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Some Final Thoughts as We Look to 2012......


Over the past three weeks, I have been thinking about the year that has passed. 2011 has been quite a year. The pace of change and the actions have been nothing less than spectacular. When the final history is written, 2011 will be remembered as very much a transformational year in many ways.


As I look to 2012, I find It is tough to be hopeful as people continue dying around the World of hunger and disease. I continue to be horrified by the events in Syria, in Mexico and Nigeria. I am horrified by what might happen to Iraq and Afghanistan in 2012. Pakistan is in as unstable a situation as ever. Imran Khan's rally in Karachi may well be a sign of things to come in how a potential third way can be possible. This is as the economic depravation around the World continues on with no apparent end in sight.

The images of London, Machester and Liverpool in flames was shocking. The demonstrations in Greece and Spain underscored the breakdown in the old Europe. This was as reports coming out noting 6 members of the Walmart Family control more wealth than 93 Million Americans, it gives further fuel to the discontent that seems to be the order of the day. When reports are coming out about the rise in childhood hunger and homeless in the United States, it presents a profound problem that whomever wins in November 2012 in the United States.

Despite all that has gone on around the World, those of us who write about our World and think about a World that beyond the here and now, I have to remain hopeful and optimistic. I see no other way for one simple reason: A fundemental belief in the goodness of the Human Spirit that would overcome any challenge. This is as I take my annual sabbatical to do my quarterrly assessment and gear up for the new year at "Outsiders" starting Feburary 1, 2012.


Happy New Year!!!


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"Outsiders" 2011 Year End in Review (Vol 5): On the Media

As I have continued my assessment of the Year that has just passed, I begin with what happend to the Murdoch Empire. The Murodoch Empire was under siege for quite some time as it became apparent how it went about gathering news.

Fox News, The Murdochs' US Arm, is the dominant news organization that caters to the Conservative Right. What I have found quite amazing is how many have noted how US Republican Presidential Candidates not only must go through a primary process for the party nomination, but also a "Fox News Primary". This clearly underscores the power that the network does indeed have to help set the tempo for what conservatives think and believe.

Beyond Fox, I was continually fascinated by the rise of the alternative media. Current TV made its' move this year to be the true alternative media when it become Keith Olbermann's new home for his program, Countdown. It became the anchor of a whole series of programs--including Vangaurd and the Young Turks whose sole efforts have been to fashion another narrative that apparently is to counter the current mainstream narrative coming out of the established media. The established media--CNN/MSNBC/etc.--have been playing it safe and have featured many of the "conventional" analysts that seem to not play up to their true efforts to be the 4th Estate. With the start of the "War Room w/Jennifer Granholm", It will be interesting to what Current does for the new year.

There have been many stories that have not had much "play" in the US mainstream media. For instance, the Bradley Manning Story has hardly had any play in the mainstream media. Bradley Manning was the US Army Private who leaked hundreds of thousands of documents to Wikileaks that ignited a firestrom which is yet to be fully be realized. One of the many documents I reviewed was a very courageous cable from Karl Einkenberry, the Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan, who basically called Karzai a useless idiot. It also pointed out the real truth that US diplomats had reported out on despots like Bin Ali and Mubarak that in some ways helped to trigger the transformation that is yet to play itself out in the Middle East.

Out of all the key media outlets, the one that has fascinated me the most was the Guardian of London. They made their name exposing Murdoch, called out the true nature of the Russian State under Putin and even went as far as to live blog the Bradley Manning hearing. They also took front and center in the coverage of Environmental Issues during the Durban Conference. I have also been quite fascinated by the courageous efforts by the Electronic Intifida that has worked quite dilligently to lay out the challenges faced by Palestinians in trying to fashion an existence while dealing with the continued onslaught by Israel. They have shown how the power of alternative media can at least be a force to be reckoned with.

2012 is bound to be another year of transformation. It is bound to be a year that the traditional media will continue to struggle as alternative media continues to gain a foothold. It will also see Governments working to figure out ways to yet again control the flow of information and stiffle free expression. It is truly bound to be a transformational year indeed.

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2011: The Year In Review (The Launch)

It has been quite a year!!!!

I have been trying to to catch my breath as I launch the "Year-In-Review" here and now. Between the Arab Spring, changes in Africa and Russia, the continued challenges of Climate Change, the US Political Scene, the continued economic calamity, The "occupy" Movement, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Iran, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Pakistan, Europe's Economic Meltdown, the Media and continued technological transformations--I view it as nothing less than Breathtaking.

I have been taking stock of the year and will be launching the Year in Review here and in KP's sister sites, Outsider Views and Smooth Political. I begin this by noting this contention that the Guardian of London recently published and I received this via a Guardian Tweet:

@guardian: Political Islam poised to dominate the new world bequeathed by Arab spring, writes @petersbeaumont http://t.co/Ei4jneUu

The rise of Political Islam seems to be a reality whether the West likes it or not.

Stay Tuned!!!
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"Outsiders" Economy Watch (11/24/2011): Scary Times

I begin this edition of the Economy Watch with earnings from HP. HP is one of the leading technology companies of the World which had a very challenging year before it appointed Meg Whitman as its' new CEO. She announced a 91% drop in its' earnings and told investors that 2012 will be a very tough year.

Why is the outlook for HP important? Because HP is an indication of what is potentially on tap for the World in 2012. Europe, for all intent and purpose, is pretty much broke. Germany had its' worst bond sale since the launch of the Europe.. Spain and Italy have been paying record rates for their bonds. France's Credit rating is in danger of being downgraded. Britain's growth has stalled and it may even enter recession in 2012. Portugal, right now, is bracing for a general strike to protest austerity measures that is taking a tough toll on the people


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"Outsiders" Tech Watch News Flash (9/21/2011): The F8 Conference

Facebook's F8 Conference is starting Thursday. Facebook is approaching a Billion Customers--and it should be quite exciting:


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KU Tech Watch (9/20/2011): The Future

Over the past week or so, there has been new developments on the Tech Front. What I have decided to do is to dedicate the next number of months to think about the future and to build upon the top 25 trends outlined by leading thinkers in the Tech World as reported in the May 9, 2011 Edition of Network World. They are as follows:

1) You Will Talk to Your Computers ( Bernie Meyerson of IBM


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KU Tech Watch (9/15/2011): Life Goes On!!!

Since My last "Tech Watch" bulletin, a lot has been going on and I have struggled to assess where things are. What is cool about technology is that it is always evolving and changing-.

Let's begin with what Microsoft has done with Windows 8


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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


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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


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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


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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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