The Friday Musical Interlude: Paul Winter Consort Winter Solstice Collection......

It is time for the Friday Musical Interlude here in #Outsiders.    Our team settled on Paul Winter as the "Artist of the Week" and received this which we hope all enjoy especially on this joyous holiday season:

SOLSTICE COLLECTION DOWNLOAD

Once again, we are pleased to offer you our freeWinter Solstice Collection. This has become a solstice tradition with us. Our intent is both to give a sampling of the artists who will be performing in this year's Solstice Celebration, and to share recordings we love.

This year's collection is 10 tracks, 53 minutes long, with recordings by Renato Braz, Fabiana Cozza, Theresa Thomason, and the Consort. It includes one historic solstice performance by the Consort. "Hodie / Good People All," from the late '80s.

We hope you'll enjoy the collection. And please share it with others. Listen & download. Included Tracks:

1. Anabela - Renato Braz, Paul Winter Consort
2. Hodie / Good People All - Paul Winter Consort
3. Juízo Final - Fabiana Cozza
4. Sun Singer - Paul Winter
5. Feitiço da Vila - Renato Braz, Paul Winter Consort
6. Mystery - Theresa Thomason, Paul Winter Consort
7. Desenredo - Renato Braz, Paul Winter Consort
8. Belly of the Whale - Paul Winter Consort, Humpback Whale
9. Angola - Renato Braz, Paul Winter Consort
10. Solstice Chant - Paul Winter Consort

Notations On Our World: Briefly On #Iraq, #Syria, #Lebanon, #Burma & The US Election Scene

On the Front Lines in Sinjar:  Source (The Daily Beast) 

As we went to press today, we are reviewing reports from the fronts lines on the battle launched by the Syrian Kurds to retake Sinjar.    Reports we have reviewed from various sources on the ground note that some 7500 fighters backed by US-Led Air strikes are leading the charges against Daesh (also referred to as IS/ISIL/etc. in the West)  Fighters. 




The significance of this battle cannot be overstated.   If the Kurds can break the siege, it will set the stage for the eventual liberation of Mosul that has been under Daesh for over a year.     This is as Daesh has suffered a few tactical setbacks inside Syria as well.    The face of this woman that the Daily Beast's Wladimir van Wilgenburg captured,  it underscores the challenges before these brave souls.

Beyond The battlegrounds of Syria and Iraq, there is another "proxy war" that is on-going as well.  As we went to press today, we just received reports on a twin bombing at the Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut.  As we have noted in our "Notations", Lebanon is at the frontline of the battle against Daesh because of Hezbollah's involvement.   Lebanon also does not have a government--as such, Hezbollah is the defacto Government and the fact that suicide bombers have been able to penetrate as they have as Hezbollah fighters are dying is a signficant development.

There is also the Political battles.   One of the highlights of the past 24 hours we've been assessing here at #Outsiders has been the game changing election in #Burma (also referred to as #Myanmar).  Our founder has never been fond of the name change and he noted that he made it a point of congratulating one of the winners of the candidates of the National League for Democracy.  What is significant is that the Head of the Army and the President have come out to concede defeat.  We will be on the "Prowl" on this transition process over the ensuing weeks.

Since we're also focused on political battles, the US Presidential Campaign is continuing.   Our team has been assessing the aftermath of the latest GOP debate and it appears that the front runners (Dr. Carson and Mr. Trump) continue to be on track.    There Media though is "hot and heavy" investigating inconsistencies and updates on all campaigns as all the campaigns are on the daily "Virtual Stump" to tout their achievement.      One interesting election coming up is going to be Louisiana whereby it will be interesting if a Democrat in fact can replace Bobby Jindal who has touted his own achievement in the face of the unpopularity he has faced.     Here is a sampling of the "mainstream media" assessments for reference:

1) Time Magazine

Why the Republican Debate Didn't End the Party's Crisis

Tuesday night’s presidential debate failed to produce a clear winner, suggesting the road to a GOP nominee is going to be a wild and unpredictable one

2) Red State

Cruz, Rubio, and Fox Business For the Win

Fox Business gave the debate all the other networks should have given, including the first Fox News debate. It was not flashy. But it was substantive. It was not just that the candidates had more time or that there were less candidates. The moderators did a good job of drawing out policy differences without intentionally setting up fights. They just happened naturally. Bill Shine, Roger Ailes, and Fox should be really, really proud of Fox Business. Cruz really won tonight. He had just a stellar performance. Every word was memorable. Every line was precisely delivered. His defense of his tax plan was solid. His use of Rubio supported sugar subsidies as a way to both defend Rubio on defense spending while throwing Rubio under the bus was first class debate strategy.

3) Washington Post

— More than the previous three debates, last night’s showdown in the Badger State highlighted the very real rifts that exist within the Republican coalition, from foreign policy to fiscal policy. “There were no clear winners, at least not so much as in the earlier debates, in part because there were strong moments for many of the candidates, as one after another grabbed for the spotlight,” the Post’s chief correspondent, Dan Balz, files from Milwaukee. “It’s not likely that what happened will dramatically change the current shape of the race. But in highlighting the deeper differences in the party [especially on immigration], the evening’s discussions provided a helpful roadmap to the issues that will help determine the eventual nominee.” and this on Veterans Day Eve:

The fourth GOP debate is more about the party’s path than personal attacks

The event spotlighted differences over immigration, fighting the Islamic State and other intractable issues.

By Philip Rucker and Ed O'Keefe  •  Read more » The Show Continues....

Notations On Our World (Special Edition): On This Veterans Day 2015

Today is   a day to rememeber and honor all who have served.       We wanted to share this very touching gesture from the team +GovLoop to thank Veterans for their service which we hope all will reach out to all who have served:

It only takes a few seconds.       GOVLOOP DAILY AWESOME November 11, 2015 Almost 100 years ago, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed, "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…” His stirring words still ring true today. As we commemorate this Veterans Day almost a century later, we say thank you to the people who serve this great country. If you want to send a special thank you card to the Veteran in your life, sign up below: THANK VETERANS WITH THIS E-CARD

Happy Veterans Day 2015 To All Who Have Served......

We here @ #Outsiders wanted to take this opportunity to wish all US Veterans and their families a Happy Veterans.  In honor of Veterans Day, #Outsiders will be "dark" although we will be periodically updating our Twitter Feed throughout the day.

It is also of note that Britain remembers the same day as Armistice Day whereby some 30 Million Britons will observe a 2 Minute of silence on the 11th Hour of the 11th day to remember the fallen by wearing the Poppy.   One of the first ceremonies was in Australia as Prince Charles led remembrance ceremonies In Australia.







Happy Veterans & Armistice Day Day!!!

Notations On Our World: On the Latest On the US Election Scene

The latest Republican Debate will be on the air on Fox Business in a few hours.    It was quite interesting as the Fox Host, Maria Bartolome, noted how GOP candidates needed to grow up.  The field, though, continues to be ever so volatile as Ben Carson continues to top the national polls with Marco Rubio continuing to rise.

The Rubio Campaign sent out this "call to action" earlier:

mike p, A story just broke tonight in the New York Times that revealed Jeb Bush's Super PAC's Plan to attack Marco. They write: "The group's chief strategist has boasted of his willingness to spend as much as $20 million to damage Mr. Rubio's reputation and halt his sudden ascent in the polls" You read that right. Jeb's plan is to spend $20 million dollars to "damage Mr. Rubio's reputation." Not just talk about how they differ on the issues but to actively try to destroy Marco's reputation. And they're bragging about that? How is that the kind of "joyful" campaign that Jeb claimed he wanted to run?!?! Jeb Bush helped raise $100 million for this Super PAC. They will outspend us. That's just a fact. Marco didn't inherit a national network of wealthy, well-connected donors. It get's better. Jeb's Super PAC has even produced a video claiming that Marco is too Pro-Life!!! Honestly, it's something we'd expect from Hillary and the mainstream media, but the fact that the Republican establishment believes this is what they need to do to take down Marco is astonishing. We have to get Marco's back and help him stand strong against this desperate move. Thanks for your help -- we'll keep you updated as we learn more about these secret plans. Sincerely, Terry Sullivan Campaign Manager Marco Rubio for President P.S. This is even more unbelievable: the Jeb Bush Super PAC is so desperate to try and bring down Marco they've held "focus groups" with voters to zero in on the most damaging attacks. That's what we're up against and that's why Marco urgently needs your support. We also saw this from the Jindal Campaign as he sent brief comments from his "Blackberry": I just completed my walkthrough for tonight’s presidential debate on the FOX Business Network at 7pm Eastern. (If you don’t get FOX Business Network on your TV, you can watch tonight's debate online at FoxBusiness.com/). This is what I’ll get to see during the debate: I’ll be in debate prep meetings this afternoon, but I’m asking my team for a report on how many of our great grassroots activists (like you) have chipped in to show their support before this evening. We have "edited out" the fundraising links. What is also quite important beyond the debates is what Heritage Action has done to analyze all the candidates which our team will be assessing and reporting on.   Heritage is also on a concerted grassroots campaign and one of the stops is Orange County, California on November 20.

Notations On Our World: On South Africa & the #Xi, #MA Show in #Singapore

The disturbing trends in South Africa is ever so evident apparently by the comments by The South African President, Jacob Zuma, which has caused an uproar in opposition circles.   As our team assessed this latest development, we could not help but wonder what Nelson Mandela's reaction to all of this is:  Zuma's 'ANC comes first' comments signs of a dictatorship - EFF 

Moving halfway around the World,  the head of the Two Chinas Met.    What is clear is simply this:  it is not a question of if but when the last bastion of China will join up with the mainland not withstanding what the United States might or might not want--and the Economist' KAL captured this sentiment once again brilliantly:

Notations On Our World: On the United States....

It was quite a week on the US Election Scene.   Ben Carson has been challenged about his biography as Marco Rubio has been questioned about his personal finances.    In the meantime, though, the business of Government continues.

The US Labor Department noted that unemployment continues to decrease as the Congressiona Budget Office Came out with this on the deficit:

New From CBO Monthly Budget Review: Summary for Fiscal Year 2015 In fiscal year 2015, which ended on September 30, the federal budget deficit totaled $439 billion—$44 billion less than the shortfall in 2014. Fiscal year 2015 was the sixth consecutive year in which the deficit declined as a share of the nation's gross domestic product. It will be interesting to see how the GOP responds to this especially as a new debate is before us.   Our team also revisited this very hard hitting article from the London Review of Books on the GOP candidates available here--Scott Walker is no longer part of the campaign and is now raising money to pay off campaign debt.     This is also as Kareem Abdul Jabbar published a TIme Magazine column on Ben Carson which underscored Dr. Carson's sense of accomplishment as it questioned his views--and of course what he did with Donald Trump that prompted this response:  Trump was on Saturday Night Live--and reviews our team saw as it went to press was not too "Stellar". Interesting times.....