Rational Nation USA

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Jon Stewart actually asking some reasonable questions. Because the "Babbling and Time To Retire" Pelosi failed to address Stewart's questions and concerns effectively there seemed to be a bit of frustration displayed by Stewart. Or perhaps its just me? The Daily Show Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes , The Daily Show on Facebook Representative Pelosi just may have a future retirement career in comedy playing opposite the straight guy or gal. Story below the fold .

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Following last nights rather mundane and short on specifics SOTU by President Obama I started thinking about the future and if there is anyone in the current ranks of the GOP or the Libertarian Party who could possibly be elected to the presidency in 2016. Frankly given the crop of malcontents and loonies(Christie doesn't fall into that group but he has shot himself in the big toe) that seem to be getting attention in the GOP it appears unlikely. Tonight while browsing the net the following article popped up and given the headline was along my line of thinking last it was a must read. Got me thinking again and if the GOP can find the intelligence to act along the lines of thought presented in the article there may just be a real race in 2016 rather than a shoo in for the democrats. NationalJournal - For a party that's accustomed to nominating the next-in-line presidential candidate, 2016 promises to be a very un

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U SA Purveyor of Truth Is anybody, and I mean ANYBODY in either party really serious about controlling the explosive rate of debt growth we have experienced since the 2008/2009 meltdown? I really think not. Mitch McConnell talking to Chris Wallace about raising the debt ceiling. Below the fold THINK PROGRESS weighs in. Content as expected from a far left publication. Meanwhile, over at CBS and Bob Schieffer's FACE the NATION Ted Cruz chimed in and actually made a bit of sense. Assuming of course he, and anyone else is really concerned with debt control or reduction. BOB SCHIEFFER: Well, now, just a minute. Just a minute. The government is approaching another deadline February 7, when it will run out of money unless Congress agrees to raise the debt ceiling. Will you agree to raise the debt ceiling, or will you demand something in return. SEN. TED CRUZ: Look, of course, we should do something. We shouldn't just write a bl

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth This individual has often contemplated the reason(s) the state should have anything to do with marriage. I was always just a bit puzzled as to why the state, being secular and not involved with religious rites in any way, would concern itself with marriage. Putting that aside for a different discussion on a different day I must say I was amused to find that Oklahoma conservatives have put forth the idea of banning ALL marriages in the Okie state. What is not at all surprising is that this move is a back alley maneuver by sate conservatives to keep same sex unions illegal in the state. Rep. Mike Turner (R-Edmond) admitted as much. News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | Article below the fold . Via: Memeorandum

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth WASHINGTON — The guest list for President Obama’s upcoming State of the Union address just got more interesting. Yesterday, Sean Hannity said he’d be attending as a guest of Rep. Louie Gohmert. Hannity is a conservative pundit for Fox News. He’s had Gohmert, an outspoken critic of Obama, on his show a number of times. The Tyler Republican has even filled in hosting Hannity’s show on a few occasions. Turns out, Hannity may have his own political ambitions in the Lone Star state. Yes indeed. Loons of a feather flock together. “The answer is yes, I’d think about it,” Hannity said when a viewer asked via Facebook about his inclination to run for office eventually. “It would either be in Texas or Florida.” Hannity, who has indicated he’s leaving what he calls “anti-conservative” New York, later contrasted the state with Texas. Certainly the Northeast has no problem with Mr. Hannity exercising his free will in relocati

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth I've said all along that the NSA surveillance plan (data mining)was not only an infringement on the privacy rights of every American citizen but quite probably illegal as well. An independent federal agency has arrived at the same conclusion. WASHINGTON — An independent federal privacy watchdog has concluded that the National Security Agency’s program to collect bulk phone call records has provided only “minimal” benefits in counterterrorism efforts, is illegal and should be shut down. The findings are laid out in a 238-page report, scheduled for release by Thursday and obtained by The New York Times, that represent the first major public statement by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, which Congress made an independent agency in 2007 and only recently became fully operational. The report is likely to inject a significant new voice into the debate over surveillance, underscoring that the issue was no

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U SA Purveyor of Truth It isn't like we couldn't see it coming. In fact expect more down the line. It is absolutely no secret that for ObamaCare (ACA) to work will require a huge pool of younger healthier individuals to participate in the Government's Heath Insurance, er Healthcare Plan. How long will it be before businesses decide to just pass it all off the the government? It's anybody's guess, but I'm betting single payer sooner rather than late. THE HILL - Target Corp. announced on Tuesday it would no longer offer healthcare coverage to its part-time employees. In a blog post on the company’s website, Jodee Kozlak, the executive vice president of human resources, framed it as a positive development for part-time employees of the company. “The Health Insurance Marketplaces provides new options for healthcare coverage that we believe our part-time members may prefer,” she wrote. “In fact, by offering them insurance

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Sarah Palin, former Republican Vice Presidential candidate honored Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. today. Following is what be had to say. Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin seized Martin Luther King Day as an opportunity to lob vague criticism at President Barack Obama. "Mr. President, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and all who commit to ending any racial divide, no more playing the race card," Palin wrote Monday on her Facebook page, after quoting from the civil rights icon's famous "I Have A Dream" speech. Obama said in an extensive New Yorker profile published this weekend that he believes “there’s no doubt that there’s some folks who just really dislike me because they don’t like the idea of a black President." "Now, the flip side of it is there are some black folks and maybe some white folks who really like me and give me the benefit of the doubt pre

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth New Jersey's Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno is pushing back hard against allegations by Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer. The Lieutenant Governor is calling the Mayor's allegations false and illogical. As this "scandal" heats up, and it most certainly will, Rational Nation U S A will continue to provide pertinent updates as they come in. It is apparent, given Governor Christie's potential 2016 presidential challenge to what appears will be the shoo in democratic nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton that  this "scandal will continue well into 2015 as the Obama justice department delves deeper into what is really limited to the New Jersey New York geographical area. Story by POLITICO below the fold . Via: Memeorandum

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer coming forward (belatedly) with more allegations about New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. There are certainly some credibility issues with the Mayor's late allegations but nonetheless in the interest of getting it "all out there" here it is. As questionable or not as it may be. Story from TPM under the fold . More om this continuing saga later. Via: Memeorandum

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth It appears the nation of scandals has yet another scandal to its long list of scandals. While this time it is a local scandal (San Fransisco, California) machining its way all the way to national notice, it is nonetheless a scandal worthy of mention. This time the scandalous party is none other than the liberal progressives exacting their pound of flesh from an actress that had the audacity of endorsing a Tea Party candidate for California Governor. SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) - SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) — A famed actress is facing backlash in San Francisco’s Latino community, after she voiced support for a conservative candidate for California governor. Maria Conchita Alonso starred in a campaign ad for Assemblyman Tim Donnelly of San Bernardino County, a Tea Party favorite who is seeking the Republican nomination. Donnelly has voiced strong views against illegal immigration and was once involved with the Minutemen Project

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Perhaps we'll get to see a debate between two primo dunderhead loudmouths. On the left Ed Schultz and on the right Ann Coulter. Should this become a reality platitudes, hyperbole, and a health dose of personal attacks are likely to be commonplace. From NewsBusters - Conservative author Ann Coulter threw down quite the gauntlet Wednesday. After MSNBC's Ed Schultz said on his show, "Republicans, they’re afraid of me. They don’t want to talk to me," Coulter responded via Twitter, "Invite me on your show, you lying p--sy" Later Coulter went on to say via e-mail: These MSNBC hosts like Rachel and Ed love posing as macho Republican-slayers, with Rachel repeatedly begging Republican senators to please, please, please come on her show (because she's such a formidable debater, you see), and now Schultz boasting that Republicans are terrified of him! We quake in our boots! I've been beggi

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Polls are merely a snapshot in time indicating the public's perception relative to something which concerns, or ought to concern the public. A recent NBC News/Marist poll shows 70% of Americans have not changed their opinion of the New Jersey Governor and 44% believe the governor is telling the truth. What is telling is that by far more view Governor Christie as a strong leader rather than a bully some are attempting to make him out to be. Equally as interesting is the 20126 potential republican presidential candidate has lost grounf since news that a Christie administration staffer(s) was involved in the George Washington Bridge four day lane closings in September 2013. Governor Cgristie is now trailing Hillary Rodam Clinton by 13%. Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, explains that, overall, this is good news for Christie. “The numbers suggest it’s far from politically fata

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth As the liberal/progressive media and bloggers attempt to trash Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey over the George Washington Bridge lane closings, ostensibly because he is a formidable threat to their darling would be 2016 democratic presidential nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton, there remains NO EVIDENCE he had any involvement or was aware of the actions by his underlings. If Governor Christie indeed had no involvement in the closings, and at this point is is prudent to assume he didn't, the valid question is... should he have known? If we believe an executive sets the tone and culture for his administration then indeed the actions of his loyal staff at least become somewhat understandable. Wrong, but understandable. From NorthJersey.com Nothing in the approximately 2,000 documents released on Friday by the Assembly committee investigating the matter suggest that Christie knew of the lane-closure scheme beforeh

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth While looking for something of interest, since the daily regular debates are getting rather stale and becoming pointless in my never humble opinion, I stumbled upon The Free Capitalist Network and decided to stay awhile. During my meandering through the site I came across a interesting comment post. The comment was posted in 2011 by EmperorNero . All socialist countries are poor, and all poor countries are, or have until recently been, socialist. All rich countries are capitalist, and all capitalist countries are rich. I would be interested in some counterexamples or arguments against this rule. It seems to hold true as long as we are clear what we mean by " socialism ". Socialism here is defined as government ownership/control of the means of production, and not in the 'European meaning' of capitalism with welfarism, or the 'original meaning' of absence of private property rights. (Emphasis m

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth Dean Heller Given the continuing and relatively elevated unemployment figures, which we all know are really understated, it is understandable why the Federal Government is concerned with extending yet again unemployment benefits. After all people need a safety net when they fall on hard times and unfortunate circumstances such has been the case for millions since what, 2008? While most, but by no means all, will actively look for work, job retraining, and or both, some will sit it out and look to the continuing goodies from the tax payers they are confident the Democrats (progressives) in Congress will demand for them. This of course without any urgency to actually find work. Now, before going further I am unequivocally saying that I AM IN FAVOR OF A TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF JOBLESS BENEFITS at this time and the three month time frame ks reasonable . However, the question that needs to be asked is, what if circums

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth If anyone has ANY doubts as to whether the progressive movement, and it's socialist agenda is ALL about turning this nation into a SOCIALIST country you really, realty need to NEED to read this . Now I get that capitalism in the USA has really botched things up in a big way. Government, in cahoots with business, has developed a huge crony capitalist system whereby subsidies (the taxpayers money) prop up businesses that otherwise would fail. Businesses (industries) cry for regulations that hamper their better competitors from more effectively, and at a lower cost, serving their customers at a higher level of efficiency. Labor unions, now clamoring for a ridiculously high minimum wage see no correlation between the effect of increased costs to the businesses and the effect it will have on the price of product or service to the consumer. Our government, and it hasn't been just the democrats, has been moving to

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Wella, wella, wella! The Duck crew has added to their product line. Partnering with Mossberg, Duck Commander, the company founded by Phil Robertson will begin marketing line firearms that will include “ nine different shotguns, as well as two semiautomatic rifles and a semiautomatic pistol .” Now, I have nothing against firearms, hunting, or ducks. In fact I admire individuals who take a risk and in the process create a successful business and become fabulously wealthy. After all, it is the American dream and it is the American way. What I do have something against is racism, bigotry, and the belief that a man should marry an adolescent girl before she reaches the age of 15 or 16. All of which Phil Robertson has made clear he is in support of. So, in as much as I admire business acumen and the desire and ability to make money I cannot abide supporting Duck Commander, Phil Robertson, or his family endeavor. I personall

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Phil Robertson, the extreme right's new hero. Yep, a bible thumping racist and bigot. You go Phil! Just in from Mediate - The controversy surrounding Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has now taken a step beyond his comments about homosexuality and bestiality, along with his assertion that black people in the Jim Crow South were happier and equating Muslims with Nazis. Now with yet another video that’s surfaced, we’re once again reminded that this is nothing new for Robertson, who explained to an Arkansas congregation in 2008 what would “do in the Muslims,” as well as “the Chinese,” and that Muslims are “famous for murder.” “What will do the Muslims in?” Robertson asked in the middle of his speech before the Hillsboro Church of Christ in El Dorado. “Violations of the law, that’s what’ll do ‘em in,” he said waving his bible in the air. Continue reading below the fold . Via: Memora