Rational Nation USA

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Jeb Bush speaking for the neocons and MIC establishment (as well as the RINOS of the GOP) has criticized Rand Paul for is stand on the illegal data mining of United State citizen's telephone records. Jeb Bush wrong and Rand Paul is absolutely RIGHT . Unfortunately it may well be possible the majority of Americans might very well be bamboozled by the rhetoric of the fear mongers and advocates for the MIC. As unlikely as it may be we here at Rational Nation USA are fervently hoping Rand Paul's reason an logic prevails over that of the neocons and MIC war advocates who care NOTHING about civil liberties and the law abiding and truly patriotic individual. AP - Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Saturday that Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul is "wrong" on his efforts to end post-Sept. 11 surveillance laws used against suspected spies and terrorists. Bush, a likely GOP presidential candidate in 2016, called for...

Kudos to All Participating Websites Thousands of websites are blocking Congress’s access to their sites in a show of force to protest the Patriot Act. Led by the online activist group Fight for the Future, more than 10,000 sites have added code that redirects any visitors from Internet protocol (IP) addresses from Congress away from their site and towards a protest page. “Congress: This is a blackout,” the site reads. “We are blocking your access until you end mass surveillance laws.” Instead of renewing or reforming the three expiring provisions of the Patriot Act, the activist group wants Congress to let them expire. “The real answer is to end all authorities used to conduct mass surveillance,” Fight for the Future says on the protest page. “Until you do, thousands of websites have blocked your access, and more are joining every day.” Hat Tip THE HILL .

Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth We should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does in good faith become an American and assimilates himself to us he shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed or birth-place or origin. But this is predicated upon the man’s becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American. If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated from the rest of America, then he isn’t doing his part as an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. . . We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, of American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding-house; and we have room for but one soul loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people. Theodore Roosevelt There are those who think surveys are fleeting an...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth PRINCETON, N.J. -- Americans are more likely now than in the early 2000s to find a variety of behaviors morally acceptable, including gay and lesbian relations, having a baby outside of marriage and sex between an unmarried man and woman. Moral acceptability of many of these issues is now at a record-high level. Skip The upward progression in the percentage of Americans seeing these issues as morally acceptable has varied from year to year, but the overall trend clearly points toward a higher level of acceptance of a number of behaviors. In fact, the moral acceptability ratings for 10 of the issues measured since the early 2000s are at record highs. Americans have become less likely to say that two issues are morally acceptable: the death penalty and medical testing on animals. But Americans' decreased acceptance of these practices actually moves them in a more liberal direction. These results reflect the same type of shift evide...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Associated Press - Sophisticated criminals used an online service run by the IRS to access personal tax information from more than 100,000 taxpayers, part an elaborate scheme to steal identities and claim fraudulent tax refunds, the IRS said Tuesday. The thieves accessed a system called "Get Transcript," where taxpayers can get tax returns and other filings from previous years. In order to access the information, the thieves cleared a security screen that required knowledge about the taxpayer, including Social Security number, date of birth, tax filing status and street address, the IRS said. "We're confident that these are not amateurs," said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. "These actually are organized crime syndicates that not only we but everybody in the financial industry are dealing with." Koskinen wouldn't say whether investigators believe the criminals are based overseas — or where they obt...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth For those of you who understand why our founders were in favor of the separation of church and state that resulted in the Establishment Clause no further explanation as to why one should be very leery of Marco Rubio and his fellow travelers is necessary. For those who do not understand the concern our forefathers and founders had with religion {church}informing secular law it would be advisable to brush up on the subject. Christianity's 'Real and Present Danger' Today, his deep faith drives public policy positions on social issues such as traditional marriage. "If you think about it, we are at the water's edge of the argument that mainstream Christian teaching is hate speech," Rubio told CBN News. "Because today we've reached the point in our society where if you do not support same-sex marriage you are labeled a homophobe and a hater." "So what's the next step after that?" he as...

Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth Donald Trump doing what Donald Trump does better than almost anyone, self promotion and slinging the BS . If a big mouth combined with conceit and the pompous attitude that accompanies it can get one elected president of the USA then The Donald is our next Chief Executive and Commander in Chief. Daily Mall - Donald Trump isn't looking past the Republican primary and sharpening his manicured claws for Hillary Clinton. Not yet. In a 70-minute speech before an audience of 1,500 in Sarasota, Florida on Thursday night, the business titan and storied dealmaker took shots at his fellow Republicans. The crowd went wild and chanted Trump's name even before he took the stage at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center to receive the 'Statesman of the Year' award from the local Republican party. And afterward as hundreds streamed out into the muggy Florida night, they surrounded Trump's car like groupies clamoring for a closer ...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Not surprising at all. The old United States of America is indeed becoming less conservative socially and more liberal and or soft libertarian. Hard core conservatives (neo cons and evangelicals in particular), as they see their influence waning have responded with... more of the same that is gradually yet decidedly being rejected in increasing numbers. • 31% say they are socially liberal, 31% socially conservative • This is the first time conservatives have not outnumbered liberals • Conservatives maintain edge on economic issues Americans' growing social liberalism is evident not only in how they describe their views on social issues but also in changes in specific attitudes, such as increased support for same-sex marriage and legalizing marijuana. These longer-term trends may be attributable to changing attitudes among Americans of all ages, but they also may be a result of population changes, with younger, more liberal American...

When it shall be said in any country in the world, my poor are happy; neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them; my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars; the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive; the rational world is my friend, because I am a friend of its happiness: When these things can be said, then may the country boast of its constitution and its government.

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth The Hill - Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson told The Hill on Wednesday that it was a mistake for the U.S. to invade Iraq, arguing that the nation should have found a different way to remove Saddam Hussein from power. “I’ve said definitively that I was never in favor of going into Iraq,” Carson told The Hill in a phone interview, noting that he has previously addressed the matter in some of his books. “And since we did go in, the big problem is that we didn’t secure victory there, and that’s a huge problem.” “I would have gotten rid of the problem of Saddam Hussein some other way,” he continued. “When you go into a situation with so many factions and such a complex history, unless you know what you’re doing or have a long-term strategy, it just creates more problems.” When pressed on how the U.S. should have toppled Hussein without sending troops into the country, Carson said that “there are a lot of ways to get rid of peop...

Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth View video of Chris Christie and Megyn Kelly here . So, what do you think of Governor Chris Christie and his take on reality ? Popularity ratings aside, would he make a viable president of these United States of America? Or is popularity the primary criteria for electing presidents? Sometimes it certainly seems that way. If ya know what we mean. Via: Memeorandum

Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth Consistent with our desire to celebrate and model a Scriptural approach to sexuality;, the University prohibits same-sex dating behaviors and public advocacy for the position that sex outside of a biblically-defined marriage is morally acceptable. Filipe Farinha/Getty Images LeTourneau Univ., an NCAA Division III school in Texas, has a new policy forbidding gay student-athletes from dating. Any support for same-sex marriage can result in an athlete's dismissal. Here we see yet again the bigotry that blankets the religious right. Americans in general are moving away from religious fundamentalism with the younger generation leading the way to a more tolerant and less bigoted society. What is shown in the above quote is the dark side of religious fundamentalism. In one simple statement LeTourneau University, a Christ centered institution of higher learning, treats gay and lesbian individuals and couples as second class human beings and ...

Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth While this site is neither a Warren or Clinton advocate in any broad sense of the word it does acknowledge that it would serves us all well to listen to what they have to say with respect to the Obama trade deal. Trade deals should be structured and tiled so as to serve our nations best interests. There is probable reason to believe this one, like NAFTA fails to do so. POLITICO - Y ou need to tell me what’s wrong with this trade agreement, not one that was passed 25 years ago,” a frustrated President Barack Obama recently complained about criticisms of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). He’s right. The public criticisms of the TPP have been vague. That’s by design—anyone who has read the text of the agreement could be jailed for disclosing its contents. I’ve actually read the TPP text provided to the government’s own advisors, and I’ve given the president an earful about how this trade deal will damage this nation. But I can’t share my cr...

Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth I don't know about anybody else but I am adamantly and unequivocally opposed to militarization of our community police forces. PERIOD! The federal government has ben providing police forces with military hardware and paraphernalia since the 1990's. President Obama is scaling back the program as the White House announced Monday "... that bayonets, weaponized vehicles and grenade launchers will no longer be available to local police and that other equipment such as riot gear and other types of armored vehicles would be subject to a more onerous approval process." Militarization of local police forces is purely and simply a very very bad idea. Unless you don't mind the possibility of you or your children actually living in a right wing police state someday. POLITICO - CAMDEN, N.J. - The nation’s largest police union is fighting back against a White House plan to restrict local police forces’ ability to acquire militar...

Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth Bernie Sanders' Facebook page; of course he is absolutely correct. Yeah, we know; at one time this site came out in favor of Citizens United . An initial error in judgment. Call it a brain fart if you prefer. Our republic is slowly being destroyed by special interest monies as oligarchs and plutocrats slowly impose their agendas on the governed . Via: Memeorandum

Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bill Clinton got most of their income from speaking engagements, a campaign aide said. Credit Isaac Brekken for The New York Times         Does anyone really believe after reading the following that Hillary Rodham Clinton, a multi-millionaire, is the least bit interested in those outside of her social and financial networks? If anyone does there's a bridge to nowhere for sale just waiting for the American electorate to purchase it. The New York Times - Hillary Rodham Clinton and her husband made at least $30 million over the last 16 months, mainly from giving paid speeches to corporations, banks and other organizations, according to financial disclosure forms filed with federal elections officials on Friday. The sum, which makes Mrs. Clinton among the wealthiest of the 2016 presidential candidates, could create challenges for the fo...

BB King, one of the greatest bluesmen there ever was (or will be) dies at 89 years of age.

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Thus sayeth Allan West and Newsmax . RAWSTORY - Former Republican Congressman Allen West on Thursday suggested that Pope Francis was guilty of “disdain and anti-Semitism” after the Vatican announced plans to recognize the “state of Palestine.” “This is horrific,” West told Newsmax host Steve Malzberg on Thursday. “At a time when Islamic terrorists are slaughtering Christians — Catholics — all over the Middle East, for the Pontiff to recognize a terrorists organization — which is really, either Hamas or Fatah, they’re both terrorists organizations, it’s just the degree of the actions that they’re taking.” “This is unconscionable that he is doing that,” the former Republican congressman insisted. “And it just goes to show the level of propaganda success that the Palestinians have, and the level of disdain and anti-Semitism that there is out there.” “And it is even coming from the Vatican.” Perhaps it's time to attempt something...

Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth BOOM!!! The Governor has it absolutely right. For many, many, many reasons . - Dealing with a question that tripped up Jeb Bush, Ohio Gov. John Kasich says that the U.S. never should have gone to Iraq, knowing what we know now. “There’s a lot of people who lost limbs and lives over there, OK?” the governor told The Dispatch yesterday. “But if the question is, if there were not weapons of mass destruction should we have gone, the answer would’ve been no.” Why? “I wouldn’t have seen it as vital to national interests.” { Continue Reading } Via: Memeorandum

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Blogging the past six years has been an education to say the least. Perhaps it is the political aspect that has turned the experience into sour grapes rather than the positive experience and sharing of ideas it should be. Sharing of ideas, especially with those of opposing viewpoints, is an opportunity for learning and personal growth. Unfortunately this is the exception rather than the norm in these winner take all and leave no prisoners exchanges between differing political ideologies and political parties. Maybe it has always been this way; but there was a time when reasonable compromise borne of heated debate and honest dialogue was the respected norm. Most would agree that no one political ideology or philosophy is right 100% of the time. By the same token no political ideology or philosophy can be wrong all of the tine either. Yet in right and left blogistan there are those who consistently, no matter what the issue, rigidly hold ...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Potential 2016 GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum is making the case to bomb ISIS back to the 7th century, in the name of preserving our cherished heritage of freedom and liberty. Of course he apparently hasn't any concrete ideas on exactly how that would be accomplished. Given ISIS is not a nation state and is wide spread in the Middle East, and it's tentacles reach further to other areas of the globe. Maybe Mr. Santorum is suggesting we simply load up and blanket bomb the entre Middle East and the Persian peninsula? Israel excluded of course as under Bibi's leadership they would no doubt be enthusiastic agents of mass destruction of their opponents in the region. There is perhaps a slim chance Mr. Santorum might marshal enough support to actually receive the GOP nomination. Think about this possibility should that come to pass. Pamela Geller as his vice presidential running mate. Don't laugh, stranger things have...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Uh-Oh! A good and proper gesture. I can only imagine the backlash this businessman will face. It doesn't fit the stereotypical agenda so many in minority communities have of white folks. Come to think of it some white folks have the same view of other white folks. Good and proper gesture nonetheless. The Hispanic owners of the restaurant in Milliken say "all Americans should be celebrated ." MILLIKEN - The Hispanic owners of a barbecue restaurant in Milliken say they plan to host a "White Appreciation Day" in June. What started as a joke is now on the calendar. Edgar Antillon and Miguel Jimenez recently purchased Rubbin Buttz BBQ on Broad Street. On June 11, they plan to offer a 10-percent discount to all white customers, and no one else. "We have a whole month for Black History Month," Antillon said. "We have a whole month for Hispanic Heritage Month, so we thought the least we could do was offer...

Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States.... ARTICLE I, SECTION 8, CLAUSE 1 The general welfare clause of the constitution has been been debated since before ratification and continues to this day. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were notable advocates of a strict interpretation and Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and John Adams advocated a broader implied powers interpretation. Liberals today hold with the implied powers interpretation and conservatives and libertarians with the strict construction interpretation. Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated. They are not to do anything they please to provide for the general welfare, but only to lay taxes for that purpose. To consider the latter phrase not as describing the purpo...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Just when we thought we'd seen it all. Ya just can't make this crazy s*it up! NBC News - A Nebraska woman identifying herself as the "ambassador" for plaintiffs "God and His Son, Jesus Christ," is suing all homosexuals on Earth for breaking "religious and moral laws," according to court records filed Tuesday. In the suit, entered into the docket as Driskell v. Homosexuals, Sylvia Ann Driskell, 66, of Auburn, Nebraska, asks in a seven-page, neatly handwritten petition (PDF) that U.S. District Judge John M. Gerrard decide once and for all whether homosexuality is or isn't a sin. The suit doesn't cite any case law under which a judge could make such a determination. In fact, it cites no court cases at all, quoting Webster's Dictionary and numerous Bible verses, instead, to bolster Driskell's central contention, which is: "That homosexuality is a sin and that they the homosexual...

Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth The ridiculously high cost of being sexual AND stupid. Images of wanton destructive warfare and pictures and movies of wounded, dismembered, and dead soldiers are  a okay, even glorified as it is all in the name of freedom and liberty. Go figure. The dude could receive 15 years because of a prior. The result of the war on drugs. Bradenton Herald - MANATEE -- After only 15 minutes of deliberation, a jury Monday found a couple guilty of having sex on Bradenton Beach. The convictions carry maximum prison sentences of 15 years. Jose Caballero, 40, and Elissa Alvarez, 20, were charged with two counts each of lewd and lascivious behavior for having sex on a public beach July 20, 2014. Video played in the courtroom during the 1- 1/2-day trial showed Alvarez moving on top of Caballero in a sexual manner in broad daylight. Witnesses testified a 3-year-old girl saw them. Caballero and Alvarez will now have to register as ...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth The Obama administration’s proposed curbs on coal-burning power plants could prevent thousands of deaths each year from heart attack and respiratory disease, scientists said Monday in the first peer-reviewed study to examine the measure’s health impacts. Many parts of the country could see immediate improvements in air quality as a side-effect of the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed “Clean Power Plan” regulations, which are primarily intended to cut greenhouse gas emissions linked to climate change, the researchers said in a study published in Nature Climate Change . Depending on implementation, the proposals could prevent about 3,500 premature deaths a year, mostly from respiratory disease, said the study’s authors, scientists from Harvard and Syracuse universities and four other institutions. “The bottom line is, the more the standards promote cleaner fuels and energy efficiency, the greater the added health benefits,” said...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Anyone else sense something might be wrong with this picture? Bloomberg Politics - Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, a potential Republican presidential candidate, is trying to close a $1.6 billion budget hole without touching as much as $415,000 per episode in tax breaks that may be due to “Duck Dynasty.” The A&E television reality show takes part in the nation’s most generous entertainment-tax credit program. Jindal is proposing no changes, arguing that reducing such breaks is tantamount to raising taxes. The state approves enough incentives each year to make up at least $200 million in proposed cuts that led Louisiana State University to say that it may plan for insolvency. “You’re talking about between $200 million and $250 million a year that goes out the door to TV and film producers to come here and shoot their pictures, in a state where money is scarce,” said Jan Moller, director of the Louisiana Budget Project, which advoca...

Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth The New York Times - A New York City police officer in plain clothes was shot in the face and critically wounded on Saturday in Queens after driving up in an unmarked car to question a man on the street, officials said. The officer, Brian Moore, 25, was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was listed in critical but stable condition, the police commissioner, William J. Bratton, said at a news conference at the hospital late Saturday as Officer Moore remained in surgery. On Sunday morning, Demetrius Blackwell, 35, was charged with one count of attempted murder, one of assault and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Mayor Bill de Blasio called the shooting an “unconscionable act of violence” and “a reminder of the dangers that all of our officers face every single day.” Officer Moore was shot around 6:15 p.m. on 212th Street in Queens Village, said the police. He and Erik Jansen, both anti-crime officers, were...

Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth Is it just me or is there something wrong with this picture? Something missing? Article FOUND HERE . Via: Memeorandum