interesting to note that Catalonia in Spain has gone ahead with an independence referendum as Ukraine continues to face unrest.   Halfway around the World, Indian Prime Minister Modi will be expanding his Cabinet as the so-called #Modi Wave continues non-stop in India.    NDTV of India had a very interesting program about what ails the Congress Party as it tries to come to grips with the aftermath of the #Modi Wave.   Even though Congress still rules in 11 States and received 106 Million Votes, it suffers from a crisis of confidence.   

The challenges being faced by the World has opened up the debate on the efficacy of Post-World War II institutions and whether they are effective enough in managing conflicts and challenges around the World today as epitomized by this seen on Twitter earlier today:

“@ProSyn: The post-WWII institutions have become insufficient to address global problems, warns @SlaughterAM http://t.co/aERNMM8SVK”agreed 😱
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 9, 2014

But this admonition of Brian Tracy holds ever so true that all should take stock off as they assess their World and the roadmap ahead:   

In some ways, it underscores what #Outsiders is dedicated to as it thinks about our World, assesses the best out there and hopefully reinforces a sense of hope and optimism.