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9/11: A Day To Remember

Today is Patroits Day in the United States. For many of us who remember that day, it is a day to again remember all who fell on that horrible day. It is also to remember all who served and continue to serve on the fronlines of defense to insure that such a terrible day does not happen again.

I remember where I was on 9/11. To this date, I could not believe how all those events unfolded as it did. The World will continue to be faced with profound headwinds as it navigates through some very challenging political and economic minefields. I thought about Epictetus' admonition when he noted:


Difficulties show men what they are.
In case of any difficulty,
remember that God has pitted you against a
rough antagonist that may may be a conqueror,
and this cannot be without toil

What I find signficant in this is simple, yet profound: All of us must continue to dedicate ourselves to be stewards and work to leave this World a little better for our Children and Grandchildren. We must strive to come together and work ever more for a sense of common purpose. I reaffirm my committment to continue to develop "outsiders" in that spirit. I pray that the almighty continues to guide me in this endeavor.



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"Outtsiders" V-Thought For the Month (II)-August 2011

It has been a very busy month on the World Scene. Although I continue to be hopeful, the challenges continue to remain.

I have been thinking about the wars the US continues to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. I undestand that the Adminstration has told us that combat operations have ended in Iraq, but the reality is far from it. Just within the past 24 hours, Iraqi insurgents attacked the largest Sunni Mosque in Baghdad on the eve of Eid-Al-Ftr, one of the holiest days in Islam.

What I find tragic is that such attacks go against the essence of Islam. But, what has to be understood is that many such after-effects are the result of an ill-conceived policy that began back almost 10 years ago. It is also sad to see former Vice President Cheney and others continue to attempt to rewrite history for their own shortcomings.


9/11 is upon us. We have to truly work to reassess where we are and how we should transform our World. I yearn for those men like Dr. King who spoke out so eloquently against the evil that ate away at America's Soul--Vietnam:



The truths that Dr King spoke about is ever more true now. We have to speak out for brotherhood, for peace and justice. I find it so sickening when I see people like Frank Gafney, Steve Emerson and others have been given a free reign to preach fear of Islam--instead of promoting brotherhood and peace. I find it of profound concern when those who dissent are somehow branded as traitors by the so-called super patrioits who claim to embrace America while they seem to forget the very ideals that shaped America.

There is one challenge here and now: Will America be able to truly transform itself or not?




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"Outsiders" Af-Pak Watch (8/15/2011): Reflections...

Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to be a challenges for the United States. I have decided to launch a weekly series here in "outsiders" to focus on Af-Pak becuase of the war that continues to rage on.

A day does not pass without someone dying or some bomb goes off in some part of Pakistan. Pakistan just celebrated its' indepedence. There were claims by the Adminstration noting how there were no collateral damage as the drone attacks continue on in Pakistan. Reporting by the Bureau of Investigative Journalists has noted how the US launches a drone attack on an average every 4 days. What I found especially disturbing was the death of 168 Children as noted in this report:

Really Long Link

UNICEF (The United Nations Children Fund) has noted that one child dying is one child too many. What is also even more tragic about Pakistan is how the Country continues to be at the edge of the abyss. There is no functioning Government that has any sort of crediblity left. Beyond Pakistan itself, there is the continued problem in Afghanistan.

I am amazed to see all the "happy talk" coming out of Washington about how things are going well. The reality, unfortunately, is otherwise. The manifestation of it was the death of the 30 US Seal Team members and the seven Afghan Commandoes. The President noted that the war in Afghanistan was not the same as Vietnam. All indications I have seen are contrary. The war is costing the US some Ten Billion Dollars a month with no end in site despite the decision that has been made to drawn down the troops. US is winning the battles and has made inroads. This has been done at considerable cost. But when there is no credible partner in Afghanistan to pick up the slack, all of this would have been for nothing.

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"Outsiders" Media Watch (7/25/2011): What a Change....

The Media around the World is fascinating. As someone who is a self-professed "New Media" practitioner, I view the changes as dizzying and continue to be amazed as to the changes going on.

As I write this, Al Jazeera is playing live in the background thru Livestation. Everyone has grown to appreciate and understand the power of Al Jazeera. When Hillary Clinton acknowledged the power of Al Jazeera and how it has grown to be the change agent, one understands the power of it ever more. This, of course, has given rise to what Prince Alaweed is trying to do with Rupert Murdoch's help to serve as an alternative due to the expanding partnership they have established through Prince Alaweed's hodlings in News Corp and the cross ownership by News Corp in Rotana


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"Outsiders" Thought 4 the Week: As America Celebrates the 4th of July....

Today is Independence Day in the United States. There will be celebrations throughout the United States. But, as it celebrates this day, America continues to be at a crossroads. This is ever more crucial as contenders for the Presidency try to advocate their vision for their view of Constitutional Government.

As this debate continues, I hope that the current contenders all remember what Jefferson said of the need to change with the times


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"Outsiders" Economy Watch (7/3/2011): Navigating Thru the Minefields...

The Economy Watch will be a regular feature here going forward. As I wrote earlier KP's sister site, Outsider Views, the second half of 2011 promises to be a very challenging one especially in light of the fact that the United States will be in Election Season Mode and hardly anything will get done. This is as the prospect of a US Default looms ever more.

The Republicans have been on the record pushing for deep cuts in Federal Spending. They have been against any tax hikes, arguing that their effect on the Economy will be detrimental. This is, of course, as the Economy continues to grind to a halt. The analysis that John Mauldin did in his "View from the Frontlines" newsletter is scary enough. But there are rays of hope if the politicans have the courage to step up and make the tough choices


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"Outsiders" is Three Years Old This Week!!!



Today marks the third year of "Outsiders". It has been a very interesting and challenging year, to say the least


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"Outsiders" Tech Watch (6/8/2011): The Gang of Four & Other Thoughts

It has been quite a year. But it seems as if that we continue to break down and milestones all the time.

I begin with what happened this past Monday. Steve Jobs emerged from his Medical Leave to roll out iCloud and iOs5. Although the services are not available til the fall, the idea was to simply make the ipod, the ipad and the iphone platform indepedent by allowing the data to reside in the "cloud". I thought Steve Jobs' "description' of the traditional View of the Cloud was quite interesting--but I think those of us who seem to try and get what is going with the h technology are of the view that there is truly more to the "Cloud"than simply it being a "disk in the sky". The idea of further music and document collaboration is also quite fascinating as the deadline of the fall rollout approaches


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The War on Drugs

There is always a fascination with War. I have never understood it and will not claim to do so. But there is one War that I have been particularly against--and finally someone has come out to actually say that it has been a failure.

The War on Drugs was launched over forty years ago to eradicate the scurge and cancer of drugs. Billions upon billions have been spent on this so-called War and thousands of the best, brightest and bravest of us have fallen in this so-called War. What I find very very strange is how the usage has gone up despite this so-called War


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"Outsiders" Americas Watch (5/7/2011): Scary Times!!!

I begin this editoin of the "Americas Watch" by noting a sobering statistic: 44.6 Million Americans rely on some sort of Food Assistance from the Government. This is as Unemployment Claims has hit new highs, housing continues to be anemic and the decision by the Fed to stop its so called QE2 (The quantitive Easing Mechansim).

A recent comment by the CEO of Walmart was quite telling: His customers are running out of money. The increase in the price of gas has begun to take a real bite out of the average ordinary guy who shops at Walmart everyday. This is as the clamour for budget cuts gathers momentum. I caught excerpts of a recent speech by the newest Republican "Boy Wonder" Paul Ryan noting that he felt that "Sound money" was the ultiamte objective by working to bring the fiscal house in order


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"Outsiders" NewsFlash: Bin Ladin Is Dead!!

As I write this, I am monitoring CNN noting that Osama Bin Ladin has been killed and the US has his body. According to reports, he was killed in a Drone Attack outside Islamabad. This is a huge development that will have profound implications.

More to come!!!
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KP Media Watch (4/27/2011); What a Way To Start off!!!

I launch this with a bang!! Olbermann is back with a vengenance.

For those who may not remember, Olbermann abruptly left MSNBC and thereafter struck a deal with Current.TV, Al Gore's TV startup to take over News Operations. His Countdown program has found a new home. He is due to go on the air June 20


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Taking a Little Time.....

As Spring is before us, I'd be taking a 30-Day Sabbatical to reflect upon the work here and in the sister sites of Outsiders. It has been quite a Quarter with all that has gone on around the World. I have been witness to history and am grateful for the opportunity beyond Words.

I wanted to conclude this brief thought by citing the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi


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Another Tragic Killing

I read with great horror about the killing of an Israeli Settler Family by Palestinians. This latest killing is just one example of the continued bloodshed that continues on with no end in sight. But the Government of Israel responded to this tragic event by approving more building settlements.

The tragedy in Palestine continues on with no end in sight. The true realities are such that two states residing side-by-side is becoming increasingly impossible to achieve. The peace process is all but dead in name only. This will not be in the interests of the State of Israel. Who will have the vision and the boldness to break out of this impasse? Who will be Rabin who shook the hands of Arafat? Will we see the day that people will come together or not


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