On the Eve of #MLKDay 2018 W-End

We are honored to showcase this guidance from the Corporation for National Service as we join all in Celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout our key properties:

What Are You Doing for Others on MLK Day? In his sermon on the “Drum Major Instinct” nearly 50 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. guided the congregation of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church on a journey that urged them to channel their ambitions through acts of service and love. Earlier in those remarks, Dr. King offered a scripture-based take on the idea of greatness that probably seems antithetical to the way many see it today.  “If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness. And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”  Those words – “everybody can be great, because everybody can serve” – guide the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) as we lead the nation’s volunteer efforts during the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service. (You can read President Trump's proclamation for MLK Day here.) Since 1994, CNCS has been directed by Congress to guide efforts that emphasize volunteering and service on the MLK Day holiday to improve our nation’s communities.  We like to call it “a day on, not a day off.” Noting that he didn’t want to be known for his academic credentials or awards that he received, Dr. King said he would like to be remembered as someone who “tried to give his life serving others,” as one who worked to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the imprisoned.  There are numerous challenges, like those Dr. King referenced, that can be improved through the actions of engaged and active citizens. Through service and volunteering, we can strengthen communities by serving in our schools, preserving and protecting our national parks and public facilities, increasing financial literacy, building and repairing homes, and supporting our veterans and military families.  We are inspired by Dr. King’s life, which focused on serving others in a multitude of ways that, ultimately, helped change the course of our nation. And we hope that you make service and volunteering a part of your life on MLK Day – and all year long. To discover MLK Day events and projects in your community, visit MLKDay.gov.  In Service,  CNCS Office of External Affairs

The Impact of National Service Exploring Dr. King's Legacy before National Day of Service  The Corporation for National and Community Service is proud to lead service and volunteering efforts on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. We created this short video that looks back to explore the legacy of Dr. King and the MLK Day of Service. Read More

Notations On Our World (Special Friday Edition): On The Status of the World Economy

The Economist released this earlier this week on the status of the World Economy in 2018:

This is as this was released from Goldman Sachs:

Strong growth and divergence in inflation and monetary policy are among the key themes likely to define the year ahead for the US, Euro area, and Asia Pacific region, according to 2018 macroeconomic outlooks from Goldman Sachs Research. As discussed in a new video series, GS Research's regional economists forecast: Above-trend growth in the US, Euro area, and Japan, and continued strength across Asia (albeit a modest slowdown in China). India in particular is likely to see a rebound, with Chief Asia-Pacific Economist Andrew Tilton predicting 8% growth as aftershocks from 2017's demonetization and new taxes wane. Firming inflation in the US and Asia, but continued "lowflation" for Europe. While the Euro area, like the US and Asia, has seen economic slack decline over the last year, Chief Europe Economist Huw Pill says subdued wage growth and price pressures in Germany should keep area-wide inflation well below the ECB's ~2% target. As such, you can expect... Monetary tightening from the Federal Reserve and Asian central banks, but continued dovishness from the ECB. The Fed in particular is likely to lean against "too much of a good thing" by meeting above-trend growth, low unemployment, and firming inflation with four interest rate hikes in 2018 -- a forecast that puts Chief Economist Jan Hatzius above market and FOMC expectations. Watch videos Read report

Notations On Our World (Special Thursday Edition): On #IranProtests

As we went to press, protests seem to have dissipated a bit--although sporadic protests are continuing.   Thousands have been under arrest and a number of detainees have died in custody.   One of the leading internal voices of dissent inside Iran, Professor Zibakalam of Tehran University, released this on his Twitter Feed earlier today Tehran Time that is in Farsi:

جناب آقای رئیس جمهور باسلام،
"خودکشی"بازداشتی هادرحال افزایش اند ایضادستگیری های معترضینی که فرمودیددرچارچوب"حقوق شهروندی"از حق اعتراض برخورداربوده اند. اصل۱۱۳قانون اساسی نخستین وظیفه جنابعالی را"اجرای قانون اساسی" برشمرده.آیارفتارهای فوق حسب قانون اساسی می باشند؟
صادق زیباکلام

— صادق زيباكلام (@sadeghZibakalam) January 11, 2018

Our team's "rough" translation of this entails the fact that such deaths are against the Iranian Constitution and he has been derelict in his duty to abide by the Constitution.     Our team will continue to assess....