Thought(s) 4 the Week: On Doors & Opportunities

It has been another challenging day around the World.    As we remembered the valiant Kurd who gave her life, reports just reviewed reflect that it is increasingly likely that Kobane, the Syrian Kurdish Border Town, will fall to the Sub Human Mutant Scum.     What is so amazing that this Army with maybe a strength of 50,000 (if the figures are to be believed) has been able to basically fight one Army to a Standstill and force another Army to flee.

Jonathan Lockwood Huie sent out his latest "thoughts 4 the Week" for his community early this morning.    It is small comfort for those who have lost everything and do not know if they will survive--however the need to move on  is ever more:

If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up.

Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.

- Michael Jordan

When God closes a door, he opens a window.

- Anonymous 

When ordinary life shackles me,

I escape, one way or another. No more walls.

- Anais Nin

Love recognizes no barriers.

It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to

arrive at it destination full of hope.

- Maya Angelou 

A Tribute to an Angelic Hero

While on the grid, I saw this from the distinguished scholar Professor Dabashi of Columbia.   It sent shivers through my spine as I read through this from the team @ the Inquisitor as they profiled this beautiful angelic girl who is why I believe that the World will defeat these sub human mutant scum....Her sacrifice will not be in vain:

Post by The Daily "Outsider".

Notations For the Day On #Iran, the #Environmentt, Freedom of Speech & a Brief "Musical Interlude" On Quite AWeek

Earlier today in Iran, the President and the Parliament had a joint meeting to discuss the on-going challenges facing the Country.     This is as the wife of Jason  Rezaian the detained Tehran correspondent for the Washington Post has been released according to reports reviewed this morning here in "Outsiders".  It is welcome.    However, the continued detaining of the British-Iranian Woman is of profoud concern:

A total travesty of justice: Iranian-British woman goes on hunger strike in Tehran prison http://t.co/B0kGepQzil
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) October 5, 2014

We will be releasing comments on it within the next day or so as the looming November 24 deadline is before us.   The situation on the Syria/Turkey Border though is worrisome.     The UN Syria Envoy has called for international intervention to save Kobane--but the UN Syria Envoy does not seem to realize that the train has already left the station.     It was also of note that Turkish Kurds have been demonstrating against Turkey's inaction.   Beyond The immediate challenges on the ground, there is of course the Biden Gaffee.  The US Vice President--known for his matter-of-fact comments---got in trouble and had to apologize to Turkey and the United Arab Emirates for implying that they were responsible for the rise of ISIS.    The problem is that he was not entirely wrong.

It is a challenging World--especially as the World has to deal with Climate Change and the enviornment--although the sceptics touted the fact that the World is "cooling".     It is fall--yet California continues to be ever so hot and the drought continues to be prevalent.    Many had held out hope that El Nino will begin to dissipate the effect of the drought--an apparent pipe dream at this stage.  But a sense of awareness must be the order of the day as we see what we can do to help somehow transform our World.   Staying engaged in such a fashion is ever so critical to really understand the effects of human contributions to it all: 

What does your #plastic shampoo bottle have to do with #climatechange? http://t.co/OXLRHBOKwl #wef pic.twitter.com/l2IeJlbTmC
— World Economic Forum (@wef) October 6, 2014

We leave you all with this which underscores how hopeful we need to be for the sake of  us all:

On the Eve of A Week-End Here in the United States: A "Thought 4 the Week" :-)

While on the "Social Grid",  we here @ "Outsiders" ran across this which  was released by Joel Osteen Ministries that is ever so poignant:

 

Enough Said...onward!!! 

On The "Prowl" Around Our World: A "Snapshot" 4 the Day

The War against Dayesh (Also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is gathering steam ever more.    Turkey has voted to join the fight.   This is as Canada has also decided to join the fight.   However,  The Liberal Party has spoken up against War:

Post by Justin Trudeau.

This was quite striking as it was so striking how the "loyal opposition" in the United States did not speak up and anyone who spoke up against the War was literally branded a traitor.    What President Obama has noted, though, is that it is a local fight that has to be fought by local forces.   But, the reality is that the Iraqi Army is nearly non-existent and the ever insightful Borzou Darghani of the Financial Times clearly lays out the tragic dilemma being faced as the World tries to figure out a way to fight the menace before it:

Post by The Daily "Outsider".

Borzou was gracious-there is no Iraqi Army and there lies the challenge.     This is as reports came through that the British Humanitarian Alan Henning has shown to be murdered in cold blood by these sub-human mutants even after a plea from his Wife based on reports just reviewed from France24.

Beyond The Middle East, there is Brazil.   One of the so-called "BRICS", it has stumbled badly as it faces a pivotal election.   The President is facing a stiff challenge as Brazilians gear up to go to the polls.  We hope to have a sense of what has happened and what lies ahead soon.   This is as Hong Kong protests are continuing and a new order has been given by the Hong Kong Superintendent of Police to vacate the premises.    Apparently elements of the Triad (the Hong Kong Thugs) were tryin to stir up trouble and the Police noted that arrests have been made.   

On the environment front, It was with shock and disbelief as this was reported out by 350.org:

Post by 350.org.

This is as West Virgina suffered profoundly not so long ago with areas as far as away as Ohio being impacted.   When will there be a move to go beyond Fossil Fuel is one of the burning questions before us.  But there was some good news:   248,000 Jobs were created in September and there is an upward revision of 148,000 for the month of August.   The "official U1 US unemployment Rate dropped below 6 Percent--with some forecasts noting that the U1 unemployment rate will drop to below 5 percent.     There is a participation rate challenge which is part of potential minefields before us--especially as the Federal Reserve begins scaling back quantitative easing. 

A Challenging World...Ever More.....

Notations on the US Political Scene: On Early Voting; Clinton, Jindal & Other Thoughts

Election Season is ever so in the United States--As it is in India. Early Voting has begun in a number of states as Sample ballots have been received by all registered voters as the final battles are being drawn.

As we went to press, we were reviewing the latest out of the so-called US Mainstream Press and all indications are that the US House will remain in Republican Hands and they're slated to add to their Majority. The US Senate, though, is up in the air especially as a number of interesting races are shaping up to peek the interests--including one particular one in the State of Kansas as Pat Roberts, the long-time Senator, is being challenged by a third-party upshot. What is striking is that Senator Roberts does not even have a home in Kansas. That's really not too surprising--since President George H.W. Bush called a Houston Hotel in Texas for a while before settling back in Texas as he built his Library.

It was so interesting how the onslaught of solicitations for money was ever so. Some of the early reviews indicate that both Parties seem to have fared well as the final push begins for that fateful day on November 4. The Usual Suspects (Koch Brothers; Karl Rove) are ever so busy as are the Political Punditry class including Nate Silver, the Princeton Election Consoritum and some of the old hands--including Charlie Cook. Such people may not be as much familiar to those outside the United States--but they are given a lot of weight because they are part of the ever expansive punditry that is epitomized by the rise of sites like Politico, Huffington Post and others who seem to note how much of a monopoly they seem to have on political discourse--and being joined by Bloomberg as its' launches its' new Political Program on the eve of the elections. 

What is also clear is that the 2016 race has also been going on ever so in a serious way. As Democrats await the fateful decision of Hillary Rodham Clinton, Republicans are jockeying for position. What was kind of shocking was to see reports on US Mainstream Media on the possibility Mitt Romney yet again coming on for another run. Many on the right are talking up his "views" and noting that if he had won--the US would not be faced with the calamities it is currently faced with. There is one that is continuing to push his own credentials: Bobby Jindal. He is the current Governor of Louisiana. But what is striking is that he seems to be more involved in pushing his National Ambitions than running his State which is at the bottom scale on a number of key metrics in which states are measured. His latest pronouncement has to do with pushing Oil ever more. This is as the evidence reflects the continued calamity that World is in and how for instance the World Wildlife Federation has noted that we would lose 50% of our wild animals if we don't think different. 

As we went to press here, the pressing news was the resignation of the Director of the US Secret Service. A new interim Director was named to oversee the agency and an Independent Panel has been named to investigate recent Security Breaches. Reports this morning note how a fired Security Contractors that apparently was armed was on the same elevator with President Obama as he visited the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta Last month. This is an Army Veterans jumped the fence and made it all the way to the East Room.

As the debate ensues over it all, it was kind of gratifying to see both Democrats and Republicans actually agreeing on something--even though there is a clear disdain for President Obama. The problem that needs to be addressed is whether the resignation of one person will actually serious lapses. The bigger issue is the bubble that Presidents live in--and The White House is a symbol of the power that the people have which needs to be protected at all costs. Will that balance be maintained or will a sense of overaction--as it times past will be the order of the day? Only time will tell.

The  dilemma, though, was over so laid out by the fab. Jon Stewart:

The Daily Show
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,The Daily Show on Facebook,Daily Show Video Archive

On the Dawn of the New Quarter in "Outsider ": Thoughts on #HongKong; #US & #Onward

It is the dawn of the New Quarter throughout Outsiders.  It has been quite a quarter and quite a year.

As we're going to "press" to launch the new quarter, we're witness to some beautiful scenes of defiance in Hong Kong.   The brave souls in Hong Kong are challenging  China--and many of us who were Tianmen continue to be amazed ever more.   One wonder what President XI and his team will do especially as they continue to also deal with raging insurgency in the Muslim areas of the Country and as Tibet continues to be ever so a thorn: 

This is as the Kurds continue to stand up to the thugs of Dayesh (also known as #ISIS).  As work was being done here, reports also came out about one of the many hot spots around the World:  India and Pakistan.   India's NDTV reported on major ceasefire violations which continues to be cause for concern.   This is as Indian Prime Minister Modi finished off a Five-Day Tour in the United States and the joint statement was quite revealing:




Both leaders visited the King Memorial in Washington.   Although it was quite striking to see coverage in US Media about "points of disagreement".    Exciting days are ahead though in India though as India is in the midst of elections season.   There is clearly work ahead though. 

In the United States, California enact the first plastic bag ban to once again show how it is at the forefront of change--as it was back in the late 70's with the tax Revolt movement, with marriage equality and many other ideas that have gained a foothold in the United States.    Many registered voters have also received their ballots already to begin the process of voting.

As the new quarter dawns, this admonitions are ever so crucial, though, to remember how we can work to transform our World-- the guiding  principles behind "Outsider":     

A good question is never answered.

It is not a bolt to be tightened into place

but a seed to be planted and to bear more seed

toward the hope of greening the landscape of idea.

- John Ciardi

We thought that we had the answers,

it was the questions we had wrong.

- Bono 

& not forgetting that: 

He who closes his ears to the views of others shows little confidence in the integrity of his own views.     William Congreve  As the great Diane Nyad always notes: Onward to a new Quarter w/all its' possibilities....

As We Bid Farewell to Q3 2014: Notations on Our World & A Hope 4 All

Within a day, September 2014 will be relegated to history.   This quarter has been a challenging quarter around the World.    Although The UK survived, Spain will have to be faced with its' own separatist movement.  Dayesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/ISLAMIC state) continues onward despite the 200+ US Airstrikes at a cost of One Billion Dollars.    This was also a month that saw the Clinton Global Initiative hold meetings in New York as the UN had the General Assembly that saw Presidents, Foreign Ministers and Prime Ministers come out to lay out their visions and challenges before the World.     President Obama dropped by the Clinton Global Initiative for his annual visit: 

It was a month that the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Modi, take New York by storm and has now arrived in Washington for a summit with President Obama   .  It is also a month that saw the election season take hold ever more in the United States as states have begun the absentee ballott process and all major candidates across the political spectrum are clamouring for funds to "meet the numbers".   This was also a month that saw a New President take office in Afghanistan.    

This has also been a quarter that has seen inroads like never before in Technology.   Apple came out with the iphone 6 and broke records.   Western Digital introdcuted a 10 Terabyte Drive.    Alibaba went public and continues to dazzle the World.   Yet, China continues to fascinate as Hong Kong has arisen to demand the rights that it was promised when China took Hong Kong Back.    Brazil has a good chance to elect a Black Woman as President in large measure due to the continued calamity it faces which began before the World Cup.      This is as the World is also facing up to the calamity of Ebola.  As this all was going on, Forbes came out with its' list of the richest Americans.   Bill Gates was richer ever so with $ 81 Billion and occupied the top spot.

As we bid farewell to Q3 and look to a very challenging Q4 before us, it is ever so challenging to be hopeful.     What is noted below courtesy of Jonathan  Lockwood Huie reflects a desire and a driving force behind what "Outsiders" is about as we continue to assess our World and really hopefully try and change the discourse before us: 

These are the things I hold divine: A trusting child's hand laid in mine, Rich brown earth and wind-tossed trees, The taste of grapes and the drone of bees, A rhythmic gallop, long June days, A rose-hedged lane and lovers' lays, The welcome smile on neighbors' faces, Cool, wide hills and open places, Breeze-blown fields of silver rye, The wild, sweet note of the plover's cry, Fresh spring showers and scent of box, The soft, pale tint of the garden phlox, Lilacs blooming, a drowsy noon, A flight of geese and an autumn moon, Rolling meadows and storm-washed heights, A fountain murmur on summer nights, A dappled fawn in the forest hush, Simple words and the song of a thrush, Rose-red dawns and a mate to share With comrade soul my gypsy fare, A waiting fire when the twilight ends, A gallant heart and the voice of friends. - Jean Brooks Burt

Notations on the World: On #India, #Afghanistan & Other Thoughts

India is taking the World by Storm as Prime Minister #Modi is now in The United States for a 5 Day Visit.  He's due to meet with President Obama later on Monday.

Sunday saw him attend a party at Madison Square Garden in New York.    It was an event organized by the Indian American Community which was staffed by Volunteers and funded by donations.   As the coverage on #NDTV reflected, it underscored the level of excitement that continues so far as the #modiwave seems to be prevalent ever more.   He made some very interesting comments as he promised lifetime visas for overseas Indians as he also said that US Citizens will be able to get visas on the Spot when they go to India.    It was also quite intriguing to see how Prime Minister #Modi directly reached out to #Pakistan as well.   One wonders if #Pakistan in fact is going to take up the hand of reconciliation after the last number of months.   

As the Indian Prime Minister is traveling the World, India is going through another election cycle.    It was frankly shocking to see this as India is gearing up for further mid-term & State Elections: : 

Wow....it shows that no one is above the law, even in #India: Top India politician #Jayalalitha jailed 4 corruption http://t.co/ui0v6s6GIH
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) September 28, 2014

Some of the key things she was convicted of included having 750 Pair of Shoes and 12,000 Saris--How can one have 12,000 is beyond words!!!   Jayalalithaa is quite popular in Tamil Nadu and protests have broken out--however the fact that such a powerful political personality is able to be convicted and brought down (and spend time in Jail) is a tribute to India and the rule of law.   What was also quite disturbing though was the imposition of President's Rule in India's Richest state: Maharashtra.  This is where India's commercial capital, Mumbai is located.   It is due to the instability caused by the resignation of the Chief Minister as the state gears up for elections as well.   India, also, had another reason to celebrate as the +MarsOrbiterMission reached the red planet:

A shot of Martian atmosphere. I'm getting better at it. No pressure. pic.twitter.com/A27s34q5AD
— ISRO's Mars Orbiter (@MarsOrbiter) September 25, 2014

One more key event is about to occur later on today:   Afghanistan is about to finally have a new President.   Ashraf Ghani will take the oath of office as President as Abdullah Abdullah will be named Chief Executive.     #Karzai made his farewell speech and noted how he made a difference--even though the reality is different.   Afghanistan is broke and is ever so dependent on Foreign Aid.   Some 80 Afghan Soldiers on an average are falling victim to the fight with the #Taliban.   Ashraf Ghani has a profound challenge before him as he assumes office.  This is as #Karzai will continue to wield influence from behind the scenes--including maintaining a residence at the "ARG"--The Presidential Palace in Kabul.    

As the inauguration drew near,  bombs went off near the Presidential Palace  to underscore the simple yet crucial fact:   The Taliban will continue to wreck havoc on Afghanistan.    This as the BBC Farsi Service just reported that the Dayesh Forces (also known as the Islamic State/ISIS/Etc. in the West) has been fighting Iraqi Government Forces in the Western Suburbs of Baghdad.    It is part of the very worrisome developments that continue to grapple the World as President Obama admitted how the United States underestimated the strength of  Dayesh.

A Challenging Few Days...Yet again.....

View of the Week: On #NotInMyName & #MuslimApologies....

For this edition of "View of the Week", this article that was published on the website "takepart" that underscored the reality and how this sense of demonization continues to be prevalent.     Although hillarious, it is also a sad testament to our times--and how the struggle against these sub-human mutants  who claim to act in the name of faith is ever so crucial than ever before:

Tired of Being Demonized, Muslims on Twitter Apologize for Algebra, Coffee, and Soap

The hashtag #MuslimApologies spotlights the hostility against Islam fueled by “psychopaths” claiming to act in the name of Islam.

 

To counter prejudice, some followers of Islam have taken to Twitter with a new hashtag: #MuslimApologies.

Muslims this week began apologizing on social media for algebra (named after a book by mathematician Abu Jaf’ar Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi), shampoo (first brought to England by a Muslim merchant), “amazing architecture,” and other innovations made possible by members of the Islamic faith throughout history. The point? That Muslims, of whom there are about 1.6 billion, shouldn’t be blamed for the heinous crimes of a few.

#MuslimApologies first popped up on Twitter on Sept. 24, the same day President Obamaaddressed the United Nations General Assembly, saying that it’s “time for the world—especially Muslim communities—to explicitly, forcefully, and consistently reject the ideology of al Qaeda and ISIL.” He commended the #NotInMyName campaign, whose mission statement declares that “ISIS is hiding behind a false Islam.” (ISIL and ISIS are commonly used acronyms for the extremist group now calling itself the Islamic State.)

The new hashtag seeks to address a different issue: the notion that religion bears responsibility for extremist actions at all.

Among the wry quips were serious messages about racism and stereotypes. One user tweeted, “Sorry for being oppressed and called a terrorist all my life.”

The movement reflects a widespread problem. Since a huge spike following the attacks of 9/11, the FBI reports, hate crimes against Muslim Americans have leveled off only slightly. According to a recent poll by the Pew Research Center, 50 percent of Americans believe that among other religions, Islam is more likely to encourage violence. A hashtag may not solve the issue, but putting the silliness of bigotry in the spotlight could help.

From funny to heartbreaking, here are some of the tweets  (and I chose to embed a few of them that takepart's Assistant Editor Commented on for reference):

sorry for Algebra :) #muslimapologies pic.twitter.com/5qs8d8yq9H
— ناصر العنزي (@AnaziNasser) September 24, 2014

I'm so sorry for coffee, cheques, parachutes, chemistry, inoculations, soap, shampoo, cameras, etc: http://t.co/2L32h4b2d7 #muslimapologies
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) September 24, 2014

We'd also like to apologise for the amazing architecture...for instance the Taj Mahal, really sorry. #MuslimApologies pic.twitter.com/WMSXwYcN5Q
— theconsciousmuslim (@kam_shaheen) September 24, 2014

Notations on Our World: Not Truly as bad as it seems....

It is always easy to be pessimistic about the World.    As the notations "courtesy of Trove" noted, the past 30 days has certainly given a moment of pause.  But, there needs to be a sense of purpose that somehow things are better--and can be so if we're able to understand the full picture, accentuate  the positive and create consensus to transform.     This is one of the implicit ideas behind "Outsiders" which we will work to build upon:

Post by Trove.

A "View 4 the Day" On the Dawn of a New Day (Courtesy of the Team @ SimpleTruths.com)

“Each golden sunrise ushers in new opportunities for those who retain faith in themselves, and keep their chins up. No one has ever seen a cock crow with its head down…Meet the sunrise with confidence.” ~ Alonzo Newton Benn

 

An "Outsider" Newsflash (9/24/2014) : On the "Virtual Run" @ the UN General Assembly

World Leaders have assembled in New York.      One of the highlights is the meeting between the UK Prime Minister Cameron and Iranian President Rouhani:

 

It is quite significant as it underscores that Iran's diplomatic efforts to overcome the previous 8 disastrous years is bearing fruit.   This is as Prince Saud, the Saudi Foreign Minister, and the Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Zarif have also met.     

Although such on-going diplomatic efforts is always welcome, the news over the past 24 hours has also been tragic as a French Tourist traveling in Algeria was abducted and subsequently murdered an an affiliate of the Daesh (also referred to as the Islamic State//#ISIS//#ISIL in Western Media) currently wrecking havoc in Syria & Iraq (and which we've commented on here in "Outsiders").   President Hollande was absolutely right on when he spoke for the World.     

 

A "Thought 4 the Week" 2 Be Reminded Of...

On the Dawn Of a New Week: A "View of the Week"

A new week has dawned here in "Outsiders".    It has been an interesting week in terms of the on-going political events as the mid-terms are beginning in earnest in the United States and the World is ever so challenging.   The front page of today's Wall Street Journal depicting the two Kurdish Children as refugees underscores the continued plight the World is facing today.

As deliberations are at hand here in "Outsiders" on the US Political Scene, the aftermath of Scotland, the challenges in Europe & the broader challenge of climate change, the day here started on such a high note as #Bing featured one of the most beautiful of home pages which we here @ "outsiders" tweeted out earlier this morning.     On the eve of the UN General Assembly,  it was quite timely especially as the World had a World-Wide Day of Action including one in New York City spearheaded by Al Gore, the Mayor of New York City, the Foreign Minister of France and the Activist Jane Goodall.   

What is ever so clear as one assesses the World to remember to embrace this--and never succumb to the conventional so that one can be the change to help transform the World--the essence of why "outsiders" has been launched:

Every human has four endowments:

self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination.

These give us the ultimate human freedom...

The power to choose, to respond, to change.

- Stephen Covey

When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves

and our own self-preservation,

we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.

- Joseph Campbell

Being Witness to History: As #Scotland Votes...

Scotland has decided to stay inside the United Kingdom:

Scotland's latest #indyref totals as BBC predicts win for "No" campaign http://t.co/sIksviDzri pic.twitter.com/fR0wiaBhBS
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014

There will be post-referendum challenges that will be faced by the United Kingdom especially as the UK Independence Party will continue to make inroads and the potential clamour for an English Assembly will begin as the UK gets ready for National Elections next year.    Right now, it appears that Labor will win--and in large measure due to the strength it has in Scotland.  It will be interesting to see how the Scottish National Party will overcome this.

The key players in the No Campaign should be very proud of themselves --including the key Party Leaders and the leaders of the #BetterTogether Campaign--led by Alistair Darling & the former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.   If he had been as aggressive as he was during his fight with David Cameron, he may well have been Prime Minister today.     Alex Salmond has delivered his concession speech and is now talking to Prime Minister Cameron as he noted that he expects David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg to devolve further powers to Scotland.     This is as the major UK National Parties are beginning their conferences shortly.

Alistair Darling, the leader of the No Campaign, just also spoke realizing the work ahead.  But, there is somewhat of a relief now--but it is now the day after and a lot of work remains.

As the Week-End Dawns here in "Outsiders", leaving all with this:    

..As it is ever so  fun to be witness to history.....

Brief Notations On the World Today: On #Scotland & #Iran

[LINK=http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-29250391]Scotland has gone to the polls.[/LINK]     It is anxious times in the UK as Scots begin casting the ballots as to whether they desire to remain part of the United Kingdom or not.  The implications for Europe and the World are huge.     People, though, will have the final say.

Beyond Scotland, there is the Middle East--yet again.    Ann Curry of NBC News had a very revealing interview with President Rouhani of Iran as he began his second year as President:

  

He's due to be in New York within the month.  This is as he underscored the disdain Iran's view of the profound disdain for US Efforts to combat the cancer of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.   It was gratifying, though, to see that nuclear negotiations will be resuming as well.

Never a Dull Moment....

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

A Thought 4 the Week

If I could tell the world just one thing
it would be we're all okay,
and not to worry cause worry is wasteful
and useless in times like these.
I won't be made useless.
I won't be idle with despair,
I will gather myself around my faith.
Light does the darkness most fear.
- Jewel  

& Remembering This
 
 
Courtesy of Jonathan Lockwood Huie...
Onward!!
 

View of the Week: On Europe, Patriotism & Love

It has been an interesting 24 hours around Europe.   The far right continues to make inroads in Europe with the surprising showing of the far right in Sweden and the continued successes the National Front is having in France.  This is as France awaits the impending return of  Sarkozy in France.   Sarkozy is right is one respect:  Hollande has been an absolute disaster.     

The past 24 hours has also seen the World step up to fight the scourge of the so-called Islamic State.   It was quite disturbing to review reports of Egyptian Soldiers being killed in the lawless Sinai as lives continue to wither away in the killing fields of Syria and Iraq. What is ever so tragic is what the thugs of the Islamic State who claim to be religious seem not to understand what The Dalai Lama reflected upon when he reminded us that, "....The Word God, in one sense, means infinite love.."    He also reminded us that although religion may well be a kind of luxury.  However, without basic human qualities such as love, compassion and kindness, humans cannot survive.   One wonders if the thugs of the Islamic State understand that.   

Such essential human qualities is also ever so critical to understand as policymakers and leaders should embrace this admonition from General de Gaulle that underscores that the people have to be loved first.

When will such men emerge?  

“Patriotism is when
love of your own people comes first;
nationalism, when hate for people
other than your own comes first.”
~ Charles de Gaulle

On the Dawn of a New Work Week: Yearning For Paradise.....

This beautiful piece by the great artist Kenny G underscores a desire to achieve a sense of purpose and the beauty that is Paradise.    It has not been an easy 24 hours as the World has been witness to another murder of a British Man, as Australia has decided to deploy a contingent to the United Arab Emirates and as the clamour for War yet again is heard throughout the World.    Outsiders was launched to reflect upon a centrist, realistic and yes hopeful reflection of the World.    There is no other way--to hopefull be able to see the day a sense of paradise, calm and together is developed.   It is within us all if we have the courage.