Sunday, March 19, 2017

Random Thoughts Spring, Nowruz, Optimism & Other Thoughts.....

It was quite a week to be witness to my Community in Action.   For me, it began with my attending the Traffic Safety Workshop that was sponsored by the City of Laguna Niguel.  It was led by one of the City's Motor Deputies.   Here is a grid of that night I captured: 




It was a comprehensive and brutally honest presentation.    Whether the message resonates remains to be seen.   The City has made a concerted effort to reach out, educate and engage--something I am confident will build upon the initiative I had the privilege to work on at the Traffic Commission that was featured on Route50--available by clicking on here.   


This was also a week that I decided to do an outreach to the Office of the Speaker of the House about the very disturbing comments that Congressman Steve King of Iowa made about Immigrants.   I got a response--not the response I was looking for: 





March 14, 2017
Dear Mike,
Thank you for contacting me regarding immigration. We are a compassionate nation, and we are also a nation of laws. It is important we insist that everyone come here legally and maintain legal status.   I recently visited the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to get a firsthand look at the many challenges facing our law enforcement professionals along the border. It gave me even greater respect for the work that they do day-in and day-out. But more tools and more support are needed for them to do their jobs effectively. That is why Congress is working closely with the Trump administration to secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws.
Visit Speaker.gov for future updates on this issue, and thank you again for getting in touch.  

It was not that big a deal as I also received a number of responses due to other on-going outreach efforts I undertook.   It is kind of fun to see such responses notwithstanding the fact that they are "canned".      

Tuesday saw me joining a community workshop sponsored by Our Fathers' Table at St. Timothy's Catholic Parish. It was launched by a local Community activist and artist to help transform homelessness.    Our Father's Table has been able to help 110 people get off the streets.  It was a very enlightening presentation as I look forward to doing what I can to be of support to this organization. Homelessness is a profound problem that is not covered unless one looks at media such as the Guardian of London.      

Wednesday saw me attending another meeting at Laguna Niguel City Hall in line with my responsibility as Commissioner.  It was the annual Ethics Training that was as always insightful.  As I joined members of the Council and other commissioners,  it reminded me that being righteous should be ever so engrained.  It is unfortunate when actions occur as they are.    This reminded me of Gandhi Ji's admonition to be the change we want to see in our World and it starts with being righteous.    This is also as Thursday Saw the Quarterly Neighborhood Watch Meeting which was hosted by Laguna Niguel Police Services featuring the Animal Control Team.    I also dropped in to the Aliso Niguel High School Swim Meet and was in awe as I saw the Volunteers in action as they grilled and sold snacks in support of the Youth of Aliso Niguel High School.   

Being witness to the engagements by the Community underscores my sense of optimism for the future.     Nature reminds us of this fact as Spring is in the Air.      This sense of optimism is underscored by this clip I picked up from the Iranian Film Director, Jafar Panahi:  

It is about looking to the future and letting go of the past-- A good lessons for us all to be aware of as I wish all a Happy Spring and to all who celebrate Nowruz, Happy Nouroz!!

Onward.....

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