Thursday, October 8, 2015

On The Prowl For the Day (With Updated Comments on Late Breaking Developments)

It has been quite a morning already in Washington.    It is ever so worrisome as our team has been assessing the aftermath of Congressman Kevin McCarthy dropping out of the race to replace the House Speaker.   It was horrifying to me personally as I heard one of the members of the House Freedom Caucus on changes that is necessary and I noted now the "Tyranny of the Minority" seems to be the order of the day in Washington right now.    It is of profound concern as the nature of Government is itself and the issue of Governing itself.  I went into the #Outsider archives to assess the "Conservative" read on why the Speaker resigned--although he did issue a statement that he will stay until a new House Speaker is elected--and as Donald Trump just "chimmed" in taking credit by saying how everything is a "mess" in Washington: 

The Daily Signal
Sept. 25, 2015
NEWS

6 Times John Boehner Clashed With Conservatives


John Boehner, who announced he would leave Congress by the end of October, was elected as House speaker in 2011. He's clashed with conservatives on several occasions since then.
Read More
NEWS

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich Explains Why John Boehner Resigned

Gingrich left the speakership in 1999 with members of Congress frustrated by his leadership, similar to the circumstances facing Boehner.
Watch the Video
NEWS

37 Tweets About John Boehner's Resignation

Twitter was buzzing Friday morning as news spread about Boehner's resignation.
Read More
NEWS

Flashback: John Boehner Boasted of 'Broad Support' Just Two Months Ago

Facing a motion to remove him as speaker, Boehner pushed back at his critics in July.
Watch the Video
NEWS

Meet the Man Who Challenged John Boehner's Speakership

The Daily Signal visited Rep. Mark Meadows last month while home in his Western North Carolina district. He reflected on his decision to present a motion to oust Boehner.
Read More
COMMENTARY

I am glad to see Peter King of New York notes how Donald Trump is a "funny guy", but this is not a funny matter--and so glad he's noting that America is turning into a "banana republic".    The Tyranny of the Minority is ever so in evidence--and it is of profound concern.

Beyond the National Concern our team is focused on,  I have also been assessing some late breaking developments here in our home base of Orange County about a shortage of Skills that Orange County seems to be facing which we will talk about in our Community Channel.   It is also of note that Cities have begun the process of recruiting for Commisions and Committees.  The City of Laguna Niguel has already begun the process and other will be following suite.

As I was supporting the work of #Outsiders and other projects, I could not help but wonder about this admonition and whether the  +GOP  can truly live up to the admonition noted below--This is why I am supporting #Outsiders so that the conversation can be changed:


 My basic principle is that you don't make decisions because they are easy; you don't make them because they are cheap; you don't make them because they're popular; you make them because they're right. ~ Sophocles

Monday, October 5, 2015

As A New Week Dawns in #Outsiders: On-Going Thoughts.....

It was quite a busy weekend throughout #Outsiders as we "hit the Virtual Ground Running".  On the Business front, I was personally not too surprised as Walmart continued to rightsize and American Apparel declared bankrupcy.    It was also tragic to see the demise of Haagan's that will result in some 11 stores closing in Orange County.   I will never forget the face of a long-time Vons employee who decided to stay with Haagan's.    Yet, Albertson is planning to go public.

I was quite proud to see the City of Laguna Niguel announcing a "Jr. Statesman" program which our team will be releasing an update in our Community Channel, South County Matters, within the next day or so.   I have also been quite amazed at how the City of Laguna Niguel has been so committed to the safety of Pedestrians as the Community gears up for National Walk-To-School Day and the on-going Community Service Initaitive for Pedestrians on-going at the Traffic Commision which I currently serve as the Vice Chair.   It is also exciting times in South County as the developments of the Downtowns in Mission Viejo, Dana Point and Laguna Niguel continue 

I have also been quite interested in the race for the House Speaker as I saw this from the Heritage Foundation's Daily Caller:

The Daily Signal
Oct. 5, 2015
NEWS

Meet the Underdog Republican Running for Speaker of the House


House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy may have emerged as the frontrunner in the race for speaker of the House, but Florida Rep. Daniel Webster is emboldening his Republican colleagues to buck leadership's status quo in favor of a new approach to legislating.
Read More

NEWS

Jason Chaffetz Announces Speaker Bid: Americans Don't Want 'Status Quo,' but for 'Us to Fight'


"We were entrusted by the American people with the largest majority the Republicans have ever had since Babe Ruth was swinging the baseball bat."
Read More


I think the Fortune's Geoff Colvin was rigtht in his daily "Power sheet" that our team has featured as part of its' on-going curation in the Education Channel that the outgoing Speaker, John Boehner can make history.     What I found disturbing was this comment by Jason Chaffetz that the American People want them to "fight".   I respectfully disagree with it--The American People want you guys to govern.       I was not too impressed with Mr. Chaffetz during the planned parenthood meeting as he ended the meeting with a chart supposedly from Planned Parenthood--which ended up being from an Anti-Abortion Organization.       On the Presidential Front, I am amazed by the continued rise of Senator Sanders as he draws bigger and bigger crowds.    

Beyond the beauty and majesty of Orange County and the challenges of US Politics, it is also a World that is burning around us.    One interesting piece of news was (and our team will be working to assess it) was the agreement on the Transpacific Partnership that would create a free trade zone with 11 countries that encompass 40% of the World's Trade (and encompass the Countries of "NASIIM" we're rolling out).      There is also the inferno of the Middle East too.      Russia is now "all in" in Syria as Israel again is under siege and potentially facing a third Intifada by Palestinians.    This Haaretz Editorial I saw was quite telling in how the Israeli Prime Minister was taken to task:


An article has been sent to you from Haaretz.com:

There is no question Israel Matters--and this interesting tidbit our team was analyzing underscored this:

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It will be quite an interesting week......

Friday, October 2, 2015

Working Away & remembering ever to "Dance"......

The new quarter has gotten off ot a fast and furious start.    Our team was busy with the Musical Interlude this week with Herb Alpert as it also finished Notations on the horrific tragedy in Oregon earlier.    I also caught President Obama's News Conference that was quite a tour-de-force on Syria, Gun Violence and lessons learnt on the Visit of the Holy Father that our team had the privilege to comment on--about being better and the urge and need to serve--and the need to be responsible in Government.     

As I had the privilege to support the work of #Outsiders, I also took a moment of pause to once again borrow from the archive that the team has of thoughts from a must read for us:  +Jonathan Huie  which I wanted to share with all that goes to the heart of the purpose of life:


 


When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor.
It's to enjoy each step along the way.
- Wayne Dyer

Life may not be the party we hoped for,
but while we are here we might as well dance.
- Anonymous