Mike Pouraryan
Brief retrospective as the Quarter Ends...
March 31st 2009 15:58
:
Hopeful Signs....
As the First Quarter of 2009 ends, I continue to remain hopeful. As I have written and reflected upon our world, at times I have been concerned as to the lack of respect shown to opposing views. I yearn for a substantive analysis of the challenges we face today so that we can work to solve them together. Outsider Views began in this spirit. I will continue this path because of my view on the need for consesus and the need to hope.
Today saw 73 countries attending the Hague Meeting on Afghanistan. I view the presence of Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister as a hopeful sign. Although I would have rather seen Foreign Minister Mottaki there, at least a senior official attended the meeting. Iran has a vested interest in Afghanistan being stable due to the immense refugee problem, the drug trade and the instability it inherently brings.
There is of course, the G20. I am looking for substance I am not sure if anything substantive will truly come out of it. The French are already threatening a walkout if Sarkozy's ideas are not incorporated. On the economic front, I was frankly shocked when the President came out and basically told GM and Chrysler to shape up or ship out. There is no question that there is overcapacity in the car industry and it has to restructuring must occur. It will be painful. But it has to happen.
I can't wait for the second quarter to begin. There is the Budget Fight in the U.S., the continued economy calamity around the world, and the on-going continued political and security challenges throughout the world. There is, of course, the Environment. I am quite keen to catch Disney's new feature film on Earth coming out on Earth Day. The previews I have seen are quite amazing. The world's largest Democracy, India, has an important election coming up. Iran's election is shortly thereafter. It promises to be exciting and fun to write about and reflect upon. We truly live in interesting times!!!
Today saw 73 countries attending the Hague Meeting on Afghanistan. I view the presence of Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister as a hopeful sign. Although I would have rather seen Foreign Minister Mottaki there, at least a senior official attended the meeting. Iran has a vested interest in Afghanistan being stable due to the immense refugee problem, the drug trade and the instability it inherently brings.
There is of course, the G20. I am looking for substance I am not sure if anything substantive will truly come out of it. The French are already threatening a walkout if Sarkozy's ideas are not incorporated. On the economic front, I was frankly shocked when the President came out and basically told GM and Chrysler to shape up or ship out. There is no question that there is overcapacity in the car industry and it has to restructuring must occur. It will be painful. But it has to happen.
I can't wait for the second quarter to begin. There is the Budget Fight in the U.S., the continued economy calamity around the world, and the on-going continued political and security challenges throughout the world. There is, of course, the Environment. I am quite keen to catch Disney's new feature film on Earth coming out on Earth Day. The previews I have seen are quite amazing. The world's largest Democracy, India, has an important election coming up. Iran's election is shortly thereafter. It promises to be exciting and fun to write about and reflect upon. We truly live in interesting times!!!
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