Smooth Political

As I wrote in SP''s sister sites, Kitten Politics & Outsider Views, I wanted to take a point of personal privilege to simply say thanks. I wanted to thank the Orble Team for having faith in some unknown guy who simply had an idea to develop a site to talk about the World, reflect upon it and hopefully foster a sense of debate about the World. I also appreciate all who have been so gracious with their visits.

I will be taking this week off to tend to a number of pressing business committments. Despite all the challenges that abound, I am optimstic, excited and hopeful for our World. It has been that spirit that has driven me to continue to develop this. Although my challenge remains to move the "Daily Outsider" project, forward, I am eager, grateful and appreciative of the opportunity.

As I "go dark" for the week, I wanted to pass on this from the creator of Harry Potter. It is such stories that inspires me to move on, never give up, never give in and push on:

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

"See" you all in August.

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July 25th 2010 @ 15:51

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: No Category

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The Quest To be Reasonable

I recently released a "write-up" here on Moderate Muslims. It blew me away when I listened to what this man has done to promote an image of Modern Islam that is truly contrary to what the right wing noise machine has been peddling in the United States.

One such zealot is Debbie Schulssel. She brands herself a Conservative whose following supposedly is second to Ann Coulter. I am not sure if that is a true brand of honor, but I suppose it is so in the New Conservative Movement. I first find out about her when following a debate in Mashable about the firing of Octavio Nasr, the CNN Middle East Editor. Her crime was to write a tweet about her admiration for the founder of Hizballoah. Hizblollah is classifed as a Terrorist Organization. I viewed how she wrote it as a mistake. If she had noted why she admired her, it would not have been as bad. But, the debate there turned into those who believe in Israel's right to exist. What they did not understand was that Hizbollah's Founder was a giant within the Shia Sect of Islam and had done more for Women's Rights than anyone. He also felt that what Israel had done was wrong and should not be tolerated. But, the right wing zealots seem not to embrace and appreciate that. She's more reasonable compared to another one that calls itself the Jewish Internet Defense Force. I'll have more to say about that in a future write-up.

Ms. Schulssel's column yesterday chastised Six Flags for holding a Muslim Family Day on September 12. The vile and racist stance of her column and the amen crowd that agreed with her was absolutely sickening. What is also even more sickening is how such right wing zealots seem to be given the time of day while those true intellectuals who actually have something to say seem not to have any traction at all. As a Jew, she ought to realize that the very things she and others in the right wing news machine rile against is exactly the same repulsive, vile action that the World must never, ever allow to happen again. The need to insure that the true face of Islam is out there as examplified of this wonderful work is key.

Ms. Schulssel has the right to espouse her views. She needs to be respected. But she also needs to respect and understand the true view of the Arab Street and the extent of the frustruation at hand. Being reasonable is not much to ask. I wonder if the quest to be reasonable is truly within the realm of the possible.

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July 21st 2010 @ 07:07

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: No Category

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The Frustruation With Fox

Fox is on a roll. It thinks it is the best news organization around. It believes that it is fair and balanced and has no opinion at all. As I listened to it, my reaction to was: yaah right!!!

Fox, right now, has a number of leading Republican Luminaries on its' payroll. There is Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich. There is Glenn Beck peddling his 912 project and his "quest" to redeem the legacy of Dr. King. It was in this context that I tried to understand what Britt Humme talked about when he noted that they are a "news organization".

Humme was on O'Reilly's Factor going after the New York Times and the Washington Post. The arrogance and total lack of regard was just beyond belief. The world knows that Humme is a "conservative"--and that's fine. But, Fox has a way to twist the truth to suit its' Corporate Supremo: Rupert Murdoch. I was especially taken aback by how Humme noted how the New York Times was irrelevant/etc. A recent edition of the New York Times featured the plight of Gazans. The reporters talked about one family who had six kids, a husband who had no job and kids who had no where to go. The husband slept all day because he was on seditives and took out his stress on the wife. It featured kids who went out on the street peddle gum and other stuff to help their kids. The question is whether Fox ever featured such stories.

I thought about this story as I listened to Britt Hume on Fox News on Monday. I am not aware of reports from Gaza by Fox. That might change, though. Prince Alaweed is partnering with Fox to launch a channel to counter AL Arabya and Al Jazeera. Supposedly, the editor, Khashoogi, will have full editorial control. The proof will be in the execution,though. What is clear is that Fox has not featured the plight of the Gazans. It has been the mouthpiece of the neo-con movement and was one of the prime movers behind the Iraq fiasco. I also have to wonder whether Prince Alaweed will bring Rupert Murdoch into the 21st Century.

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July 20th 2010 @ 06:34

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: No Category

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Will Islamic Moderates Stand Up?

I have been horrifed by the attack of the Al Shahab in Uganda. They claim to be in a Jihad in large measure due to the key role Uganda is playing in the African Union Peace Keeping mission in Somalia. They seem to have no clue about religion, peace and harmony. But, unfortunately they seem to be having the upper hand in the struggle for Somalia right now.

The struggle for Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq underscores the need for a true call for a reassessment of what Islam Stands for. Fortunately, there are many who truly represents an Islam that calls for justice, peace and harmony among men. I eagerly follow the work of Tariq Ramadan and have been quite interested in the work of the recent Egyptian Scholar Nasr Abu Zayd who recently passed away. There is, of course, "Imam Muda

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July 13th 2010 @ 04:48

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: No Category

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SP Week-End (7/5/2010): Tidbits from Afghanistan, Iraq & India

It has been a very busy Independence day week-end in America. That's why Tom Friedman called it "The Greatest Show on Earth".

There is, of course, America's longest War: Afghanistan. Thanks to the interent, I was able to "Virtually" attend the ceremony in Kabul as General Petraues assumed command of ISAF forces

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July 5th 2010 @ 22:20

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: No Category

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SP Week-End (7/4/2010): Reflections

I have spent the past few hours reflecting and wrote about such in SP's sister sites, Kitten Politics and Outsider Views. As I thought about this day and our World, I reflected upon Mother Teresa and her Prayer. I carry a copy of her prayer in my wallet to remind me of what is important.

As I visited her site, I looked up one of her favorite prayers. It is the Prayer for Peace that St. Francis of Assisi did. I re-read it at least three times to be reminded of why it is important

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July 4th 2010 @ 08:26

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: No Category

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SP Newsflash (6/30/2010): UN's Call On the Dollar

In a report that the UN has just released, it has called for the replacement of the Dollar as the reserve currency of the World. It is understandable with how the United States has been so irresponsible.

I will be studying this report over the ensuing weeks and providing some insights on it. What is clear is that such calls will continue to be intensified. It will probably provoke the ire of those who have no use for the UN to again launch their campaign to get the U.S. out of the UN. Of course, they have no clue about the fact that we are in the 21st Century, not the 18th Century. There needs to be a news bulletin to those folks!!! Why is there such an opposition to create an international system to trade currencies, such as what the IMF has been pushing for in SDR's (Special Drawing Rights

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June 30th 2010 @ 08:43

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: No Category

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Mexico: A Tragic Tale

I have written about the Mexican Drug War in SP's sister site, Outsider Views. It goes without saying that the recent assassination of a leading candidate for Governor and four of his aides shocked me to the core. Although the reports of the atrocities are coming out daily, it seems as if they just don't stop.

The Sunday Edition of the LA Times featured the State Security For Felipe Calderon's Home State almost killed recently. The Drug Gangs have so infested the police and judiciary that no one is really safe. This is what true terrorism is. Thousands have been killed. What is even more worrisome is that cops in Nogales, Arizona are starting to get death threats

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June 29th 2010 @ 05:20

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: No Category

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SP Week-End (6/27/2010): The Courage of El-Baradi

Will He Lead Egypt to the Promised Land?

So much for wanting to take a week off to focus on Quarter-End Closing

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June 27th 2010 @ 19:44

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: No Category

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SP Week-End (6/27/2010): The Need To Have Faith

It has been a very hectic week. It has been a tumulous year. There are worrisome developments and the chance of another recession. Afghanistan and Iraq continue to be challenges.

As I gear up to wind down the quarter and get ready for the second half of the year, this statement really drove home what continues to give me hope to continue my work here and beyond

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June 26th 2010 @ 07:33

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: No Category

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July 2010

6 Posts

June 2010

15 Posts

May 2010

11 Posts