On a Late "Virtual Run" w/@DailyOutsider & Other Thoughts

After a personal "daycation", I spent the evening supporting some of the on-going daily initiatives with Daily Outsiders as I worked through the aftermath of Justice Scalia passing away.   Our team released a brief Notation on it earlier.

What was so disturbing to me personally was what I saw from the leading lights of the GOP starting with the US Senate Majority Leader:

The Senate should not confirm a new Supreme Court justice until we have a new president. (2/2)

— Senator Roy Blunt (@RoyBlunt) February 14, 2016

This is as the Daily Signal also noted this:

Sen. Chuck Grassley will do much to turn the tide of that coming conflict while serving as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. And the Iowa Republican has already signaled he won’t move any nominees out of committee.

“It’s been standard practice over the last 80 years to not confirm Supreme Court nominees during a presidential election year,” Grassley wrote in a statement. He continued:

Given the huge divide in the country, and the fact that this president, above all others, has made no bones about his goal to use the courts to circumvent Congress and push through his own agenda, it only makes sense that we defer to the American people who will elect a new president to select the next Supreme Court justice.

The traditional but unofficial Thurmond-Leahy rule dictates that the Senate halt all judicial confirmations in the last six months of a president’s time in office.

I made it a point of sending some personal tweets to Senator Blunt and Senator Shelby on it.    What I found so interesting is how Senator Grassley seems to deflect what Congress has done since 2009 to foster the very divide that he now notes.  It will quite an interesting fight to be witness to.     I found it quite interesting the statement by Speaker Ryan though (that I just picked up on my personal email):

F Statement on the Passing of Justice Antonin Scalia WASHINGTON – House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-OH) issued the following statement mourning the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia:   “Justice Scalia did more to advance originalism and judicial restraint than anyone in our time, and it all started with just two words: ‘I dissent.’ The passing of this brilliant jurist is a great loss, but his writings—with their plain language and constitutional moorings—will guide generations to come. A devout Catholic, he was fond of quoting St. Paul, who commanded us to ‘think soberly.’ That Justice Scalia did, always, and our republic is better for it. “I learned so much from this man. I knew him. I respected him. I looked up to him. We all did.Tonight, Janna and I offer our sympathy and prayers to Justice Scalia’s family.”

I truly hope all truly live up to St. Paul's admonition to "think soberly".  It appears from the discourse I have seen so far that this is far from the case.

Truly interesting times....

On This First Day of Valentine's Day Week-End 2016.....

On the eve of this Valentine's Day Week-End, my mind drifted onward to South Africa.   The team finished off on-going weekend curation initatives  Our team was working on what we had deemed "NASSIM" to replace "BRICS" as one of the up-and-comers.    The reason was that at least three of the BRICS--Russia, Brazil & South Africa--have profound difficulties.   I would also note that China has profound challenges on a multitude of fronts as well.  The only one that seems to be holding up is India--although one-third of India continues to be faced with insurgencies and inequality continues to be the order of the dya.  

What I saw in South Africa was especially troubling as the fissures in South Africa Society was evident when Jacob Zuma was in the South African Parliament on his Annual State of the State Address.   The opposition heckled him and the leaders walked out.    It was ever so timely as I saw this on The Nelson Mandela Foundation Website which seems to have been forgotten by the current heirs to Madiba's legacy: 

"Honour belongs to those who never forsake the truth even when things seem dark and grim, who try over and over again,...
Posted by Nelson Mandela Foundation on Friday, February 12, 2016

Will the World Listen on this Valentine Day's Week-End 2016?   

On a "Grammarly" Snapshot: Fun Facts 2 Share......

I ran across this on the tool I use to check myself--and the snapshot was pretty interesting because it helped keep me honest.    I think I wrote more than the Words--but at least the tool was key.   The snapshot was pretty fun to be witness to!!!

Visit My Editor

2015 In Review Your year with Grammarly You've checked 5,942 Words Amount of pages if we printed everything: 24 That's the equivalent to Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish Share with your friends 386 corrections made You were more accurate than 51% of Grammarly users. Share with your friends TOP GRAMMAR MISTAKES 1. Unnecessary ellipsis 70 mistakes 2. Incorrect spacing with punctuation 15 mistakes 3. Incorrect punctuation 12 mistakes You + Grammarly = Wolverine + Jubilee

On the Eve of Valentine's Day W-End....

I am always on the "Prowl" for thoughts and Ideas.    This one was a fun one to reflect upon...

Happy Valentine's Day to All!!!

20 Inspiring Quotes About Love 'Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.' READ MORE

Working Away w/ #EarthArt, #Iran & Other Thoughts

The team has been working away as the Musical Interlude were released.  I personally was not aware of Hozier's work--Hopefully our growing #Outsider Community enjoys the selections that is now available on the four properties.

As I was on my own Virtual Walk-About, I saw two tweets from the Commander of the International Space Station, Scott Kelly that blew me away:

#EarthArt #Iran #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/ftffPO48YF

— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 12, 2016

The snowy foothills of #Iran. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/YYW3ruMCaW

— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 12, 2016

Captain Kelly was right on when he called it "EarthArt!!!   The beauty of our World--if only we earthlings understood the beauty and the fragility of Mother Earth.

It is also President's Day Week-End in the United States as America remembers two very pivotal Presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.    For all in the United States, I wish all a fabulous restful @POTUS Weekend.

Working Away w/Notations.....

It was another busy morning throughout #outsiders as Notations were released , the team decided on the Artist of the week and the Daily Cu ration on Twitter continued.   I was frankly surprised a bit as I reviewed Twitter results--but the niche developed (that we use on a daily basis) has a place and I have faith in Jack Dorsey.


For me, it was once again a chance to reflect and remember all that I'm blessed with yet again on a Daily Basis.   It was ever so as I was out on one of my Community Action Initiatives at St. Timothy's Church on Ash Wednesday yesterday and had the pleasure to chat with some of the clients the Pantry is privileged to serve.  It was just beyond words as one of them was so gracious to express her appreciation on the eve of Valentine's Day.   It also reminded me of this from an Orange County icon that was remarkable to be witness to.


Although the team works on "Thoughts of the week" which is now a regular feature in our Education Property here in #Outsiders, I ran across this on my personal daily rounds on Twitter than I thought was quite timely to share with all as this Journey of Service Continues.....

	Phil Gerbyshak (@PhilGerb)
۲۰۱۶/۲/۹،‏ ۲۱:۱۷ "15 Executives Share the Best Advice Their Mentors Ever Gave Them" bit.ly/1TbjXBb #socialleader

On the Prowl: Notations For the Day.....

It was a good day for the Tech World yesterday as our team was on the prowl.   India rejected Free Basics that Facebook Touted as the answer to digitize the masses.   This is also as the challenge to Net Neutrality Rules continue on a massive scale here in the United States.   Although it may not matter as much in the short-term for start-ups like us, it is still a critical move that bodes well for the on-going debate worldwide.  I was especially pleased as I saw the Indian Government backing the determination by the Indian Telecom Regulator.    The Indian Telecom Minister, Ravi Shankkar Prasad underscored that it was a "clear expression of popular will".  

The on-going development has been continuing as well as epitomized by a rapid series of notations we released throughout our properties yesterday.      As I write this, the voting in New Hampshire is continuing and questions are continuing as to whether Kasich can do it or whether Rubio can overcome the questions that is bound to come up.   It was quite a day too around the World as markets continued their route after Oil once again went on a downward spiral.  Recent reports from North Dakota undrescores the plight of the challenges domestically.

Beyond the hype of the US Election Campaign (that the team will release updates tomorrow in the Network) and other on-going issues, there is the on-going challenge in the Arab World and Iran.     Based on reporting reviewed by the team through this morning, Aleppo will fall which will further strengthen Assad---I had predicted 3 years ago during a program I hosted for KU Radio that it would be just a matter of time.   How wrong I was!!!   Just yesterday, 22 migrants again drowned off Turkey in the Aeagan Sea trying to escape the horrors of war    The so-called Peace Conference is just it--so called as underscored by this from the Economist KAL not so long ago:   

Challenging times indeed--and I finished off my morning review, I saw this from the ever perceptive Geoff Colvin especially as voting in New Hampshire continues.    Why would anyone wish to take on the job of President is beyond me.   This is as another fundraising appeal from Bill Clinton came thru just now:  

Daily insights on leaders and leadership By Geoff Colvin

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ANON TIP

February 9, 2016

Running for president must be one of the most stressful activities a person can engage in. I realize that firefighters, hostage negotiators, Navy SEALs, and others go through times of indescribable stress, but they pass. Running for president takes two years, and as far as I can tell, you never get to rest. Now that New Hampshire is voting, the candidates must make hay in South Carolina and Nevada while also preparing for Super Tuesday, just three weeks from today, when 14 states choose convention delegates. Taking a break only damages your chances. It’s the world’s longest, highest-stakes ironman triathlon. That’s why, long ago, the political operatives who worked on the campaigns of John, Robert, and Edward Kennedywould check themselves into a hospital on the day after election day. Our topic today is stress because it’s a centrally important issue for all leaders and it is, like sleep, an issue that big-deal leaders are supposed to laugh at. Sleep? Who needs it? Donald Trump claimed in a debate that he got along fine on three hours a night. Stress? It goes with the territory. Don’t whine about it. But in reality stress hurts you and can kill you, and, like sleep deprivation, it’s an issue that all leaders need to confront. You know that stress can give you a headache, muscle aches, and indigestion, but it also does much worse. Chronic stress, which is the life of many business and political leaders, can cause anxiety and clinical depression and can be a factor in drug abuse and social withdrawal. These are not trivial possibilities; you may recall a rash of suicides among bankers in the last recession and again between August 2013 and February 2014, many of which were linked strongly to extreme stress. An article in today’s WSJ observes that stress is often an overlooked factor in high cholesterol. We have no specific reason to believe that stress played a direct role in the heart attack of United Continental CEO Oscar Munoz in October, a few weeks after he was suddenly given the job, or in the hospitalization of Valeant Pharmaceuticals CEO J. Michael Pearson with pneumonia in December. But both men were in extremely stressful situations, and even if stress didn’t cause their health problems, it can slow recovery from any illness. Munoz has since had a heart transplant, and United Continental says he’ll be back by the end of March. Valeant has named an interim CEO and has not said when Pearson will return to work. The larger point is that leadership is a physical job, though we rarely think of it that way. When Hedley Donovan stepped down as editor-in-chief of Time Inc. (Fortune’s parent) in 1979, he was asked to name the most important trait for the role. He said nothing about intellect or editorial judgment; “stamina” was his answer. Leaders need to accept that stress is a genuine danger and must be addressed like any other. More immediately, the evidence suggests there’s good reason to be concerned about the health of the presidential candidates. Let’s hope that all of them, even the ones you hate, make it.

Working Away On the "Prowl" w/Notations

The team @ #Outsiders did some interesting work over the past 24 hours.      Today will be a day to reflect for our team after quite a week that we've worked to release notations from.     As our research and work continues, I wanted to take a moment of pause to share President Obama's speech at the Mosque in Baltimore:

It was quite a speech and was very moving in many respects that reminded all about America being one Family--he went through the history.   I did not know that Jefferson was accused of being a Muslim--and he noted how he was in good company.      It was so moving how he systematically addressed all the distortions that has endured over the ensuing months.     He underscored the rise in bullying and threats as well.    It was also quite on pointe as he honored Keith Ellison and Andre Carson, the two Muslim Americans in Congress whose loyalty was questioned by Steve King who serves as the Co-Chair for the Cruz Campaign.     The President underscored how respect for all faiths is part of the very fabric of America.     He also underscored how it is up to all to counter the narrative--and I dug this up from my archives to underscore this that the debate is continuing:



The President talked what was right and what was wrong.     He underscored the broad understanding that is at the core of what Islam is--versus the misguided and misperceptions underscored    What the Muslim Community did for the victims of San Bernardino was just one example--it was an absolute privilege for me to contribute to that through the LanuchGood Platform--a crowdfunding platform by the Muslim Community.  As I "dropped in", one of the campaigns currently going on is to assist with clean water for Flint, Michigan.     

As I listened to the President, it reminded me of the mission of #Outsiders which was simple: "..To help transform the conversation about our World one notation, one tweet & one Weibo at a time...".   Such dialogue is needed--as the tough questions have to be asked about US Policies.      

As our journey throughout #outsiders continues, I ran across this that the team allowed me to use t o close courtesy of +Jonathan Huie that I hope will allow us to do our part--as we hope to create lights for others which we hope that it will light our way--as we do work to question assumptions and not accept things as they are--but as they should be....

On the "Prowl": Thoughts On #Trump, #Internet & Other Thoughts....

It has once again an interesting 24 hours as I saw comments from Donald Trump on his assessment on Iowa--accusing Ted Cruz of Fraud and admitting that skipping the last debate cost him.    This is as the GOP has come out with "guns blazing" labeling him a "loser", calling him "Donald the Magnificent" among other things.      It will be interesting to say the least--especially as I saw Tim Scott, the Senator from South Carolina endorsing Marco Rubio for President and as Rand Paul is Out. 

I had a bit of a drama this morning as well.  I was thankful how our network here in Southern California was so reliable and yet this morning saw an outage which prompted our team to be on the hunt for Wi-Fi hotspots.    I got on the phone with AT&T and they told me that it may take up to 24 hours--but we're back "on line" catching up.    I note this because the UK yesterday suffered a major outage throughout the country that BT had to apologize for.    It was also quite a day for one of the internet pioneers as it effectively put a for sale sign for its' properties.     Our team will be on the prowl for it--and I could only be a bit je.alous as I saw that despite its' present challenges, Yahoo still has almost a Billion Visitors monthly to its' properties!!!

It has also been quite a distressing 24 hours.    I was horrified during my morning review as I saw reports on a 10-year child being executed by the Taliban in Afghanistan.   As I understand it, he had defected from the Taliban and had gone back to school.    The issue of child soldiers are a reality in Afghanistan not withstanding the apparent strict orders by the Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani.   The situation continues to get worst by the day as I reviewed comments by the new US Commander underscoring the dire nature of the reality on the ground in Afghanistan.    I could not also help but be horrified by continued reports out of Egypt as the repression continues by the Sisi Government.  A satirist was imprisoned because he had the nerve to mock one of Sisi's Allies!!   This is as our team just released a Tweet on the #ArabWorld hashtag on the dire conditions in Jordan due to the on-going refugee crisis.  

Despite it all, I took comfort in what the great Deepak Chopra reminded us all of as our team will be working on the next series of notations and gearing up for the Friday Musical Interlude in honor of Black History Month:

“Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way,
ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past
or a pioneer of the future.”
~ Deepak Chopra

I also hope all enjoy this "Week-End Hym" that the team ran across earlier that should be quite uplifting:

"Virtually Breathless"--yet Grateful :)))

On the aftermath of #Iowa and some of the challenges in our World, the team hit the "Virtual Ground" running today and being "Virtually Breathless" is an understatement.    I will be especially keen to see how Yahoo is doing as I was kind of gratified to see the challenges by Big Oil as one after another have been reporting losses.

Interesting times indeed--but I embraced this thought as I supported the ongoing development work of  #Outsiders:

Recipe for success: Study while others are sleeping; work while others are loafing; prepare while others are playing; and dream while others are wishing.  ~ William A. Ward

Working Away....

It has been a busy one yet again at #Outsiders. Although we will be on "duty" as we do the daily Social Media Roundup for our "hashtag" watches, the team will be working on the latest series of notations over the ensuing days. It has also been an interesting evening with reports out of Iowa on the win by Ted Cruz and the razor trip win by Hillary Clinton. 

This week is also quite a week. The 37th Anniversary of the Iranian Revolution is being celebrated by the Regime in Iran. As President Rohani has been on his charm offensive, the reality inside the country has been different as the team has been working away on some of the realities inside the Country. I was on the grid for the night as I ran across this by one of the preeminent contemporary historians of our Time, Professor Touraj Daryaee of UC Irvine as noted below: 

Touraj Daryaee added 2 new photos.

2 hrs · 

Revolution: It is only a passing observation and note as a historian!

It is the 37th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution and two images has kindled my memory of what was at stake. First is the front page of Hamshahri Newspaper in Iran, which has a picture of the early revolutionary days, where men and women, both with tie and without, and women with and without hejab came together. No one forced the other to dress or behave in a way that was not in accord with their own beliefs.

These people revolted for "freedom," for the release of political prisoners, end of torture, freedom of the press. They revolted for people to have a say in a political system where before it had no vote and no real say. As Zibakalam has mentioned, the chanting of "death" to this and that was only minor a part of this revolution which became louder and lost its real substance.

The other picture comes from Mehr Nameh which reviewed Ayattollah Khamenie's recent 992 page biography. The picture is telling of who was involved in the early days: Ayattollah Kahmenei representing the clergy, Foruhar and Bazargan, the National Front, as well as Amir-Entezam, and finally Chamran the idealist fighter. In religious garb, in suits with ties, without ties, etc. The image showed the diversity and inclusiveness. Some people may want us to forget this and recreated a totally different past, but the historians who be the gatekeepers here.

37 years forward and we have a totally different Iran, where many of the early ideals have given way to chants of death, rule by one fraction of the people with a specific ideology, holding the rest of the people in limbo.

But, this is the story of revolutions, where it takes time for it to show its results. It seems everyone fought each other after the victory, and little by little groups and people were pushed aside and one group won the day.

The real question is whether this group would at some time allow others to participate and achieve the dream that was the revolution, or it would become a dictatorship of one man-one party where the minority rule over the almost 80 million people.

دو عکس از روزهای اوایل انقلاب مرا بیاد آنچه این حرکت قرار بود انجام دهد انداخت. دکتر زیبا کلام چندی پیش نیز این موضوع را در سخنرانی بیان کردند. انقلاب برای آزادی بود. آزادی بیان آزادی مطبوعات آزادی زندانیان سیاسی و پایان شکنجه و فشار و مهمتر از همه ظلم به مردم ایران.

عکس نخست که از مهرنامه گرفتم و از کتاب خاطرات آیت الله خامنه ایی است نشاندهنده این باز بودن و آزاد بودن دوران اوایل انقلاب است. با کروات و بی کروات و با عبای روحانی. چپی و لیبرال و ملی مذهبی و مذهبی همه دست در دست هم دادند برای آزادی.

عکس دوم از همشهری گرفته شده است که با تیتر "همان مردم" گویای این بود که زن با حجاب و بی حجاب با کت و کروات و بی کت همه در این انقلاب شریک بودند. آمده بودند تا آزادی را تجربه کنند. نزدیک هفتاد سال بود که زحمت کشیده بودند که یکنفر و یا یک حزب برای همیشه بر مصدر قدرت نباشد. بله قربان نخیر قربان و دلا و راست شدن جلوی کسی انجام ندهند.

سی و هفت سال از آنزمان گذشته است. امروز چه داریم؟ معلوم است که یک گروه از میان همه بازی را برد. دیگران که این بازی را باختند بی گناه نیستند چون همه به جان هم افتادند.

اما زمان می برد تا انقلاب نتیجه واقعی خود را نشان دهد. چه خواهد شد؟ آیا گروهی که بازی را برده حاضر است با مردم و دیگران قدرت را تقسیم کند یا اینکه بمانند زمان شاه یک حزب و یک نفر و یک گروه به نام اسلام (انگار که فقط آنها مسلمانند) فقط حق تصمیم گیری برای همه مردم ایران دارند؟

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