This has just been issued by US-CERT (The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Response Team). It is compelling reading for all--we will have comments on it soon:
https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2015/05/22/IC3-Issues-Internet-Crime-Report-2014
5/20/2015
Notations From the Grid: On #Outsiders (The Why...)
Earlier today while doing the "Daily Roundup" on the "Grid" we released this to the Daily Outsider Facebook Page:
The five principles noted here (Courtesy of the team at Quartz) is the driving principle behind what @DailyOutsider is about: a desire to be bold leave a legacy and truly do what can be done to make a difference. We believe that we can and believe that we will live up to these admontions as @DailyOutsider continues to develop and evolve.
On the "Prowl" for the Day w/this "Thought 4 the Day"....
Posted by The Daily "Outsider" on Wednesday, May 20, 2015
The five principles noted here (Courtesy of the team at Quartz) is the driving principle behind what @DailyOutsider is about: a desire to be bold leave a legacy and truly do what can be done to make a difference. We believe that we can and believe that we will live up to these admontions as @DailyOutsider continues to develop and evolve.
5/18/2015
Notations From the Grid: Briefly on #Ramadi, #Iran & Other Thoughts
As we begin a new week, we wanted to introduce the new "hashtag: for our network: #thedailyoutsider as we did our first tweet welcoming President Obama to Twitter under the new network hashtag. This has also been a very challenging morning in Iraq as the World is witness to Daesh yet again has been on the march as the Shitte Milita has been ordered to retake Ramadi as the political battles between the Shittes and Sunnis continue--and as Al Jazeera has just shown supposed images of Daesh supporters celebrating the fall of Ramadi. Iran is actively engaged as well as epitomized by statement from Ali Akbar Velayati, the Senior Advisor to Iran's Supreme Guide, Ayatollah Khameini. Iraq has no choice but to rely on the Shitte Militia becuase Iraq has no Army and has dissipated for all intent and purpose. We have also been assessing the latest from Israel with the new Goverment which we will be commenting on over the ensuing days.
We wanted to finish this edition with this courtesy of Fortune about a very perceptive and eye opening speech by Apple CEO Tim Cook on making a difference:
We wanted to finish this edition with this courtesy of Fortune about a very perceptive and eye opening speech by Apple CEO Tim Cook on making a difference:
|
Apple CEO Tim Cook's speech at George Washington University yesterday
was part product pitch, part recruiting speech, part graduation cliche.
But it was also the most eloquent testament to the noble purpose of
business I've heard from a CEO in some time. Speaking on the National Mall, Cook recalled his first meeting with Steve Jobs, 17 years ago. At the time, Cook's view was that "work was work… There were things I wanted to change about the world. But I'd have to do that on my own time, not in the office." Jobs taught him otherwise - that work was about creating products that changed the world. "You don't have to choose between doing good and doing well," Cook told his audience of graduates. "Your challenge is to find work that pays the rent, puts food on the table, and let's you do what is right and good and just." Cook drew a sharp contrast between the cynicism of Washington and the optimism of Silicon Valley, where people believe "there is no problem that can't be solved." Meanwhile, at Fortune, we are finishing up a survey of CEOs, in which one question was: "Excluding yourself, what Fortune 500 CEO do you admire most?"
You can watch the full Cook speech here.
|
5/17/2015
Notations On Our World: As #Ramadi has fallen to Daesh...
We have been assessing the increasingly tenous situation in Ramadi, Irsaq over the last 30 days. This front page image from April 19 edition of the Wall Street captured the agony of the people as they escaped the fighting. Despite vows from Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi, we here are seeing reports from +Al Jazeera English , +i24news EN and the +BBC News noting that Ramadi has fallen or is about to fall as Daesh (also known as IS/Islamic State in the West) has overrun the last major Government Compound and as Iraqi troops have fled. The Iraqi Prime Minister had ordered his troops not to abandon their position--but no one seemed to listen as Daesh has used suicide bombers and heavy mortar shells to make their inroads.
There are profound implications as Ramadi is lost. Despite that the US-Led Coalitoin has done, it seems as if Daesh continues its' trail of death and destruction--including the daring raid inside Syria that killed a senior Daesh/IS leader. We have just the latest reporting by the Guardian on noting how the raid has yielded a "treasure trove" of data. What is critical to note is that Ramadi is only 100 Kilometers from Baghdad which will present absolute challenges for all parties fighting Daesh/IS as we are also seeing reports that the Iraqi Prime Minister has ordered Shitte Militas to join the fight for Ramadi.
5/16/2015
Notations For the Week-End: On this US Armed Forces Day 2015
On behalf of the entire #Outsiders team, we wanted to extend a Happy Armed Forces Day to all the valiant men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States and honor them and their families for the daily sacrifice every day. These heroes were ina ction yet again as US Special Forces on orders from the President conducted operations in Syria which resulted in the killing of a Daesh (Also known as #IS/Islamic State in the Western Media) leader:
We salute them all.
5/14/2015
Notations From the Grid: On Those Who Do Miracle Work
#Outsiders is about our World. As our team worked on our "Daily Round-Up", our founder commented on this which we wanted to report on for this edition of "Notations from the Grid":
The work that the +United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is doing in such hot spots is a miracle in and of itself against very challenging odds. This is also so as they are at the forefront of the continued challenges in Syria and Iraq--and as those who lose hope are going to extreme measures to make it to Europe.
What solutions can be found--if any? It is the daunting challenge faced by the World.
Working away as I work on the Daily "Roundup": A Virtual High Five to @Refugees as they do the impossible.... https://t.co/4q9JA8dIE0
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) May 11, 2015
The work that the +United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is doing in such hot spots is a miracle in and of itself against very challenging odds. This is also so as they are at the forefront of the continued challenges in Syria and Iraq--and as those who lose hope are going to extreme measures to make it to Europe.
What solutions can be found--if any? It is the daunting challenge faced by the World.
5/13/2015
Notations on Our World: On #India
India is one of the "BRICS" and has continued to make profound strides since the election of Prime Minister Modi. Yet, challenges persist throughout the country as Marxists continue their agitation in states such as Assam and as Kashmir continus to present challenges.
Beyond the political and economic challenges, there is also the continued social challenges the country faces. The developments over two high profile criminal cases was quite startling:
One of the leading actors in Bollywood and one of the most powerful politicans in Southern India were basically cleared. Salman Khan was given a suspended sentence as The former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was cleared along with a number of her co-consipartors and is destined to return to office. #India has a challenge that it has to overcome.
Beyond that, there is also the relationship between what in India is referred to as the "Centre" and the States. As the Prime Minister is affirming the rights of the States, the Chief Minister of Bihar (who had to fight to get his job back), came out swinging in this harsh editorial on +NDTV :
Beyond the political and economic challenges, there is also the continued social challenges the country faces. The developments over two high profile criminal cases was quite startling:
It seems so ๐ฑ๐First #Salman, Then #Jayalalithaa: VIPs First Among Equals Before the Law?#India has a challenge ๐ http://t.co/xQxrAksYS5
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) May 12, 2015One of the leading actors in Bollywood and one of the most powerful politicans in Southern India were basically cleared. Salman Khan was given a suspended sentence as The former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was cleared along with a number of her co-consipartors and is destined to return to office. #India has a challenge that it has to overcome.
Beyond that, there is also the relationship between what in India is referred to as the "Centre" and the States. As the Prime Minister is affirming the rights of the States, the Chief Minister of Bihar (who had to fight to get his job back), came out swinging in this harsh editorial on +NDTV :
#Nitish had come out swinging๐๐ผ๐http://t.co/QNHHwoacK8 Exclusive: PM's Cooperative Federalism is Mere Rhetoric http://t.co/ZxvHGOgKXB
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) May 12, 2015
This is as some crucial elections is coming up in India.5/12/2015
Notations On Our World: On The "Day After" on #ukeelections2015....
The New British Government has been formed. David Cameron has kept his key Ministers in place and has expanded the powers of George Osborne, The Chancellor of the Exchequer (The British Finance Minster/Treasury Secretary) as a new round of austerity begins.
What has been quite interesting to observe is how those who lost have begun a wrenching self-examination. From the man who delivered three election victories to Labour-Tony Blair--to the former spinmaster Lord Mandelson and others, it has been quite a spectacle to see how leading personalities in the UK Labor Party have thrown Ed Milliband under the bus.
However, what was striking was this that went viral on Facebook and the Independent of London reported on it:
As the World continues to be fascinated by the British Royal Family, the question is whether the United Kingdom will survive in its' present form especially as some very interesting discussions will begin about a "Brixit" as Europe continues to deal with a potential "Grexit". There are also some challenging domestic challenges--including the negotations on a recharter for the BBC which will be spreaheaded by a Minister who has said that the license fee amounts to a Poll Tax and the broader question about how disfunctional the election system is in the UK itself as underscored again in this:
It will be interesting times indeed.....
What has been quite interesting to observe is how those who lost have begun a wrenching self-examination. From the man who delivered three election victories to Labour-Tony Blair--to the former spinmaster Lord Mandelson and others, it has been quite a spectacle to see how leading personalities in the UK Labor Party have thrown Ed Milliband under the bus.
However, what was striking was this that went viral on Facebook and the Independent of London reported on it:
A challenger 4 the #GOP in U.S. Wonder if they have the courage https://t.co/RGZFHrB9zd
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) May 11, 2015
Our founder reflected upon this because the Budget passed by the United States Congress underscores profound concerns in this space as the US begins the election cycle. But,, in the United Kingdom, there is the small matter of the Union that is under pressure as the elections saw a rise of the Scottish National Party as the third largest party in the UK Parliament. It was striking how Scottish Leaders--including the Former First Minister Alex Salmond--talked about the "Westminster Parliament" and not the UK Parliament. What is also worth to note is the Sinn Fein does not even come to Westminister for UK Parliament business. As the World continues to be fascinated by the British Royal Family, the question is whether the United Kingdom will survive in its' present form especially as some very interesting discussions will begin about a "Brixit" as Europe continues to deal with a potential "Grexit". There are also some challenging domestic challenges--including the negotations on a recharter for the BBC which will be spreaheaded by a Minister who has said that the license fee amounts to a Poll Tax and the broader question about how disfunctional the election system is in the UK itself as underscored again in this:
 | The Independent (@Independent) |
|
What parliament would have looked like under a different voting system i100.io/WNb43yG pic.twitter.com/OsuWexb0xV
| |
It will be interesting times indeed.....
5/10/2015
Notations For the Week-End: Quite a Few Days on #Yemen, #Iran, #Israel & #VEDay70
We have simmering tensions on-going around the World especially as the War in Yemen has been going on despite a ceasefire going into effect later on this week. Houthis have accepted the Saudi ceasefire offer. We will continue to monitor this throughout the week as some 1400 people have so far died as a result of the bombings by the Saudi-led coalition. One of the targets bombed was the home of the former President Saleh.
The #Outsider team also was trying to assess the upcoming summit President Obama has conveyed with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council. There are some interesting developments as King Salman has backed out at the last minute and will be sending his Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Nayef and his Son and Defense Minister, Prince Mohammad. Only 2 out of the 6 leaders are attending to underscore the apparent profound displeasure of the emerging deal with Iran. We will have comments throughout the week.
This was a week-end to remember and celebrate the victory over Nazi Germany. Ceremonies were held throughout Europe. This from the British Monarchy was quite telling on reflections by Queen Elizabeth:
The #Outsider team also was trying to assess the upcoming summit President Obama has conveyed with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council. There are some interesting developments as King Salman has backed out at the last minute and will be sending his Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Nayef and his Son and Defense Minister, Prince Mohammad. Only 2 out of the 6 leaders are attending to underscore the apparent profound displeasure of the emerging deal with Iran. We will have comments throughout the week.
This was a week-end to remember and celebrate the victory over Nazi Germany. Ceremonies were held throughout Europe. This from the British Monarchy was quite telling on reflections by Queen Elizabeth:
To mark #VEDay70, we have some rare audio of The Queen recounting her memories of the day: http://t.co/UDmkHup2mr pic.twitter.com/7AIb8yI3Hv
— BritishMonarchy (@BritishMonarchy) May 8, 2015
The ceremony at Westminister Abbey was quite moving which also featured a parade by the living Veterans presided over by the Prince of Wales. What happened in Russia was also quite impressive as the BBC provided live coverage of the parade in Moscow's Red Square:
Quite impressive as #Russia holds V-Day parade http://t.co/dVNnLqgRIx @ไธญๅฝๆฅๆฅๅ่ฏญๆฐ้ป pic.twitter.com/hqgKCiTaCi
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) May 10, 2015
Although Western Leaders boycotted the event, the Presidents of China and India were there as troops from their countries marched. It was quite a pagaentry as the ceremony began with the Defense Minister greeting the Units (some 16,000 soldiers) and all marched in perfect unisom before Vladimir Putin and the other dignitaries. In addition to Chinese and Indian Soliders, soldiers from former Soviet States (including Kazahestan and Azerbeijian) also marched. 28 Million Soviets died in World War II--referred to as the Great Patriotic War that has impacted every family in Russia. There is also Israel. As we went to press here, our team could not agree ever more with +i24news EN Correspodent Tal Shalav when she noted how the Government of Israel in its' current form " is a mess". The Israeli Prime Minister is trying to expand the Government as opposition is crying fool and as the deadline for the new Government to be formed keeps getting pushed back with a 61-member majority. It is just amazing how there is a prohibition against no member of the Parliamentary Caucus in the Knesset leaving Jersuelaeum as "the Mess" is sorted out.
It was quite a development as well as Raul Castro visting Pope Francis noted how impressed he was with his humility--and even more startling that he would consider returning to the Catholic Church if this persisted. He noted this during his news conference with the Italian Prime Minister as Prime Minister Renzi smiled broadly at this.
As we went to press, we received news in our Virtual Newsroom on the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jalayaitha, being cleared of corruption charges. This is as the actor Salman Khan was given a suspended sentence for a vehicular manslaughter charge he was convicted of. The twists and turns of the Indian Justice system may be of concern as the Prime Minister is trying to transform India--and as a resurrgent Congress is trying to get its' groove after a challenging year and a half.
It is bound to be fascinating this week in #outsiders....
5/09/2015
On this Mothers' Day Week-End In the United States.....
As
we go "dark" here in #Outsiders, we wanted to wish all the Mothers a
wonderful Mothers' Day Week_End and not forget how blessed we all are.
This simple yet profound image from #bing says it all:
As we hope all also enjoy this from "Guide Post" available by clicking here, from all of us at #Outsiders:
As we hope all also enjoy this from "Guide Post" available by clicking here, from all of us at #Outsiders:
Happy Mother's Day!!!
5/08/2015
Notations On Our World: On #Iran & The #US :-)
As the talks continue,it is also a welcome development to see this as we here @ #Outsiders worked away on our "Daily Roundup":
#Iran and US cut Deal on New Diplomatic Offices. The GCC leaders will be thrilled. http://t.co/uihv7JKRVm pic.twitter.com/9AJHZmVF7G
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) May 8, 2015
Notations From the Grid (II): Saluting Veterans
In the United States, Memorial Day to honor all who have served will be held on May 25. It was ever so gratifing that the Guardian took on this project to interview Veterans from World War II. In honor of all who have served, we wanted to feature this that our founder shared on Twitter:
We here @ #Outsiders salute all who have served and constantly put themselves in Harms Way.
Saluting all who served: A portrait of World War II: veterans around the globe tell their war stories http://t.co/5fAuFNwmW4
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) May 7, 2015
We here @ #Outsiders salute all who have served and constantly put themselves in Harms Way.
5/07/2015
Notations on Our World: On the #UK Elections
The elections in the UK are in and all indications are that the Conservative Party has won handily--even though it will not have any represenation in Scotland. It was also quite startling how the Exit Poll by the BBC (that we shared on Twitter as Big Ben Struck 10 PM in London began):
As we continue to monitor the final results, it is clear that the UK Labor Party has suffered a massive defeat and the Liberal Democrats (the Junior Partner in the Outgoing Goverment) has been decimated. A number of key Liberal Democratic Leaders are no longer in office as of now. It will be interesting to see how the new Government is going to be formed because there is going to be a different Government which will present profound challenges due to a defacto minority Government and the challenge of keeping a much-changed United Kingdom together.
#UK polls have closed. #BBC exit poll A fab coverage. Luv the coverage ๐๐๐๐ pic.twitter.com/ciacrdtlZB
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) May 7, 2015
As we continue to monitor the final results, it is clear that the UK Labor Party has suffered a massive defeat and the Liberal Democrats (the Junior Partner in the Outgoing Goverment) has been decimated. A number of key Liberal Democratic Leaders are no longer in office as of now. It will be interesting to see how the new Government is going to be formed because there is going to be a different Government which will present profound challenges due to a defacto minority Government and the challenge of keeping a much-changed United Kingdom together.
Notations From the Grid: On The Internally Displaced
As our team finished the latest "Daily Round-up", one tweet we saw was of profound concern:
38,000,000 People are displaced throughout the World as a result of Wars in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Nigeria and 164 other countries around the World. It is becoming ever so challenging to deal with the Wars especially as the World is also having to deal with the natural calamities--including the earthquake in Nepal, the volcano eruption in Chile and the torandoes landing in Oklahoma.
Challening Times...Ever So.....
NOW ONLINE: Record number of displaced, as 30,000 people forced to flee each day http://t.co/n4XxcAdXuD #GO2015 pic.twitter.com/VD90zoAZQr
— IDMC (@IDMC_Geneva) May 6, 2015
38,000,000 People are displaced throughout the World as a result of Wars in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Nigeria and 164 other countries around the World. It is becoming ever so challenging to deal with the Wars especially as the World is also having to deal with the natural calamities--including the earthquake in Nepal, the volcano eruption in Chile and the torandoes landing in Oklahoma.
Challening Times...Ever So.....
5/06/2015
An #Outsider Newsflash: Briefly On Latest From #Afghanistan
The BBC is right now reporting from Afghanistan about a massive Taliban Offensive being supported by Daesh (also referred to as the Islamic State). The Provisional Capital of Kunduz is under threat right now. This is as Afghanistan is also dealing with a resurrengence of the drug trade yet again:
disheartening after the Trillion Plus spent as #Afghanistan fights a #drug War & losing it :-( @AJEnglish http://t.co/K7HyfqjEyu
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) May 6, 2015
Notations on Our World: On #Canada & #UK (As Polls Have Just Opened in the #UK)
It has been an very interesting 24 hours in Canada. The province of Alberta changed Governments. Our team received this from Canada's NDP as the results came as "ostenisbly" a fundraising" call to action (and we've edited them out)--however the essence of the glee by the NDP is self-evident as they gear up for the National Campaign:
Last night’s
historic results are an important reminder of the words our friend Jack
left us: “Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.” //
Mike,
I’m sure by now you’ve heard the news:
Rachel Notley and the NDP have made history in Alberta with a majority government.
Back in 2011, everyone said we couldn’t win Quebec. We did. Then they thought we couldn’t form government in Alberta. Done.
Now they’ll try and tell us we can’t elect Canada’s first federal NDP government. I say bring it on.
Last
night’s historic results are an important reminder of the words our
friend Jack left us: “Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.”
It also reminds us that only New Democrats defeat Conservatives – even in Stephen Harper’s heartland.
Thanks,
Anne
Anne McGrath National Campaign Director Canada’s New Democrats
What is absolutely critical to underscore is that Alberta is the heartland of Canada's Oil. It is also the home province of the current Canadian Prime Minister , Stephen Harper who will be facing an election against a resurrgent LIberal Party led by the son of a former Prime Minister and the current official oppositoin, the NDP. It was interesting that MSNBC's Rachel Maddow referred to the NDP as the
"Bernie Sanders" of Canada. She's not quite correct in this assessment--but the change is nevertheless quite startling as change is occuring especially as the NDP has come out strongly against the Keystone Pipeline XL. This was a signature campaign theme of the GOP in the United States that passed the United States Congress. It will be interesting to see what the reaction of US Congressional Republicans is as the new incoming NDP Government has already said that they would stop active lobbying of this effort as the Obama Adminstration is continuing its' on-going review.
Beyond Canada, there is the United Kingdom. United Kingdom is gearing up for National Elections. It was so interesting how David Cameron threw his partner over the past five years--Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats--under the bus as he noted that a vote for the Lib Dems is a vote for Ed Milliband. All that is known right now is simply this: No One Knows. It will be fasincating to be assessing this especially as the futre of the United Kingdom in the European Union and the very intergrity of the United Kingdom itself may hang in the balance.
UK Polls have now begun and the magic number to achieve is: 45 Million People are eliglibe to vote in over 5,000 Voting Booths. As the National Elections are on tap, some 9,000 English Council Seats are also up for election as well. Results are due in around 4 PM PST. |
5/05/2015
Thought 4 the Week
|
Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard
it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored
by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written
in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the
authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions
because they have been handed down for many generations. But after
observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason
and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it
and live up to it.
~ Buddha
|
5/04/2015
A Musical Interlude: Another Beautiful Day....
Please enjoy this "Musical Interlude" as a new week dawns throughout #outsiders:
5/03/2015
Notations For the Week-End (II): Reflections
We here @ #Outsiders started with a dream to lay out a sense of the World and reflect upon it in at times a passionate but yet in a "Scholar-Practitioner" way to create a pathway. As we reflected upon this journey, it is of note to realize how afraid we have been at times. Is it the right thing to do? Are we making a difference? Are we providing a sense of value? What makes us unique? Yet, this perceptive thought from one of the greatest visionaries ever, Henry Ford, gave us hope:
One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his greatest surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't. ~ Henry Ford
We are grateful for all the support shown and look forward to the on-going development and curation efforts.
One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his greatest surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't. ~ Henry Ford
We are grateful for all the support shown and look forward to the on-going development and curation efforts.
5/02/2015
Notations For the Week-End: On #Gaza (The Story)
Gaza has faded away from the headlines as the "Fight of the Century" has raged on in Las Vegas, the British Royal Family has had a new additon to its Family and on a more somber and tragic note, Nepal continues to deal with the aftermath of the horrific earthquake that has wrecked so much havoc on that beautiful land.
This retrospective on Gaza was quite an achievement by +FRANCE 24 which we decided to share for this edition of "Notations For the Week-End". It is a beautiful piece of reporting:
This retrospective on Gaza was quite an achievement by +FRANCE 24 which we decided to share for this edition of "Notations For the Week-End". It is a beautiful piece of reporting:
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