The United States was witness to another tragedy. A 19-year old attacked a synagogue--and is being held as we went to press as investigations continue to prosecute this as a hate crime. This is as Sri Lanka continues to be in a state of emergency in the aftermath of the attacks during Easter Sunday. This past Sunday saw the President and Prime Minister attend a Church Service led by the Archbishop of Columbo as Churches throughout the country remained closed. On the Iran Front, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif made the rounds of the US Public Affairs Talk Show Circuit including Fox News and CBS' Face The Nation. Please enjoy this #RandomThought from our archives in line with our mission to help change the conversation about our World:
As part of our quest to bring all perspectives to bear on our World, we hereby present this alternative view as the United States tightens up the sanctions regime on Iran: Trump’s Latest Iran Sanctions Show an Unraveling of US Foreign Policy: Col. Lawrence Wilkerson says unilateral sanctions against Iran are illegal, and show the ascendancy of John Bolton; they intensify tension with China and threaten our international position
On the eve of the final week-end throughout our properties, we decided to embrace the World--here we are proud to feature two of the leading Iranian Performers--the lyrics are in Farsi but subtitles can be available--Please Enjoy!!
Reflections On the Mueller Report: (Source Counterpoint by KAL)
As the aftermath of the Mueller Report continues to reverberate, President Trump noted that the Administration will not comply with any of the demands by the US House of Representatives. This is as Trevor Noah shared his perspective of the past 24 hours:
As we went to Press with this edition of "Notations" we understood that Former Vice President Joe Biden was due to announce his candidacy for the Presidency. This reporting from the Washington Examiner was quite interesting :
The family of the late Sen. John McCain plans to support former Vice President Joe Biden's White House bid, backing the Democrat not only in his party's crowded primary race but also in a general election matchup with President Trump, the Washington Examiner has learned.
In an extraordinary snub to Trump, who derided McCain's Vietnam War service and mocked him even after his death last August at age 81, the McCain family is preparing to break with the Republican Party. McCain represented the party in Congress for 35 years and was chosen as its presidential nominee in 2008, losing to Barack Obama.
Read the full story here. & it is now official although Mrs. McCain did put a statement denying the reporting by the Washington Examiner and the President's Supporters went after Joe Biden on Twitter yesterday calling him Low Energy among other things:
mike --
America is an idea. Based on a founding principle that all men are created equal.
It's an idea that's stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, and more powerful than any dictator.
It gives hope to the most desperate people on Earth. It instills in every single person in this country the belief that no matter where they start in life, there's nothing they can’t achieve if they work at it.
Today, that idea is under attack.
We've got a president who assigns a moral equivalence between those spreading hate and those with the courage to stand against it.
A president who, like most charlatans and demagogues throughout history, seeks only to aggrandize himself, to consolidate his own power -- by blaming the "other."
If we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation.
I cannot stand by and watch that happen.
Our core values, our very standing in the world, our democracy, and everything that makes us who we are is at stake.
That's why I'm announcing my candidacy for President of the United States.
The Trump Administration has announced intentions to stop the waivers for the 8 Countries who have bought Iranian Oil. Based on reporting we've reviewed, we understand that Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iraq will make up the difference as US Secretary of State has vowed to bring Iranian Oil Sales to Zero which will present even more profound challenges for the Government.
The Iranian Government requested the ultimate authority, the Supreme Leader (Guide) n in the Country to be allowed to spend funds from the National Fund for Flood Repairs--and the Supreme Leader refused stating that other resources must be utilized first--as the Supreme Leader and Foundations under his direct control control an estimated 70 percent of Iran's Economy. The Tavanah Organization, an Iranian Civil Rights & Education Organization, released this depiction on how the Supreme Leader is condoning drips as Iran continues to deal with floods and the aftermath:
As Iran dealt with Floods, one of the Friday Prayer Leaders focused on prohibiting women from riding bicycles--Tavanah again depicted this as floods decimated Iran:
The true nature of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards--declared by the United States to be a terrorist organization--was also depicted as its' key commander, Qasem Suleimani, was the puppet masters of the terrorists in Iraq , Yemen, Syria and Lebanon:
In Laguna Niguel, CA @ The Niguel Botanical Preserve: Trail To Eagle
In Laguna Niguel, CA @ The Niguel Botanical Preserve: Trail To Eagle
Today is Earth Day. Members of our team joined Earth Day celebrations over the weekend at the Niguel Botanical Preserve here in our hometown of Laguna Niguel.
As we hope all enjoy visits to our properties throughout the week, please enjoy this courtesy of @Ted on reflecting upon the 25 Top Ted Talks as we look forward to the properties with the weekly edition of Notations along with our Live Broadcast Pod and our Twitter Corner Updates:
Are schools killing creativity? What makes a great leader? How can I find happiness? These 25 talks are the ones that you and your fellow TED fans just can't stop sharing. Watch »
The Mueller Report is out--and it has been making the headlines. President Trump has been fundraising off it. We here present a sampling of all the discourse throughout the day as the report continues to be analyzed & discussed--as the debate may switch to impeachment even though it will not happen due to the total control the Republicans have in the United States Senate:
Washington, DC — The Indivisible Project’s national policy director Angel Padilla released the following statement in response to the release of the redacted Mueller report:
“The Mueller report is finally out thanks to the efforts from Indivisibles and grassroot activists who were relentless in their demands for transparency. Still, we are disappointed in the heavy redactions placed on the report and the many questions left unanswered. Congress must now press Barr to provide them with the full report and continue to investigate.
“It’s clear the White House would prefer to keep the public in the dark, and that Barr was specifically chosen for this reason. We fully support House Democrats utilizing their oversight and investigative powers to continue to get to the truth and to make it clear that no one is above the law.
“As we look to 2020 and beyond, one of Indivisible’s main priorities is to protect and expand our democracy by fighting for more transparency, more accountability and a bigger voice in our own government. The Mueller report is just one part of this fight. Nevertheless, we will continue demanding the truth.”
President Trump and his supporters sought to turn a page on his presidency, as Democrats continue to consider their options about how to respond to a special counsel’s report that detailed what they said was “alarming” behavior.
The Russian national said he has no ties to intelligence services and did not share internal Trump campaign polling data, which he described as “what one could find on RealClearPolitics.
The statements made by the caller added credence to complaints by Omar's supporters that the political fixation on her statements about 9/11 could amount to an incitement of violence.
Late last month, President Trump met with a group of Republican senators on Capitol Hill. He discussed a lot of topics, but his most memorable comment came when he called Trump-Russia special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation "two years of bullshit."
Now, the public has Mueller's 448-page report, and it tends to support the president's assessment.
We begin by simply saying thank you as we are privileged to serve. We also chose this uplifting and engaging message from MOAS that we've periodically featured in our properties--as we go dark through Easter Sunday, we wish all a fabulous Easter Week-End:
MOAS Director's Easter Message
This Easter, our Founder, Regina Catrambone, reflects on those who risk their lives in search of peace and safety
On Easter Day, we want to share a story of hope and solidarity. Earlier this month, MOAS delivered emergency supplies to the Sea-Eye vessel Alan Kurdi, which rescued 64 migrants on Wednesday 3rd of April, and was subsequently denied safe harbour in Europe for over a week. MOAS has stayed in touch with two women who were evacuated from the vessel and transferred to hospital in Malta.
On Tuesday 9th of April, as we were waiting for the go-ahead to deliver food, water, blankets, clothing and medication to the Alan Kurdi, we heard that a 34-year-old woman, whom we’ll callPatricia, had fallen unconscious and been evacuated to Malta. Knowing those on board were struggling to cope with their confinement at sea, we felt it was more urgent than ever to reach them and show them our solidarity. In the early hours of Wednesday morning, another evacuation took place: a 23-year-old pregnant woman suffering from seizures, whom we’ll call Beatrice, was also taken to hospital in Malta.
Since last Friday, the MOAS team has visited Patricia and Beatrice in hospital several times. It is clear they have appreciated the company, and the love that we have shown them; several hospital staff members have commented on the value of our visits, and the positive effects they have had on both women. On Palm Sunday, MOAS arranged for Patricia and Beatrice to receive holy communion, as they had expressed a strong Christian faith.
Patricia had been travelling with her sister, and Beatrice with her husband; both had also formed close bonds with the other women and the two small children on board. Throughout their time in hospital, they were desperate for news. They were overjoyed when we informed them that the rescued migrants had finally been allowed to disembark in Malta, and excited to be reunited with their families.
It is difficult for anyone to be separated from their loved ones, especially when feeling unwell. Considering the challenges that many have overcome to reach a place of safety, rescued migrants are particularly vulnerable to loneliness and isolation. At MOAS, we believe that a gesture of kindness can go a long way towards letting someone know that they are not alone – that others are thinking of them, and looking out for them.
MOAS co-founder and director Regina Catrambone says: “This Easter, our thoughts are with all the children, women and men who risk their lives to seek peace and security, and particularly those trapped in the hands of merciless traffickers. We also think of all those celebrating Easter around the world – particularly our team in Bangladesh, empowering Rohingya refugees to lead on preparations for the monsoon season, and our partners in Yemen, where we are delivering life-saving medical aid and famine relief.
Our mission at MOAS is to keep hope alive wherever it is needed the most. On Easter Day, we wish for a world where we all try our best to share the gestures of solidarity that can mitigate suffering and bring comfort to our most vulnerable brothers and sisters.”
The scenes of the Fire at Notre-Dame yesterday were heartbreaking to be witness to. We commend the valiant fire fighters in Paris on all that they were able to save. We were so pleased to see the commitment by Salma Hayek and her husband for $ 113 Million and the commitment by President Macron to rebuild the Notre-Dame. This is as this crossed our news wire on an upcoming international donors conference--We will assist in helping to spread the World on reconstruction in every which way as Notre-Dame is not just part of France, but the World--as we also hope France sees a period of calm and unity as we urge the yellow jackets to stand down:
Read more on France24.com