Notations From the Grid: New York Times' Man in Tehran

One of the most perceptive reporters  that we here @ #Outsiders follow closely was featured this morning in the New York Times which we wanted to share here on today's edition of "Notations From the Grid":

Life in Iran can be a challenge--but still beautiful to be witness to.  Nicely Done +Thomas Erdbrink.  

 

View of the Week: On Iran's Challenges

For this edition of View of the Week, we decided to release this "from the Grid" on Iran.   Although we here @ #Outsiders deal with the on-going public policy and political issues in the "ordinary faces" channel, this released earlier underscores challenges on the Environment:

Read on i24News "As lakes become deserts, drought is #Iran new problem"😨😢😱😭😭😭 http://t.co/FElbCsvVQK http://t.co/FElbCsvVQK
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) March 23, 2015

The challenge of the Environment and lack of Water is of profound concern.

Notations On Our World: On Israel, Iran & The US...Some Brief Late Breaking Developments

Within the past 30 minutes, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Israel spied on US talks with Iran.     This is as The Israeli Prime Minister had begun a campaign in conjunction with the US Speaker of the House for the speech.     This is also as Israel dispatched a delegation to France to meet with French Officials to try and scuttle the pending deal that seems as close as ever.  

Senator McCain had noted that President Obama should "Chill".     It would be quite interesting to see if Senator McCain was in the White House, what would his reaction be to what Israel had done.    It also appears that the Israeli Prime Minister understood the extent of his divisive rhetoric as he apologized for his remark:



It worked, though by switching the votes at the end.   This is as he has also said now he still supports a two-state solution after having said he does not anymore.      Haaretz asked a very perceptive question: "..The sincerity of the prime minister's gesture will be tested by his actions in the upcoming term: Will he allow anti-democratic legislation, or try to treat 20 percent of the population as equals?".      It was also telling that one of the leading lights of American Politics, James Baker, came out swinging against The Israeli Prime Minister:

Ex-Sec. of State James Baker slams Netanyahu's 'diplomatic missteps, political gamesmanship' http://t.co/FFiPtehHrh pic.twitter.com/qqVQfE0s6i
— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) March 24, 2015

  

Challenging Times.....

On the US Political Scene: Cruz Makes it Official (& Other Thoughts)

The new week is before us and the US Political scene is about to get a lot more interesting as US Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has made it officially official:  He's running for President.   He made the announcement on Twitter: 

http://t.co/EX5Ch39d44 @tedcruz I'm running for President and I hope to earn your support! pic.twitter.com/2GcZG1N2vz pic.twitter.com/jZcVkbhqiy
— #CruzCrew Ted Cruz45 (@tedcruz45) March 23, 2015

There has been no secret of his plans--the only folks who did not know are probably the people who live deep in the Amazon.    There is one reality that was noted within the past hour on the "Social Grid":

Post by PolitiFact.

He noted in his message that he wishes to earn the trust of the people.    It will be interesting to see how he would be doing it.     This is as there are a number of other leading players are also pounding the pavement aggressively:   Jeb Bush and Donald Trump.  

It is bound to get very interesting and ever so fun to comment on as we assess the candidates and what the so-called Mainstream Media (including Fox News) will be commenting on.    He was the talk of the "town" today as he gave his speech at Liberty University (and as Rand Paul Supporters were prominent with their Red Shirts).    Rand Paul is gearing up for his "big annouement" on April 7.

Here is a sampling of the coverage on the "right" and the "left":

Ted Cruz Appeals to Liberty at Start of 2016 Race for President

News: The Texas Republican announced his candidacy to a friendly crowd at Liberty University, seeking to rally "courageous conservatives."

Read More
 

MARCH 23, 2015 TERRANCE HEATH Ted Cruz is Running For President. Here Are the Crazy Things He Believes Today Sen. Ted Cruz (R, Texas) announced the he will run for president, making him the first major candidate to announce for 2016. Here are some of the crazy things Ted Cruz believes.

Remembering Lee Kuan Yew

Just like many around the World, we here @ #Outsiders remember the life and times of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's Founder and First Prime Minister.   He leaves a powerful legacy of service and purpose.    We extend our condolences ot his family and the people of Singapore on this day.

He made a difference--and that in the end is all that matters.

A Musical Interlude in Celebration of Spring: Lira In Concert

As we celebrate spring here @ #Outsiders, we wanted to feature this from Lira Live in Concert as she sings "Feel Good":

Enjoy!!!

View of the Week (II) : On the Eve of Spring & #Nowruz

Spring is in the air.   It is nature's time to renew and we here @ #Outsiders are ever so hopeful despite a challenging week we've been witness to yet again with the horrific attack in Tunisia, the continued challenges in Libya,, the carnage in Syria and as we went to press, an attack by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir on a police station.

On the eve of #Nowruz,  President Obama's message to Iranians on this occasion struck a very hopeful tone:



We here @ #Outsiders extend our best wishes to all who celebrate #Nowruz and echo President Obama's wishes.   We are hopeful as we reviewed reports about the Iranian Delegation agreeing to extend its' stay in Switzerland until after negotiations end.    

We appreciate all the support as we continue this "labor of love".   Happy Spring to all!!!