The Friday Musical Interlude: Marc Antoine Performs

It is Friday here in #Outsiders and once again time for the Friday Musical Interlude.    Our team has chosen Marc Antoine as the artist of the Week.    We hope all enjoy this selection.   We also wish all in the United States a restful and joyous labor day weekend as all in the United States bid farewell to summer and embrace Fall.

We will "dark" during the labor day weekend.   We look forward to be of service as we continue onward with on-going initiatives and gear up for new initiatives here throughout the #outsider properties.

Notations on Our World: On #SyriaRefugees

The refugee crisis has reached epic proportions.  The World has been witness to the tragedy on an hour by hour basis as people have been trying to make their way.  This From the Economist of London showcased the flow in a dramatic way: 

The heart-wrenching image of the young Syrian child, Aylan, as his lifeless body was washed up the shores in Turkey was heartbreaking.   It emerged that the Syrian family  Aylan wanted to go to Canada and Canada rejected the Asylum application filed by his family.   Canada has denied that an  application was in fact filed.   It was also interesting that the Canadian  Immigration Minister suspended his campaign to work on the refugee issue and as the Canadian Prime Minister Steven  Harper expressed shocked at the image of the child. 

Europe's initial reaction was captured in this New York Times Editorial--The image was telling:

The E.U. reacts to images of a drowned Syrian boy. For more from Patrick Chappatte: http://nyti.ms/1dpe553
Posted by The New York Times Opinion on Thursday, September 3, 2015 

But after Aylan's image was shown all around the World, it was the simple statement from the Wall Street Journal said it all:  

His name was Aylan. He was three years old. “It is not only immigrants who are drowning in the Mediterranean, it is also our humanity.”
Posted by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday, September 3, 2015

As all saw in the "Daily Update",   Aylan's Father asked one thing:  Let him be the last one. It is of note that as we went to press, The UK Prime Minister reversed his stance and said that the UK will take in more refugees.   It must also be noted that there are some 54 Million People who have been displaced around the World--14 Million of them Syrians.   

Notations On Our World: On the Iran Deal

The Iran Deal is done.    The Obama Adminstration has secured the necessary votes to sustain the President's Veto.   This is as in a recent interview with Al Monitor's Barbara Slavin, The Iranian Majlis (Parliament) speaker, Ali Larijani (a former negotiator himself) praised the President's wisdom in this regard.   The magic number, though, is 41 to secure a filibuster proof majority so that the President does not have to wield his veto pen.   Our team found it quite hilarious that Roger Cohen of the New York Time referred to the Iran Deal as the "Obamacare of Foreign Policy".   His final closing thoughts was telling, though: "...Here’s some breaking news for Aipac: Iran is a nuclear-threshold state today. The great merit of the deal is to slash and ring-fence acquired Iranian nuclear capacity until 2030. To say that is not in Israel’s security interest is utterly unpersuasive...."   

This morning's New York Times reported on the strategy by the Democrats to secure the deal from day one.    The House Democratic Caucus (with few exceptions) has pretty much held together as well.     However, there will be moves made by the GOP caucus for a "Plan B" which includes a renewal of the Iran Sanctions Act for an additional 10 years.   The so-called Plan B includes moves by US States as noted in a recent Al Monitor Report.   Senator Rubio and Governor Walker came out noting that they would abrogate the deal on day one and that it does not have any "legal standing".    They say they will get US allies to go along with it.   However the reality is otherwise as Iran's emergence has already begun.     The President is also going to be "pressing the flesh" as he hosts King Salman of Saudi Arabia at the White House.

This depicition the Economist' KAL said it all on the achievement by the President:

Notations On Our World (Special Edition): Late Breaking News on the #IranDeal (With One More late breaking development)

As our team has been assessing the World today, it was noteworthy as the 34th Vote to ensure a Veto-Proof Majority was secured by the White House on the Iran Deal.   US Senator Barbara Milkuksi of Maryland is the 34th Vote needed to secure the Iran Vote and to avoid a Congressional override of the Veto.   This is as the next goal will be to achieve a "filibuster proof" majority as noted by i24news within the past few hours:



This is a developing story as the Iranian Foreign Minister is continuing his second tour of Arab Capitals to explain the deal.     The Secretary of State is right now speaking live in Philadelphia at the National Constitution Center on the Iran Deal to reflect upon the deal as he is mounting a robust defense of the deal.       As we went to press, he's laying out the robust support for Israel that the Obama Administration has.    He reflected upon his order to land at Ben Gurion during the Gaza War as one sign of his profound commitment as he noted that "I take a back seat to no one on my commitment to Israel".    

Our team just received this from JINSA though as the opposition to the deal continues and as @Haaretz just reported that the Israeli Prime Minister is unlikely to back down despite this late breaking development: 

New Report: Iran Nuclear Deal Threatens U.S. Interests and Increases Probability of Military Conflict

Former U.S. Military Officials Launch Educational Campaign

Click to download the full report

Washington, D.C. - The Iran Strategy Council is launching an aggressive national campaign to educate Americans regarding the Iran Nuclear Deal. In its new report titled, Assessment of the Joint Comprehensive Plan, the JINSA-commissioned Council concludes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) will not only fail to peacefully prevent a nuclear Iran-but it will threaten vital American interests while increasing the probability of military conflict as the agreement sunsets. 

 

"We assess that The JCPOA will enable Iran to increase support for terrorist and insurgent proxies, aggravate sectarian conflict and trigger both nuclear and conventional proliferation cascades," the Iran Strategy Council Report concludes. "It will provide the expansionist regime in Tehran with access to resources, technology and international arms markets required to bolster offensive military capabilities in the vital Persian Gulf region, acquire long-range ballistic missiles and develop other major weapons systems."

"Implementing JCPOA will have significant strategic consequences for our interests and allies in the region. It is imperative that policymakers understand these and being planning for how to address them now. Our group of retired senior military leaders has sought to provide an objective analysis of the deal's impact and what that might mean for U.S. policy," said Retired General James Conway, former Commandant of the Marine Corps and Retired Air Force General Chuck Wald, former Deputy Commander of the U.S. European Command.

 

"Contrary to the false choice between support for the JCPOA and military confrontation, the agreement increases both the probability and danger of hostilities with Iran," the report notes. "Given the deleterious strategic consequences to the United States, implementation of the JCPOA will demand increased political and military engagement in the Middle East that carries significantly greater risks and costs relative to current planning assumptions."

 

The Iran Strategy Council is an organization of former top senior military senior officials and defense analysts with the mission of educating audiences on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and how it will make the United States and its allies less safe and war with Iran and its proxies more likely. The Council will address the likelihood of a nuclear arms race, strengthening terrorist networks such as Hamas and Hezbollah, increasing the chances of proxy wars, the U.S. needs for enhanced missile defense technology in response to Iran's permissible ICBM research, and how much would the U.S. military have to increase its land-based and naval presence in the region - at a time when legally mandated budget cuts to the U.S. military are already reducing America's security capabilities.  

 

Members of the Iran Strategy Council Include:

General James Conway, USMC (ret.) - Council Co-Chair

34th Commandant of the Marine Corps

General Charles Wald, USAF (ret.) - Council Co-Chair

Former Deputy Commander of United States European Command (EUCOM)

Admiral Mark Fitzgerald, USN (ret.)

Former Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa

General Lou Wagner, USA (ret.)

Former Commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command

Lieutenant General Michael D. Barbero, USA (ret.)

Former Director, Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization

Vice Admiral John Bird, USN (ret.)

Former Commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, with an area of responsibility of more than 48 million square miles including 36 maritime countries

Lieutenant General David Deptula, USAF (ret.)

Former Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, U.S. Air Force Headquarters

Major General Lawrence Stutzriem, USAF (ret.)

Former Director, Plans, Policy, and Strategy, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command

The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) was founded in 1976 as a non-profit, non-partisan organization to advocate on behalf of a strong United States national security posture. Visit JINSA online atwww.jinsa.org.

Click here to download the full report

Notations On Our World: A Challenging Day Around the World...

The carnage in markets around the World has persisted as the new month has dawns as noted in this latest available on Bigcharts.com:

Sensex in India dropped considerably as our team reported on the Daily Outsider twitter feed.    This is as we just saw reports on Canada having officially entered a recession and as China's Purchasing Manager's Index seems to be showing a slowdown.

We've also been assessing the latest out of Syria.    It appears that Daesh (Known as IS or ISIL in the West) is on the move in Damascus.    As reported by Al Jazeera, they have been engaged in street battles in Damascus as it continues to spread in other parts of the country.   How long Assad and his forces will hold out continues to be the big question.  

Notations on Our World: A retrospective on a busy month in #Outsiders

August 2015 is coming to a close.   It has been quite a month as we have been fascinated with the US Presidential Elections.   Trump continues to be on top of polls along with Ben Carson.   This is as the so-called establishment favorite, Jeb Bush, seems to be faltering and as fundraising seems to be lagging.    Scott Walker is also lagging as well as on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton struggles as Bernie Sanders surges with the trust factor a perceived challenge for Mrs Clinton.   

This was Jeb's latest to help raise money:

Running for President can be a taxing and grueling job, but it also presents you with some truly once in a lifetime opportunities. Friend, I want to share one of those opportunities with you.

On September 8th, I’m going to sit down with Stephen Colbert for his very first taping as host of the Late Show, and I have an extra VIP ticket I’d like to share with you.

Today we’re formally launching our Stephen Colbert Late Show contest, where we’ll fly one lucky winner to New York for an all-expense paid trip to watch the very first taping of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert live.  

All you have to do is chip in $3 or more right now to enter.

This has also been a month that has seen the implosion of the "BRICS" with Brazil in Recession, South Africa mired in Crime and a high unemployment rate and Russia reeling in light of the sanctions.   China also has profound challenges that was underscored with the explosion in Tianjin and the market carnage that also caused worldwide panic.  The only one of the "BRICS" standing seems to be India right now as it just reported a 7% growth rate for its latest reporting period.   

We have also been releasing updates on the Iran Deal as the fast and furious nature of the deal continues to be debated.     It has also been a distressing month as we have seen the continued calamity in Syria with Daesh wrecking havoc in Palmyra.   We have also been witness to heartwrenching scenes as desperate refugees risk lives for the slight possibility of a better life in Europe.    This image from Today's New York Times was telling:

Over half the population of Syria has been displaced due to four years of war that seems to have no end.   This is as Iraq is also just as chaotic.    Two Iraqi Generals lost their lives when their convoy was attacked by the Daesh Gang.   This is as grassroots movements are taking hold in both Iraq and Lebanon.   We have also been quite shocked to see the uptick in violence in Afghanistan especially as US Soldiers recently lost their lives as the Taliban continues its  aggressive push.

Meanwhile, in the United States, the continued gun violence is also of concern.  The execution style of a Harris County Texas Deputy Sherriff was horrific.   As he was putting gas in his car, the alledged gunman just walked up and shot him 15 times.    It has been quite gratifying to see the outpouring of support by the Community.    Reports we received here @ our Virtual Studios note that some $ 150,000 in donations have been collected for the fallen officer's family as this  reality in America seems to be ever so as epitomized by this simple graph from the BBC:

As we went to press with this, we were also seeing reports coming out of the Guardian in the UK about the UK Police Force losing 22,000 of its officers as new proposed cuts by the new Conservative Government takes effect.    

Our team looks forward to the opportunity to serve as we continue our quest to understand our ever-changing world.

View of the Week: On Katrina After 10 Years.....

Today is exactly the 10-year anniversary of Katrina.   It was this day when the levies broke and how a major city in the United States was swept away.

We have been reflecting upon New Orleans this week.     After 10 years, it is not clear whether New Orleans has actually recovered or not.    The gap between the rich and the poor continues.     The President noted this as he visited New Orleans.   

As we remember, we wanted to feature this retrospective put together by the team at +TakePart that provides a snapshot of the story of New Orleans which reminds the World of how far it has come and the challenges it continues to face:

Project Katrina

Chapter Two The Fight to Survive Katrina did not care if you were white, black, or Latino, wealthy or middle class. It painfully showed the deep rift between the city's most comfortable and its poorest citizens, who lacked the means to escape the storm's path. Suddenly, New Orleans was flooded, drained of many of the people who made it one of America's most remarkable cities.

'Why I Take Part'

Actor and native Louisianan Faith Ford talks about rescuing the animals left behind by Hurricane Katrina. HEAR WHY FORD TAKES PART

Combat Vet Medics New Orleans recruited paramedics and other medical professionals who served in war zones to work in the city's most crime-ridden areas. WATCH MINI-DOC

Fixing the Schools Krista Brown, a young, white Teach for America alum, is the principal of one of New Orleans' failing charter schools. Is she up for the challenge of rebuilding? READ MORE

Campo's Marina In the wake of Katrina and the BP oil spill, a third-generation marina owner fights for his business—and his family's way of life. READ MORE

Wetlands Warriors From wealthy landowners to activists to local officials, people are racing to save Louisiana's most fragile ecosystems: the wetlands. READ MORE

Big Time in the Big Easy The Essential New Orleans Getaway Giveaway Laissez les bon temps rouler! Enter now for your chance to win the ultimate New Orleans adventure with Big Time in the Big Easy: The Essential New Orleans Getaway. TakePart wants to send you and a guest on a magical tour of the culture, cuisine, sights and sounds of one of America’s most unique cities. You’ll enjoy round trip air fare for two on Delta Air Lines to New Orleans and a three-night stay at the unforgettable Dauphine Orleans Hotel, right in the heart of the French Quarter. From there you’ll explore all the city has to offer, by enjoying meals provided by some of NOLA’s best eateries, including the legendaryBroussard’s and Luke by celebrity chef John Besh. And no trip to the Big Easy would be complete without coffee and beignets at the quintessential Café du Monde—and so much more. Details + Enter to Win!

@TakePart #MyNOLA

Notations On Our World (weekend Edition): On #theIranDeal

As our team was assessing the latest on the Iran Deal, we received reports of the 31st US Senator--Jeff Merkley of Oregon-- who has declared his intentions to support the deal with Iran.    This is as opponents have continued to make their case on why the deal should not be approved.   This included Governor Walker of Wisconsin making his case on this morning's Meet the Press about tearing up the deal. 

The Republican Weekly Address on Saturday featured the Chairman of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressman Ed Royce of California.    He has been an ardent opponent of the deal and the chief sponsor of the resolution of disapproval.   The Speaker of the House's weekly outreach published by the Speaker's Press Office featured him prominently along with other developments on the House side:

Weekly Address: Why We Need To Stop This Iran Deal August 30, 2015 | View Online YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Transcript Congress will soon vote on a resolution to prevent implementation of the president’s Iran deal. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) is the sponsor of that resolution, and in this week’s Republican address, he makes the case that we need to stop this deal because it makes the world less safe.  “If this agreement goes through,” Royce says, “Iran gets a cash bonanza, it gets a boost to its international standing, and a path toward nuclear weapons.” You can watch the address now, and check out these news stories: “US Republican says Iran deal makes world 'less safe.’  A top Republican from the US Congress on Saturday blasted the Iran nuclear deal as ‘deeply flawed’ and said the agreement would make the world ‘less safe.’ …  ‘If this agreement goes through, Iran gets a cash bonanza, a boost to its international standing, and a path toward nuclear weapons,’ said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce in the Republicans' weekly address.  ‘This deal is deeply flawed. It makes the world less safe. We can -- and must -- do better,’ he added.  Royce recently introduced a resolution that prevents implementation of the agreement. The House of Representatives will vote on the matter next month.” (AFP) “GOP rep: Iran deal 'falls way short'… The Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee says the nuclear deal with Iran ‘falls way short’ in keeping the Middle East nation honest. … ‘If this agreement goes through, Iran gets a cash bonanza, it gets a boost to its international standing, and a path toward nuclear weapons,’ he said in the GOP’s weekly address. ‘I have come to my conclusions. This deal is deeply flawed. It makes the world less safe.’ (The Hill) “Republicans continued to knock the president for negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran that ensures Tehran will get ‘a cash bonanza’ after economic sanctions are lifted.  ‘Iran doesn't behave like the peaceful countries that have nuclear programs,’ Rep. Ed Royce, R-California, said in a video Saturday. ‘Why does this agreement treat it like one?’ … ‘We all wanted this negotiation to succeed, but as America's representatives, we must ask - is this agreement in the long-term national security interest of the United States?’ Royce said.” (CBS News) “In the weekly Republican address, the California lawmaker – who's introduced a resolution preventing implementation of the agreement – delivers a blistering critique of a ‘flawed’ pact that ‘comes up short.  … Citing a long list of problems in the pact, from a 24-day period of warning of an inspection, to the reported self-inspection by Iranians, to the lifting of international restrictions on Iran's intercontinental ballistic missile program, Royce calls the deal ‘deeply flawed.’” (Newsmax) “House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.) gave this week's GOP address speaking about the Iran nuclear deal.   According to Royce, if the deal goes through, Iran will get a ‘cash bonanza,’ which will lead to a path of nuclear weapons.  ‘Is there any other reason why Iran – an energy rich country – is advancing its nuclear technology other than to make a nuclear weapon?’ asked Royce in the address.” (ABC News Radio)

	Speaker Boehner’s .Press Office | H-232 The Capitol | 202-225-0600y

Contact the Office of Speaker Boehner

Based on the assessment at hand, we believe that the President will see through the deal.     The day after is where things will continue to get quite challenging.    Wall Street Journal reported on the "Plan B" taking shape. This includes a renewal of the Iran Sanctions act for 10 years ---spearheaded by Senator Mark Kirk and Bob Menendez.      

As our team continues its' on-going assessment, this very interesting retrospective on Iran is worth mentioning:

Project Syndicate (@ProSyn)

Iran's Islamic revolution of 1979 has finally ended bit.ly/1gYuZsM

It was also of note that the Israeli Prime Minister came out in support of an Iranian Civilian Nuclear Program which was quite startling.     It is fascinating to be witness to history.   

The Friday Musical Interlude (Special Edition): House Of Groove Performing "God Bless You"

We hope all enjoy this beautiful song by House of Groove:



We leave you all with this "Thought 4 the Week" on the eve of the weekend here in #outsiders: 

Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."

- Warren Buffett

The Friday Musical Interlude: Keiko Matsui Plays A Night With Cha Cha

It is Friday again here in #Outsiders as we again feature the "Friday Musical Interlude".   Our chosen artist of the week is once again Keiko Matsui.    We hope all enjoy this selection as we all embark upon the weekend: