This great sentiment courtesy of the team @ SimpleTruths underscores a sense of hope..as we move onward....
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9/07/2014
Thought 4 the Week: A Sentiment For the Week-End
This great sentiment courtesy of the team @ SimpleTruths underscores a sense of hope..as we move onward....
On the US Political Scene & Other Thoughts: Notations For the Week-End
It was another challenging week around the World. Nothing, though, was more hilarious as the Election Season formally got under way. The foolishness of it all was underscored by the ever so perceptive one, Jon Stewart:
It has also been so interesting to see the polls out there. Congress is ever so despised--yet over 90% of all incumbents will be re-elected. The dynamics of the US Senate though will continue to keep the pundit class preoccupied as Nate Silver and the folks over at the Princeton Election Consortium (among others) will be in a duel among each other to figure out who is actually going to gain control of the US Senate. Kansas got the latest buzz--and it was fun read to see it as the punditry all of a sudden figured out that somehow Kansas may hold the key to the future of the US Senate.
What was gratifying to observe was one trailblazing development in California. The California Legislature banned plastic bags and Governor Brown noted that he would sign it. Many cities (such as Dana Point, California) had already banned it and this trend was acknowledged as California approved this. This from the Story of Stuff Project underscored the challenge that was bravely overcome by the California Legislature:
Over 14 billion plastic bags are handed out each year, and in California only three percent are ever recycled. This regulation will have an enormous impact, removing hundreds of millions of bags from the waste stream annually. More than that, it sends a powerful message to the waste-creation lobby that we are sick of allowing it to trash our planet.
Led by plastics manufacturer Hilex Poly, the plastic lobby dumped nearly $13 million in ads and lobbying on Sacramento. The lobby had killed off five other attempts at passing bag bans in previous years, but it couldn't stop the rising call for regulation. Last week, the bill was stalled out by one single vote. That's when our members sprang into action, calling up their representatives in key districts and helping the legislation get written into law....
Governor Brown and the Republican Candidate for Governor, Neal Kashkari, had a debate. It is the only debate that they would have. The reviews were not that kind to Governor Brown. But, unless something drastic happens, Governor Brown will be re-elected for a second time in view of it. November. What was quite striking was how Mr Kashkari adopted the word of the manufacturing . The toher challenge in California is the drought. California is running out of and it is taking out water from the ground at an alarming rate. It may cause the San Andres Fault to be even more unstable. industry and
As the election season gathers steam, one solid resource to consult is what the team @ the National Priorities Project does. They have done some interesting work on the budget and a realization of the realities as Congress continues to be faced with gridlock with no apparent end in sight. Excepts of their guidance on it is noted below:
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The challenging business environment is also a problem. The jobs reports for August (at 142,000 new jobs) were below expectations. This is as Europe is going in reverse in terms of its' Economic Growth. The President of the European Central Bank came out and basically reaffirmed the zero interest rate in effect--and imposed a penalty on banks so that they can start lending and sprucing up business activity. This is as the United Kingdom faces uncertainty with the Scottish Independence World that is also coming up--with profound implications for NATO and the United States if the Scots decide to go it alone. The business climate itself has also been ever so a topic of discussion. It is challenging to start a business and maintain it in lieu of all the regulations and the taxes. It is understandable (purely from a business standpoint) when companies decide to do inversion deals--as Burger King and Tim Horton's Have done. What was noted in a note from Verne's Insight addressed this:
Inversion Deals -- Burger King and other large corporations are buying foreign companies, like Tim Horton in Canada, as a tax strategy. Rather than lambast these firms as President Obama is doing, the US should fix the problem and dramatically lower or eliminate corporate taxes - they are regressive, anti-competitive, and job killers. KPMG calculates that corporate tax costs are 46.4% lower in Canada than the US. Here's a list of corporate tax rates throughout the world. Yes, US corp's have various tax breaks and these should be eliminated as well.My full views are best articulate by Brett Arends in his recent column in Forbes.
The challenge is that companies seem to be more interested in Financial Engineering (As Burger King has been with a multitude of changes) vs. actually being creative. If one visits a Burger King establishment, one is disappointed to say the least. There are also profound changes going on with the rise of designer burgers and more health conscious customers which seems to have caught the industry off guard. It is part of the broader challenge of change that seems not to be embraced by all sides--and the end result is simply rhetorice and hot air.
America, though, somehow always overcomes. The story of Wilson is just one example--as he noted that he was forcing the people "To Think":
It was also quite striking as I had a chance to watch the depiction of another underrate President of the United States, Andrew Johnson having been so brilliantly portrayed by Van Heflin.
As the domestic political scene continues to be challenging and dynamic, the World is ever so tumulous as well. One country that is pivotal right now is Brazil. It is also in the midst of an Election season that is bound to give the incumbent a run for the money. The former Environment Minister, Marina Silva, is leading in the polls. If she wins, it will be a profound win for the Environment especially as Brazil is home to at least 80% of the Amazon--what I view as the World's Heart.
Never a dull moment in the life an ordinary face.....
9/05/2014
Notations On The World This Week
It has been ever so a challenging week as our World was witness to the brutality of the so-called Islamic State with the brutal and cold-blooded murder of Steven Sootloff. It has been gratifying to see how the World has risen up. The Vice President of the United States spoke for the billions around the World when he noted in his speech that they will see the Gates of Hell because hell is where they belong.
As this very tumulous week around the World has concluded, it was also gratifying to see reports on the BBC and Israel 24 that Ayatollah Khameini, Iran's Supreme Guide (Also referred to as the Supreme Leader in Western Media) has authorized US and Iranian military contacts to deal with the Islamic State Menace. General Sulemiani, the Head of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, was depicted in an image recently as Iraqis along with Kurds broke the siege of the City of Ameli in Iraq. The war is going to be long since the thugs of the Islamic State continue to control territory the size of The United Kingdom and continue to be self-financed. Their thuggery has not been limited to Western Targets: A Lebanese Soldier was also beheaded and his funeral was held in Lebanon this past week.
Al Qaeda has also reared its' ugly head again. It has come out launching a branch in the Indian Sub Continent. Al Qaeda is trying to stay relevant--no question. It prompted the Indian Home Ministry to put 7 Indian provinces on alert. This is as India is dealing with its' own challenging Maoist Insurgency that has gone on for quite some time. India and Pakistan were also at each others' throats as the Indian Border Stations were under bombardment by Pakistan Rangers probably to provide cover for Kashmir insurgents to cross into the county. It was quite a coincidence as Pakistan's Capital, Islamabad went up in a state of agitation with Khan & Qadri demanding Nawaz Sharif's resignation. It was also quite striking that the Taliban did not take advantage of this to strike out on their own.
This week, though, also saw some further good news. The Iranian President, Mr. Rouhani, was able to win another incremental battle as 3G came to Iran. This was after an initial "religious declaration" by one of the Ayatollah's was reported whereby he noted that it was "un-islamic":
Post by Middle East Monitor.
Israel itself is also faced with profound challenges. The disappearing Middle Class in Israel is probably a bigger concern than anything else. It was initially discussed in this provocative post back in 2011. It has become worst. This is as racism and violence is continue to increase against Israeli Arabs. It has been so challenging that the Israeli President, Reuven Rivlin criticized what he described as the increasing wave of racism and violence- warning that such acts influence democracy in Israel.
All the challenges are superseded by the continued profound challenge of Climate Change. There needs to be a sense of sanity that has to prevail. This morning in Southern California saw huge waves coming into shore as an aftermath of another cyclone. What the folks @ Take Part noted was especially painful to observe especailly as I have been to Lake Mead and have very fond memories--as the Western Part of the United States suffers its' worst drought.
Naomi Klein reflected upon the reality and a call to action that all must consider:
The UN has also noted that Global Warming is here--and will more than likely be permanent. What is so interesting to note is how "Ordinary Faces" are rallying to somehow serve as transformation agents:
Global Warming and Economic Crisis Lead to One Solution: Climate Jobs
May Boeve from 350.org and Bruce Hamilton of the Amalgamated Transit Union discuss how the environmental and labor movements have united to organize the People's Climate Summit in NYC
Go to story | Go to homepage
What was also gratifying to note this week was the truce agreement between Ukraine and the Rebels. The statement by the President of Ukraine struck a positive tone. Hopefully it will hold. The European Union Just noted that if the ceasefire holds, they would refrain from sanctions.
It is ever so a challenging World--but this admonition from the Dalai Lama is worth remembering:
As this very tumulous week around the World has concluded, it was also gratifying to see reports on the BBC and Israel 24 that Ayatollah Khameini, Iran's Supreme Guide (Also referred to as the Supreme Leader in Western Media) has authorized US and Iranian military contacts to deal with the Islamic State Menace. General Sulemiani, the Head of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, was depicted in an image recently as Iraqis along with Kurds broke the siege of the City of Ameli in Iraq. The war is going to be long since the thugs of the Islamic State continue to control territory the size of The United Kingdom and continue to be self-financed. Their thuggery has not been limited to Western Targets: A Lebanese Soldier was also beheaded and his funeral was held in Lebanon this past week.
Al Qaeda has also reared its' ugly head again. It has come out launching a branch in the Indian Sub Continent. Al Qaeda is trying to stay relevant--no question. It prompted the Indian Home Ministry to put 7 Indian provinces on alert. This is as India is dealing with its' own challenging Maoist Insurgency that has gone on for quite some time. India and Pakistan were also at each others' throats as the Indian Border Stations were under bombardment by Pakistan Rangers probably to provide cover for Kashmir insurgents to cross into the county. It was quite a coincidence as Pakistan's Capital, Islamabad went up in a state of agitation with Khan & Qadri demanding Nawaz Sharif's resignation. It was also quite striking that the Taliban did not take advantage of this to strike out on their own.
This week, though, also saw some further good news. The Iranian President, Mr. Rouhani, was able to win another incremental battle as 3G came to Iran. This was after an initial "religious declaration" by one of the Ayatollah's was reported whereby he noted that it was "un-islamic":
Post by Al-Monitor.
During a speech in Tehran, he noted bluntly: If the next generation does not arrive today, it will arrive tomorrow. But there are battles ahead as Iran deals with a severe drought that has seen one of the most important rivers in the Country, Zayandeh Rood, that flows through Isfahan--run dry. This has also been a week that has seen the truce in Gaza holding. This is as Palestinians are trying to figure out the next step and continue the blame game. The cost of the War, though, has been staggering on both sides. Israel has to go through budget cuts:
During a speech in Tehran, he noted bluntly: If the next generation does not arrive today, it will arrive tomorrow. But there are battles ahead as Iran deals with a severe drought that has seen one of the most important rivers in the Country, Zayandeh Rood, that flows through Isfahan--run dry. This has also been a week that has seen the truce in Gaza holding. This is as Palestinians are trying to figure out the next step and continue the blame game. The cost of the War, though, has been staggering on both sides. Israel has to go through budget cuts:
Post by Middle East Monitor.
Israel itself is also faced with profound challenges. The disappearing Middle Class in Israel is probably a bigger concern than anything else. It was initially discussed in this provocative post back in 2011. It has become worst. This is as racism and violence is continue to increase against Israeli Arabs. It has been so challenging that the Israeli President, Reuven Rivlin criticized what he described as the increasing wave of racism and violence- warning that such acts influence democracy in Israel.
All the challenges are superseded by the continued profound challenge of Climate Change. There needs to be a sense of sanity that has to prevail. This morning in Southern California saw huge waves coming into shore as an aftermath of another cyclone. What the folks @ Take Part noted was especially painful to observe especailly as I have been to Lake Mead and have very fond memories--as the Western Part of the United States suffers its' worst drought.
Naomi Klein reflected upon the reality and a call to action that all must consider:
Post by CommonDreams.org.
Global Warming and Economic Crisis Lead to One Solution: Climate Jobs
May Boeve from 350.org and Bruce Hamilton of the Amalgamated Transit Union discuss how the environmental and labor movements have united to organize the People's Climate Summit in NYC
Go to story | Go to homepage
What was also gratifying to note this week was the truce agreement between Ukraine and the Rebels. The statement by the President of Ukraine struck a positive tone. Hopefully it will hold. The European Union Just noted that if the ceasefire holds, they would refrain from sanctions.
It is ever so a challenging World--but this admonition from the Dalai Lama is worth remembering:
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9/03/2014
View of the Week: Honoring a great woman of numbers & Other Thoughts
As our World is continuing to deal with the cancer of IS, the cancer of inequality, the cancer of climate change--some of the very things that are being deliberated in this "labor love", it is always great to see It is always beautiful to see tributes and to celebrate momentous achievements. One eloquent one earlier today was a beautiful tribute done by the Chancellor of Chapman University, Daniel Struppa, in his tribute to Professor Maryam Mirzakhani in a recent edition of the Orange County Register. Professor Mirzakhani won the Fields Medal--the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for Mathematics. As a Persian, it was ever so gratifying to see this and shared it earlier while on "Social Grid" earlier:
Post by Mike Pouraryan.
May we be witness to such momentous moments of history.
9/01/2014
Thought 4 the Week: On a World @ War, Remembering #Madiba
The first day of September is now about to be history. The World continues to be witness to tragedy in some 161 Countries around the World. I was clamouring for a sense of hope and a reaffirmation of a sense of purpose that led to the initial start of what has now grown into a 5-Blog Channel to do what can be done to have a sense of purpose about it all. In visiting the "Social Grid", these three thoughts on Facebook under the hashtag #LivingtheLegacy said it all. There needs to be a sense of courage, a sense of purpose and a sense of direction to build and overcome--a sense of poverty and helplessness that seems to be prevalent today. All have to have hope that that they can overcome.
These thoughts speak for themselves. As I reflected upon these, I wondered who will emerge that would speak and command the same sense of purpose that Madiba had. Despite all the odds, I remain ever so hopeful:
Post by Nelson Mandela.
Post by Nelson Mandela.
What is ever so amazing about the interent is truly the art of the possible, though--as epitomized by this: http://www.barakabits.com/. With all the terrible news out of the Middle East, this site that is dedicated to good news from the Middle East was so beautiful to review and reflect upon. This was as my mind drifted onward to Palestine as it struggles in the aftermath of the latest Gaza War. The beauty and eloquence of it all spoke for itself and I shared it throughout the Grid--to do my utmost to live up to #Madiba's Admonition to build:
What is ever so amazing about the interent is truly the art of the possible, though--as epitomized by this: http://www.barakabits.com/. With all the terrible news out of the Middle East, this site that is dedicated to good news from the Middle East was so beautiful to review and reflect upon. This was as my mind drifted onward to Palestine as it struggles in the aftermath of the latest Gaza War. The beauty and eloquence of it all spoke for itself and I shared it throughout the Grid--to do my utmost to live up to #Madiba's Admonition to build:
8/31/2014
On the Dawn of September 2014: Brief Thoughts on Labor Day & Ever So Grateful.....
It is the dawn of Labor Day in the United States. It is a day to remember all who have served and all who serve. While on the "Social Grid", I reflected upon this:
Post by Mike Pouraryan.
It is also important and ever so crucial to remember how truly blessed we are despite all the challenges. As I finish this Opening Retrospective on the eve of the new month, further scenes of violence out of #Pakistan is terrifying to observe. Protestors supporting Imran Khan and the Cleric Dr. Qadri have broken through barricades to run to the Pakistan Prime Minister's Residence. Pakistan Military has come out and say that the conflict must be resolved politically as the political leaders seem to lose whatever credibility they have left. But Ashraf Qazi, the former Pakistan High Commissioner to India, has noted that if this is not resolved--all bets are off including a possible dissolution of Parliament. What happens in Pakistan matters as it deals with a raging Taliban insurgency, economic stagnation and political paralysis.
As a new and rather challenging month is at hand, it was worth noting to take a pause to remember this admonition--it is truly possible:
8/29/2014
A Musical Interlude to Enjoy As the Week-End Looms....
On the eve of Labor Day Week-End in the United States as August 2014 is relegated to the dustbin of history, please enjoy this musical interlude:
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