View of the Week: Challenging Saudi Arabia

This is a "must read" as voice for change within the Muslim Community are challenging the Status Quo:

Post by The Daily "Outsider".

Notations From the Grid: On Thoughts 4 the Week

& remembering that

“You must believe that your past is not your future.
You are not stuck or defined by tradition
and you don’t have to listen to what others tell you to do.
Focus on the bright things,
the ones that bring a smile to your face.
Find that passion and focus.”
~ Gayle Carson

Onward.....

Daily Notations From the Grid: On the Plight of Refugees

As wars rage on in Libya, Nigeria and throughout Africa, the stories of those who brave the rough seas of the Mediterranean is tough to read.     The UN Regency today shared some of their stories today over Twitter which we were also pleased to share:

#ProtectionAtSea: In a single day, a thousand desperate souls find safety http://t.co/YQceqeUaIA pic.twitter.com/8m6KWhyjJ9
— UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) February 19, 2015

We have also been assessing the White House Summit on Extremism.  It is a welcome development to bring together all to discuss the profound challenges that the continued challenge Dayesh/Dash  (also known as the IS in the media lexicon).  

Notations On the Grid (II): On Israel & the Future

As we continued to assess the state of affairs what was quite striking was how Israel's Ambassador to Washington said that influencing Iran deal was more important that a relationship with Obama--which is even more a sense of arrogance and disregard for the President of the United States.   It will be interesting to see moves by Grass Roots Organizations to facilitate a boycott of the Speech will be successful or not.   Vice President Biden has said he will not attend.      It is striking how the internal challenges in Israel are being ignored as find it quite interesting that the Prime Minister has time to go to Washington--yet does not have time to debate his opponents.

The latest on the conduct of the Prime Minister while in office is also raising eyebrows in Israel.   Whether criminal charges will be filed or not is apparently an open question right now.   Beyond the current narrow debate, what we find especially refreshing is how Democracy continues to be ever so vibrant in Israel.     In addition to +J Street  we also are supporters of the +One Voice Movement which strives for a different way beyond the current dialogue in Israel today.   What we saw recently as noted below gives us profound hope:

Dear Mike, Everyone who is concerned with the prospects of reaching a viable two-state solution and a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine recognizes the great significance of the March 17th Israeli elections. Just as in previous elections, OneVoice Israel (OVI) is ensuring that Israelis understand the urgent need for action on two states. There is a window of opportunity for a viable agreement, but it will not stay open forever. Israeli citizens have a critical role to play in this election. They must shape the 20th Knesset so it places a stable peace with its neighbors at the top of its agenda. To this end, OVI partnered with V15 (Victory 15), a grassroots, non-partisan group of inspirational young Israelis who share our values and are working for maximum voter participation in the upcoming election. They are promoting a new era of peace, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians alike. V15’s young leaders left their jobs the moment elections were called, volunteering to devote themselves to this goal by getting out the vote and countering the prevalent cynicism and apathy. Although hailing from many backgrounds and political perspectives, they are united by their shared concern over Israel’s future and recognize that their country needs a government responsive to the social, economic, and national security aspirations of the Israeli public. This video captures the spirit of V15's historic mission: To date, V15 has over 43,000 Facebook likes, with thousands more added weekly. Offline, thousands of volunteers go door-to-door as canvassers engage with ordinary Israelis in the streets of Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Beersheba, Rehovot, and more. OneVoice is dedicated to its mission of bringing about an end to the conflict so that those citizens of Israel and Palestine may one day find themselves living with the hope, peace, and dignity that we as human beings all deserve. Israel has been a model and a trailblazer in many ways.     We will be eager to see how things turn out on March 3.

Notations From the Grid: On Ukraine & Human Rights

The reports of death and destruction continues ever more.    Ukraine War is raging on despite a supposed ceasefire.  What was comical is the reaction of Vladimir Putin in saying that Ukraine Soldiers should disarm and leave the area.      The scenes are shocking as Ukraine's economic heartland is destroyed bit by bit.

As the reports of death and destruction continue, this from Human Rights Watch underscores the way Governments are reacting:

#Turkey police want more powers; #Malaysia's rights free fall; #QatarAirways outrage; more... http://t.co/6K0T43vgLl pic.twitter.com/ZBS8KBJNJd
— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) February 17, 2015

Challenging times....

Notations From Grid : On Israel Today

The pivotal day of March 3 is before us.   Israel is in the midst of an Election Cycle that is turning out to be quite exciting to observe.

Our #Outsider team joined a recent Conference Call with a Knesset Member recently sponsored by +J Street that has been at the forefront of opposition to moves by the Israeli Prime Minister as he's made moves to undermine negotations with Iran.   The Prime Minister has said that he has a moral obligation to warn America against a bad deal with Congress.   It was also especially problematic as it was revealed by the House Speaker that he had kept the White House in the dark as it arranged for a speech by the Israeli Prime Minister.

Jon Stewart of the Daily Show noted how all the moves have been ever so petty--and we agree.   What found especially disturbing was this published to Vox that showed how leaks by Israel had been designed to undermine the negotations:

Post by Ezra Klein.

Becuase of this fact, the United States has stopped cooperating with Israel as noted in this we released as a newsflash to our Facebook Page earlier today: 

Post by The Daily "Outsider".

Notations On Our World: Iran's Former President is Banned

At a news conference by Iran's Deputy Chief Justice and Chief Spokesman for the Judiciary, former President, Mohammad Khatami, has been banned from his name being mentioned by the Media.  Media has been warned that if they name them, they're subject to sanctions. 

It is quite a development in also underscoring how he has been banned from leaving the country as well.   He's been implicated in the so called "coup of 2009"--also known as the Green Movement.  The leaders of the Green Movement, Mehdi Karoubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi along with Mr. Mousavi's Wife, Zahra Rahnavard, continue to be in detention.  This is as Ahmadinjead's Former Vice President was sent to prison for taking bribes--supposedly up to 1 Billion Dollars according.