As A New Week Dawns: Thoughts On #Outsiders & Mrs. Reagan.....

It is the dawn of a new week and our team has been busy with a series of notations and views of the week.   It has been quite a busy weekend and our team is on the prowl with the daily watch #hashtags.  But, it was also a bit of a sad weekend as I begin this week though in my own "corner" with a personal thought on the passing of Nancy Reagan.    The Former First Lady passed away from congestive heart failure this weekend at the age of 94.   

I had profound disagreements with President Reagan from a policy perspective.   However, I could not help but underscore how he worked to bridge differences and make courageous decisions.   For instance, I  viewed his decision to raise taxes as courageous that went against conservative orthodoxy.  I viewed his courageous stance against the NRA as principled.   I even view his attempt at an opening to Iran in 1986 as courageous as well.       For me, the power behind what made
I personally had profound disagreements with President Reagan from a policy perspective.   However, I could not help but underscore how he worked to bridge differences and make courageous decisions.   For instance, I viewed his decision to raise taxes as courageous that went against conservative orthodoxy.  I viewed his courageous stance against the NRA as principled.   I even view his attempt at an opening to Iran in 1986 as courageous as well.       For me, the power behind what made Reagan Reagan was Mrs Reagan.  It was ultimately a love story that sustained Ronald Reagan in good times and tough times--especially as Ronald Reagan came out with his letter announcing his disease and the long goodbye. --which again underscored a sense of courage that is at the heart of leadership today.   

As I was working on supporting the network,  I just saw this from the Office of the Speaker and think that it is a fitting tribute to one of the pivotal persons who served America.  .  May her Soul RIP: 

Mrs. Reagan March 7, 2016  |  Speaker Paul Ryan  |  http://spkrryan.us/1M2ZiIc On January 20, 1989, after the new president was sworn in, President and Mrs. Reagan departed Washington from the East Front of the Capitol Building. Today, at my request, flags above the Capitol fly at half-staff in honor of her memory.  President Reagan could not have achieved all he did without Nancy. She brought a sense of grace and dignity to the White House, and the times. She showed us all the meaning of devotion throughout his presidency, and his long goodbye.  This was her service. It was her way of giving back.  The people’s House extends its condolences to the Reagan family and offers its prayers on the passing of a great American. Flags at the U.S. Capitol fly at half-staff in honor of Nancy Reagan's memory.

Working Away: On #outsiders This Week & @SabbathManifesto

It has been admittedly a challenging week in #outsiders with team members down with the flu and as all took queue from me noting how "virtually breathless they all were".     As our team finished the latest notations, one exciting one I was happy about was their selection of one of my favorite groups: Shakatak as selections were featured on our properties.

As I have been finishing off some brief thoughts, I just saw a tweet from the Guardian that Ben Carson has officially dropped out of the Presidential Race.   It will be quite a show to be witness too--no question.  As I was supporting the team with some of the other initiatives including Brexit (the subject of a future notation), what shocked me was that the former President of Brazil was detained in a widening corruption probe.    This is as I was also reviewing reports this week on the rather obscene brithday celebration by the dictator of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe.    Mugabe was one of the original focus points as I launched what has eventually evolved into #outsiders today--more on that soon.

Beyond our World, there is also another interesting event before us--The National Day of Unplugging.   I hope I can live up to this 24 hours--Please check out what they are up to by visiting here--as I hope to be "dark" to live up to this (and as I hope our team is as well!!!):

Wishing you all a great weekend:

On This First Day of March......

March is before us here in #Outsiders.   As our team has been on the "prowl", I just got word that Jim Kinney, the co-founder of AOL, passed away.    What in many ways AOL began is why we are here.  May he RIP.

I also saw this I received from a friend  I ran across this from a friend on a very challenging story that I hope to pursue further:

TED release; PBS interview & article: My 665 Days in Prison in the U.S. View in your browser

Mahmoud Reza Banki - My 665 days in prison: Full video TED Week at UCLA Anderson

Since this journey began about six years ago and not by choice, we have come a long way; you have come a long way with me. Releasing of this video from TED Week at UCLA Anderson embodies much of what I not only believe but also lived through for 22 months in prison. I consider it a significant attempt for me and all of you who have stood by me or taken part to make a difference. I ask you to watch & share it; let’s raise awareness; let’s spark change. Thank YOU! Three updates from this weekend - please share to spark change:   TED video released: https://youtu.be/twTpuIF9Fhc Article on PBS Newshour: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/despite-nuclear-deal-collateral-damage-of-sanctions-snares-iranian-americans/# Interview with PBS Newshour: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/enforcing-iran-sanctions-still-tangles-iranian-americans-in-spiders-web-of-laws/

My 665 days in prison – Full TED video releasewww.RezaStory.com On the day I was released from prison in California, after 665 days of incarceration, a host of emotions raced through my mind: on the one hand I should have been happy to be finally free; on the other hand I kept asking myself: ‘why did it take so long?’ Previously I sent out the note below along with a one-minute TED video teaser. Since then I have spoken at the Renaissance Weekend, completed my fourth LA Marathon promoting the cause, taken part in the Bipartisan Summit on Criminal Justice Reform in DC, and spoken before various audiences on this important cause of justice and how we as a nation can do better. It is now time to tell the full story.  The full version of my TED video is now live for the first time: https://youtu.be/twTpuIF9Fhc  I need your help! Our country and your future need your help! To raise awareness and to improve our criminal justice system. The president also highlighted this need in his State of the Union address: “[Let’s] reform the criminal justice system so it protects and serves all of us.” Many others have also recently joined the movement to improve our justice system. Take part! I am asking you to share this video and my story with your family, friends and colleagues; with lawyers, journalists, news outlets; advocacy groups, media and politicians; and to get the word out on social media by sharing on Facebook, Twitter, and other channels; let’s raise awareness; let’s spark change. More information on my case available at: www.RezaStory.com I have always felt extremely lucky to have made it this far and to be here. I’m also lucky to be heard and to reach others through your support; let’s make a difference one person at a time. No one should suffer injustice in the ‘land of the free’. M. Reza Banki.PhD.MBA Email: mreza.banki@gmail.com Twitter: @MRezaBanki #RezaStory Facebook: M. Reza Banki www.RezaStory.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On The eve of March: Thoughts on @realDonaldTrump; #Iran & #Hope

It has been a very interesting and challenging month.      As I write this,  I can't help but agree with Joe Scarborough about the depressing weekend on the political scene. I could not believe the GOP Debate (and I only watched very small excerpts).   The David Dukes controversy has also persisted  as   Donald Trump first disavowed David Dukes before saying he did not know who David Dukes is. Some of the pundits noted that Trump was tired--but rejecting the KKK should not be a big deal.   What is unfortunate is that there is zero substance to what he has to offer--I am yet to see anything beyond "Making America Great again".    

      

As I have been working to "wind down" this leap month, I made it a point of sending Joe Scarborough  a thank you for taking down David Duke.   The new South reflects the true realities of an integrated society.    Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are trying to stay in it--but the odds are becoming increasingly    Super Tuesday tomorrow is going to be quite a day though as alOur team did some good work on Iran this week assessing the on-going election and the aftermath.  The team just released an updated tweet on the Twitter Channel as the World awaits the results.   I could not agree more that although the governing reformist faction gained, the Iranian State Institutions continue to be under the control of the so-called conservatives with the ultimate power residing in the person of the Supreme Leader.      Whether this is sustainable remains to be seen in terms of reforms.    

It should be quite a March as we will be bidding farewell to this leap year.      I popped into Twitter and ran across this which I wanted to end my brief personal thoughts as we begin March:

Working Away With Some Brief Thoughts For the weekend......

As the team finished off the on-going daily curation work, I thought I end my day "On the Grid" with this from the team @ John Maxwell--the message is powerful and profound for all--it is ultimately about the art of the possible!!

I wish all a fabulous weekend!!

Today's word is ADVERSITY

Thanks for joining me. How are you handling adversity? How are you sharing your gifts, and inspiring others? No matter what your life brings you, or how difficult your life is… you can create beauty and music, even from adversity. I encourage you to pass these on to others, and together we can intentionally enrich the world. WATCH SHARE

Working Away While On the Road w/thoughts on Music, Leadership & Harper Lee

I have been on the road on my bi-weekly Community Commitment at St. Timothy's Catholic Church.   I had the pleasure to join friends earlier today as our Parish's Facilities Manager was nice enough to give us a tour of the Construction and the Pantry that I have the privilege to serve in.

As I hope all enjoyed the team's selection of this week's Artist of the week on the network, there was one very perceptive Daily Fortune Powersheet from Geoff Colvin (available by clicking here).   The team has featured his columns periodically here in #Outsiders and I share it with my students all the time.    As America decides and the World watches, lessons in leadership is ever so crucial.    This excerpt particularly caught my eye:

When the world’s opinion of an organization’s future changes so sharply, how should a leader respond? The basic advice is simple: Show, don’t tell. You can insist that your company is just as strong as it was in December, but it’s all a big shrug. What else would you say? Effective leaders let their actions speak. The prime example of the past six weeks is JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon spending $25 million of his own money to buy company stock, which is down 20%. The stock bumped up slightly on the news, but more important is that employees, customers, suppliers, and other constituents got the message that Dimon is genuinely confident.

While on the road and on my personal twitter feed, I saw reporting on the passing away of Harper Lee, the author of to Kill a Mockingbird.    I wanted to send a special shout out to the team at +The Guardian as they put together this which I released earlier--such souls truly never die--they endure

 

Remembering Harper Lee who passed away...such souls never die w/her quotes: 10 of the best https://t.co/BRMRbxazfh

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) February 19, 2016

For a change, the team was "taking it easy" today as they were nice enough to release a Good Turn I did earlier this morning.    It will be an interesting week-end of analysis though as the team's on-going assessment of our World continues.

Onward....

Working Away with Brief Notations From #Iran.....

It has been yet again a whirlwind of a week throughout #Outsiders. I just finished off reading up on this on Iran I released to my personal Pinterest and Facebook pages because it continues to underscore the profound challenge being faced inside the Country. What I find fascinating is how despite all that the conservatives have done to thwart the reformists, it clearly appears that reformists have a chance. W will be assessing this over the course of the ensuing weeks--I personally would find it quite interesting if Janati (the head of the Guardian council); Khatami (not related to the ex-President leading the reformists faction) and Mesbah Yazdi (one of the key mentors of the so-called conservatives and a leading voice for Iran's version of #Daesh) are blocked from the Assembly of Experts. 

 Fascinating is the only word...

Working away with brief thoughts on #sunset & wishing all a @GoodNight Thanks to @Space_station during #YearInSpace :)))

It was another challenging day as President Obama spoke, the Republicans responded and the World continueI decided to do something a bit different today.   The daily curation on twitter and on-going development was on-going--but this I saw "blew me away".   I have had a habit of featuring his nightly "signoffs" as well as the team--but this one especially blew me away in more ways than one.  It underscores the beauty of Space and how it is so important upon us all to preserve it.  

Until tomorrow.....

Day 326. Colors of #sunset. #GoodNight from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/SBwFSPr2gt

— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 17, 2016

Working Away w/Brief Thoughts On the Eve of Presidents' Day 2016....

It is the eve of President's Day in the United States.    The team worked on a number of notations which will be available in a while as a tribute to Presidents' should also now be available in the Ordinary Faces Channel.

As I was on my personal "Virtual Walk-About" for the night, I saw a post on Facebook from one of the leading human rights scholars and activists in the World I've had the pleasure to meet, Elahe Amani.  .    I shared this on my Personal Facebook page as these brave souls are in my thoughts and prayers as they take up arms against the subhuman scum that have wrecked so much havoc on Syria and Iraq.  There has been enough scholarship on what led to this cancer.  These brave souls have taken up the ultimate solution--and such stories must be told until the day the cancer of Daesh is eradicated.  What is also ever so critical that the conditions that led to this Cancer must also be addressed:  Lack of Hope, Opportunity and Freedom.      These three conditions continue to be the problem even today as I saw in reporting done over the weekend.    What is troubling to me is how the current aspirants to the Presidency seem not to realize it.


On the Dawn of Presidents' Day, my old and dear Friend Col Bentley was gracious enough to share this image of Mt. Rushmore that is just beautiful as I am gearing up to release it to the Troop 772 website that I have the privilege to curate and edit as the Webmaster as I also have the pleasure to share the original posting at the end of this 

Former Isis Yazidi sex slaves take up arms for revenge, to win back Mosul and 'bring our women home' - An armed brigade...
Posted by Elahe Amani on Sunday, February 14, 2016

On this Valentine's Day 2016....

I thought this simple yet profound statement from the team @ Simple Truths (whose thoughts the team periodically share on the Daily Outsider Twitter Channel) was so appropriate--Happy Valentine's Day 2016!!!

Love Is a Verb

Make Your Relationships Great

Life moves at lightning speed–in the end, it won't be the days that matter most, but the moments spent with those we love. So relax, turn up your speakers and enjoy the video. And don’t forget to share itwith friends and coworkers.

All the Best,

Mac Anderson

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