Monday, November 26, 2018

Notations From the Grid (Final Month-End Edition): On Our World

As we bid farewell to November, our team decided to present a brief snapshot of some of the alternative media in our World as we await December and look forward to being of service in 2019--beginning with a tribute to the Syrian Activist Raed Fares that was gunned down in Idlib as we pay tribute to him and all the valiant fighters for truth and justice in our World: 







The Doomsday Machine and Nuclear Winter - Daniel Ellsberg on RAI (11/12)
An H Bomb first strike will create firestorms and smoke that ends most human life; this is a fact ignored by military planners and by the Trump administration which doesn’t believe in climate science – says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

Trump Considering to Put Venezuela on 'State Sponsor of Terrorism' List and Intensify Sanctions
According reports in Washington Post and Reuters, the Trump administration is actively exploring the option of placing Venezuela on the state sponsor of terrorism list, to further intensify sanctions that have already caused significant damage to Venezuela’s economy. We speak to Steve Ellner about the sanctions’ effects

Amazon Gets $3 Billion in NY Tax Breaks While Underfunded Public Transport Enters 'Death Spiral'
Prof. Richard Wolff explains why the $3 billion subsidy for one of the world’s largest corporations is a terrible waste of public money

Antitrust and How Kleptocracy Corrupts What Markets are Supposed to do Well
Bert Foer, Senior Fellow at the American Antitrust Institute speaks at the forum, “Destroying the Myths of Market Fundamentalism,” held in Washington DC, on October 19, 2018

China Intensifies Crackdown on Marxist Student Activists
Chinese university students, inspired by their studies of Marx, are facing an increasing state crackdown on their movement in support of workers who have been trying to organize Shenzhen’s Jasic Technology. Prof. Zhun Xu analyzes the situation

Ralph Nader: Destroying the Myths of Market Fundamentalism
Market fundamentalism’s ideological tyranny is metastasizing, afflicting the young, silencing politicians and hoodwinking the media. Too few progressives have a handle on the powerful arguments that can be made to counter market fundamentalism. It’s time to confront the myths with compelling empirical reality that deconstructs and destroys the plutocratic hoax. A roundtable recorded at the…

Can a $1.8 Billion Gift to Johns Hopkins University Spark National College Affordability Policy Changes?
TRNN’s Khalilah Harris discusses critiques and possible implications of Michael Bloomberg’s historic donation with Lester Spence, political commentator and Hopkins Associate Professor of Political Science and Africana Studies

Sunday, November 18, 2018

#RandomThoughts On Our World On This #Thanksgiving2018

On The Road in Irvine, California at the San Juan Creek Reservoir 


It is dawn of Thanksgiving Week here in the United States.    It has been quite a challenging week in our home state as epitomized by this courtesy of the Daily Overview:




What was reported by the LA Times on how the Northern California Started is absolutely horrific as we picked this during our daily assessment On the Grid: 
The Culpability of Pacific Gas and Electric will be quite a development as the investigations continue.   We welcome President Trump's visit to our home state yesterday.

The Mid-Term results keep coming in.  Although the Republicans will pick up a net gain of 2 seats in the US Senate, it is being negated by the profound Blue Wave.  Orange County, California--our home county--will not have a single Republican Representative for the next Congress in the US House.  

Beyond the Shores of America, there are profound developments around the World.   We're seeing reports of pending elections in Israel with profound implications for the region. 

We are also taking some time to reflect upon all that we're thankful for during this holiday season here in the United States.   As we go "dark" in our properties, our broadcast pod along with our Twitter Channel will have updates daily along with our updates in our Google Corner as we leave you all with some Random Thoughts on the Week That was:  
  


Public Access Channels Threatened Under FCC Proposal, Advocates Say

Public Access Channels Threatened Under FCC Proposal, Advocates Say

DAVE NYCZEPIR  |   Proponents, however, argue changes are needed because localities charge licensing fees at the expense of cable companies' efforts to expand broadband access.

After Midterms, Democrats Now Hold a Majority of State AG Offices

LAURA MAGGI  |   "They've been very aggressive, banding together across state lines to challenge a variety of policies," one expert said about Democratic responses to the Trump administration.

Amazon Is Ready to Make Its HQ2 Picks Official

MICHAEL GRASS  |   STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | California's deadliest wildfire on record … recession worries as Nevada's economy hums along … why Santa Fe really needs a city engineer … and more confirmed measles cases in Mich.


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Americans for Peace Now's New Settlement Map App
It is our pleasure at Peace Now to share with you that our sister organization in the United States, Americans for Peace Now, has just released its new and improved settlement map mobile application, Facts on the Ground. The app is a staple of our tours and is used by many of the journalists, public figures and diplomats who wish to quickly access Peace Now data when they are out in the field. We highly recommend you download this app and explore the wealth of information it features.



Facts on the Ground Map App

There are numerous reasons for the persistence of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with rejection of Israel’s right to exist, denial of Jewish history, and Palestinian terrorism among the most devastating and pernicious.

But the 51-year-old occupation – which denies Palestinians their rights, corrodes Israeli society and democracy, and continually damages prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace – is fundamentally anchored in the Israeli settlement enterprise in the West Bank. Settlements stand in the way of a two-state solution by preventing a viable, contiguous, independent state of Palestine, a purpose for which they were explicitly designed.

That’s why Americans for Peace Now is today releasing Facts on the Ground, a new, completely revamped and upgraded version of the groundbreaking settlements map app, available for free on iPhone and Android.
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With the help of Peace Now‘s Settlement Watch – the most authoritative, credible source on settlements – Facts on the Ground gives users the ability to track, explore, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the settlements. As a mobile app designed to be used by policymakers, diplomats, journalists, teachers, students, and anyone else interested in the Israeli settlement enterprise, Facts on the Ground is truly one-of-a-kind.

Originally released in 2010, APN’s Facts on the Ground was the first-ever interactive online map of West Bank settlements. The new version features up-to-date statistics and data, including individual “snapshots” of every settlement and outpost in the West Bank. The app includes informational video, a comprehensive glossary, and a new, expansive statistics section from Peace Now. Facts on the Ground also marks the re-launch of APN’s Settlements in Focus publication. New issues, each profiling
different West Bank settlements, will be featured on the app and available to all users.


 
Happy Thanksgiving Week from us to all of you and your loved ones...




Friday, November 16, 2018

Notations From the Grid ((Special Friday Edition)): @OrdinaryFaces Celebrate #PhilosophyDay

Thursday was World Philosophy Day.   In honor of this day, our team captured a sampling of thoughts from the team at UNESCO that we hereby present here for enjoyment: 





Thursday, November 15, 2018

Notations From the Grid (Special Thursday PM Edition): @SethMeyers Reflects On the State of Mind of @realDonaldTrump

Notations On Our World (Special Thursday Edition): A Window Into Our World

As part of our quest to help change the conversation about our World, we hereby present this courtesy of the Real News of what transpired in our World over the past 24 hours:

Lieberman Quits Netanyahu For Not Being Violent Enough to Gaza
The resignation of far-right Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman in protest of the Gaza truce could trigger early elections as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu already grapples with the biggest corruption scandal in Israel’s history. We speak to author and Real News correspondent Shir Hever

Brazil's 'Slow Motion Coup' - General Admits Intimidating Court into Imprisoning Lula da Silva
The latest revelation about Brazil’s slow motion coup, designed to ensure that the center-left remains out of power and the far-right takes control, involves a general who admitted that he threatened the Supreme Court so it would imprison presidential front-runner Lula da Silva. We discuss the development with Brian Mier

Amazon's New NYC and DC Headquarters Bilked the Cities
The contest for Amazon’s HQ2 prompted hundreds of cities to put in tax break and subsidy bids. Former financial regulator Bill Black says these deals never pay off for the communities involved

Will Israel Respect the Gaza Ceasefire it Broke?
There are reports of a new ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after a botched Israeli raid led to its worst bombings of the territory since 2014. We discuss Israel’s latest attacks on civilian infrastructure with Dr. Basem Naim, former Minister of Health in Gaza

Activists and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Demand Nancy Pelosi Take Action on Climate
Varshini Prakash of the Sunrise Movement talks about why hundreds of activists occupied Nancy Pelosi’s offices demanding a Green New Deal and an end to fossil fuel contributions

California Sees Deadliest Wildfire in History
Mustafa Santiago Ali talks to Dharna Noor about how global warming, drought, and winds created the conditions for California’s wildfires and what can be done to prevent this from happening in the future

Since October 2017, America experienced three of the deadliest mass shootings in modern history. This epidemic coincides with a frightening resurgence of white nationalism. Sometimes the two trends overlap. Watch more Empire Files.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Notations On Our World (Weekly Edition): Out & About re #Brexit; @Israel & Other Thoughts

Gaza City Earlier This Morning 

In the oil fields of the Middle East Today 
As we are going to press right now, there are late breaking developments on the drama going on between the United Kingdom and the European Union.   As of this moment, there is no deal in spite of the late breaking developments as the draft text will go before the UK Cabinet tomorrow with a follow-up summit.  We will have an update on it here on Friday as the leading Brexit Champion Boris Johnson has called for Cabinet resignations without having even seen the Text.

Beyond Europe, there is of course the Middle East.   As we went to press, Israel and Gaza were at war and there was another agreement to implement the 2014 Agreement brokered by Egypt and the United Nations as Qatar stepped in with 15 Million Dollars to pay Hamas Civil Servant Salaries and to get fuel back on track.    This is as reporting was out of OPEC about a cut in production due to lower demand for Oil which may force Saudi Arabia and other oil producers to cut back on production--including Iran with US Sanctions.   Meanwhile, back in the United States, President Trump has been on Twitter with broadsides against President Macron of France and addressing the on-going election dispute in Florida as a Democrat won the Arizona Senate Race.

Interesting times as a new week begins as we leave you with these "sites" from the Grid over the Veterans Day Week-End:






Notation From The Grid (Special Edition) Trump and His Fellow Grifters Lie About "Voter Fraud": A Closer Look

Notations From The Grid (weekly edition) : So Much News, So Little Time – Whitaker, California Fires & Trump’s WWI ...

Friday, November 9, 2018

Notations On Our World (Special Friday Edition): On the Tragedy in Thousand Oaks

America was again witness to a mass shooting Thursday morning where a Former Marine walked into a bar and started shooting.    President Trump ordered flags flown at half mass and this was released by the White House:

1600 Daily
The White House • November 8, 2018

America’s flag flies at half-staff tonight


Late last night, 12 people were killed in a horrific shooting in Thousand Oaks, California. This morning, President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation as America mourns alongside the victims’ families and communities.
 
“As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence,” President Trump writes, “I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, November 10, 2018.”

President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were briefed on the shooting and the police response early this morning. “Great bravery shown by police. California Highway Patrol was on scene within 3 minutes, with first officer to enter shot numerous times. That Sheriff’s Sergeant died in the hospital,” the President tweeted.

God bless all of the victims and families of the victims. Thank you to Law Enforcement.”

Read the President’s Proclamation remembering the victims in Thousand Oaks.

Acts of courageSheriff's Sgt. Ron Helus “died a hero.”
This is as the Gun Violence Project provided some very grim statistics which is available by clicking on this link:  Gun Violence Archive



Incidents in 2018

Notations On Our World: On The Aftermath of the #MidTerms


As we went to press with this special edition of @POTUS Watch, we have been assessing the state of the post-midterms as we see concerns from the White House on the appointment of the new Acting Attorney General ((including an editorial in the New York Times)).   This is also as The President has begun the interview rounds to replace Jeff Sessions by meeting with Senator Lindsay Graham and Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.    This is also as the backlash continues in the aftermath of the treatment of Jim Acosta.    Furthermore,  we are expecting to see Former First Lady Michelle Obama's Memoirs due next Tuesday which is slated to be extremely tough on President Trump 

We leave you all with a "Virtual Snapshot" of some of the latest we picked up on the Social Media Feed we assess on a daily basis and some closing thoughts from Seth Meyers with his latest edition of "A Closer Look": 








Thursday, November 8, 2018

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

Iran Sanctions Are in Effect and the after effects are beginning.
Our Team captured a number of "Visual Sights" as Sanctions went into effect, Iran Leaders continued their belligerent Rhetoric, Iran Air Planes were grounded in Turkey and refused Fuel.

We will be assessing the profound challenges over the ensuing day and weeks: