Onward w/the New Week w/these "Thoughts 4 the Week" :-)

 Grateful to  Jonathan Lockwood Huie for being a voice for such positive transformation ever more as he shares this from the leadings lights of our time....may we all remember:

The ultimate test of a man's conscience

may be his willingness to sacrifice something today

for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.

- Gaylord Nelson 

Life is no brief candle to me.

It is a sort of splendid torch

which I have got a hold of for the moment,

and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible

before handing it on to future generations.

- George Bernard Shaw

The full measure of a man is

not to be found in the man himself,

but in the colors and textures that

come alive in others because of him.

- Albert Schweitzer

The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world,

who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by.

- Felix Adler 

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us;

what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.

- Albert Pike

Civilization is not a spontaneous generation

with any race or nation known to history,

but the torch to be handed down from race to race from age to age.

- Kelly Millar

I expect to pass through this world but once.

Any good therefore that I can do,

or any kindness that I can show to my fellow-creature,

let me do it now.

Let me not defer or neglect it,

for I shall not pass this way again.

- William Penn

 

Notations on the World This Week :-)

This is a "new feature" I will be introducing weekly to assess the latest as "Outsiders" continues to evolve.  It has been an interesting week to say the least.

I begin with a hopeful development that happened over the past 36 hours.  Meetings have been held at the White House in Washington between the US House Republican Leadership and the President on resolving the budget impasse.    Markets reacted very favorably.   The punditry has alluded to a total collapse in the American People's Views of the Republicans and the stance they've taken against Obamacare as the US Government continues to be partially shut down--including a NBC News/Wall Street Journal    A future edition of the "Watch" will address this.    

Beyond The domestic US political considerations, there is the upcoming meeting in Geneva between Iran and the so-called P5 1.    There has been some major conservative push back in Iran as examplified by a headline in a conservative daily talking about how the Iranian Foreign Minister frankly noted how he was "wrong" to have had conversations with John Kerry during an apparent closed meeting of the Majlis (Parliament).   .    There were swift denials by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman and the Spokemsan for the Parliament.   It was apparently so bad that it caused a stress attack that caused the Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Zareef, to spend the day in the hospital.    He wrote about it on his Facebook Page.  I wished him well as I noted that the path he and President Rouhani have taken is right and right will prevail over might.

As I continue this "Virtual Mad Dash", I read a very worrisome article in USA Today on Alaska on Thursday.   It is about Alaska sinking as climate continues to change before us.  But, I was also encouraged by some sanity that just came out of France--whereby France's highest Court upheld the ban on fracking passed by the French Parliament in 2011.   I have also been quite amazed by reports out of Iran about the advent of wind farms.  This is as Iran continues to deal with immense environmental challenges due to the erosion of Lake Oromieh and the destruction of forests  in the North that has caused Fish Stock to be destroyed in the Caspian Sea.

I also almost fell out of my chair in laughter as I saw reports out of Azerbaijan that the results of the Presidential Elections got announced before polls even closed.    In Iran, at least they waited three hours in 2009.     That beacon of Democracy and Human Rights was cited by a US Republican Congressman, Dana Rohrbacher, as one who would be the perfect candidate to take over the Northwest Iranian provinces of the same name.  

Never a dull moment for sure...as I wish all:

Also released to http://www.outsiderviews.com

A "Mid-Week" Thought 4 the Week

On the Tragic Comedy in Washington....

This is what the World thinks of America right now as I begin a new quarter in "Outsiders".

As I begin the new quarter in "Outsiders", I had hoped that the tragic comedy would end in Washington. Unfortunately, it has not. As the tug of war continues in Washington, the gradual shutdown of the US Government is continuing which is impacting daily vital affairs and undermining the full faith and credit of the United States and undermine the essence of Government by going after the President of the United States. 

Some of the impacted areas that are being reported include: 1) 6800 Food and Drug Administration Employees; 2) 3,000 Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors & 3) 9 Million Women in the United States receiving supplemental nutritional benefits for their children who will be losing their benefits. 7,000 Veterans Department Staff members are being furloughed and Veterans Services will be delayed and no one will answer the phone. This is just a sampling of the extent of the challenge. I personally know a head start teacher who has been laid off due to the first round of Sequester Cuts that continue to be in force with no apparent end in sight. It is also extremely troubling as the United States continues the War in Afghanistan that saw 4 US Soldiers die over the weekend as a result of an IED explosion. 

As all this drama continues to unfold in Washington, Iran and the United States broke the ice. I was amused by the Prime Minister of Israel's public relations campaign against the overtures by Iran's New President. Hassan Rouhani. What is also even more interesting is that both the President and the Foreign Minister, Dr. Zareef, are just as savvy and just as adept as understanding and playing the public relations campaign as the Israeli Prime Minister is. What was also quite amazing was the devastating editorial in Haaretz blasting what he noted at the UN--as I also note that the Israeli Prime Minister's own Chief of the Israeli Defense Forces opposed his bellicose stance against Iran. Just like anything else, The Republicans criticized the President for talking to Iran--as they have worked to block him every time.

The Economist' KAL reflected upon the challenge that Barack Obama has before it: 

When this tragic comedy ends is anyone's guess at this stage. The Economist basically said Enough is Enough. I couldn't agree more.

Released to http://www.outsiderviews.com, October 2013

On the Beauty of Life..as the New Work Week is Before Us :-)

Enough Said...Onward!! :-)

Life is full of beauty. Notice it.

Notice the bumble bee, the small child,

and the smiling faces.

Smell the rain, and feel the wind.

Live your life to the fullest potential,

and fight for your dreams.

- Ashley Smith

Sen. Warren on the Shutdown and Why Government Matters

The Need to Hope: Reflections of One "Ordinary Face" :-)

It has been a challenging week in the United States.   The U.S. Federal Government continues to be shut down as millions are impacted by the political brinkmanship.  I have been assessing it throughout the day and assessing the Worldwide impact.       

It is not easy to be thankful--and it is easy to quit.    This is as I remember the 300  who perished trying to escape the misery of Eritrea.    The need to be thankful is ever so important as I continue onward with the on-going odyssey and take comfort in these thoughts that underscores what is truly within the realm of the possible:

Our journey into consciousness of wealth begins with the realization
that we have already arrived!
- Michael Bernard Beckwith
Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head,
and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away the hunger.
- Saint Basil
Thank you, God, for this good life
and forgive us if we do not love it enough.
- Garrison Keillor

& Remembering This:

Age wrinkles the body; quitting wrinkles the soul.~ Douglas MacArthur  

Onward!!

Celebrating the Possiblities as Q4 2013 is Upon Us: Daily Thoughts

Part of the Mission of "outsiders" that began with this was to think about the simple notion that we're all in this together.   As one "ordinary face", I have been working on writing, reflecting and thinking through such that goes on in our World.   It is extremely frustrating when I continue to see those in charge in Washington not realizing how their actions impact ordinary individuals.    It has been quite interesting, though, to see a number of members of Congress who have decided to contribute their salaries to charity--including Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Mark Udall.    There was a bit of a scary time in Washington D.C. as a woman who was engaged in a shooting incident at the US Capitol.   I was proud of those patriotic Americans who were on the job as Capitol Hill Police Officers even though they have been subject to the shutdown of the US Government.

One such example of the notion of "Being Together" is the work of the Clinton Foundation.  CGI 2013 epitomizes the very nature of being together.  I enjoyed catching  some of the proceedings as I reported on it in "outsiders" last week.    As I gear up for the 4th quarter of the Daily Outsider, I wanted to report on CGI 2013 as we continue to think and reflect upon our World:

We're All In This Together  We believe that, together, we can find solutions to our world's most pressing challenges and transform lives and communities from what they are today to what they can be. Watch our new video and join us. Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting  Last week, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) held its ninth Annual Meeting where over 160 new commitments were made, valued at more than $10.8 billion, and are expected to improve nearly 22.2 million lives. The theme for the 2013 CGI Annual Meeting was "Mobilizing for Impact," which explored ways that CGI members and member organizations could be more effective in leveraging individuals, partner organizations, and key resources in their commitment efforts. Watch the sessions and view a recap from the Annual Meeting. The Alliance and McDonald's: Bringing Industry to the Table Last week at the CGI Annual Meeting, President Clinton announced McDonald's groundbreaking CGI commitment with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to promote healthy behaviors in children and families by marketing healthier beverages to kids, offering salads, fruits, and veggies as substitutes for fries, and ensuring 100% of advertising directed at kids includes healthy messages. Read the New York Times article and the story on our blog. Too Small to Fail  A joint initiative of Next generation and the Clinton Foundation, Too Small to Fail aims to help parents, caregivers, educators, communities and businesses take specific, meaningful and evidence-based actions to improve the health and well-being of America’s youngest children. Read Hillary Clinton's blog post on closing the word gap and check out how Too Small to Fail is preparing children to succeed. A Night Out with the Millennium Network  On November 9, join Secretary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Rashida Jones, and Patrick Dempsey for a night out in San Francisco.Purchase tickets today. Celebrating Community Service  Read President Clinton and Chelsea Clinton's op-edabout why community service is at the core of America's national character, and join Chelsea Clinton for a Day of Actionon October 26 in New York City.

 

A "mid week" Thought 4 the Week

If God answer's your prayer,

He is increasing ur faith.

If He delays,

He is increasing your patience.

If He doesn't answer,

He knows u can handle.

- A beautiful belief

- Luqman Hakim

On the "Virtual Road" as the US Government has shut down....

The new fiscal year has started in the United States.     Unfortunately, the United States has no budge and the US Government has shut down.   This  has been making headlines around the World and the US Media.
It is absolutely tragic beyond words.   It is simply insane.

What I view as the  ultimate "explainer in chief" talked about it as the Government  is shut down and Republicans continue onward with trying to dig themselves out of the hole they are in:

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
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The last 10 seconds is absolutely telling.