Notations On Our World: On the @GOP Leadership Challenge.....

As the new week begins,  The United States awaits the results of the House GOP deliberation on how the next speaker of the US House of Representatives will be to replace John Boehner.   It has been quite a week as Republicans are trying to convince Congressman Paul Ryan to unify the GOP Caucus. The appearance by Congressman Dave Brat on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday was quite telling underscoring the drift--not withstanding what Congressman Brat tried to note.

Our team was researching some of the discourse which began with this article in the New York Times titled, "Anarchy in the house".    We have noted excerpts of it here for reference as the full article is available by clicking on this exceprt: 

REPUBLICANS aren’t big fans of Karl Marx, but perhaps they should ponder his observation that history repeats itself first as tragedy, then as farce. As preposterous presidential candidates dominate the polls and extremists topple congressional leaders, the Republican Party is headed for a replay of the catastrophic Goldwater revolt of the early 1960s. It may be an entertaining spectacle, but it’s dangerous.

The Republican Party has long been divided into comparatively moderate and conservative factions, but historically the conservatives were realists, too. Senator Robert Taft of Ohio, the great conservative leader of the mid-20^th century, understood that his side had to make incremental steps toward its goals. It had to devise detailed policy alternatives to Democratic proposals, work with party leadership and build coalitions both within the party and across party lines.

What was also very telling was what +The Guardian noted in a "make belief" Craig's List as Congressman Kevin McCarthy withdrew--and what was quite distatesful was the campaign against him that was led by a number of GOP operatives and given voice by Congressman Walter Jones: 

HELP WANTED IMMEDIATE OPENING - SPEAKER, US House of Representatives (Washington, DC)

compensation: $223,500
employment type: full-time 

One-time historic opportunity to lead an entire house of Congress

NEVER WORK ANOTHER WEEKEND

• Full-time salary and benefits for extremely part-time work in gorgeous National Capitol
• Gluttony for punishment and lackluster organizational skills a must
• Confidence on camera a plus
• And for the Love of God know when to shut the hell up on Hannity.
• Successful applicant will have serious fundraising chops and a credible haircut.
• Are YOU a self-starter with at least 5 years’ experience teaching kindergarten, domestic obedience school, encyclopedia salesmanship or equal?
• Do YOU like meetings, talking on the phone, dull inactivity and golf?
• Are YOU from a state?

NEVER WORK ANOTHER WEEKEND

• The US Congress is currently accepting applications for a 62nd speaker of the House, responsible for crafting legislative strategy, humoring bug-eyed colleagues and decrying Washington gridlock while keeping things nice for the boys who write the checks.
• SECOND IN LINE FOR THE PRESIDENCY
• although that probably won’t happen.
• but you will get to golf with him
• Must be able to pretend fake deal with the president that fell through – that was on purpose
• (required) pulse
• (preferred) current member of House of Representatives
• (clincher) Republican
• Salary $223,500
• Oil painting of you
• Box seats for pope
• Occasional overnight work but there’s pizza
• Apply promptly – open until filled. And possibly longer 

• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• do NOT contact us with unsolicited services or offers 

The "comic" nature of it underscored how the World is watching as the World is truly on Fire right now The true reality, though, was outlined by the ever perceptive Geoff Colvin of Fortune (Not exactly a DC "talking head" as deemed by Congressman Dave Brat) about the true state of leadership paralysis that continues to be evident right now as a new week dawns:            

Leadership meltdowns are suddenly everywhere, and I confess I can’t take my eyes off them. Like car crashes and reality TV, they’re not necessarily edifying, but they’re hard to resist. So let’s see if we can find at least a little to learn from this morning’s Leadership Hall of Shame: -“Chaos” is the word of the day, used by virtually every media outlet to describe House Republicans’ situation. Representative Kevin McCarthy—whom I unaccountably called “Murphy” yesterday, for which a thousand apologies—dropped out of the race to succeed Speaker John Boehner, in which he was the favorite. “We need a fresh face,” he said, which is Washington code for “I don’t have the votes.” All eyes now turn to Paul Ryan, who could apparently win but resolutely does not want the job. The leadership failure here is not individual but party-wide—this party wants to win the White House next year but is digging itself into a deepening hole. As longtime New York representative Peter King told the New York Times, “We have to end this. We look absolutely crazy.” As Congressman Mark Meadows, one of the "insurgents", talked about process and professed his backing of Paul Ryan, the Democrats sent out a "prebuttal" earlier as well that documents the objections:  This is a long email. But please stay with us, because this is important. The news is saying Paul Ryan could unite the Republican Party. But here’s what the news is forgetting: Ryan has a radical, anti-senior, anti-middle class track record. A Paul Ryan speakership would be a DISASTER for President Obama’s agenda. ADD YOUR NAME to our petition denouncing the Paul Ryan for Speaker campaign. We can’t forget the truth about what Paul Ryan stands for. FACT: Paul Ryan fought for the largest tax cut IN HISTORY for the wealthy Paul Ryan would cut taxes for the richest 1% of Americans IN HALF. To offset this massive tax break, three quarters of Americans would see their taxes increase. FACT: Paul Ryan wants to end guaranteed Medicare Paul Ryan would abolish Medicare as we know it. Instead, Ryan would turn Medicare into a voucher program, which would drastically increase health costs for seniors. FACT: Paul Ryan would eviscerate Social Security Paul Ryan wants enormous cuts to Social Security benefits -- by 2080, Social Security benefits would be slashed by 28%. This could drastically increase poverty among senior citizens. If Ryan becomes speaker, President Obama will face unprecedented barriers as he fights for the middle class. It’s a worst-case scenario. Help us hit 1OO,OOO grassroots Democrats denouncing Paul Ryan as Speaker >> Thanks for your time, DCCC What is clear is this:  It will be an interesting week.

Notations On Our World (W-End Edition): On The Latest From the Middle East

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Copyright: GPO/Amos Ben Gershom 

Israel attacks continue as Israel just launched air raids in retaliation for the latest missle attacks.  As we have been assessing the situation so far, it appears that the steps taken by the Israeli Government seems to have had no effect.    Our team released this on Twitter during our "Daily Roundup" earlier today:

On #Israel watch as #Hamas warns #Israel against 'foolishness' after #Gaza air strike | i24news - See beyond http://t.co/koXx4vCWXY

— The Daily Outsider (@DailyOutsider) October 11, 2015

The Israeli Prime Minister issued this statement on this as published by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs which we received here at our Virtual Studios as we went to press: 

Statement from PM Netanyahu's Office on ongoing violence

PM Netanyahu made it clear that he expects the Palestinian Authority to stop its wild and mendacious incitement,  which is causing the current wave of terrorism.

(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the reinforcement of Israel Police units in Jerusalem; to this end, three reserve Border Police companies have been mobilized. The mobilization of forces will continue as necessary. The three companies will reinforce the Israel Police in Jerusalem and throughout the country. An increased presence is a primary preventive and deterrent measure.

On Friday night (9 October 2015), Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with US Secretary of State John Kerry and made it clear that he expects the Palestinian Authority to stop itswild and mendacious incitement, which is causing the current wave of terrorism. Secy. of State Kerry clarified that the US is aware of the fact that it is Israel's policy to maintain the status quo and not change it.

Over the weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked security officials to massively reinforce Israel Police and Border Police forces and mobilize additional reserve units. Pursuant to the Prime Minister's request, a discussion was held to assess the situation; the Prime Minister approved the mobilization of 13 Border Police companies, in addition to the three that have already been mobilized. At the discussion it was noted that a reinforced presence is a preventive and deterrent measure that assists in maintaining order. The companies will be stationed in Jerusalem and throughout the country.

Prime Minister Netanyahu: "I have ordered the mobilization of Border Police companies in order to restore security and order in Jerusalem and around the country. We will continue to do all that is necessary."

Prime Minister Netanyahu will on Sunday (11 October 2015) convene an additional discussion of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamic Movement. The security establishment has - in recent days, on instruction from the Prime Minister - formulated a series of actions against the Islamic Movement and the incitement that it is fomenting.

Behind the Headlines: Palestinian incitement and terrorism

The recent series of attacks against Israelis is the direct result of incitement by radical Islamist and terrorist elements, calling on Palestinian youth to murder Jews. The incitement includes the spread of false claims against Israel, in particular regarding the status quo on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The culture of hate in the Palestinian media, schools and social networks, together with the statements of Palestinian leaders, has reached new and gruesome heights.

The Palestinian Authority, including its chairman Mahmoud Abbas, are using inflammatory Islamic rhetoric to spread false and malicious claims against Israel, and treat those who engage in the murder of Israelis as heroes. These statements amount to official incitement to violence and can only serve to exacerbate the situation.

Radical Islamists are bringing explosive devices, Molotov cocktails and other weaponry onto the Temple Mount, thus deliberately desecrating, damaging and endangering the holy site and turning it into a battle field. The militarization of a site revered by all should be universally condemned. The aim of these elements is to change the status quo and to prevent visits by non-Muslims on the Mount.

The status quo protects the right of Muslims to pray on the Temple Mount, as well as the freedom of all people, whether Muslims, Christians, Jews or others, to visit the Mount. Visits to the Temple Mount over the past year included nearly 4,000,000 entries by Muslims, about 200,000 entries by Christians, and about 12,000 entries by Jews.

Israel, for its part, is making every effort to restore calm. It guarantees freedom of worship for members of all faiths and is strongly committed to maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount. Israel has never made any attempt to change the status quo, and any claim to the contrary is a lie.

Israel also remains committed to dialogue with the Palestinian leadership and would like to see the renewal of direct peace talks as soon as possible.

 



This unrest comes on top of the horrific attack in Turkey (that we released a newsflash on yesterday) and the continued Syrian Inferno that seems to have no end in sight.  Meanwhile, in Iran, we just received reports that The Iranian Vice President. Dr Salehi, was threatened by one of the Majlis Deputies in Parliament over the deal--by the name of Rouhllah Hossenian.   According to another Majlis Deputy, Pirmordan, who represents the City of Ardebil (in Central Iran), Hossenian said that "We will kill you (Salehi) and pour cement over you".    Others also apparently threatened the Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Zarif, as well.  Others interceded as this image published on the Islamic Republic News Agency shows:

Our team will continue to assess this over the ensuing days.

Notations For the Week-End: An #Outsider Newsflash with Disturbing Developments Out of #Turkey

We have been reviewing reports out of Turkey of a major explosion at a peace rally in Ankara, Turkey's Capital.    It was quite a development that drew a sharp strong response from the Turkish President as Turkey is in the midst of another election campaign:

It was also a welcome development though as the PKK declared a Unilateral ceasefire which hopefully will calm things down a bit.