Daily news sites

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

CBC

Fast and Furious, while Congress takes it's contempt of congress vote over Attorney General Eric Holder's refusal to release documents the Black Congressional Caucus reportedly is threatening to walk off the floor of Congress. This comes as no surprise really, but it does show a certain lack of maturity and good sense. Amounting to nothing more than a display of emotionalism it is intended to score political points with the Hispanic, Asians, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

A recent Fox News poll indicates 38% view see the fight over F&F as a cover up by the White House while 32% view it as a "witch hunt" by the republicans in Congress. 12% percent believe it is both and 18% have no opinion. On a personal note, where there's smoke there is quite often fire. It bears further investigation.

Back to the Black Congressional Caucus and their politically motivated consideration to walkoff the floor during the vote today...

POLITICO - The Congressional Black Caucus plans to walk off the House floor during tomorrow’s votes to hold Attorney General Holder in contempt of Congress, according to a letter being circulated among members of Congress.

“We adamantly oppose this partisan attack and refuse to participate in any vote that would tarnish the image of Congress or of an attorney general who has done nothing but work tirelessly to protect the rights of the American people. We must reflect upon why we are elected to this body and choose now to stand up for justice,” the CBC members wrote in a copy of the letter obtained by POLITICO. “We call upon all members of Congress to stand with us during a press conference on the Capitol Building steps during this appalling series of votes to discuss our nation's most significant priority — creating jobs. At this critically important time in our nation, we must work as colleagues rather than political enemies.”

In particular, CBC members are hoping to garner support for their move from members of other minority and liberal groups, including Hispanics, Asians and the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

“Instead of focusing on job creation and other critical issues before this Congress, we have been asked to engage in a political stunt on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. Our constituents elected us to do real work, not to engage in meaningless partisan activity,” they wrote.

Indeed, not surprising at all. More here and here.

Via: Memeorandum

I love the chemistry between delicate sheer materials, like this colorful dress here presented, thanks to In love with fashion.com and hard materials, like this leather jacket. All I had to do was to put them together and, with no destination in particular, I dressed like this particularly for a photo shoot for my blog :) Voila!!! I initially started shooting on heels, but I ended up running through the grass barefoot.
 I hope you like it !


                                                                         Dress: thanks to In love with fashion.com
                                                                         Shoes: Aldo/ similar Here and Here
                                                                         Ring: Glitterings/ another great design Here
                                                                         Leather jacket :Martin +Osa/ a great version Here
                                                                         Sunglasses: Ray Ban/ similar Here

This week my oldest has camp, so my 1-year-old and I have been enjoying some alone time together. And since she isn't old enough to say she otherwise, I've decided dragging her to store after store was the way to go. She is one fab shopper and just a general 'go with the flow' awesome baby, so she appeases me. As long as we stop to pet the occasional ceramic dog, we are good.

It has been a while since I've checked in at my favorite antique mall (don't let the word 'mall' fool you, its good loot) so of course it was on my list of places to visit. And as always, there were a million and one things I wanted.

Sorry, this seat is saved...for someone with a clean house. Considering most surfaces in my house have sticky finger prints and dog hair on them, I don't think the dealer would allow these to go home with me.

It was obviously a chinoiserie kinda day at the mall.

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

Senator Rand Paul ( R-Ky)

If the following report is true Rand Paul, Republican Senator from Kentucky has succeeded, at least IMO, in losing a great deal of his credibility. Partisan politics and less than completely ethical tactics have pretty much been a staple in recent years from both parties. Senator Rand Paul has just elevated the practice to a new level.

I'll let The Huffington Post fill in the details.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) moved this week to hold a noncontroversial flood insurance bill hostage until the Senate agrees that life begins at fertilization.

The bill, which would financially boost the National Flood Insurance Program on the cusp of hurricane season, had been expected to pass easily in the Senate. But since Paul on Monday offered an unrelated "fetal personhood" amendment, which would give legal protections to fetuses from the moment of fertilization, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is threatening to halt progress on the legislation.

"I'm told last night that one of our Republican senators wants to offer an amendment -- listen to this one -- wants to offer an amendment on when life begins," Reid said on the Senate floor Tuesday. "I am not going to put up with that on flood insurance. I can be condemned by outside sources; my friends can say, 'Let them have a vote on it.' There will not be a vote on that on flood insurance. We'll either do flood insurance with the amendments that deal with flood insurance, or we won't do it. We'll have an extension." {Read More}

If Senator Paul has a issue with the idea of the federal government funding a National Flood Insurance Program that is one thing. He should then have the integrity to argue his position in the Senate and let the chips fall where they may.

Or, if the real issue is debating when life begins in a hope the majority buys the argument it begins at the moment of fertilization as a precursor to overturning Roe -v- Wade then have the honesty to say so and let the debate begin.

Attaching a completely and totally irrelevant amendment to a bill for the purpose of defeating it is disingenuous and dishonest. Rand Paul should be ashamed of himself and the people who elected him to represent their state in the Senate ought to take him to the woodshed.

This is the kind of behavior that will ultimately render the republican party totally useless and irrelevant. I suggest you think about it republicans and conservatives. At least those that support this type of behavior.

The video of Senator Reid addressing this issue on the Senate floor. I have many issues with Senator Reid. But when you're right you're right.


Via: Memeorandum

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


A beautiful mountain view, complete with the early morning fog. Scenes I enjoyed in my youth living in the Pacific Northwest. I think living there, and having the opportunity to enjoy such beauty almost daily is why I am so reflective.

As I found myself reflecting on the present day state of politics, most specifically on the reality we are deeply divided along political fault lines, it occurred to me this picture is very representative of the current state of our nation.

Whether good ideas start in liberal circles or conservative circles they are, none the less, good idea. But like with most things good ideas are seldom perfect. That is to say they can, and should be improved upon. But, as almost everyone knows, at least on the personal, family, and business level, arriving at the best solutiions usually require honest discussion and compromise.

Heated, and sometimes almost uncivil irrational discussions occur. As long as those discussions do not devolve into personal attacks on someones character, and they ultimately lead to positive movement towards the realization of a good idea, such circumstances can and should be of no concern. It is, after all, the American Way.

Unfortunately, and far too often the differences we have as individuals, and as a people become roadblocks, or walls surrounding each differing political position, engulfing reasonable and otherwise rational people in the pursuit of defending their selected political ideology. The result? Polarization. Today we are more polarized as a society than we have ever been in our modern history.

So you ask. What's the relationship to the beautiful and breathtaking picture? It's simple really, at least IMO, and reflective mind.

Those on both the left (liberal or progressives) and the right (social and fiscal conservatives) have many good ideas. Neither side however has either all the "right" or all the "wrong" answers. Which leads me to the answer to the question.

Both continue to have their heads in the clouds... Until this changes and the people of this great nation, as well as their elected officials, begin to recognize again there needs to be an element of compromise we will see no change. That and we'll have difficulty surviving as a nation going forward.

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



Romney speak, from The Hill:

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney argued Tuesday that if the president's signature healthcare legislation was overturned Thursday by the Supreme Court, it would mean that President Obama's first term was a waste.

"Instead of focusing on immigration — and of course the big issue, which was the economy, and getting the economy going — he instead focused on putting in place his healthcare reform called ObamaCare," Romney said at a campaign stop in Salem, Va. "As you know, the Supreme Court is going to be dealing with whether or not ObamaCare is constitutional. If it's not, if ObamaCare is not deemed constitutional, than the first three and a half years of this president's term will have been wasted on something that does not help the American people."

So, Mittens, does this mean that if the Affordable Care Act; aka ObamaCare, is deemed constitutional President Obama's first term will have been a resounding success?

On a serious note, Romney does make some valid observations later. Read the rest of the article and watch the Video.

Via: Memeorandum

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


Perhaps it's nostalgia week for me. But I always liked Bob Dole. Didn't always agree with him mind you, but I still wish he woulds have won the 1996 match up against himself and Bill Clinton. I always got the sense he could be trusted. Maybe that's why he didn't win.

Anyway Senator Dole is a real American who served his nation in wartime, took a bullet for liberty, and went on to serve it in public life for 50 years. Admirably, with integrity, and honor. Ah, the good old days of the Republican
party perhaps.

As I was reading an article in GQ this morning I was reminded of the candor and humor of the Kansas Senator. That, and how much respect I hel\d for the man. So, I decided to share a few quick excerpts of his comments from the article...

I ask him the question everyone seems to be asking of the GOP faithful in 2012: "Would you say your endorsement of Romney was...tepid?"

"Not tepid at all," Bob Dole says, his face tight and serious.

"Romney came to my office," Dole says, "we had a good meeting, and I'm not a Gingrich fan, so..." He famously loathed Gingrich: "He's just difficult to work with. It's either Newt's way or the highway. He's got a lot of ideas. Some of them are good; not many. So it looked to me like it would be either Romney or Newt for the nomination, but just on its own, I thought he—well, I'll say this: Romney looks like a president."

"You're self-made," I say. "You embody the American Dream."

"I've never known a lot of rich people," he says. "It's not my bag."

I ask him how he sizes up President Obama.

"He's a nice person. I have a good relationship with the White House, I just think he's totally out of step. We're moving farther to the left, and it may not be as bad as some people say, but we've got to cut spending. One of these days, we'll probably have to raise taxes. I just think his philosophy is too far to the left."

"Bill Clinton called me one day recently," he offers. "I said, 'What do you want?' He said, 'I want to see how you're doing. How's your health?' He's done that a couple times. If I did anything, I made a lot of friends. And they were Republicans, of course, and Democrats." Clinton would help Dole deal with Gingrich. "I'm not going to talk to him, you talk to him," Dole, as Senate majority leader, would say to Clinton. "No, you talk to him."

"President Obama came to visit me in the hospital. He said, 'I wish you were still in the Senate; I need your help.' I'm not certain I can help on everything. Maybe some things."

"I don't know how many people run for vice president and president and lose both," Bob Dole says, turning to his aides. "I think there's one other?"

"You're testing my history on that one, sir. It would have been..."

Dole: "Anybody?"

"Lost both vice president and president? Um..."

Dole: "Somebody said there was someone—other than me?"

"You have to go back pretty far, I just, I don't think—"

Nobody can come up with one. {Read The Whole Article Here}

Maybe it's just me, but one can't help but to get a sense of the man's character and class. Even at, and perhaps especially at 88.

Via: Memeorandum

As I told you a few days ago, here is another project that I was invited to participate to.
Wander(lust) around the world with Sienna Ray! One multi messenger bag," makayla",from SS 2012 collection, and selected bloggers from around the world, are the main subjects. The goal? two bags: one international , around the globe, and one across the USA, which will be passed from one blogger to another ,being worn in every unique way before it hits the store. It is a great test, right? 12 bloggers will share their opinions about this versatile bag .
Now it is time to share with you the wonderful experience I had with this bag. I have to tell you that it strikes you when you see and touch it: great quality leather, defined details and finish. We all love a bag
that can be worn in so many ways. How about in at least 3 ways? mmm..perfect!!!
The Sienna Ray "makayla" completes all my expectation: studs, chain&leather adjustable strap, mobile holder, iPad slip... these are a modern and right in trend updates that the bag has. I wore it with my new favorite pair of pumps and a green tunic dress.
Check out www.siennaray.com/wanderlust/  to see the entire story and thank you for reading !



                                                                          Bag:"makayla"by Sienna Ray
                                                                          Tunic dress: Daniel Benjamin /another great design Here and Here
                                                                          Shoes: Daniblack/ similar Here and Here
                                                                          Bracelet : Forever 21/ a great version Here
                                                                          Sunglasses: Kenneth Cole/ similar style Here