Notations From the Grid (Weekly Edition) : Saudi Arabia Working to Assert Itself....

Our team has been on the prowl as the struggle in the Middle East is continuing and as we witness to to change in Zimbabwe as our World always fascinates as we work to live up to our mantra of Intelligent Engagement. 

The New York Times' Thomas Friedman sat down with Mohammad Bin Salman on Thanksgiving 2017.   Mr. Friedman's Column is available in full by clicking here.   Our team wanted to feature his column with the image it captured above that is quite telling in terms of what he said as he deemed Khameini, Iran's Supreme Leader   the new Hitler of the Middle East.   This is as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have increased the pressure on Qatar.    What was interesting (and amusing in our team's View) was what someone deemed this: A Press release by #MBS (that he's known for) sent forth through Thomas Friedman.     Mr. Friedman has done some interesting work and we have been a fan of his writings including The World Is Flat & Thank You for Being Late.  However, this praise of what #MBS is doing as Yemen continues to rage on , Freedoms continue to be problematic and of course the cold war between Iran and Saudi Arabia rages on--as Iran called #MBS "Weak-Minded" in response to his comments.   .    One of the victims is Lebanon as the Prime Minister returned to Lebanon and rescinded his resignation.  .   As Saad Hariri tries to figure out a path forward, we have seen reports that his family's construction business built on the largesse of the Saudi Royal Family is collapsing.

Truly interesting times.....

On This #ThanksgivingDay2017......

As we will be "Dark" to reflect, we hope all enjoy these compilation of thoughts from @Jonathan Lockwood Huie and his team: 

The food which we are about to eat
Is Earth, Water, and Sun, compounded
through the alchemy of many plants.
Therefore Earth, Water and Sun will
become part of us.
This food is also the fruit of the labor of
many. We are grateful for it.
May it give us strength, health, joy.
And may it increase our love.
- Unitarian Blessing

In a world where so many are hungry,
may we eat this food with humble hearts;
in a world where so many are lonely,
May we share this friendship with joyful hearts.
- Anonymous

We receive this food in gratitude to all beings

Who have helped to bring it to our table,

And vow to respond in turn to those in need

With wisdom and compassion.

- Buddhist Blessing

For food that stays our hunger,

For rest that brings us ease,

For homes where memories linger,

We give our thanks for these.

- Anonymous

Notations From the Grid (Special Thanksgiving Eve Edition): As We "Go Dark"....

On the eve of Thanksgiving here in the United States, we wanted to share this that the City of Laguna Niguel shared on Community Spirit in Action we hope all enjoy:

14 Scouts from Laguna Niguel Troop 772 joined by a number of leaders in action on a day of service at Camp Pendleton where over 800 families were served. Great work! We are proud of you.  : https://t.co/Ov88N6zxjr

— Laguna Niguel (@LagunaNiguelCty) November 21, 2017

We also thought the Community would truly get a kick out of this courtesy of the team up there at the International Space Station:

The space station crew is enjoying a Thanksgiving meal too, but the prep is a little different than on earth! pic.twitter.com/1qPyveZKdD

— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) November 22, 2017

Our team, though, has continued to be on the Prowl with the latest out of Zimbabwe and Syria. It is also of note is how the United States was sidelined as Russia, Iran and Turkey met in Russia as the war in Syria draws to a close — not withstanding what President Trump noted during his brief Press Availability as he briefly dropped by to discuss a phone call he had with Vladimir Putin. The letter from the Commander of Iran’s Quds Force, Ghasem Soleimiani (who has been spearheading the fight against Daesh/ISIS for almost 7 years) to Khameini was telling — and where things go from here is going to be interesting as the Presidents Posed for pictures:

Where  things go from here is going to be interesting as the Presidents Posed for pictures:    What was also of note is the case of Reza Zarab, an Iranian_Turkish Businessman detained in the Untied States and reports that he has been released and how that will impact long-term relations with the United States.   There is also Lebanon as Saiid Harriri is back in Beirut after a two-week adventur ethat saw him resign and now he's "delayed" his resignation after meeting the President which seems to throw a monkey wrench in what Saudi Arabia had in mind:\\\ One of the other key matters we've also been assessing is the state of Net Neutrality that in our view will impact startups like us.     The open letter by the New York State Attorney General was telling as this is to be before the FCC that in our view should be a must-read for all interested in Net Neutrality and some of the facts raised are extremely troubling.   Despite a challenging Month, there is still a lot to be thankful for.    As we go "Dark" through the end of the Month, we hope all enjoy our live Broadcast Pod and twitter updates as we hope all enjoy this as a small "Virtual Token of Thanks" courtesy of the team at Pandora on the eve of Thanksgiving here in the United States:

Family Christmas Kid’s Christmas

Comedy Commute Hollywood Holiday Soundtracks

From our Team to yours...Happy Thanksgiving!!! !