I want to have a chance to answer a few of the questions that have come in having to do with the latest break in over at our BOL… Some posts get more questions than others and these break-ins have generated more then normal. I think that the idea of having our hard earned preps stolen out from under us is a subject that commands just about all preppers attention. We work hard to buy, build or otherwise acquire the things that we all believe the world of tomorrow will require and then they ride off in the back of some son of a sumsuckers truck… Not acceptable!

   First, I had one direct comment about selling the BOL and several other emails that indicated that person thought it might be a good idea… While I do understand the logic behind this line of thinking and do respect the individuals that brought it up, we won’t be doing that! I say this with complete conviction because the fact is buying and outfitting a true BOL is far harder and more time consuming then it might first appear. I’ve been working on this particular project, in one fashion or the other, for almost 2 decades! Yes, I’m 40 and so this means almost half my life… I share most everything about my BOL and related projects with you but not all the specific details as I don’t like unexpected visitors. Some of the details that have been left out for OPSEC reasons would be hard to replicate at a new location. Other factors like my families having been accepted into a small community that I don’t even live in full time yet, could only be accomplished through the years I’ve spent nurturing neighborly relationships with those around me. Not even money could buy me the good will of a diverse group of neighbors that often don’t even get along that well amongst themselves much less with a weekender family from the city! It takes lots of time to gain others confidence and frankly I don’t see us having another 20 years to try to embed myself in a new community, even if I could sell the property without losing a huge chunk of equity due to the real estate downturn…

   Other emailers had asked for specifics on what all I lost… I guess these posts about my misfortune are kind of like driving past a trainwreck and morbid curiosity is getting the best of the inquirers… The following is THE list that I gave to the Sheriffs office for the police report. I have only removed the name and address, as well as removed the VIN #’s for the quads.

The following are the items that we have determined stolen from our property.

2000 Kawasaki Prairie – VIN # XXXXXXXXXXX       (Red, 4 wheel drive w/ winch on front w/ black plastic racks front and rear trailer hitch)

2003 Kawasaki Bayou – VIN # XXXXXXXXXXX        (Green, 2 wheel drive, gray metal cargo racks on the front and rear w/ trailer hitch)

Zenith DVD Player

19″ LCD Flat Screen TV –      There was a multiple angle adjustable mounting bracket attached to the back of TV for attaching to wall or cabinet. I believe the brand on the TV was Sanyo

Mp3 stereo system –    This was a small stereo system for an IPOD, black in color

Police band scanner – Radio shack brand scanner, handheld black in color

Icom IC T2A Radio – This was a 2 meter handheld Ham radio. Small black radio with a detachable rubber antenna. This would be of limited use without a HAM radio license.

Various Hand tools –   There were multiple 30mm ammunition cans with all sorts of hand tools inside. Manufactures were primarily Craftsman and Proto. These would have included assorted wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers and allen head wrenches. Wood working tools would have included several wood saws, hammers, pry bars and several squares.

Power tools –              (1) 18v Dewalt 1/4 impact driver w/ battery and 110v charger

                                    (2) 9.6v Makita Flashlights with 3 batteries and charger

Power Inverter –          500 watt – I believe this was made by “Statpower” but I can’t recall for sure?

Work Boots -               2 pairs of women’s work/hiking boots. Brand unknown

Utility Box –                2′x2′x4′ utility box, covered in black short nap carpeting. Handles on both ends made of nylon rope material. Constructed of plywood

Ammo Cans -              These cans are or were empty and in addition to the cans mentioned as holding ammunition or other items. (2) 20mm green steel cans, (1) gray US Navy steel ammunition can. The gray can is unique in that it is manufactured with 6 clamps all around the removable top.

“Power Kit”-               20mm Ammo can, painted green and stenciled with the words “Power Kit” in black letter across the detachable lid. Inside the ammo can was a supply of various size rechargeable batteries, I believe they were “Rayovac” brand and had a 110 volt battery charger as well

“Medical Kit”-          20mm Ammo can, painted green and stenciled with the words “Medical Kit” in black letters across the detachable lid. Inside were  various first aid supplies. This would have included bandages of various manufactures, over the counter pain relievers and  remedies.

Firearm Magazines – There were 10 individually plastic wrapped AK-47 magazines. These were all made by Norinco and would either be marked as “Norinco or Chinese”. All of these magazines were being stored inside a 50 caliber green ammunition can.

***All ammunition was stored inside of 30 or 50 caliber, olive drab ammunition cans unless specified otherwise. I will attempt to describe this ammunition’s packaging to the best of my recollection as well.

(2) cases 1200 rounds each 7.62×39 Norinco ammunition in a wooden manufactures crate, inside the crate the ammunition is in the typical cardboard 20 round ammunition boxes. The 20 round boxes are gray or silver and have the Norinco brand markings

(4) cases 1260 rounds each .308, South African manufacture. Each of these cases is a chocolate brown metal case clearly marked as ammunition. Each has a removable matching metal lid. Inside the brown case is 9 individually wrapped plastic cases with 7 20 round boxes inside.

(1) case .223, (1020 rounds) this ammunition was manufactured by Israel munitions Inc. – marked IMI and packaged in 30 round square cardboard boxes. This is unique since the norm would be 20 round boxes. Each round has a green painted tip. These were all packed inside a 50mm ammo can and down inside the can were 20-30 loose rounds of tracer ammo, these have an orange painted tip…

(1) Package .223 – this ammo was South African manufacture and is packaged similarly to the above mentioned .308. Inside the plastic wrapper would be 15 individual cardboard boxes, total of 300 rounds.

.38 –     200 rounds, These were in an ammo can loose, no individual boxes

.45 –     6 (50 round) boxes of Winchester ammunition, boxes were almost entirely white with  minimal factory markings. These packed all together inside a 30mm can.

9×19 – (1) case – 1000 rounds, 20 boxes of federal brand ammunition. I think it was  marked American Eagle, in red boxes of 50

30.06 – 3 boxes, I don’t recall the brand – 2 boxes were full and 1 had 2-3 rounds used and the empty casings should be inside for reloading. I think these were white boxes            with a green manufactures label of some sort on one side.

7.62×39 – 25 boxes of 20, ammunition, Norinco brand.

   As you can see by the list there was quite a haul taken this time and we can’t help but feel the sting! We were pleasantly surprised to find out that our homeowners insurance did cover these items and even though the amount of the insurance settlement was no where near enough to replace the stuff, that money did ease the pain to some degree! I also want to remind everyone that this could have been worse, much worse! There were no firearms stolen and I’m very happy about that fact. Not only do I not want to be arming the enemy, I don’t want to have to start filling in gaps in my recently parred down collection.

   Another question was about what additional safeguards have been added to assure that more preps don’t walk away again? Well, lets see…? We added an alarm system to the house and primary outbuildings. Additional extra loud exterior sirens were installed that are pointed right at the closest neighbors house to add to the likelihood they will be heard day or night! We have installed additional heavy duty lock mechanisms to the doors of the cargo containers, these were bolted and welded in place. The locks were positioned so as to be almost undefeatable without a cutting torch! Even with a cutting torch, the alarm will sound as soon as the doors are opened or they gain entry to disturb the motion detector!

   It will be a long time before I’ll feel comfortable with my own security there again. Nothing gets left out and all the doors get locked tight before dark and or whenever we leave the property. It’s hard to shake the idea that at anytime there could and probably has been someone in the woods watching the house! I find myself doing random shooting skills excersises much more frequently. I’d like to say that I hope to catch someone trespassing but I really don’t want to, what I really do want is to be left alone!

   I have to agree with the folks that commented on the fact that its very difficult to successfully secure a property that isn’t occupied full time! This will eventually take care of itself as we will be making that move in the not to distant future. Until then we will be working towards getting the entire 10 acres fenced with at least a typical barbed wire fence. I don’t have delusions that a barbed wire fence will keep these scumbags out but it will be very difficult to make a case that they didn’t know they were trespassing when or if they are ever caught on the property! I have other additions planned to beef up our security and those will be revealed in future posts as I work out the kinks!

   Again, thanks to everyone that emailed me with their sympathies! I do hope that nobody else has to experience this but it comes with the territory and as the economy sinks further into the toilet, I would expect that these occurances would increase. Don’t get complacent and wait until after you get hit by these characters to do what you know in the back of your mind needs to be done, do it now!

Prepper

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If the topics we cover here at PREPPERNATION are interesting to you, please take a minute to subscribe to the email notifications. I will email you each time I add new material… I always like to hear from you, my readers, so let me also encourage you to post your comments on this or any of the other posts in the comments section!

   Today I’m going to attempt to answer an email that I got from a reader a few weeks ago, the best I can. All I can share with certainty is the things that I’ve done. Beyond that we all have to find our own way! Yes, we lean on each other but talk is cheap and each of us has to individually achieve the things most important to them…

The following is the text of the email, my response will follow at the bottom!

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“I’m freakin’ out, I’m freakin’ out, I’m freakin’ out!”

I admit I’m a bit late to the game. Maybe I’m a slow learner or was indoctrinated extremely well. At any rate, my problem is keeping focused. I’ve started prepping in earnest in the past 6 months and I have a huge hill to climb. To make matters worse I have no idea how much time we have (personally I’m praying for at least until the end of this year).

As a result, I constantly go back and forth about what my priorities are. I’m no dummy. I get water, food, shelter, security, but it is a complex problem.

So, why am I freakin’ out now? Well, on a business trip last week I read One Second After. What really struck me is that a former Speaker of the House of Representatives wrote the Fore-ward to a fictional post-apocalyptic novel. Then I coupled that thought with the fact that we currently have Marxists and Maoists in the White House! Who would’ve thunk it? Seriously, it’s like we’re living in a cartoon.

I need food, but if I have food somebody will try to take it. Thus, I need guns! However, I’m not a millionaire and will need ammo. What about water? Oh crap, I forgot to pay off my debt, etc…

For us newbies, could you offer some advice about how to stay on track and not lose focus? I’ve read about the “lists of lists” on another site. It’s probably a good idea, but I have A.D.D. when it comes to that stuff.

It’s possible I’m a nut, but I would think others are feeling the stress of playing catch up.

Thanks for your thoughts.

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   Well, who hasn’t felt this way – just as I thought, no hands in the air. I would even venture to say that if these thoughts haven’t plagued you at some point than you aren’t a serious prepper, much less a devoted DOOMER.

  Simply put the trick that I have found to getting these items stored and projects completed is the same old ”How do you eat an elephant?” question… Right, one bite at a time. So many catchy little ditties have been coined on this type of question that it’s almost cliche… Just take it one step at a time and you’d be surprised how much you can get done!

   All of the areas that were sighted in the email are important – food, water, shelter and security… Which is the most important, only you can decide for sure. Obviously, water is paramount, since we can’t live long without it but after you have one barrel of the stuff stored in the basement, what’s next?

   In my experience many preppers happen into this journey as a spin off from their gun-nut tendencies. Coming from that part of the population myself, it’s tempting to buy lots of guns and ammo and I did! I see more of these preps mentioned on the internet than just about anything else. It is a personal choice but I think that it’s the point in time that a prepper decides to act on their compunction to store additional items for the future that separates the men from the boys.

   Since the emailer brought up the term “Newbie”, I will concede that there are probably folks out there that don’t have enough armament (Security) yet. If this is you, than by all means get out and acquire the basic arsenal of weapons to provide for security and hunting. Let me encourage you though, if you’re a newbie – fight the urge to overdo the guns and ammo purchases. This equipment is expensive and probably is the least likely to be used of all the preps that should be on your list.

   Not only should a prepper fight the temptation to over stock in this area but also DON’T STOP prepping after you have the guns and ammo. In a future post we will discuss the very unfortunate position you would be putting your family in by neglecting the other prepping areas. A shootout with the neighbors is far more likely if you’re limited to a few cans of chili and several dozen firearms.

  There was a mention of the “List of lists”, while I can’t remember where I actually saw this list – survivalblog.com I think? It doesn’t matter, the important thing is the list YOU make. I would say that other than a great deal of time being required, the magic will happen only after the prepper creates a list. It can be called anything you want – goal list, to-do list or whatever but make a list of EVERYTHING you would like to get accomplished. Your list might be completely different than mine so don’t worry about what I still need to get done, focus on your personal list.

   I see these lists as a central part of staying organised but even more than that they are a road map to wherever it is that you are intending to go. If I’m happy with a 1 month food supply and a few back-up reserves for heat, cooking, etc. and you are taking a more broad approach to be self-sufficient for a year or more… See, we aren’t even going to the same place so my list would be completely wrong for you!

  If for no other reason than to get yourself organised, take an inventory of everything you already have that’s remotely related to your preps and use this as the basis for developing a starter to-do list. This exercise will help you determine the FACTS of where you are now. Only then will you have the initial information to get started on the rest of your journey.

   To the point of “I’m freakin’ out”, stay calm! Yes, I think we are in or very close to game over but what does that mean – practically? Game over is subjective as it all depends on exactly what events happen first in the string of dominoes. The most likely scenario would be that we see the .gov continue doing anything and everything to keep us from falling off a cliff. Will they succeed? I don’t see how but their long term self-destructive actions will buy you and I more time to work on our lists. Of course there are things that could change our world overnight and they are closer now than ever before, in my opinion. Still, we should have more time to get organised, don’t fritter it away but acting rash won’t help either. Make the list and set yourself on prioritising what your next steps need to be.

   I believe that once you can clearly see where you are now, it will be relatively easy to start balancing out all the columns. If you have 30 days food but only a week worth of water… See what I’m going for here? If you have the guns covered (we both know you do), than start getting the food, water and shelter up to that level.

   Inevitably, you’ll have a number of big ticket items – generator, solar panels, water well, RV or whatever, this list could go on for a long time. Take these items in stride! Schedule there purchases out over a number of months or years, don’t let them get you discouraged or make your whole plan come out of balance. We all have budget constraints that will keep us in line but with some good focused thought we can identify where our weak links are and go about shoring up those areas first.

   None of us knows with all certainty how much time we may have to get things in order… However, I do know that a year from now that fruit tree that takes 3 years to begin bearing fruit, will still be three years away if you don’t plant it this year… Get out there and do something, don’t allow yourself to go in to the analysis paralysis mode. Everything that you get done now is a check mark on the list, the list will grow and change but it will never get completed unless you keep going!

Prepper

   I haven’t done a readers questions post in a couple of weeks so I’m going to knock out a few today… For all the new people that have been joining us lately, I receive a lot of emails from readers with questions about something we’ve been discussing. Sometimes I will just send an email response and bthat’s it but other times the answer is worth sharing with the group. So, if you have something you want clarified or expanded on, send me an email!

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Question #1 -     “After the bare bones guns are acquired, what’s next?”

   I received a number of responses to the “What’s in your gun cabinet” post. Most people agreed with me to the larger extent but several asked this question or one similar… Once we have these basics covered, what do I think should come next?

   Well, that’s pretty subjective! I’ve already said that I once was a “more is better” guy when it came to firearms, I guess I still am to some degree. After you have the basics covered, I would probably think that you would be free to augment the collection with whatever suits you.

   I would consider a high capacity rifle or carbine a good addition. However, unless all the other areas of your preps are handled, I don’t think I would be able to justify a decked out $1500 AR-15. There’s a place for those pieces in any collection but that’s after the food supply and other “keeps ya alive” areas have been shored up, at least in my opinion.

   I’ll take you back with me to my passionate 20′s once again… I was completely into squirreling away as many high capacity weapons as possible… MANY thousands of rounds of ammo and all the logistics to keep a small army running equipped. I truly believed that this is what would be necessary to keep our country free. Voices of respected older relatives where dismissed when they tried to help me see the error in my thinking. I recall one specific word of advise, that a good man with a hunting rifle and ability to use it could do far more for the cause of freedom than an army of passionate young men playing batman in the boondocks could… I couldn’t see it then but I can now!

   I suspect that most of the readers here already have their basic level and probably the second, third and fourth string firearms as well. For the newer and more cost sensitive preppers, I would suggest not over looking those additional hunting rifles. Maybe spend some discretionary money on a rifle that is built to be more robust. Pick a good quality rifle with the approach of turning it into a solid long range tack driver. I would even consider selecting a second rifle of the same make as your first “Basic” hunting rifle. This would give you parts compatibility -”Two is one and one is none”.

   As usual, we could go round and round arquing this topic. All I can say from experience is that having a firearm is better than not having a  firearm. Those basic level guns will take care of nearly any credible need or threat. After that, it’s all frosting on the cake!

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Question #2 -     “How long do I give the economy before – game over?”

   We had a pretty dark week here at Preppernation last week. Even considering the fact that we all have some times that we might see the situation as worse than it truly might be, last week wasn’t one of those for me. I actually think we have come to an ending of sorts for our nation.

   Unless, something major were to change in our nation… We’re running right at a brick wall or maybe for the edge of a cliff would be a better analogy. I think that we are at a precarious time in history that will only be clear when it’s reviewed in whatever books are eventually written about what we are seeing first hand. With the exception of something like this whole cap-n-trade debacle creating one last artificial bubble, I can’t see where the money will come from to even begin to fund the obligations that our nation is already on the hook for.

   Politicians would have to stop spending and make significant/strategic budget cuts before I would give us more than a year or two on the outside. Human nature and especially political nature has run to far a muck to expect that the leadership available to us, currently in power or standing on the sidelines, will make any of these changes.

   I’m still waiting for someone to step forward and explain the error in my thought process! I think we are at “Game Over” now. So that’s the answer to this question, in its most basic form!

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Question #3 -     “What about traps and snares for taking small game?”

   I like the idea! I can’t remember if we’ve discussed this topic in a previous post or not? We’re at the 6 month mark and I’ve started to loose track of what we’ve looked at and what’s new to preppernation…

   Anyway, like I said, I like the idea of using traps and snares for taking the small game that will hopefully still be in abundance after we collectively take the plunge! I plan to implement these tools widely around my BOL.

   Shamefully, I have to admit that like so many other things in my preppers tool chest, I have yet to get them out and become proficient. Many of you will probably recall seeing ads on the survival websites for a website called “Buckshots Camp”? This man was and I believe still is a professional trapper. Meaning that he provides himself an income from the trade.

   Buckshot had a series of DVD’s he put out on trapping and snaring. I purchased these and a supply of his #10 conibear traps and a few dozen snares in a variety of small to medium sizes. I watched the DVD’s and did try out one of the traps on a couple of occasions. The DVD’s were made by Buckshot himself and were not of good quality. However, the content was VERY good and you could see that this guy was or is the real McCoy, his techniques worked and would be replicable.

   My attempts at using the traps were aimed at an offensive skunk or skunks that had taken up residence under a cabin at my original bug out location. Each time I set the traps and left them overnight I would come back to find squirrels in them. This leads me to believe first, that these traps do work and will work for me. Second, that skunks aren’t as dumb as squirrels and will require additional tactics to relocate!

   I have the gear but lack the skills to feel confident in my abilities! As long as this real estate market keeps inching along than I’ll be able to keep my doors open and thus have a very limited amount of time to devote to new skills. Having the equipment is alright but I do hope to develop a margin of success at using them before the time came to need to rely on them for food production.

   I would recommend seeking out a supply of these tools and taking the time to become proficient. The traps will catch the animals and are reusable for ever as long as they are not abused. I have a large supply of .22 caliber ammunition but it’s not endless, these traps will come handy if society takes it’s time getting back on its feet! Plan accordingly!

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Prepper

   Thanks to all the folks that have emailed me over the last couple of days in support of the topics I’ve been covering. I appreciate the feedback. I haven’t been able to respond to each email individually yet but I will try to get back to each of you! We are really in this together and I think there is a kindred spirit that we all need to acknowledge.

   I’m going to do another “Reader Question” post today as there is one email in particular that I would like to address. This will be a long answer and I will probably only cover this one question today…

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QUESTION  -     “Why do a lot of my posts seem to be almost un-American or at least less than patriotic? Do I secretly have a problem with my country and plan to use preppernation.com as a pulpit to bash America?”

   As I have promised, I will not out any of my readers on this website. I do appreciate the fact many people take their OPSEC seriously. However, unlike many emails I get from hecklers, this gentleman did give his name and so I will address his question with the respect it deserves. I believe the spirit of the question is sincere or I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of a response! So here goes…

  The short answer to your question is that my posts may seem unpatriotic because I’m being honest in how I approach what’s happening in our country. It does no one any good to sugar coat the fact that we have issues. We are all living under a system that isn’t being honest with us. We are given a set of rules to play by and or a road map that is suppose to guide us to the destination we desire that is at best deceptive and at worst, fraudulent. 

   In the same vein as yesterdays post, we have a gift as preppers that allows us to see the world from a slightly different perspective. I believe we are a little more aware than many of our fellow Americans. Does this make us un-American? Absolutely not! I think it makes us better Americans, the kind that won’t be as easily fooled into what I call “Herd Think”, believing whatever the idiot box tells us.

   As preppers, we are prone to asking WHY? Why is this happening? Why do I believe this? Why should I do it that way? I remember with pride learning about the people that came to America or even “The New World”, before it was America. These were hardy folks that I bet had this same question on their lips, even before they arrived on these shores. Why does it have to be the way YOU say? They were unhappy with the status quo and decided to act on this feeling and make a new life for themselves and their families.

   These immigrants or settlers, depending on what the historical time frame was, didn’t act outside the law or even go against the grain. This country was full of free thinking individualists. This is the type of person I am and hope all of you are as well. We have the ability to create our own destiny guided by our own goals. If this is contrary to what your beliefs are, I can see why you might suspect me of being anti-American!

   Has anything I’ve written suggested I would advocate breaking any law? I don’t think so, as that isn’t something I would encourage. Each of us has to make our own decisions but we have all the room we need to become self- reliant and or self-sufficient, while working inside all the laws I’m aware of!

   My goal with this website is to encourage each of us to always push for more freedom. Freedom from the government systems of support. WHY, because we don’t need them and they don’t make us more free, they enslave us. When I was growing up my father had a saying and it only makes more sense as the years go by… He would tell me – “Never let the government do anything for you that you’re capable of doing yourself because if you do, they will no longer allow you to do it for yourself!” These words ring true over and over as I see and hear the non-sense that is BLASTED at us everyday through the mainstream media.

   Each day I post an idea or short article to help instigate thought! Definitely not to instigate anti-American sentiment. It is very American to honor freedom and self-reliance. I believe that this current economic situation will be solved, eventually… When we, AMERICA, emerge on the other side we will have had a chance to regain a foundation of what is truly important. Hopefully, McMansions and the ever growing urban sprawl will be replaced with a renewed honor of family. I would like to see our American traditions restored and when that happens I believe we will see a reunited American populous with new energy and national pride.

   Freedom is our National Treasure, it needs to be protected. We are all suppose to be free to succeed or fail without the interference of the government. We have a government and I dare say even a large percent of the population that want to have everyone be taken care of cradle to grave… Not me brother, get out of my way and let me do it myself. In this respect I do have a problem with my country, I don’t like the direction its going!

  Do I advocate a revolution – yes, but not in the sense that a lot of “Preppers” do! The revolution I seek is a silent, non-violent one! One that all can participate in. It’s a freedom revolution, one that will be waged inside the law. By removing ourselves from the systems, simply opting out of their game, at every opportunity. By doing this we are denying the system what it requires… US, meaning our participation and taxes… Just stop playing, pay what you must but don’t give anything additional. We have legal ways to opt out, as simple as buying second hand over new or via the internet instead of local, avoiding the sales tax where ever it is LEGAL to do so. Every dollar that isn’t inserted into the system, starves the system.

   I do hope that this post clarifies my position, I see myself as an American Patriot and I’m proud of what my country really stands for, even if it isn’t being properly represented in todays government. I wouldn’t be surprised if there aren’t others that might have questioned these same things about me and preppernation.com, if there is one person that has misunderstood, there are usually more. I actually want to thank the person that asked this question as it gives me the opportunity to make sure we are all on the same page. So -Thank You! I want to encourage anyone else that has a question, speak up and lets talk about it even if we may disagree…

Prepper

What do I think of… the direction of our nation and how we (preppers) fit in?

I have received many emails of concern about the things we all are witnessing both locally and nationally. I will share my thoughts on this topic today…

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I believe we are living in an exciting time, we have the privilege of witnessing the making of history. Will we witness the greatest nation that the world has ever seen brought to her knees? Will we witness the citizens rise up and wrestle the control of their nation back from the elites that have hijacked the government? I don’t know the answers to these questions but I do know – We’ll have to wait and see but I don’t think it will be a long wait!

I heard an interesting thing last week on one of the talk radio stations, I think it was covered on Michael Savage but I can’t recall for sure. What was said is that it’s the “SURVIVALISTS” or right wing extremists that are the real terrorists and who should be profiled as such. Hmm, could that be correct? Not Muslim extremists but right wing extremists???  A few months ago, it was the veterans returning home from the Middle East. The Department of Homeland Security was concerned that they would be recruited by the militia element as they would have valuable combat experience. So, unless I’m mistaken, the government would like to profile its largest demographic, white males and females as the most likely terrorist threat against America?

I for one am offended, if the government was doing its job and protecting the interests of ALL of its citizens there would be no militia movement, per say! I for one will admit that I’m about the least militant person that anyone could find and I’m certain that I’d be lumped in with whichever criteria a “SURVIVALIST” would fit into! However, I would be more than happy to have the powers that be lump me in with our most honorable citizens, those that have served their nation and put themselves in harms way to defend all of us at home.

It is truly a sad day when we, the law abiding citizens, have to fear our own governments scrutiny and insinuations of terrorism! Our government both RED and BLUE, Republicans and Democrats, have sold our soldiers out and may very well have something to be concerned about for the treatment they are giving our warriors. If anyone cares to listen to the news, we’re hearing regularly of soldiers that are being brought up on charges of this or that and often facing court marshal. The threat of careers being lost and or serious prison time are very real for our soldiers. They can potentially face HUGE legal costs to defend themselves against these flimsy charges. They’re doing a dangerous job to protect all of us and they may receive worse than spit in the face for the effort!

Loyalty and Patriotism are to be held in high regard, both are traits I personally value! I have to say though that Loyalty is something that is traditionally earned and Patriotism is given freely by citizens of a country when they are proud of said country. When the citizens begin to lose respect for their leaders and the direction they are taking the country in… Let’s just say the feelings of pride suffer as well. If this condition is allowed to continue long enough, damage to the fabric of the land is certain to occur!

We the tax paying citizens are under continued pressure to earn and pay more taxes while we witness corporate and bank bailouts and extended unemployment benefits handed out. The rumors are rampant that our Social Security fund is bankrupt and we will never see a dime, all the while we hear of social security programs for recent immigrants to receive support while they get on their feet, often these benefits go on for years. Health care is doled out at emergency rooms to those with a cold or mild stomach flue for free, while my family waits until the cash is available to see a doctor or dentist?

We appear to be at a cross roads in our nation. We are calling wrong, right and right, wrong. Allowing those that immigrate here on their honor to have more rights than those that have a long history of family loyalty and sacrifice to a great nation. History reveals clues as to what will befall a nation that tramples the rights of its citizens and or embraces a corrupt immigration policy.

Unfortunately, we are quite far down the path to destruction and I don’t see much of a movement inside the government to turn the course. As preppers we prepare for many potential disasters, natural as well as man-made! The things we are all working on to be more self-reliant are going to benefit us all throughout this life and whatever comes our way. This current political and economic situation is no different. We always need to be watchful of what is going on around us and especially on the national level, as this is where our most dangerous pitfalls might come from.

As we see the shenanigans that our leaders are pulling right in the public eye, it becomes even more important that we act honorably.  By following the laws of the land we will make it more difficult for the government or probably more importantly the media to show people like us “SURVIVALISTS” as crazy. It doesn’t take much imagination to know that our leaders love to have a scape goat and they would be perfectly content to use us. Let’s deny them that satisfaction!

We are an asset to our country and communities! Our current leaders don’t deserve us but the time may come again where forward thinking individuals will be called on to do extraordinary things. What we are doing today to make the lives of our families more secure could even make a difference on a much greater scale than any of us might suspect. We are this way for a reason and have these inclinations to prepare for a reason as well! Be true to yourselves and keep an eye on the horizon!

Prepper