Rational Nation USA

Wishing All A Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous 2011 From the Birthplace of Independent Conservatism Rational Nation USA

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism Certainly there is much truth in the old saying, "where there is a will there is a way." The ever-growing statist bureaucracy, aka the United States Government, continues to circumvent the will of the people. The provision in ObamaCar - Section 1233 - that would have mandated government payment for end-of-life counseling is back. Coined "death panels" by Sarah Palin, this onerous provision created such public concern over the possibility of rationing that it was dropped from the final bill. However, not to be deterred, the provision found its way back -- this time buried in new Medicare regulations. The regulation provides for end-of-life counselling during regular annual wellness visits. The regulations were issued a month ago but kept quiet until just recently. Author of Section 1233 , Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) was delighted. Here is what he had to say: "Mr. Blumenau

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism I find myself once again amazed by the liberal progressive lexicon. WaPo in today's article entitled  'Don't ask, don't tell' has been repealed. ROTC still shouldn't be on campus'   further exposes the liberal mindset for what is is.  Now that asking and telling has ceased to be problematic in military circles, ROTC has resurfaced as a national issue: Will universities such as Harvard, Yale and other Ivy League schools be opened to Reserve Officers' Training Corps since colleges can no longer can argue that the military is biased against gays and therefore not welcome? At Notre Dame, on that 1989 visit and several following, I learned that the ROTC academics were laughably weak. They were softie courses. The many students I interviewed were candid about their reasons for signing up: free tuition and monthly stipends, plus the guarantee of a job in the military after col

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism The left, as educated and intellectual as they see themselves apparently have great difficulty understanding the United States Constitution. Why? Because it is over 100 years old. Could it be it is just to simple for their superior minds? Example, the first amendment. Now this is as confusing as anything anybody could image. C ongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. h/t Eye Blast What country am I living in? Scratch... What planet am I living on? Cross posted to the Left Coast Rebel . Via: Memeorandum

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism The 2010 results are in, and once again FOX News captures the top rating slot. After nine years of doing so it should be relatively clear, at least to the rational mind anyway, that America finds FOX  fair and balanced. But you can rest assured that the liberal progressive mindset is going wacko over this report and will spin it in the typical and usual liberal progressive fashion. Fox, owing to its typically conservative leanings, draws the ire of the political left. The elitist of the progressive left simply refuse to accept the wisdom of the American people, ie: middle class. The Nielsen numbers are in for 2010, and in the battle for cable news ratings supremacy, Fox News took the title for the ninth year in a row -- bludgeoning the competition for another year. The blowout comes on the heels on Fox News’ surging 2009, when the News Corp.-owned channel posted its highest-rated year in the network’

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism Lets get real for just a moment. Of course to do so pre supposes the liberals ability to think rationally. In the video following a very rational and reasoned Megyn Kelly offers what any thinking mind would quickly grasp and embrace. Of course the liberal progressive  Society of Professional Journalists supports using the the politically correct and apparently unoffensive {at least to the illegal alien anyway} phrase of undocumented immigrant. Perhaps it is only the opinion of this independent conservative but Megyn Kely is spot on. Anyone who thinks otherwise has been infected by the virulent liberal progressive brain disorder. Write up from the left leaning TPM . Plenty of conservatives are pretty upset over a campaign by the Society of Professional Journalists to convince reporters to stop using the terms "illegal aliens" and "illegal immigrants" in favor of "undocumen

by the Left Coast Rebel An enlarged amygdalas has nothing to do with one's prostate (or other body part), rather it's the newest suspect in a long list of leftist attempts to connect the dots and offer an explanation on the motivations of anyone that prefers limited government to statism, freedom to socialism and human liberty to collectivist slavery. The amygdalas region of the brain is responsible for "fear and primitivism" and a new study out of the UK shows that the cavemen/women on the right have a super-large amygdalas: ( Raw Story ) A study at University College London in the UK has found that conservatives' brains have larger amygdalas than the brains of liberals. Amygdalas are responsible for fear and other "primitive" emotions. At the same time, conservatives' brains were also found to have a smaller anterior cingulate -- the part of the brain responsible for courage and optimism. If the study is confirmed, it could give us the first

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Before I get into the the issue first let us understand what fascism is. It is an economic and political system that allow for the private ownership of property and business however both are highly regulated by the state. As in Fascist Italy and Nazis Germany to point to just two fascist states of the 20th century. Fascism is not, as departing Congressman John Hall D-NY understands it to be. I do not know what school he attended but I am sure glad I was not among his classmates. He attributes his understanding of fascism to his school days stating that; "I learned when I was in social studies class in school that corporate ownership or corporate control of government is called Fascism. As can clearly be seen from the prior paragraph {be sure to checkout the link}this soon to be retired congressman does not know what he is talking about. In a wide-ranging interview before he prepares to leave the House of Representatives, Hudson Valley

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA I just received the following urgent message from Iron Mike of the Rabid Republican Blog. I think this needs attention from REAL Republicans... Iron Mike of course is referring to the Boston Herald article covering Republican Party Chief Jennifer Nassour's plea to save her job. Following a disastrous election cycle in which the party she is the nominal head of suffered a proverbial wipe out in both congressional and statewide races she is under fire. Certainly the results of the 2010 elections were very disappointing especially coming on the heals of the Scott Brown Senate win that captured the seat formerly held by the late Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy. Perhaps what is most disturbing is Nassour's refusal to accept any responsibility for the shellacking the GOP suffered in the Bay State. AKA the Socialist Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Perhaps Nassour's support for establishment Republicans partially explains her troubles.

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Pearls of wisdom from a rational thinker born of the Age of Reason. "But if we are to be told by a foreign power ... what we shall do, and what we shall not do, we have independence yet to seek, and have contended hitherto for very little." George Washington, letter to Alexander Hamilton, 1796 "Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all." George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796 Do leaders such as Washington even exist in this day and age? One can't help but wonder.

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Rasmussen Reports confirm the majority of Americans favor free market competition over government control believing the market will protect internet users more than governmental regulation. Additionally they fear governmental regulation will lead to the ultimate pushing of a political agenda. Obviously the fear here is that the political ideology and agenda of the party in power would be what would get pushed at the expense of censorship of opposing thought. American voters believe free market competition will protect Internet users more than government regulation and fear that regulation will be used to push a political agenda. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 21% of Likely U.S. Voters want the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate the Internet as it does radio and television. Fifty-four percent (54%) are opposed to such regulation, and 25% are not sure. (To see survey question wording,

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Being the father of independent conservative thought I find myself awestruck by the position of the Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America. The two groups announcement that they will not attend CPAC's February conference strikes me as being driven totally by idealogical beliefs rooted in the dark ages. While they may claim the reason for their refusal to participate is due to the organizations "financial mismanagement and movement away from conservative principals" the true underlying reason rests in CPAC's invitation to GOProud, a homosexual activist group, to attend the conference. Having been a young man in my late twenties and early thirties {I was an independent conservative even in those days} I recall the idealogical dark age mentality of one Anita Bryant who railed against homosexuality because it would be the destruction of the family and family values as the religious right believes they ought to

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Excerpts from the Washington Post . MOGADISHU, Somalia -- A leader of Somalia's Islamist insurgency threatened to attack America during a speech broadcast Monday. "We tell the American President Barack Obama to embrace Islam before we come to his country," said Fuad Mohamed "Shongole" Qalaf. For those on the left, this is a direct threat. It is worded in such a way so as to follow Islam's three tier methodology of converting infidels to the faith of Mohammed. First tier.... Attempt to convert the infidel to the faith willing as is alluded to in remark meant for Obama. Second tier.... Failing #1 subvert the infidel(s) to Islamic Sharia law. Third tier.... Failing #2 kill the infidel(s) More.... Al-Shabab has not yet launched an attack outside Africa but Western intelligence has long been worried because the group targeted young Somali-Americans for recruitment. About 20 have traveled to Somalia for traini

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA I find myself totally upset over the willful ignorance of some people. I specifically refer to the Seattle Mideast Awareness Campaign , a pro Palestinian propaganda add campaign that was slated to be waged against Israelis and their nation. Fortunately the ad campaign this pro Arabic leftist group was sponsoring was canceled. The Seattle Times carried an article covering the issue. Here is a short excerpt: In a reversal of an earlier decision, Metro Transit said Thursday it would not allow a bus ad alleging "Israeli war crimes," saying a flood of comments has convinced officials that service could be disrupted. The ad, purchased by the Seattle Mideast Awareness Campaign, ties alleged Israeli war crimes to U.S. military aid. The ad had been set to run for a month on the sides of 12 buses starting next week. Metro also rejected proposals for two counter ads. "The escalation of this issue from one of 12 local bus placards

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA The slow indoctrination continues. Objectively it is fine to pat down, or subject travelers to full body scans according to Janet Napolitano of Homeland Security. Soon we will witness the same on every form of public transportation. It is only a matter of time. From the Hill this Sunday morning. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Sunday that controversial new airport security procedures are likely to remain in place since they have been effective. Some airline passengers and lawmakers have objected to the new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) policy, which includes full-body scans and pat-downs. Asked on CNN's "State of the Union" if anything is going to change with the pat-down program, Napolitano said, "Not for the foreseeable future." The secretary called the procedures "objectively safer" for airline passengers and said they are part of a broader security strategy that in

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA A few quotes, all which have wisdom that if applied to present thinking and the behaviors of our current leadership may have significant beneficial consequences for our aging nation. "My ardent desire is, and my aim has been ... to comply strictly with all our engagements foreign and domestic; but to keep the United States free from political connections with every other country. To see that they may be independent of all, and under the influence of none. In a word, I want an American character, that the powers of Europe may be convinced we act for ourselves and not for others; this, in my judgment, is the only way to be respected abroad and happy at home." --George Washington, letter to Partick Henry, 1775 "There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate upon real favours from Nation to Nation. 'Tis an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard." --George Washington, Fa

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA The following short statement was just e-mailed to me by none other than my father, Les Carpenter Jr. A retired businessman and co owner of Barb's Sport Center (Barb being my mother)prior to them closing the store some time ago. He tells me the words just popped into his head, not at all surprising given he has done his share or writing over the years. It seems he was thinking about the current state of our union and the foregoing is the summation of his thought. I hope you enjoy this little ditty as much as I do. IT'S TIME FOR A STAND Tis the day before Christmas And all through the land, The politicians are figuring How to take from our hand, All the rights that were won By the brave and the true, You can lose or fight back The results we receive are left up to you. Take a stand to deny that the majority should lose, To a handful of those who try to abuse. Those folks who work For the things they get, It's time to quit t

by the Left Coast Rebel You just know that times-are-a-changing when you come across a headline that seemingly points to 700 Club's Pat Robertson as favoring the legalization of marijuana. Perhaps it should come as no surprise since more and more Americans favor legalization these days (as I wrote here ), despite California proposition 19's failure in November as well. I think that the Tea Party movement plays a big part in today's America in questioning the inner workings of our overbearing Federal government. And it's not that Tea Partiers favor marijuana or drug legalization per se, it's that they question the Federal government's ability to carry out a campaign like the "War on Drugs" or the "War on Poverty" without actually exacerbating the targeted issue instead of "solving" it. Melissa Bell in of all places, the Washington Post points to this: Robertson's position is not as unusual as you might think. Support for

by:  Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Its been a tough year for certain. Santa has it pretty much summed up, and of course Santa is yet again right. We can all hope the incoming 112th Congress is paying attention. And brushing up on Hayek and Rand. Anybody going to be holding their breath? Via: Bankrupting America - h/t the Left Coast Rebel

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA The Palestinian Authority, despites the "official" position by it's Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to world leaders that Palestine recognizes Israel's existence the reality is it does not. The Palestinian Authority actively disseminates the message through media sources to its people that Israel does not exist. It presents the notion that all Israel land, and Israel cities and regions are Palestinian. The PA uses television, one source of many to spread their propaganda and incite unrest in the Palestinian population. The videos clearly demonstrate the true position of the Palestinian Authority and thereby exposes the lie being told by the Chairman of the PA. Anyone with a cursory knowledge of Islam will know that lying to infidels to create a false sense of reality for the pursuit of achieving Muslim dominance {in this case to lull the world's leaders into believing the PA recognizes Israel's existence} is acceptable

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA A fascinating exchange between gay Representative Barney Frank D-MA and a CNS reporter. Barney certainly captured the upper hand {quickly} and never lost it. My take, don't send an obvious wet behind the ears reporter to pose questions with respect to an ethical issue with a seasoned BS'er. Especially when the obvious underlying purpose is to put the feet of the interviewee to the fire. Irrespective of ones beliefs in regards to the DADT repeal one has to agree "ole Barney" won the debating points on this one. Discussion at Memeorandum

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA This story is so bizarre one could not make it up if one tried. A group of ten high school students that formed a Christmas Sweater Club to spread Christmas cheer and tidings find themselves in trouble. h/t: The Blaze There is something seriously wrong in this nation. It's called political correctness that fosters intolerance of traditional American values. Read the story here .

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Immigration continues to preoccupy political considerations in our nation. For the rational and thinking individual it is laughable at best and dangerous at its worst. We indeed are a nation of immigrants, from our very beginnings as a colonial extension of the British Empire we drew peoples from Europe notions. This diversity was a positive then and remains so today. Having said this, we must remember that we are now a nation of some 234 years. We have well defined borders and a well defined culture. It is resonate {at least to rational thinking individuals} that we preserve the culture this nation has established over the course of time. We are strong because of our ability in the past to unite behind shared values and principles. Immigrants that came through Ellis Island {or other points of entry} assimilated with the uniquely American culture, gained U.S. citizenship and even fought for the freedoms we all cherish. These immigrants were