Helping...

Robin with Twiggy in a scene from the film 'Club Paradise' 1986.

Robin spent so much of his genius life helping others. Entertaining millions on stage, film or television, our troops on the front lines, or comforting a sick child. Robin wanted us to laugh and to feel less afraid.

His greatest legacy is the joy and happiness he offered to others, particularly to those fighting personal battles.

He struggled with his own depression, anxiety as well as early stages of Parkinson's Disease, which was not known publicly.

Many people are suffering with many issues not noticed by others. Hope they will find the strength to seek the care and support they need.

We have a responsibility in our families and close friends to be sensitive, be supportive of our children and young and old members of the family. Let us try to be a friend, supportive, helpful, and positive influence for others. We may change many minds.

Just a thought

Oil Demand.

The crude oil market has seen dramatic spikes starting with the Arab Spring in 2010 and continuing into this past June, but some investors are betting that the bull market for oil is over.

Oil started the year at $89 and rallied to $106 during the worst of the headlines out of Iraq. 

"The Iraq news was supposed to be good for the bull ... but instead, that trend ended shortly after—a clear tell-tale that the bull market has run its course,".

European economic growth certainly is not pointing to any increase in demand for internationally priced oil. The euro zone's second-quarter gross domestic product showed flat growth, with the economy of European powerhouse Germany actually contracting.

Global demand appears to be waning elsewhere, China's demand for crude fell 2 percent year over year in July. This recent figure supported other weak demand data from the country. The various conflicts in the Middle east will have no value to the OPIC.

Just a thought

Loss of Civilization.

Kurds running from ....

ISIS views Iraq’s majority Shiites and other religious minorities as infidels who should be killed if they refuse to convert to Sunni Islam. They accuse the Kurds, most of whom are Sunnis, of secularism.

Britain is intensifying its involvement in Iraq by flying military equipment on behalf of Jordan to Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State (Isis) jihadists in northern Iraq.

The French presidency said arms shipment will be delivered "in the coming hours" and has the blessing of authorities in Baghdad.

More European help is also possible. A high-level EU diplomatic meeting late Tuesday ended with a statement that it would consider the Kurdish request for urgent military support "in close coordination with Iraqi authorities."

The Kurds will soon be getting long-range weapons. Armor-piercing munitions to help penetrate heavily fortified tanks captured by ISIS from both the Syrian and Iraqi militaries.

Where are the Arab world from that conflict? Egypt, Jordan, Saudi, Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Syria, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, any voice of assistance?

Just a thought.

Off the Script!!!

First, they push the Christians out of Mosul [Iraq's second-largest city].  ISIS wasn't interested in picking a fight with the Kurds. So they spread in other area easily.

It was a surprise when ISIS began pushing into Kurdistan. By Thursday, ISIS forces had seized "four strategic towns on a key highway.

That's when they got off script.

*US warplanes bombed Islamic militants outside the Kurdish capital of Irbil. 
After initial strikes outside the city, the US military launched a second and third round later in the day. 

*A former high ranking CIA official in Baghdad tells Newsweek that Turkish jets carried out airstrikes on Islamic State militants. 

ISIS needs money and supply to survive. The money supply came from the Saudi and the Gulf. But things are going out of hand. ISIS can't follow the script and the end is near.

Just a thought

Who Support ISIS? FTC?

ISIS, now threatening Baghdad and the Kurds, was funded for years by oil wealthy donors in Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

ISIS reportedly have a stream of steady income sources, from selling oil sometimes directly to the Assad regime.

The three U.S. allies have dual agendas in the war on terror. There, the threat of Iran, Assad, and the Sunni-Shiite sectarian.

The United States and Gulf countries have been secretly backing efforts by opposition rebels to destroy al-Qaeda's most extreme wing in Syria.

John McCain told CNN’s Crowley in January 2014. “Thank God for the Saudis, and Qatari friends,” for supporting forces fighting Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria. ISIS is one of these forces. [The Atlantic]

It is the oil prices that support the Lawlessness. Let us reduce the price of oil to $80/Barrel. Can the FTC reduce buying oil on credit? Would that reduce the prices and wealth?.

Just a thought.

McCain and ISIS

McCain has been calling for greater U.S. military intervention in Syria ever since Bashar al-Assad’s regime cracked down violently on peaceful protests in 2011.

He dismissed the notion that increasing American military assistance to rebels in Syria could worsen the conflict there. “More harm could happen?!”  . That’s ludicrous!” he said.

Here it is, happening in front of our eyes. The rebels in Syria lost some grounds, moved to Iraq and created havoc. Got the American weapons given to the Iraqis and now ISIS started their programs.

Some understanding of this area would go a long way.

Russia, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and USA are standing on one side against ISIS. Israel is monitoring since Hamas is a division of the theory.

Let us enforce our relationship with the Countries that oppose ISIS. May be a new world of peace can happen while dealing with ISIS. 

Just a thought

China's McDonald, No Beef?

Chinese authorities accused Shanghai Husi of intentionally selling meat beyond its shelf life to restaurant companies. Five employees at the Shanghai unit have been detained by authorities.

McDonald's restaurants in China have faced a shortage of hamburgers and chicken products after cutting ties with Shanghai Husi Food Co. Business in Japan and Hong Kong also has been affected.

In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, McDonald's said that because of the issue with the supplier, businesses in China, Japan and certain other markets "are experiencing a significant negative impact to results." 

A [food] chain is as strong as its weakest  link.

Just a thought.

A Rising Star

 

Earlier this year and after five years of fun and discipline, Amy earned the Black Belt for the Tang Soo Do.

The purpose of Tang Soo Do training is to perfect techniques which will enhance your total self. If the occasion arises when you must defend yourself and of equal importance is the development of the proper spirit to supplement the physical skills which are attained.
It is a classical martial art and it's purpose is to produce a mature person who can totally integrate his intellect, emotions, body and spirit.

A black Belt and three gold medals in the world Championship is a great achievement of this thirteen year old young.



Amy opened the door widely for all the kids in the family. The sky is the limit.

 

Just a thought.

Corruption,

Zhou Yongkang, China's powerful former security chief, has been under virtual house arrest since late last year. one of his former aides was just expelled from the ruling Communist Party.

Zhou is  the highest-profile figure caught up in crackdown on corruption. He is the most senior Chinese official to be ensnared in a graft scandal since the party swept to power in 1949.

Chinese authorities have seized $14.5 billion in assets from relatives and associates of Zhou, and they have called in more 300 of Zhou's relatives, political allies, proteges for questioning. [BBC]

Power, Position and Money.. the rest is history.

Just a thought

A true Devout

Dr. Kent Brantly.

 

Among his fellow devout Christians, 33-year-old Dr. Kent Brantly should be honored as someone who has lived the answer to the question of What Would Jesus Do? But he is a no less worthy example for those of any faith, or no faith at all. Even atheists could find a guide to goodness in asking themselves What Would Kent Do? What Jesus would do is what Brantly did when he agreed to work in an Ebola isolation ward in Liberia despite being admittedly terrified. 

A prayer is needed for this Courageous young man and his Family