Notations on Our World: On #Obamacare & Other Thoughts

Today was an interesting day in Washington as the US Supreme Court once again surprised all with the decision to uphold subsidies for Obamacare.   Our team has been reviewing the decision, the dissent and the reaction--which has been quite interesting.   Our team has been reaching out over Twitter to leading GOP lawmakers including Senator +Marco Rubio  and Senator McCain to get a sense of what their recommendations are.  We have also seen some of the alternatives lingering in Congress including a measure by Congressman Price of Georgia.   It was also quite interesting how swiftly opponents--including Congresswoman Mimi Waters of California further came out in opposition.      It appears that the Republican Leadership will continue its' efforts, though, through the Budget Process to try and "defund" Obamacare.  

The President has also won another key victory--Fast Track Authority as he continues negotations on the so called TPP (Transpacific Partnership).     As we assess this and other on-going developing scenes while on the "Virtual Prowl",  we wanted to share this we saw on the "Grid" earlier.    It is a beautiful testiment to the Art of the Possible and how it is ever so possible to change the World.   It has been the driving force behind #Outsiders:
  

Amen!!!! :-) :-) https://t.co/UNO77J8nzy

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

Notations On Our World: Briefly On #Turkey & #Israel

Turkey has gone through a transformation.   Our team here @ #Outsiders was surprised as the ruling party got whipped at the Polls.   Kurdish parties have taken their seats in the Turkish Parliament and this was one quite signficant as our founder noted this on his personal Twitter Feed:

Tending 2 @DailyOutsider..great news!!!: Dilek #Öcalan, niece of jailed Kurdish leader, enters #Turkey parliament http://t.co/OHfSPHO9GR

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) June 24, 2015

What is also quite interesting to observe is that Turkey and Israel have apparently begun secret reconciliation efforts.   Israel continues to be on the spotlight as the UN has come out with a tough report on the conduct of the Gaza war.   The coverage on it was quite stark as +Fox News noted Israel's right to Self-Defense as +The Guardian put a totally different spin on it.    Our team has released the UN link here for reference as we will also assess this.     +Haaretz הארץ is reporting that Israel is launching a major diplomatic initiative in Europe to mitigate the public relations damage it is bound to cause.  The United States, though, has already noted that it opposes the Gaza Report be referred to the UN Security Council and will probably veto it.      However, Israel has bigger challenges before it also as +Haaretz הארץ noted here:

After Gaza report, Israel is losing its clout on Iran, says Zvi Bar'el http://t.co/nP1GxErhGi pic.twitter.com/RxdEvK48Cx

— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) June 24, 2015

An #Outsider Newsflash (II): On the Latest From the US Supreme Court

We have been awaiting a number of pivotal decisions from the United States Supreme Court which will impact a number of key initiatives including The Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) and Same Sex Marriage.     According to the US Supreme Court, non-arguments days have been scheduled for Thursday June 25 and Friday June 26.  

It is a developing story which we look forward to commenting as we continue to develop the on-going "Notations" Series on the US.

An #Outsider Newsflash: Transpacific Partnership on Track

We just received this courtesy of +Huffington Post Politics  at our Virtual Studios as the President has been given a victory with the signature initiative of his Second Term-_The Transpacific Partnership despite some setbacks initially and as a coalition of Progressive Groups worked mightily to defeat it:

Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Tuesday handed President Barack Obama the biggest legislative victory of his second term, with a dramatic vote clearing the way for major trade agreements with Pacific Rim nations and the European Union.

Notations on Our World: On a Different & Engaging View on Iran

Power of A Cliche from Haleh Anvari on Vimeo.

The final countdown to June 30 has begun.     This is as Iran's Parliament just passed a new law restricting access to military sites and a prohibition against discussions with Iran's nuclear scientsits--and a demand for an immediate lifting of the sanctions.

There is so much that goes has gone on.     We found this clip on Iran quite compelling to  dispel some of notions on Iran as we await the next phase in the long-running saga of the negotations at hand.      

An #Outsider newsflash: Afghan Parliarment Under Attack in #Kabul

As our team has been working away on assessing the World today, we have received disturbing developments out of Afghanistan at our Virtual Studios.   Afghanistan's Parliament has been attacked in Kabul and the Taliban have claimed responsiblity.    This has also been confirmed by late breaking reports from the Wall Street Journal and +i24news EN.    

This is as brazen an attack in a string of major attacks during the Spring Offensive.    Our team was remaining hopeful that attacks will taper off during Ramadan.   It is a developing story which we continue to monitor.

The Friday Musical Interlude: Walter Beasely's "Coolness'"

On the eve of the Week-End throughout the #Outsider Properties,  our team chose Walter  Beasley's "Coolness" for this edition of the "Friday Musical Interlude" which we hope all enjoy: