Someone once said, "I love my country but I fear my government." Like you, I watched the nomination process and for two years politicians campaigned for the Presidency rather than handle business in Washington. Well, we have change.
One economist said that if we had spent a million dollars a day since Christ walked the earth; we would not have spent the amount of money our government just did. I can't count that high but thank goodness some folks can.
As I was flying home from Arizona Saturday, I watched as the country side slipped past as we zoomed along six miles above it. I thought "how small the foot print of man is." Had I been on the ground, I would have seen vehicles, homes and businesses that man has built. From that distance they looked like children's toys.
It was easy to think that the lives in that plane and those on the ground had no impact on each other, but they do. Today it is easy to think that what goes on in Washington does not affect Southwest Missouri, but it does.
A fellow wrote me the other day and said, "Most people refuse to believe that our 'Titanic' is sinking. They are rearranging the deck chairs rather than helping people get into the life boats. Even the leaders of our local and national community are wasting time looking for people to blame for the massive loss of jobs, economic meltdown and climate change. People are working so hard to pay the bills and keep the alligators out of the kitchen that they are too busy to look up at the clouds and see what's coming. Some will continue to play the blame game and complain about the failure of our government to help us."
I have watched natural disasters hit all over this country, and folks like you and me worked together, helped each other and did NOT wait on the government to help them. Then there was Katrina! Many people waited for the government to save them, and many died. Now we are waiting for the government to save us again, I'm not seeing much salvation yet. I hear a lot of folks talking and don't see many folks doing! The news depresses, especially the latest being that the United Nations wants part of our bail out money. I have said for over a year that we are headed for a train wreck, we're not there yet but we are rushing toward it as fast as we can.
So what do we do? We had better start thinking and we had better start acting! Insurance is an investment we make because something bad could happen. Seat belts are an investment we wear because something bad could happen. There has not been a news cast for weeks that does not trumpet, "SOMETHING BAD IS HAPPENING!"
I don't care if you're Republican, Democrat or an Independent. I don't care if you voted for Obama, McCain or Ron Paul - I don't care. What I care about is that we are ALL going to be affected by both what our government has done and what it has not done.
Why are we relying on the very people that created this mess to get us out of it? It just doesn't make sense to me.
What makes sense is growing some of your own food, getting your personal economics more stabilized and reducing some of your expenditures. Saving is something we need to pay more attention to. We prepare for tornados and ice storms; doesn't it seem we should be preparing for more economic crunches?
I don't trust the government to prevent more layoffs, more failures, higher taxes and reduced services. I don't trust the government to take care of me and my family - that is my responsibility and that is what I working at.
For months I have had conversations with folks across the country that are very concerned about the state of affairs. They are waking up and becoming concerned about developing a more sustainable life style. They want to create a better world for themselves and the next generations.
This is not new. The plans are not new. The processes and plans have been around for years, but today they are becoming more relevant. The changes both in the direction of where our country is headed and in the attitudes of many citizens are massive - and mysterious.
The things I can do to help myself and my family are recognizable, predictable and within my ability to accomplish. As I prepare for the storms that hit the Ozarks, I am preparing for the storm that is hitting the country. It seems that most folks are saying that within just a few months the train wreck will be here. We still don't know what that looks like, but no one is saying everything will be fixed.
It is time to talk, it is time to plan, it is time to act. We're about out of time.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Be Ready If Disaster Strikes - Part 2
In last week's article I said to prepare to take notes. Well, here we go. This week's article is Part II of "Be Ready if Disaster Strikes"?
Let's get right into specifics. Here in the Ozarks, we are somewhat insulated from the initial turmoil and break down of society that many people are forecasting. What that means is we're better positioned to take care of ourselves IF we realize that we should prepare to take care of ourselves.
I was talking to a preacher friend the other day and he asked what my order for preparation was. I told him when the fruit cakes and gang members decide they have stripped the cities, where do you think they'll come next? My first consideration is weapons, ammo and accessories. My "basic" armory suggestion is a medium to long range rifle, 12 gauge pump shotgun, defensive handgun and a .22 rifle.
The Preacher asked, "How much ammunition for each one?" I said, "All you can buy!" Normally, that would just be a question of dollars, but there is already a move to pass a new gun ban as well as the Ammo Accountability Act which will greatly increase the cost of ammunition as well as substantially decrease its availability.
The rifle and shotgun are simple; most of you probably have a .22 rifle and a shotgun. As for the defensive handgun, a .45 or .40 caliber is best in my book. This might be a little too big for women, they may prefer a double stack 9mm - this is my wife's preference. More bullets are always better, go high-capacity if possible especially on the 9mm. Wheel guns are good (revolvers) but semi autos can carry up to three times the number of rounds.
With this basic armory you can defend your family and property if needed and feed them (hunting) if necessary.
Do you have a garden? Think about one and start now. Do you have a freezer? Do you have a generator? Do you have fuel for the generator? Do you know how to can? Do you know how to butcher? Do you know someone that does? Do you have fan belts for your vehicles, and oil, head light bulbs and fuses? Are you on good terms with your neighbors?
You need an axe, a fixed blade knife, a locking folding knife, a multi-tool, a hatchet and chain saw with fuel. You need flashlights and batteries for each vehicle and several rooms in the house. CB radios and walkie talkies may end up being a better than cell phones.
Do you have lamps and lamp oil should power go out? Candles? Matches or lighters? Do you have a pantry and is it well stocked?
How many women do you have in your home? Think TOILET PAPER and feminine hygiene products - very few people think of this. Remember guys, this is what we train for but most of the ladies will get pretty tired pretty quick. The easier it is on them, the easier it will be on us.
Now, I hope you have been making preparations and already are stocked up on these items and others you have thought of. Don't forget water. You can live for a couple of weeks without food, but only about three days without water. Are you on a well? Can you pump that well without electricity? Medicine, particularly prescription medications, is big consideration. I recommend having alternative over-the-counter medications on hand in case there's a delay in getting a prescription medication filled.
If you have not made any preparations yet, here are my suggestions:
Save two liter jugs and fill them with water to flush toilets.
Each trip to the grocery or Wal-Mart, pick a couple of extra items and store them separately.
Once a month or so, buy another box of ammo, extra toilet paper, paper towels, candles, etc.
Check your generator, if you don't have one - get one! Check your stored fuel to make sure it has been stabilized.
For every weapon you have that requires a magazine, have no less than four magazines for each.
Make sure you have cleaning equipment! You have to take care of your weapons if you expect them to take care of you.
Ammunition should be stored in ammo cans as they are designed to maintain the initial quality of your ammo. If you aren't sure where to find them, the Army Navy Surplus store on Sunshine in Springfield is a good place to find these, as well as cantines and other survival essentials.
Now, for the most important item on your checklist - your brain! Each morning check the news for signs of civil unrest and riots. Begin the process today. Talk to your family and have a plan. It is like wearing a seat belt. If you never need it, you're okay. If you do need it, you better already have it on, because there won't be time to buckle up. Plan ahead and try to anticipate everything you can. Extend the number of days and weeks you may have to survive without outside support or supplies. Prepare as though you are preparing for the worst ice storm possible and you should be in pretty good shape.
Talk to your neighbors; see what they are doing and if you can work together. That will be the secret in getting through a breakdown of society, should it come. Divide and conquer!
Let's get right into specifics. Here in the Ozarks, we are somewhat insulated from the initial turmoil and break down of society that many people are forecasting. What that means is we're better positioned to take care of ourselves IF we realize that we should prepare to take care of ourselves.
I was talking to a preacher friend the other day and he asked what my order for preparation was. I told him when the fruit cakes and gang members decide they have stripped the cities, where do you think they'll come next? My first consideration is weapons, ammo and accessories. My "basic" armory suggestion is a medium to long range rifle, 12 gauge pump shotgun, defensive handgun and a .22 rifle.
The Preacher asked, "How much ammunition for each one?" I said, "All you can buy!" Normally, that would just be a question of dollars, but there is already a move to pass a new gun ban as well as the Ammo Accountability Act which will greatly increase the cost of ammunition as well as substantially decrease its availability.
The rifle and shotgun are simple; most of you probably have a .22 rifle and a shotgun. As for the defensive handgun, a .45 or .40 caliber is best in my book. This might be a little too big for women, they may prefer a double stack 9mm - this is my wife's preference. More bullets are always better, go high-capacity if possible especially on the 9mm. Wheel guns are good (revolvers) but semi autos can carry up to three times the number of rounds.
With this basic armory you can defend your family and property if needed and feed them (hunting) if necessary.
Do you have a garden? Think about one and start now. Do you have a freezer? Do you have a generator? Do you have fuel for the generator? Do you know how to can? Do you know how to butcher? Do you know someone that does? Do you have fan belts for your vehicles, and oil, head light bulbs and fuses? Are you on good terms with your neighbors?
You need an axe, a fixed blade knife, a locking folding knife, a multi-tool, a hatchet and chain saw with fuel. You need flashlights and batteries for each vehicle and several rooms in the house. CB radios and walkie talkies may end up being a better than cell phones.
Do you have lamps and lamp oil should power go out? Candles? Matches or lighters? Do you have a pantry and is it well stocked?
How many women do you have in your home? Think TOILET PAPER and feminine hygiene products - very few people think of this. Remember guys, this is what we train for but most of the ladies will get pretty tired pretty quick. The easier it is on them, the easier it will be on us.
Now, I hope you have been making preparations and already are stocked up on these items and others you have thought of. Don't forget water. You can live for a couple of weeks without food, but only about three days without water. Are you on a well? Can you pump that well without electricity? Medicine, particularly prescription medications, is big consideration. I recommend having alternative over-the-counter medications on hand in case there's a delay in getting a prescription medication filled.
If you have not made any preparations yet, here are my suggestions:
Save two liter jugs and fill them with water to flush toilets.
Each trip to the grocery or Wal-Mart, pick a couple of extra items and store them separately.
Once a month or so, buy another box of ammo, extra toilet paper, paper towels, candles, etc.
Check your generator, if you don't have one - get one! Check your stored fuel to make sure it has been stabilized.
For every weapon you have that requires a magazine, have no less than four magazines for each.
Make sure you have cleaning equipment! You have to take care of your weapons if you expect them to take care of you.
Ammunition should be stored in ammo cans as they are designed to maintain the initial quality of your ammo. If you aren't sure where to find them, the Army Navy Surplus store on Sunshine in Springfield is a good place to find these, as well as cantines and other survival essentials.
Now, for the most important item on your checklist - your brain! Each morning check the news for signs of civil unrest and riots. Begin the process today. Talk to your family and have a plan. It is like wearing a seat belt. If you never need it, you're okay. If you do need it, you better already have it on, because there won't be time to buckle up. Plan ahead and try to anticipate everything you can. Extend the number of days and weeks you may have to survive without outside support or supplies. Prepare as though you are preparing for the worst ice storm possible and you should be in pretty good shape.
Talk to your neighbors; see what they are doing and if you can work together. That will be the secret in getting through a breakdown of society, should it come. Divide and conquer!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Be Ready if Disaster Strikes – Part 1
Since I like to keep my articles to a reasonable reading length; it will take two articles to deal with my current topic of dealing with the difficult situation in our country.
Let me begin by saying, I hope I'm wrong!
I've been saying for some time that we need to find out what the Obama definition of "is" is. I haven't figured it all out yet and probably won't for another couple of weeks or even months. Yes, you're right - I did not want Obama as President. However, McCain wasn’t my first choice either.
It has been reported on all news sources for the past several months that guns and ammunition are flying off the shelves at an unbelievable rate. I have verified this to be true, and not just in Missouri - it's happening in every state in America. The reason being is that most report a fear that President Obama's administration is preparing to take our guns. This is not my words, but the words of folks buying the guns.
Also, there has been an upswing of online purchases of Meals Ready to Eat (M.R.E.s) that has not been seen since preparations for Y2K, which we all know never happened.
Why is this happening? Most report a fear they are going to have to "hunker down when the riots start." Riots, what riots?
I get a lot of email traffic where folks are fearful of door to door confiscation of weapons by law enforcement and the military.
Is the sky falling? How will we know? We have to study and be prepared. Parents, it is your responsibility to think about the unthinkable. You already have experience in that sort of planning. I don't know anyone that does have some plans for ice storms, tornadoes and other natural disasters. As you know, it may be necessary for you and your family to survive a few days or weeks without outside support should one of these disasters hit.
Every time there is a disaster, the good and the bad come out in people. The good comes out when people volunteer to help others. The bad is when you find folks who are taking advantage of a bad situation and steal your property. The good ones are usually your neighbors; the bad ones are usually predators from out of the area - but not always.
Maybe the disaster will be a natural one or maybe it will be man-made (such as 9/11/2001). Either way, the planning is basically the same.
When I was in Iraq, Houston Texas was hit with Hurricane Rita. Pam drove for 18.5 hours with three dogs, clothing and supplies - and didn't drive more than 25 miles. At one point her gas gauge was on empty. She drove off the highway into a remote area where she heard someone found gas. She found the place and yes it had gas; but was only available with a credit card. She told me that there were all types of people coming up to her begging her to let her use her credit card. She was scared and got out of there. She was carrying a gun, we're just thankful she didn't have to use it.
You cannot evacuate a major metropolitan area quickly. During every natural disaster you can count on price gougers increasing rent at motels, and the price of food, gas and oil. They know people will pay anything to get out of the affected area.
As we saw in New Orleans with hurricane Katrina, some of the neighbors became looters, thieves and brigands. Not only did many have to defend themselves from rising water, snakes and gators - but also from their neighbors! I do not blame Bush for Katrina, I blame the parents! The rhetoric about Democrats and Republican failures were nonsensical. These folks waited too long before trying to get out. They believed it was the government's job to rescue them. When did the government replace our God given sense?
They did not plan ahead and many died. Law Enforcement confiscated weapons from law abiding citizens. Idiots were shooting at helicopters and emergency responders - the very folks coming to help them! Remember- disaster will bring out the good in people, but don't forget about the bad.
That sort of stuff couldn't happen here in the Ozarks, could it? Under normal conditions, probably not. But are we going to be dealing with "normal" times? And if not, how can we see the trouble coming and what can we do about it and when do we need to start preparing?
Let me answer the last question first - NOW!
If the predictions of the Conservative Right are wrong, it won't hurt anything to have some insurance. If, on the other hand they are correct, you're about out of time.
100,000 charities are shutting down. We still don't know the full impact of the Barney Madoff swindle or the economical "bail out" debacle we're in. I can tell you this - guns and ammunition have escalated in cost and prices continue to climb. What would normally cost you a few hundred dollars is now several hundred dollars. My personal sources have cautioned against on-line or credit card purchases because these are "being tracked".
I remember when the new President announced his National Civilian Defense Force; some of you may not even be aware of this. President Obama said, "We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
I for one would like to know what "national security objectives" he was speaking of. More than that, I want to know why "We cannot continue to rely on our military to achieve" them.
Now to the point of all of this! I believe it is possible that the country has created the "perfect political storm" with the current administration. I have not heard anything positive said where national security is concerned by this administration yet. However, where our borders are concerned, I have to say that they were no more secure on the last day of President Bush's administration than they were on Sept 10, 2001.
The reality is the Democrats control the power in Congress. They want more power and the probability is they will get it. The Republicans did the same thing under Bush II. A politician is a politician is a politician, but President Obama said, "We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
That ain't politics as normal. This is good news if I'm wrong - no harm no foul. But if I'm right, the Ozarks is exactly where you need to be to survive a long term economic failure and the resulting civil problems. Next week, we'll get into the specifics - please take notes.
Let me begin by saying, I hope I'm wrong!
I've been saying for some time that we need to find out what the Obama definition of "is" is. I haven't figured it all out yet and probably won't for another couple of weeks or even months. Yes, you're right - I did not want Obama as President. However, McCain wasn’t my first choice either.
It has been reported on all news sources for the past several months that guns and ammunition are flying off the shelves at an unbelievable rate. I have verified this to be true, and not just in Missouri - it's happening in every state in America. The reason being is that most report a fear that President Obama's administration is preparing to take our guns. This is not my words, but the words of folks buying the guns.
Also, there has been an upswing of online purchases of Meals Ready to Eat (M.R.E.s) that has not been seen since preparations for Y2K, which we all know never happened.
Why is this happening? Most report a fear they are going to have to "hunker down when the riots start." Riots, what riots?
I get a lot of email traffic where folks are fearful of door to door confiscation of weapons by law enforcement and the military.
Is the sky falling? How will we know? We have to study and be prepared. Parents, it is your responsibility to think about the unthinkable. You already have experience in that sort of planning. I don't know anyone that does have some plans for ice storms, tornadoes and other natural disasters. As you know, it may be necessary for you and your family to survive a few days or weeks without outside support should one of these disasters hit.
Every time there is a disaster, the good and the bad come out in people. The good comes out when people volunteer to help others. The bad is when you find folks who are taking advantage of a bad situation and steal your property. The good ones are usually your neighbors; the bad ones are usually predators from out of the area - but not always.
Maybe the disaster will be a natural one or maybe it will be man-made (such as 9/11/2001). Either way, the planning is basically the same.
When I was in Iraq, Houston Texas was hit with Hurricane Rita. Pam drove for 18.5 hours with three dogs, clothing and supplies - and didn't drive more than 25 miles. At one point her gas gauge was on empty. She drove off the highway into a remote area where she heard someone found gas. She found the place and yes it had gas; but was only available with a credit card. She told me that there were all types of people coming up to her begging her to let her use her credit card. She was scared and got out of there. She was carrying a gun, we're just thankful she didn't have to use it.
You cannot evacuate a major metropolitan area quickly. During every natural disaster you can count on price gougers increasing rent at motels, and the price of food, gas and oil. They know people will pay anything to get out of the affected area.
As we saw in New Orleans with hurricane Katrina, some of the neighbors became looters, thieves and brigands. Not only did many have to defend themselves from rising water, snakes and gators - but also from their neighbors! I do not blame Bush for Katrina, I blame the parents! The rhetoric about Democrats and Republican failures were nonsensical. These folks waited too long before trying to get out. They believed it was the government's job to rescue them. When did the government replace our God given sense?
They did not plan ahead and many died. Law Enforcement confiscated weapons from law abiding citizens. Idiots were shooting at helicopters and emergency responders - the very folks coming to help them! Remember- disaster will bring out the good in people, but don't forget about the bad.
That sort of stuff couldn't happen here in the Ozarks, could it? Under normal conditions, probably not. But are we going to be dealing with "normal" times? And if not, how can we see the trouble coming and what can we do about it and when do we need to start preparing?
Let me answer the last question first - NOW!
If the predictions of the Conservative Right are wrong, it won't hurt anything to have some insurance. If, on the other hand they are correct, you're about out of time.
100,000 charities are shutting down. We still don't know the full impact of the Barney Madoff swindle or the economical "bail out" debacle we're in. I can tell you this - guns and ammunition have escalated in cost and prices continue to climb. What would normally cost you a few hundred dollars is now several hundred dollars. My personal sources have cautioned against on-line or credit card purchases because these are "being tracked".
I remember when the new President announced his National Civilian Defense Force; some of you may not even be aware of this. President Obama said, "We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
I for one would like to know what "national security objectives" he was speaking of. More than that, I want to know why "We cannot continue to rely on our military to achieve" them.
Now to the point of all of this! I believe it is possible that the country has created the "perfect political storm" with the current administration. I have not heard anything positive said where national security is concerned by this administration yet. However, where our borders are concerned, I have to say that they were no more secure on the last day of President Bush's administration than they were on Sept 10, 2001.
The reality is the Democrats control the power in Congress. They want more power and the probability is they will get it. The Republicans did the same thing under Bush II. A politician is a politician is a politician, but President Obama said, "We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
That ain't politics as normal. This is good news if I'm wrong - no harm no foul. But if I'm right, the Ozarks is exactly where you need to be to survive a long term economic failure and the resulting civil problems. Next week, we'll get into the specifics - please take notes.
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