On the Eve of Thanksgiving In the United States.....

We here @ #Outsiders have decided to go "dark" for Thanksgiving week here in the United States to reflect upon our World.      Our team will be "on the prowl" though with the daily twitter curation on our key "hastag" watches including #Daesh, #India, #China, #uselections, #Europe & #americas as we gear up for #COP21 (The United Nations Climate Change Conference) and formally launch "NASIIM".

As we go "dark" for thanksgiving week, we wanted to feature this from +Jonathan Huie that underscores what we must be thankful for and simply underscore the need to do our best and do what we can to make a difference--it is ever so critical not to forget especially with the profound challenges we are faced with.

From all of us to all in the United States, Happy Thanksgiving as we step back to be ever so thankful and appreciative as we leave you all with this to "always think about tomorrow":

Notations For the Week-End: On A Challenging Week, #COP21 & Other Thoughts....

As we write this, we have been asssesing the continued profound challenge in the aftermath of the #ParisAttacks.    Belgium's Government has urged its' residents in its' capital to stay indoors becuase it is saying that it has credible evidence of attacks simliar to Paris.    The Metro has shut down and major events have been cancelled.   This is as Mali saw its' worst attack since the French Intervention as a major hotel was attacked.    Gunmen went through floor by floor killing indiscrementanly.   We felt that the Economist yet again was on the case as it noted how the menace of #Daesh must be fought on every front:

Paris

How to fight back

The battle against    must be waged on every front

Nov 19th 2015

See the full article
http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21678785-battle-against-islamic-state-must-be-waged-every-front-how-fight-back?fsrc=email_to_a_friend

We join the World congratulate France as it will go on with plans to host #COP21.  What is gratifying to be witness to is the advent of #COP21 that is before us beginning November 30.  Over 100 World Leaders and other leading figures in the World will converge on Paris to assess climate change.     Our team will be "on the prowl" assessing proceedings on it.   The Guardian has been also on the prowl and our team received this here at our Virtual Studios which is a nice little "primer" on how to keep track of #COP21 as a Global Day of Action will commence on November 29    Our team will be on hand at events in Southern California.

	The crucial UN climate summit in Paris is now just three short weeks away. Here's a sneak preview of some of the coverage the Guardian has planned for the coming weeks - with alterations and extras based on requests from readers and Keep it in the Ground supporters: Before the talks.  We will give you the history of the talks and background you need to understand why the negotiations are playing out as they are. We will also introduce you to the movers and shakers at the talks. What outcome are they pushing for and why? Readers Rick Bazeley, Robert Humphries and many others wanted us to help make sense of the data on individual countries and how their pledges measure up. We've already acted on that. This major data interactive explains what each country is offering and how those pledges measure up. Is it enough?  Earnie Tuck and Karen Parlette asked which countries are putting serious pledges on the table, while Louise Power and David Feith asked whether countries are being ambitious enough to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. So far, the answer is no. But as the talks approach we'll provide more analysis of what all this means and whether it is enough to stop planetary disaster. At the talks.  Our team of reporters in Paris will stick closely to the key delegations and explain the progress of the talks - and what it all means. On the most significant days we'll run live blogs so you can follow events as they unfold. Many of the nearly 2000 Keep it in the Ground supporters who responded to our survey last month said they wanted us to go beyond reporting what was happening at the talks and get deeper into the underlying motivations of the actors. What are the hidden obstacles to a deal? What are the vested interests in the background? One supporter from Wales summed it up as "the truth instead of spin please". Cities, businesses and regions. Traditionally, the talks are a venue for major announcements from companies, city mayors and others about projects that will contribute to the goal of a low carbon global economy. Our reporters help sift the bold plans from the greenwash. Protests and activism.  Many readers don't just want information, they want to know how they can influence the process. "How can we, the public, make sure essential changes happen?" asked Kim Hunt, while Sheila Wright wanted to know who she should lobby to make her voice heard. We will make this an important strand of our coverage. Outside the conference halls, many environmental NGOs, trade unions, faith groups and others will be protesting for a strong deal. Much of that activism will take place in Paris but there will also be events around the world, not least the Global Climate March on 29th November. You can find your local event here. Developing world.  A deal is only likely to stick if it is fair to developing countries that have done little to cause climate change but who will suffer the worst consequences. We've sent Guardian environment editor John Vidal to the Mekong river to look at the impacts on food, water and forests in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Around the world.  During the two weeks of the conference, commentator George Monbiot will write a series of pieces about the impacts around the world that the media often misses. Here's a taster. Something different. Earlier this year, Britain's poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy curated a series of 20 poems on the theme of climate change by different authors. We will release recordings of actors including James Franco, Maxine Peake, Tamsin Greig, Gabriel Byrne and Jeremy Irons reading the poems. Thanks again for your feedback and requests. Just reply to this e-mail if you have other ideas you'd like us to follow. Best, James Randerson, assistant national editor

Notations From the Grid (Week-End Edition): A Snapshot on the US Political Scene (Updated w/Results From Louisiana)

It has been a very interesting week on the US Political Scene.    Candidates have been busy on all fronts trying to continue raising money in the aftermath of #ParisAttacks.  (Update:  John Bel Edwards has beaten David Vitter to win the Governor's Race in Louisiana.   The record of the Governors' Races (Republicans having won Kentucky) is 1-1.    Although it must be noted that the Republicans have a great "ground game" advantage, it is still quite a race for 2016 as the countdown to the early states is at hand). Our team decided to pull together what the Democrats and Republicans were doing this week along with some of the on-going reporting.   The First one is from the Nooner by Scott Lay which is a must read for us here @ #Outsiders on what California Representatives did as they voted with their justification--his last statement was telling:   POLITICS: Inside the Syrian refugee vote: California representatives explain what shaped their votes [Sarah D. Wire @ LAT] - "The California Democrats voting in favor of the measure were [Scott] Peters and Reps. Pete Aguilar (Redlands), Ami Bera (Elk Grove), Julia Brownley (Westlake Village), Jim Costa (Fresno), John Garamendi (Walnut Grove), Janice Hahn (Los Angeles) andRaul Ruiz (Palm Desert)." The other thing in common is that these are the vulnerable Dems from California, with the exception of Janice Hahn, who is running for LA County Supervisor. It was the political expedient way to vote, but reminds some of Executive Order 9066 signed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1942. Meanwhile, The Bee's Stephen Magagnini writes "Sacramento Japanese Americans joined Muslim Americans, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians on Thursday to protest the assertion by the mayor of Roanoke, Va., that the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II was justified, and that Syrian refugees should be considered just as serious a threat. 'I'm reminded that President Franklin D. Roosevelt felt compelled to sequester Japanese foreign nationals after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and it appears the threat of harm to America from ISIS is now just as real and serious as that from our enemies then,' Roanoke Mayor David Bowers said in a Wednesday statement." Yeah, my former in-laws and their families that were chicken farmers were an existential threat to California. I love FDR and Earl Warren (then California governor who enforced it), but this was among the worst chapters in America's 20th century. What was also on tap was what Ben Carson and Donald Trump noted.    As we went to press, though, we saw how Donald Trump scaled back on his comments--although Dr Carson seems to have stood by his statements as eiptomized by his column in Time Magazine especially as more challenges remain:  Mike Kittrell / AP ‘Rabid’ dogs and closing mosques: Anti-Islam rhetoric grows in GOP In the wake of the Paris attacks, Republicans and some Democrats are urging greater scrutiny of religion. By David A. Fahrenthold and Jose A. DelReal  •  Read more » The five things that could still force a government shutdown The bipartisan budget agreement reached last month was supposed to put an end the fiscal fights that have dominated President Obama's relationship with congressional Republicans. By Kelsey Snell and Mike DeBonis  •  Read more » How Bill Clinton’s losing 1974 race helped launch the Clintons’ donor network By Matea Gold and Tom Hamburger  •  Read more » We also found of interest this on Money although the exact rationale is yet to be determined:  McGehee (Alex Wong/Getty Images) It's expected that the 2016 cycle will see candidates spend $6 billion on political advertising -- but so far, Jeb Bush's backers have spent $20 million on TV ads without noticeably boosting their candidate's polling numbers. That raises questions about the power of money in the modern campaign era, experts say. "Money gives you the opportunity to get a message out," says Meredith McGehee of the Campaign Legal Center. But, she adds, "No amount of money can overcome a bad candidate." Politico Magazine online (11/18),  Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (11/18), NBC News (11/18)  We also are ever so evident of the efforts by both Parties on what they have been up to which is always interesting to assess in spite of the rationale in the reporting we saw:  Friend, The political class is conspiring against outsider candidates—and doing their best to keep us off the primary ballot. If you're fed up with the political class stacking the deck to protect the Bushes and the Clintons—if you believe the American people should get a choice, not a coronation, in 2016—I need your help right away. Can you chip in $13 to help us even the playing field, and make sure my name gets on the ballot in all 50 states? The political class's plan is simple and sinister: make it so difficult for outsider candidates like me to get on the primary ballots that, when you go to pick your Republican nominee next spring, your only choices will be deep-pocketed establishment favorites, like Jeb Bush. Here are just some of the insane roadblocks they set up to keep outsiders off the ballot: Some states are charging tens of thousands of dollars just to file to get my name on the ballot—meaning a campaign needs Jeb Bush money or Hillary Clinton money to compete. In other states, it takes tens of thousands of petition signatures to qualify—forcing our field staff to waste countless hours filling out paperwork, rather than making our case to the American people. The entire primary process is littered with examples like this—in all 50 states. Because when you're in the political class, that's what you do: you rig the game in your favor, and try to keep everyone else out. All in all, it'll cost this campaign about $2 million in ballot fees and staff costs to get on every ballot. That's money and time that would (and should) be better spent getting our message out to the American people, not paying off the political establishment. This campaign has built incredible momentum over the past few months—defying expectations every step of the way. Time and time again, I've proven to the American people that I don't shy away from a fight. I don't flinch in the face of tough decisions. And I don't quit until I get the job done. Believe me, this campaign is battle-tested—and ready to lead the fight against the political class, just like we've done in the past. When party bosses tried to keep me of the debate stage—using the same shady tactics they're using to keep us off the ballot now—we fought back. We took this fight directly to the American people. We not only earned our spot on the debate stage, but we even won the next debate itself, too. But I can't win this next fight by myself. I can't do it without your immediate help and support, right now. I might not be your top choice for President (just yet) but I know you and I can both agree on one thing: we need to change the way the political class operates, and we need to do it together. That starts with ensuring that the American people should be able to see every conservative candidate's name on their primary ballots—not just the favorites of the political class. Conservatives like you should decide who becomes our nominee, not Republican Party bosses. We can't change their unfair rules—but what we can do is beat the political class at their own game. Will you help us punch back and fight to make sure that conservatives, not party bosses, decide which Republican faces Hillary Clinton next November? Pitch in just $13. Make the difference. Even the playing field. Help make sure we get a real choice in our primaries—not a coronation. Thanks for all your help—we can't win this fight without you! Carly Please note that this message reflects the opinions and representations of the advertiser only;it does not necessarily reflect the opinion or editorial positions of Washington Examiner. You have not yet activated your CRUZ CREW exclusive member card. As one of my most dedicated conservative supporters, I want to get you your first edition CRUZ CREW membership card today. Click here to chip in and activate your membership today >>> It will look like this: EXCEPT -- if you activate your card in the next 48 hours -- I'll make sure your card reflects that you got in on the ground floor by designating you as a 2015 first edition member of the CRUZ CREW. I'll only have first edition cards available for the next 48 hours. Follow this link to activate your CRUZ CREW Membership with a contribution of $35 or more, and I'll send you your first edition personalized membership card immediately. As a first edition member, you will secure your spot on an exclusive call with senior Cruz for President staff -- talking strategy and laying out the groundwork being done across the country to lock up the nomination. I hope you will keep this card in your wallet and carry it with pride as your token of support for my campaign. I'm focused on fighting and winning -- uniting the GOP to defeat Hillary. You see, under President Obama's watch:    1.  Our enemies have grown stronger and become emboldened -- putting us at great risk both at home and abroad;    2.  The federal government continues to expand even while the economy grinds to a halt; and    3.  We have lost our liberty to crippling regulations like Obamacare. You and I must band together to fight the Washington Cartel and Obama's unprecedented expansion of the federal government bureaucracy. Click here to chip in and activate your membership today >>> Thank you and God bless! For liberty, Ted Cruz  Mike, This is really getting scary. Donald Trump believes that the minimum wage is “too high.” He didn’t leave it at that either. He went on to say that, if elected president, he plans to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants within 2 years. This is the same Donald Trump who is leading in the polls. We need to make sure we have a Congress that can stand up to him – if he is elected. His deportation plan of 11 million people is roughly the size of the state of Ohio. Trump actually called these views “good management.” Management of what? Democrats must take back the majority in the Senate, and that’s why we need your support today. Our candidates – Russ Feingold in Wisconsin, Ted Strickland in Ohio, Kamala Harris in California, Tammy Duckworth in Illinois and Catherine Cortez Masto in Nevada – all need our support. So please be as generous as you can today. Together, we will win, Jennifer Petty Executive Director Did you get a chance to read Marco's note to you last week? We are still short of our goal of activating 10,000 supporters. If you stand with Marco and our campaign, then we need to know right now. Thank you for standing with Marco and our family. We are honored to have your support. - Jeanette Rubio  ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Marco Rubio Date: Thu, Nov 12, 2015 at 9:36 AM Subject: Are you with me? To: Jeanette Rubio Friend, I'm emailing you today to ask for your help. All eyes are on our campaign and the support we have. You see, Friend, as we inch closer to the primaries and caucuses, the attacks against my campaign are growing (both from Hillary and the Democrats and Establishment Republicans), but it's only making our campaign stronger - as well as my resolve to fight for our conservative principles. Following Tuesday's debate, we've set a goal to recruit 10,000 conservatives to join our campaign to build A New American Century. I'm back out on the campaign trail today but I've asked my campaign team to provide me with updates throughout the day and tonight I'll review the list of every American who joins our team today. Friend, can I count on you? Remember: our goal today is participation and activation -- we need to recruit 10,000 supporters --  When I announced my campaign for President, I outlined a bold vision for our nation -- a vision I can only achieve with your immediate help.With your donation we will be able to reach out to voters all over the country, build a strong campaign, magnify the momentum we need to surge forward to gain the Republican nomination and, ultimately, win the White House. The time has come for a new generation of conservatives to lead the way toward A New American Century. Your donation today will send a strong message to the mainstream media and the nation that our campaign has the fortitude of thousands of supporters in every state and corner of the United States; and together we are going to take our country back. Your support today is pivotal to my campaign's success. So as a personal favor to me,  Friend all eyes are on my campaign. I hope to have your support as I continue on this journey to create A New American Century -- I need it now more than ever because we're just a few short weeks away from the first primaries and caucuses. Sincerely, As we went to press with this "snapshot",  what Geoff Colvin noted underscores the true realities we have to deal with:  November 11, 2015 Last year famed Democratic campaign strategist James Carville told a roomful of businesspeople in Washington, “If Jeb Bush were named Jeb Smith, the nomination would be his for the asking.” That contention sounded plausible at the time. This morning, after an improved but still uninspiring debate performance by Bush last night, we can’t blame his long decline on America’s supposed distaste for dynasties and family wealth. His name is turning out to be irrelevant. An insightful analysis in this morning’s Washington Post shows that during the debate, viewers Googled Bush less than any other candidate onstage, including Rand Paul. Bush is a highly knowledgeable policy wonk beneath his obviously scripted and poll-tested talking points; he’s just not the kind of retail politician who engages today’s voters. He looks increasingly like a good potential cabinet member in someone else’s administration. Yet the question persists: Post-financial crisis, will America embrace a wealthy, well connected candidate? The answer that springs to mind – of course it will, just look atDonald Trump’s popularity – doesn’t hold up. While Trump is popular among Republicans in a crowded field, trailing only Ben Carson, he’s highly unpopular among Americans overall. He’s the most disliked Republican candidate, regarded unfavorably by 59% of the public, while only 37% view him favorably, says the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. That’s why so many pundits dismiss him as a potential nominee; even if by some miracle he were to win the nomination, his chances of winning the election look minuscule. Americans don’t much like Trump, but the weight of the evidence still suggests to me that even today, with concern about income disparity and the 1% running high, America would not reject a nominee because he or she is rich. We have a long history of alternating between plutocrats and up-from-nothing strivers in the White House. Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and George W. Bush were born rich; Harry Truman, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama were born poor. We don’t care, Besides, though it’s often overlooked, virtually all the leading candidates this time around are rich. In addition to Trump and Bush, Carson reported that he and his wife earned between $8.9 million and $27 million over a recent 16-month period. Carly Fiorina, whose support spiked after the second Republican debate, reported a net worth of about $60 million. Hillary Clinton, still the leading Democratic candidate nationwide by far, and her husband Bill have earned over $100 million since he left the presidency in 2001, including over $25 million in the past two years. The larger point is that we Americans have no objection to wealth – the public lovesWarren Buffett and countless zillionaire athletes and entertainers – and we actually love political dynasties. Think of the Kennedys, the Daleys of Chicago, the Cuomos of New York; the latest generation of Udalls at one point had three cousins serving simultaneously in the Senate. In politics as in so much else, America still seems to be a land of opportunity. We mostly judge candidates on their individual merits. You can even be elected president if you’re rich and well connected. But not if you’re rich, well connected, and uninspiring.