2/25/2015

Notations From the Grid: On Our World & Other Thoughts



Afghanistan has somewhat dissipated from the headlines lately unless there is a bombing.  As we here @ #Outsiders were assessing our World, we saw reports of another bombing in Kabul.   The Iranian Embassy in Kabul was attacked and reports we saw reflected casualties.    As Foreign Forces are drawing down, the Taliban are continuing their attacks.   What is unfortunate is how the dreams and aspirations of the young is being lost in the shuffle.        This is also ever so true in Gaza as well.  The report by Lyse Ducete of the BBC was heart wrenching as she interviewed a family whose 1 year old Child had frozen to death.   

Beyond Afghanistan and Gaza, there is the plight of the Christians.   In our Daily Notations, We noted the latest transgession by the Merchants of Death of Dayesh (also known as the IS).   Amnesty International Latest report underscores the compelling challenge faced by an World that continues to struggle with overcoming the repeated violations of human rights and simple deceny.      It is also unfortunate as Ukraine and Russia are at loggerheads as Russia is continuing to again use the Gas Weapon as it supports the Russian Rebels and continues a relentless campaign of propaganda.    

One can't help but wonder whether we will see peace in our time?      

2/24/2015

Notations on Our World: The Tragedy of Syria (Cont'd)

Three British Girls left London, traveled throuygh Turkey and are now in Syria.    The pleas of their families were left unheeded.   Reports we reviewed here @ #Outsiders apparently had these girls be "recruited" by well known jihadist recruiter  of Dayesh (spelled Daesh in Western Circles--also known as the IS).     It is just one of the daily tragic reports we review daily from Syria.

We have also been reviewing reports courtesy of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights  (The Observatory) on the kidnapping of 56 Christians from Villages in Syria.      The daily reports by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights is heart wrenching in the atrocities being undertaken by all sides as the #Outsiders seem to be ever so lost in the shuffle.     It is also of note that The Observatory has documented some 1601 Deaths since US-Led airstrikes began.   

2/23/2015

Thought 4 the Week


Enough Said....

Daily Notations From the Grid: on #Egypt; #Daesh & #Islam

We here @ #Outsider commented on the plight of Alaa Abdel-Fattah back in October 2014 as we assessed the latest out of the Middle East.    It is with great sorrow as we report that he has been sentenced to five years in Prison by an Egyptian Court.     This roll-back of Democracy and the ideals that led to the downfall of Mubarak seems to be dissipating by the minute in Egypt.   What was so inspiring was to see how their entire family has been at the forefront of Democratic Change in Egypt for over 30 years.

As Democracy is in retreat in Egypt and around the World, tyranny and repression seems to be the order of the day.   The horrific scenes from Syria yet again underscores the challenge faced by the World Community as the new US Defense Secretary convenyed a summitt in Kuwait on the Daesh/Dayesh Threat.     One horrific example was this that was reported by Al Arabiya over Twitter this morning:




This shows the Dayesh/Daesh merchants of death parading Kurdish Peshmerga Fighters.    It was of great pleasure as our founder signed this open letter to the so-called "Caliph" initiated by leading Islamic Scholars all around the World:




The World Shall Overcome....

2/22/2015

On the Eve of a New Week: Brief Thoughts On Staying Weird & Different..and a Good Day....

The Oscars are on and earlier tonight the "Daily Update" featured the winners courtesy of the the team @ Mashable.     There is one statement that in some ways epitomizes the idea behind #Outsiders and the quest at hand:




It is with this that our new week begins here in #Outsiders with this Musical Interlude as we here @ #Outsiders will all the very best of weeks--May all days be a "Good Day":






2/21/2015

An #Outsiders Newsflash: Love and Compassion in Full Force in Oslo, Norway


We here @ #Outsiders were gratified as we saw the plans by Muslims in Oslo Norway to undertake this act of Brotherly love for their Jewish Brothers and Sisters.    This beautiful scene is courtesy of Haaretz as more than 1,000 Muslims form 'peace ring' around Oslo synagogue (Photo: AFP)

May we all be witness to such acts of love, courage and brotherhood....

2/20/2015

View of the Week (II): Calling Daesh (#ISIS) For what it really Is.....

We here @ #Outsiders were very appreciative as The Washington Post' Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, Ann Telnaes , reminded the World about the merchants of death and sub-humans that are wrecking havoc in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Somalia and Nigeria right now: 

View of the Week: Challenging Saudi Arabia

This is a "must read" as voice for change within the Muslim Community are challenging the Status Quo:

2/19/2015

Notations From the Grid: On Thoughts 4 the Week


& remembering that

“You must believe that your past is not your future.
You are not stuck or defined by tradition
and you don’t have to listen to what others tell you to do.
Focus on the bright things,
the ones that bring a smile to your face.
Find that passion and focus.”

~ Gayle Carson

Onward.....

Daily Notations From the Grid: On the Plight of Refugees

As wars rage on in Libya, Nigeria and throughout Africa, the stories of those who brave the rough seas of the Mediterranean is tough to read.     The UN Regency today shared some of their stories today over Twitter which we were also pleased to share:




We have also been assessing the White House Summit on Extremism.  It is a welcome development to bring together all to discuss the profound challenges that the continued challenge Dayesh/Dash  (also known as the IS in the media lexicon).  


2/17/2015

Notations On the Grid (II): On Israel & the Future

As we continued to assess the state of affairs what was quite striking was how Israel's Ambassador to Washington said that influencing Iran deal was more important that a relationship with Obama--which is even more a sense of arrogance and disregard for the President of the United States.   It will be interesting to see moves by Grass Roots Organizations to facilitate a boycott of the Speech will be successful or not.   Vice President Biden has said he will not attend.      It is striking how the internal challenges in Israel are being ignored as find it quite interesting that the Prime Minister has time to go to Washington--yet does not have time to debate his opponents.

The latest on the conduct of the Prime Minister while in office is also raising eyebrows in Israel.   Whether criminal charges will be filed or not is apparently an open question right now.   Beyond the current narrow debate, what we find especially refreshing is how Democracy continues to be ever so vibrant in Israel.     In addition to +J Street  we also are supporters of the +One Voice Movement which strives for a different way beyond the current dialogue in Israel today.   What we saw recently as noted below gives us profound hope:


The OneVoice Newsletter
Dear Mike,

Everyone who is concerned with the prospects of reaching a viable two-state solution and a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine recognizes the great significance of the March 17th Israeli elections.


Just as in previous elections, OneVoice Israel (OVI) is ensuring that Israelis understand the urgent need for action on two states. There is a window of opportunity for a viable agreement, but it will not stay open forever.


Israeli citizens have a critical role to play in this election. They must shape the 20th Knesset so it places a stable peace with its neighbors at the top of its agenda.


To this end, OVI partnered with V15 (Victory 15), a grassroots, non-partisan group of inspirational young Israelis who share our values and are working for maximum voter participation in the upcoming election. They are promoting a new era of peace, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
V15’s young leaders left their jobs the moment elections were called, volunteering to devote themselves to this goal by getting out the vote and countering the prevalent cynicism and apathy. Although hailing from many backgrounds and political perspectives, they are united by their shared concern over Israel’s future and recognize that their country needs a government responsive to the social, economic, and national security aspirations of the Israeli public.
This video captures the spirit of V15's historic mission:

Watch the Video
To date, V15 has over 43,000 Facebook likes, with thousands more added weekly. Offline, thousands of volunteers go door-to-door as canvassers engage with ordinary Israelis in the streets of Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Beersheba, Rehovot, and more.
V15 Collage
OneVoice is dedicated to its mission of bringing about an end to the conflict so that those citizens of Israel and Palestine may one day find themselves living with the hope, peace, and dignity that we as human beings all deserve.

Israel has been a model and a trailblazer in many ways.     We will be eager to see how things turn out on March 3. 

Notations From the Grid: On Ukraine & Human Rights

The reports of death and destruction continues ever more.    Ukraine War is raging on despite a supposed ceasefire.  What was comical is the reaction of Vladimir Putin in saying that Ukraine Soldiers should disarm and leave the area.      The scenes are shocking as Ukraine's economic heartland is destroyed bit by bit.

As the reports of death and destruction continue, this from Human Rights Watch underscores the way Governments are reacting:


Challenging times....

2/16/2015

Notations From Grid : On Israel Today

The pivotal day of March 3 is before us.   Israel is in the midst of an Election Cycle that is turning out to be quite exciting to observe.

Our #Outsider team joined a recent Conference Call with a Knesset Member recently sponsored by +J Street that has been at the forefront of opposition to moves by the Israeli Prime Minister as he's made moves to undermine negotations with Iran.   The Prime Minister has said that he has a moral obligation to warn America against a bad deal with Congress.   It was also especially problematic as it was revealed by the House Speaker that he had kept the White House in the dark as it arranged for a speech by the Israeli Prime Minister.


Jon Stewart of the Daily Show noted how all the moves have been ever so petty--and we agree.   What found especially disturbing was this published to Vox that showed how leaks by Israel had been designed to undermine the negotations:




Becuase of this fact, the United States has stopped cooperating with Israel as noted in this we released as a newsflash to our Facebook Page earlier today: 




Notations On Our World: Iran's Former President is Banned



At a news conference by Iran's Deputy Chief Justice and Chief Spokesman for the Judiciary, former President, Mohammad Khatami, has been banned from his name being mentioned by the Media.  Media has been warned that if they name them, they're subject to sanctions. 

It is quite a development in also underscoring how he has been banned from leaving the country as well.   He's been implicated in the so called "coup of 2009"--also known as the Green Movement.  The leaders of the Green Movement, Mehdi Karoubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi along with Mr. Mousavi's Wife, Zahra Rahnavard, continue to be in detention.  This is as Ahmadinjead's Former Vice President was sent to prison for taking bribes--supposedly up to 1 Billion Dollars according.   

2/14/2015

Notations For the Week-End: Jafar Panahi Wins!!!!





This is quite a film.   It was done all inside a "Taxi", was smuggled out of Iran and presented to the Berlin Film Festival.   We here @ #Outsiders are estatic over this development and sent out heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Panahi on this wonderful achievement.   

2/13/2015

Notations From the Grid: On the Tragedy in North Carolina

As we finished the Daily "Rounds" on the Grid, we wanted to begin this with this beautiful gracious tribute to the three beautiful souls who perished by Professor Dabashi of Columbia:





On the eve of President's Day Week-End in the United States, we wanted to share this advise from Professor Dabashi from Columbia as he reached out to all student in the aftermath of the senseless tragedy that occurred in North Carolina.   His final thoughts are ever so perceptive: "... --lead your normal life with pride and confidence --but be judicious and always conscious and alert of your campus security resources --..."            



Post by Hamid Dabashi.


It was a welcome development as #POTUS came out strongly condemning this heinous act as noted by the White House Twitter Feed:






2/12/2015

Notations From the Grid: On Press Freedom Around The World

We here @ #Outsiders were privileged as we added our voice to help with the case of the Al Jazeera Three.    It was wonderful news as an Egyptian Judge ordered the remaining two Al Jazeera Journalists released--Baher Mohammad on his own recognizance and Mohammad Fahmy by posting a security bond.

As we await the final dilemma of these two brave practitioners, it presents a broader challenge that the World continues to contend with.    Egypt has achieved its' objective as people are just simply afraid to report anymore and Al Jazeera had to shut down its' operations due to the continued repression that is ever so in Egypt today.    This very disturbing report we shared on Twitter (courtesy of the team @ +FRANCE 24 English ) is illustrative of this dilemma:



The United States has been ranked 49th.   

Notations From the "Grid": A "Musical Interlude" For All To Enjoy

 We hope all enjoy this "Musical Interlude"




2/11/2015

On the Eve of President Lincoln's Birthday: Remembering (w/an Update on Negotiations re: Ukraine)

Tomorrow is President Lincoln's Birthday.  America celebrates President's Day as she remembers both President Lincoln and President Washington.   In that honor, we here @ #Outsiders felt that this courtesy of +Jonathan Huie was ever so crucial & timely: 


 


Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?
- Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 - April 15, 1865)

If you look for the bad in people
expecting to find it, you surely will.
- Abraham Lincoln

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed
is more important than any other one thing.
- Abraham Lincoln

You cannot escape the responsibility
of tomorrow by evading it today.
- Abraham Lincoln 

In the end, it's not the years in your life that count.
It's the life in your years.
- Abraham Lincoln

We are also seeing reports of Russia and Ukraine being close to an agreement to stop the War in Eastern Ukraine.   They have been meeting in Minsk.       We have just seen reports from +FRANCE 24 and +Wall Street Journal quoting Vladimir Putin that ceasefire is slated to come into effect Feburary 15.    Hopefully this ceasefire will be last.   Over 5,000 people have lost their lives and over 13,000 have been injured.      

2/10/2015

Notations On Our World: On the Earthquake in #India And the Future of the #Modi Juggernaut

It has been a fascinating 24 hours in India.   The ruling party, the BJP, was reduced to only 3 seats in the National Capital as the Congress Party was literally wiped off the map. The BJP pulled out all the stops in showcasing the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and the entire Union Cabinet (Similar to what is referred to as in the Federal Cabinet in the United States).   We reviewed reports of BJP's supremo, Amith Shah, not happy as he oversaw his son's wedding.

NDTV's  Vikram Chandra noted that the entire opposition can travel in Delhi on a Rickshaw -what is the normal mode of transport in Delhi & we have noted one below for reference here: 


When the results in India were announced, the AAP leader, Mr. Kejriwal, said that the results were scary and told them not to get arrogant.   He is also slated to see the Indian Prime Minister later on and is slated to invite him to his swearing in along with Union Ministers and the Delhi Lokh Sabha   (Lower House of Parliament Delegation).   

From all the reporting we've reviewed here @ #outsiders, they won the old fashioned way:  They pounded the pavement and won fair and square.    This was underscored earlier when this was released: 




It was quite engaging and refreshing as the AAP leaders were on NDTV underscoring how they were different--the question is whether they can take what they have achieved in Delhi and take it to the next level.     The next immediate challenge is Bihar--the second most populous State in India which is about to hold elections which will also be fascinating to observe.