What a Week....

It all started for me as I had a chance to join the youth of Aliso Viejo High School as they were on a Communtiy Service outing at the @Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County's Incredible Edible Farms.     I had a chance to learn how to plant lettuce and cabbage and got a chance to talk with one of the dedicated staffers, Raul, who oversees the Ranch.     I had the pleasure to join the Adopt-a-Pantry program sponsored by the Indian-American Community as some 249 Families were served and over 9,000 pounds of Food were disbursed.

As the week ensued, It was time for the Laguna Niguel Annual Holiday Parade.    I had the privilege to lead the Orange County Council Boy Scout Contingent down Crown Valley Parkway as some 360 Scouts and Scouters joined the contingent.   It was just fabulous.   It was also quite a Sunday yesterday as I had the privilege to support Aliso Viejo Middle School as it joined the Debate by +Orange County Debate League which had some 250 Middle School Students competing at two different facilities by serving as a Judge.    

It is "back to work" though for the team as the team worked on releasing a new "notation" and also released a newsflash on one of the Kickstarter Projects in addition to the dailly Twitter Curations on the key watch areas our team focuses on.     It is going to be quite a week as all race towards Christmas.

As I "raced" to finish these thoughts, I ran across this very cute clip courtesy of my good friend Jim Holden which I hope brings a smile to everyone's face:

This Looks Like A Normal Grocery Store, But When The Lights Go Out? Awesome.
It took a team of cashiers, 13 different hidden cameras and a whole lot Christmas spirit to pull off this epic holiday surprise! Edeka, Germany’s largest supermarket chain, decided to surprise its shoppers with a seasonal treat. In an attempt to liven up the otherwise boring chore of grocery shopping, these cashiers opted to delight their patient shoppers with a choreographed orchestra that beeped the holiday classic, “Jingle Bells.” (Turn your sound up).

Click on this link:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/H965m0Hkk5M#t=14

Merry Christmas!  

Thoughts On This Saturday & A Story that Must Be Told.....

It was beautiful day in Laguna Niguel.     It was also a busy day in #Outsiders with Notations and Views of the Week being released although the team had initialy decided to be "dark".    As I was on the "prowl", I wanted to report on this very beautiful note I received from    It is on a very nice note as I saw this--I made a token contribution to this campaign and the beauty of the human spirit was ever so evident here: 

Salams,  today we can proudly say that we have reached a remarkable feat in our community's history and have demonstrated serious resolve by raising over $200,000 for those afflicted by the recent tragedy in San Bernardino, CA.

Yesterday (12/11/15), we flew in the father of one the deceased who was stuck in another state and was otherwise unable to make it to her funeral. His presence at a gathering last night, hosted by Senator Connie Levya, was brief but a somber reminder of the grief faced by these families. At this get together, one of the Muslim ER Medical Residents (visibly so due to her hijab), who was on-shift at the county hospital the day of the tragedy, treating the victims, recalled her experience that moved all the the public officials and Intefaith leaders present. 

We delivered the first check amounting to $100K that was the largest first sum received by United Way as other foundations begin to pitch. The United Way was designated by San Bernardino County for all contributors to channel their funds to families of the victims. 100% of these proceeds were earmarked for these families.

Please do not hesitate to contact me.

Jazakallah Khairan and many blessings!

United4SB Campaign

As I, along with the team, goes "dark" for the Week-End,  such are the stories that give me hope.    I also got the team to let me use this received from +Jonathan Huie as I wish all a fab rest of the weekend and a fab Week:

---

See all 1000+ Daily Inspirations with pictures and links at www.jlhuie.com
See Copyright and Re-publishing information
You can un-subscribe at http://app.getresponse.com/unsubscribe.html?x=a62b&m=9QHlg&s=Gzb1i&u=zNj&y=d&

A Busy Yet Beautiful Day. w/#United4HumanityLA, #HR158 & Other thoughts.....

It has been quite a day as I have been witness to an explosion of activity in the aftermath of HR158.   The group that was formed which I joined has mushroomed to some 55,000 as the aftermath of the action taken by the House has been overwhelming.

As I was also working away and supporting the team's effort throughout the day with the release of the Friday Musical Interlude, I ran across this on n update on the progress being made from one of the leading Iranian Americans in the Country,  Dr. Firouz Naderi:

UPDATE -- Some progress.

Key senators have been contacted by prominent Iranian-Americans and have been made aware of the unintended consequences of HR158. Many in the House now say they regret the language and last minute riders that were passed. There is hope that Senate will make the bill less onerous for Iranian-Americans. Vote is likely next Wednesday.

Thank you PAAIA for working behind the scene reaching out to the members of Congress; thank you to thousands in the Community who have called their representatives, thank you to NIAC & ACLU for their efforts drawing attention to this issue. And thank you to the few who had the great idea of setting up HR158 Facebook page (~50,000 members in less than 3 days!!!).

Win or lose this issue, our community has come of age.

There is still a lot of work that the Community must do.  But the coming together is just one indciation as I just checked on the campaign for San Bernadino launched by Faisal Qazi which I was privileged to contribute to--staggering in how people have come together as he is at 194,000 and exceeded his goal of 175,000.  Please click on here for the latest on this progress.    



I was also so gratified to be invited to join the local chapter of @NIAC Action to join this rally in Los Angeles--I would not be able to attend becuase I was just asked to support Aliso Viejo Middle School's Debate Club--but this is just another indication that we shall truly overcome:

On such a beautiful day, I thought I end this retrospective on the eve of the W-End as I have asked the team to be "dark" with this true "oldie" but "goodie" from Louis Armstrong as I wish you all a fab joyous and fantastic weekend:

Working Away w/Thoughts 4 the Night......

It has been a busy day yet again in #Outsiders.   I was working on a column and ended up having to "take it offline" due to the fact that all my notations were not reflected.   I hope all enjoy this "thought 4 the day" though that I always personally enjoy checking out and sharing with my students as I listen away to Erik Erickson's discussions with a panel discussion of undecided voters as I can't help but wonder about their view of the World.

The team has decided on an interesting choice for the "Friday Musical Interlude" which is just fab....

Today's word is TRANSITIONING

Thanks for joining me. What you do TODAY matters. Each day, I hope to inspire, challenge, and equip you with leadership teachings that are as timeless as they are true. I am excited to share these short, powerful, FREE video messages with YOU. I encourage you to pass these on to others, and together we can intentionally enrich the world. WATCH THE VIDEO SHARE

Winding Down the Year w/Notations For the Night (With Brief Updated Thoughts)

It has been a very challenging few weeks yet again  ever since Donald Trump came out with his grotesque and inhumane comments.   Although mainstream Republicans (including the top Republican in Government Speaker Ryan) have come out in opposition to Mr. Trump's views,  the adoption of HR158 is of profound concern as our Team released an update earlier on the grassroots efforts being done to make changes.

The worst manifestation of it was noted in this from Khalid Latif yesterday that was horrific in its' nature:

"As Islamophobia continues to rear its ugly head in America, hateful rhetoric turned into a hate crime last night in...
Posted by Khalid Latif on Wednesday, December 9, 2015

It then continued as I saw reporting that +Council On American Islamic Relations offices in Washington were evacuated after a foreign substance was received.   I was quite pleased, though, as outreach efforts were continuing especially with the FBI and Anaheim Police Department noting that "we're here for you" while asking the Community's help--which is ever so vital as ever.     What I found quite challenging to grasp though was the Conservative Media (epitomized by Erik Erickson that I got on my personal email below) on how the move by Trump was right "politically correct and in how the Washington Post noted that it is "discipline & method".     Here is the excerpt of his comments as he is now on the air now with a panel of undecideds.   


It is clear that there is no path at all for him to the Presidency--but it will be interesting.  The paranoia on this was underscored by the moves by Texas to deny the right of Syrian Refugees to come to Texas--and Federal Courts have been rejecting moves by Texas again and again.  What I found quite on point was what I saw here that all Muslims must embrace in a major way: 

"The Islamic State wants every American Muslim to feel alienated," writes a naval officer. "We must not let that happen."
Posted by The New York Times Opinion Section on Thursday, December 3, 2015

This was fabulous to see:  

Working away as I saw this..right on as I saw this!!! .#YouAintNoMuslimBruv https://t.co/oZaKJfJqaK

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) December 6, 2015

I also found this from Professor Dabashi quite on pointe which is ever so vital to embrace by all: 

Never allow the crooks, the charlatans, the criminals or the power-monger politicians determine your life, decide what...
Posted by Hamid Dabashi on Wednesday, December 9, 2015

On An Interesting Day....and Watching Sri Lanka From the International Space Station......

It has been a very unfortuante day on the political front in the United States.  Donald Trump came out calling for a total ban on Muslim Immigration to the United States.    It was welcome that Jeb Bush called it "unhinged" along with others--this is right after President Obama's call for Tolerance.  The Speech last night was attacked by the Republicans--but Donald Trump went one step further.    Although Ezra Klein called it grotesque on his Facebook Page, I prefer to call it simply inhumane.   More than that, it is unconstitutional.  

Throughout my visits on "The Grid", I was lamenting how we were lacking our Generation's Edward R. Murrow and Joseph Welch who both stood up to Joseph McCarthy--whose views Trump epitomizes today in many ways.   It then occured to me--#Outsiders was launched to try to change th narrative and transform it.   Yes there are those like Vox, BuzzFeed and others who are also workign through it--but there needs to be a different way.   Whether the journey is successful is another question.

Our team has been "virtually pounding the pavement" will have some thoughts over the ensuing days.    What I took comfort in what Scott Kelly sent out as he bid good night to those of us on this Earth which I took my queue as I "go dark" for the night which I released to my Personal Twitter Feed earlier:

Ending my "Brief run" before on this high note....hope all enjoy #quote & Daily Update...have a fab night..... https://t.co/tgKfzj76nJ

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) December 8, 2015

On the Late Prowl for the Night: Brief Notations & Remembering a Valiant Soul......

It has been a busy weekend throughout Outsiders.   The team ran across one of the periodic thoughts that it features on #Outsiders and decided to feature one on all #outsider properties on dreams--we are chasing a dream to transform the conversation about our World.

As I was working away, I ran across this.    The Poet/Songwriter Yaghma Golrouee has been detained in Tehran by Ministry of Intelligence Agents and is now at Evin Prison.   This clip (which I released to my personal Facebook earlier tonight) is dedicated to the Women of Iran and how he ends is just powerful beyond Words as he noted, "...at the end of the story, we will be free..." as he ends the video with a clip of Jafar Panahi's niece accepting Germany's top prize for his film, Taxi.   As all watch the clip, some will notice leading Iranian Women such as the actress Golsifteh Farahani, The Math Whiz Maryam Mirzakhani and the Enterpeneur and Astronaut Anousheh Ansari.    This is as he does such a maginficent job to feature the ordinary who make it all possible.

Onward to the New Week.....

On Our World: Reflections As A New Week Dawns (#Guns & #Refugees & #Hope)

It has been quite a few days in our World.    It was of note as our team came down firmly in support of the Front Page Editorial in the New York Times.     

I saw the Erick Erickson stunt yesterday and my first reaction was:  Get a life dude!!!   If you have that much time to pick up your gun and shoot up a newspaper article, you really don't have a life.   Beyond that, though, the disturing nature of his email really was of profound concern--and he's still one of the more mainstream elements within the conservative movement.   I have not visited oathkeepers or the Gun Owners of America to see what their views are, yet.   

I caught a glimpse of the debate on this as CBS interviewed Donald Trump.    What was so disturbing about Trump's views was that he basically said the entire 3 Million Estimated Muslims in the United States must be subject to "tracking"--something I am very pleased that more mainstream Republicans have condemned.  What is striking is how he continues to be leading the polls.    He was also "gung ho" on the 2nd Amendment (never mind he was for Gun Control before he was against it) and talked about if folks were armed in Paris the carnage would not have occured.   The culture of "every person for himself" is quite problematic to say the least.

I was shocked by this I saw on the Guardian of London that I released to my personal Grid within the past hour--but not too shocked as I stepped back to think about Erick Erickson's stunt and then a report that Iowa is beginning to issue Gun Permits to the legally Blind:   

This the perception that the World has--America can do better than this. What I find problematic is how facts and reality seem not to matter in the current political narrative that is before us.    #Outsiders has been an attemp to work to change the narrative one notation at a time--whether we can do it in light of the profound noise is a struggle.

As I was supporting #Outsiders throughout the day, I took a little time to catch Gandhi.   There is a scene it as he decides on the next phase of the campaign that led to the indepedence of India and he reflects on a song at his temple and reflected upon this, "...He bows to all and despises none...".   It was a lesson to be remebered by us all.

I continue to remain hopeful though beyond words.   I was witness to the geneorsity of spirit this past Saturday as I along with the youth of Aliso Niguel High School was at The @Second Harvest Bank of Orange County to plant, prepare field and thereafter join the Adopt-A-Pantry sponsored by the Indian Southern California Basketball League assisting with serving some 249 Families with their weekly meals.    It is such that continues to give me hope that we can and will overcome this level of "noise" as a dose of reality was again noted by Nicholas Kristoff earlier today: 

"785,000 refugees have been admitted to the United States since 9/11 and not one has been convicted of killing a person...
Posted by The New York Times on Sunday, December 6, 2015

On #SanBernardinoShootings: Thoughts For the Night

We here in the United States were again witness to another mass shooting.     The GOP was out in force to offer prayers.    Tomorrow New York Daily News Headline noted below is telling: 

Meanwhile, there was another shooting too in Georgia that hardly made the news.    As I am writing this, the Police Chief of San Bernandino is on the air providing an update and has named the suspects who were shot dead by police and going through the facts as known.    Although I noted the names of the suspects in my rounds on the "Grid", I am not going to repeat it here.    The Police Chief is ending the news conference now.

I can't help but wonder whether our society will muster the courage to truly deal with this menace once in for all.   

Working Away With Some Mid-Week Notations.....

It has been a interesting few days yet again as the team has been on the "prowl".      I ran across this that was a stark reminder about the challenge we have here in #Outsiders as we work to provide a potential trail to help transform the conversation about our World: 

 “Not everyone thinks the way you think,
knows the things you know,
believes the things you believe,
nor acts the way you would act.
Remember this
and you will go a long way
in getting along with people.”

~ Arthur Forman

This admontion underscores the simple fact that we have to respect each other.    This sense of respect is clearly lacking in some of the utterances that have been prevalent in the GOP so far which is of profound concern.   This is also as the World is witness to @COP21 that our team has been assessing (and finished off a notation on it late last night).   This is also as the War against #Daesh is being ramped up.    What Patrick Cockburn wrote about the fate of the War though was absolutely devastating: 

+++ BRITAIN'S NEXT WAR, by Patrick Cockburn. This morning's @Independent +++ pic.twitter.com/YDSBQuWF6Z

— amol rajan (@amolrajan) December 2, 2015

As I reflected upon the work done here in #Outsiders, all I could do was to take comfort in what these thoughts were from +Jonathan Huie  that the team was gracious enough to allow me to use because in the end it is about a sense of serenity that is necessary if we are to deal with the profound challenges our World continues to face in that it all begins with a sense of faith that we must have: 

He who has faith has...
an inward reservoir of courage, hope, confidence, calmness,
and assuring trust that all will come out well -
even though to the world it may appear to come out most badly.
- B. C. Forbes

Winding Down November: Brief Thoughts....

It has been an interesting morning in #Outsiders as the team worked on the Daily Twitter Feeds and decided to bid farewell to November with a simple yet profound Madiba thought.   For me it was a profound weekend though as I had a chance to join a Community Forum organized by Iranian Circle of Women's intercultural Network.   

The keynote was given by a Syrian Journalist/Activist who shared a gripping tale of the true reality in Syria today.   Her own father died of a Brain Stroke brought about by the tortrue he suffered at the hands of the Assad Regime.  I was awe struck as I listened to her sharing her insights and what she tries to do despite all the challenges.

I am remaining hopeful about Paris as #COP21 begins--there have been a lot of handshakes so far.    The need to be hopeful is ever so critical now as is the need for courage and kindess as I "dug this up" from my own digital archicves: 

I look forward to the on-going dialogue.

Notations For the Week-End (Part Deux) : On #Colorado Springs; #Syria & #France & Other Thoughts.....

France remembered its' victim on Friday November 27.    President Hollande led France in a solemn tribute which was attended by the entire French Cabinet, Former President Sarkozy, military officers, first responders and victims who were able to attend: 





I had the good fortune to say awake to be able to watch the entire proceedings on France24.   I was (as I am sure many around the World were) struck by the solemn way Francois Hollande walked in had a lonely chair in front of all who were in attendance.   For me, what he said struck a special cord as he spoke for all of us as he said we will sing more, dance more so that what the former Prime Minister of Australia called the Merchants of Death of Daesh will be relegated to the dustbin of history.   It was so beautiful as I saw depicition of #Daesh Fighters being photoshopped with ducks on their head.

As our team and I await to report of the ultimate fate of the #DaeshScum (what I have used in my twitter tweets),  the price paid has been such a heavy one  though as depicted by what the team released yesterday in a recent edition of Notations.   The problem, though, is that elements of what I call (Daesh Light) exists in countries like Iran right now.   One must also not forget the Afghan Inferno that continues to burn daily.    It was heartbreaking too as I caught reporting from SkyNews as the Russian Marine killed in Syria trying to rescue the fallen Russian Pilot was put to rest under the watchful tearful eye of his daughter.   Based on reporting reviewed by the team, it appears that the leaders of what Sam Kiley of SkyNews so ably noted as the "Death Cult" have apparently escaped Raqqa as the ordinary man, woman and child continues to bear the brunt of the assault by US, French and Russian Fighters--soon to be joined by British Fighters.

As I worked away supporting on-going daily commitments for the team as all wanted to be "back at it", reports from Colorado Springs here in the United States on a shooting at a Planned Parenthood Clinic which The Guardian of London provided live footage on which is now available on the Guardian Website:   

The shooter (who  is a terrorist) surrended after what I understood to be a five hour gun battle.    It resulted in a Police Officer losing his life and I shared these thoughts in his memory while I was on Facebook yesterday:  

Catching up for the AM working away before "running off"....very distressing to see this as I was seeing reports...
Posted by Mike Pouraryan on Saturday, November 28, 2015

President Obama was once again ever so forceful.   Ted Cruz released a Tweet keeping the victims in his thoughts and prayers--I made it a point of being on Twitter noting that although his thoughts were welcome, we have to go beyond prayers.      There were reporting on the Independent of London of celebrations for the shooting and quite an indictment by the Haaretz Chemi Shalev.   I was chastised for finding something "negative"--and I noted that all lives have to matter.   There needs to be a change in the manner we look at the 2nd Amendment and there are moves going on as this recent depiction in TakePart underscores:

10 Companies with Sensible Gun Policies

More than a dozen U.S. states allow residents to openly carry firearms without a permit. More than 20 other states allow open-carry with a license, while only five, plus the District of Columbia, ban open-carry outright.

Considering the wave of violent gun crimes that have rocked the country in recent years, some companies are beginning to approach gun policies as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) issue.

For these firms, allowing customers to openly carry guns inside their establishments can make the company appear complicit with its state’s lax gun laws.

With that in mind, this week we tip our hats to companies that are braving the backlash and adopting sensible gun policies. Read on>

Beyond the Issue of Guns, there is also the Climate Change Conference.    The Marches have begun Worldwide and I plan on joining the March in Irvine later on today as I also plan on joining a meeting on the impact of the Syrian War on Women.       What Dr. King noted as the "fierce urgency of now" is ever so evident now: 

"The more we delay, the more we pay" - interview w/ @jpasztor on #action2015 & #COP21 https://t.co/iRXynk0o94 pic.twitter.com/N9ljua187a

— United Nations (@UN) November 28, 2015

I was also keen to see how retailers did since 70% of the GDP of the United States is dependent on Consumer Spending.   In assessing the reporting on the aftermath of Black Friday, it seems as if it was not as vibrant--but people were apparently flocking to all the sites.   I understand from reports that Target was on track to break records and of course there is Cyber Monday which I am sure all will make a killing!!    This is as one of the retailers in our hometown, Haagens, is in the midst of its' final sale as I had a chance to visit it yesterday.   I asked how the displaced workers were doing--and the checker who served me noted that most had found places--but it was difficult because they wanted "Kids".     She noted that she was going to retire and hang out with her 92-year old Mother.   I congratulated her and was happy for the news since I had known many of them for years.

It is ever so a challenging World as our team continues its' on-going efforts.     I wanted to end this with a bit of a high note:

Stay strong and make them wonder how you're still smiling https://t.co/n1e6jU2QBL pic.twitter.com/w8ocjZpww4

— Motivational Tweets (@Tweets2Motivate) November 28, 2015

Challenging times.....

On #gratitude: Notations For the W-End.......

It has been another difficult 24 hours in the United States.    A terrorist walked into a Planned Parenthood Office in Colorado Springs, killed a police officer and took hostages until he was "talked down" and surrended.    I will have more to say on it later on.

It has been though a week to be thankful.    There is no question that every day is a day to be thankful.  As I always tell friends, as the great philosopher Pit bull reminds us, "every day above ground is a great day".   It was so appropriate as I saw this that the #Outsider team was gracious enough to share to remind me of it:

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

- Philo 

This hit home to me in a major way as I had the pleasure to join the Fish For Life Cruise from Dana Point earlier this month.    This is a charity founded by an old and dear friend of mine, Jim Holden, that holds fishing cruises for special needs children by having their families have a day of joy under the Sun. This particular one broke my heart as I saw a girl full of heart who had lost a hand--and I was told cancer as she made her way to the cruise:  It is a pleasure to share this on the day and how joyful an event it all was: https://fishforlife.smugmug.com/Trip-Photos/November-14th-2015/   This I received from the John Templeton Fund said it all.    May the Almighty continue to bless all as we await some hopeful news from Paris as the climate change conference begins  and as we deal with the menance of Daesh:

On the Eve of Thanksgiving in the United States: On #Syria, #Daesh & #Success & #Hope & Being Grateful....

As our team went "dark", the daily twitter curation continued as the World has been witness to distressing developments around the World.    The latest one was the bombing of the Tunisian Presidential Guard which was claimed by the #Daeshscum which led to the declaration of the State of Emergency.  This is as France and Europe have been dealing with the aftermath of the horrors of Paris as France introduced a 90-Day State of Emergency and enacted A "Patriot-Act" type of  law.    What was even more distrubing to be witness to as our team continued its' daily assessment was the shooting down of a Russian Fighter Jet by Turkey.     Putin was in Iran as he attended the Gas Producer Leaders conference and went to see Khameini:

It was of note to reflect upon a recent blast from the Past that Professor Milani fo Stanford reminded the World as there has been a spat of arrests which continues even today despite some of the incremental changes seen after the election of President Rouhani: 



The wars are worrisome ever so especially as the New York Times reported earlier today of the introduction of Latin American Troops in Yemen by the Emirates as the escalation is quite worrisome which our team will continue to monitor as it gears up for December here in #Outsiders.    

In the meantime, Congress continues its' efforts to try and and impose its' views as epitomized by the latest out there as the threat of a Government Shutdown looms with the latest as noted in this excerpt reported out by the New York Times: 

TREASURY SECRETARY WARNS FOES OF DODD-FRANK Last year, Congress passed a measure dismantling a piece of the Dodd-Frank Act that governed swaps by attaching the new legislation to a wider spending bill. On Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew warned critics of Dodd-Frank against trying the same tactic again, saying he would push back against any attempts to weaken financial regulation through amendments to the spending bill, which Congress must pass byDec. 11 to avert a government shutdown, Peter Eavis reports in DealBook. "I have publicly made clear that my recommendation to the president would be that if there are legislative measures that will roll back the clock, that would take us back toward where we were before the financial crisis, I would recommend a veto," Mr. Lew said via email.

What critics of Dodd-Frank are focusing on this time around is theregulation mandating annual tests for banks to determine whether they could survive extreme stress in the markets and wider economy, Mr. Eavis writes. Currently, the rule applies to banks with at least $50 billion in assets, but legislation introduced by Senator Richard Shelby, Republican of Alabama and chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, would raise that threshold to $500 billion. Lawmakers are alsotaking aim at the Financial Stability Oversight Council, which they say lacks accountabilityMr. Lew's remarks may not deter Republican lawmakers from attaching amendments to the spending bill if they believe that the Obama administration would be more likely to compromise on financial regulation than on other areas, like health care, Mr. Eavis writes. Also, another victorious effort to weaken parts of Dodd-Frank would "establish a track record of chipping away at the overhaul each year," he writes.

  Beyond the politics though, there is the challenge of  Climate Change.    It has been gratifying to see France affirming its' commitment to go on with COP21 that our team will be assessing on a daily basis starting next week.    However, what I found extremely distressing was how the Chairman of the House Science Committee was putting pressure on Scientists to compel them to produce emails on his apparent belief that studies were doctored.  This is as the leading climate sceptic in the Country, Senator James Inhoff of Okhlahoma, plans on a one man "Truth squad" campaign as he says , "Oui" to Paris.   It is just beyond belief as the World is faced with drought, countries are dying before our very eyes as epitomized by this which was heartwrehcning to listen to--available on +TED by clicking here.  


 and some countries are being swept away by hurricances, that this man seems to be on the rampage that he is--joined by his GOP colleagues.        I look forward to joining the climate reality rally in Irvine this coming Sunday as I was also pleased to receive this in my "Virtual Office" to underscore the challenge yet hope that must be the order of the day:

Happy Thanksgiving! This Thanksgiving, we are especially thankful. We’re thankful for the incredible people around the world working hard to put an end to climate change. For the amazing progress we’ve seen from world leaders and influencers leading up to the United Nations’ climate negotiations in Paris and the prospect of a historic global climate agreement.  But most of all, we’re thankful for you, our incredible friends and supporters. So we’d like to give #ClimateThanks to all of you for what you’ve helped the climate community achieve this year: • Over 2,000 new Climate Reality Leaders working to educate and inspire their communities to act on climate change • An Open Letter to world leaders, urging a strong global climate agreement in Paris • A historic rally during Pope Francis’ US visit in support of his urgent message on climate change • The EPA Clean Power Plan’s finalization, which thousands of you supported, helping to establish the US as an international leader on climate action And that’s just the beginning. None of this would have been possible without you.  Wishing you a happy and safe Thanksgiving, As I end this before "running off" , I could not help but share this I saw while on the "Grid" when I broke my "sabatical" briefly to catch up  (and I admit I was "sneaking in")!! :-) I saw this from the ever perceptive and eloquent +DARREN HARDY as he reminded us all on the art of the possible and never ever ever ever ever ever giving up.   I couldn't agree more. Happy thanksgiving to all in the United States as I also note that everyday is a day to be thankful for all the blessings that we do have!!!

On the "Prowl" 4 the W-End: On #Syria, #Muslims & Other Thoughts.....

As the debate ensues about what to do about Syria in the aftermath of Paris, Beirut and Ankara, I ran across this on the interesting tact taken on criticizing the Obama Doctrine on Syria.  I did not see a solution as I have in other analysis when I reflected upon the challenge we face: JINSA in The Weekly Standard: Who Really Betrayed the Syrians? | JINSA Online.

Beyond the debates, there is the very distrubring discussions in the current Republican Party which is outright dangerous.    Donald Trump has advocated registration for Muslim Americans--and after he denied it--doubled down on it.    He called it a "matter of management"--in addition to calling for the closure of Mosques.    This is as Ben Carson took to Time Magazine to say no Syrian Refugees should be brought in although he praised any Muslim Americans he has worked with unless they "denounce" violence.    I made it a point of tagging Dr. Carson's Twitter Feed late last night with this that directly point and point rejected his assertions.

@RealBenCarson : Please take note of this in response to your Time Magazine Column....Happy Thanksgiving. https://t.co/2LS9blmkVP

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 21, 2015

The team, though, ran across this from a few months which I found to be hillarious but at the same time so ironic and troubling as well:

An interesting "take": Many in Nation Tired of Explaining Things to Idiots https://t.co/kW5uy65i8C via @BorowitzReport

— The Daily Outsider (@DailyOutsider) November 21, 2015

As the weekend is at hand, though, I took comfort in these thoughts on my personal twitter feed before I am "off the grid" for the weekend although the team will be on the "prowl" with the #outsider Twitter Feeds and of course my twitter feed will be updating with the periodic #quote feeds along with the Daily Update:

I know of only one duty, and that is to love. - Albert Camus #quote

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 21, 2015

Against all odds and despite all the obstacles, we are going to make it. - Marilyn Monroe #quote

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 21, 2015

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. - Ralph Waldo Emerson #quote

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 21, 2015

& this:

Against all odds and despite all the obstacles, we are going to make it. - Marilyn Monroe #quote

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 21, 2015

Onward to another working weekend...

On the Prowl: Thoughts 4 the Night.....

It was another busy day here in #Outsiders as our team finished off a series of notations, remembered Mickey Mouse and assessed our world  trying to keep a positive upbeat view   with the daily curations it released to the Twitter Feed.   With the challenging week that was at hand, it was gratifying to see the team focus on deciding on the artist of the week and the selections they chose for the #Outsider properties that will be available for all to enjoy throughout the day tomorrow.

It was also quite a disturbing day on the political scene as the two current leading US Republican Presidential candidates talked about issuing special identity cards for Muslims and disparinsgly refer to Syrian Dogs.  It was sickening to say the least--that's why I viewed the focus by the team was so vital to help bring a sense of light and a bit of joy in an otherwise increasingly acronomious debate on refugees in the aftermath of Paris.     

As I finish off this late notations, I decided to go to my personal digital archives to share some thoughts which underscores the sentiments I try to live up to which is the driving force for outsiders especially as we reflect upon all that we're thankful for on this thanksgiving week in the United States.

I wish all a fabulous Friday and a fabulous weekend.

There

A True Profile In Courage: A Husband Pays Tribute to his Fallen Wife Who Died in #ParisAttacks (Updated w/the Corrected Link)

As I finished off working away, I ran across this that I don't mind noting brought tears to my eyes as I listened to this beautiful tribute:

“I won’t give you the gift of hating you” – Antoine Leiris’ powerful tribute to his wife, who died in the Bataclan during the #ParisAttacks bbc.in/1NbYE0q

Posted by BBC News on Wednesday, November 18, 2015

He spoke for us all in not giving in to the hatred and the madness that Daesh wants.     We shall and will overcome.   I also was so pleased when I saw reporting that President Rouhani of Iran was in touch with President Hollande to offer every assistance possible.   

May her soul and the rest of the fallen in Paris, Beirut, Ankara, Kabul, Kashmir and everywhere around the World subject to this hatred rest in peace as we as a World rise up to collectively note:  enough is enough.