View of the Week: 25 Famous People Who Used To Be Homeless

It is the dawn of Labor Day Week-End in the United States.    Families will get together and celebrate the last week of Summer before Fall is Upon Us.    The story here is ever so inspiring--for instance I did not know many of these leading lights of our time who truly struggled.   May their success be an inspiration to us all who have had to deal with our own challenges.   As I listened to this, this admonition from Jane Fonda was ever so timely that Jonathan Lockwood Huie noted in his daily outreach to his ever growing community:

Onward!!!

Thought For the Week: What Gandhi Ji Reminded Us.....

As noted by the distinguished scholar Professor Dabashi:

Post by Hamid Dabashi.

On the "Social Grid" Today (8/26/2014): Briefly on #Gaza, #Libya , #Syria & #Islamic State

For this edition of "View of the Week", there is somewhat of a good news.  There is a new truce in Gaza that has been announced that seems to be holding.  This is as the internal political dynamics of Israel continues to be played out as well and as the immense challenge of rebuilding Gaza begins: 

    

A sense of celebration has prevailed in Gaza,though:

Post by Hamid Dabashi.

Beyond Israel, though, the profound challenge in #Syria and #Iraq continues to be ever so a persistent challenge to the long-term stability of the Middle East.    The so-called Islamic State continues its' reign of terror with no apparent end in site.    Vijay Prashad's Matter-Of-Fact comments on the true reality today is chilling: 

Blowback: Vijay Prashad on How Islamic State Grew Out of U.S Invasion of Iraq, Destruction of Nation | Democracy Now!

He was ever so right when he noted that it is easy to destroy, but hard to build.   It took over 100 years for the Iraqi state to be built--and it was destroyed in an afternoon.  As Professor Prashad reflected upon the profound challenges the World faces today, he has also been commenting on the situation in Libya.    He shared his insights on the reality of Libya and how the various cities declared independence--and as the militias were paid by the Government in Tripoli to keep the peace.    As Professor Prashad has noted, it is weird--but it is scary enough to have prompted all North African Ministers to meet in Cairo.   It is just so scary that Libya Parliamentarians are planning on meeting on a cruise ship as the security situation is so volatile and the World remains silent.

 It is absolutely scary.

As a New Week Dawns: On Lessons On Life & Other Thoughts

The International Space Station just flew over our Town.   This is as Northern California suffered its' worst Earthquake in 25 years.   Such brings into focus as to what are the priorities and what should be the focus.

As the Space Station moved on checking out the heavens and the Earth, it truly brought things into focus about what's important--and this little clip courtesy of the team @ Simple Truths was ever so timely as a new week dawns here in "Outsiders".    The priorities are critical and the need to remember it is ever so...as it is ever so vital to also not forget forgiveness as Jonathan Lockwood Huie reminded us not so long ago: 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

...

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.

- attributed to St. Francis of Assisi

A wise man will make haste to forgive,

because he knows the true value of time,

and will not suffer it to pass away in unnecessary pain.

- Samuel Johnson

Today, I say yes to forgiving.

I commit to being for-giving love and for-giving compassion in all areas of my life.

– Sheri Rosenthal

This is a tough sentiment to adopt especially as one is witness to the horror of Syria & Iraq.  But, as Gandhi Ji remidned us, right always prevails over might. 

As the great Diane Nyad always reminds us: Onward as we embrace this "lesson in life": 

A Lesson on Life

Sometimes, life can be very stressful. Lots to do, but not enough time. This 3-minute movie will put it all in perspective. It’s all about our priorities and the choices we make...... All the Best,

Mac Anderson Founder, Simple Truths

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More movies you may enjoy: Top 3 Motivational Videos for a Positive Attitude Top 7 Motivational Quote Videos Top 6 Leadership Videos

As the Battle For #Iraq rages on.......

Radio Farda, a Farsi service of Radio Free Europe (part of the Voice of America), has reported that men on motorcycles with Islamic State Flags have been seen in major cities in Iran's Kurdistan Region . This is a region that has been traditionally restless.    It is an absolutely horrific development that should hopefully wake up the Iranian Leadership to go beyond what they did when they sent soldiers to Iraqi Kurdistan to beat back the Islamic State.   It is also worthwhile to note that the Iranian Foreign Minister is in Baghdad to confer with the Iraqi Leadership:



It is part of the changing dynamic of Iraq that Hosyiar Zabari, the Kurdish Iraqi Foreign Minister has been reappointed and is now back at work--a welcome development.

Part of the predicament goes back to fateful decisions made at the outset of the Syrian Revolution 3 years ago.   Mana Neyestani at Iran Wire Captured this beautifully:

Quite a predicament for the World....

"Thoughts" 4 the Week-End : On Objectives & A Sense of Hope

As "Outsiders" celebrates its' 2,000th Post here in the "first channel",  these two thoughts underscore the ultimate sentiment behind the launch of "outsiders" as this journey continues onward!!

 

May it be so for all!!!

Onward!!

A Blast From the Recent Past: Guarding the Freedom of the Internet (A View For the Week-End)

The need to protect the Internet's Freedom is ever so evident.  But that protection, though, has to be balanced with a sense of purpose and responsibility as epitomized by the Foley Tragedy.    Yet, the warnings from the founder of the Modern Internet Should not be taken lightly though: