On the Eve of a New Week: Thoughts....

It has been a whirlwind of a week, yet again!!   October is coming to an end and November is beginning as the Middle East Inferno continues to burn with no end in sight.   As I work on this, an Al Jazeera Special on the rise of Daesh (known as IS/ISIL in the west) is playing in the background--and it is chilling to listen to it available here.   

The team was working on on-going development work as it finalized the Friday Musical Interlude and worked on weekend Notations.    This was also a week that saw Joe Biden walk away from another run at the Presidency.   I had a chance to catch his interview on 60 Minutes and it was frankly classic Joe Biden that I first got to know truly during the Bork Hearings:

View More: 60 Minutes News|Live News|More News Videos

I will have more to say on Joe Biden here in "Founders" soon.   As I have been reflecting upon this, I also was amazed as another leader in action: Prince Charles, the heir to the British Throne.

The President of China was in the UK on a state Visit.   The UK rolled out the red carpet and 46 Billion Dollars worth of deals were signed.    The Queen's second son, Prince Andrew, accompanied him as Prince Charles stayed away due to his friendship and long association with the Dalai Lama.   I viewed this as quite consequential and something to be admired despite the fact that the UK truly needs the China deal as its' influence continues to wane and its' long-term viability is questioned due to the continued challenges in Scotland--even Wales is starting to raise its' voice.

It was also a week that saw Mugabe win an award from China:  

sickening beyond belief as I saw this that the butcher #Mugabe wins China's alternative to Nobel Peace Prize https://t.co/T0arO0bRpI

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) October 23, 2015

This I did not get--Mugabe is a man that has presided over the destructoin of Zimbabwe.   I initially began experimenting with what eventually evolved into #Outsiders today by reporting on Zimbabwe  and the horrific nature in which Robert Mugabe ran the country.    What I find even more disturbing is that he is trying to elevate his wife--who was able to secure a Ph.D. in 30 Days from the University of Zimbabwe.     I was sickened as I periodically review reports of a state of utter desparation in the country.

Onward with the new week--as this is also Halloween Week in the United States.  On behalf of myself and the #Outsiders team, we wanted to be early to wish all...

What a Week....

As the team worked to curate the Friday Musical Interlude with selections from Michael Jackson, it was also quite a week on the political, economic, diplomatic and local front.    The entire #outsider team has been "Virtually Breathless"--but it has been fun.      I have been thinking about Vice Presidet Biden's decisioni as well as the moral stance that Prince Charles took in the UK to skip the State Dinner.    

It is Fridays though that our team takes a moment of pause for the Friday Musical Interlude as I also pause to remember and reflect with this that the team allowed me to use from the archives courtesy of +Jonathan Huie:

We want the facts to fit the preconceptions.
When they don't, it is easier to ignore the facts
than to change the preconceptions.
- Jessamyn West

Losing an illusion makes you wiser than finding a truth.- Ludwig Boerne 

Working Away w/ "Thoughts 4 the Week": Beautiful Sentiments

It is "Mid-Week" in #Outsiders as our World is celebrating Back to the Future Day and as the leadership dilemma continues in Washington.     I could not help but embrace these I received from a dear family member which is quite a mantra to live up to:

Working Away: Brief Personal Notations & A Personal "Musical Interlude" Hope all Enjoy.....

It has been a very busy night here in #Outsiders as I supported the release a number of notations on Canada and the United States.   This is as the team continued its' daily work on the Daily Twitter Curations.   I also decided to release the Notations on #Canada on Medium and excerpts on it on LinkedIn.

As I was working away, I decided to do a token backing of a Kickstarter Project which intrigued me: 

You're the best! Thanks for showing your support. This project is one step closer to being a reality!

BLOCKS - The World's First Modular Smartwatch By BLOCKS Wearables

Thank you! We'll send you all the updates and behind the scene views of everything happening at BLOCKS

If this project is successfully funded, your card will be charged on: Thu, Nov 19 2015 6:00 pm EST When your reward is ready, BLOCKS Wearables will send you a survey via email to request any info needed to deliver your reward (mailing address, t-shirt size, etc). They have already exceeded the funding and I for one will be keen to see how it all goes--The team @ #Outsiders had already been on the record supporting a number of interesting projects including the NFC Ring--which is right now at 90%. I wanted to finish this "Notation" w/this very disturbing trend while "on the Grid" which is critical to embrace and recognize:   Apparently it's now official, 1% of the world's population now has half the world's wealth. Climate change and... Posted by 350.org on Sunday, October 18, 2015 It is one of the number of new initiatives the team will continue to research and reflect upon.   I also took a little of time to catch an oldie but goodie, Cry Freedom--The story of Steve Biko and the Journalist Donald Woods that made sure his story was told as the campaign against Apartheid gathered steam.     If only the spirit of men like Steven Biko, Govan Mbeke and all who strove for freedom and equality was embraced today.   This song sends shivers down my spine even after all these years: We shall overcome.

On the Eve of a New Week.....

It is back to work on #Outsiders supporting the curation of the Network for the new week.   It has been a challenging days around the World as the Team's Twitter Curations reflected throughout the day.   Our team finished a special edition of "Notations" with a prayer for peace which has been the key mission of #outsiders:  changing the conversation about our World.

It was also a weekend while I was on the road with an afternoon of Service w/the Boy Scouts.   I also finished updates on my collection of images I launched on Twenty20 App that the team has been gracious enough to periodically share on the #Outsider Daily Twitter curation.    It was also an interesting weekend as I made the brief rounds of the Sunday Morning US Public Affairs Shows as Candidates made their pitch and also caught a glimpse of comments by Carly Fiorina as she was speaking at a forum in Texas earlier reflecting upon Character, Faith and leadership.     This is as Jeb Bush was on CNN earlier going into a war of words with Donald Trump.

It will be a busy week in #Outsiders as the team will be sharing thoughts on Solar Decathalon 2015 (#SD2015), The US Election Scene, on Zimbabwe along with some of the on-going thoughts on Government.       This is as the parallel project of Daily Outsider 2.x continues.

As I conclude these thoughts for the week before "running" off",  I wanted to feature this (which our team earlier featured on the "Visions" Channel ) on those who are truly at the forefront of making a difference--although the disturbing trend of 1% of the World owning over 50% of the World's Wealth is a profound challenge that all of us have to recognize:

NYT Now: Five Visionary Tech Entrepreneurs Who Are Changing the World

Read more…

Working Away......

It has been quite a week in #Outsiders.    There was a continued delay in the transition to a new platform due to the on-going challenges our team has been focused on as reflected in the Daily Twitter curations and the broader analysis our team has continued.  I look forward to supporting this change in direction as we all need to "double time" as our evolution continues.  I was a bit leary as this week's artist of the week was featured--but hopefully the selections the team chose were in line with the implicit mission of the properties within #Outsider. 

It was quite a week as I was on the road.     I joined the Great Shakeout Drill at Aliso Niguel High School and thereafter spent the evening at the School District Facilities Committee chairing a subcommittee.  I spent today supporting the annual Orange County POD exercise and spent the afternoon at the Solar Decatholon.   The team will work to publish comments on it over the ensuing days.

What I found so gratifying was how the Community came together and how we had a vision of the future before our very eyes.   It was so exciting to be witness to it all.     I decided to briefly "Pop Into" Twitter and ran across this as I conclude these brief thoughts on the eve of a very busy weekend:

"The pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist expects it to change, the realist adjusts the sails." pic.twitter.com/3kf8BcGM50

— Quotes (@quotes) October 16, 2015

#FreeJason Now!!!!

As I have been working away on supporting @DailyOutsider initiatives, I wanted to share this I saw from Rudi Bakhtiar's as she was interviewing Jason Rezayian's Brother, Ali:

Interviewing Jason Rezaian's brother at Reuters DC bureau.Washington Oct 13 (Reuters) Imprisoned Washington Post...
Posted by Rudi Bakhtiar on Thursday, October 15, 2015

It has been an honor for me to add my humble voice to the need to keep his case on the forefront of the need for justice and to be as loud as possible to note:  #FreeJason Now!!!

On The Dawn of a New Day.....

As our team has "gone to press", I am listening to morning Joe on MSNBC.   As I support the on-going projects and help with the reassessment, I wanted to share that the team allowed me to share courtesy of +Jonathan Huie which speaks for itself: 

On the "Prowl" : Thoughts For the Week

 

 The "Social Grid" is a beautiful thing.    #Outsiders was conceived to help change the conversation by celebrating the beauty and majesty and to work on transforming.     I ran across these that have been at the forefront of transformation as America celebrated Columbus Day.    

Ataturk, the Father of Modern Turkey, was so ahead of his time as he built modern Turkey that seems to be laid to waste by Edrogan.   It is also so disconcerting how many are rejecting science as we are faced with a profound change in Mother Earth.  As I am working away, it is still over 90 Degrees here in Southern California.

Our lives, though, has been blessed with two Modern Day Edisons:   Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.     They have been at the forefront of making a difference and those who took over for them (Satya Nadel now at Microsoft and Tim Cook at Apple) have been quite transformational.   There are lessons to be learnt for sure as we continue our on-going transformation of #outsiders.

Our team was working away on a number of projects and made some decisions--that will be available tomorrow for all to review in the #Outsider Properties.        I took comfort in the following key thoughts as I hope to support the on-going development of #Outsiders despite some rather interesting odds:

There is suffering in life, and there are defeats. No one can avoid them. But it's better to lose some of the battles in the struggles for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you're fighting for. ~ Paulo Coelho

& this crucial admonition from the great one: 

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks
will accomplish nothing in life.”
~ Muhammad Ali

Keeping the faith.......

On the Dawn of a New Week in @DailyOutsider: On #US, #Iran, #FreeJason & Other Thoughts.....

It was a rather challenging week-end as the work of #Outsiders continued.    The latest series of "Notations" curated for release was one of the more challenging ones curated that underscores a sense of profound concern about the political paralysis out there.   I was especially shocked at the representations by Congressman Dave Brat of Virginia on how how was so insistent on speaking for the American People as I also consulted the "10 Principles" that he had published on his Website.    I hope to have some thoughts on it soon.   I couldn't help but wonder what he's actually for.  I heard what he's against--and his colleagues that he claims are a majority in the House.   It is not born out by the facts as noted in this report which I released to my personal Twitter Feed within  the past hour.  

Beyond the shores of America, I was frankly shocked at reports out of Iran about the debate on the Nuclear Deal.    Ali Akbar Salehi, the Head of the Iran's Atomic Energy Organization and one of Rouhani's Vice Presidents, was actually threatened in Parliament to be killed--a fact verified by two Majlis Deputies.  One of the them, Ali Motahari, wrote quite a commentary on Instagram on Sunday as the Official Iranian News Agency decried the loss of decorum.   The parallels with what the conservatives in the United States have been pursuing has been quite interesting to say the least.

Ali Motahari reminds me of Helen Sussman, the late South African MP and oppostion leader who campagined for years against the evil of apartheid and the freedom for all South Africans.    I wanted to honor her with this I ran across:

   

 I also was assessing the case of Jason Rezayian of the Washington Post.  I have been periodically adding my voice to the Twitter hastag campaign #FreeJason to help keep his case alive.   The team reviewed reports that a verdict had come down.   When I reviewed the comments by the Spokemsan for Iran's Judiciary, he said he was "aware" of the verdict--but did not know what it was.    I will be continuing to assess this to see what the latest is as he has now been held longer than the US Hostages were held in 1979.

As I was working on supporting #outsiders for this week, I was around town and dropped in at the local Haagans to do a bit of weekly shopping.   I noticed that the shelves were beginning to "thin out" as Haagan has decided to shut down all Orange County stores as part of its' reorganization effort after the fanfare under which it hit Orange County.   Others are "vying" to take its' place including Aldo which is aggressively working to staff in the northern part of the County.   I had heard rumors that Gelson's may pick up a few of the stores.  But, this rumor was denied by the Staffers at Haagan's as they noted that the stores will be shut down Thanksgiving Day.   

It will be another challenging week as I took comfort in this Thought: 

On the Prowl For the Day w/Thoughts On #AidRefugees; @GOP & Other Thoughts....

It has been quite a week in #Outsiders as I have worked on supporting the curation of the channels and assessing the key developments in our World.    It was quite a challenging week as the GOP continued to wrestle with a post-Boehner era under what I deemed "The Tyranny of the Minority".        It was just quite funny how the GOP was trying to "paper over" the differences in the aftermath of Kevin McCarthy's withdrawal.    .    This is as I continue to be amazed at how the GOP Presidential Field continues to advocate for a practical dismantling of the Federal Government in spite of the profound challenges on a multitude of fronts our team has been commenting on throughout the week.

One of the profound challenges the World is faced with is the refugees.   I "dropped by" the White House Website earlier to see whether there were any updates on President Obama's visit to Oregon and was so glad to see this prominently displayed on the Home Page which I was very glad to send it off to my personal Pinterest Board as I continue to assess what I can do further: 

What I found especially troublesome was the reports on two recent shootings in Texas and Arizona.   It is true that these make the news and the daily carnage in Chicago and others do not.    The need to do something is ever so critical.      It was fun, though, to support the curation of the Friday Musical Interlude as the team settled on Earth Wind & Fire.

Despite all the challenges, I did "step back" to reflect as I dug up one of the compilation of +Jonathan Huie that the team looks at daily which the team was again gracious enough to let me use as another weekend is before us:

We can only be said to be truly alive in those moments

when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

- Thornton Wilder 

Gratitude bestows reverence,

allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies,

those transcendent moments of awe that change forever

how we experience life and the world.

- John Milton

  

Onward to the Weekend....

On The Prowl For the Day (With Updated Comments on Late Breaking Developments)

It has been quite a morning already in Washington.    It is ever so worrisome as our team has been assessing the aftermath of Congressman Kevin McCarthy dropping out of the race to replace the House Speaker.   It was horrifying to me personally as I heard one of the members of the House Freedom Caucus on changes that is necessary and I noted now the "Tyranny of the Minority" seems to be the order of the day in Washington right now.    It is of profound concern as the nature of Government is itself and the issue of Governing itself.  I went into the #Outsider archives to assess the "Conservative" read on why the Speaker resigned--although he did issue a statement that he will stay until a new House Speaker is elected--and as Donald Trump just "chimmed" in taking credit by saying how everything is a "mess" in Washington: 

Sept. 25, 2015
NEWS 6 Times John Boehner Clashed With Conservatives John Boehner, who announced he would leave Congress by the end of October, was elected as House speaker in 2011. He's clashed with conservatives on several occasions since then. Read More
NEWS Former Speaker Newt Gingrich Explains Why John Boehner Resigned Gingrich left the speakership in 1999 with members of Congress frustrated by his leadership, similar to the circumstances facing Boehner. Watch the Video
NEWS 37 Tweets About John Boehner's Resignation Twitter was buzzing Friday morning as news spread about Boehner's resignation. Read More
NEWS Flashback: John Boehner Boasted of 'Broad Support' Just Two Months Ago Facing a motion to remove him as speaker, Boehner pushed back at his critics in July. Watch the Video
NEWS Meet the Man Who Challenged John Boehner's Speakership The Daily Signal visited Rep. Mark Meadows last month while home in his Western North Carolina district. He reflected on his decision to present a motion to oust Boehner. Read More
COMMENTARY

I am glad to see Peter King of New York notes how Donald Trump is a "funny guy", but this is not a funny matter--and so glad he's noting that America is turning into a "banana republic".    The Tyranny of the Minority is ever so in evidence--and it is of profound concern.

Beyond the National Concern our team is focused on,  I have also been assessing some late breaking developments here in our home base of Orange County about a shortage of Skills that Orange County seems to be facing which we will talk about in our Community Channel.   It is also of note that Cities have begun the process of recruiting for Commisions and Committees.  The City of Laguna Niguel has already begun the process and other will be following suite.

As I was supporting the work of #Outsiders and other projects, I could not help but wonder about this admonition and whether the  +GOP  can truly live up to the admonition noted below--This is why I am supporting #Outsiders so that the conversation can be changed:

 My basic principle is that you don't make decisions because they are easy; you don't make them because they are cheap; you don't make them because they're popular; you make them because they're right. ~ Sophocles

As A New Week Dawns in #Outsiders: On-Going Thoughts.....

It was quite a busy weekend throughout #Outsiders as we "hit the Virtual Ground Running".  On the Business front, I was personally not too surprised as Walmart continued to rightsize and American Apparel declared bankrupcy.    It was also tragic to see the demise of Haagan's that will result in some 11 stores closing in Orange County.   I will never forget the face of a long-time Vons employee who decided to stay with Haagan's.    Yet, Albertson is planning to go public.

I was quite proud to see the City of Laguna Niguel announcing a "Jr. Statesman" program which our team will be releasing an update in our Community Channel, South County Matters, within the next day or so.   I have also been quite amazed at how the City of Laguna Niguel has been so committed to the safety of Pedestrians as the Community gears up for National Walk-To-School Day and the on-going Community Service Initaitive for Pedestrians on-going at the Traffic Commision which I currently serve as the Vice Chair.   It is also exciting times in South County as the developments of the Downtowns in Mission Viejo, Dana Point and Laguna Niguel continue 

I have also been quite interested in the race for the House Speaker as I saw this from the Heritage Foundation's Daily Caller:

Oct. 5, 2015
NEWS Meet the Underdog Republican Running for Speaker of the House House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy may have emerged as the frontrunner in the race for speaker of the House, but Florida Rep. Daniel Webster is emboldening his Republican colleagues to buck leadership's status quo in favor of a new approach to legislating. Read More
NEWS Jason Chaffetz Announces Speaker Bid: Americans Don't Want 'Status Quo,' but for 'Us to Fight' "We were entrusted by the American people with the largest majority the Republicans have ever had since Babe Ruth was swinging the baseball bat." Read More

I think the Fortune's Geoff Colvin was rigtht in his daily "Power sheet" that our team has featured as part of its' on-going curation in the Education Channel that the outgoing Speaker, John Boehner can make history.     What I found disturbing was this comment by Jason Chaffetz that the American People want them to "fight".   I respectfully disagree with it--The American People want you guys to govern.       I was not too impressed with Mr. Chaffetz during the planned parenthood meeting as he ended the meeting with a chart supposedly from Planned Parenthood--which ended up being from an Anti-Abortion Organization.       On the Presidential Front, I am amazed by the continued rise of Senator Sanders as he draws bigger and bigger crowds.    

Beyond the beauty and majesty of Orange County and the challenges of US Politics, it is also a World that is burning around us.    One interesting piece of news was (and our team will be working to assess it) was the agreement on the Transpacific Partnership that would create a free trade zone with 11 countries that encompass 40% of the World's Trade (and encompass the Countries of "NASIIM" we're rolling out).      There is also the inferno of the Middle East too.      Russia is now "all in" in Syria as Israel again is under siege and potentially facing a third Intifada by Palestinians.    This Haaretz Editorial I saw was quite telling in how the Israeli Prime Minister was taken to task:

An article has been sent to you from Haaretz.com:

Netanyahu: A PM detached 
from reality

There is no question Israel Matters--and this interesting tidbit our team was analyzing underscored this:

Hi , Of the many peoples and issues that comprise today’s Middle East, few are as fascinating – or as complicated – as those that define Israel. The threats and challenges to Israel’s existence and territory are many – including an aspiring nuclear power in Iran, the proximity of Islamic State jihadists in Syria, or even closer to home, where policies toward or adopted by Palestinians are a source of perennial tension. No study of current events in the Middle East is complete without an understanding of the pivotal, frequently controversial role that Israel plays in this region. Add to your own insights on the issues with this FREE e-book, “The Geopolitics of Israel: Biblical and Modern.”

It will be quite an interesting week......

Working Away & remembering ever to "Dance"......

The new quarter has gotten off ot a fast and furious start.    Our team was busy with the Musical Interlude this week with Herb Alpert as it also finished Notations on the horrific tragedy in Oregon earlier.    I also caught President Obama's News Conference that was quite a tour-de-force on Syria, Gun Violence and lessons learnt on the Visit of the Holy Father that our team had the privilege to comment on--about being better and the urge and need to serve--and the need to be responsible in Government.     

As I had the privilege to support the work of #Outsiders, I also took a moment of pause to once again borrow from the archive that the team has of thoughts from a must read for us:  +Jonathan Huie  which I wanted to share with all that goes to the heart of the purpose of life:

 

When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor.

It's to enjoy each step along the way.

- Wayne Dyer

Life may not be the party we hoped for,

but while we are here we might as well dance.

- Anonymous

On the Dawn of a New Quarter: Brief Thoughts & a Prayer.....

It is the dawn of a new Quarter.    This is my 50th Post since I launched this 'Corner'.    I ran across this checking my personal Twitter feed from a Twitter Friend this morning:

Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful. pic.twitter.com/p3prAQvMUR

— ThomScott (@ThomScott) October 1, 2015

It gave me a profound pause as I continue to work on and support the on-going development of #Outsiders.   It has been an intersting journey to say the least as we take a contemplative day.  

I begin this new quarter with the Prayer of St. Francis and the Lord's Prayer:   


   

    
May it be so for all.......