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Hello everyone!
I hope you all had an excellent start of 2013! I wish for this new year to bring us peace, happiness, and all our wishes to come true, and last but not least, to keep having great times here together.
In this FIRST post, you will see what I wore on New Year's Eve. Nothing sophisticated, just a short, bold printed dress and a few sparkly accessories as this pair of vintage earrings, Marc Jacobs clutch ( Christmas gift) and a Vince Camuto ring. I started the new year with colors & prints, just the way I like it !
Let's make 2013 an amazing & colorful year!





                                                                         Dress: thanks to Sheinside/ Here
                                                                         Coat: Land's End/ option Here
                                                                         Clutch: Marc Jacobs for Target & Neiman Marcus/ Here
                                                                         Ring: Vince Camuto/ another great option Here
                                                                         Earrings: vintage
                                                                         Heels: BCBGeneration/ similar Here
                                                                         Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren

2010 Election Just a Preview?
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet
************

I was reading a piece by John Ransom at TownHall.com the other day in which he said: "Wonks and politicians may not see it, but those guys are in the process of self term-limiting out of business anyway- either by votes or by pageviews. 2010 was just a preview, (emphasis mine) not a conclusion even accepting the standstill in the 2012 election."  SOURCE:  http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/johnransom/2012/12/30/on-obamacare-and-guns-we-wont-comply-n1476096/page/2

I think Mr. Ransom is right. 

A drive through my community and you will see a fresh crop of Gadsden flags sprouting from flagpoles and door posts all over the county, including the doorpost of my own home and office.  The Gadsden flag is the flag with the golden field and a coiled rattlesnake with bared fangs and the phrase:  "Don't tread on me."  It is quickly becoming the emblem of choice for those who intend sending the government a message. That message is clear.  "This far and no farther!  We've had our fill and we intend to fight back!"

Mr. Ransom refers to our resistance as non-compliance.  I would call it nullification. See, I believe, as did my Confederate ancestors, that every state has the power of nullification.  It is the states'-rights doctrine that a state can refuse to recognize or to enforce a federal law passed by the United States Congress. 

Americans are saddled with the damnable law called "Obamacare" that is going to strangle us to death financially and with smothering government intrusion into our lives, and very soon now, we are going to be slammed with all sorts of gun control laws that seek to disarm, neuter, geld, and make impotent the American citizen in the face of the government making him, for all intents and purposes, a slave of the government.

No matter how much the DPM (Democratic Propaganda Ministry), known as the Mainstream Media, reports on all the wonderful benefits of Obamacare the American citizen still hates it and wants it gone.  It is a horrible law and needs to be repealed in its entirety.

Frankly, I see no way short of states nullifying the law and standing up to the Congress -- as sovereign states -- and saying "Hell, NO!  We will NOT comply with your law!" 

Sometime a well placed metaphorical two by four applied skillfully, and with abundant force, to the head of the opposition will get their attention.  In the case of my Confederate ancestors the application of the two by four, over a couple of decades, still did not work and they had to take it to another level.  They dropped the metaphors and went physical.

A truism is a fact that stubbornly holds fast no matter the lies surrounding it.  One such truism you can always count on is this:  "Fools always rush in!"

With the Newtown Massacre I was counting backwards from ten waiting for the gun control fools to rush in.  Of COURSE they DID!  HOW could they NOT?  They are emotional people. They can not control themselves.  They are convinced -- to their core -- that THEY are so much more intelligent than you and I and THEY care so much more than you and I,  and that THEY have an obligation through "Noblize Oblige" to see that we do the right thing  -- even if they have to force us into it by weight of law.

Of COURSE it is the HEIGHT of hypocrisy.  But understand -- these people ARE hypocrites!  But they are dangerous hypocrites.

Blinded by their own arrogance and super-sized self esteem they have blundered into a realm where even angels fear to tread.  

Only those deprived of a modicum of good judgment would be so absolutely gullible as to believe they can force their brand of cowardice,  their ignorance of firearms, their fear of the appearance of certain weapons, their utter repugnance at the thought that another living human being may, just MAY, have the COURAGE to stand up for themselves and their fellowman by using a firearm in self-defense -- or in the defense of others -- would dream, even in a fevered Morpheus inspired nocturnal assignation, of forcing -- F O R C I N G -- mind you, their gun control laws on the people of the Old Confederacy.  (Did I mention that ONLY a FOOL would do this???)

Look.  There is a strong sense among citizens of this country that America is about to come apart at the seams.  The rush to arm one's self is as American as, well, using the gun to attain freedom and then using the gun to PRESERVE that freedom once it WAS attained.  It is "what we do."  It happens to be exactly what we are doing right now.

No one should be surprised when  confrontation(s) between federal and state law enforcement agencies become numerous.  Nor should anyone be surprised when shooting begins, as it indubitably will.  

If such laws are, indeed, passed citizens will demand that enforcement be overridden by either sovereign state nullification or state sponsored non-compliance.  If the Congress does not finally come to its senses and wipe such offensive tripe from the US Code, I have concluded it is well within reason to expect a number of states to begin secession procedures.

I think it is prudent to issue a warning to our national legislators in the Congress that they are tip-toeing on extremely thin ice.  One can say, with no hesitation, a purge of Congress is in the offing in the next election cycle (in 2014) IF they insist on placing their political careers on the line -- and in jeopardy -- by foolishly aligning themselves with the gun control hysterics.

I must agree that the historic election of 2010 was, indeed, a preview of 2014, a prequel,  even.  The electorate is in no mood for additional hijinks by the Congress.  They are going to demand a reckoning, and they will begin at the ballot box.

© J. D. Longstreet 

Happy New Year to you! I hope you enjoyed a great holiday with family, friends or the remote. I enjoyed all of the above and truly had a relaxing and enjoyable time off. But the Christmas decorations are put away and the tree is at the curb, so its time to get to work.

Before I share my goals for 2013 I thought I'd see how I did with my 2012 goals.

1. Redo the master bedroom. Woop Woop. Check this sucker off. The big bedroom reveal was back in May but I've kept making updates as recently as last week (more on that later). I'm happy with the room but you know it's gonna keep evolving.



2. Repair and redo deck and stairs. I'm on a roll. This one was wrapped up in June and talk about a pandora's box of crazy. It was dirty, sweaty and a hell of a lot longer than planned, but we are digging it now and use it more than we ever did.


3. Plant a herb garden. Big fat goose egg on this one. I must have been drunk when I thought of this because the idea that my children would give me enough time to dedicate to a herb garden is laughable. We barely are able to get raking and mowing done. Maybe in a few years. Until then I'll just continue to watch Barefoot Contessa and pretend that's my herb garden.

4. Lighting. Well...sort of. I did get a new chandelier for the dining room, (which will be moving again soon - stay tuned) but I never got around to the hallway light and the deck got candle sconces rather than electric ones. So maybe 75% complete? I completed the 'light' but not the 'ing'.


5. Reupholster couch. It wasn't quick, and often not a pretty process, but I'm giving myself a gold star on this one. And on top of it all I discovered a new talent that led me to tackle this and this.


So there you have it. 4 out of 5. I gotta say, this is the best I've ever done sticking to a list. Will I be able to do as well this year? I'll post the list tomorrow and let you be the judge.

How about you? Do you make any goals? Have any new year traditions?

Return of the "Red Decade"
Democratic Party Embraces Socialist Bill of Rights
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet
*****************

If you are a regular to this column, then you know we have mentioned many times that current events in Washington, are very familiar.  We've seen this movie before.  And we have.

For the past four years we have drawn our readers attention to the fact that Obama's agenda is, in fact, a socialist agenda a form of "Marxism Lite", if you will.  In fact, we have pointed out many times that the Democratic Party, itself,  seems to reflect the agenda of the socialist party.  We have even, on occasion, suggested the Democratic Party change it's name to more accurately reflect its socialist ideology. 

The curse of America is its refusal to learn from its past.  In fact, more often than not, we refuse to look back for guidance even when compelled to do so by out-of-control events.  We pay a heavy price for that reluctance and reticence.

Had we looked back recently, we would have realized the roots of the machinations of the Democratic Party, and its current leader Barack H. Obama, are deep in "The Red Decade" of the 1930's in America.

"The Red Decade is a term coined by journalist and historian Eugene Lyons to describe a period in American history in the 1930s characterized by a widespread infatuation with communism in general and Stalinism in particular. Lyons believed this idolization of Joseph Stalin and exultation of Bolshevik achievements to have reached its high point in 1938, running deepest amongst liberals, intellectuals, and journalists and even some government and federal officials."  SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Decade

Consider this:  "Communal consciousness was also stimulated by the activities of socialists and communists throughout the 1930s. Although probably fewer than 100,000 Americans were members of socialist or communist parties in the 1930s, enough prominent intellectuals joined or gave their support to such parties, and enough strikes and demonstrations were led by such groups, to earn the 1930s the title of "the red decade" from some historians. For both socialist and communist groups the goal was not communal consciousness, but class consciousness—a recognition by the poor and the workers in America of their common plight and of their common exploitation by the rich. Socialist and communist political parties often required extraordinary dedication from their members to the cause—in the case of the Communist Party, the near-complete subordination of their individual lives to collective action and party leadership. Socialists and communists sponsored colleges, newspapers, journals of opinion, plays, art exhibits, folk-music concerts, parades, and summer camps to promote class consciousness. Socialists and communists led various labor and farm unions and sought to build class solidarity among these members."  Source:  http://www.enotes.com/1930-lifestyles-social-trends-american-decades/red-decade-solidarity-individualism

Now consider this  from an article published in 1948:
    
The Democratic Party Adopts the Soviet Bill of Rights:

“[The] historic Democratic party is no more, that it has been transformed into a labor party so completely that there is nothing left of it but the name.  The process by which [the] transformation….was brought about had its beginnings during the period of “crisis government” established by Franklin D. Roosevelt and his “brain trust” in 1933.  Measures having far-reaching application and effect were drafted by the President’s “advisors” and were jammed through Congress, frequently without most of the members having an opportunity to read them.

Mr. Roosevelt had been elected in 1932 by an electoral majority of eight to one….In such circumstances, Congress practically abdicated. It became literally a “rubber stamp” Congress. And Republican Senators and Representatives, with the majority of their constituents supporting President Roosevelt, were careful not to show too much opposition to measures which he favored.  That’s why is was so easy to junk the Democratic platform of 1932 and to enact so many measures that violated the most fundamental principles of the historic Democratic party without protest from Southern Democrats, and even with their support.

One sequence [of the transformation] began during the period from 1935 to 1937, or at the very height of what Eugene Lyons has called “The Red Decade,” when it was fashionable in certain circles in New York, Los Angeles and Washington to glorify all things Russian and to affect a “revolutionary” attitude toward all existing institutions in the United States. It was a time when literally dozens of organizations with high-sounding names were set up in this country by the Communists to attract innocent “fellow travelers” and when The Daily Worker undertook to popularize the slogan “Communism is the Americanism of the Twentieth Century.”

In February, 1935, Joseph Stalin announced that the Russian Constitution would be democratized; in June, 1936, the first draft of the new Soviet Constitution was completed and published, [and adopted December 5, 1936].  It was promptly translated into English and by February, 1937, copies of it in the form of a five-cent pamphlet were available throughout this country.  It immediately became the leading topic of discussion among the so-called “liberals” in the United States.

[The] Soviet Bill of Rights….guarantees every citizen a job….the right to material security in old age and also in case of illness and loss of capacity to toil….[and] “The equal rights of citizens of the USSR, independent of their nationality and race, in all fields of economic, state, cultural and public-political life is unalterable law.  Any direct or indirect limitation of rights, or conversely, any establishment of direct or indirect preferences of citizens dependent on their racial and national membership, as well as all preaching of national exclusiveness, or hate and contempt, is punishable by law.”

[In late January, 1944] President Roosevelt revealed that the [New Deal] was being replaced by a streamlined post-war program.  Here is what President Roosevelt said:

“As our nation had grown in size and stature, however – as our industrial economy expanded – [our previous life and liberty] political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness. We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident.

We have accepted, so to speak, a second bill of rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all – regardless of station, race or creed.  Among these are: The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or mines of the nation; The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;  The right of every business man, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;  The right of every family to a decent home; The right of adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health; The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment;  The right to a good education.”

The striking resemblance which this whole passage bears to the….Soviet Bill of Rights need not be dwelt upon. In his message to Congress on September 6, 1945, President Truman said:

“The objectives for our domestic economy which we seek in long-range plans were summarized by the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt over a year and a half ago in the form of an Economic Bill of rights.  Let us make the attainment of those rights the essence of post-war American economic life.”

Notably, he issued a “salute to labor” on Labor Day, 1946, and more recently on June 28, 1947….he discussed the subject in an address to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at Lincoln Memorial in Washington. In his “salute to labor,” President Truman said:

“Labor, perhaps more than any other group, has consistently supported [FDR’s] “Economic Bill of Rights.” We must now move forward to full achievement of these objectives: useful and remunerative jobs for all; income high enough to provide adequate food, clothing and recreation; freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopoly; adequate health protection; more effective social security measures, and educational opportunities for all.”

In his more recent address to the [NAACP], by coupling these “economic” rights with other civil rights, he stated clearly….that it is the responsibility of the federal government to guarantee and to enforce these new rights. “The extension of civil rights today means not protection of the people AGAINST the government, but protection of the people BY the government.”

(The South’s Political Plight, Peter Molyneaux, Calhoun Clubs of the South, Inc., 1948, pp. 56-57, 67-70, 75-77, 81-84,)

Where, and from whom, have you heard those very same words and sentiments expressed in recent months?  As the writer says above:  "The striking resemblance which this whole passage bears to the…Soviet Bill of Rights need not be dwelt upon."  I would agree.  The reason is abundantly clear.

What we are seeing, right now, in Washington, DC and, indeed, throughout the United States is nothing more than a replay of "The Red Decade" from America's 1930's.
 
It's "Marxism on the March" in America.  All the while we are suffering from the damage done this country during the original Red Decade.  

I am slowly coming around to the conclusion that America's financial crisis and Obama's election and reelection and even the current "fiscal cliff" crisis have been carefully contrived and orchestrated.  

Looking at our immediate future, I am now expecting a devastating US monetary collapse probably before the summer of 2013.  Why?  Because it is the next logical step in the devolution of the United States as a constitutional representative republic.

If I am right, and I now believe that there is a very good chance that I am, the US government must be rendered inoperable.  We are very nearly there even now. 

Not to worry, though, I suspect there is a brand new government, waiting in the wings, to immediately step forward and save the day.  It won't be a constitutional government.  It won't be a representative republic.  It WILL be an authoritarian, powerful, central government based on Marxism -- Communism. 

Why in the world would I dare even speculate such a thing?  Because, dear reader, I am a student of history. (Emphasis on "STUDENT".  I'm STILL learning!)  We are told by "the preacher" in the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."  Ecclesiastes 1:9.

It is unfortunate but most do not understand that by studying the past one also studies the future.

I have made an attempt here to connect the past of the US to the its present and to my interpretation of the country's immediate future.    And no, it is not pretty nor pleasant.

May God Bless America -- and SOON!

J. D. Longstreet

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty -vs- Tyranny


As the nation watches (as well as the world at large) the United States House, led by the rEpublican false conservatives have us serfs standing at the cliff's edge as we look into the abyss.

Perhaps, just maybe, the intransigent false conservatives are running out of time and their true motives are being recognized by the many who heretofore believed them. As more disgruntled past supporters turn their backs on the false conservatives maybe, just maybe they ought to look to history to find the ultimate result of their type of behavior and intransigence. Even a staunch Ayn Rand Objectivist has the ability to see beyond the present as he peers into the future. At least this one does. Echoes of our founding fathers are ringing in my ears as I write this.

Eric Cantor, the intelligent yet blind House Majority leader may very well, and soon find himself the object of ridicule. As difficult as it might be for some to accept the reality is he will have reaped the benefit of his intransigence.

A lifelong conservative/libertarian I have come to the realization that the party of Eisenhower/Goldwater/Reagan has morphed into something most rational and reasonable people now struggle, or even fail to recognize let alone understand. It is indeed unfortunate as the opposition party, the democrat progressives offer little of which one can be entirely hopeful of as well.

So hang on folks, the future ain't too hopeful or bright. All we can hope for is the smoothest ride down and hopefully a not to violent landing. The thing is, most of America won't even recognize, let alone understand they have been scammed. The Oligarchs however will be laughing and licking their chops all the way to the financial institutions and the seats of power they own lock, stock, and barrel.

BuzzFeed Politics - WASHINGTON — Less than 12 hours after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Vice President Joe Biden marshaled a strong 89 votes for their fiscal cliff plan, the agreement appeared on the brink of unraveling at the hands of a House Republican revolt that includes Majority Leader Eric Cantor.

During a closed-door meeting of the GOP conference Tuesday afternoon, Cantor told his colleagues that he would not support the deal — despite the fact that he and Speaker John Boehner the night before had vowed to “consider” the bill.

Although his remarks were brief, they sent shock waves through his conference, which was already extremely skeptical of the agreement, and perhaps looking for a leader.

Conservative opposition to the agreement stems from a host of issues, including the fact that the deal does not include any spending cuts, would significantly add to the nation’s deficit and raises taxes on those making more than $400,000 a year.

And Cantor’s not alone in opposing the deal: the agreement is universally disliked within Republican circles, and even Democrats in the House and Senate have voiced complaints about the deal.

The lack of spending cuts in the Senate bill was a universal concern amongst members in today’s meeting," said Boehner spokesperson Brendan Buck. "Conversations with members will continue throughout the afternoon on the path forward.”

Rep. Steve LaTourette, a Boehner ally, said there were “two schools of thought” expressed in the meeting: To accept the deal and “live to fight another day,” or amend the measure and send it back to the Senate.

The latter option clearly enjoyed support from the majority of the conference.

“I think it’s moving in that direction," LaTourette said.

Still, Cantor’s decision to come out against the agreement was unexpected.{Continue Reading}

It is indeed puzzling that students of political science and history, including economic history have brought us to this point. What is most interesting is it has been the party that should have been the champion of Friedrich A. Hayek that has LED us to record deficits and an unsustainable national debt. Rather than acting like the fiscal conservatives they would have everyone believe they were in fact our nation's biggest spendthrifts. There has never been greater enthusiasts of Keynesian deficit spending economics than the modern rEpublican party.

And folks, that IS a Fact.

Via: Memeorandum

2012 has been a wonderful & colorful year! Thank you for being with me in this journey and let's hope for the best for 2013!!!!