Notations On Our World (Special Edition): Countdown to Election Day in #Canada (The View From the NDP)

We here @ #Outsiders have been on the "Prowl" assessing the elections in Canada.    On Friday October 2, the last of the debates were held in Canada as the pivotal day approaches.  The elections seems to be a dead heat and any of the three key leaders may end up pulling it off.

The NDP, Canada's Official Opposition, sent this out over the weekend to get their supporters galvanized as they provided a strategic update on it.   Watch this space for updates......

We need just 35 more seats to defeat Stephen Harper. That puts us closer than ever to achieving what generations of Canadians before us have worked so hard for. Watch the full briefing from Brad Lavigne for more on our path to victory: // Election countdown: 16 days What a week, Mike. While Tom was on the road sharing our plan to fight climate change and taking on Stephen Harper in the final two leaders’ debates of this campaign, you made history with a new fundraising record. $9,011,321.85 (and counting) to help defeat Stephen Harper and elect Tom Mulcair prime minister. That’s the best quarter for any Canadian political party on record. Thank you so much for all your work to build this campaign. To find out what’s next, check out the latest strategy update from Senior Campaign Advisor Brad Lavigne – and share it with your friends: We need just 35 more seats to defeat Stephen Harper. That puts us closer than ever to achieving what generations of Canadians before us have worked so hard for.Watch the full briefing from Brad Lavigne for more on our path to victory: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=893839844037222 Sixteen days to get the job done. Keep up the great work. Thanks, Canada’s New Democrats

Notations On Our World (weekend edition): On #Iran, #Afghanistan, #US & Other Thoughts

The last 24 hours has been yet again quite challenging in the Middle East.    Russia has stepped up its' campaign in a major way in Syria to support Assad as Iran has also apparently deployed additional troops.     We also saw reports that apparently Iran warned Russia on Assad's impending fall and how Iran was not in a position to prop him up as everyone who can escape is escaping and even Damascus is not safe anymore.

We have also been continuing to assess the aftermath of the Hajj Stampede.    This is as the first of the over 400 of the fallen as a result of the Haj Stampede in Saudi Arabia were officially received in Iran as the President, the Parliament Speaker, the Chief Justice and the Supreme Guide (leader's) Chief of Staff looked on:

The Saudi Foreign Minister accused Iran of "politicizing" the issue after the Health Minister earlier said that it was the fault of the pligrims because they did not follow directions.        Our team will be continuing to assess this especially as the Vice President for Legal Affairs for Iran said that all legal matters are being pursued to hold Saudi Arabia Accountable.

The situation in #Kunduz was also worrisome as our team reviewed the Statement from Doctors Without Borders earlier. Condemnations have been forthcoming from all corners including the UN as the hospital was bombed despite all parties having been informed of the GPS coordinates.  This report from the Chief of the Hospital (available by clicking here) is telling on the carnage as this from the Hosptial as fighting began and as the Emergency Room was burning:

We here @ #Outsiders salute all the brave souls of Doctors Without Borders who are at the forefront of conflicts all around the World and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen.  We also pray that their sacrifice is not in vain.

There are truly challenging times especially as we also continue to assess  the troublesome job creation report that adds to on-going broad global worries as the wars around the World rage on.

Truly challenging times.....

The Friday Musical Interlude: Herb Alpert Performs......

It is time for the Friday Musical Interlude here in #Outsiders.       We hope all enjoy this double "oldie" from our artist of the week, Herb Alpert: