Rational Nation USA

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth We live in troubled and dangerous times. A very real possibility of a prolonged 21'st century clash of western civilization and Islamic fundamentalist extremism exists. How the west handles the growing threat will quite likely determine the length and severity of the destruction. If blanket bigotry and fear such as that being hawked by Donald J. Trump and the millions of others who share his diseased mindset prevails the world is in for a long protracted bloody battle the world over. On the other hand if leveler heads, guided by a deep understanding of Middle Eastern history prevail it is possible the threat will be contained and eliminated with less bloodshed and destruction. Understanding that Muslims in the Middle East and Africa have thus far suffered much greater terrorism, destruction, bloodshed, and loss of life than the USA is important. We must show the Muslim world, Islamic extremist jihadists aside for a moment, that we a...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Given the recent terrorist attack in Paris France it is understandable the heightened concern in the USA over possible terrorist attacks again being unleased on our soil, and indeed the possibility is real. However, the 24/7 barrage of negative media coverage, mostly from FOX "News", the GOP hyperbole with respect the how President Obama and his administration is handling the threat, as well as its policy on taking Syrian refugees into the USA is lacking of rational thought and analysis. Responding out of fear rather than an understanding of facts and a sober analysis of the possible repercussions of our actions is both foolhardy and dangerous. The following report helps put things in perspective. CNN - The deadly terror attacks in Paris and Beirut last week are consistent with a worldwide trend of increased terrorism -- now at its highest level ever -- according to a new study. Deaths from global terrorism increased by 80% in ...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth While this site is supportive of the President's decision to assemble a coalition of Arab states and commence air strikes against ISIL/ISIS in response to the Islamic State's ever growing threat the editorial board of The New York Times doesn't see it that way. However, air strikes should continue nonetheless within the time frame allowed under the 1973 War Powers Act. During which time the President should CLEARLY outline the objectives for the public and make the case to Congress and secure Congressional sanction for his actions. A Declaration of War should not be ruled out. The New York Times - President Obama has put America at the center of a widening war by expanding into Syria airstrikes against the Islamic State, the Sunni extremist group known as ISIS and ISIL. He has done this without allowing the public debate that needs to take place before this nation enters another costly and potentially lengthy co...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth Following the ISIL/ISIS threat... The three articles below, two from The New York Times and the third from The Guardian discuss the threat, the administrations current positions, and the possible military course the USA may find itself taking at some point to effectively " dismantle and destroy" ISIL/ISIS, to use the President's words. WASHINGTON — Militants for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria have traveled to Mexico and are just miles from the United States. They plan to cross over the porous border and will “imminently” launch car bomb attacks. And the threat is so real that federal law enforcement officers have been placed at a heightened state of alert, and an American military base near the border has increased its security. As the Obama administration and the American public have focused their attention on ISIS in recent weeks, conservative groups and leading Republicans have issued stark warnin...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth Sen. Rand Paul on Monday pushed back against heightened criticism that he has flip-flopped on foreign policy issues, saying he has stood firmly against the Obama administration’s policies in Syria. Appearing on CBS “This Morning,” the Kentucky Republican conceded that he has shifted his views in some areas, including on what is an appropriate U.S. response to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. “As world events change, obviously you change your analysis. Five years ago, ISIS wasn’t a threat,” he said, using an alternate name for the terrorist group that has mobilized across much of northern and central Iraq. Paul acknowledged that his thought process on ISIL has been “influenced” by ISIL’s recent beheadings of U.S. journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and British aid worker David Haines. He had previously been publicly skeptical about potential airstrikes against ISIL, but just a few months after criticized...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth This just in from The New York Times . With many key Arab states only expressing lukewarm support for President Obama's enunciated strategy to dismantle and destroy ISIL/ISIS how successful will the plan be? BEIRUT, Lebanon — Many Arab governments grumbled quietly in 2011 as the United States left Iraq, fearful it might fall deeper into chaos or Iranian influence. Now, the United States is back and getting a less than enthusiastic welcome, with leading allies like Egypt, Jordan and Turkey all finding ways on Thursday to avoid specific commitments to President Obama’s expanded military campaign against Sunni extremists. As the prospect of the first American strikes inside Syria crackled through the region, the mixed reactions underscored the challenges of a new military intervention in the Middle East, where 13 years of chaos, from Sept. 11 through the Arab Spring revolts, have deepened political and sectarian divisio...