Like many of you, I've watched the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement for the last few weeks with outright disgust. Our president and several elected members of our government have "embraced" the movement, encouraged it, and bankrolled it. If these are not impeachable offenses, well...I don't know what is.
The Occupy movement has proven (in all-too-clear and glaringly obvious terms) that the ultimate goal of the enemies of America is to destroy our economy. Now that the occupiers have taken the dangerous step of preventing Americans from going to work, it's time to stop them. Folks, their actions are terrorism - plain and simple.
If these people were foreign nationals standing in our streets preventing the free enterprise system to work, we'd call them terrorists and the military would be brought into clear them. But the occupiers claim to be Americans, and here we are...trying to decide where the First Amendment ends and terrorism begins.
My challenge to the Occupy movement is straightforward: Take your fight and your message to the policymakers, not to the people who suffer at the hands of the policy.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
LESSON 12: Faith
As a Christian I will rely upon my faith heavily. If you don't have faith in anything or anyone except yourself you're going to find yourself in a lot of trouble.
Whatever your faith, take some time and gather a few books or other materials that will help you regroup and revitalize. If it's all online, print them out now and put the materials into a binder.
Memorize what you can. Hopefully, they can't take our memories from us.
Know who your friends are. They may not share your faith, but if they're supportive of it, you're better off than without.
Whatever your faith, take some time and gather a few books or other materials that will help you regroup and revitalize. If it's all online, print them out now and put the materials into a binder.
Memorize what you can. Hopefully, they can't take our memories from us.
Know who your friends are. They may not share your faith, but if they're supportive of it, you're better off than without.
LESSON 10: Hygiene
Face it. When the SHTF we are all going to suffer from some sort of hygiene failure. We won't take as many baths, won't wash our clothes as often, etc. Some things, however, cannot be neglected or your health will suffer.
1. Teeth - Make sure you have plenty of extra toothbrushes, lots of dental floss, extra flouride toothpaste. Listerine is another great add as it can also be used as a skin antiseptic. If I had to pick one area of your body to NOT neglect, this would be it.
2. Handwashing - If water is scarce you'll need hand sanitizers. Grab a couple of the large shopping club pump bottles to use to refill smaller ones. Handi-wipes are a great thing to have.
3. Toilet - Here you have a few options. If you have a supply of uninterrrupted water, a septic system, and a way to flush, you're in luck. If not, I'd suggest kitty litter and plastic bags. I won't go into detail, but it involves a large bucket, a toilet seat, and the courage to face what you made and deal with it. Get a really LARGE supply of babywipes to keep for the job...and please...everyone should have their own container of wipes. One baby wipe can do the job of a hundred sheets of toilet paper.
While this is really, really disgusting, I am telling you this for your own good. Human shit burns almost as well as cow shit once dried. I wouldn't cook over it, but I'd have no problem boiling a wash pot over a pile of dung. Because of its biological nature, it's going to stink. Get the hell over it.
4. Clothing - If you have access to enough power and water, use your electric washing machine - sparingly. If not, consider a roman plunger (used for washing clothes) or a hand-crank washing machine (EmergencyEssentials.com). This beats the heck out of hand washing and wringing, especially in cold weather.
Here's my list of must-haves:
Liquid Bleach
Hand Sanitizer
Listerine
Lysol Liquid
Lyson spray
Kittie Litter
Baby Wipes
Sanitary Pads (all absorbancies)
Toilet Paper (lots and lots)
Paper Towel (if you don't use chemicals, dry them and use for starting a fire)
Facial Tissue
Old Newspapers (for wrapping garbage)
Grooming products (shampoo, razors, scissors)
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss
Nail clippers (bacteria gather under fingernails)
Deodorant
Bath soap
Laundry detergent
Clothes pins, clothes line, drying rack
Washpot
Large Stockpot (use for sanitizing dishes)
I would encourage you to find a way to gather and store rainwater. While I wouldn't drink anything that's been sitting on the ground without treatment, I would use rainwater for washing clothes and bathing.
1. Teeth - Make sure you have plenty of extra toothbrushes, lots of dental floss, extra flouride toothpaste. Listerine is another great add as it can also be used as a skin antiseptic. If I had to pick one area of your body to NOT neglect, this would be it.
2. Handwashing - If water is scarce you'll need hand sanitizers. Grab a couple of the large shopping club pump bottles to use to refill smaller ones. Handi-wipes are a great thing to have.
3. Toilet - Here you have a few options. If you have a supply of uninterrrupted water, a septic system, and a way to flush, you're in luck. If not, I'd suggest kitty litter and plastic bags. I won't go into detail, but it involves a large bucket, a toilet seat, and the courage to face what you made and deal with it. Get a really LARGE supply of babywipes to keep for the job...and please...everyone should have their own container of wipes. One baby wipe can do the job of a hundred sheets of toilet paper.
While this is really, really disgusting, I am telling you this for your own good. Human shit burns almost as well as cow shit once dried. I wouldn't cook over it, but I'd have no problem boiling a wash pot over a pile of dung. Because of its biological nature, it's going to stink. Get the hell over it.
4. Clothing - If you have access to enough power and water, use your electric washing machine - sparingly. If not, consider a roman plunger (used for washing clothes) or a hand-crank washing machine (EmergencyEssentials.com). This beats the heck out of hand washing and wringing, especially in cold weather.
Here's my list of must-haves:
Liquid Bleach
Hand Sanitizer
Listerine
Lysol Liquid
Lyson spray
Kittie Litter
Baby Wipes
Sanitary Pads (all absorbancies)
Toilet Paper (lots and lots)
Paper Towel (if you don't use chemicals, dry them and use for starting a fire)
Facial Tissue
Old Newspapers (for wrapping garbage)
Grooming products (shampoo, razors, scissors)
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss
Nail clippers (bacteria gather under fingernails)
Deodorant
Bath soap
Laundry detergent
Clothes pins, clothes line, drying rack
Washpot
Large Stockpot (use for sanitizing dishes)
I would encourage you to find a way to gather and store rainwater. While I wouldn't drink anything that's been sitting on the ground without treatment, I would use rainwater for washing clothes and bathing.
LESSON 11: Entertainment
If you've ever spent any time at all in a long term power outage you know how stir crazy you get. You can't turn on the TV, your computer isn't working.
Boredom can create stress, anger, and confusion. In my house, the TV and radio will be OFF. If you're lucky enough to be able to spare the power, a portable CD player will be nice to have, but I wouldn't want to waste the power.
If you know how to play a musical instrument that isn't too irritating to others you'll be a welcomed addition to any community campfire. If you can take requests you'll be a star.
I plan to keep a good variety of books on hand along with several type of hand crafts.
Playing cards, dice, marbles, board games of all kinds are great ways to pass the time at night or during bad weather. Checkers, chess, backgammon, are all easy games to play and the pieces are easy to improvise if lost. If you're a stickler for keeping education in fun, then get Boggle, Trivial Pursuit or any other number of educational games. Dominoes, Scrabble, Crosswords, Password are all good choices. Make sure that you either copy or print out several sets of game rules. This is crucial.
Knitting, crochet, sewing, etc., are all homecrafts that are not only useful, but are of barter value. The ability to sew by hand is a good skill, as are knitting, crochet, and quilting.
If you're lucky enough to save enough energy to play a movie on your TV or DVD player for two hours, why not invite a few neighbors to come watch with you? This will go a long way in building the bonds you need to take care of each other.
Boredom can create stress, anger, and confusion. In my house, the TV and radio will be OFF. If you're lucky enough to be able to spare the power, a portable CD player will be nice to have, but I wouldn't want to waste the power.
If you know how to play a musical instrument that isn't too irritating to others you'll be a welcomed addition to any community campfire. If you can take requests you'll be a star.
I plan to keep a good variety of books on hand along with several type of hand crafts.
Playing cards, dice, marbles, board games of all kinds are great ways to pass the time at night or during bad weather. Checkers, chess, backgammon, are all easy games to play and the pieces are easy to improvise if lost. If you're a stickler for keeping education in fun, then get Boggle, Trivial Pursuit or any other number of educational games. Dominoes, Scrabble, Crosswords, Password are all good choices. Make sure that you either copy or print out several sets of game rules. This is crucial.
Knitting, crochet, sewing, etc., are all homecrafts that are not only useful, but are of barter value. The ability to sew by hand is a good skill, as are knitting, crochet, and quilting.
If you're lucky enough to save enough energy to play a movie on your TV or DVD player for two hours, why not invite a few neighbors to come watch with you? This will go a long way in building the bonds you need to take care of each other.
LESSON 9: Lighting
Your options are lighting are various, but I would caution you to use lighting options that are safe, inexpensive, and readily available.
I am very impressed with all of the dynamo (hand-crank) lights on the market today. There are hand-held flashlights and laterns available in the camping section that are inexpensive, durable, and plentiful. These are really ideal if you have young children who need the security of having their own light source. I keep one at the top and bottom of each set of stairs in my home, one in each car, two in my bugout bag, one in my purse, and one in each bathroom drawer. I bought both of my kids the lights that also work as cellphone chargers and radios last Christmas.
Solor lighting is also a great idea. You don't have to stake them outside to get the full effect, either. Set them in a sunny window all day and you'll have wonderful ambient lighting throughout the night. Though not bright, it's enough to keep you from walking into a completely dark room. Again, for little one's they make a wonderful nightlight.
I suggest that you have at least 3 battery recharging systems. I see the A size battery charging systems everywhere and recently have seen the C and D size recharging systems on the internet. Find a way to use your portable recharging systems to keep at least 4 batteries fully charged at all times.
CANDLES AND LANTERNS: I will assume that you all know about candle safety. That being said, I only use candles in wide, low glass jars. That's not to say that I don't have several dozen taper candles in the house. When they go on sale I buy a lot of them. Look for candles to go on sale after Christmas and buy lots of them. I bought two dozen red tapers knowing that I would never use them for fine dining, but they were 25 cents each, cheaper than buying the wax and wick anywhere else.
Head to your craft store and buy a spool or two of good candle wick. It's worth it to buy the best as they burn slow and steady. I also have a few packages of Gulf wax at home. I buy this around canning season because some folks still can using wax. Candlemaking is simple, inexpensive, and when done properly, very safe. Simply keep all of your wax drippings in a bag and melt them down for re-use. Don't buy any candles with the new dissolving wax...it just burns up, leaves soot on your ceilings, and you can't re-use any of the wax.
I have purchased a couple of oil lamps, extra wick, and several bottles of lamp oil. You can find good oil maps at Lehmans.com, but also look around for other supplies while you're there. Again, Christmastime is the best time to find these in plentiful quantities at low prices. One thing: Don't buy scented oils. Trust me on this.
Use one of the old-fashioned methods for maximizing your candle or lamp light and put a mirror or another highly reflective background behind it. Unless you have children, you really shouldn't bother with lighting rooms that are not in use.
Emergency Essentials sells a neat little jar lantern for about $4 each. They say they burn 100 hours, but it's closer to 80. It burns a tiny flame, just enough light to keep you from tripping, not enough for reading or handwork.
Your cell phone is another source of light. WTSHTF you won't be calling anyone with it, so you might as well keep it charged as an emergency low-intensity flashlight.
I am very impressed with all of the dynamo (hand-crank) lights on the market today. There are hand-held flashlights and laterns available in the camping section that are inexpensive, durable, and plentiful. These are really ideal if you have young children who need the security of having their own light source. I keep one at the top and bottom of each set of stairs in my home, one in each car, two in my bugout bag, one in my purse, and one in each bathroom drawer. I bought both of my kids the lights that also work as cellphone chargers and radios last Christmas.
Solor lighting is also a great idea. You don't have to stake them outside to get the full effect, either. Set them in a sunny window all day and you'll have wonderful ambient lighting throughout the night. Though not bright, it's enough to keep you from walking into a completely dark room. Again, for little one's they make a wonderful nightlight.
I suggest that you have at least 3 battery recharging systems. I see the A size battery charging systems everywhere and recently have seen the C and D size recharging systems on the internet. Find a way to use your portable recharging systems to keep at least 4 batteries fully charged at all times.
CANDLES AND LANTERNS: I will assume that you all know about candle safety. That being said, I only use candles in wide, low glass jars. That's not to say that I don't have several dozen taper candles in the house. When they go on sale I buy a lot of them. Look for candles to go on sale after Christmas and buy lots of them. I bought two dozen red tapers knowing that I would never use them for fine dining, but they were 25 cents each, cheaper than buying the wax and wick anywhere else.
Head to your craft store and buy a spool or two of good candle wick. It's worth it to buy the best as they burn slow and steady. I also have a few packages of Gulf wax at home. I buy this around canning season because some folks still can using wax. Candlemaking is simple, inexpensive, and when done properly, very safe. Simply keep all of your wax drippings in a bag and melt them down for re-use. Don't buy any candles with the new dissolving wax...it just burns up, leaves soot on your ceilings, and you can't re-use any of the wax.
I have purchased a couple of oil lamps, extra wick, and several bottles of lamp oil. You can find good oil maps at Lehmans.com, but also look around for other supplies while you're there. Again, Christmastime is the best time to find these in plentiful quantities at low prices. One thing: Don't buy scented oils. Trust me on this.
Use one of the old-fashioned methods for maximizing your candle or lamp light and put a mirror or another highly reflective background behind it. Unless you have children, you really shouldn't bother with lighting rooms that are not in use.
Emergency Essentials sells a neat little jar lantern for about $4 each. They say they burn 100 hours, but it's closer to 80. It burns a tiny flame, just enough light to keep you from tripping, not enough for reading or handwork.
Your cell phone is another source of light. WTSHTF you won't be calling anyone with it, so you might as well keep it charged as an emergency low-intensity flashlight.
Friday, August 12, 2011
LESSON 8: MOBILITY
In all likelihood your car has a computer inside of it, and believe it or not, a few simple rounds of electro-magnetic pulse will shut down your car - and all of your other electronics -in a heartbeat. Unless you're really comfortable with the idea of being crammed into a cattle car a la "Doctor Zhivago", I'd recommend you begin planning for alternative modes of transport.
Now, historically, the oldest and most reliable mode of transport is already attached to your body. That being said, take care of your feet. Have some really good walking "boots" ready to use. Don't even think for one moment that those fancy, lightweight running shoes that are so popular in Central Park are going to do you any favors.
The wheel is your next mode of transport. Unless you want to hike with all of your provisions on your back, you need to come up with a way to pull or push your gear. In the worst case you can use sled technology to drag your belongings, but this gets tiring very fast.
One of the best ideas I've seen on any blog recently is to use a very lightweight boat and trailer. What? You live in the middle of the prairie? Plan on staying there forever, do you? You may want to cross a river sometime. You may encounter a lake. Why discard the idea of multi-tasking now?
If you live in a climate of extremes you'll need to plan for this. If you live in the north this is a good time to get a couple of sets of snow shoes. Yea, I know they look goofy. But better to appear a fool than to step out unprepared and remove all doubt.
You need to figure out what much weight you can carry, besides your own. You'd be surprised how hard it is to haul 20 pounds in a backpack for five miles. This is another reason for getting your wheel, sled, or water transporation system perfected now. It can be as simple as a little red wagon. Look around your house and figure out what you could use...If you have a bed frame you have the makings of a simple carrying system. If the time comes that you're having to think about running, you really don't have to worry about what you'll come back to find in your home.
With all of this being said you should keep in mind that staying on roadways and highways will get you into trouble. But going the backwoods route will get you "dead" unless you learn how to survive the elements (and all of the wildlife in it). Start learning how to hike now. Figure out what works for you and what your endurance level is. Ladies (and gentlemen)...you must learn how to pack light. A few days of hiking with what you now consider essential items should prove to be the best lesson.
Now, historically, the oldest and most reliable mode of transport is already attached to your body. That being said, take care of your feet. Have some really good walking "boots" ready to use. Don't even think for one moment that those fancy, lightweight running shoes that are so popular in Central Park are going to do you any favors.
The wheel is your next mode of transport. Unless you want to hike with all of your provisions on your back, you need to come up with a way to pull or push your gear. In the worst case you can use sled technology to drag your belongings, but this gets tiring very fast.
One of the best ideas I've seen on any blog recently is to use a very lightweight boat and trailer. What? You live in the middle of the prairie? Plan on staying there forever, do you? You may want to cross a river sometime. You may encounter a lake. Why discard the idea of multi-tasking now?
If you live in a climate of extremes you'll need to plan for this. If you live in the north this is a good time to get a couple of sets of snow shoes. Yea, I know they look goofy. But better to appear a fool than to step out unprepared and remove all doubt.
You need to figure out what much weight you can carry, besides your own. You'd be surprised how hard it is to haul 20 pounds in a backpack for five miles. This is another reason for getting your wheel, sled, or water transporation system perfected now. It can be as simple as a little red wagon. Look around your house and figure out what you could use...If you have a bed frame you have the makings of a simple carrying system. If the time comes that you're having to think about running, you really don't have to worry about what you'll come back to find in your home.
With all of this being said you should keep in mind that staying on roadways and highways will get you into trouble. But going the backwoods route will get you "dead" unless you learn how to survive the elements (and all of the wildlife in it). Start learning how to hike now. Figure out what works for you and what your endurance level is. Ladies (and gentlemen)...you must learn how to pack light. A few days of hiking with what you now consider essential items should prove to be the best lesson.
LESSON 7: COMMUNICATION
Pick up the phone, make a call...easy.
Click connect, send an email...easy.
Push a button, hear the radio...no problem.
Until...
If you think you are frustrated NOW with the media, just wait until we have a real crisis (real or contrived) and the government decides that it MUST control all media. You've already heard and seen the effects of social network monitoring, and many of us have been scared shitless at the prospect of "big brother" tracking our private conversations.
The truth is, if you think they're going to do this, you're wrong. They already are.
So, have you come up with a plan to communicate with your loved ones? Your friends? Your prepper support group?
Do you have a two-way radio or a set of long-range walkie talkies anywhere in your house? Have you come up with a language that you can use to avoid being tagged? It can be as simple as one word. Think of the Battle of Normandy, "John has a long mustache..." Really, this is as simple as having an evacuation plan.
Do you know anyone locally who is a ham radio operator? Most ham operators do so not so much as a hobby, but as a last ditch effort to allow citizens to control the airwaves.
If the worst does happen you'll need to think of your every action, every word, every communication as being monitored. Consider yourself a political prisoner on house arrest. Don't even think of sending a letter unless you've got it encoded. I know this sounds like cloak and daggar stuff, but who are you going to trust? Do you really want a commisar to read your letters directing your family members to your stash of goodies?
Perhaps you could start by using your wingding font as a sort of code. Each symbol could represent a word or phrase. You don't need to have a sympbol for each letter of the alphabet...that would be too mind-boggling. For instance, perhaps a five pointed star could represent "plenty of guns, low on ammo", with a response being a right handed check mark for "have ammo, will trade". Or, use the "bible code" method of having the real message in a pattern.
Click connect, send an email...easy.
Push a button, hear the radio...no problem.
Until...
If you think you are frustrated NOW with the media, just wait until we have a real crisis (real or contrived) and the government decides that it MUST control all media. You've already heard and seen the effects of social network monitoring, and many of us have been scared shitless at the prospect of "big brother" tracking our private conversations.
The truth is, if you think they're going to do this, you're wrong. They already are.
So, have you come up with a plan to communicate with your loved ones? Your friends? Your prepper support group?
Do you have a two-way radio or a set of long-range walkie talkies anywhere in your house? Have you come up with a language that you can use to avoid being tagged? It can be as simple as one word. Think of the Battle of Normandy, "John has a long mustache..." Really, this is as simple as having an evacuation plan.
Do you know anyone locally who is a ham radio operator? Most ham operators do so not so much as a hobby, but as a last ditch effort to allow citizens to control the airwaves.
If the worst does happen you'll need to think of your every action, every word, every communication as being monitored. Consider yourself a political prisoner on house arrest. Don't even think of sending a letter unless you've got it encoded. I know this sounds like cloak and daggar stuff, but who are you going to trust? Do you really want a commisar to read your letters directing your family members to your stash of goodies?
Perhaps you could start by using your wingding font as a sort of code. Each symbol could represent a word or phrase. You don't need to have a sympbol for each letter of the alphabet...that would be too mind-boggling. For instance, perhaps a five pointed star could represent "plenty of guns, low on ammo", with a response being a right handed check mark for "have ammo, will trade". Or, use the "bible code" method of having the real message in a pattern.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
LESSON 6: MONEY
Face it: The paper money that you have sitting in your bank right now is worthless. We all know this.
My heart breaks for the many people that I know who have taken hard-earned money and purchased a shitload of gold, silver, palladium, etc. To die-hard investors I will never convince you that you've made a mistake, so stop reading here. For everyone else, you need to realize that when all forms of civility break down you MUST have a way to barter for your needs. Now, I'm not saying those investments are BAD - they do have a purpose. But if there is a long recession/depression what do you think everyone is going to need? Certainly not a hunk of metal.
Make a quick mental assessment of your skills. Do you have the ability to sew? Are you a good mechanic? Can you cook? Hunt? Fish? Are you a green thumb with the ability to grow more than what your family needs for each season?
My son is an electrician AND an auto mechanic. He has skills that can be bartered for food, weapons, etc. I have a neighbor who is a former nurse. She can barter her knowledge. I am a hunter. I can barter meats in exchange for other provisions. How many of you are planning on taking out a gold coin (today's value of $1600 an ounce) to buy a bag of flour? Is anyone stupid enough to take a gold coin in exchange for a portion of their provisions? You can't eat it. The electronics that use gold as a portion of their components are likely not being used because there is not enough power to use them.
You will need items and skills that other people depend upon for survival. When you see natural disasters on TV what are the things that people are waiting in line to get? Certainly not gold coins!!!! Water, food, fuel, shelter. The necessities of life.
My investments consist of a bit of precious metals, a bit of cash in small bills, food, weaponry, and knowledge that I can "sell". When it comes down to it, I'll be able to trade a dozen rounds of ammo for a bag of flour, and the guy holding the chuck of gold will go hungry.
I know that my 401k is going to be worthless. I know that my bank accounts will be confiscated. I know that my home will likely be taken away from me. Hell, the federal goverment is now "considering" renting out foreclosed homes. How well do you think this is going to turn out? This is yet another socialist dream being captured by our president. The confiscation of all forms of private property is ongoing and the Supreme Court paved the way by revising our Constitutional rights to imminent domain.
My heart breaks for the many people that I know who have taken hard-earned money and purchased a shitload of gold, silver, palladium, etc. To die-hard investors I will never convince you that you've made a mistake, so stop reading here. For everyone else, you need to realize that when all forms of civility break down you MUST have a way to barter for your needs. Now, I'm not saying those investments are BAD - they do have a purpose. But if there is a long recession/depression what do you think everyone is going to need? Certainly not a hunk of metal.
Make a quick mental assessment of your skills. Do you have the ability to sew? Are you a good mechanic? Can you cook? Hunt? Fish? Are you a green thumb with the ability to grow more than what your family needs for each season?
My son is an electrician AND an auto mechanic. He has skills that can be bartered for food, weapons, etc. I have a neighbor who is a former nurse. She can barter her knowledge. I am a hunter. I can barter meats in exchange for other provisions. How many of you are planning on taking out a gold coin (today's value of $1600 an ounce) to buy a bag of flour? Is anyone stupid enough to take a gold coin in exchange for a portion of their provisions? You can't eat it. The electronics that use gold as a portion of their components are likely not being used because there is not enough power to use them.
You will need items and skills that other people depend upon for survival. When you see natural disasters on TV what are the things that people are waiting in line to get? Certainly not gold coins!!!! Water, food, fuel, shelter. The necessities of life.
My investments consist of a bit of precious metals, a bit of cash in small bills, food, weaponry, and knowledge that I can "sell". When it comes down to it, I'll be able to trade a dozen rounds of ammo for a bag of flour, and the guy holding the chuck of gold will go hungry.
I know that my 401k is going to be worthless. I know that my bank accounts will be confiscated. I know that my home will likely be taken away from me. Hell, the federal goverment is now "considering" renting out foreclosed homes. How well do you think this is going to turn out? This is yet another socialist dream being captured by our president. The confiscation of all forms of private property is ongoing and the Supreme Court paved the way by revising our Constitutional rights to imminent domain.
LESSON 5: SECURITY - You Can't Handle the Truth!
It is inevitable: The Shit is GOING to hit the fan. Cities and municipalities are going broke. Police and fire departments are going unfunded. Our military is stretched to capacity and the entitlement class is screaming about the possibility to being downsized. Eventually some idiot is going to start something stupid.
None of the members of the entitlement class are willing to stand in a line for government cheese. Just this week a report was issued in which the concept of "poverty" in America means cells phones, air-conditioning, larger living spaces that most European citizens, and a daily intake of calories that would make a third world nation regurgitate from gluttony. Eventually the gravy train is going to end and those hungry masses are going to come to find your storehouse of food and supplies. You MUST have a way to protect it. More importantly, you must have the NERVE to protect it.
If you can't see yourself capable of taking a human life that threatens yours or that of someone in your home, do not buy a gun. In fact, buy no weapons at all. In your case you're going to need lots of extra supplies to just give away, or extra supplies to sustain yourself after yours are taken. The reality of this scenario is that you will die - either by force, exposure or starvation.
If you're not pleased with this idea, get weapons and learn how to use them. There are several good firearms that I can recommend for beginners, but I'll recommend three: A good shotgun. A .22 rifle (get a banana clip for a good flow of fire). A good handgun with a few clips kept FULL. The shotgun is ideal for large game hunting and waterfowl (different shells are needed), the .22 is excellent for small game and warning shots, the handgun for close combat. Don't forget the need for cleaning and repair of your weapons and plan accordingly.
I cannot stress enough that you MUST be ready to use it or have it used against you.
I believe in morphology..meaning, I use what I have and improvise. There are literally hundreds of prepper and survival websites that will tell you any number of ways to protect yourself, so I can't give you a one-size-fits-all answer. I also don't want to advise you to do anything illegal. These days it really doesn't take much to wind up in jail.
One of the products that I really like is solar lighting for outdoors. Even in the winter I'll bring the lights in during the day (if the weather is bad and the panels cover with snow) and put them in a sunny window where they charge up nicely. I also recommend that you have a few of these in various windows around your house. They work great as ambient lighting inside the home and a couple of them placed together in a clear, glass vase make a great reading lamp.
The very best security that you have is eyes, ears, and what I call "spider senses". Be observant of your surroundings. Know what sounds are normal. If you have the creeps about something follow your gut instinct.
A dog or two is a great way to maintain security in your home insofar as you have a disciplined animal. Don't sacrifice your dog to an intruder if one happens to get past all of your defenses. This is what bullets are for. Keep your dog safe so that it can alert you another day.
None of the members of the entitlement class are willing to stand in a line for government cheese. Just this week a report was issued in which the concept of "poverty" in America means cells phones, air-conditioning, larger living spaces that most European citizens, and a daily intake of calories that would make a third world nation regurgitate from gluttony. Eventually the gravy train is going to end and those hungry masses are going to come to find your storehouse of food and supplies. You MUST have a way to protect it. More importantly, you must have the NERVE to protect it.
If you can't see yourself capable of taking a human life that threatens yours or that of someone in your home, do not buy a gun. In fact, buy no weapons at all. In your case you're going to need lots of extra supplies to just give away, or extra supplies to sustain yourself after yours are taken. The reality of this scenario is that you will die - either by force, exposure or starvation.
If you're not pleased with this idea, get weapons and learn how to use them. There are several good firearms that I can recommend for beginners, but I'll recommend three: A good shotgun. A .22 rifle (get a banana clip for a good flow of fire). A good handgun with a few clips kept FULL. The shotgun is ideal for large game hunting and waterfowl (different shells are needed), the .22 is excellent for small game and warning shots, the handgun for close combat. Don't forget the need for cleaning and repair of your weapons and plan accordingly.
I cannot stress enough that you MUST be ready to use it or have it used against you.
I believe in morphology..meaning, I use what I have and improvise. There are literally hundreds of prepper and survival websites that will tell you any number of ways to protect yourself, so I can't give you a one-size-fits-all answer. I also don't want to advise you to do anything illegal. These days it really doesn't take much to wind up in jail.
One of the products that I really like is solar lighting for outdoors. Even in the winter I'll bring the lights in during the day (if the weather is bad and the panels cover with snow) and put them in a sunny window where they charge up nicely. I also recommend that you have a few of these in various windows around your house. They work great as ambient lighting inside the home and a couple of them placed together in a clear, glass vase make a great reading lamp.
The very best security that you have is eyes, ears, and what I call "spider senses". Be observant of your surroundings. Know what sounds are normal. If you have the creeps about something follow your gut instinct.
A dog or two is a great way to maintain security in your home insofar as you have a disciplined animal. Don't sacrifice your dog to an intruder if one happens to get past all of your defenses. This is what bullets are for. Keep your dog safe so that it can alert you another day.
LESSON 4 - Shelter. You Can Survive and Thrive
If you're lucky your home is not on the 24th floor of a concrete-bound high-rise. If you're damned lucky your home is in the middle of a huge piece of land, on the high ground. If you're like most people your home is in a neighborhood somewhere with a bit of grass around it. You probably get all of your energy from the power company, all of your water from either a well or municipal source, and your neighbors are probably strangers to you.
Consider what you'll do for shelter if you have to leave your home. What will you do to protect yourself from the elements? Do you have a plan of how to transport your hard-earned survival tools?
The best thing I can advise is for you to have two or three safe places that you can count on as a safe place. Do you have friends or family who live a few hours away, perhaps in a rural area? Do you have friends who live outside of a small town? If yes, you may want to ask them if you can begin sending them a little money each week to do some shopping for you. Tell them that if the worst never happens they are welcomed to use your supplies, but that if it does, (and you have to relocate to their property) you are willing to SHARE your supplies.
I can't tell you to buy a trailer, a wagon, or a pickup truck. But I can tell you to be prepared to transport whatever you can gather quickly, efficiently, and leave. I'm fortunate to have already lost everything I ever had in the world three times in my life. I've learned to NOT get attached to anything material. The things that matter to me now are my photographs, my memories, and my freedom.
You've all seen every survivor show on TV that I have, and yes, they make it look easy. The fact is, if you've never built a lean-to shelter you will spend many hours trying to do it the first time under pressure. Practice now. Learn how to construct a simple shelter appropriate for your area and your climate. Keep in mind that it is important to keep the dew, or moisture, off of you, and a lean-to shelter will do this for you. Keep enough extra boughs on hand to use as a covering in case it rains or snows and you should be pretty comfortable.
There are so many options for shelter, so many environments, that I can't go into all of them here. So, in simplicity I'll tell you that if you think you might be out in nature you're going to want one hell of a knife at all times. Pick one with at least an 8 inch blade on one side, a heavy handle (there are many that have hollow handles for storing matches, filiment, etc.), and saw teeth on one side. It's hard to cut down boughs with bare hands, and if you're in the south a lot of those palm fronts have thorns.
Plastic tarps are essential, but I wouldn't bother packing an easter-egg blue one if you're trying to bug out into the woods and hide. In a pinch a clear, plastic painters tarp will do. It won't hold up in the wind because it has no stitching or grommets for support, so don't count on using it for more than a few hours.
One key bit of advice is to only build your shelter with materials that can be found within 100 ft of your campsite. Remember, this is a temporary shelter. Many a camper get lost looking for items within a mile of their campsite. Once disoriented it's hard to find your way back. I also recommend a brightly colored bandana or scarf to hang up high enough to be a visual guide to help you find your way back. Every 20 steps turn around and locate the bandana. Stop moving forward if you can't see it and retrace your steps back until you do.
When I was a kid in scouting we learned how to build various native American houses. Tepees, wigwams, lodges, etc. Bottom line: Don't bite off more than you can chew. Building a shelter requires time and energy, so don't go all Survivorman on yourself.
Consider what you'll do for shelter if you have to leave your home. What will you do to protect yourself from the elements? Do you have a plan of how to transport your hard-earned survival tools?
The best thing I can advise is for you to have two or three safe places that you can count on as a safe place. Do you have friends or family who live a few hours away, perhaps in a rural area? Do you have friends who live outside of a small town? If yes, you may want to ask them if you can begin sending them a little money each week to do some shopping for you. Tell them that if the worst never happens they are welcomed to use your supplies, but that if it does, (and you have to relocate to their property) you are willing to SHARE your supplies.
I can't tell you to buy a trailer, a wagon, or a pickup truck. But I can tell you to be prepared to transport whatever you can gather quickly, efficiently, and leave. I'm fortunate to have already lost everything I ever had in the world three times in my life. I've learned to NOT get attached to anything material. The things that matter to me now are my photographs, my memories, and my freedom.
You've all seen every survivor show on TV that I have, and yes, they make it look easy. The fact is, if you've never built a lean-to shelter you will spend many hours trying to do it the first time under pressure. Practice now. Learn how to construct a simple shelter appropriate for your area and your climate. Keep in mind that it is important to keep the dew, or moisture, off of you, and a lean-to shelter will do this for you. Keep enough extra boughs on hand to use as a covering in case it rains or snows and you should be pretty comfortable.
There are so many options for shelter, so many environments, that I can't go into all of them here. So, in simplicity I'll tell you that if you think you might be out in nature you're going to want one hell of a knife at all times. Pick one with at least an 8 inch blade on one side, a heavy handle (there are many that have hollow handles for storing matches, filiment, etc.), and saw teeth on one side. It's hard to cut down boughs with bare hands, and if you're in the south a lot of those palm fronts have thorns.
Plastic tarps are essential, but I wouldn't bother packing an easter-egg blue one if you're trying to bug out into the woods and hide. In a pinch a clear, plastic painters tarp will do. It won't hold up in the wind because it has no stitching or grommets for support, so don't count on using it for more than a few hours.
One key bit of advice is to only build your shelter with materials that can be found within 100 ft of your campsite. Remember, this is a temporary shelter. Many a camper get lost looking for items within a mile of their campsite. Once disoriented it's hard to find your way back. I also recommend a brightly colored bandana or scarf to hang up high enough to be a visual guide to help you find your way back. Every 20 steps turn around and locate the bandana. Stop moving forward if you can't see it and retrace your steps back until you do.
When I was a kid in scouting we learned how to build various native American houses. Tepees, wigwams, lodges, etc. Bottom line: Don't bite off more than you can chew. Building a shelter requires time and energy, so don't go all Survivorman on yourself.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Lesson 3 - Fuel to Power Your Efforts
Without a source of fuel you don't sterilize water, you don't cook, and you probably freeze to death.
I cannot stress enough the necessity for several forms of fuel. You need a variety of fuel sources to be modified according to the climate, your immediate needs, and the availability of other fuels. Never pass by an opportunity to use some really odd things as fuel.
I recommend several dozen cans of Sterno, two or three cords of firewood, Coleman fuel, lamp oil, candles, candle wax and wicks, charcoal, kindling, pine cones, tons of matches, at least two FireSteels, a magnifying glass (remember when you were a kid?), and about five boxes of these neat little pouches that burn for about 10 minutes (there are several brands of them). Gasoline should be used ONLY for your generator if you have one. Kerosene requires ventilation, so I don't recommend it, but it is cheap and plentiful.
Batteries are another source of fuel that are overlooked. If you do have a generator I encourage you to get a couple of "Power Station" devices that can be plugged in and recharged and then used later on. Most generators run for five hours on one gallon of gasoline, and most of these power stations will charge completely in as little as one hour. At the same time as your Power Station charges you can charge your rechargable batteries for use later. If you have a set of Walkie-Talkies you'll need to have fresh batteries to get close to the range that you're promised.
I encourage everyone to purchase a few hand-crank flashlights; some of these have radios integrated into them. For a couple of minutes of effort you can have save, reliable lighting for a couple of hours. If you have kids these are ideal to give them a sense of security and empowerment over their surroundings.
Candles are excellent sources of fuel and light, but I don't recommend using them unless it is winter AND you have no other source of light. That can be dangerous and they require constant tending to be used effectively. Oil lamps are a good choice if you can place one on a sturdy table or chair away from activity that might knock it over. I recommend that you buy several yards of wick material for your oil lamps and also buy about 100 feet of candle wick. If you use jarred candles you can keep melting them down, replacing the wicks, and you'll have candles available pretty much always. If you have any used #10 cans you can use one of these to construct a "candle stove". Invert the can, use a bottle opener to punch 3 - 4 ventilation holes in the top, and cut a door to access the candle. Please not that the can will get very, very hot. I've used one of these as a portable heater when we've lost power in the past and it worked extremely well. I was able to put a small pan on top and I boiled a cup of water in five minutes.
Sterno is one of those old, standby sources of fuel that can be used for cooking in a pinch. The new stuff is pretty fume-free, but you still need to use it in a well-ventilated area. My advice is to make sure to get a sterno stove for use with the cans. This can help you to ensure it is used safely. Please practice using sterno before you bring it into your house!!!
Charcoal is one of those things that you cannot have too much of. One chunk of charcoal can help you to start your fire (outside only). Commercial charcoal is lightweight, easy to transport, and makes an ideal way to help you get a good fire started if you're on the move. Charcoal during the spring and summer months is pretty cheap to buy, and buying the stuff that is already doused with a starter is probably a good bet for anyone. Store is somewhere dry and away from any electrical or heat sources.
Chapstick. Yep..old fashioned, sticky, in the tube Chapstick is flammable. Chop off a small bit of it, smear it on a bit of kindling and you'll have a warm fire going in a few moments.
Regarding firewood, if this is going to be your sole source for heating your home you're going to need to replenish it often. If you are fortunate enough to live near heavily wooded areas I would encourage you to get out there early to start gathering wood even if you think you have more than enough. Fallen wood will be taken quickly and within a few weeks people will begin cutting down trees and will try to burn "green wood". If you must cut a tree you should be prepared to let it cure or age for about 3-6 months.
Some people have said that they'll just burn their furniture. Not a good idea since there are so many chemicals in your household furniture that are toxic.
Make sure that you have a reliable siphon kit. There are several on the market that are inexpensive, reliable, and far safer than sticking your mouth on a tube and sucking.
Propane: As a camper I keep several bottles of propane around for use with a Coleman stove and the mini heater that Coleman also makes. You can use these indoors in a pinch, but you need to make sure to put a large piece of ceramic tile underneath. You don't want to catch your wood, carpet, or vinyl flooring on fire.
I have a couple of oil-filled electric heaters in my home. While they take a while to warm up, once warmed the oil stays warm and give off heat for several hours after the power supply has been turned off. We've set up sleeping bags around this heater at night for the kids when we've lot power and they've slept comfortably.
The Sun: Not to sound like a lunatic tree hugger, but the sun provides us with a tremendous amount of energy. Learn how to capture its power. I do have a small solar panel that I have used to charge my rechargeable batteries. I've also built a solar oven in the past (though it takes about 2 hours to bake one pan of cornbread to just done). But if you've got it, and it's free, take it.
The Wind: There are detailed instructions on YouTube and all over the Internet for building your own portable wind turbine. Look them up, print out a copy, and then experiment NOW while we have the materials and the room to fail and fail again (the Thomas Edison school of applied science method).
Never underestimate the value of aluminum foil. You can use it deflect heat to where you need it.
If you've come this far with me you'll be able to understand why I'm going to give you this last-resort of fuel supply. Sorry, it's gross. In the Bible you can read stories of the Exodus. The Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years and cooked over fires made of something called shitims. What is a shitim? Well, what does the name imply? That's right. They burned not only the dung of cattle and goats, but in really hard times they burned their own. It will, according to ancient laws, defile the food and make it not worthy for sacrifice, but it is a burnable, renewable form of fuel. Dried properly it will burn nicely without much of a smell. OK...there, I said it. This would be your LAST resort, I'm sure.
My last and most important bit of advice is this: Use the least amount of fuel possible to supply your immediate needs. If you have a warm fire in your fireplace with two logs it doesn't make sense to add more wood. The hotter the fire the quicker the burn.
I cannot stress enough the necessity for several forms of fuel. You need a variety of fuel sources to be modified according to the climate, your immediate needs, and the availability of other fuels. Never pass by an opportunity to use some really odd things as fuel.
I recommend several dozen cans of Sterno, two or three cords of firewood, Coleman fuel, lamp oil, candles, candle wax and wicks, charcoal, kindling, pine cones, tons of matches, at least two FireSteels, a magnifying glass (remember when you were a kid?), and about five boxes of these neat little pouches that burn for about 10 minutes (there are several brands of them). Gasoline should be used ONLY for your generator if you have one. Kerosene requires ventilation, so I don't recommend it, but it is cheap and plentiful.
Batteries are another source of fuel that are overlooked. If you do have a generator I encourage you to get a couple of "Power Station" devices that can be plugged in and recharged and then used later on. Most generators run for five hours on one gallon of gasoline, and most of these power stations will charge completely in as little as one hour. At the same time as your Power Station charges you can charge your rechargable batteries for use later. If you have a set of Walkie-Talkies you'll need to have fresh batteries to get close to the range that you're promised.
I encourage everyone to purchase a few hand-crank flashlights; some of these have radios integrated into them. For a couple of minutes of effort you can have save, reliable lighting for a couple of hours. If you have kids these are ideal to give them a sense of security and empowerment over their surroundings.
Candles are excellent sources of fuel and light, but I don't recommend using them unless it is winter AND you have no other source of light. That can be dangerous and they require constant tending to be used effectively. Oil lamps are a good choice if you can place one on a sturdy table or chair away from activity that might knock it over. I recommend that you buy several yards of wick material for your oil lamps and also buy about 100 feet of candle wick. If you use jarred candles you can keep melting them down, replacing the wicks, and you'll have candles available pretty much always. If you have any used #10 cans you can use one of these to construct a "candle stove". Invert the can, use a bottle opener to punch 3 - 4 ventilation holes in the top, and cut a door to access the candle. Please not that the can will get very, very hot. I've used one of these as a portable heater when we've lost power in the past and it worked extremely well. I was able to put a small pan on top and I boiled a cup of water in five minutes.
Sterno is one of those old, standby sources of fuel that can be used for cooking in a pinch. The new stuff is pretty fume-free, but you still need to use it in a well-ventilated area. My advice is to make sure to get a sterno stove for use with the cans. This can help you to ensure it is used safely. Please practice using sterno before you bring it into your house!!!
Charcoal is one of those things that you cannot have too much of. One chunk of charcoal can help you to start your fire (outside only). Commercial charcoal is lightweight, easy to transport, and makes an ideal way to help you get a good fire started if you're on the move. Charcoal during the spring and summer months is pretty cheap to buy, and buying the stuff that is already doused with a starter is probably a good bet for anyone. Store is somewhere dry and away from any electrical or heat sources.
Chapstick. Yep..old fashioned, sticky, in the tube Chapstick is flammable. Chop off a small bit of it, smear it on a bit of kindling and you'll have a warm fire going in a few moments.
Regarding firewood, if this is going to be your sole source for heating your home you're going to need to replenish it often. If you are fortunate enough to live near heavily wooded areas I would encourage you to get out there early to start gathering wood even if you think you have more than enough. Fallen wood will be taken quickly and within a few weeks people will begin cutting down trees and will try to burn "green wood". If you must cut a tree you should be prepared to let it cure or age for about 3-6 months.
Some people have said that they'll just burn their furniture. Not a good idea since there are so many chemicals in your household furniture that are toxic.
Make sure that you have a reliable siphon kit. There are several on the market that are inexpensive, reliable, and far safer than sticking your mouth on a tube and sucking.
Propane: As a camper I keep several bottles of propane around for use with a Coleman stove and the mini heater that Coleman also makes. You can use these indoors in a pinch, but you need to make sure to put a large piece of ceramic tile underneath. You don't want to catch your wood, carpet, or vinyl flooring on fire.
I have a couple of oil-filled electric heaters in my home. While they take a while to warm up, once warmed the oil stays warm and give off heat for several hours after the power supply has been turned off. We've set up sleeping bags around this heater at night for the kids when we've lot power and they've slept comfortably.
The Sun: Not to sound like a lunatic tree hugger, but the sun provides us with a tremendous amount of energy. Learn how to capture its power. I do have a small solar panel that I have used to charge my rechargeable batteries. I've also built a solar oven in the past (though it takes about 2 hours to bake one pan of cornbread to just done). But if you've got it, and it's free, take it.
The Wind: There are detailed instructions on YouTube and all over the Internet for building your own portable wind turbine. Look them up, print out a copy, and then experiment NOW while we have the materials and the room to fail and fail again (the Thomas Edison school of applied science method).
Never underestimate the value of aluminum foil. You can use it deflect heat to where you need it.
If you've come this far with me you'll be able to understand why I'm going to give you this last-resort of fuel supply. Sorry, it's gross. In the Bible you can read stories of the Exodus. The Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years and cooked over fires made of something called shitims. What is a shitim? Well, what does the name imply? That's right. They burned not only the dung of cattle and goats, but in really hard times they burned their own. It will, according to ancient laws, defile the food and make it not worthy for sacrifice, but it is a burnable, renewable form of fuel. Dried properly it will burn nicely without much of a smell. OK...there, I said it. This would be your LAST resort, I'm sure.
My last and most important bit of advice is this: Use the least amount of fuel possible to supply your immediate needs. If you have a warm fire in your fireplace with two logs it doesn't make sense to add more wood. The hotter the fire the quicker the burn.
Lesson 2: Water for Life
Generally speaking, most people don't give water a second thought. It's pretty much always been a part of our lives. We drink it, we cook in it, we play in it. It's often so plentiful that we allow it to run down our streets and we even use it to wash our cars.
But the fact is that water becomes very precious when it is hard to find.
Ask any serious prepper and they will tell you that WATER is the most important thing that you will be required to have; and it needs to be clean, drinkable water. So, what do you do when you go to turn on the tap and nothing comes out?
Well, if you're smart you've already made plans for this and you purchased a WaterBob and have it filled up and it sits in one of your bathtubs. A WaterBob is a tub-sized plastic sleeve that you fill up and seal. It comes with a hand pump as a method to get the water out, and they even recommend the best method for ensuring that your water stay drinkable.
I'm sure that you probably have a case or two of bottled water put away somewhere, too. So what happens when that is gone? Bottled water last longer if you can keep it in a cool, dark place, but this is only for about six months..and you really don't know how long it was in the store or the warehouse when you bought it. You can "refresh" it by pouring it back and forth between two pitchers for about 10 minutes and then boiling it for 2 minutes. The back and forth motion reintroduces oxygen to the water and makes it safer to drink.
Get a rainbarrel, or two, or three. In times of plenty you can use this water for your garden (you can buy attachments to hook it up to your garden hose quite nicely). The way that it comes off of your roof is fine for washing clothes, and watering your garden. But if you're going to drink it or use it for oral hygiene or cooking you will need to filter it completely, boil it for 2 minutes and then let it cool. Get water purification tabs for when you can't boil it.
There are plenty of sources of water that we overlook on a daily basis, though we have an aversion to using them:
1. Your water heater. You might have 60 gallons of water in there. Use it.
2. Canned goods that have been packed in water. Don't pour out the water that packed those beans away. Use it in a soup base. When water is scarce you should ALWAYS prepare thin soups that can double as a source of hydration. Plus, you'll need to eat less...it takes a lot of fluid to digest food.
3. Streams, ponds, lakes. If you have purchased a really good filtration system AND you also intend to purify it by boiling these are perfectly safe sources of water. The smell is what may turn you off, so this is where Gatorade, tea powder and different flavorings come in handy.
4. Wells. Suppose you have a well under your home but you have no power for the pump. You can use a 30 ft length of nylon paracord tied around the neck of a 16 oz water bottle and lower it down the well pipe to fill. You can add a fishing weight to the neck of the bottle if you're impatient. After a few minutes pull up the cord and repeat the process until you have the water you need. They make fancy well dippers, but they're about $50 each and they only hold about 1 liter of water. Just remember that when the sanitation systems begin to fail well water will likely be negative affected by organisms such as E-Coli. Add bleach, aerate for 10 minutes and then boil if you don't have a good filtration system AND purification method.
5. Friends/Bartering. Suppose you don't have a water source but you know someone who does. This is where your bartering will come into play. Maybe they don't know how to hunt but really would like to have some of the pork roast that you prepared last night because YOU killed a wild pig. Trade meat for water, but make sure that you boil it. You can't be sure that the water is clean until you take this step. If your neighbor is drawing water from an outside swimming pool this is especially important due to bacteria growth.
6. Plants. I know that it may seem odd, but there is a great deal of water stored in plants. Use your field guide to find out which one's you can eat. Be aware, however, that some plants can have a laxative effect when eaten in large quantities. I once ate too many wild berries and ended up with a horrible stomach problem. Beware, also, of insecticides and various pollutants in agricultural areas.
7. Public pools, parks, etc. I don't want to encourage you to get shot, but you may need to get out there and harvest water from your surrounding environment as best you can.
If you live near the beach (ocean, lake, or river) you can find relatively clean water by digging a hole approximately 6-10 feet from the waters edge. Dig about 4 or 5 feet and you should hit water. It will have been sand-filtered, but I still advise running through your fabric filters and sterilizing it out of an extreme sense of paranoia.
Filters are easy to come by at most hardware stores, but you can also use several layers of clean t-shirts in a pinch. Most simple filtration systems are sand-based and I recommend that you look into them. Some of you are smart enough to design your own system that works on a sand/drip process. In a pinch you can layer several coffee filters and slowly strain water through them..but again, BOIL IT BEFORE IT GOES INTO YOUR MOUTH.
Experts say that the least amount of water needed per person per day is 1 liter. This is combined water sources. Consider the water that is in a can of fruit cocktail a part of your liquid for the day. Remember that if you've stocked dehydrated or freeze dried foods you will need water for reconstituting those items.
I recommend that you practice efficient water storage practices. If you have plentiful water supplies being provided to you by nature you really need to find a way to store as much as you can.
Finally, I do recommend the ZeroWater and Brita filtration systems for home use. They don't KILL any bacteria, so some bleach or boiling will be necessary.
But the fact is that water becomes very precious when it is hard to find.
Ask any serious prepper and they will tell you that WATER is the most important thing that you will be required to have; and it needs to be clean, drinkable water. So, what do you do when you go to turn on the tap and nothing comes out?
Well, if you're smart you've already made plans for this and you purchased a WaterBob and have it filled up and it sits in one of your bathtubs. A WaterBob is a tub-sized plastic sleeve that you fill up and seal. It comes with a hand pump as a method to get the water out, and they even recommend the best method for ensuring that your water stay drinkable.
I'm sure that you probably have a case or two of bottled water put away somewhere, too. So what happens when that is gone? Bottled water last longer if you can keep it in a cool, dark place, but this is only for about six months..and you really don't know how long it was in the store or the warehouse when you bought it. You can "refresh" it by pouring it back and forth between two pitchers for about 10 minutes and then boiling it for 2 minutes. The back and forth motion reintroduces oxygen to the water and makes it safer to drink.
Get a rainbarrel, or two, or three. In times of plenty you can use this water for your garden (you can buy attachments to hook it up to your garden hose quite nicely). The way that it comes off of your roof is fine for washing clothes, and watering your garden. But if you're going to drink it or use it for oral hygiene or cooking you will need to filter it completely, boil it for 2 minutes and then let it cool. Get water purification tabs for when you can't boil it.
There are plenty of sources of water that we overlook on a daily basis, though we have an aversion to using them:
1. Your water heater. You might have 60 gallons of water in there. Use it.
2. Canned goods that have been packed in water. Don't pour out the water that packed those beans away. Use it in a soup base. When water is scarce you should ALWAYS prepare thin soups that can double as a source of hydration. Plus, you'll need to eat less...it takes a lot of fluid to digest food.
3. Streams, ponds, lakes. If you have purchased a really good filtration system AND you also intend to purify it by boiling these are perfectly safe sources of water. The smell is what may turn you off, so this is where Gatorade, tea powder and different flavorings come in handy.
4. Wells. Suppose you have a well under your home but you have no power for the pump. You can use a 30 ft length of nylon paracord tied around the neck of a 16 oz water bottle and lower it down the well pipe to fill. You can add a fishing weight to the neck of the bottle if you're impatient. After a few minutes pull up the cord and repeat the process until you have the water you need. They make fancy well dippers, but they're about $50 each and they only hold about 1 liter of water. Just remember that when the sanitation systems begin to fail well water will likely be negative affected by organisms such as E-Coli. Add bleach, aerate for 10 minutes and then boil if you don't have a good filtration system AND purification method.
5. Friends/Bartering. Suppose you don't have a water source but you know someone who does. This is where your bartering will come into play. Maybe they don't know how to hunt but really would like to have some of the pork roast that you prepared last night because YOU killed a wild pig. Trade meat for water, but make sure that you boil it. You can't be sure that the water is clean until you take this step. If your neighbor is drawing water from an outside swimming pool this is especially important due to bacteria growth.
6. Plants. I know that it may seem odd, but there is a great deal of water stored in plants. Use your field guide to find out which one's you can eat. Be aware, however, that some plants can have a laxative effect when eaten in large quantities. I once ate too many wild berries and ended up with a horrible stomach problem. Beware, also, of insecticides and various pollutants in agricultural areas.
7. Public pools, parks, etc. I don't want to encourage you to get shot, but you may need to get out there and harvest water from your surrounding environment as best you can.
If you live near the beach (ocean, lake, or river) you can find relatively clean water by digging a hole approximately 6-10 feet from the waters edge. Dig about 4 or 5 feet and you should hit water. It will have been sand-filtered, but I still advise running through your fabric filters and sterilizing it out of an extreme sense of paranoia.
Filters are easy to come by at most hardware stores, but you can also use several layers of clean t-shirts in a pinch. Most simple filtration systems are sand-based and I recommend that you look into them. Some of you are smart enough to design your own system that works on a sand/drip process. In a pinch you can layer several coffee filters and slowly strain water through them..but again, BOIL IT BEFORE IT GOES INTO YOUR MOUTH.
Experts say that the least amount of water needed per person per day is 1 liter. This is combined water sources. Consider the water that is in a can of fruit cocktail a part of your liquid for the day. Remember that if you've stocked dehydrated or freeze dried foods you will need water for reconstituting those items.
I recommend that you practice efficient water storage practices. If you have plentiful water supplies being provided to you by nature you really need to find a way to store as much as you can.
Finally, I do recommend the ZeroWater and Brita filtration systems for home use. They don't KILL any bacteria, so some bleach or boiling will be necessary.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Step 1 - DETERMINE YOUR NEEDS
I can't tell you what items to keep in your own home for emergency storage. This is to be determined by your own family likes, nutritional needs, storage options and, of course, budget. You should be able to determine how much you use in a month and then just start multiplying.
My suggestion is that you look into your pantry today and make a list of the items that you have. Make a note of which items you use often, which items you use occasionally, and which items you keep on hand for special times or for "comfort food". In my own home we use a lot of pasta, whole grains and natural oils, so we stocked up on non-conventional grain items such as millet and barley, but we also enjoy hot cereal made with hard, red wheat that we slightly grind and then steam.
One of the problems that I've heard die-hard food storers complain of is palate fatigue. They tire and bore of eating the same food over and over again. Even adults complain of eating rice if they eat it every day for a week, so if you have kids you need to factor in the need for variety in order to get them to eat. Don't forget about the value of candy, cookies, cakes, etc., and you don't have to go without these things if you plan and you learn how to prepare them in a different way. I've baked cakes over an open fire in a dutch oven that have been devoured eagerly by kids. For the most part, it's about having the right tools, practicing their use, and learning to adapt.
I have purchased many dehydrated and freeze dried items from a company called Emergency Essentials. I opened two cans of their product to try them and they are really quite good, so I ordered a few more items: Powdered Whole Eggs, Powdered Butter, Powdered Shortening, Freeze Dried Shredded Cheddar, among other things. I really appreciate these items since some perishable items will not be available.
If you've ever been in an extended power outage (2 or 3 weeks at a time) you've had some experience with cooking like a caveman, but you knew the lights were coming back on and the stores would be open again soon. WTSHTF we won't know when the stores will have food, and really, do we want to be out there fighting over a loaf of bread?
My food storage needs assume that you'll be hunting for meat and that you'll use your stored foods to supplement your nutritional needs. You don't hunt? Learn. You can't field dress, gut, and skin an animal? Figure it out. Once you've done it a few times you won't even notice the urge to vomit and you'll enjoy the meal you prepare. I also assume that you'll be gardening or foraging. Get a field guild for your area and learn which plants you can and cannot eat. Tiger lillies grow wild near my home and their stems and flowers are edible. The lower half of cattails are also quite rich in vitamin C and potassium and can be sliced and eaten raw. I am not Bear Grylls, so I won't be eating any grubs, nor am I Ozzie Osbourne, so biting the heads off of bats if out of the question.
I suggest that every home have a decent grill that can be used outdoors. If you have a fireplace get a grill apparatus to place inside. Pick up at least one large cast iron skillet and a large cast iron dutch oven (it needs the flat top for baking). Make sure that you have plenty of long handled, firesafe utensils and some very long oven mitts.
Do you have pets? Don't forget about storing food and supplies for them, but remember to store their food separately from your family food. Box and labels these items very clearly.
Buy enough items that you can use as barter goods. Don't smoke? Buy some cigarettes anyway and have them on hand to trade for food or fuel. Don't drink? Keep a few bottles on hand.
Don't neglect the power of condiments. Mustard is a great burn ointment. Vinegar can be used for antiseptic purposes, cleaning and preserving. Olive oil can be made into a lamp. Honey is a universally accepted antibacterial preparation. And don't forget to make sure that you have plenty of salt on hand - and I do mean PLENTY. Salt is crucial to maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance.
I will include a list of several links for your reference, but I want you to start with one that is easy to understand: www.thesurvivalmom.com.
My suggestion is that you look into your pantry today and make a list of the items that you have. Make a note of which items you use often, which items you use occasionally, and which items you keep on hand for special times or for "comfort food". In my own home we use a lot of pasta, whole grains and natural oils, so we stocked up on non-conventional grain items such as millet and barley, but we also enjoy hot cereal made with hard, red wheat that we slightly grind and then steam.
One of the problems that I've heard die-hard food storers complain of is palate fatigue. They tire and bore of eating the same food over and over again. Even adults complain of eating rice if they eat it every day for a week, so if you have kids you need to factor in the need for variety in order to get them to eat. Don't forget about the value of candy, cookies, cakes, etc., and you don't have to go without these things if you plan and you learn how to prepare them in a different way. I've baked cakes over an open fire in a dutch oven that have been devoured eagerly by kids. For the most part, it's about having the right tools, practicing their use, and learning to adapt.
I have purchased many dehydrated and freeze dried items from a company called Emergency Essentials. I opened two cans of their product to try them and they are really quite good, so I ordered a few more items: Powdered Whole Eggs, Powdered Butter, Powdered Shortening, Freeze Dried Shredded Cheddar, among other things. I really appreciate these items since some perishable items will not be available.
If you've ever been in an extended power outage (2 or 3 weeks at a time) you've had some experience with cooking like a caveman, but you knew the lights were coming back on and the stores would be open again soon. WTSHTF we won't know when the stores will have food, and really, do we want to be out there fighting over a loaf of bread?
My food storage needs assume that you'll be hunting for meat and that you'll use your stored foods to supplement your nutritional needs. You don't hunt? Learn. You can't field dress, gut, and skin an animal? Figure it out. Once you've done it a few times you won't even notice the urge to vomit and you'll enjoy the meal you prepare. I also assume that you'll be gardening or foraging. Get a field guild for your area and learn which plants you can and cannot eat. Tiger lillies grow wild near my home and their stems and flowers are edible. The lower half of cattails are also quite rich in vitamin C and potassium and can be sliced and eaten raw. I am not Bear Grylls, so I won't be eating any grubs, nor am I Ozzie Osbourne, so biting the heads off of bats if out of the question.
I suggest that every home have a decent grill that can be used outdoors. If you have a fireplace get a grill apparatus to place inside. Pick up at least one large cast iron skillet and a large cast iron dutch oven (it needs the flat top for baking). Make sure that you have plenty of long handled, firesafe utensils and some very long oven mitts.
Do you have pets? Don't forget about storing food and supplies for them, but remember to store their food separately from your family food. Box and labels these items very clearly.
Buy enough items that you can use as barter goods. Don't smoke? Buy some cigarettes anyway and have them on hand to trade for food or fuel. Don't drink? Keep a few bottles on hand.
Don't neglect the power of condiments. Mustard is a great burn ointment. Vinegar can be used for antiseptic purposes, cleaning and preserving. Olive oil can be made into a lamp. Honey is a universally accepted antibacterial preparation. And don't forget to make sure that you have plenty of salt on hand - and I do mean PLENTY. Salt is crucial to maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance.
I will include a list of several links for your reference, but I want you to start with one that is easy to understand: www.thesurvivalmom.com.
12-Step Prepper Program - Lesson 1
I've had a few friends ask me how to get started with making a home "stash" or survival bunker. I'll go into each of these subjects in-depth later on. STEP 1: DETERMINE YOUR NEEDS: If you have a family of two you really should plan for having a family of four. Why? Because you're going to underestimate how much food you will eat in a day, for starters. Then, you're going to have friends, neighbors, and family who will have not prepared the way you have. You should be prepared to share some of your goods AT BARTER with them. The Church of Latter Day Saints has a good, downloadable PDF that can help you determine your needs. Go to www.preparedsociety.com to see what the can help you with. STEP 2: WATER: If there are two of you residing in the home you will need a minimum of 1 gallon of water per person per day. If you have no way to get water (via a pump, well, etc.) you need to know that you can't store water for long. You can pick up a couple of really good water filtration systems that work on a drip at many different retailers. Lehmans.com is one of those stores that caters to Amish customers. I would also recommend that you purchase a pocket filtration system such as the Katedyn Hiker. You can always go without washing for a week or two, but you need water every day for drinking. I've used the Katedyn Hiker on stream water and been fine after drinking it. Of course, it doesn't remove the odor. STEP 3: FUEL: If you live in a northern climate fuel is going to mean the life or death of you. Whether or not you are going to use wood, gas, oil, or a generator you will always need the basic raw material to produce fuel. There are many fuels available, some that you've never thought of. Have YOU ever burned a cowpie? Did you know that in biblical times it was not unheard of to use human excrement as fuel? I'm just letting you know. STEP 4: SHELTER: So, you plan on staying in your house. Sure you do. For so long as you are able you'll want to make sure that you have adequate protection from not only the elements but ALSO from anyone who might want to force you to SHARE your shelter with them. There is safety in numbers, but those numbers can also cause a great deal of stress unless you have adequate space for everyone to have some privacy and sense of ownership. STEP 5: SECURITY: Most of us think of security in terms of police protection. Think again. You also cannot secure your space with just owning weapons and having plenty of ammo. You need to be smart and save your ammo for the procurement of food (hunting) in order to make your food storage last longer. What I mean by security is simple; Do you know your neighbors? Do you have adequate lighting around your home that does NOT require electricity? Do you have any warning systems set up to alert you to an intruder? Do you have the materials necessary to repair your space in order to protect it? STEP 6: MONEY: In my opinion, WTSHTF money will be useless. I also don't think that gold, silver, or jewelry will be worth anything at all. You need to have items on hand that can be used for bartering. Do you have extra canned goods that you can barter for fuel? Are you a good hunter and you can barter meat for a cup of sugar? When I talk about money in this section it will have nothing to do with money as we know it. STEP 7: COMMUNICATION: I think we all know that the internet will be down. Our telephones will likely be useless, as well. How will you communicate? Do you own a shortwave radio? How about a set of good walkie-talkies that have a five or seven mile range? Do you know how to interpret the message and rumors that you will hear? STEP 8: MOBILITY: We're used to sitting down, turning a key, and rolling down the road. Forget it. You're going to use the gasoline in your tank to keep a generator going if you're lucky enough to have one. Bikes, wagons, good shoes. Plan to be able to repair all of them. This also goes to the subject of bartering. STEP 9: LIGHTING: I put this next to last because while I consider this essential, you can get by with very little of it in your everyday activities. If you have small children you'll want a secure way to provide lighting. There are many options besides candles. STEP 10: HYGIENE: Now, everyone has different needs, but we all need TOILET PAPER. One roll per person per week is typical. We'll to into this, as well. STEP 11: ENTERTAINMENT: I know this doesn't seem essential, but it really is. Think about all of the non-electric ways that we used to play when we were kids. Playing cards, books, crayons, chalk, paper, games. STEP 12: FAITH: I cannot stress how important this one is. No matter your faith, you will needed it. And you will need the support of friends, family, neighbors. I'm not suggesting we all turn into little Elmer Gantry's, but having a good Bible and a couple of books that bring you encouragement can help.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Surviving What's Coming
I cannot express this often enough; NOW is the time to prepare. I don't know how you want to do it. I won't even ask you to give up anything. What I WILL ASK is that you begin to formulate your plan; begin to put aside a few extra days' worth of food in a secure location. Most of all, make yourself right with God. We're really quite blessed to live during this time, friends.
Ezekial 4:
1 “Now, son of man, take a block of clay, put it in front of you and draw the city of Jerusalem on it. 2 Then lay siege to it: Erect siege works against it, build a ramp up to it, set up camps against it and put battering rams around it. 3 Then take an iron pan, place it as an iron wall between you and the city and turn your face toward it. It will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the people of Israel.
4 “Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the people of Israel upon yourself.[a] You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. 5 I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So for 390 days you will bear the sin of the people of Israel.
6 “After you have finished this, lie down again, this time on your right side, and bear the sin of the people of Judah. I have assigned you 40 days, a day for each year. 7 Turn your face toward the siege of Jerusalem and with bared arm prophesy against her. 8 I will tie you up with ropes so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your siege.
9 “Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the 390 days you lie on your side. 10 Weigh out twenty shekels[b] of food to eat each day and eat it at set times. 11 Also measure out a sixth of a hin[c] of water and drink it at set times. 12 Eat the food as you would a loaf of barley bread; bake it in the sight of the people, using human excrement for fuel.” 13 The LORD said, “In this way the people of Israel will eat defiled food among the nations where I will drive them.”
14 Then I said, “Not so, Sovereign LORD! I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have never eaten anything found dead or torn by wild animals. No impure meat has ever entered my mouth.”
15 “Very well,” he said, “I will let you bake your bread over cow dung instead of human excrement.”
16 He then said to me: “Son of man, I am about to cut off the food supply in Jerusalem. The people will eat rationed food in anxiety and drink rationed water in despair, 17 for food and water will be scarce. They will be appalled at the sight of each other and will waste away because of[d] their sin.
Ezekial 4:
1 “Now, son of man, take a block of clay, put it in front of you and draw the city of Jerusalem on it. 2 Then lay siege to it: Erect siege works against it, build a ramp up to it, set up camps against it and put battering rams around it. 3 Then take an iron pan, place it as an iron wall between you and the city and turn your face toward it. It will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the people of Israel.
4 “Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the people of Israel upon yourself.[a] You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. 5 I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So for 390 days you will bear the sin of the people of Israel.
6 “After you have finished this, lie down again, this time on your right side, and bear the sin of the people of Judah. I have assigned you 40 days, a day for each year. 7 Turn your face toward the siege of Jerusalem and with bared arm prophesy against her. 8 I will tie you up with ropes so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your siege.
9 “Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the 390 days you lie on your side. 10 Weigh out twenty shekels[b] of food to eat each day and eat it at set times. 11 Also measure out a sixth of a hin[c] of water and drink it at set times. 12 Eat the food as you would a loaf of barley bread; bake it in the sight of the people, using human excrement for fuel.” 13 The LORD said, “In this way the people of Israel will eat defiled food among the nations where I will drive them.”
14 Then I said, “Not so, Sovereign LORD! I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have never eaten anything found dead or torn by wild animals. No impure meat has ever entered my mouth.”
15 “Very well,” he said, “I will let you bake your bread over cow dung instead of human excrement.”
16 He then said to me: “Son of man, I am about to cut off the food supply in Jerusalem. The people will eat rationed food in anxiety and drink rationed water in despair, 17 for food and water will be scarce. They will be appalled at the sight of each other and will waste away because of[d] their sin.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Egypt, Food Prices, and the Cost of American Blue Jeans
In the last few weeks the world has changed. Egypt experienced a so-called democratic uprising, Tunisians filled the streets and demanded change, and in America we've seen the mainstream media finally begin to take notice of the rising cost of food, textiles, and the changing demographic of America. Yes, some of the results are coming in from the failed 2010 Census and they reveal that America is under assault.
For some time now America has fought hard against welcoming the brightest of the world to its shores. America has worked had to become the last flophouse for the world's most slothful, lazy, and demanding parasites. These recent immigrants to America, legal and otherwise, demand that WE Americas who have worked hard, played by the rules, and pursued our dreams, owe THEM something.
According to the Washington Times, our national debt now at least equals our national economy. In other words, as a nation we're worth more dead than alive.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/14/debt-now-equals-total-us-economy/
This is dangerous stuff here, folks. For those of us without the high-brow education of Tim Geithner, for instance, we learned in our high school economics class that once your expenses surpass 40% of your earnings you are in financial peril. We learned (at least I did in 1975) that once you hit the point where your expenses are equal to that of your earnings you have to modify your expenditures. Simply put: WHEN YOU'RE IN A HOLE, QUIT DIGGING.
To go back to an earlier point, our changed demographic landscape in America isn't doing us any favors. According to the U.S. Census Data of the 2010 Census, Hispanics are growing in population at a rate faster than that of blacks or white non-Hispanics.
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/uvn_univision-communications-reports-2010-census-data-shows-hispanic-growth-1478660.html
In many parts of the country these very communities have suffered an increase in crime, a decrease in funds available for emergency services, and overcrowding in schools and correctional facilities. Property owners and those with legitimate incomes, like myself, are being forced to ante up more and more tax dollars to fund city and country programs to keep these recently-arrived immigrants (read, illegals) housed, clothed, protected, fed, medicated, and to keep their children in school.
America is indeed under assault, but this is not a frontal attack. No, this is the type of attack science can only explain. We are the host, and the vast numbers of poorly skilled, uneducated, and penniless illegal immigrants coming to America are the parasites. I have a 17 year old son who cannot find a job in the typical trades for his age group because those jobs are now being held by adult workers. I have seen my local markets and retailers printing product information in Spanish and English, yet I see no such courtesy given to those immigrants from Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Japan, or China.
As of 2010 there were approximately 43.5 million Americans receiving food stamps. Can we still refer to this is the Land of the Free? With this many people receiving food stamps is it even possible for those of us who are NOT taking government aid to keep giving and giving until we are ALL wards of the State? Add to this the assinine regulations that our Congress and President have imposed upon us and I have to question the real motives of these purveyoyrs of classic Cloward & Piven tactics. The first line of the Cloward & Piven strategy reads: "Cloward-Piven is a strategy for forcing political change through orchestrated crisis." After reading their website, http://cloward-piven.com/, I really have to ask myself why this group is revered and the Tea Party is reviled.
Our politicians have traded their integrity for votes, their commitment to the continuation of America is now in question as we hear them speak of income inequality and immigration reform in the same sentence. Yet, when you or I speak of enforcing our laws, protecting our borders, and forcing illegal immigrants to leave our country and come back legally we are referred to as teabagging racists.
I am preparing myself, my home, and my family for what is going to be a long and extended economic depression in America. Most assuredly I will not live long enough to see America dig herself out of the hole that all of the well-intentioned of the world dug for her people. But I can start to lay the foundation for a new America, a bright America, an America that our forefathers would be proud of.
For some time now America has fought hard against welcoming the brightest of the world to its shores. America has worked had to become the last flophouse for the world's most slothful, lazy, and demanding parasites. These recent immigrants to America, legal and otherwise, demand that WE Americas who have worked hard, played by the rules, and pursued our dreams, owe THEM something.
According to the Washington Times, our national debt now at least equals our national economy. In other words, as a nation we're worth more dead than alive.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/14/debt-now-equals-total-us-economy/
This is dangerous stuff here, folks. For those of us without the high-brow education of Tim Geithner, for instance, we learned in our high school economics class that once your expenses surpass 40% of your earnings you are in financial peril. We learned (at least I did in 1975) that once you hit the point where your expenses are equal to that of your earnings you have to modify your expenditures. Simply put: WHEN YOU'RE IN A HOLE, QUIT DIGGING.
To go back to an earlier point, our changed demographic landscape in America isn't doing us any favors. According to the U.S. Census Data of the 2010 Census, Hispanics are growing in population at a rate faster than that of blacks or white non-Hispanics.
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/uvn_univision-communications-reports-2010-census-data-shows-hispanic-growth-1478660.html
In many parts of the country these very communities have suffered an increase in crime, a decrease in funds available for emergency services, and overcrowding in schools and correctional facilities. Property owners and those with legitimate incomes, like myself, are being forced to ante up more and more tax dollars to fund city and country programs to keep these recently-arrived immigrants (read, illegals) housed, clothed, protected, fed, medicated, and to keep their children in school.
America is indeed under assault, but this is not a frontal attack. No, this is the type of attack science can only explain. We are the host, and the vast numbers of poorly skilled, uneducated, and penniless illegal immigrants coming to America are the parasites. I have a 17 year old son who cannot find a job in the typical trades for his age group because those jobs are now being held by adult workers. I have seen my local markets and retailers printing product information in Spanish and English, yet I see no such courtesy given to those immigrants from Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Japan, or China.
As of 2010 there were approximately 43.5 million Americans receiving food stamps. Can we still refer to this is the Land of the Free? With this many people receiving food stamps is it even possible for those of us who are NOT taking government aid to keep giving and giving until we are ALL wards of the State? Add to this the assinine regulations that our Congress and President have imposed upon us and I have to question the real motives of these purveyoyrs of classic Cloward & Piven tactics. The first line of the Cloward & Piven strategy reads: "Cloward-Piven is a strategy for forcing political change through orchestrated crisis." After reading their website, http://cloward-piven.com/, I really have to ask myself why this group is revered and the Tea Party is reviled.
Our politicians have traded their integrity for votes, their commitment to the continuation of America is now in question as we hear them speak of income inequality and immigration reform in the same sentence. Yet, when you or I speak of enforcing our laws, protecting our borders, and forcing illegal immigrants to leave our country and come back legally we are referred to as teabagging racists.
I am preparing myself, my home, and my family for what is going to be a long and extended economic depression in America. Most assuredly I will not live long enough to see America dig herself out of the hole that all of the well-intentioned of the world dug for her people. But I can start to lay the foundation for a new America, a bright America, an America that our forefathers would be proud of.
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