An anyone that watches Glen Beck knows, He has come up with a list of nine principles and twelve values. Today (03/13/2008) on his “We Surround Them” episode, Glen unveiled his new website, The 912 Project. Glen says the site is a place where like-minded folks can come together and reassure each other they, “they are not alone.” In what seems like a darker and darker world, It’s ever more important to surround our selves with people we trust, love, and can count on. It’s been said before here and other places; get out there and make connections, start networking. Surviving turmoil and disaster requires a support network and community, no matter how small. It can’t be done alone, we have to have people we can rely on and trust. What have you done to prepare for the worst?
I stumbled upon the Oath Keepers’ website and was compelled to pass in on to our readers and listeners. I will let their statement explain who they are, it does a better job than I could. This is powerful stuff. It gives me hope to read and hear it from others.
Oath Keepers is a non-partisan association of currently serving military, reserves, National Guard, peace officers, and veterans who swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic … and meant it.
Our oath is to the Constitution, not to the President, and that oath will be kept. We won’t “just follow orders.”
Below is our declaration of orders we will NOT obey because we will consider them unconstitutional (and thus unlawful) and immoral violations of the natural rights of the people. Such orders would be acts of war against the American people by their own government, and thus acts of treason. We will not make war against our own people. We will not commit treason. We will defend the Republic.
Here is a list of their Oaths: There are explanations behind each Oath on their site
1. We will NOT obey any order to disarm the American people.
2. We will NOT obey any order to conduct warrantless searches of the American people, their homes, vehicles, papers, or effects – such as warrantless house-to house searches for weapons or persons.
3. We will NOT obey any order to detain American citizens as “unlawful enemy combatants” or to subject them to trial by military tribunal.
4. We will NOT obey orders to impose martial law or a “state of emergency” on a state, or to enter with force into a state, without the express consent and invitation of that state’s legislature and governor.
5. We will NOT obey orders to invade and subjugate any state that asserts its sovereignty and declares the national government to be in violation of the compact by which that state entered the Union.
6. We will NOT obey any order to blockade American cities, thus turning them into giant concentration camps.
7. We will NOT obey any order to force American citizens into any form of detention camps under any pretext.
8. We will NOT obey orders to assist or support the use of any foreign troops on U.S. soil against the American people to “keep the peace” or to “maintain control” during any emergency, or under any other pretext. We will consider such use of foreign troops against our people to be an invasion and an act of war.
9. We will NOT obey any orders to confiscate the property of the American people, including food and other essential supplies, under any emergency pretext whatsoever.
10. We will NOT obey any orders which infringe on the right of the people to free speech, to peaceably assemble, and to petition their government for a redress of grievances.
Author Bob Owens has written an interesting article analyzing the national ammo shortage. Ownes makes three arguments and dismisses the military as the prime cause of the shortages. Most of the blame is placed on Civilian law enforcement agencies, both local and federal. As the level of militarization increases within these agencies their ammo consumption has risen to meet the demands. Lastly, Owens makes the claim that it’s us every day people causing the shortage as spurred on by his last two arguments: Economic instability and fear of draconian firearm and ammo legislation.
I can’t say that I disagree. I do believe Civilian Law Enforcement is the major contributing factor in the rise of ammo prices over the years. This is an industry that has had large growth over the last decade coupled with changing missions, something I do not agree with. I don’t like the militarization of our Civilian Law Enforcement, it changes the focus from the community and that of service to that of a military unit conducting combat operations. If the federal government would and had done its job, our law enforcement agencies wouldn’t have the need or justification to militarize to meet the increasing threats (percieved or otherwise) they are faced with today.
Owens argument about American’s fear is also spot on as far as I’m concerned. People are scared. Americans are currently faced with an administration and legislators that are as fervent about banning guns as fat kids get about cake, and our so-called “checks and balances” are essentially nonexistent because of the current political make up of the above mentioned. It’s a ploy, brought in under the flag of safety and well-being. Do not be fooled, it’s nothing more than another piece of the puzzle designed to erode our rights and freedoms.
People see the writing on the wall, they see the strong likelihood of loosing the ability to purchase, posses, and use firearms. People also see the economic instability and envision what it could become. It’s also impossible to watch the government fixes and measures designed to fix and stimulate the economy being done so badly that it inconceivable that it’s anything but deliberate. I liken it to someone painting over rusted metal and hoping that the rust will go away. I’m so frustrated that I feel like pulling my hair out.
Even though it’s not mentioned much in the news any more, bank failures are still happening. As we mentioned in the podcast, the FDIC maintains a bank watch list, to help identify banks that are in danger of failing. Unfortunately, that’s not for public distribution – reason being of course, if you find out that your bank is on a failure watch list, you’ll immediately pull your funds out, and we can’t have that now, can we? (Do you ever get the feeling that the FDIC isn’t really into helping out the customers of the banks, but the banks themselves?)
So, the FDIC list isn’t going to be found here. I mis-spoke. Mea Culpa.
Greg is a Beeg Dummy.
However, there is hope in figuring out what bank, thrift and loan, and credit union is doing what.
The answer, of course, springs from the private sector. There are plenty of companies out there that will be more than happy to give you an assessment of a financial institution. For a fee, of course (hey, it’s private sector! Capitalism, baby!) But with enough digging, we’ve found a few sources that are free assessments, and the sites they’re on are worth bookmarking in whatever browser you’re using. (more…)
As we’ve said before, preparing can be a daunting and sometimes, overwhelming task. They key is to start small and gradually increase our supply of items; and to remain focused so as not to get distracted and completely focus on one area over another.
Here is a list of everyday food items that many of us use. These items are relatively inexpensive, take up little space, and can be easily found. These are also items that will be subject inflation and “supply and demand” issues; and if the supply is disrupted, will quickly become scarce.
Peanut Butter
Rice and Pastas
Oil, Butter, Lard, Shortening (Crisco), Fats
Salt, Sugar, Pepper, Seasonings, Bullion
Canned Goods: Soups, Sauces, Fruits, Vegetables
Flour, Cornmeal, Oatmeal, Other Grains and Cereals
Meats and Cheese depending on storage capacity and ability to keep equipment running
Anything else you find you or your family eating on a regular basis IMPORTANT
On option to consider is Dehydrated and Freezdried foods, particularly meats, vegetables, and fruits. Food items prepared and stored in this way have long shelf-lives while retaining their nutritional value. Butter, cheese, and meat can also be found canned (yes canned, more popular in Europe and Southern Asian regions)
You may have noticed that I don’t have MRE’s listed, that’s done on purpose. The skinny is that MRE’s are not appropriate for children, they are too fortified and too hard on their digestive systems to process. Now that’s not to say they aren’t good to have around, they are. When their expense is coupled with their limited dispersability (no children) they really can’t stand up to the other things listed above. You’ll get more bang for your buck with everyday items.
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Author Bob Owens has written an interesting 