Rational Nation USA

      When fascism came to America it  came clutching a bible and waving the flag.  On January 20, 2025. When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick: every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower. One only throws a stick at a lion once. Milarepa   “Just as it is known t hat an image of one's face is seen d epending on a mirror b ut does not really exist as a face, s o the conception of "I" exist d ependent on mind and body, b ut like the image of a face t he "I" does not at all exist as its own reality."    Nagarjuna "Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.   Nagarjuna

Eastern vs Western Philosophy Have you ever wondered about the differences between Eastern and Western philosophies?  Apart from geographical locations, these two parts of the world have differences in their way of life and the approach to life in general.  These ways of living are not only brought about by topography and physical circumstances that play crucial factors in living, but also the school of thought that governs the major societies in the Eastern and Western part of the globe. Let us take a look first at what “philosophy” is in general and how it affects and makes differences on Western and Eastern society.  Generally, “philosophy” is universally defined as “the study of the wisdom or knowledge about the general problems, facts, and situations connected with human existence, values, reasons, and general reality.”  It seeks reasons, answers, and general explanations to life and its factors.  Thus, if we talk about philosophy, we talk about a school of...

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by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Continuing our journey into Objectivism following are segment 4-6 of Professor Peikoff's lecture. Continuing tomorrow.

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Rodin - The Thinker I was asked recently by a Rational Nation USA regular about President Obama and if he could possibly be compared to Mao, China's tyrannical and brutal communist leader. After a period given to clarifying my thoughts on the subject I decided to respond. My response I hope reflects intellectual clarity and is absence right leaning hyperbole. First I will present the question as advanced followed by my response. The question : Les, sometimes I wonder if what Obama wants by fairness would ultimately become very much like it is in Communist countries. China under Mao may be a good example. I never hear anyone comparing it so I wonder if I am far out in left field. Am I? My response : Obama is a product of the "democratic socialist" movement. I often use the term statist which essentially means a belief that the state through it's elected representatives and senators has the p...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism We have become a nation of cynics. To a ceertain degree we no longer concern ourselves with a focus on the ethics and values that formed this nation and resulted in it achieving a preeminent place among people and nations. We seldom discuss in a serious sense the principles of integrity, productive work, personal responsibility for our actions, ethical behavior in government or the business sector, personal liberty and what it means in within the context of meeting personal obligations, or the meaning of rational self interest within the framework of a value based ethical system that leads to a morally just society. We are so busy pointing fingers at the "opposition" we rarely take the time to look in the mirror. Either the national or the personal one. Perhaps if we were to occasionally do so we would not like {very much} what we might see. It is easier to dismiss those things which make u...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA I was fascinated by this picture today as I contemplated the state of our current political discourse, our ineffectual government, our so called capitalists, and the modern pull peddlers. The image of one lone individual standing in front of what appears to be a structure having seen it's better days with the shadow of Atlas supporting the world on his shoulders held me awe struck for several moments. I shall leave it to each thinking individual to determine for themselves and to understand why this visual image holds such power. Even for  a matter of a few moments. For those who believe it takes a village to raise a child it is likely their capacity to grasp the power of the above visual will be stunted...  In all likelihood it is quite possible it  is non existent. As I sat contemplating the image my thoughts flowed to the present state of affairs in ou...

The people of  the United States of America are possibly  facing the greatest threat to their liberties since The rise of Adolph Hitler and WW II.. The threat Hitler posed for our nation, indeed the entire world, was external and easily identified. The current threat is subtle and resides within our own borders. The election of the man of Hope and Change to the presidency of this great nation, and the radical socialist/statist ideology he believes in, is the threat we must understand and fear. For this threat to our liberties is both subtle and insidious. The loss of our liberties will come at the hands of a growing socialist government bent on exerting more power and control over our lives. If one has been paying attention over these past 10 months it is clear that the growth of government, and its increased intrusion into the private sector is, evident. The only way to combat this growing cancer is to understand the Philosophy of Liberty in all its many forms. ...