Sunday, October 22, 2017

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: 
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 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.   2 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.



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: 



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