Random Thoughts On this Halloween Day 2017

Today is Halloween here in the States.    It has been quite an interesting month on the political scene both here in the United States and around the World as indictments were handed down in Washington, Kenya was in political crisis, Afghanistan continued to suffer and Syria continued ot burn.   November is also as November is at hand with a number of key Community Engagements which I look forward to reflecting upon next week including Scouting For Food.   

I ran across these which I thought is a rather uplifting way to "book-end" the month because the need to be optimistic and joyful is ever so critical:

 

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.

- e. e. cummings

The burden of the self is lightened when I laugh at myself.

- Rabindranath Tagore

I will not play tug o' war.

I'd rather play hug o' war.

Where everyone hugs instead of tugs,

Where everyone giggles and rolls on the rug,

Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins,

and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins.

- Shel Silverstein

Onward to the new Month with all its' possibilities: 

Brilliant Short Film Combines Nixon’s “Apollo 11 Failure Speech” With Humanity’s Future on Mars

The lone survivor of the first mission to Mars uses his last moments to pass the torch of inspiration.

Making of Others Will Follow: https://vimeo.com/238366284/
Andrew Finch – Director / Writer / Cine / VFX / Sets / Props / Costumes / Edit / Sound / Score andrew@afinch.com

Greg Cotten – Co-Cinematographer http://www.gregcotten.com

Starring: Bruce Greenwood (voice) Winston Tao Erica Sabol Damian Chey
“Secret” by Clark Courtesy Warp Records / Kobalt Music Group Ltd.

On the Prowl In My Hometown of @LagunaNiguelCty

  

The Laguna Niguel City Council

The Remembrance Plaque at Crown Valley Park (

I had the pleasure to join a very beautiful event yesterday here in Laguna Niguel yesterday to remember all who lost their lives to drugs.    According to our Mayor Pro Tem, Elaine Geneway, 64,000 people lost their lives to drugs primarily due to drug overdose.     We can, shall and will overcome this cancer.   I hope President Trump's speech on Opoid will help elevate the conversation as I remain hopeful that we can, shall and will overcome. .

Random Thoughts On the Eve of the New Week Ahead...

On The Road This Week in Los Angeles (Credit:  Mike Pouraryan) 

I spent Saturday visiting my 93-Year Old as I remembered how blessed we are all as a family.  Family.   My cousin's beautiful Garden was such a beautiful scene to be witness to as to how serene it was and how from her garden, I could see the all the way to Century City:

The beauty of San Fernando Valley (Credit:   Mike Pouraryan) 

It has also been a very challenging couple of weeks in the aftermath of the fires in Orange County and Northern California.  What I saw about the Irvine Outdoor Education Center was extremely disconcerting: 


This was also as our World was again witness to utter devestation in Somalia with over 200 People dying as a result of a truck bomb attack.   I did my small part while on Social Media as I joined to say: 

#JeSuisMogadishu

There are also two stories that is worth noting that the World must understand:  Japan and China.   Japan has had an election that may lead to a further transformation of Japan under the current Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe--including formalizing the elevation of the Japanese Self-Defense Force to the next level.  .   There is also China as President Xi has just consolidated its' control over China which our team released a Notations Edition on earlier today.    I helped with curations as I hope all curations for the week for the Daily Outsider as the work continues. 

This is also as the drama in Washington continued.  Although I was tempted to recommend to the team at the Daily Outsider to share thoughts (although the President was busy again attacking the Press and Hillary Clinton) what was challenging was what the White House Chief of Staff noted as captured by former Congressman David Jolly below, David Frum of the Atlantic and Daniel Dale of the Toronto Star:  

1. David Jolly‏Verified account @DavidJollyFL  2h2 hours ago
   

   Trump: A free press can't be believed. Sanders: A 4-Star General can't be questioned. Miller: The powers of POTUS will not be questioned.

S. Sanders recap:
- Trump doesn't have tape
- Calling widow was "act of kindness"
- The media is a "disgrace"
- Rep. Wilson is "disgusting" 

— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) October 18, 2017 

Except of course for “Thou shalt not steal” “Thou shalt not commit adultery” “Thou shalt not bear false witness” & “Thou shalt not covet" https://t.co/LV0iHgIjq4

— David Frum (@davidfrum) October 16, 2017

What I was very hopeful about was the One America Appeal as the Five living Ex-Presidents joined by President Trump joined at a 3-Hr Concert in Texas.  

I had also done some outreach to the office of  my local Congressman, Dana Rohbracher in the aftermath of Las Vegas.     The response I got--although appreciated--was needless to say just a bit disappointing: 

October 19, 2017 Mr. Mike Pouraryan 28111 Via Luis Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-7547 Dear Mr. Pouraryan: Thank you for contacting me with your views regarding gun control in the wake of the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas.  I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns. As you know, Stephen Paddock of Mesquite, Nevada, fired indiscriminately into a crowd of peaceful concertgoers in Las Vegas, Nevada from a suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the evening of October 1, 2017.  After killing at least 59 people and injuring hundreds more, Mr. Paddock shot and killed himself as police arrived to subdue and detain him.  I am father of three, and I grieve with those who lost loved ones in this senseless tragedy and pray that they, and those with injuries, will heal quickly and fully from their emotional and physical wounds.  Words do not adequately describe or address the emotions we all feel when innocent life is taken in such a callous manner.  I also am thankful to all of the first responders and courageous Americans whose actions in the midst of chaos may have saved countless lives. Now is the time to pause and reflect on how we can prevent such events in the future in a manner consistent with our rights and values.  Many have called for stricter gun control, including the prohibition of certain weapons from the civilian market and enhanced background checks on prospective gun purchasers.  These proposals, others, and gun control generally must be considered through the lens of constitutional rights, our concept of liberty, and all of the facts as to avoid unintended consequences.  Thus, we ought to abstain from enacting legislation in the immediate aftermath of horrific events like this.  Generally, I believe many gun control proposals would be ineffective at accomplishing their objectives, and inconsistent with the Second Amendment to the Constitution.  The depraved actions of a few do not justify the limitation of constitutional rights for millions of law-abiding Americans.  Just as we saw with Prohibition, such laws can also perpetuate crime, underground markets, and empower criminals and cartels.  Weapons banned for law-abiding citizens will still be available for criminals who wish to obtain them anyway.  According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a majority of criminals obtain firearms in ways that are already illegal.   We should discuss measures that would help to prevent attacks like this shooting.  Specifically, we must do all we can to pay attention to warning signs of instability in individuals, and continue to address mental health problems.  I do not believe that gun control consistent with the tenets of the Second Amendment would have prevented this crime, but you can rest assured that I will keep your views in mind as the 115th Congress continues to work on gun-related violence issues. Again, thank you for giving me the benefit of your views.  Please continue to keep me informed on any federal issue of importance to you. Sincerely, Dana Rohrabacher Member of Congress What was critical to note that many of the main reservations he expressed is already  happening--doing nothing is not a solution.    I was reflecting upon this as I  revisited the first edition of the HBO series, Newsroom, and thinking about what to and how to help The Daily Outsider evolve--because we have to decide to do it differently. I remain hopeful ever more though as I saw this in my Uncle's Room which I wanted to end this Random Thought with as I continue onward with the new week ahead:

On the Prowl : Ray Kurzweil Disruptive Technologies and Dangerous Ideas

One of the best one hours I did Friday when I listened to two visionaries...normally I use this for my "Random Thoughts"--but hope all enjoy this--well worth it!!!

Random Thoughts: Out and About As A New Week Dawns........

I was around town over the weekend as I struck a conversation with the Scoutmaster for Troop 734.   He was picking up Ice for Camporall 2017 at Camp Pendleton Marine Base.  We struck a conversation about Scouting and about Eagles as he shared that his son finished his Eagle Project.   I asked where it was--and it was right here in my hometown of Laguna Niguel at Marion Bergeson Elementary School.   I n all the years I have had the privilege to live in the beautiful City of Laguna Niguel, I had never actually visited the Bergerson Campus.  It is a beautiful little campus as I visited it today to check out the Eagle Scout Project.    He has done a beautiful job-and it is being witness to such commitment that continues to give me hope. 

I could not help but further be in awe as I was witness to Community spirit in Action at Camp Pendleton.    The Annual Camporall 2017 was held for my local Scout District.   For four days straight, selfless volunteers built out a Haunted House to entertain over 200 Scouts and Scouters who were there for this week-end.   It was quite a sight--another example of how selfless souls make a difference as they do:

Over the weekend, I shared some thoughts on Instagram on this:

Had the pleasure to join camporall 2017 w my son as he served as an instructor for younger scouts teaching first aid-it was also great to be witness to scouts contributing to scouting for food/this depicts a full trunk for @secondharvestfoodbankoc spruced up w @prisma in support #jnj @donateaphoto #hurricaneirma2017 #hurricanemaria /wish all a great week

A post shared by Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) on Oct 15, 2017 at 12:20am PDT

This is as being witness to the destructive path by President Trump continues.    The NIAC conference call I joined on Sunday was quite depressing about the challenges in the aftermath of the decision by President Trump and a new law being pushed by Tom Cotton and Bob Crocker--who I praised when I spoke up against the antics of President Trump.    Gideon Levy of Haaretz captured the profound challenges brilliantly.    The tweets I picked up last week on it underscored how idiotic it all is:

Ariane Tabatabai‏Verified account @ArianeTabatabai  1h1 hour ago

Ariane Tabatabai Retweeted Behdad Mahichi

That's so ridiculous. So, aunts and uncles are intel operatives? That's also irresponsible, feeds into narrative that gets folks arrested

Ariane Tabatabai added,

Behdad Mahichi @bmahichi

Replying to @ArianeTabatabai @FoxNews

Gingrich claims NCRI is the "best source" bc they have "huge sources, extensive families" in Iran. So like... they have uncles and aunts?

 

 

 

 Farnaz Fassihi liked

Ladane Nasseri‏Verified account @LadaneNasseri  2h2 hours ago

Ladane Nasseri Retweeted Farnaz Fassihi

Can already see hints of this in #Iran

Ladane Nasseri added,

Farnaz FassihiVerified account @farnazfassihi

#Trump action on #IranDeal will backfire: Will unite #Iran's various political factions & rally public behind the flag/regime. #JCPOA

1 reply1 retweet6 likes

It is going to be a challenging few months no doubt-but I remain hopeful!!!

Onward to the new week with all its' possibilities.

Random Thoughts on the Eve of the W-End.....

It has been quite a week around our World and quite challenging as President Trump took steps to make sure the Affordable Care Act was fatally undermined, decertified the Iran Deal and raised the rhetoric over NAFTA as it pushed the notion of Tax Reform that has been debunked repeatedly--in addition to going after Puerto Rico.    He has had a very busy week no doubt.    

Not withstanding the challenging week at hand, I continue to take heart by the generosity of spirit throughout our Community.   I am  gearing  up to hit the road visiting with the Boy Scouts at the Annual El Camino Real Camporall.   This year, it will be held at Camp Pendelton.  I also had the pleasure to be supportive of Our Fathers' Table Annual Fundraiser as I also worked away on initiatives throughout the week.  As it was interesting and challenging, the need to remain optimistic and be humorous about (as s beautifully noted with this I captured courtesy of the team at the Foundation for Economic Education),  here are some "Food 4 thought" to reflect on the eve of the weekend: 

Vala Afshar‏ 

How long before trash disappears (years): Plastic bag: 20 Styrofoam cup: 50 Plastic bottle: 450 Glass: 1 million

Joseph Jones‏ @EconomicHedge  5m5 minutes ago

Joseph Jones Retweeted Jesse Colombo

When you see now defunct companies like Juicero receiving $120M selling $400 machines that squeeze juice from a bag, you got huge bubble.

Joseph Jones added,

Jesse ColomboVerified account @TheBubbleBubble

The Next Crisis Will Start in Silicon Valley: https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/view/articles/2017-09-18/the-next-crisis-will-start-in-silicon-valley … $AAPL $FB

0 replies1 retweet1 like

1. Vala Afshar‏Verified account @ValaAfshar   
   

   Easy work: 1 complaining 2 pretending 3 blaming 4 judging 5 resenting Hard work: 1 inspiring 2 learning 3 teaching 4 trusting 5 empowering

    r‏Verified account @ValaAfshar  1h

Vala Afshar‏Verified account @ValaAfshar  2h2 hours ago

Be humble. You may be wrong. Be generous. You may be remembered. Be interested. You may stay teachable. Be yourself. You will be happier.

Onward to the weekend with all its' possibilities as I wish all a great one and a great week ahead....