An #Outsider Newsflash: Beau Biden Honored by Delaware

Vice President Biden led the Biden Family as Delaware honored Beau Biden:



We here @ #Outsiders join all in extending our profound condolosences to the Biden Family.

A Musical Interlude: Risin to The Top

For this edition of the "Musical Interlude",  our team chose "Risin to the Top" which we hope all enjoy:



This is as we have been assessing a very challenging World which we will be commenting on over the ensuing days.   

Notations From the Grid: Thought 4 the Week

For this edition of "Notations from the Grid"  our team chose this "Thought 4 the Week" courtesy of the Team @ WeAreTeachers:

#quote #edchat pic.twitter.com/kP2vssrh90

— WeAreTeachers (@WeAreTeachers) June 3, 2015

This was telling in underscoring what drives the on-going development of #Outsiders despite the immense odds as our team aims to continue its' service and engagement.  We also wanted to share this latest we received at our Virtual Studio from one of our team's must reads daily +Jonathan Huie :

A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him,
that of plants and animals as that of his fellow men,
and when he devotes himself helpfully to all life that is in need of help.
- Albert Schweitzer

Be gentle with the earth.
- Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

Everything you do, and everything you do not do, is your legacy to future generations.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

An #Outsiders Newsflash: President of FIFA resigns

#FIFA President Sepp Blatter has just announced his resignation and called for new election and provide for further reforms.  

Notations On Our World: On #Syria

Syria's disintegration is continuing in a major way.     Daesh (also known as ISIL/ISIS) controls almost 116,000 Square Miles of Territory in Iraq and Syria.     What is even more disturbing is reports that Russia and Iran have begun withdrawing resources from Syria--including leaving Bashar Assad's War Room in Damascus  as underlined in this tweet released earlier:

On the prowl for @DailyOutsider: Report: #Russia withdraws support from #Assad as regime disintegrates |  http://t.co/w9IiEWPGpU

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) June 2, 2015

+Haaretz הארץ  is also reporting that the Syrian Army has ceased to exist.    This is a developing story as the control of key cities by the regime is in question including Damascus itself.   One interesting question is whether Daesh will actually survive a post-Assad era.    

Notations On Our World: On Quite a Day @ SCOTUS

  The Supreme Court of the United States handed down two very interesting decisions today:

• The justices, voting 8 to 1, reinstated a job discrimination lawsuit filed against Abercrombie & Fitch, saying the company had acted improperly @http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/us/supreme-court-rules-in-samantha-elauf-abercrombie-fitch-case.html?smid=nytcore-iphone-share&smprod=nytcore-iphone

• The justices, ruling in the case of a self-styled rapper angry at his estranged wife, said prosecutors must prove comments were intended as threats @ http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/us/supreme-court-rules-in-anthony-elonis-online-threats-case.html?smid=nytcore-iphone-share&smprod=nytcore-iphone 

We will be sharing comments on these over the ensuing days as we analyze the decision.  This as the Country awaits some key decisions on Same Sex Marriage and On Subsidies for the Affordable Care Act.   

Notations on Our World: An #Outsider newsflash On the US Political Scene

It is Sunday and the United States Senate is in a rare Sunday Session.    As we went to press, Senator Paul of Kentucky is speaking on his objections to the renewal of the Patriot Act.    He has acknowledged the fact that the Bill will pass as the filibuster was stopped by a vote of the US Senate with the past five minutes.

Senator Paul is underscoring his profound objections under the 4th Amendment and is laying out his arguments.    Based on what we've seen so far, we believe that the Patriot Act will pass.

Remembering Beau #Biden

Beau Biden, the Son of   Vice President Biden , passed away after battling Brain Cancer yesterday.   We here @ #outsiders join all to extend our condolosnces to the Biden Family on this trying time.   Our Founder wrote this on the White House Website for the Biden Family:

Words are not enough to comfort your family on this trying time.    All I can say is that he's no longer suffering and is ina better place.   He made a difference and may the almighty grant you and your family to solace and comfort to cherish all that he meant to you and the inspiration he was for us all with his sense of service and commitment to his State and our Nation.

He was an accomplished man in many respects.    For us here @ #Outsiders, his speech introducing his Father will resonate ever more as his Father, Vice President Biden, paid tribute to him in this simple yet eloquent statement:



This simple statement that, "...a parent knows success when his child turns out better than he did..."  is ever so evident for us all who are parents.  May his Soul RIP.

The Week-End "Musical Interlude": Keiko Matsui's Dream Walk

For this edition of the "Musical Interlude", we hope all enjoy this selection from Keiko Matsui as the week-end dawns here in @Outsiders:

Notations On Our World: Briefly On The Plight of the #Rohingya

The Whole World has been witness to the horror of migration from conflict zones around the World.  As the European Union has been grabbling with the exodus of people from African conflict zones,  horror stories from Asia has also been in the headlines as well.    The Rohingya are the latest victims of conflict zones as they escape the repression in Burma (also known as Myanmar).     The Thai Military has been giving them food, water and repaired their boats--but has not allowed them to make land.  

Malaysia has agreed to take them on as the Malaysian Prime Minister called for a regional and worldwide response to this--as we will continue to monitor and comment over the ensuing days, weeks and months.  There has been a conference in Thailand going on to see what the roadmap is.  All apparently understand that a challenge exists.  But the reporting from the BBC we reviewed here @ #Outsiders was heartwrechning.   One feature was the story of a woman who was repeatedly raped and had bore a Son and did not know who the father was and had resorted to begging on the streets of Kulala Lampur as BBC also intereviewed another Mother whose 14-year old son had just called from Malaysia where he had gone to work.   

An #Outsiders Newsflash (5/29/2015) : Sepp Blatter Wins

Sepp Blatter has just won re-election for another 4 Year Term as President of FIFA.   This is as Prince Ali of Jordan withdrew after the first round where he received 73 votes.    It was quite a testament to the unease being felt throughout the World of Football.   

In his acceptance speech, Blatter committed to a transformation.  The question is whether he's able to deliver especially as the US Justice Department is continuing its' investigations and has noted that this is just the beginning.

Notations On Our World: Briefly on Israel

Israel's new Government has taken office.     It is the most rightwing Government that has presided over Israel ever.   The Prime Minister has had to play quite a balancing act to satisfy elements within his own party and the allies currently in the Government.

In the meantime, missiles have been fired from Gaza and Israel attacked training camps in Gaza.  There is mounting frustruation in Gaza over the pace of reconstruction as the Defense Minister noted that if quiet does not persist, Gaza will pay a heavy price as Israel was subjected to a Palestinian move to have Israel banned due to the West Bank bus plan--subsequently shelved by the Prime Minister.     

Hamas, though, has its ' own profound challenges as underscored by this tough report by Amnesty International: 

Amnesty: Hamas tortured, killed Gaza civilians during war with Israel http://t.co/44Pnr0205g pic.twitter.com/Am9jq73nac

— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) May 27, 2015

Israel's challenges continue to mount on a multitde of fronts.     It has to plan for a post-Assad Syria--it is not a question of if, but when.   The perceptive editorial in +Haaretz הארץ  earlier this week underscores how Israel is being truly led to the edge of the abyss.   It was interesting to note how some analysts are still holding out hope that somehow Herzog, the Opposition Leader, will join the Government as Foreign Minister especially in lieu of the looming threats. Time will tell....  

An #Outsider Newsflash (II) (5/27/2015) : On the Queen's Speech in the #UK

The United Kingdom new session of Parliament has started with the pomp and circumstance that goes back hundreds of years.     The speech, though, is quite extensive and  +The Guardian has provided some interesting analysis on it which is available by clicking here.  There was interesting comments as it was a throwback to the 80's.

Some of the highlights are noted below (Courtesy of the Guardian):

An #Outsider Newsflash (5/27/2015): On the #FIFA Arrests

We have been assessing the #FIFA arrests with a sense of horror as we have reviewed all the latest reporting on it.    The corruption allegations have been on-going for years--now it has come to a head as the Swiss authorities arrested top FIFA officials at their meeting in Switerzland.   We received this at our offices from Professor Turley earlier today.

It will be interesting if the current President of FIFA will be re-elected in light of this latest challenge being faced:

“For the Game, For the World”: Swiss Police Raid FIFA Meeting And Arrest Senior Officials in Sweeping Corruption Investigation by jonathanturley For those of us who have been vocal critics of the flagrant and open corruption of FIFA, there is finally some good news. Swiss authorities swooped into a hotel Wednesday and arrested some of the top soccer officers on corruption charges in the United States. The police notably went to one of the most expensive hotels in the world where these officials were treating themselves to another gold-plated over-the-top meeting with views of the Alps and Lake Zurich. They were led from the five-star hotel in an early morning raid, but many will be disappointed that one official remained in his luxury hotel room untouched: Sepp Blatter (right), FIFA’s longtime president who has ruled over one of the most corrupt organizations in sports for years. While the slogan of FIFA is "For the Game. For the World," it has been run for the benefit of its leadership for decades. This prosecution, not FIFA, can be properly embraced as "For the Game. For the World." Read more of this post

Notations on Our World: On the "Virtual Prowl" On the One Year Anniversary of #Modi Ji in India

Indian Prime Minister has now celebrated officially one year in Office.    He spoke about it during a speech  as  he has been presided over quite a year of change in India in how the Prime Minister has set the town and has been trying to help transform India with initiatives such as "Made in India" and "Clean India" as noted in this "Tweet":

A nice overview of Year One, #Modi Has Repositioned #India💥💥fascinating to be witness to 😁🎉💥 http://t.co/Wt47OExqIj

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) May 17, 2015

As we have been on the prowl tracking his year, we could never forget how he launched "Clean India".   We can't never forget how he picked up a broom to begin cleaning up the streets around the Delhi Polic Station with a broom and how he started the "challenge" that was picked up by leading personalities.   We have also been quite amazed by his  travels around the World have been quite a spectacle.  Our view is that out of the original BRICS, China and India have emerged as the senior members of the group as underscored by Prime Minister Modi's 1 Billion Credit Line to Mongolia for on-going infrastructure development.

He has begun  in how he has been able to be quite transformational in his approach and his outlook.     Our team was on the prowl as President Obama was in India and how they were able to work out a number of thorny issues--including the nuclear question.

Beyond the foreign trips, it is the domestic scene that is also quite enticing to observe.    From what we have seen here based on the assessment at hand, it is clear that he is clearly the strongest Prime Minister India has had since Nehru.     This is as the BJP has been able to continue its' juggernaut throughout India in State Elections.  The only exception has been the Capital, Delhi.   The upstart AAP won elections--even though the Chief Minister seems to be on a major power grab which is continuing. 

Upcoming elections will determine whether the Modi Magic wll endure or not.  The Economy has expanded--but it is yet to reach the masses in the Country.      As we believe the Prime Minister himself will note, there is a lot to be done.

Notations On Our World: On Iraq

12 years ago last April America GI's rolled into Baghdad:

After 12 years, hundreds of thousands of lives lost and uprooted, the World has been witness to this:

Ramadi fell to Daesh/IS and the Shitte Milita under the direction of the Iraqi Prime Minister have begun a campaign to take Ramadi back.   However, the bulk of Anbar continues to be under Daesh Control as Daesh continues its reign of terror in Syria.   What was quite unfortuante was the blame game as thousands continue to escape the Daesh reign of terror:

Blaming is easy..solutions is tough @DailyOutsider: #Iran, #Iraq & US squabble over responsibility for Isis advances http://t.co/sKnlhy5Y5m

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) May 25, 2015

The BBC's John Simpson sat down with the Iraqi Prime Minister and said that Ramadi will be taken back within days.    The broader question no one seems to be answering is that Iraq is for all intent and purpose dead as Syria is only a country in name only.    Although the Iraqi Prime Minister is understandably frustruated by the public dressing down given to it by the US Secretary of Defense, the days ahead will determine in more ways than one what will happen next.   This is as ordinary Iraqis are caught in the crossfire.

On This Memorial Day 2015......

This is courtesy of  +Jonathan Huie which we received at our offices earlier on this Memorial Day as we remember:

Farewell My Friend
It was beautiful as long as it lasted
The journey of my life.
I have no regrets whatsoever
save the pain I'll leave behind.
Those dear hearts who love and care...
And the strings pulling at the heart and soul...
The strong arms that held me up
When my own strength let me down.
At every turning of my life I came across good friends,
Friends who stood by me,
Even when the time raced me by.
Farewell, farewell my friends
I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears for I need them not
All I need is your smile.
If you feel sad do think of me
for that's what I'll like when you live in the hearts
of those you love, remember then
you never die.
- Gitanjali Ghei

Notations For the Week-End: On This Memorial Day Week-End 2015

 

It is Memorial Week-End 2015 here in the United States.      Ceremonies are being held to remember and honor all who served and have paid the ultimate sacrifice.     There are an estimated 21 Million Active Veterans in the United States today.  

The World, though, is ever so dangerous and challenging.   We here @ #Outsiders have been assessing the state of the World as we've been assessing the latest gains by #Daesh (Also known as ISIL/ISIS/IS in the West) in Syria and Iraq.    An estimated 40,000 people have been driven from #Ramadi.   It was quite telling as the US Defense Secretary came out swining against the dismal performance by Iraqi Forces.    It was tragic as the Iraqi Commander lost his nerve and order his 2,000+ Strong Force to withdraw in the face of Daesh Forces.

There are some open questions as to how the United States will respond though especially as it continues to be hampered with challenges on the domestic front and especially as the eleciton season gets under way.     The Iran Negotations are continuing with a deadline of 30 Days before Congress gets in on the action.   The NSA law is up in the air as clear domestic priorities such as the Highway bill continue to be lingering in the midst of the priorities of the so-called US Senate Presidential Caucus.  

As we went to press with this editon, we ran across a starrtling statistic:  The United States single-handily spends 37% of the World's Defense Budget.   But what is not apparently publicly known is that 50% of this is spent on personnel.    There are challenges on the Technology and the long-term moderization front that is a problem.    What is tragic in this expense is how in spite of this expense is how enlisted personnel continue to depend on Government Handouts and Community Drives as epitomzied by the outreach undertaken by San Clemente Military Family Outreach.  



 

Notations on Our World (Week-End Edition): On #Iraq & #Syria

It has been a very challenging week.  The events of the last few days have been of profound concern in Iraq and Syria.   We have been watching coverage as Ramadi Fell and refugees began sweeping into Baghdad.     We have also seen continued inroads being made by Daesh (also known as #IS) into Syria including having taken over Palmyra--a city of more than 2,000 years old that is in danger of being wiped off.

It was of great interest as we caught Emma Sky--who served as a senior advisor to Ray Odernio (now the US Army Chief of Staff)--underscored how the US lost Iraq.  We were quite curious to see her views as we saw her writings on "how to get it back".      For now, though, the only credible force that will stand up to Daesh/ISIS is Iranian-Trained Shiite Militias who are beginning the fight to take back Ramadi.     Daesh, though, has taken over the final Iraq/Syria Border which will solidify its' territory.   This is as Daesh has also claimed a bombing in Saudi Arabia in the Shiite heartland of the Kingdom.

The profound question is what the Economist posed that no one seems to have an answer to:

From The Economist Espresso: Islamic State: how far can it go? http://econ.st/1FqpBXn

Thought(s) For the Week-End

On the eve of the Memorial Day Week-End in the United States, a compelling set of thoughts is hereby presented for all courtesy of +Jonathan Huie :

Deal with the faults of others as gently as with your own.
- Chinese proverb 

Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.
- Lao Tzu