Notations On Our World (Special Thursday Edition): #JournalismIsNottACrime

Professor +Juan Cole recently shared this image done by Sandow Brikow that is at the San Jose Museum of Art.    This is a depiction of a possible future for California as Climate Change continues to be or profound concern despite the skepticism at the highest levels of the Trump Administration-underscored by the nomination of Scott Pruitt at the EPA.       We here in California, though, are gratified to note that the end of the drought is in sight.   In Southern California, we're expecting rain!!!   What was striking to us earlier in the week was a tacit disregard given to the Governor of California who has emerged as one of the leading opponents of the President's Policies.    During the Orville Dam emergency evacuation order, The White House Press Secretary noted how the situation was being "monitored" by coordinating it with the local Representative without any mention of Governor Brown.    

As we went to press, our team attended the live webcast of President Trump's news conference just concluded within the past hour.   He unleashed an attack on the Media in the aftermath of the resignation of General Flynn and the chaos that seems to be the order of the day in the White House.   He noted that he "inherited a mess" when he took office.   It was interesting how The White House is interestingly trying to change the story to the "leaks"-including a letter sent by leading members of the House GOP caucus to investigate the leaks.    It is also interesting how the Press now is ever so assertive as shown by this latest on MSNBC's Morning Joe:




 His Budget Director, a proponent of deep Government cuts, has been confirmed by a narrow vote as he has just nominated a new Labor Secretary to replace the previous one who withdrew.      The President also hosted the Israeli Prime Minister at the White House yesterday.   What we found very curious is the choices the President made to take questions from: Townhall.Com & Christian Broadcasting.   It was left up to Israeli Journalists to ask probing questions about the Two-State Solution and the controversy over the Holocaust.    The President responded by touting his election win and noting how there is going to be a lot of "love".    It was also striking as he was asked about Anti-Semitism and his response was " I am the least anti-semitic person there is"--reminding all that his son-in-law, daughter and grandchildren are Jewish.   This is as the Israeli Consulate in Miami was evacuated due to a bomb threat.    He also noted that the team is a "well-oiled" machine despite the chaos currently prevalent in the White House.     We also will be working to release a retrospective on the first 30 days of the Trump Administration during Presidents' Day WeekEnd here in the United States in addition to another edition of Notations on Israel.

Beyond the United States, there is Africa.  We have been monitoring reports of the President of Nigeria's illness.   What is critical to note is that Nigeria is the largest Country in Africa and what happens in Nigeria Matters.     Although there have been notable successes in the fight against Boko Haram, there are profound economic and social challenges as the Country is  being hampered by the President's absence due to illness.   

The second largest economy in Africa is South Africa.    Jacob Zuma gave his "SONA (State of the Nation) address.      The left reflects the ceremony and the right depicts the chaos inside the chamber:

EFF, Madisha removal during Sona referred to rules committee: Parliament has referred the physical removal of Congress of the People (Cope) MP Willie Madisha and the violent ejection of Economic Freedom FIghters (EFF) members to the joint rules committee. Madisha was the first to be removed by Parliament’s 'bouncers' during President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address on Thursday.

Our team was blown away by the use of the Word "bouncers".     The two countries are the key countries in Africa and the turmoil will continue to present challenges for the entire continent.  T Tragedy also struck Pakistan as a Sufi Shrine was attacked which underscores how Pakistan continues to be besieged by insurgencies with no end in sight.   Iraq is also as dangerous as ever as cars bombs again shook Baghdad.       Gaza has also seen a change in leadership as a new leader has been elected as the prospects for any peace has faded away despite President Trump's declarations to the contrary.

   We conclude by remembering and calling for the immediate release of Mahmoud Hussein who has been in prison in Egypt and reminding all that #JournalismIsNotaCrime:

Thought For the Week: On Love & the Possibilities

It has been a challenging few days in our World.   The World celebrated Valentine's Day yesterday which gave all a chance to remember and appreciate their loved ones and for the wider World to remember the old Beatles' Admonition:

 

In line with our mission to work to change the conversation about our World, we wanted to feature a number of the inspirational posters on Values.Com that underscores how anything can be indeed possible:

 

All of the stories are inspiring.   May we all embrace the lessons.

Onward.....

A "Virtual Treat" On This #ValentinesDay2017 For All To Enjoy

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at the Daily Outsider.

We're honored and privileged to share this "snapshot" we received from the team at Pandora which will also be available on our sister site Ordinary Faces Entertainment Corner:

Hear the Love with your love  this Valentine’s Day.

80s Love Songs Beats Between The Sheets

Country Love Songs Pop Love Songs

R&B Love Songs Canciones Romanticas

On This Valentine's Day 2017....

Notations From the Grid (Weekly Edition): On Our World & the latest dilemma re @POTUS Watch

The World was witness to another North Korea missile attack as President Trump and Prime Minister Abe had a submit at the President's Florida Estate.    This is also as Prime Minister Trudeau is now in Washington.    This is also as reports of turmoil at the White House seem to be dominating with the National Security Advisor being in the crosshairs--as the White House Senior Counselor noted that the President had full confidence in General Flynn and then the Press Secretary noted that the President was evaluating the situation--and as there are reports that Michael Flynn has submitted his resignation.As we also went to press, we were reviewing reports of the North Korean Missile Launch being discussed while the President was at dinner at his Club in Florida with the Japanese Prime Minister--A charge the White House Denies.

The White House Policy Director, Stephen Miller, went on the US Public Affairs Shows to discuss on-going policy matters--including the Immigration Matter and the on-going charge of Voter Fraud--and underscoring a view first noted by the Justice Department Counsel during proceedings before the 9th Circuit that the President's Actions were "non-reviewable" which was discussed at a +Morning Joe  Panel:



It is of note that the Executive Branch has been abiding by the Court's Decision--although the continued attack on the Judiciary is disturbing.   The ignorance of the basics of the Constitution of the United States is of profound concern.   +Joe Scarborough was right on when he noted that the comments were horrendous--and the idea of a President of the United States having unlimited power is not correct and must be of concern to all Justices of the US Supreme Court--as Judge Gorsuch is up for his confirmation.    Republicans are quiet.      

Beyond the policy challenges as we launch our weekly @POTUS launch, the business front is just as profound times.   The challenging times was  captured by the Fortune's Geoff Colvin which in our view captures the profound challenges being faced before us--as the new Treasury Secretary was confirmed and was sworn into office earlier today: 

FEBRUARY 13, 2017 “You know we have a treaty with Japan where if Japan is attacked, we have to use the full force and might of the United States. If we’re attacked, Japan doesn’t have to do anything. They can sit home and watch Sony television, OK?” Thus spoke Donald Trump witheringly just six months ago. But wait – on Friday he said, “We are committed to the security of Japan and all areas under its administrative control and to further strengthening our very crucial alliance,” adding later , after North Korea tested a ballistic missile, “The United States of America stands behind Japan, its great ally, 100 percent.” All politicians contradict themselves, but rarely as often, as starkly, or on such crucial issues as Trump does. A looming danger is that by doing so, he continues to undermine the pro-business stance he’s trying to maintain. Uncertainty paralyzes, and he risks paralyzing four of the most important players in the U.S. economy: -The Fed. Vice chairman Stanley Fischer on Saturday cited “significant uncertainty” about Trump’s fiscal policy, which makes the Fed’s job harder. Reduced confidence about the Fed’s future actions spooks investors, executives, and consumers. -Importers. Trump keeps threatening border taxes yet has said he dislikes the border-adjustment feature of House Speaker Paul Ryan’s proposed corporate tax overhaul, which might or might not (depending on which lobbyist you listen to) increase costs for importers. How can any executive make a confident decision about importing (or not) anything? That’s a giant issue right now for many major industries, such as autos. -Companies that employ foreigners, especially if they’re Muslim or Mexican. That means every large business and quite a few small ones. It’s not that all employers oppose Trump’s executive orders on immigration, though many of them do. But the orders are vaguely written, subject to wide interpretation by officials and individual border agents, and in any case tied up in the courts for who knows how long with who knows what outcome. Some companies now refuse to send certain employees overseas, for fear they won’t be able to re-enter, and some foreigners refuse to travel to the U.S. As a result, the pace of business slows down. -The health care sector. It’s arguably America’s largest industry, and many of its participants would be happy, in principle, to see Trump and Congress replace Obamacare. But with what? Trump has called for swift replacement but has no proposal, and Congressional Republicans can’t agree on one. A hospital trade group is already lobbying against Obamacare repeal. Everyone in the industry figures Obamacare in its present form is going, but no one has a clue what’s coming. America needs a more pro-business Washington. And yes, uncertainty about future policy is eternal. But this is different; it’s uncertainty about fundamental plans for future policy. One result: less certainty, less confidence, less action. That’s bad for business.

View of the Week: A "Blast From the Past" On #Iran & The United States

Iran just celebrated another anniversary of the Revolution. This interesting retrospective of the Iran & United States captures what has happened since the Revolution as the World is witness to the evolving policy of The Trump Administration towards Iran. The history is critical as the World awaits the evolution in light of the recent sanctions announced: 

Notations From the Grid (W-End Edition): Trevor Noah Speaks to Al Jazeera

Please enjoy this very perceptive interview Al Jazeera conducted with the host of the Daily Show in the United States, Trevor Noah on Donald Trump, South Africa and the World:

Notations On Our World: Reflections On Iran......

Iran is in the crosshairs of the Trump Administration as noted by   President's Tweets:

Iran is playing with fire - they don't appreciate how "kind" President Obama was to them. Not me!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2017

Iran's Supreme Leader responded in kind as he faulted the Obama Administration for Syria and other challenges in the Middle East in the aftermath of President Trump's election. This is in addition to declarations by the US Secretary of Defense as he has had long-standing profound concerns about Iran--although he has also publicly come out publicly in support of the Nuclear Agreement.    President Rouhani, though, touted how this was a "win-win"--as there is still some caution being shown despite the occasional on-going broadsides by Ayatollah Khameini.

Our team decided to share a retrospective on Iran by introducing the World to the real Iran courtesy of the Iranian Student Association at Penn State University as we assessed some of the on-going internal challenges prompted by the death of Ex-President Rafsanjani: 

Iran is on the eve of celebrating 38 years of the Revolution.  The leading opposition figure, Former President Khatami, has called for a massive turnout echoing what President Rouhani and The Supreme Guide have said--as one other leading opposition figure, Mehdi Khazali, has called for a boycott of the marches.     This is as ne of the key milestones recently achieved was the first delivery of the new Airbus planes negotiated in the aftermath of the nuclear agreement.     This is as our team picked up this "blast from the Past" celebrating the first direct flight to the United States in 1974 which was celebrated with a commemorative postage Stamp at the time:  

Iran, though, lost a major founding figure of the Revolution earlier this year.    Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a Former Speaker of Parliament and President, died of an apparent heart failure and was given a State Funeral earlier this year.     The Supreme Guide issued a tribute to his old friend of 53-Years and revolutionary Comrade as he presided over his funeral:
 
 He was buried at Khomeini's mausoleum in Tehran.   Our team found it very curious that he did not use the title of Ayatollah in his tribute. 

His widow posted this on the day after as he remembered her husband glancing at the empty chair remembering the ritual they had as she prepared his breakfast:



What was "glossed over" was his record.    He was appointed Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces during the Iran-Iraq war and was directly responsible for prolonging the war that to this day Iran continues to suffer from.     He was also at the forefront of the elimination campaign against political opponents.    He also engineered the rise of Khameini after the death of Khomeini.    

One of the leading opposition figures, Hadi Khorsandi, issued  a retrospective in Farsi which was stinging indictment of the true legacy of Rafsanjani as depicted below published on Mr. Khorsandi's Facebook Page: 

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Mr. Khorsandi wrote to remind the World that there are those mothers, wives and children whose images and grief will never be known as Rafsanjani was the key culprit of hundreds who had been killed during the height of his  Power.   Although Anyone's death is never to be celebrated--but the image on the left reflects some of the key opposition figures Rafsanjani had a hand in killing.    These key opposition figures--including the Kurdish Democratic Party head of Iran Dr. Gasmelou assassinated in Germany--wanted to make sure that Rafsanjani's crimes were not forgotten.  .  After his Presidency, he hardly left Iran because he was subjected to arrest--along with his Foreign Minister--who now serves as a key advisor to  the Supreme Guide Ali Khamenei.      Mr. Khorsandi himself was ordered to be assassinated by   Ayatollah Khomeini for his anit-regime activities 

 including the publication of the leading Persian Satire Publication Ashgar Agha. In a recent interview on the Farsi Service of Voice of America, he almost broke down as he noted that he felt ashamed because just because he was "almost assassinated", it was not worth discussing as he remembered the thousands of writers who had been killed during the height of Rafsanjani's Power.   The program revealed that one of the facilitators of the assassination plot against Mr. Khorsandi was a gentleman by the name of Mohammad Hashemi-now of the richest men in Iran and husband to Masoumeh Ebtekar--who serves as a Vice President in the Rouhani Government and heads the Environment Organization in Iran.  What is also interesting to note that both were part of the so-called Students that took over the US Embassy in Tehran in 1980.

In the later years, Rafsanjani was deemed a pragmatist and emerged as the head of the reformist faction in his later years.    Some would argue that this was out of necessity as he was effectively sidelined by Khameini.   What was fascinating, though, was that he personally was not arrested--although his children were constantly harassed and emerged as vocal supporters of the opposition.   One of his sons, Mehdi, is still in prison after having being convicted of graft and received a special dispensation to attend his father's funeral.    He was the chief patron of the so-called progressive faction within the regime--and this may prove problematic as Rouhani plans out his reelection.   

 He also was depicted as the modern era's "Amir Kabir".for his supposed reforms--although the legacy of the rise of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp began under his watch--and expanded under his successor Ahmadinejad.    For those who may not know who Amir Kabir is, he served as Chancellor under the Qajar King Nasser Din Shah and was ordered assassinated as he began a reform campaign that was derailed--although what he began ultimately resulted in the advent of Constitutional Monarchy during the reign of Mozafar Din Shah who succeeded Naser Din Shah.    Rafsanjani's actual record is a far cry from what Amir Kabir achieved during his brief tenure as Chancellor (Prime Minister).    

Some have suggested that Rafsanjani may have been murdered.   Our team has no way to collaborate this--although it has been discussed in various outlets--including the Farsi Service of the Voice of America.   As the Iranian Year is coming to an end,  the looming power struggle looms large as Rouhani is up for reelection and engaged in a major tussle with the head of Judiciary--with the battle over a successor to Khameini also part of the complicated equation.    One of the "dark horse" candidates emerging is a cleric by the name of Ebrahim Raissi:

He was appointed by Khamenei to run the Astan Quds Razavi--one of the largest foundations in the Muslim World with estimated revenue of $ 150,000,000 dollars.   Over the last number of months, a number of key Revolutionary Guard Commanders had gone to see him.   He had risen through the Regime's National Security Establishment over the past 37 years.

As Raissi rises in prominence, the tussle between Rouhani and Larijani continues--mollified somewhat publicly at this time.    This tussle was depicted by the team at +Iran Wire recently which we view as a perfect illustration:  

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The dispute rose after the Judiciary Head, Sadeq Larijani, was implicated in a massive corruption scandal regarding the bail monies put up by those who were arrested.   Sadeq Larijani then came out forcefully asking for a full and complete accounting of expenses by the Presidency--after the scandal involving pays for Senior Government bureaucrats.   It seems to have subsided partly due to the emerging external challenges and the moves by Israel to resurrect an anti-Iran coalition in the aftermath of the election of Donald Trump.   

One of Rouhani's potential rivals is the Mayor Of Tehran who ran against him in 2012.    He is faced with a bit of a profound challenge on his own as he is dealing with the aftermath of the collapse of the Plasco Building in Tehran.   This was a building built in 1968 by one of the leading Jewish-Iranian business, Habib Elghanian who was one of the first victims of the Islamic Revolution.    The team at +Iran Wire depicted the manner in which the City of Tehran responded to this tragedy:  .    

A number of firefighters lost their lives as a result of the collapse and hundreds of thousand turned out for their funeral.   What is critical to note that this building was owned by one of the foundations controlled by the Supreme Guide (Supreme Leader) and had been apparently cited numerous times by the Tehran City Government--but they had no power to enforce the citations.     It underscores the profound challenges faced by the Government as Iran gears up for reelection that also has the incumbent, Hassan Rouhani, facing his own challenges.   Some within the Guardian Council--charged with vetting the suitability of candidates for office--have said that even the incumbent President may be deemed unqualified.  

What is critical to note as Iran remembers 38 years of revolution:  What happens in Iran matters to the region and the World.   It will be fascinating to be witness to it all.

Iran's former president Rafsanjani dies aged 82

Read more

Notations On Our World (Wednesday Edition): On a Very Challenging Yet Exciting Week & a Plea for Inner Peace

It has been quite a week yet again.     We have been working away on a number of key initiatives assessing the following (and as we've been curating our Twitter Channel) as these key developments have ensued: 

• The Trump Administration continues to implement its' agenda and works on continuing to form the Government--with so far only 5 Cabinet Officials confirmed & as the looming battle over the Travel Ban is in full effect--and the move against Senator Elizabeth Warren by the US Senate Majority Leader; 
• Francois Fillon, the leading conservative candidate in France, is in Trouble and Marie Le Pen continues his rise in the Polls with potential talks of "Frexit" & as the United Kingdom has begun the painful process of "Brexit"; 
• Israel continues to deal with the aftermath of the latest effort to further undermine the peace effort as the right continues to be in a dominant position and as a potential new conflict in Gaza looms; 
• Iran's Supreme Guide  (Rahbar-Engelab--or also known in the West as the Supreme Leader), Ayatollah Khamenei, continues his on-going broadsides against the United States on the eve of the 38th Anniversary of the 1979 Iranian Revolution and an election for the Presidency Looms--with the incumbent President, Hassan Rouhani, in trouble--and as the leaders are calling for a massive turnout in support of the Revolution; 
• India is in the midst of a major Election Campaign that will be window into the looming re-election campaign of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi;
• Russia continues its' assertiveness ever more in Ukraine, the Baltic States and the continued assertiveness in Syria

These challenges have  left us "virtually breathless".      We chose to begin our mid-week by choosing this curated thoughts from +Jonathan Huie that our team found quite timely as we continue our mission to "work to change the conversation about our World":

We can never obtain peace in the outer world

until we make peace with ourselves.

- Dalai Lama

Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit.

Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever,

even if your whole world seems upset.

- Saint Francis de Sales

The world has always been in an uproar, and it always will be.

Choose Peace. Choose to live with Peace.

Choose to interact peacefully with everyone -

especially those whose instinct is not to be peaceful.

- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

You may not seem able to change some outer circumstances

but you can start by changing your inner experience of life and yourself.

- Joy Page 

Notations On Our World (Special Late Evening Edition): On the Latest From Washington as Senator Warren is Cut Off

Mitch McConnell, The US Senate Majority Leader, moved to silence the speech by Senator Elizabeth Warren as she spoke out against the nomination of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General.    This is as she tried to read the Coretta Scott King letter into the permanent record of the US Senate.    Here is the full letter:  https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3259988-Scott-King-1986-Letter-and-Testimony-Signed.html#document/p1

We understand that BuzzFeed first reported the content of the letter that was never put into the record by Then-Chairman Senator Strom Thurmond.     As our team reviewed this, we could certainly understand why President Trump was so irate when the publication of the Intelligence dossier occured.   

Based on the "objection" by Senator McConnel, it is clear that Jeff Sessions in on his way to be Attorney General of the United States.   Whether he is able to be independent is another question at this stage.    For us, the situation in Israel is the perfect test case as the Israeli Attorney General has stood up to note that he would not defend what we view as  "Theft-Law" that has been passed which we will have further comments on here in another edition of Notations over the ensuing days.     The Israeli Attorney General has also allowed Police to investigate the Israeli Prime Minister over at least two corruption allegations.    This is also as the battle over the President's Travel Ban looms as we noted in a special edition of Notation earlier this evening.

Challenging Times....

Notations On Our World (Special Edition): On the Hearing re Travel Ban @ the 9th Circuit//17-35105 State of Washington v. Trump 3:00 PM 2/7

It has now begun--archive will be available later on this evening:

http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/media/view_video.php?pk_vid=0000010884

This is as Vice President Pence is administering the Oath of Office to Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education.

Notations On Our World: On President Trump's Pending Visit to the UK & Other Thoughts

It has been quite a 24 hours as the appeal of the travel ban continues.  The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled a hearing for later on this afternoon as the Immigrants scramble to return to the United States.    This is as a lot of uncertainty continues as epitomized by this story on the CBC.    As this controversy ensues,  The UK Prime Minister extended an invitation to the President of the United States to visit the United Kingdom.   The Speaker of the House of Commons came out in opposition to having the President address the House of Commons which was noted--and has caused controversy throughout the United Kingdom:


This is as The United Kingdom has begun the formal separation process from Europe through Brexit.  

As A New Week Dawns....

Super Bowl LI is now history.     Our team wanted to begin the new week with a few from our "Thought Archive" as we embark on a new week here in our Network:  

Notations On Our World (Special #SB51 Edition): On the Virtual Prowl @ Super Bowl 51...

Our team broke its' sabbatical today as we note how New England has fought its' way back from a 20-Point deficit during Super Bowl 51 to tie the game with 32 seconds to go based on the latest from the NFL Website.    

The game has gone into overtime and New England just won the coin toss to start at Offense.  No matter what the outcome (and New England just won #SB51 34-28), both teams (and yes Lady Gaga) once again created history: 
  

(Image Source:  http://www.NFL.Com) 

View of the Week (W-End Edition): On Running the US Government & Highlights from the Budget & Economic Outlook

As the Trump Administration enters its' third week, our team chose this from the Congressional Budget Office on the Highlights that is critical to understanding what is to be expected.   This is as this insightful analysis on how to run the Government--whether the Administration is listening to such advice is a different matter: 

Highlights From The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2017 to 2027 from Congressional Budget Office