As A New Week Dawns: Thoughts On #Outsiders & Mrs. Reagan.....

It is the dawn of a new week and our team has been busy with a series of notations and views of the week.   It has been quite a busy weekend and our team is on the prowl with the daily watch #hashtags.  But, it was also a bit of a sad weekend as I begin this week though in my own "corner" with a personal thought on the passing of Nancy Reagan.    The Former First Lady passed away from congestive heart failure this weekend at the age of 94.   

I had profound disagreements with President Reagan from a policy perspective.   However, I could not help but underscore how he worked to bridge differences and make courageous decisions.   For instance, I  viewed his decision to raise taxes as courageous that went against conservative orthodoxy.  I viewed his courageous stance against the NRA as principled.   I even view his attempt at an opening to Iran in 1986 as courageous as well.       For me, the power behind what made
I personally had profound disagreements with President Reagan from a policy perspective.   However, I could not help but underscore how he worked to bridge differences and make courageous decisions.   For instance, I viewed his decision to raise taxes as courageous that went against conservative orthodoxy.  I viewed his courageous stance against the NRA as principled.   I even view his attempt at an opening to Iran in 1986 as courageous as well.       For me, the power behind what made Reagan Reagan was Mrs Reagan.  It was ultimately a love story that sustained Ronald Reagan in good times and tough times--especially as Ronald Reagan came out with his letter announcing his disease and the long goodbye. --which again underscored a sense of courage that is at the heart of leadership today.   

As I was working on supporting the network,  I just saw this from the Office of the Speaker and think that it is a fitting tribute to one of the pivotal persons who served America.  .  May her Soul RIP: 

Mrs. Reagan March 7, 2016  |  Speaker Paul Ryan  |  http://spkrryan.us/1M2ZiIc On January 20, 1989, after the new president was sworn in, President and Mrs. Reagan departed Washington from the East Front of the Capitol Building. Today, at my request, flags above the Capitol fly at half-staff in honor of her memory.  President Reagan could not have achieved all he did without Nancy. She brought a sense of grace and dignity to the White House, and the times. She showed us all the meaning of devotion throughout his presidency, and his long goodbye.  This was her service. It was her way of giving back.  The people’s House extends its condolences to the Reagan family and offers its prayers on the passing of a great American. Flags at the U.S. Capitol fly at half-staff in honor of Nancy Reagan's memory.

Working Away: On #outsiders This Week & @SabbathManifesto

It has been admittedly a challenging week in #outsiders with team members down with the flu and as all took queue from me noting how "virtually breathless they all were".     As our team finished the latest notations, one exciting one I was happy about was their selection of one of my favorite groups: Shakatak as selections were featured on our properties.

As I have been finishing off some brief thoughts, I just saw a tweet from the Guardian that Ben Carson has officially dropped out of the Presidential Race.   It will be quite a show to be witness too--no question.  As I was supporting the team with some of the other initiatives including Brexit (the subject of a future notation), what shocked me was that the former President of Brazil was detained in a widening corruption probe.    This is as I was also reviewing reports this week on the rather obscene brithday celebration by the dictator of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe.    Mugabe was one of the original focus points as I launched what has eventually evolved into #outsiders today--more on that soon.

Beyond our World, there is also another interesting event before us--The National Day of Unplugging.   I hope I can live up to this 24 hours--Please check out what they are up to by visiting here--as I hope to be "dark" to live up to this (and as I hope our team is as well!!!):

Wishing you all a great weekend:

On This First Day of March......

March is before us here in #Outsiders.   As our team has been on the "prowl", I just got word that Jim Kinney, the co-founder of AOL, passed away.    What in many ways AOL began is why we are here.  May he RIP.

I also saw this I received from a friend  I ran across this from a friend on a very challenging story that I hope to pursue further:

TED release; PBS interview & article: My 665 Days in Prison in the U.S. View in your browser

Mahmoud Reza Banki - My 665 days in prison: Full video TED Week at UCLA Anderson

Since this journey began about six years ago and not by choice, we have come a long way; you have come a long way with me. Releasing of this video from TED Week at UCLA Anderson embodies much of what I not only believe but also lived through for 22 months in prison. I consider it a significant attempt for me and all of you who have stood by me or taken part to make a difference. I ask you to watch & share it; let’s raise awareness; let’s spark change. Thank YOU! Three updates from this weekend - please share to spark change:   TED video released: https://youtu.be/twTpuIF9Fhc Article on PBS Newshour: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/despite-nuclear-deal-collateral-damage-of-sanctions-snares-iranian-americans/# Interview with PBS Newshour: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/enforcing-iran-sanctions-still-tangles-iranian-americans-in-spiders-web-of-laws/

My 665 days in prison – Full TED video releasewww.RezaStory.com On the day I was released from prison in California, after 665 days of incarceration, a host of emotions raced through my mind: on the one hand I should have been happy to be finally free; on the other hand I kept asking myself: ‘why did it take so long?’ Previously I sent out the note below along with a one-minute TED video teaser. Since then I have spoken at the Renaissance Weekend, completed my fourth LA Marathon promoting the cause, taken part in the Bipartisan Summit on Criminal Justice Reform in DC, and spoken before various audiences on this important cause of justice and how we as a nation can do better. It is now time to tell the full story.  The full version of my TED video is now live for the first time: https://youtu.be/twTpuIF9Fhc  I need your help! Our country and your future need your help! To raise awareness and to improve our criminal justice system. The president also highlighted this need in his State of the Union address: “[Let’s] reform the criminal justice system so it protects and serves all of us.” Many others have also recently joined the movement to improve our justice system. Take part! I am asking you to share this video and my story with your family, friends and colleagues; with lawyers, journalists, news outlets; advocacy groups, media and politicians; and to get the word out on social media by sharing on Facebook, Twitter, and other channels; let’s raise awareness; let’s spark change. More information on my case available at: www.RezaStory.com I have always felt extremely lucky to have made it this far and to be here. I’m also lucky to be heard and to reach others through your support; let’s make a difference one person at a time. No one should suffer injustice in the ‘land of the free’. M. Reza Banki.PhD.MBA Email: mreza.banki@gmail.com Twitter: @MRezaBanki #RezaStory Facebook: M. Reza Banki www.RezaStory.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------