Blog Archives
France to the Rescue! Wait, What?
“France has called for the use of force against Syria if reports of a mass chemical weapon attack against civilians there are confirmed.”
This is the first sentence from an article released out of London this morning by Karen Friar titled, “France says ‘force’ could be used in Syria.” Yes, you read that correctly. France, a nation that has historically been the punchline for being universally cowardly, weak and prone to surrendering when physical engagement of any degree is involved, has definitively stated they will exercise force if Syria’s President Bashar Al-Assad did in fact use a chemical weapon against his own people.
Why is this significant?
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a New World Order. France is projecting strength while the United States of America is sitting in a back room with the curtains closed trying to erase a pesky “red line” written in permanent marker.
The point of this post is not to promote or argue the specific nature of injecting force as much as it is to present this breathtaking new dynamic in global perception subsequent role in the world. Regardless of whether you are for or against force in Syria, a head spinning paradigm shift has occurred. That’s the story.
The United States of America (protests in Iran, the Arab Spring, Benghazi, Syria and Egypt as a few examples) has proven a striking and surreal lack of proficiency and skill (if this word even applies) at being a chess player or even a checkers player and has actually, purposefully as a matter of fact, established itself as a bona fide absentee player in world altering affairs.
Continually voting absentee on important issues. That pattern seems oddly familiar for one particular high-ranking figure in our federal government…
Time will tell (and soon by the way) on the response from President Obama and the United States of America regarding Syria and potential confirmation of Assad’s use of chemical weapons on his own citizens.
For now though, rest assured! One country with red, white and blue in their flag is protruding global strength, concern and purpose for the people of Syria who are being murdered everyday. However, I bet Americans would never guess which country has turned out to be the leader on this front…
Or, sadly, maybe they have.
It’s a new day in the world for France while it continues to be “Groundhog Day” for the United States of America under President Obama, as viewed from the back row of course.
The Talented Mr. Shakespeare
The future leaders of this country are entering their respective schools for a new year filled with inquisitive minds, a thirst for knowledge and the hope of walking into at least one classroom with a teacher who will open their eyes to new horizons. With any luck, this teacher will provide a perspective perhaps no other teacher ever has…ever.
I wish all of you good luck in the new school year that will surely be defined by a myriad of scholarly insights and achievements!
I had no idea William Shakespeare loved chocolate enough to write an entire play about it…I suppose it’s true you learn something new everyday!
P.S. On a more serious note, consider the following quote for inspiration:
It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves
—William Shakespeare
How to Make an Apple Shine
The logo of the global technological giant Apple clearly has a bite taken out of it. Clear as day. This has been the case for decades. It is unequivocally one of the most famous icons around the world. Unfortunately, the slowly evolving reality being formed is what the bite now represents. Instead of being synonymous with a leader, innovator and dream factory of ideas, the famous design with the bite is seen as its competitors taking a bite out of them as their healthy snack for the day.
(Macworld.com)
How does the apple get returned to the right hands? Or, more importantly, whose hands should be holding it?
Steve Jobs was a technological genius, but he was also a promotional wizard. The vacancy of both following his death in 2011 has clearly affected Apple in a variety of ways. Despite the phenomenal devices he and his business partners have created, the bright light and magic of the company that was founded in his parent’s garage in the ’70s has dimmed to a glow.
Once products are built and sold in the marketplace with sensational popularity, the success of such a company is usually directly linked to its leader and his or her personality. Jobs symbolized a vast intelligence, great mystery, anticipation, trust, wonderment and, above all, revolutionary consumer products.
He was a spectacular performer and leader.
Two years since his death, Apple has yet to figure out how to, as the “Jobs” trailer states, “…make Apple cool again.” This is the ultimate riddle to solve. How do the company leaders and employees make Apple universally and definitively cool again?
Despite the fact the iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro and so forth remain terrific products, the aura is gradually fading. The vibe is increasingly one of admiring this company in the rear view mirror…in memory of Steve Jobs instead of in celebration of Steve Jobs.
Apple is becoming a massive company as opposed to a visionary leader.
And rebuilding the latter is what, or rather who it needs right now behind-the-scenes inventing and in the public eye selling. It needs somebody who lives and breathes the brand. It needs somebody who will staunchly defend and promote the brand. It needs somebody who will dare to think outside the box into new dimensions.
The true replacement needs to be revolutionary.
Their current CEO is Tim Cook. Maybe it’s just me, but they’ve seemed to have had good fortune when being led by guys named Steve.
Of course, I’ve also seen women handle an apple with care while also using it as a key ingredient to make some truly amazing treats…
Jimmy's Daily Planet 