President Obama's visit to Mosque is questioned

The polarized minds are attacking his visit to the Mosque.

This piece is published  in several news papers.

1. First it appeared in Baltimore Sun and has been published in different news papers in full or as a quote. 
2. Baltimore Sun - http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-guest-writers/obama-s-mosque-visit-makes-us-all-feel-at-home-1.1506780
3. New Jersey News - http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-guest-writers/obama-s-mosque-visit-makes-us-all-feel-at-home-1.1506780
4. Gulf Today - http://gulftoday.ae/portal/db0a7edc-42dd-4f59-adad-7b8840db8b73.aspx
5. Free Republic - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3394390/posts?page=1
6. Too many to keep track of. 

President Barack Obama's visit to the mosque in Baltimore County today will help build a strong cohesive America and send a signal to the Muslim majorities elsewhere in the world — in roughly 50 Muslim managed nations — to treat Christians and other minorities with dignity, and encourage them to retain U.S. business relations and sustain our economic base of exports. 

Full Story at Baltimore Sun, you may find this op-ed resonate with his speech.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-mosque-visit-20160203-story.html

Please write a comment and multiply the good news. When the bad news is up, thousands multiply it by sharing it on facebook, twitter and other social media… we need to do the same when there is a good news.

Please share.  

You may find the op-ed above resonate with Obama's speech. 

Full speech at YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRRVdVqAjdw 

I was on Stuart Varney show on Fox News, and I will post the link later today. 

Mike Ghouse
Text or Talk at (214) 325-1916

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in. 

A tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's on the 68th death anniversary.

A tribute to Gandhi | www.TheGhousediary.com

Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead 68 years ago on this day, January 30, 1948.

Mahatma Gandhi is one of my nine favorite personalities. I call them my mentors, meaning I think about them regularly and that they are; Jesus Christ, Prophet Muhammad, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Pope Frances, and President Barack Obama. Of course, my father and mother top the list, I am who I am today because of them opening the windows of knowledge to me.

These are the men and women I have come to adore; their passion was to create cohesive societies where everyone can live without fear of the other.

By the time I croak my list may grow to be 10, as there is one more individual I am studying and he may become the 10^th favorite Pluralists, i.e., those who respect the otherness of others and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us.

Every year, for the last 25 years, I have been writing a note about him on his death and birth anniversaries, this is my way of paying tribute and expressing the gratitude to a man who gave so much to India and the world.

By the way, I have seen Gandhi in my dream twice, way back in early 70’s and in the early 2000 – both the times he pats on my back and says, Son you have a lot of work to do, and that has remained my inspiration to do the work I do.

Gandhi’s Clothing

Why did he wear the loin cloth and not the suits? Indeed, he was a Law graduate of University College of London, a successful Lawyer in South Africa and he wore the three piece suits like all the Englishmen did during the period.

Do you remember one of his thousands of quotes – “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” What does it mean? One of the major social reforms he brought to India was ‘acceptability’ of the ‘untouchables’, it is a shameful part of history of civilizations where humans were dehumanized, including here in the United States.  He wanted the downtrodden and the poor masses to relate with him and he wanted to be one of them and not the elites who look down upon them.  Prophet Muhammad did similar thing – he gave Bilal, the slave whom he freed, the highest spiritual status among his followers, it was a jolt to the society, but it knocked their prejudices down. My father did the same, which I have written separately, you see the same trend with Jesus, Mother Teresa, Pope Frances and others – they had zero prejudice towards fellow beings. God bless them all.

Given what Gandhi stood for, two things are going severely wrong in India, a handful of extremists have taken over and mistreating the Dalits (Untouchables) and the shameful celebration of the man who shot Gandhi. They are building temples to Godify this man Godse who killed Gandhi. I hope the Indian Government on this day makes a commitment to follow the law, to treat all humans equally and to value the freedom of speech. It is a shame, if we don’t speak up against injustice and let the seeds of discrimination grow in a nation that is beacon of hope to many nations.

 Season of Non-Violence  

Season of Non-Violence begins today, January 30^th, on the day of Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated and concludes on April 4^th the day Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. It is a “64 Days of Daily Messages for Social Media

The site  http://www.agnt.org/season-for-nonviolence has beautiful graphics and daily messages in web format to inspire, create discussion, and hold in our thoughts each day during the 64 Days of the Season. Consider having your SNV campaign be to share these on Facebook or Twitter. Then, be sure to check back in with us to let us know how your social network is growing by sharing these graphics.”  I cannot forget my friend Len Ellis of Dallas for his dedication to this season and the messages he shares.

This year like the last few years, we talk about the peace makers of the world, in the beginning it was Gandhi and MLK, now Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela are added, and I have added Prophet Muhammad to the season.

Watch out for the day, I will be giving a talk about what these men did to build a cohesive society, where humanity can live in peace and harmony.

This is not complete, I will be adding more to this at TheGhouseDiary.com

 

Thank you,

Mike Ghouse, 

(214) 325-1916

Washington, DC 

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, newsmaker and a professional speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam,  politics, human rights, and foreign policy.  Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at TheGhousediary.com 

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The World is full of Goodness

THE WORLD IS FULL OF GOODNESS | www.TheGhouseDiary.com 

There is a lot of good around us, than the bad. I would venture to say 99% of your time witnesses good, but you take it as normal which you may take it for granted,  but when 1% of your time goes bad, it un-nerves you.  Look around you, seriously, you have 365 days in a year, you go to work 50 some weeks… how many bad encounters did you have? 

Thank God for the 99% of goodness in people, if it was more, life would be difficult.  Imagine if bad people were 99%? How difficult it would have been for you to go to work, travel, eat in a restaurant, and go to a movie….how many rapes, domestic violence, homicide, theft or vandalism would happen in any given day.

This morning, I could not move my car, it was covered up with snow and the ground had 2’ snow all around it.  The guys who were plowing the snow, stopped and helped me clear the snow from the front and back of the car…another gentleman saw me push the snow off the car with my bare hands… obviously I am not prepared to deal with this weather, he lend me his shovel… then the car would not move… two guys walked up and pushed the vehicle into a drivable spot. – why did they do it? There is an inherent goodness in all of us, and I could not resist bringing them coffee in this cold, we have to express gratitude to complete life transactions.

So, what good did you do today, or someone else did to you or someone else? It is good to share and remind ourselves, goodness dominates in life.  

Mike Ghouse
Motivational Speaker
www.TheGhouseDiary.com 

Human Rights are more important than the sovereignty of nations

What it means is, that a nations’ sovereignty is inferior to the sovereignty of human rights. Human rights are more important than nations or religious rights.

What it means for Saudi Arabia is, that they have to honor the inalienable rights of individuals over the laws of the nation or religion, any religion for that matter. Nothing is greater than the inalienable rights of individuals.

In our land, we have come a long way, but more to go. Little men like Trump attempt to mess it, but all of them come and go, and our constitution remains an enduring value for ages to come, and we have to defend it no matter what sacrifices we have to make. Mike Ghouse

Our Immortal declaration of Independence

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics,terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in. 

DFW and SDF Airport's goofy Carpet Problems and Solutions

Carpet Issue at the Airport | www.TheGhousediary.com

Wednesday, January 13, 2016, SDF/ DFW airports – It’s amazing how little attention the airport authorities pay to what they do. For example, both at the DFW Airport and Louisville Airport, they have replaced a patch of carpet that was worn out; the problem is the new carpet.

The old carpet still occupies some 80% of the known floor area in the terminals, but where the two terminals meet, they have replaced it with plush new carpet.

When you drag your baggage, it moves smoothly on its wheels on the old carpet, which is commercial grade and sturdy.  But when you hit the intersection, where the new carpet is placed, and the suitcase either falls, or stumbles until you catch it.  The new carpet surface is plush and you simply cannot drag the suit case… I have put up with the crap for far too long, and it is time to inform the people to go back and place sturdy carpet.  

I stood at the terminal intersection as in the picture, and attempted to interview frustrated passengers, but everyone was running to catch the plane… no one comes a few minutes early anymore?

But if had carried a sign that announced the name of a TV Channel, I would have recorded a video of the flooring problem at the two airports. It is too damn frustrating. I will not take this up with the Airport Authorities and see if they care. If not, I will have to get that on camera or turn the media people over there.

Where I'm standing, two different carpets are seamed together, the carpet behind me is cushiony and nice to walk, but hard to drag the luggage or run in a hurry, the one ahead of me is old but great to roll the luggage or dash thru it.

Almost every one literally cursed when they moved from the old carpet to the new one, the bag would not move, fall or spin.  

Thank you,

Mike Ghouse, 

(214) 325-1916

Washington, DC 

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, newsmaker and a professional speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam,  politics, human rights, and foreign policy.  Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at TheGhousediary.com 

President Obama and Gun safety

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND GUN SAFETY

Obama will go down in the history as one of the most intellectual presidents of our history. He struggles in finding pathways to fix the problems in the society without worrying about the electorate. I can compare him to Lincoln and the civil war.

Without any doubt he believes in the 2nd Amendment, the right to carry guns, yet our friends influenced by the Gun lobby, choose to say that he is out to get the guns, he is not. Let it be loud and clear, all he wants is safety of Gun usage, so your teen does no kill himself or some psycho does not go into school and mass shoot babies…..

355 Mass murders this year, and we still want guns in the hands of the nuts? They have the right to have the guns, but let’s make sure they are mentally capable of having one… you cannot drive on the road without license, and you cannot drive when you are drunk – for the safety of public at large, we need gun safety regulations.

Please drop your hatred for Obama and see what is good for America.

67% of Americans are with him, it is time for the Congressmen and women to be with him on this singular issue – Gun Safety.

A pause in the shouting: Obama, critics connect at CNN's town hall on guns - http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/07/politics/obama-executive-action-gun-control-town-hall/

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and a bulk of his writings are at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in. 

A Much better tomorrow, Mike Ghouse speaks

Meeting #254 by College of Complexes

New Years’ Resolution, a Much Better Tomorrow

Mike Ghouse, speaker, writer, pluralist, activist, the first Muslim and perhaps the first non-Jewish person to commemorate the Holocaust, will discuss how hate is one of the many sources of disrupting peaceful functioning of a society, and it is our duty, both individually and severally, to track down the source of such hate and work on mitigating it, while guarding the safety of every citizen, bringing closure to the loose ends of many conflicts, and building cohesive societies where no human lives in apprehension of another.  Mike will express his view that by resolving the Jewish-Palestinian conflict, ie. Security to Jews and Justice to Palestinians, most of the world issues will collapse and a period of peace on earth will begin. He will also show how the overriding desire to highlight our own blinds us from other’s suffering, and will awaken in us a sense of responsibility for creating a better world.

Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 6:00 PM 

Barbec's Restaurant
8949 Garland Road, Dallas, TX
Dinner Speaker Series
$10/person
No reservation is required

 

http://www.collegeofcomplexes.org/2.html

 

Does Romney give a flip about Israel?

Peace hinges on hopes for the Palestinians and security for the Israelis, anything short of justice will not produce sustainable peace. If Jews and Palestinians can take the position that we cannot have peace when others around us don't, and work on first removing bias and stereotyping from their own minds, the conflicts will fade and solutions will emerge.

What has Romney got to lose? 

He will say anything to get elected, including, “as a President I will declare war on Iran on day one in my office and bombard them to smithereens.” When they hear elimination of their perceived enemy, men like Adelson and their likes will write big checks, they are good business men, the know the money will recycle back to them via Aid to Israel, if Romney gets elected. Who are the losers? It is the Average Israeli, Iranian, Palestinian, you and I who will pay the price.

I have always taken a stand for the Jews and their security, not at the cost of Justice to the Palestinians, like some of my fellow Republican do, instead stand for what is right and uphold the human rights.

The mess created by Prime Minister Netanyahu and a few among the right wing Jews in the United States has caused a lot of discomfort for the ordinary Jews, their policies are indeed destructive to Israel in the long haul. Many Jewish Organization in the United States are gathering momentum to do what is Jewish; Justice.

I wonder if men like Netanyahu, Bill Crystal, Adleson and their likes existed before and if they did, were their attitudes responsible for uprooting Jews in Spain, Germany and other places?  These men are short-sighted and their actions are directly responsible for building up Antisemitism around the world. All of us should  stand up against  Anti-Semitism, Apartheid, racism, Islamophobia, Gayphobia and other evils of the society. 

There is a shameful amount of Anti-Semitism brewing, because Jews are perceived as taking advantages of others like illegally grabbing the lands from Palestinians. However, it is not Jews, who are wrong, it is a few right wingers among them. Indeed, they are causing damage to Jews in decades to come.

They know what is wrong; the violations of international laws, building settlements, throwing people out of their homes and building their own homes  by vacating and murdering the rightful owners of the land.  Whether God exists or not, the people around the world know it is wrong and someone has to pay for it someday'; it will be the ordinary, innocent Jews, as they have paid many times before, and It is time to say enough is enough.

Men like Romney, Gingrich, Santorum and others will say anything to get elected and tap in the Jewish money, the cheap men will compete in licking Netanyahu's boots. It is so embarrassing to read our nominees licking the prime minister's boots. Each one is eager to give away more  (that’s what support means) than the other.

Romney blames Obama for spending money on the health of Americans, whereas he is willing to spend the money on war and destruction. Who will pay for this stupidity?

We cannot afford another war and Romney is either duping the Israelis or does not give a flip about what happens to American economy or Israel in the long run.

The Israelis need to wake up from these fakes who are ruining their future. Netanyahu can bully around and kill many more Palestinians or Iranians, but the blood of the people will have a price; protracted insecurity to Jews living in Israel. I don't think the Right wing Jews see that, they are determined to teach a lesson without worrying about the consequences. 

The law of karma works very well, they will get away with murders today, but will pay for it in terms of insecurity. Their attitudes is screw the ordinary Israelis and Americans, why should they bother about the ordinary.

Instead of spending every one's time, money and energy in destroying Iran, if they can spend the same on developing good relations with others, hostilities will mitigate. There is a Chinese saying, if you want to take the enemy out for good, make friends with them, on the other hand, if you overpower them today, you will not sleep well worried sick about your own vulnerability. That is how the law of karma works.

The few hawks do not want to make peace with Iran or the Palestinians, which means they will have to stop the aggressive theft of the Palestinian land, and stop the settlements as alluded by Dani Dayan and stop milking America.

In the past, the tyrant missionaries got away massacring the native tribes, the Hitlers,  Ferdinands, Saddams, Asads and those crooks got away too. Are the Israeli hawks thinking of doing the same to the Palestinians? Is the world going to sit by and do nothing? Indeed they did nothing to stop the Holocaust till the tail end of it. Are we going to pass the problems to over next generation?

If Israelis and Palestinians can demand accountability from their leaders measurable by peace and security for both the peoples, then a lasting sustainable peace is possible. The problem in not Jews or the Palestinians, it is the right wing hawks on both sides.

A personal note: As a Republican, I am leaning towards Obama again, Romney seems to be an opportunist and not good for America, Israel, Palestine or any one. He is not a man of his own conscience, there was another one like him who played to someone else's tunes. Obama has blundered, but he will not ruin America with another war. 

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Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on the topics of Pluralism, Coexistence, politics, interfaith, Islam and cohesive societies. He is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.