Notations On Our World (weekend edition): On The #GOP Debate

The US Political Scene has been ever so vibrant as the First GOP Debate occurred and the punditry class has been hard at work analyzing it.   We here @ #Outsiders have been assessing the debate the post-debate and the candidate reactions.   We wanted to begin by reporting a "sampling " of the After-Debate onslaught by some of the candidates.

The first one is from Jeb Bush:

Friend –

Here is what I know:

• Dad killed it on Thursday.
• Now is our time to press our advantage and drive forward.
• You still haven't stepped up.

Friend 
Debate Response Fund: Pending

 

I have a limited edition lapel pin sitting here with your name on it. These haven’t been offered before, and they're not going to be around for long. That’s because they're reserved for only our most loyal supporters.

Friend - I think that’s you.  

The second one is from Marco Rubio:

Dear Fellow Conservative, In last night’s first GOP debate, Marco took the stage and presented an energetic, positive vision for the future of our country. He offered ideas to create more good-paying 21st Century jobs and help people get the education and skills they need for those jobs. He discussed the need for American leadership around the world, and the need for a strong national defense. With millions of people watching, Marco shared his family’s American journey: Only in America can the son of a bartender and a maid stand on last night’s debate stage as a candidate for President of the United States. That's what Marco did last night, but we still need your help to continue to get our message across America. Your financial support ensures that Marco is able to build on the momentum coming out of last night’s debate and grow our team in the key early primary states. If you watched the debate last night and agreed with Marco’s message, isn’t it worth every American hearing?   Sincerely, Terry Sullivan Campaign Manager Marco Rubio for President This from Donald Trump that his campaign advertised on the Newsmax Website: Urgent Message from Donald J. Trump Dear Friend, Are you ready to Make America Great Again? Since I announced my candidacy for the Republican nomination for president I have soared to first place in the polls, defying the mainstream media and the GOP establishment. I am rising in the polls because of you – and the fact that I am offering the American people an alternative to the inept career politicians who talk big but never produce results. I have a long track record of producing big results. Very big results. Frankly, I am running for president because I hate seeing what is happening to America – the country I love so much. I am sick and tired of China and Mexico and all other countries beating us at the negotiating table – getting one-sided trade deals from Washington officials. They have been letting these countries rip off our jobs, killing our potential for economic growth. Let’s face it, America is in deep trouble. We are a laughingstock around the globe as our incompetent leaders like Obama and Hillary Clinton get outmaneuvered. Our economy is a disaster. I think the American people are ready for some hard truths. You know I call it the way I see it. Thanks to Obama, the American dream is dead. But I can bring it back – bigger and better and stronger than ever before. A few weeks ago the political establishment went crazy when I pointed out the fact that some illegal aliens from Mexico, being pushed into our country by the Mexican government, are bringing crime, drugs and murder to the United States. The media tried to smear me, claiming I was “racist” and that I attacked the Mexican people. Nothing could be further from the truth. I forced the media to focus on a number of horrific crimes in which U.S. citizens were killed by illegal immigrants who got into the country because our borders are so porous practically anyone can walk into the United States. In the face of this media onslaught, my poll numbers actually went up. I even pulled well ahead of Jeb Bush, the supposed “front-runner.” Bush is a weak and ineffective leader who would merely preside over the continued decline of this country. If he gets the nomination, we lose in 2016. I am very critical of John McCain’s record in the U.S. Senate. He has done little to help veterans. John McCain has been in the Senate for 30 years and worked closely with Senator Bernie Sanders to pass legislation to ensure that no one was held responsible for the scandal at Obama’s Veterans Administration, in which over 1,000 of our veterans died waiting for medical care. Ironically many of these veterans died in the VA hospital in Phoenix, Arizona – McCain’s home state! It’s just like Benghazi – incompetent and pathetic officials screw up, then Americans die . . . and no one in Washington is held responsible. My concern is for all those men and women who served this country. As president, I would build the finest Veterans Hospital system in the world where our veterans would have universal access – and I will do it for far less in tax dollars than we are spending now on our disgraceful broken Veterans Administration health care system. The political establishment is in shock over the way I have taken the lead in the presidential race – and they are scared to death. I am not afraid – I know Americans like you are with me. Because my campaign will be funded mostly with my own money, the Washington insiders know that the lobbyists and special interests will have no influence in a Trump administration. The special interests know you can’t “buy” me. The media, however, wants to claim that I have no grass-roots support. I want to prove them wrong. I am asking you to stand with me and join with me today. I believe so much in this campaign and that we can Make America Great Again, that I will match dollar-for-dollar every dollar donated by people like you. If you will send a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250 or more I will personally match whatever gift you give. If you can send $500, $1,000 or more, I will also match that. Show your support – Go Here Now I want to show the liberal media that not since the days of Ronald Reagan has there been such a grass-roots movement of people ready to transform our party and our country. My #1 goal is to create the greatest economic boom in American history, to unleash the incredible spirit of free enterprise in this country – get America moving again! I have been tremendously blessed in this country. I want all American families to share in the great economic opportunities this country offers. I am very rich and I created something very special. I want to make you and the American people rich. I have no doubt the liberal media and the GOP establishment will continue to attack me. But, make no mistake, I will never back down or apologize in the fight to make America great again. Stand with me today and send a powerful message to the establishment by supporting my campaign Please rush me your answer today –  Donald J. Trump P.S. I so strongly believe in what I am doing that I am willing to match every dollar you contribute to my campaign. Jeb Bush just raised over $100 million from Washington insiders. His donors are not donating to me because they can’t own me. Show America you want to join me in taking back Washington  Paid for by Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. This was just a sampling of the post-debate outreach efforts being done to raise money.   Our team edited "out" the fundraising efforts--but it underscored the ferocious nature of the competition that is continuing by all the 1st and Second Tier candidates.    For us here @ #outsiders, though, the most perceptive analysis was from the Red State Supremo, Erick Erickson as he also disinvited Donald Trump after some unfortunate remarks he made regarding Fox' Megyn Kelly as she was quite tough on him due to the disparing remarks he has made over the years.    There were a lot of talk on the future v. the Past and attacks on Hillary Clinton. Jeb Bush touted his record as Governor of Florida govenring in what he deemed a "purple state".     It will be quite intreresting to see if anyone will pick up on this article done in the London Review of Books on Jeb Bush and the other candidates.        Scott Walker touted his record in Wisconsin as he was on not having achieved his stated goal.   Chris Christie was called to task over his State's 9 Credi tDowngrades and the challenges with employee pensions.     All were quite adamant on their view that President Obama's Presidency was a failure as they attacked Obamacare and Iraq.   As the debate ensured, Hillary Clinton was at a fundraiser with Kanye West and his wife, Kim Kardashian West and sent this "fundraising appeal": Mike -- Right this minute, ten Republican men are on national TV, arguing over which one will do the best job of dragging our country backwards. I'm not watching, and I don't need to be. Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Marco Rubio -- they all have the same agenda. They are out of step with the kind of country Americans want for themselves and their children. Thanks, Hillary  Of all the discsusoins, two things  stood out:   Ben Carsons' refusal to disavow enhanced interrogation techniques which was outlawed by the President.    The other matter was the keystone pipeline.      What they failed to mention was that the new provincial government has disavowed support for it in Canada.     It was also quite remarkable how Senator Cruz was so dissmissive of General Dempsey's view on Iraq and how he along with Senator Graham advocated a military solution. As we went to press, Red State Gathering sponsored by Red State has been going on which has featured some of the leading candidates.         The Red State's Erick Erickson was quite perceptive and onpointe as he shared his analysis of the debate: The Debate I’d like to say thank you to Fox News. Four years ago we got to see television networks ask Republicans about birth control and global warming constantly. The networks focused on what they wanted, not what Republicans wanted. Tonight, Fox News was kind enough to probe the candidates on issues that matter to the Republican voters. The candidates showed humor and feistiness. The candidates were wise to let the moderators mostly handle Donald Trump. Trump was hilarious, but it seems even the crowd at the RedState Gathering who like Trump thought he lacked some depth where he should have had some. There was a lot of anger toward Trump, even from his supporters at the Gathering, that he'd potentially run third party. People want to beat Hillary. I do not think any of the candidates really shined. There were moments for each of them. But there were not moments that really defined candidates except for perhaps Carly Fiorina in the first debate. I think about the only people who stood out were the Fox moderators who gave us the best debate possible with ten candidates on stage. But in two weeks, this debate will be forgotten, new events will change the polling, and everyone will be wondering when the first debate is having forgotten we’ve already had it. We are a long way from Election Day. But Ben Carson did have the best closing statement.

Notations On Our World & The Friday Musical Interlude

It has been a very busy 24 hours on the political scene in the United States.   It was GOP Debate night as the 17 candidates were given a platform to showcase themselves and to introduce themselves to the American Public.   We  had released an update on it and will be releasing commentary as we continue to assess the field and the roadmap ahead.    This was also the night that Senator Chuck Schummer of New York, The No 3 Democrat in the Senate and the expected incoming Senate Minority Leader, announced his opposition to the Iran Deal.

Since it is time for the "Friday Musical Interlude", our team decided upon this from Nelson Rangall as our "Artist Of the Week" which we hope all enjoy:  

Notations On Our World (Special Edition): On the #IranDeal

+Huffington Post Politics is reporting that Senator Chuck Schummer of New York will announce his opposition to the Iran Deal tomorrow.   It will be interesting to see what his rationale is for the deal and whether his opposition will fracture the strategy to keep the deal together as the perilous #Vote4Peace Quest becomes more challenging by the day for the Obama Administration.     

Notations on Our World: On the #US Political Scene (A Brief Newsflash w/Updated Notations on #Canada)

Tonight is the night for the GOP as Fox News is hosting the GOP candidate debates which concluded a few hours ago.    The highlights are now available here (Courtesy of the Guardian of London and Fox News).    No one was spared.   The Supreme Court, President Obama, Hillary Clinton and "Washington" was all in their sights along with the Iran Deal.   The current 1st Tier candidates will also be on in Cleveland later on tonight. 

The US Cable Show Networks have been discussing the possibilities and the roadmap ahead with one story noting how Senator Rubio and Governor Walker are favored by the GOP Voters.   The broad consensus say that Carly Fiorina won based on a Twitter "Vote" that Fox ran. O'Reilly Factor is also on now as Bill O'Reilly notes how Fiorina was authoritative and firm in her delivery and featuring a brief overview of the current Tier 1 candidates by the reporters and associates covering the current candidates as the "Big Show" is before us here and now.    It is now "live" as Brett Bauer, Chris Wallace and Megyn Kelly are now live and on the air.

As the battle continues, Carly Fiornia just sent out a Fundraising request:

Friend--

What’s wrong with this picture?

The only CEO of a fortune 20 company and the candidate with the best plan for our country’s future is missing.

Carly Fiorina isn't on that stage. She sounds different, she has a different experience, and she even looks different, but the media has decided it doesn't matter.

Well, I think they were dead wrong. If you agree, I need you to show it right now by making a donation to what we're doing here.

What is missing from the prime time debate is the positive vision that only a candidate who's had the wide variety of experiences that Carly has had can bring to the table. Keeping her out is a mistake. It is terrible for our party. It is bad for our country. It is just plain wrong.

Beyond the US, there is Canada. The major Canadian parties are also having their first debate after The Prime Minister announced the dissolution of Parliament. It will be another very interesting campaign as the NDP seems to be the frontrunner. 

Never a dull moment throughout our World.....

View of the Week: ON @POTUS #JFK #Peace Speech & #Vote4Peace

August 6, 2015 saw the current @POTUS (that's President of the United States in "Twitter Speak")  gave a pivotal speech on the Iran Deal.   Once again, he addressed the critiques head on as millions are being spent on opposition to the deal (please click here to visit the White House For the speech),    It has been quite ironic how the advocacy of war was so similar to the buildup to the Iraq War.   It was that opposition that led to the launch of what has evolved into #Outsiders today.


The speech by the current @POTUS echoed the speech by another @POTUS as how he reminded us all to reflect upon how man-made problems can be solved if the desire and courage is at hand.   It was about a yearning for peace which our World is yet to realize today.      


Our team could not help but ask:  Will courage prevail in the quest for #Vote4Peace and to not accept the fate that man is doomed.    Can man be big enough to solve a practical quest for Peace that President Kennedy noted for the sake of all?    


As our team reflected upon both speeches today, we could not help but wonder about similar the circumstances are we are faced with today.    

As Jon Stewart Rides Into the Sunset.....

We here @ #outsiders join in wishing him all the best and readily admit we will miss his wit and the matter-of-fact approach to the pressing issues of our time. Although a thank you is not enough, it is all that we can offer him for the 16 years he made such a difference--and to a Management team (including Sumner Redstone) who gave him the freedom to develop this iconic show as he did. We leave you with this clip that we hope all enjoy:

The Daily Show
Daily Show Full Episodes,  More Daily Show Videos,  Comedy Central Full Episodes

Notations On Our World: On #Syria & the #IranDeal (Brief Updates)

#Syria has not been in the headlines in a major way over the past number of weeks.    The war, though, continues with no end in sight as apparently Bashar Assad has finally seen the light.   What is so tragic is that Syria is no more--and the cost to the millions of Syrians and the World has been horrendous.

During our daily roundup, our team ran across a very perceptive commentary by the BBC's Jim Muir.   He laid out a true reality check on Syria today.     Here is the link to the full article.  For us, the most perceptive comment was this quoting a well-placed diplomat, "..."But a phase is ending, and things have to change. He has no more rabbits left in his hat."   This is critical because Iran has a large vested interest in Syria and can be a catalyst for change so that a more credible Anti-Daesh (IS) force can be assembled.

Meanwhile, in Washington, the debate over the #IranDeal proves to be ever so challenging.   One of the Washington "Think Tanks" that has come out in opposition to the deal had members of it testify before the US Senate Armed Services Committee and excerpts of their testimony were received at our offices for review and is hereby noted below--The Full Text is available by clicking on the "link" below as the perilous #Vote4Peace quest continues in Congress: 

									Gemunder Center Iran Task Force Co-Chair Amb. Edelman Testifies Before the Senate Committee on Armed Services Hearing to Examine the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the Military Balance in the Middle East United States Senate Committee on Armed Services Room SD-G50, Dirksen Senate Office Building August 4, 2015 Introduction Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Reed, Members of the Committee, thank you for giving me the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the full range of issues connected with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, including regional security and U.S. defense policy in the Middle East. I have followed this issue for more than a decade as the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and then as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Since retiring from government service in 2009 I have continued to track the progress of Iran's nuclear program and the negotiating effort to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability.  I have worked with several of my colleagues at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments on the broader threat that the program presents to the nuclear non-proliferation regime and regional security in the Middle East.  I am also the co-chair with Ambassador Dennis Ross of a bipartisan Iran Task Force sponsored by the Gemunder Center for Defense and Strategy that has produced a series of detailed appraisals of the negotiations and now the JCPOA, but I want to stress that my comments today reflect only my own views. First, let me say that I appreciate the care and deliberation that you and your colleagues are taking in examining this agreement.  Major arms control agreements that bind the nation in matters vital to the national interest should rest on a broad public consensus and not purely on the preferences and actions of one individual.  That is why the Founders required treaties to be ratified by a two-thirds majority of the Senate.  As Constitutional scholar George Anastaplo observed many years ago, "the arrangements in Section 2 with respect to treaties and appointments take it for granted that the Senate can be depended upon to be as well equipped as the President to know, or at least to be told, what is needed by the Country from time to time.  The Senate shares the Executive power here, however convenient it may be to vest in a single man the negotiation of treaties....  The President is not assumed to know things the Senate does not know or that the Senate cannot be told in appropriate circumstances." Although this agreement is not a treaty I believe the general proposition remains sound. As I wrote with my colleague and Iran Task Force member Ray Takeyh inThe Washington Post last month, a careful examination of the JCPOA reveals that it is deeply flawed because "it concedes an enrichment capacity that is too large; sunset clauses that are too short; a verification regime that is too leaky; and enforcement mechanisms that are too suspect." The Institute for Science and International Security, one of the most respected non-partisan authorities on non-proliferation in general and Iran's nuclear program in particular, was straightforward in its assessment: "After year 10, and particularly after year 15, as limits on its nuclear program end, Iran could reemerge as a major nuclear threat.  Even if the deal succeeds during the first ten years, it is unknowable whether the agreement will continue to accomplish its fundamental goal of preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons in the long term." Given these serious concerns, among many others, I believe the most judicious course is for Congress to disapprove the agreement, which would then allow for a more stringent deal to be renegotiated.  As a career Foreign Service Officer for nearly thirty years, with a strong belief in the role of executive authority in foreign affairs, I have come to this recommendation extremely reluctantly.  A multilateral agreement, negotiated over many years, should not be rejected for light or transient causes.  The only legitimate grounds for doing so is when one believes that an agreement is so manifestly deleterious to the national security that it warrants rejection and renegotiation. In this case, I believe this agreement will put the imprimatur of the international community on an industrial-scale enrichment program that will leave Iran - even if the negotiated limits on enrichment are adhered to scrupulously - as a threshold nuclear state when the various provisions expire.  President Obama conceded as much in an interview with NPR in April, when he observed "in year 13, 14, 15, they have advanced centrifuges that enrich uranium fairly rapidly, and at that point the breakout times would have shrunk almost down to zero."  The Institute for Science and International Security  analysis cited above confirms the President's judgment, noting that after 15 years "Iran's breakout timelines could shrink to just days." This agreement reverses almost 50 years of U.S. non-proliferation policy.  As my colleague at Johns Hopkins SAIS, Michael Mandelbaum has noted, the agreement abandons the "policy of prohibiting the spread of enrichment technology even to friendly democratic governments ... as a result, it will henceforth be extremely difficult to prevent other countries, at first in the Middle East but ultimately elsewhere, particularly in East Asia, from equipping themselves with the capacity for enrichment. It is likely, in my view, that the prospect of Iranian nuclear latency will, in turn, put the Middle East on the path to a catastrophic arms race.  Five to ten or twelve years down the road, such an arms race is likely to result in a more proliferated region, with multiple adversaries, each armed with small and vulnerable nuclear arsenals struggling to co-exist in an inherently unstable strategic environment.  The flight times between the competitors will be mere minutes, and hence the decision-making space will be quite constrained and short.  This would present an unprecedented challenge for the region, the United States, and the world at large with every possibility that the ultimate weapons actually will be used by accident or miscalculation for the first time since 1945. Click to read the full testimony

Notations On Our World: Humanity at Work

As our team continues its' daily assessment of the World, we wanted to report on this beautiful human story as this couple in Turkey spent their wedding day feeding 4,000 Syrian Refugees (Images Courtesy of the Independent of London):

 

Humanity at work despite the horror of #SyriaCrisis ...may the almighty bless them both..... https://t.co/ybwzYfyfgj

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) August 4, 2015

Notations on Our World: On the #USELECTIONWATCH 2016 (The Debates)

The US Presidential Campaign has been quite interesting to say the least.    Fox News has announced its' lineup for the 9 PM GOP Debate on Thursday in Cleveland at the Quicken Loans Area.     They are as follows:

• Donald Trump
• Jeb Bush
• Scott Walker
• Mike Huckabee
• Ben Carson
• Ted Cruz
• Marco Rubio
• Rand Paul
• Chris Christie
• John Kasich

Monday night though saw 14 of the 17 candidates join the "Voters First" Forum in New Hampshire sponsored by the Manchester Union Leader.    What our team found interesting was that John Kasich made it despite his late entry and how the Economist was not to keen on him as he announced.   This is as Donald Trump continues to dominate the polls with his interesting and unconventional campaign style.   Fox is also sponsoring a 5 PM Eastern debate on Thursday  for the so called 2nd Tier including Rick Perry, Rick Santorium, Bobby Jindal along with Carly Fiorina and Lindsey Graham.  

Fascinating to be witness to history....as this is a developing story....

Notations From the Grid: The Latest On the Iran Deal

This was just reported out over +i24news EN :

The #IranDeal watch : #Netanyahu hits at Iran deal 'disinformation'" On the #Vote4Peace quest http://t.co/VDkrqmganY http://t.co/VDkrqmganY

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) August 4, 2015

The lines are clearly drawn.   The Israeli Prime Minister noted a "disinformation campaign" that is being waged by Supporters.  This is as a resolution of disapproval has already been introduced by the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Ed Royce of California.      US Media did report on it and it was not reflected yet on Congressman Royce's own website.





 

Notations On Our World: On a Very Tough WeekEnd in the Middle East

As a new week dawns here in #Outsiders, our team has been on the "prowl" as we've been witness yet again to another horrific week.    The wars in Syria, Libya and Iraq are continuing with no end in sight.    As part of our on-going assessment, one very disturbing program we saw was a BBC Documentary titled, "Civilization Under Attack".     What was striking was how one described the destruction of what Daesh/IS is doing to the 4500 archaeological sites as "rape".     It was a tough program to watch--and yes our team was ever so on board on how the foresight by Europeans have helped to preserve our heritage. They talked about how Daesh can make $ 250,000 on a small cylinder.    It must be watched by all by clicking here:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0615mxc

What we also was witness to was the horrific attack in Jersuelaum at the Gay Pride Parade.  One of the victims, 16-year old Shira Banki, died of her wounds:

We made a decision not to name her assailiant because he is not worth the mention.   It was welcome news as the Israeli Prime Minister promised prosecution to the full extent of the law.   Not withstanding the indiginations, what Amir Oren of @Haaretz noted and our team released to the Daily Outsider twitter feed late on Sunday underscored the broad problems that the Israeli Prime Minister has to contend with:

A very tough read-wonder if @GOP will have the courage to read this #Netanyahu needn't worry #Iran is already here http://t.co/EzDnmhVwn7

— The Daily Outsider (@DailyOutsider) August 3, 2015

This was also as earlier in the week Al Monitor documented a disturbing trend on how The Israeli Security Cabinet came out in opposition to the deal without even having read the deal and without apparently even consulting the security establishment: 

A view of the wk that's quite tough #Netanyahu the autocrat - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East http://t.co/gURb7HlQ8q

— The Daily Outsider (@DailyOutsider) July 24, 2015 

The struggle over the #IranDeal will gather pace though as The Israeli Prime Minister is about to make a speech to American Jewish supporters and the President making a major speech on Wednesday.   This is also as the Obama Adminstration will not contest the Parole of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard--although he is not able to leave the United States for five years: 

An interesting twist in the #Vote4Peace quest as U.S. preparing to release Israeli spy #Pollard' http://t.co/NJxvIG8zrF

— The Daily Outsider (@DailyOutsider) July 25, 2015

As we went to press, we saw reports that Amal Clooney has filed motions to vacate the death sentence against Saif Gaddafi, the Son of the late Libyan leader Qaddafi.   With the current chaos in Libya, one wonders where this will all lead,      '

It is bound to be another interesting and challenging week.

Notations From the Grid (Week-End Edition): Like the Newtown massacre, the Palestinian baby’s murder won’t change a thing - West of Eden - - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Thousands have attended rallies in Israel in the aftermath of the horrific arson attack that claimed the life of an 18-Month Old Toddler.   The Uncle of the toddler spoke at the rally in Tel Aviv's Rabin Square that is named in the name of another martyr for peace, Yitzhak Rabin.    He wants the fire to stop.   Yet, this editorial we reviewed sent chills down our collective spine as we worked away.    We could not help but ask:  When will the fires stop?



Like the Newtown massacre, the Palestinian baby’s murder won’t change a thing - West of Eden - - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Notations On Our World (Week-End Edition): Voices of Reason

We have been following the tragic death of the Palestinian toddler in the City of Nablus.   As we went to press here for the weekend, the culprits of this tragic death are yet to be captured.   We wanted to report on one grassroots effort to think of a different way that was quite welcome as Israel has to do some major soul searching in the aftermath of the horrific death of the toddler and how the rest of the family are clinging to life (and how this sentiment by OneVoice Palestine was so moving):

الى متى سنراقب احلام وارواح اطفالنا تحترق! لا مجال لانتظار احد لينقذنا.. يجب ان نتوحد شعبا وحكومة واحزابا ونمشي صفا واحدا بثبات وبخطى مدروسة نحو مستقبل افضل لأولادنا.
Posted by ‎OneVoice Palestine | صوتنا فلسطين‎ on Saturday, August 1, 2015

We here @ #Outsiders add our strong voice of support to them in their quest to transform the reality:  

From the Knesset to the Streets: OneVoice is Empowering Moderates Polly Bronstein, OVI Executive Director, speaking at the Knesset next to MK Hilik Bar. This week we had a tragic reminder that the extremists in our midst can cause untold horror unless good people stand up and oppose them. The horrific settler arson attack in the village of Duma, in which a Palestinian baby was burned to death last night should shock us all out of apathy. The stabbing of six participants at yesterday's Pride Parade in Jerusalem shows us that violence and intolerance is on the rise. And the growing sense of lawlessness and violence in several Palestinian cities in the West Bank provide a warning that we could very easily slide back to the dark days of the Intifada. We at OneVoice condemn these heinous acts, but condemnation is not enough. From the halls of the Knesset to the streets of Nablus, OneVoice activists are standing up for the majority of Israelis and Palestinians who share a commitment to non-violence and peace. OneVoice Israel (OVI) mobilized dozens of activists this week to fill the Knesset and amplify the voice of moderates to propel their elected representatives toward the two-state solution. The activists attended the  20th Knesset’s first convening of the  Caucusfor Resolving the Israeli-Arab Conflict. Polly Bronstein, Executive Director of OVI, was invited to address the caucus on behalf of OVI activists by the chair of the caucus, MK Hilik Bar: “The caucus to end the Arab-Israeli conflict was established four years ago in a joint effort between OneVoice and MK Yoel Hasson and was responsible for a series of pioneering events and activities. The caucus brought the first Palestinian delegation to the Knesset, and it was the first time in which a Palestinian flag was ever raised alongside the Israeli flag in the Knesset.” In Palestine, OneVoice Palestine (OVP) launched a campaign focused on mobilizing moderates to counter the rising extremist voices in Nablus and other cities throughout the West Bank. Nablus was the first city to see OVP launch their new “Violence is a Weakness” initiative.   OneVoice Palestine Youth Leaders brought a message of non-violent resistance to the streets of Nablus. Over 50 Youth Leaders were in the streets of Nablus on Wednesday, and will be heading to Jericho and Jenin in the coming days, actively working to strengthen and encourage Palestinians to promote peaceful means of achieving an end to occupation, and to denounce violence as a destructive force in Palestinians' quest for statehood. OVP’s Executive Director Samer Makhlouf reflected on the impact, saying, “we must unite and be proactive when it comes to promoting dialogue and understanding as alternatives to violence, extremism and bigotry, because violence is a weakness. We must focus our efforts on the most important problem, ending the Israeli occupation, and working to promote a democratic Palestinian state based on tolerance and the values of freedom and equality”. Together, OneVoice's Israeli and Palestinian teams are united in mobilizing moderates to counter extremism and to empower and inspire a majority of citizens on either side of the Green Line to propel their leaders towards the two-state solution.

The Friday Musical Interlude: "Deep Blue"

It is once again time for the "Friday Musical Interlue" here in #Outsiders.     Our team has chosen an artist of the week, Keiko Matsui, as we bid farwell to July 2015 and gear up for a New Month throughout the properties of #Outsiders.   Enjoy:

Notations On Our World: As former President Kalam of India is being Laid To rest

The former President of India, Dr. Kalam, has passed on.    He was known as the People's President and Thousands have been pouring in to pay their honors including members of the Indian Parliament and Chief Ministers.   The +NDTV said it best:  his work was larger than life but his simplicity and love for the people.      Our team sent out the live link earlier that +NDTV as live coverage of the State Funeral for him is being held.  As we went to press, the Indian Flag was taken off by the Armed Forces Guard of Honor.  

We here @ #Outsiders salute him as we say #RIPKalam, the People's President and extend our condoloscenes to the People of India.    We leave you with this in tribute to this great man:

Saluting a remarkable man and a remarkable life #RIPKalam 😓 http://t.co/9wskvCRXlE pic.twitter.com/W953dYILjX

— The Daily Outsider (@DailyOutsider) July 27, 2015

& This tribute from +Google India :

A fab gesture. Nicely Dione @google 🙏🏼🙏🏼💥💥💥 #RIPKalam http://t.co/kD3lT4cedR pic.twitter.com/KQYik9XSl2

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) July 29, 2015

Notations On Our World: On the Continued Perilous Road On #TheIranDeal & #Vote4Peace

 

The fast and furious nature of the #IranDeal is continuing in the all of the US Congress.  On Tuesday, The US Secretary of the State and the US Secretary of the Treasury testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee and received a scolding from members of Congress.   One Congressman went as far as to question the Secretary of State's commitment to US Security.   Secretary Kerry reminded him that he did not need a lecture from him because he's fought and served the United States ever since he got out of College.    It must be noted that the Chairman of the Committee, Congressman Royce of California, is one of the staunchest critics of the deal in Congress.

The rhetoric that has arisen from the right in the United States has been heartbreaking.   A leading Presidential Candidate, Mike Huckabee, said that the deal marched Israel close to the Oven--invoking the Holocaust.   He claimed that Jewish Organizations supported this.   Yet, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States called the comments inappropriate  and others including an Israeli Minister reminded him that the State of Israel was established specifically to insure that such does not happen again.    It was also quite interesting how Senator Cruz of Texas noted that this deal will mean that the Obama Administration will turn into the biggest sponsor of State Terrorism.   Senator Rubio was aggressive in his stance in that the agreement will not be honored by the next US President.

Part of the dialogue is fueled by a very aggressive campaign led by AIPAC and others to scuttle the deal.    AIPAC, for instance, is sponsoring a trip to Israel during the US Congressional Recess in order to help dissuade Members of Congress from a resolution of approval.   What is also lost in all of this is the sentiment on the streets of Iran.   Iran truly needs a sense of healing and this was beautifully underscored by an article in the New York Times recently.     Iran is still trying to recover from the trauma of the 8-year war with Iraq.   Just in July, a mass grave of 175 Divers were discovered who apparently were buried alive with their diving suits on during Operation Karbala in 1986 during an offensive to capture Basra.   The funeral in Tehran was attended by thousands.     Yet, there continues to be a concerted effort to clamour for war--as epitomized by Governor Walker's declaration that he would initiative military action on Day 1 of his Presidency. 

In the meantime, though, the World is marching onward.     The headline on +i24news EN read "Europe Goes to Iran":

The European Union Foreign Policy Chief's Trip to Tehran underscored this.   The French Foreign Minister is also in Tehran and as we went to Press, he noted that President Rouhani has been invited to France in November for a State Visit.  

As the  debate over the #IranDeal continues, +Global Zero  produced this clip on the stark choices: 



Our team could not help but wonder if reason will prevail.   

Crying For Africa: The Death of #CecilTheLion

Cecil was a 13 Year Old Lion who was an icon in Zimbabwe.  He was killed by an American Hunter who apparently hired a crew to lure him out of the protected preserve and then killed him with a bow and arrow and finished him off with a Gun.   Cecil's beheaded body was then found.    The reports we have reviewed talk about this hunter having paid $ 54,000 for the local crew to help with this.

This hunter is a practicing Dentist in Minnesota.   He apparently does this as a hobby.  He said in a statement that he did this legally and he did not know that Cecil was an icon.    He says he will cooperate with any investigation that is launched.   What our team found ironic was that no investigation was going to bring Cecil back.    We here at #Outsiders welcome the aggressive stance taken by authorities in Zimbabwe.  They have detained the local crew, suspended the operations of the Safari and are continuing their investigation. 

 We will continue to monitor this over the ensuing weeks and months.

On the Dawn of a New Week here in #Outsiders.....

 Welcome to the new week here in #Outsiders.    We begin this week with this "Thought 4 the Week":

“You have to take
the good with the bad,
smile when you’re sad,
love what you’ve got
and
remember what you had.
Always forgive but never forget,
learn from your mistakes
but
never regret,
people change, 

things go wrong, just remember, life goes on.”
~ Author Unknown

Notations From the Grid (Week-End Edition II): From the Space Station

Our team could not help but share this from Space that we picked up from our Founders Personal Twitter Feed: 

Day 119. Starry night over Eastern Mediterranean lights. Good night from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/seLXaEMVem

— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) July 24, 2015

From our entire team here @ #Outsiders, We wish all a Happy Sunday.