6/11/2014

View of the Week (II) : Dr. Robert Gates @ Boy Scouts of America Speech as National President

As I work away, I have been listening to Dr.Gates; speech as National President of the Boy Scouts.      This speech is resonating with me because of how Scouting has made such a profound difference for me and ever so for my Son.    

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6/10/2014

On Iraq Right Now: Notations 4 the Day

Iraq is now under a state of emergency. Mosul has fallen to the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (Leviathan) (ISIS) and it bodes ill for the future. Nineveh, where Mosul is, is under threat. This is as Anbar is also under ISIS's sway as Fallujah is yet to be taken back by the Government. . ISIS is the same entity that is also ever so powerful in Syria and it constitutes one of the most profound threats to stability right now. This underscores how tragic and tough the situation is right now: It is a developing story as reports I have reviewed note how some 500 Million Dollars has been stolen from banks in the City. The ISIS thugs have taken control of Mosul's Airport and there are report that helicopters at Mosul's Airport have been transferred to Syria. The Iraqi Prime Minister is pleading with the Kurds to take up the fight as he's also trying to arm civilians. ISIS is continuing its' move towards Kirkuk--a major oil producing area and Tikrit--Saddam's Home Town. ISIS is very much an effective force as the Iraqi Army has proven to be a totally ineffective. ISIS is in effect in de facto control of a wide area within Iraq and Syria and it remains to be seen what they will do now--will they move on Baghdad? Will they attack the Kurdish region? Will they up the ante in Syria? Will they undermine a fragile Jordan? What is clear is this: Iraq is no more--and it is simply tragic for the Iraqis and America that paid so dear a price in blood and treasure.
Released to http://www.outsiderviews.com, June 2014
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The Utlimate Thought 4 the Week to Underscore how a "Vision of the Possible" Can be Possible :-)


Enough Said...

Onward :-)

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6/08/2014

View of the Week: A Journey to IRAN : ))

Iran has been in the news, at times, for many wrong reasons over the past number of years.  .    One of the most beautiful clips on Iran was produced by the Iranian Student Association at Penn State University that underscores the beauty, majesty of that land despite all the economic, environmental and social challenges before it.  It is a land that is as old as time itself.    This is also a land that is quite a paradox as underscored by a beautiful talk given by Professor Milani at TedXStanford .   Professor Milani's talk  is so beautiful--it has to be listened to again and again even for those of us who have somewhat of an understanding of that beautiful land.

 Enjoy this journey:   


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"Virtually Running Around" Our World: On The World & the Need to be ever so hopeful.....

As I write this, there is live coverage from NDTV in India as the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi has come under attack.   It appears that up to 12 Gunmen have attacked the Airport and are hold up in the old side of the Airport used for Haj Operations.   Units of the Pakistan Army are involved and fires are evident--it appears that two Airplanes have been set on fire.   Why such men undertake such despicable acts is simply beyond words.   As Pakistan deals with its' terrorist challenges, the shocking attack against the leading Presidential Candidate, Abdullah Abdullah was also of profound concern in the heart of Kabul.    Their reach continues to be never ending  

As we're all witness to such carnage,  one has to be hopeful.  I see no other way as a new week dawns as epitomized by this latest curation of talks from Ted.Com which underscores the focus needed:

PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK

A better you (13 TED Talks)

Ready for a change? Watch these talks for ideas and inspiration on all aspects of your life, from creativity to vulnerability. Watch »
Total run time 2:55:15
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6/07/2014

Thought 4 the Week: On Success & Making a Difference....



We come this way but once.
We can either tiptoe through life
and hope we get to death without being badly bruised
or we can live a full, complete life
achieving our goals and realizing our wildest dreams.
- Bob Proctor

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
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Around the World: On-Going Major Challenges

It has been quite a week around our World. Iraq saw an audacious attack by the Al Qaeda Affiliated Islamic State of America to the City of Samara that was quickly crushed by the Iraqi Army. If left unanswered, it would have further tore Iraq Apart. Beyond Iraq, there is Afghanistan. Abdullah Abdullah, the front runner to take over Karzai, survived an assassination attempt: This happened in the heart of Kabul that continues to underscore the reach of the Taliban as the US draws down its' presence. But there was also at least one reasonably decent news on Ukraine: On the eve of the D-Day remembrance, Francois Hollande of France played host to a number of World Leaders. He actually had two dinners with Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama. Reports reviewed by the team also reflects that apparenlty Putin and Obama have also talked. But what was ever so hopeful was that the new President-Elect of Ukraine and Putin talked and agreed to talk some more. This also crossed the wires: The courageous kids did just great. There are also major developments beyond this, though. Egypt has invited Iranian President Rouhani to attend Sisi's Inauguration. Is this a sign of somewhat reasonable relations to come? Never a dull moment..that's for sure....

Also @ http://www.outsiderviews.com, all rights reserved under creative commons license
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