The International Jazz Day Is Here: Please Enjoy This "Live" From Cuba!!!

Notations On Our World: On The US GDP Numbers & Other Thought (w/an update...)

Our team is right now as Business Forward is hosting a conference call on the latest US GDP Numbers.  The GDP Growth was .7 Percent For the Quarter.     One of the key components was lower Auto Sales--epitomized by what Ford reported earlier this week:

The Latest Economic Trends - 1Q2017 GDP Report from businessforward

There is a lot to "decouple" about the numbers as the World awaits the Fed's decision to "normalize" monetary policy.   

As we went to press, Congress passaed a one week spending measure to avoid a Government shutdown as the debate has begun in earnest about the Tax Reform Plan that President Trump's key economic advisors have announced as the President's 100 Days is before us Tomorrow:   

(Update:  Our team just finished off curating other properties within Daily Outsider (including our Visions Channel)  as we hope all enjoy visits )

We wish all a fabulous Week-End.

An #Outsider Newsflash (Friday Special Edition): Tomorrow is National Drug Take Back Day!!!!

This is the latest from the White House....

Dear Friends, Tomorrow is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, when you can drop off your expired, unused, and unneeded prescription drugs at approved collection sites – no questions asked. This year, I’m dropping off some old prescriptions because I don’t need them, and disposing of them prevents these pills from being misused in the future. This can even save lives. Prescription opioid pain medications are an important tool for managing the pain of people who have had surgery or other severe injuries, but the misuse of these medications and the use of heroin have taken a heartbreaking toll on too many Americans and their families while also straining law enforcement and treatment programs. More people now die from drug overdoses than in motor vehicle crashes. You can help prevent opioid abuse by participating in Take Back Day. So tomorrow, head down to your local collection site between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to drop off your expired, unused, and unneeded medications.  And by doing so, you may just save a life. Sincerely, Richard Baum Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy

View of the Week (Special Edition): On Water & Sanitation

For this special edition of "View of the Week" we present this latest we just received courtesy of the team at Global Citizen that captures the profound challenge of Water and Sanitation in our World.  This is a recent article in @Futurism noted how Earth can potentially turn into Mars if we're not careful:

 

Orlando Bloom Has a Challenge for You

With this viral challenge, the actor is teaming up with UNICEF and kids in Africa to bring awareness to climate change and the global water crisis.

 

Read

 

 

This Device Can Pull Water Out of Thin Air

Thanks to the geniuses at MIT, a small device could soon mean big relief for people in arid and drought-ridden regions. Here’s how it works.

 

Read

 

 

The Pope Just Opened a Very Special Laundromat

Pope Francis isn’t becoming a businessman – he’s just making sure every person in Rome has access to basic cleanliness.

 

Read

 

 

How Fruits and Vegetables Could Save India

As population growth squeezes India dry, fruits like melons, oranges and papaya could solve the country’s growing water crisis.

 

Read

 

 

This Blue Drum Is Changing Lives in Africa

Watch how this simple device is making life much easier in sub-Saharan Africa, allowing people to collect 5 times more water than a traditional bucket.

 

Read

 

 

Tell Leaders #ItsBloodyTime to Keep Girls in School

For many girls, getting a period means missing out on an education. Sign our petition telling leaders to prioritize clean water and toilets to keep girls in school.

 

Take Action

 

On the Prowl with a"Virtual Gift" for all to contemplate.......

As we hope all enjoy visits to the properties in our Network, We wanted to present this "Virtual Gift" with some "Foods 4 Thought" for Week as we wish all a fabulous Final Week of April.....

& as we leave you with this final "Thought" as we hope you enjoy the visits to the properties of the Daily Outsider:

“You can’t control
how other people
receive your energy.
Anything you do or say
gets filtered through the lens of
whatever they are
going through at the moment,
which is not about you.
Just keep doing your thing
with as much integrity
and love as possible.”
Nanea Hoffman

Notations From the Grid (Weekly Edition): On @POTUS Watch as 100-Day Milestone is at hand...

The 100-Day milestone is at hand for the Trump Administration.   It is also a week that will see a number of key challenges.  The Border wall is at the forefront as the Trump Administration is seeking funding from Congress for it.  A Government shutdown looms as the wars in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan Continue.    This is also as Iran continues to be at the forefront with the Administration continuing what the New York Times deemed a "bullying of Iran" as the elections get under way in Iran.  The first live debate will be scheduled for later on this week.

As we went to press, our team received this from the Congressoinal Budget Office.   This is an arm of Congress that came under attack as the first "version" of the Obama Repeal and Replace Bill came to force.   What they have noted on the proposed expansion of the Navy is telling:

Costs of Building a 355-Ship Navy CBO estimates that construction costs to build a fleet of 355 ships would average $26.6 billion (in 2017 dollars) per year over the next 30 years, which is 60 percent more than what the Navy has spent on average over the past 30 years. How Economic Changes Affect CBO’s Budget Projections CBO was asked at a recent hearing how deficit projections would be affected if individual economic variables differed from what the agency expects. This blog post discusses how lower rates of labor force participation would affect the deficit.  Former President Obama also made the news as he gave a speech at the University of Chicago.   He began by noting, "...what's been goin' on since I've been gone.." as if he did not know!!  He did lament the state of the Media and the public apathy out there--something our team is hoping to help transform with its' going development. Interesting times.....

Notations On Our World: On a Brief Virtual Walkabout Around The World

Our Logo: A Tribute To Ordinary Faces
Why We Do This: A Tribute to All Ordinary Faces (Courtesy The Economist KAL) 

Our team has been on the prowl throughout the weekend on the elections in France, the protests in Venezuela, the elections in Iran, the tragedy in Afghanistan along the continued challenges faced by Europe.    It has been fascinating to be witness to it.

We begin with Europe.  France is in the midst of the election season.   As we went to press, France was in a period of "reflection" as the people of France went to the polls. Although the  Terrorist attack in Paris cast a shadow,  it will be Macron and Le Pen advancing to the second rounds.  The people of the United Kingdom, though, are also going to the polls.  The Prime Minister, Teresa May, called the elections to strengthen her hand and it appears that she has the upper hand as the UK Labor Party is struggling, The Scottish National Party is agitating for another independence vote and difficult negotiations with the European Union Looms.   

As we have been assessing our World, we have been assessing the Middle East This week (or what we actually like to refer to--the Near East (as favored by the State Department here in the United States).   The Palestinian hunger strikes are continuing as Israel contemplates moves to break them.   As we noted earlier, the Elections in Iran have begun in earnest.   The ruling factions have begun battling it all out.   What our team found so interesting was how a special envoy of Vladimir Putin went to see the leading Conservative candidate, Ebrahim Raissi.    What is critical to note that the alleged Russian Meddling has not been just in the US or Europe--but part of an apparent Worldwide effort by the Russians to assert what they view as their rightful place in the World.   This is as they continue to deal with profound internal challenges in large measure due to the aftermath of the Oil Price Collapse.      Ebrahim Raissi is being tipped as the leading conservative challenger even though the Mayor of Tehran has entered the race for the Third Time.   What is quite interesting is how out of almost 1700 People who registered, only 6 people past the so-called "test" of the Guardian Council.     The Mayor of Tehran gave a speech outlining his "objectives" for the campaign.  It was full of unrealistic promises--in effect promising to outgrow China which is an absolute impossibility.   This is as questions continue on his own conduct and apparent corruption as a result of his efforts running the Capital.    The incumbent President, Hassan Rouhani, has his own profound challenges as the election season has begun.       Our team looks forward to a weekly Notation throughout the 30-Day Election Cycle on Iran.     

Beyond Iran, there is Afghanistan.     The United States has approximately 9,000 Troops fighting in Afghanistan.  The past two months has seen some brazen attacks by the Taliban--this is as Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/Islamic State in the West), has continue to gain ground in Afghanistan.    The latest brazen attack was in the North of Afghanistan as the Army's Main Base in the North of the country, Mazar-Sharif, was attacked that resulted in some 140 deaths.    One ordinary Afghan said it best:  If they can attack a heavily protected Army Base, they can one day attack the Presidential Palace.    The attackers went in wearing Army Uniforms and used an Army Vehicle and attacked Soldiers as they were leaving Friday Prayers.     From our assessment, the Afghan War is not going well at all as at least 9 cities continue to be under siege by the Taliban as the Government struggles to maintain a semblance of law and order.   The US Commander who ordered the "Mother of All Bombs" to be deployed has asked for additional reinforcements.   This is as the cost of the War was exemplified as President Trump awarded the Medal Of Honor to an Army Veteran who lost a leg last month fighting in Afghanistan.   

As we have assessed Latin America, the protests in Venezuela have continued.   The weekend saw protesters marching in silence to remember the fallen who had been killed as a result of the protests.   Inflation is rampant, basic good are next to non-existent as the suffering of the people continues as Nicholas Maduro stubbornly holds on.      The ordinary faces of Venezuela are stuck in limbo as the struggle for basic rights continues.      

It is bound to be a very challenging week indeed......

An #Outsider Newsflash (Special Edition): France Votes......

Breaking Courtesy of France24 As France Votes...

BREAKING NEWS DIMANCHE 23 AVRIL 2017

DIMANCHE 23 AVRIL 2017 - 19:59 (PARIS)   Macron at 23.7%, Le Pen at 21.7% qualify for second round in French presidential election (early results from FRANCE 24's partner Ipsos)  Read more on France24.com