The World in 2015: As Only The Economist's KAL would say it!!!

As we released our "Network Greetings" winding down the year, we have also been assessing our year.   We had to be "on the air" as we have assessed our World and could not help but share this as we look back to 2015 and gear up for 2016.

The Wars continue to rage on throughout our World in Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc. etc.   We're also witness to challenges in our Climate and the on-going debate for the US Presidency which will gather full steam ever more.  As we went to press, we just reviewed reports from +Haaretz הארץ on a new wave of stabbings which underscores the sense of desperation out there in the territories.    It was ironic how the Head of Israeli Military Intelligence noted that desperation and frustration fuels such resentment--yet it is not heeded by the current Israeli Political Leadership. 

The reality of our World was captured by the Economist throughout the year.   We here @ #Outsiders are devotees of KAL at the +The Economist .     We have been privileged enough to feature his commentary throughout the year and all of these underscore the profound challenges we faced in our World--a World that continues to burn even as we celebrate the holidays in the United States.   The Economist released this earlier on the most popular--We think all 50+ are just as important to contribute to the discourse about a World that continues to be challenging ever more.

Onward to 2016--Happy Holidays to all!!!!






 
March 28th

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April 4th

 

January 10th

 
April 18th

 
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August 1st

 
July 18th

 
November 28th

 
August 8th

Notations On Our World (Special Edition): An #Outsider Newsflash From Washington on the Passage Of the US Budget

Earlier today, the US Congress finalized the passage of a 1.1 Trillion Dollar Spending Package that has been "cleared" for the President's Signature.   We wanted to report on this as Congress finished work for the year and as President Obama held his final news conference for the year before heading for Hawaii for his vacation.      Our team caught excepts of it and the President was in his usual element as he reminded the World that the Republican Party in the United States was the only party in the Industralized World to deny climate change.

As we went to press with this "breaking story", The Congressional Budget Office just released this within  the past hour:

New From CBO H.R. 2029, as Cleared for the President’s Signature on December 18, 2015 (Appropriations, Tax Extenders, and Other Matters) As cleared for the President's signature on December 18, 2015 It is also a year that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, approved Mother Theresa's Second Miracle that will elevate her to Sainthood on his 79th Birthday:  As we gear up for 2016, our team will continue to be on the "Prowl" over Twitter and appreciate that the Daily Update published by +Paper.li for us will be done daily.   Happy Holidays and Best WIshes to all as we leave all with this beautiful sentiments:

As We Bid Farewell To 2015: Reflections & A Holiday Wish...

It has been an interesting and challenging morning especially in the aftermath of the Federal Reserve's Decision to raise interest rates.    Markets have responded favorably to the end of "cheap money" although profound reservations remain as to whether the Fed's move is a bit rash right now.   A challenging World is also ever so before us with Brazil in Turmoil (As it just got a downgrade), the inferno in Syria and of course the United States Elections.    As we were working away, we also got an update from France that the IMF Chief has been ordered to stand trial over the so-called, "Tapie Affair" in France.    It has also been a year where we've been quite busy supporting a number of interesting Kickstarter Projects and transformations that we look forward to featuring in our Visions Channel in 2016 as our Daily Outsider 2.x will also be a focus.

As we are winding down the year here in #outsiders and gearing up for the new year, we also wanted to join the World in extending Happy Birthday to the Holy Father as he turns 79 Years old today. We also have decided to go "dark" throughout the Properties for the rest of the year as we gear up for 2016. Our team, will be continuing the daily Twitter curation and the Daily Update that is published for our founder featured throughout the #Outsider properties will be available for all daily.

We started on a journey that has been perilous at times.   As we reflected upon our journey, we took comfort in these thoughts thanks again to +Jonathan Huie :

In this world there is always danger
for those who are afraid of it.
- George Bernard Shaw

If we let things terrify us,
life will not be worth living.
- Seneca 

We appreciate all the support and look forward to the opportunity to serve in 2016 as we wish you all....

and our fervent wish for all for all to......

Onward to 2016 with all its' possiblities.....

Notations From the Grid: On #Earth

Our team ran across this recently as the World was witness to the deliberations @ COP21 which we hope all enjoy as we also received reports that Tehran, Iran's Capital, was engulfed in an envelope of Smog which prompted warnings--and Tehran is a City of 14 Million People.   Beijing had a similiar warning last week.     The fierce urgency of now to act in the aftermath of +COP21 is ever so critical:

Notations On Our World: On The US Political Scene w/the #GOPDebate & Other Thoughts

The United States was witness to the Final Debate for the Year for GOP Presidential Candidates in Las Vegas.    Everyone had a chance to have their say on their views.     The pundits have been at it in terms of who won, who lost and who got "forgotten".   One of the top three, Marco Rubio, sent out a fundraising appeal as the debate was going on:

Tonight I was constantly attacked by other Republican candidates on the debate stage. I was attacked because they know I am the biggest threat to their success and they are focused on seeing my campaign defeated. They will stop at nothing to tarnish my name and slander our campaign. All eyes are on our campaign. They are looking to see how we will react totonight's debate and what support we have.  Thanks,   Marco Rubio Republican Candidate for President  The Hillary Clinton Campaign sent out this rebuttal as the debate was going on:  Once again, the Republican candidates need a refresher on Hillary’s record as Secretary of State. Luckily, we’ve got it handy: @HillaryClinton Only one candidate in this election knows how to build coalitions and make the world safer—because she's done it. #GOPdebate @TheBriefing2016 Seems like Carly Fiorina needs a refresher on @HillaryClinton's record of accomplishments. Here are three... (1/4) #GOPDebate @TheBriefing2016 .@HillaryClinton built the toughest Iran sanctions in history, bringing the int'l community to the table. (2/4) http://hrc.io/1M6qFQl @TheBriefing2016 .@HillaryClinton personally negotiated an end to Hamas rockets raining down on Israel in 2012. #GOPDebate (3/4) http://hrc.io/1M6qFQl @TheBriefing2016 .@HillaryClinton made women's rights an international priority, working to end sexual violence and trafficking (4/4) http://hrc.io/1GhoVYu @TheBriefing2016 Okay, actually, here's a few more for good measure. #GOPDebate (5/4) @TheBriefing2016 .@HillaryClinton oversaw negotations of the new START treaty, greatly reducing Russia's nuclear arsenal. (6/4) http://hrc.io/1NthmLV @TheBriefing2016 @HillaryClinton helped build the unprecedented global effort to combat climate change (7/4). http://hrc.io/1YfVM2p @TheBriefing2016 .@HillaryClinton stood up to Russia/China/Iran on internet freedom, fighting for the "freedom to connect." (8/4) http://hrc.io/1YbnZwE It was interesting to note that Donald Trump affired that he will not run as an independent and underscored his total commitment to the @GOP.    As we assessed the debate and the aftermath, @realDonaldTrump again was the main attraction and what the Fox' Howard Kurtz noted as the "embrace" between Cruz and Trump continued.    The line that , "..You can't insult your way to the Presidency" so far has not impacted Trump too much despite having Trump having insulted a significant rainbow of the American Electorate.   The clashes were entertaininting--but whether that translates into votes remains to be seen as the countdown to Iowa and New Hampshire is in full force.   Politico's Tweet reflected who got the "biggest" time: As the Las Vegas Events were going on, the business of Governing continued.    The House Speaker informed his caucus that a deal was reached to keep the Goverment operating through next September to avoid a Government Shutdown.   Part of the deal has called for a lifting of the 40-year old ban on Exports of US Oil--which will continue to be interesting in terms of the impact it will have on Oil Markets.   There was also a rider on it incorporating HR158 on revising the Visa Waiver Program that has created a firestrom epitomized by what the founder of Code.Org Noted in a Twitter call to action: @hadip #STOPHR158 — Yusuf Ameri (@YusufAmeri) December 14, 2015

An #Outsider Newsflash (Special Edition): 2015 prison census: 199 journalists jailed worldwide

We just received this as we received an update on the case of the Washington Post' Jason Rezayian who has been held in Tehran for over one year.  It is compelling reading as we continue to monitor his case and others throughout the World:  

2015 prison census: 199 journalists jailed worldwide

Notations On Our World: An #Outsdier Newsflash On #LASchools & #France (With an Update On Status)

It has been a challenging day here in  Southern California as our team began its' daily commitments.    The Los Angeles Unified School District received a terror threat which prompted the Superindentant,Ramon Cortines, to shut down the entire District which impacted some 640,000 Kids who were in the midst of going to school.     Although updates were not made on the LA Unified School District Website, it is very much a developing story as over 900 facilities throughout the sparawling District have been ordered to be searched before all are allowed back.   It has made worldwide headlines. 

Update:  As of 16:00 PST, all clear has been given and all LA School children will be back at school tomorrow.


Beyond the shores of the United States, there is the on-going investigations in France.    Additional arrests have been made as reported earlier by France24.   This is as France just saw off a challenge from the National Front during Regional Elections.