Notations On Our World (Special Y-End #2017 Edition): As We Prepare To Go "Dark" For #2017.......

Happy Holidays:  Christmas Songs Playlist on Spotify

It is a joyful time as we are again grateful to the team at the Mission for this honoring one of our team's favorite characters;  Peanuts!!!   We are  ever so grateful for all the opportunities we have had over the past year as we hope all continue to embrace our adventure .

It was quite a week as we were witness to the the Noble Peace Prize being awarded to ICAN , President Trump announced the move of the US Embassy to Jerusalem and we were able to be witness to the 24 Hours of Reality.  For us, it was especially poignant as Southern California that we have the privilege to call home, was  encircled by a ring of fire.  California's Governor underscored the fact that such fires prompted by Climate Change will be the New Normal.   This is why what the Climate Reality Project, 350.Org and other organizations do is ever so critical.   This is as the Tax Bill was on its' way to becoming law.   

We had the pleasure to release a Notation on it  and we are pleased to present this snapshot on the Kit which we hope all will embrace for the future of the planet: 

We hope you're enjoying this year's 24 Hours of Reality, broadcasting live across the globe! We know that when our world is in danger, we have to speak up. That’s why we’ve created Be the Voice of Reality: 12 Ways to Make a Difference, an action kit that offers concrete steps you can take today to protect tomorrow. Check it out here.  DOWNLOAD NOW Download the kit now and join a powerful movement of committed climate activists across the world. We’ve seen the climate crisis impact communities from New York to New Delhi and everywhere in between. We know that solutions exist, and that people want a more sustainable world. It’s time to create community, inspire hope, and take action. No one is going to solve the climate crisis for us. If we want a sustainable future for our families and our planet, we’ve got to be the voice of reality. Download our free Be the Voice of Reality: 12 Ways to Make a Difference action kit now. Thank you for all that you do! - Your friends at Climate Reality

BE THE VOICE OF REALITY: 12 WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE DOWNLOAD THE ACTION KIT NOW TAKE ACTION

As we "go dark" through the end of the year, our team will continue periodic "curation" of our Twitter Channel as we also hope all enjoy our live Broadcast Pod featuring Al Jazeera.   As we commend ICAN for its' win of the Noble Peace Prize, ,  we view this small clip courtesy of ICAN that underscores a sense of humanity and a sense of purpose as epitomized as the World celebrated the 70th Anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Human Rights:     

There was also this "business Perspective' courtesy of Industry Week which we wanted to feature that we received in our Virtual Newsroom:

About Trump: What Resonated With You As the first President without a background in politics or the military, Donald J. Trump was sure to rely on his business background in his new role as leader of the United States. The results delighted some and disappointed others. Nearly a year into his administration here are some of the most read stories by you. Also check our Trump and Manufacturing Section for our other coverage. Breaking Down the $250 Billion China Deals Trump Got for America For those keeping score, the energy and transportation sectors appear to be winners. Trump Might Be Right About the Trade Deficit With Canada President Donald Trump asserted again that the U.S. runs "a pretty good trade deficit" with Canada. The claim was quickly rebuffed by Canada's ambassador to the U.S., David MacNaughton. So, what is it? A surplus? Or a deficit? Trump Picks Up Baton from Obama in Crushing China Steel Imports If there's one thing Donald Trump and Barack Obama have in common, it's their ability to crush once-soaring Chinese steel imports. Tesla's Future in Trump's World Although Trump said he would rescind "job-destroying" environmental regulations within 100 days of taking office and revive U.S. coal, the impact on the renewable energy revolution may be limited. Trump's Carrier Victory Is the US Economy's Loss: Commentary  Using the power of the presidency to micromanage companies is an awful idea.

This is as the US Burden is ever so which will be a focus of ours during 2018:

Onward to 2018 with all its possibilities :

Notations On Our World (Special Edition): Homeless Persons' Interreligous Memorial Service

210 Of our Fellow Homeless Brothers and Sisters lost their lives during 2017.   Our Community here in Orange County will remember those fallen souls this coming Thursday as we celebrate the Holidays:

Notations From the Grid (Special Weekly Edition): As #2017 Draws to a Close...

Our team picked this up courtesy  of the New York Times' Upshot team on the pending Tax Cut Bill:

How the new tax system will affect people depends on a few key variables. Here's a way to estimate. https://t.co/CVHwENvmLe pic.twitter.com/4MavyELw0D

— The Upshot (@UpshotNYT) December 17, 2017

It was a result of quite a bit of compromise to secure the votes of a number of US Senators including Marco Rubio who was a last minute holdout and the Republicans are confident they will be able to pass it.    We also understood from reports late on Sunday that Senator McCain will miss the vote due to the aftermath of recovery from Chemotherapy.   In our View, the Guidance from the Congressional Budget Office was of special note as  "...According to CBO’s and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation’s (JCT) estimates, enacting H.R. 1 would reduce revenues by about $1,649 billion and decrease outlays by about $194 billion over the period from 2018 to 2027, leading to an increase in the deficit of $1,455 billion over the next 10 years. Those estimates do not incorporate the effects of macroeconomic feedback...."    .  

In addition to the Tax Debate, One of the biggest decisions that came down was the rejection of Net Neutrality by the US Federal Communications Commission despite profound opposition--including we here are the Daily Outsider.    However, what Politico Noted was also very critical:

5 things Trump did this week while you weren't looking https://t.co/lBnJ4FNcFI pic.twitter.com/chv9u0Ik4j

— POLITICO (@politico) December 16, 2017

Our team has also been assessing the moves by Judicial Watch.  One move they made was to file suit against California regarding Voting:

Judicial Watch sent a notice-of-violation letter in August 2017 threatening to sue California and certain of its counties over violations of the National Voter Registration Act. California was one of 12 states to receive such letters from JW. (4/6)https://t.co/35Hs3wHINp

— Judicial Watch 🔎 (@JudicialWatch) December 13, 2017

On the Foreign Policy Front, the War of Words intensified between the United States and Iran in the aftermath of UN Ambassador Nikki Haley's Speech in Washington which prompted a retort from the Iranian Foreign Minister over Twitter this past week:

On the very day US regurgitates Saudi & Emirati propaganda on #Yemen, #CAR report confirms US & Saudi weapons end up in the hands of ISIS. With this U.S. administration, it seems hypocrisy knows no bounds. https://t.co/Gf7kAwieTE

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) December 15, 2017

Beyond the immediate challenges, we are looking to 2018 as We were witness to quite a #2017.   These images below captured the beauty, the majesty and the tragedies of our World during 2017 and we send a Virtual Thanks to the team at Reuters for their Choice and the team at China Daily for having featured it that we're privileged to feature here as we prepare to go dark for the year:   

China : A Salute 

United States: The Great Eclipse 

Europe: The Beauty of Greece 

Iraq:  The Battle For Mosul 

United States:  Muslim Ban Protests in Dallas 

United States:  New York City Marathon 

Europe:  A White Muse On a Stroll in Sweden 

As we went to press, President Trump was speaking on a major shift in US National Security Policy as 2018 Looms.     

It is bound to be a very interesting 2018....