Thought For The Week From RFK

Courtesy of the Team @ SIMPLETRUTHS.COM as the new "season" embraks @ Outsiders...

Onward :-)

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can achieve greatly.”

—Robert F. Kennedy

Happy 4th of July :-)

As we in America celebrate Independence Day, the ever insightful Jonathan  Lockwood Huie reminded us of this "Self-Evident" Truths....Happy 4th of July to all!!!

We hold these truths to be self-evident:

that all men are created equal,

that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights,

among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

- Thomas Jefferson [Declaration of Independence]

 They who can give up essential liberty

to obtain a little temporary safety

deserve neither liberty nor safety.

- Benjamin Franklin

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.

- Abraham Lincoln

The only thing necessary for evil to triumph

is for enough good men to do nothing.

- Edmund Burke

The best way to enhance freedom in other lands

is to demonstrate here that our democratic system is worthy of emulation.

- Jimmy Carter 

We must become the change we wish to see in the world.

- Gandhi 

Independence of nation begins with independence of self.

- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

A "Thought 4 the Week" On the Eve of 4th of July

On the eve of this 4th of July, Some reminders about the Uniqueness of America Today & wishing all a Happy and Safe 4th of July ....

   & never  Not forgetting that:

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” —Beverly Sills

View of the Week (7/3/2014): On an Ever Challenging & Complicated World This Week

The 2nd half of the year has begun and it is with a heavy heart as I launch the new Quarter here @ "Outsiders".  Iraq  continue to burn ever more.   It was with amusement as I reviewed dispatches from Iraqi Kurdistan as Barzani formally made moves for independence.   They took over Kirkuk as ISIS (now self-described as the Islamic State) began its' rampage across Iraq.  The UN noted that 2,000 people have died in the month of June.  The Kurds have been independent since 2003--so this is not a surprise at all.   It was amazing that the Kurdish Representative in the United States--Jalal Talebani's Son-- got more airtime that the Iraqi Ambassador during the height of the Iraq War.    As this has been going on, Saudi Arabia announced a deployment of 30,000 Troops to the Iraqi Border as there were reports of Iraqi Troops abandoning their posts.   It is just amazing how a force of 500,000 Troops that the United States spent 25 BIllion Dollars to build has just simply melted away.  

The Israeli-Palestine conflict is also of profound concern.    It was disheartening when 3 Israeli teenagers were killed by Palestinian abductors.   A revenge killing of a 17-year old Palestinian Boy--whose body was subsequently burned-- has  rekindled a cycle of violence that seems to have no end in sight.   I welcomed this from the OneVoice Movement and I made it a point of thanking them by reaching out to them over Twitter as the key admonition from Dr. King resonated ever more:

Dear Mike, On behalf of the OneVoice Movement and its Israeli, Palestinian, European and American staff, I wish to express our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of all those who were slain without cause. OneVoice is a movement for and on behalf of the youth of Palestine and Israel, who yearn for the day when they will live side by side in peace and security, with no more fear from reprisal or intolerance. The young Israelis and Palestinians who lost their lives in recent days remind us that their hopes and aspirations can only be fulfilled by ending the occupation and bringing to a quick end the latest cycle of violence and reprisal. There is only one true path forward, as difficult as it may seem, in these mournful hours…courageous leadership that leads Israelis and Palestinians back from the precipice of more violence to the negotiating table in good faith. We at OneVoice know that the challenges before us are greater than ever before. But as we mourn the loss of these young lives, we rededicate ourselves with conviction and fortitude to their memories so that their young Israeli and Palestinian brothers and sisters face better days and greater comfort in the weeks and months ahead. Marc Ginsberg CEO, OneVoice Movement Statement from the OneVoice Movement We at the OneVoice Movement are deeply worried and saddened by the recent escalation and violence and the tragic news of young Israelis and Palestinians who have needlessly lost their lives. We recall the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.”   As the only solution to violence is the end of the occupation and conflict and the realization of the two-state solution, we call upon both parties to refrain from violence, and to return to serious negotiations based on clear references and a timeframe, bringing bloodshed to a permanent end. Together, we pledge to re-double our efforts; doing everything that we can to ensure that no more lives are lost as part of this tragic conflict.

As the Palestinian boy is about to be buried, dispatches from the Middle East is even more disturbing.  This  from the Middle East Monitor was of profound concern as Palestinian citiznes of Israel gathered at the entrance of the City of Umm al-Fahm to protest against actions by Israel on the Westbank.   Avigdor Lieberman--who wants to be Prime Minister--once again showed his ugly and racist side as he threatened them on his Facebook page.  What is unfortunate is that they seem not to realize that it is their very policies that has contributed to this radicalization that they so despise   This is as rockets from Gaza began hitting Southern Israel and as the Israeli Air Force continuing bombing runs on Gaza. Furthermore, The Israeli Prime Minister has proposed to expand settlements even more which has been repeatedly rejected by the International Community--But Israel repeatedly rejects all such calls.   The one that horrified me even more was calls to kills the Israeli Knesset Member (known as MK's in Israel) Hanin Zoabi for what I view as exercising her free speech right.    It was also quite disturbing to see how Hamas does not seem to have full control over its' various branches as the Hebron Branch has wrecked havoc over previous peace efforts.   

Beyond Iraq and Israel, there is Afghanistan.    There is no President yet.    The Presidential candidates have been noting that there has been wide-spread fraud.    As this political vacuum continues, though, the Taliban has been quite active.  The latest brazen attack as I "went to press" here was an attack on Kabul Airport that struck the Afghan President's Helicopter.   There is no where in Afghanistan right now and as the US and NATO draw down, it will only get worst.   

It is not easy to take heart in Jefferson's admonition as I reflect upon a challenging World including the mess in Ukraine as the fighting continues despite another attempt towards a ceasefire  .   But as America celebrates the 4th of July, this sense of hope must be ever so evident:

“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”

—Thomas Jefferson

A "Thought 4 the Week" On the Eve of a New Week, A New Month & A New Quarter :-)

 

This is my wish for you:

Comfort on difficult days,

Smiles when sadness intrudes,

Rainbows to follow the clouds,

Laughter to kiss your lips,

Sunsets to warm your heart,

Hugs when spirits sag,

Beauty for your eyes to see,

Friendships to brighten your being,

Faith so that you can believe,

Confidence for when you doubt,

Courage to know yourself,

Patience to accept the truth,

Love to complete your life.

- Anonymous

As the Weekend Looms: A View For The Weekend

In the United States, the NBA held its' annual draft.  It is quite an event and many aspiring players were given an opportunity of a life time.   As I was watching this on ESPN, I could not help but be happy for all the young men who were part of the estimated 1% that are able to make it to the pinnacle of Basketball.   But, for me, the true highlight of it was when the NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, drafted Isiah Austin.    He was drafted by Commissioner Silver even though he was diagnosed with a very rare genetic disease.   I could not help but be moved by it and shared this while on the "Grid" making the rounds on Facebook earlier tonight.    Isiah Thomas' tears said it all.

As I was witness to this beautiful selfless moment, I was also sickened when I saw the latest coming out of Egypt:

 

#Egypt judge upheld death sentences for 183 #Morsi supporters. Hope u have a chance 2 join me 2 stop this injustice: http://t.co/dHALJHvv4m

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) June 27, 2014

This is as I also saw this on the Guardian about how the Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is slated apparently to serve as an advisor to the new President-King of Egypt, Retired Field Marshal Sisi. Mr. Blair was on the TV circuit (and Britain's Sky News did a nice job really grilling him) advocating for another Iraq War after being such a zealous advocate. What continues to be disconcernting is how Mr. Blair is serving as a Middle East Peace Envoy--and he's achieved nothing. From what I have seen from the fabulous reporting done by the Guardian of London, it appears that he's gotten richer and will apparently even get richer as he gears up to help Sisi. It is gratifying to Bill Clinton cut to the chase during his interview on NBC News: If the fateful decision in 2003 was not made, The World Would not be here today. That's reality--and many of us underscored this. It was interesting how a story today noted how the Iraq War critiques are not being booked on the News Networks--and I noted that it simply was not sexy.

On Democracy, Freedom of Speech & Egypt: Notations on Quite a Week

It has been a very interesting week as the US Supreme Court handed down a wonderful verdict on Privacy.  The Supreme Court also found that President Obama violated the Constitution with the recess appointments.      There are also a number of other decisions still due--but it underscores how the law matters despite the disagreements one has. I also have the privilege of serving as a Traffic Commissioner for my local City: Laguna Niguel. Our Commission had its' latest meeting yesterday that gave the Community to raise concerns which was such a joy to be a part of. One of the residents who spoke before our Commission noted America made it possible. This is as others around the World are fighting for such rights and as many are paying a heavy price for such rights.   As I was working away, I saw an article from Robin Wright on Libya that I also wanted to report on here.      This is as Egypt continues to be on the edge of the abyss with the sham trial of Al Jazeera Journalists as  just one example that noted in one of the blog channels for my fledging start-up, the Daily Outsiders in , Outsider Views: 

The trial of the Al Jazeera Journalists in Egypt is now over.

The Three Journalists have been handed down 7 Year sentences. Whatever one may think of Al Jazeera, its Owners, Al Jazeera has done much to change the narrative around the World. The idea that such fine reporters can be sentenced as they have is chilling. The Social Media Campaign by the Greiste Family, Al Jazeera, Amnesty International and Media around the World has been gratifying to be privy too. We here @ Outsiders have added our name to this as well on Twitter. Sis, the new President-King, has said he will not intervene because he says Judicial institutions in Egypt are "exalted". He seems to be ever more a legend in his own brain as he also issued a decree giving him full authority to appoint the heads of Universities.

In the meantime, freedom of speech is dissipating ever more, massive death sentences have been yet again affirmed while the ordinary Egyptian continues to suffer The dissipation of speech was affirmed when Bassam Youssef decided to end his show because he did not want to subject himself and his family to such harassment. For those who do not know who Bassam Youssef is, he was Egypt's Jon Stewart. He had the courage to speak out and create the political satire that was very much the impetus for Egypt's 2011 Revolution--that has been now stolen by the so-called Dark State. 

 Jon Stewart's indictment of Sisi and Egypt was just beautiful:

The Daily Show
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The horrific scene of these hapless souls in cages says it all.

Excerpts Also released to http://www.outsiderviews.com, June 2014