On Our World: Brief Thoughts as 2016 Withers Away....

It has been a very challenging 24 hours as the Syrian Army and its' allies have formally prevailed in Aleppo and as the promised evacuations are now on their way.   Our team found it quite amusing how the folks at Russia Today covered it and took credit by saying that it was through the involvement of the "Russian Reconciliation Center" that the evacuation was happening--and how they blasted "mainstream media".    What needs to be understood is this:  The War is Not Over--especially as Idlib (the next major war front) is already under heavy bombardment by the Syrians and their Russian allies.    Based on what drone footage that is available,  Aleppo is destroyed.    What Al Jazeera deemed the "Ghosts of Aleppo" says it all!!   It is available by clicking here.

Beyond the wars and the attempts by President-Kings in Africa to hold on to power, there are also rays of hope.   Our team is pleased to feature this padlet from the Freedom Hub that does some great work to prepare those who have been victims of Human Trafficking to return to the Workforce.    As we welcome 2017, we look forward to featuring such organizations because they are the rays of hope for us all: 

Notations On Our World: On #Syria & The Last Call From #Aleppo, #PEOTUS Watch and other Thoughts

The World has been witness to the inhumanity that is going on in Syria right now.  As our team finished off the latest review available on our Twitter Feed @ordinaryfaces, we wanted to give voice to the plight of all those who have been trapped--especially as Syrian Regime Forces have begun shelling Aleppo again as we went to press courtesy of the Observers at +FRANCE 24.  As we remember such valiant souls, this statement underscored the true predicament in Syria now: "..   "This (victory) was achieved through excessive reliance on regional supporters, the destruction of the country, the tearing of its social fabric, and a long-term generational crisis of unparalleled trauma. Nobody can claim victory after all of this."--We could not agree more.

THE LAST 'CALL' FROM ALEPPO

We are also witness to the continued formation of the emerging Trump Government.    The CEO of Exxon is the latest to be named as his nominee for Secretary of State.   It is of interest how the so-called establishment Republicans have fallen in as epitomized by what Senator Jeff Flake noted:  

The fact that Condi Rice, James Baker and Bob Gates are recommending Tillerson carries considerable weight. I look forward to the hearings.

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) December 13, 2016

It is also of interest that Rick Perry, the Former Governor of Texas, has been named to lead the Energy Department.  Mr. Trump noted that, "...."As the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry created created a business climate that produced millions of new jobs and lower energy prices in his state, and he will bring that same approach to our entire country as Secretary of Energy,..".   It is in line with Mr. Trump's apparent view that Government can and should be run like a business.   It is also of note that Mr. Trump had scheduled a December 15, 2016 conference to discuss disengaging from his business which has been postponed--in the meantime, the Office of Government Ethics came out and noted that Mr. Trump's plans falls short.    

One thing we agree with that was noted in a recent column in +Econsultancy  as trends for 2017 was discussed: "...Not many people will be sad to see the back of 2016...."

Onward....

Celebrating the Holidays in our Hometown of @LagunaNiguelCty

Our hometown, @LagunaNiguelCty is fully in the holiday spirit as the Annual Holiday Parade was held this past Saturday.   Some 3,000 people participated--and we are very pleased to feature our Community here today during this joyous season: