Tag: survival

Dear Mr. Bradley Manning – it is US that should be apologizing to YOU.

Do not judge a man who is staring life in military prison in the eye – after what he has already been through, it is time for YOU to get off your ass now and let him try to serve his time with as much DIGNITY as possible.

Do you want this man to suffer further for what YOU wouldn’t or couldn’t do yourself? What are you doing to better this world?

Are you trying to survive life in a military prison under an administration that views journalists as combatants? Are you a journalist that recognized this man’s sacrifice? Then you have no opinion worth listening to and should count your blessings and liberties before they, too are taken away. There is a reason the First Amendment is FIRST. ~ G. Price for The Refreshment Center

The Values of Survival

A TRC exclusive, by Christoper Weller
Inspired by the address from Chief Oren Lyons to the UN,
about the seventh generation

 

Syllogism –

1. A deductive scheme of formal argument consisting of a major and a minor premise and a conclusion;

2. A subtle, specious, or crafty argument;

3. Reasoning from the general to the specific; deduction.

The world is at the brink of collapse, and those around us seem unaware of the pending doom on the horizon.  They play out the story of civilization even in its final chapter.  Their very lives are at stake and the survival of the human species, yet they make no effort to stray from the path of self-destruction.  Some have called this a “death urge” at play, where, as Freud mused, the human mind has an equal drive toward death as it does for an Eros to live, to survive.  It is this “death instinct,” so says Freud and his contemporaries, that is kept in check by the dominant culture, civilization – as if the superego is inherently aggressive and violent, and it is only the “civilized” way of life that controls this innate drive.

Freud, and his followers and contemporaries, surely were, and still are, a product of civilization itself, trapped in this sacred bubble of interpretation of the world – a perspective that is failing, along with what created it – civilization itself.  But, we can at least agree that what keeps the human mind in check when dealing with the forces of change are the cultural norms, mores, and taboos enlisted by civilization, and it is no wonder the death urge in society is seemingly continuing to strengthen as the pillars of industrial civilization begin to crumble at our feet.  This may be indeed why, to those of us in the Transition Culture, the rest of humanity seems deranged into this silent, subconscious drive toward self-destruction.

What is included in these cultural norms that the proponents of the “death urge” postulate from, is the perception of what the values of the culture entail.  In the culture of civilization, the element that supposedly keeps the death urge at bay is how it interprets what it means to live.  This is fully represented in how the dominant culture expresses its values.  What is found is that the values of civilization take on a totally different meaning than what a living, thinking species such as the human should adapt to at all.  And, with the dominant culture in charge of our fate today, the values of consumption, acquisition, competition, and greed drive our desires toward a state of living that we are told is the best there is or ever will be.  We are fed the lies of what value means, and we believe them.

However, as anyone with an inkling of cultural anthropology would be aware of, what one values in the process of life and living is relative to any culture, whether “civilized” or indigenous.  And, what society is experiencing today is that the “values” defined by the dominant culture – the values of Globalization, Capitalism, Consumerism, Infinite Growth-Based Economics, various religions, and etc. – are beginning to collapse.  They are destroying our world, our planet, our ability to survive, and our souls.  They have steered us in the direction of death itself.

Thus, many of us are faced with the paradoxical dilemma best expressed by the mantra:

“To value change or change our values.”

This can form a puzzling thought, equal in perplexity to its derived mantra – are we in need of a “value change for survival?”

Trapped in the captivity of our “civilized” thought, we can indeed struggle with this dilemma, and it will seem as an unsolvable paradox.  But, we can certainly agree that the longer we puzzle over the solution, the closer we come to oblivion, and it’s time that someone try to solve this beleaguering riddle.

The first step in this deduction is to realize that values evolve, whether the dominant culture can admit it or not – and, like evolution, cultural norms, mores, taboos, and etc. must “work” to exist.  Such as with biological evolution, if traits do not “work,” such as the traits of an organism, they won’t exist for very long, and certainly won’t be around for us to study.  Even if we try to contemplate a trait that could exist, in our formulations of our ideas, it must “work” to exist in rational thought.

Most of us in the Transition Culture are aware that the dominant “values” of today are not working.  And to survive at all, they too must “evolve.”  Thus, we can conclude that:

 ”to evolve“ = ”to change“

Therefore, it is obvious that the dominant values must change.  But change to what?

What “traits” of values must be carried over through the Great Transition and what must be thrown out for survival, keeping in mind that “survival” really means “it works” (for at least a certain period of time until symbiosis is lost, the environment changes, or carrying capacity of the ecosystem is surpassed).  So, it can also be concluded that:

“survival” = “it works”

Contrary to the Darwinists & Neo-Darwinist evolutionary biologists, along with the contemporary “religion” known as “genetic determinism,” the idea of “survival of the fittest,” the “selfish gene” hypothesis of Richard Dawkins and company, or any other of the derived “competition-for-survival” models, growing evidence is showing that these ideas are not congruent with the true nature or broad function of evolution and species survival.  Evidence points more often to a symbiotic relationship of life with other life and the environment, rather than a competition, “selfish genes,” or determinism.

What has been found is that the primary force which “determines” survival, change, or if the species “works” is symbiosis of the species with its surroundings.  This includes other species, the physical environment, or even “endosymbiotic” relationships; where species have a relationship with other species living and surviving, changing and evolving together inside other species or inside the cells of those species.  There are indeed moments in the evolutionary process of what Steven J. Gould called “punctuated equilibria,” but the moment this “equilibrium” is achieved, symbiosis takes over once again, throughout the remainder of the extent of the existence of the species on this planet.

Thus, we can conclude that if values must “change” for our survival, they must change using this model that true evolution follows – But why?  It is because we can now conclude that:

“survival” = “to live” = “to change” =“to evolve” = “symbiosis” = “it works”

 

This is because for us to survive, means for us to live.  And, living involves changing, which means evolving.  And, to evolve means to have symbiosis.  To have symbiosis means it works.

Symbiosis, both inner and outer, is the key to this – not competition, not selfishness, not conquering, not overwhelming, not overrunning, not self-destruction.  These are “values” of the dominant culture that is destroying our world.  It is part of the psychopathic nature of this old, dying, self-destructive culture that is collapsing now, and taking everything else with it.

It is no wonder why these values are readily adopted and accepted to be a part of our so-called “modern” understanding of the evolution of life.  It is because they support the delusions, lies, and faith in the dominant culture.  It even supports the “death urge” that has been derived from our thinkers and why this drive towards self-extinction continues to propagate the subconscious of the human mind today.

Therefore, how these “values” evolve will also be tainted with what we as a species “want” or “choose” them to be.  And, it is the dominant culture, the culture of civilization that has deluded itself into believing that it can control the evolution of values – through laws that will always be broken, through economic systems that attempt to separate themselves from the natural world, to its religious institutions attempting to separate the nature of human beings from the natural world.  In the end, as it is accelerating in our world now, “choice” in values doesn’t necessarily mean “it works” and certainly doesn’t guarantee symbiosis.

But, if we take an objective stance on this part of the paradox, the question becomes:

Do we “choose” to change our values, as has always been done, yet has failed in one way or another throughout the history of civilization, or do we allow for the change to occur “naturally,” as evolution commands?

And, in addition, this begs the question: Do we have enough time to allow change to come “naturally,” when, ultimately, it is survival that is at stake?

Thus, how will we define “value” if left to be interpreted by the dying, psychopathic, dominant culture?  How can we even suggest to use what the dominant culture has taught us all since birth to answer this question?  Especially, when it is the dominant culture that doesn’t even define “value” in the sense of survival at all!  It is a culture held captive to the “death urge,” where its ultimate value means “no survival at all,” and thus, its primary values don’t “work” anymore.  The primary “value” is to dominate the world, consuming the planet until there is nothing left to consume.

 

Thus, the mantra from above, and the paradox that it entails, which we are puzzling over here, can be solved only by taking either of these two routes: We either allow evolution to decide if our “values” continue to be allowed to exist, or we choose to change them now, by force.

We have concluded that if “survival” means “life”, and to live means “it works,” and for it to work means “symbiosis,” then the question becomes not whether you “value change” or you must “change your values,” but rather:  Do you see survival itself as valuable?

If so, then there is not a need to change one’s values, because valuing survival is valuing change!  This is because, as concluded above, “change” is equal to “survival,” and how all life must survive, and hence, “works” on this planet.

Then it all comes down to: Why would anyone in their right mind not value survival unless they were psychopathic and sick?  This could only mean that there is something driving their thinking, driving their life that is equally psychopathic, sick, suicidal, self-destructive, and etc. – something that is the complete antithesis of life itself!  From this we can conclude that:

“sickness” = “disease” and “disease” = eventual “destruction/death” and “destruction/death” = “not surviving” and “not surviving” = “not life”

And this is what is driving the human condition today.  The root of what drives it all is a culture of “not valuing survival,” and it is no wonder that the death urge is increasingly exposing itself in the process of civilization as the dominant culture self-destructs.

As the deduction of the mantra continues, we come to the root of what drives the dominant culture’s idea of “values,” or better, “not valuing survival.”  This can be explained by the difference between “growth” and “development.”

This is what has become the deciding factor of what drives the dominant culture’s understanding of “survival”– an understanding based on a “growth model” rather than on a “development” model. And, somewhere along the way, the meaning of these two terms were twisted and perverted.

To review from what we’ve concluded thus far:

“survival” = “to evolve” = “symbiosis” = “to live” = “it works” = “to change”
And, now deducing further we include that:

“to change” = “to develop”

 

Along with the “change” that takes place with all life and non-life on this planet, there is also “development” that takes place.  Life forms all have a period of growth, but the internal “clock” of growth slows down, and eventually stops this process.  Even the human is not immune from the limits of growth.  We mostly stop growing by the time we reach adulthood, yet we continue to develop as a human being indefinitely, from that time forward.  Our societies and cultures reflect this phenomenon as well.  Our cultures evolve and mature, and most have gone through a “growth phase” that eventually ends.  As with any species, as mentioned above, the culture reaches a limit of growth and change, then it acquires a symbiosis with its environment, whether that be the physical environment or its presence amongst other cultures.  The geological properties of the Earth itself, follow a growth and change pattern, then will settle down into a state of homeostasis and symbiosis.

Thus, “growth” in reality merely relates to the physical, temporary property of a species, and with culture as well – it is a “property” of growth to be exact.  And, after the growth phase, no more is development a primary factor to the life process than with humanity.  Development of the human mind is what sets us apart from all other life.  Our development produces all the elements of human culture.  Our development is responsible for the presence of wisdom.  And, it is what wisdom that we acquire through our development that will determine whether we survive or not.

If the human mind focuses on its development, and how development is an integral part of life and existence on this planet, then we are more in tune with what it means to survive, to “work.”  Then, what is the resistance to develop?  Or, more exact then, what is the resistance to survive?

All that is left that doesn’t fit into the equation of the “values of survival” is how we define growth.  It is how we have defined growth and how it has been chosen by our society and redefined as the delusion of the age.  And it is this definition, a false understanding of growth that has led us on the path that ignores the meaning of survival, life, symbiosis, change, development, and how it all works.

Through this chain of reasoning, we can deduce that our values for survival are part of living already. We develop whether we try to ignore it or not.  Our values change and evolve whether we like it or not.  Life and culture evolve, whether we choose to hold on to them or not.  We are not in control of the levers of life.  All of these are entirely innate and exist in us.  What has held them back from being set free are the delusions of the dominant culture relating to how it defines growth.  It tells us that for us to develop, we must grow; for us to survive, we must grow; for us to change, we must grow, for us to “work,” we must grow.  It has created a false sense of value.  It is responsible for releasing, harboring, and encouraging the death urge upon the human psyche.

Thus, there is no choice to “value change” or “change our values.”  The only choice is to destroy what keeps us from believing we have no other choice – that which has made us believe that the only choice is to continue to grow beyond what the rules of Nature, mentioned above, can allow.

We are rapidly passing the “fork in the road,” where we have the opportunity to abandon the false values of the culture that is leading us to our deaths.  There are real values that we once had when we were part of this planet, not pretending we were masters of it – they were the true values of survival.

 

Value Change For Survival ~ Chief Oren Lyons [video]

Please note that Chief Lyons is a chief of the Onondaga Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy in upstate New York and eastern Canada.  Not Lakota.  He does mention being in Lakota country when he had the conversation around a campfire.  But he is identified clearly at the beginning.
 
For all the research and analysis that happens in my camp on a weekly basis – Chief Lyons sums up everything you and your family really need to know in 10 minutes. 
 
Deep respect to Chief Lyons.
“Get ready for it.”

Are you prepared?

Preparedness | Personal Security

submitted for your consideration by Gabrielle Price

After viewing a streaming event in LA where Mr. Michael C. Ruppert was a guest speaker, I was struck by the three words that he told everyone to remember: Prepare, prepare, prepare.

With the market’s erratic behavior on top of the current disaster in Japan that unfolds hourly, it’s time to address one of the main issues of preparedness when facing systemic industrial and economic collapse.  I will be addressing the current events but for now, I want to focus here at home as our media is focused on points east.  There are valuable lessons to be learned from Japan in how to prepare for other things happening under our noses in the US.

One thing that Mr. Ruppert stressed upon the crowd he addressed was what to expect in what will undoubtedly be called an ‘economic tsunami’.  His concern is the rise in civil unrest that will occur when lack of basic resources becomes the next inconvenient truth America awakens to.  As oil prices continue to rise, we will see a decline of Western cognitive dissonance.  Whether you feel this is good or bad makes no difference to reality, but a very stark line will be drawn between needs and wants – then shock will set in.  Now if you think people fighting over televisions at Christmas was bad – it will be nothing compared to people fighting over loaves of bread.

Once store shelves become increasingly bare, whatever civilized behavior you may be accustomed to could take a dark turn down the road to Jerry Springerville.  The United States public at large is simply not as calmly enlightened as the Japanese public – especially when you consider the religious fervor and ’smile or die‘ optimism running roughshod over reason in this country.  Even as we see the worst unfold in Japan, we can learn valuable lessons in humanity through their calm example.

As much as I like to think that the best in people arises during times of great pressure – I must be a realist and therefore have concerns about public and personal safety.  I decided to seek out a knowledgeable friend to address some questions regarding personal security.

Mr. K.D. Wheeler is a 20 year veteran in the protective services industry, a former bail enforcement agent, private investigator, and former United States Marine.  His word is one I can trust as a friend and former serviceman who continues to uphold an oath to the constitution which remains unshakable.  He also shares my concerns and agreed to answer some questions.

Personal Security Q n A with Mr. K. D. Wheeler

First thing that comes to mind for me is home perimeter security.  Depending on how large the property is, what things should be kept in mind and is there specific gear/technology available that you would recommend for home security?

In our post 9/11 world there are many options for commercial and home perimeter security systems.  The technology being used ranges from motion & heat sensors to fiber optics.  I’ve only had experience with government facilities when it comes to perimeter security systems (microwave systems) and these are far too exotic and expensive for home use.  You can check in your area for what systems are available for home use.  It will be a system that will use motion/heat sensors in a horizontal field with a coverage area of 40-80 ft.  These can be used in a combination with security cameras and connected to your home PC or DVR.  The cost would range from moderate to very expensive depending on the bells and whistles and if you’re using one of the many home security providers like, ADT, Brinks, etc.  If you are technically proficient, you can design and configure your own perimeter system using the same options mentioned before.  At this time there is nothing available on the market that I would recommend above all others.  It really comes down to what you are willing to spend.

In regards to personal security – there are many people who may be uncomfortable when it comes to talk about weapons.  Especially for women.  Education is key to comfort levels – are there books or seminars available that can help or is a ‘hands on’ education the best route?

Although firearm sales have tripled in the last few years, there are many people who are extremely uncomfortable with weapons.   There are books available on the subject, but I would recommend taking a training class when it comes to all firearms.  States that allow a concealed carry license also have a firearms safety class.  These are usually included with the concealed carry course, but most are stand alone classes that are provided by your state for a relatively small fee.  I would also recommend taking a close combat class.  Theory and class work are all fine and good.  Familiarity with your firearm is one thing, practical application is quite another.

These classes are moderately expensive ranging from $250-$1000 and usually last for a few days to a week.  Courses will cover everything from positions, reloading under fire, situational awareness, low light shooting….all of the circumstances that one would encounter in the real world are covered in these courses.  There are many independent instructors available and the NRA has them as well.  There are also courses that are tailored for women.  Check to see if they are available in your area.  If you are contemplating purchasing a firearm, safety and proficient use of it are paramount.  Courses are available for hand guns as well as rifles.  Most accidental firearm shootings are because gun owners were unsafe with their weapon or panicked and shot a loved one.  Do not add to these statistics.

Very good advice.  What types of personal protection do you recommend for those just contemplating home security?

Do a threat assessment on your personal safety.  Think of the areas you work and live in. What types of crimes occur in those areas?  Do you live in an urban environment, suburbs or rural?  All of this and more comes into play when thinking of personal protection.  If you do decide to purchase a home security system, get what you pay for. Home security systems are passive.  Meaning they only work when the bad guys have broken in.   The response will be an alarm and then your security provider calling you and/or emergency services.  Depending on what package you order, a security officer may respond as well.   The most practical personal protection is being aware of your environment.  Do not throw money at the problem, by purchasing a home security system, firearm, taser, mace or self defense class if you are not going to actually follow through and become proficient with it.  Most Americans live under the illusion of security.  They purchase a weapon, buy a security system or take a martial arts class for a short time, then become bored with it and drop it.  When a crime does occur or personal safety is at risk, most people panic and become a victim.

Take all of this into consideration when it comes to personal security.  What are your concerns and needs?  You can start by programming your local precinct or police dept into your mobile phone as well as 911 (speed dial).  Do the same if you have a home phone.  Call 911 and when the operator answers tell them you are simply running an emergency check and want to verify that your name and home address is what the operator has listed on their display.  Insure all doors and windows are secured.  Invest in dead bolt locks.  Do a key count.  You would be surprised how many people have “extra” keys floating about and who has them.  When it comes to personal security I recommend the K.I.S.S. system…Keep It Simple Stupid.  Be aware, be alert.  Make a checklist of pros and cons before spending the money on a security system or purchasing a weapon.

What kind of gear is necessary to stock up on in regards to maintaining or cleaning a weapon? Are their home alternatives to market products for maintenance that you can suggest?

If you have purchased a weapon you most likely have the equipment to maintain that weapon.  You will need a gun cleaner/lubricant/preservative and bore cleaning brushes.  Personally, I use Otis Technology Cleaning Kits.  It’s a small cleaning kit that can be used for handguns, rifles and shotguns and has all of the equipment you will need to maintain your weapon and is very inexpensive.

Right now, inexpensive is good so we appreciate that advice.  Getting to the nitty gritty – when a person is faced with an intruder or threat – I know a million things go through a person’s mind.  Having survived an attack several years ago; my first instinct was just to ‘get the hell out’.  Is there really any kind of mental preparation or home training for that?

Another excellent question and no, there is no home course you can use.  Humans are higher functioning animals, but animals nonetheless.  When confronted with an intruder most people panic and become submissive.  It’s instinctual, fight or flight response.  You have limited options.  If confronted and you can escape – run!  If it is personal property the intruder wants, throw it down and run, it can all be replaced.  Your life, however, cannot.  If the intruder wants to do you harm and you cannot escape – fight, scream, yell!  Make as much noise as possible, fight as hard as you can until you hurt your attacker and can then escape or disable your attacker until they are no longer a threat.

This is not a movie or TV show.  You will not suddenly have Bruce Lee-like fighting ability or quick draw skill with a weapon.  If you have the option to escape, do so.  If you have no other choice,  then fight as if your life depended on it – it just might just depend on it.  Criminals count on your panic and fear.  Use any weapons you have at hand and run to the most public area around you.  It doesn’t sound cool or brave, but it is the reality of the situation.

I can agree that breathing is a better choice than cool or brave.  When it comes to weapons specifically, should choice of home defense be separate from say, hunting weapons?

Actually not at all.  A weapon is a weapon is a weapon.  If you have a firearm and are safe and proficient with it’s use, use it.  I must put in this disclaimer that all firearms should be safe and  secure.  This means unloaded and placed in a gun safe or with a trigger lock.  Personally, I do not have children and I am proficient with weapons, so they are stored in a convenient area, loaded and ready for use.  If you have children at home or loved ones in your household that are unfamiliar with firearms, this should not be the case.  Safety, safety, SAFETY.

What’s a good rule of thumb for stocking up on ammunition?

A case of the ammunition you use for your specific weapon should be more than enough.  Unless you are a survivalist or stocking up for an end of the world scenario a case of ammunition for range use is fine.  I would like to add that if you have a handgun, and it was purchased for personal protection, spend the money and buy jacketed hollow point (JHP) over ball ammunition (FMJ).  Ball ammunition is best used for range qualification and target practice, while hollow points will be your most effective choice to carry in your firearm.

Weapons may not be an option for everyone so I believe it is a good time to be physically fit.  Do you recommend any self-defense training courses that would be of benefit?

There are many self defense systems.  Each has its pros and cons and some are more esoteric than they are practical.  Each practitioner will sing the merits of their system.  That being said, if I had to pick a system, it would be Krav Maga.  My reason for this is that the system is built upon efficiency and brutality.  Again, K.I.S.S.: Keep It Simple Stupid.

Last question is a “what if” scenario:  If you had to pick up and leave with a moments notice and all you could take was one backpack, what ‘must have’ items would you have ready to go?

The must have items I would have in my backpack would be :

Water – Several bottles.
Food – Dried jerky, MRE’s, Dried fruit and/or Trail Mix.
First Aid Kit
Medications if needed.
Flashlight with batteries.
Hunting knife
Lighters and water proof matches.
Mobile phone and charger
Hand Crank Emergency Radio
Compass
Flares

All items should be packed in water proof storage (zip tight sandwich bags if nothing else) and your backpack can be packed ahead of time and ready in case of emergency. Your backpack should be efficient and lightweight. The Marine in me suggests that you replenish your emergency backpack every 15-30 days (perishable food & water. Batteries every 90 days.)

My sincere thanks to K. D. Wheeler for sharing his expertise. [Oorah!] If there are other questions regarding personal security that you would like to see answered, please feel free to ask them in the comment section below.  I will pass them along to Mr. Wheeler and update as time permits.  I have listed items (as well as links throughout) and research material below that will help you assess your personal security needs.  As a rule of thumb, it’s best to have knowledge and tools and not need them than to need them and not have access to them at all.

The Long Intermission Is Over / Reel Two

In my concerted efforts to keep people informed through my Facebook news feed, I have neglected this blog yet again for the day-to-day headlines from the catbird seat.  My apologies to readers, followers and my friends at Seismologik for my absence and thanks to friends, writers and researchers who have helped me understand the current state of humanity’s big picture to date.  I will be sharing their links on a new page this week.

Research has become manic with so much happening that it is difficult (again) to find the best jumping off point.  So think of this post as the ‘coming attractions’ trailers with information that you need.  I connected some dots in hopes that you’ll err on the side of caution as I share more of the bigger picture.  This is done as much for my family as my friends and readers – as this conversation is loathe to happen as a family ‘pow-wow’ – which would be preferable to me personally, if it weren’t for dynamics best left in the past.  However, this will have to do as none of us can now tarry looking backward.  More on this later along with resources on how to talk to loved ones about topics I touch upon below.  For the record, I will say that I now understand with great clarity, why my grandfather watched C-SPAN religiously, was a restless sleeper and drank a lot of beer when he tended his garden.

The information that I have gleaned from this last year’s research, I’ve watched play out in world headlines but only now just beginning to see US headlines catch up the last couple of months.  Many of the things that have happened and are happening were predicted and many more are coming to pass.  That is what the ‘art’ of research provides – analysis of each article, each issue; a brush stroke in a larger picture.  I’ve trained myself (by reading, researching and learning from great teachers) how to recognize and side-step propaganda to get to the art of intelligence gathering.  It hasn’t been easy – the cognitive dissonance is thick and the normalcy bias thicker still.  America is in dire need of a wake up call.

Internet is the last frontier of truly free speech and great education if used wisely. Television news has rendered itself impotent and as informative as a billboard.  Edward R. Murrow’s nightmare has come to pass and it’s time for journalists to take up their moral duty to report the truth.  There is no ‘winning the future’ – but you can prepare for it if you’re informed.

The Truth About the Economy

Everything you may (or may not) have seen, heard or viewed about the market disaster in 2008 is happening again.  Those responsible were never prosecuted and many were allowed to keep working…earning record bonuses…so, here we are again.  Only this time, it’s much worse.  During the first Great Depression, oil was not as big a factor as it is today – simply because our current economy is literally driven by it.  You would be surprised how many things are made with petroleum.  Just know that goods and services go up when oil does and in an economy that hinges on this energy resource, it’s a whole new ball game than my grandparents or perhaps your great-grandparents witnessed in 1929 and after.  Many things that are occurring now are the same signs that happened before the Depression…even the political speak.  We need to get over the ‘recovery’ cheer leading in this ‘job creation’ fantasy land built on false data before more people get hurt.

John Cassel – depression era illustration

Redefining prosperity

My choice of words or style of writing has been colorful at times – I think it’s because I come from a long line of outspoken women.  My grandmothers, from both Kentucky and Virginia knew some very tough times and that makes for stronger character.  I’m blessed by a lot of lessons they shared – one of them is knowing not to step in shit when you can see it plain as day.  For me, it’s the kind of wisdom worth its weight in gold.

Many great people have been raising the red flags of reason and trying to sound the alarms about the coming economic collapse and their work is much appreciated.  I’m talking about several dozen researchers, writers, analysts and professors.  I’m certain Glenn Beck cherry picks data from them to make money off this crises and hopes to come out as some perceived prophet.  (Far from it.  He’s a despicable snake-oil salesman.)

Picking up the reason baton has been trying and tiring while still attempting to wrap my own brain around this epic leadership fail.  Even if you do not have money in the stock market – this effects you.  If our government took up the alarm, I might not feel the need to write this – but we all know that aside from a select few, most are not interested in doing the hard work that needs to be done.  “Quick and dirty” governing for criminal bank lobbyists continues unabated, so now the only scout’s advice worth giving now is to remember “You don’t have to outrun the bear – just be faster than the slowest camper.”

Time to put your good sneakers on and grab some batons.  I hope you’ll pass them along.

Create an intentional community – whether that is family, trusted friends or a whole neighborhood – circle the wagons, find your tribe.

Make sure there are collective skill sets like gardening, cooking, canning, animal husbandry, carpentry, sewing, medicinal arts, welding, appliance repair, food co-op, motorcycle/scooter and bicycle repair, etc.  Self-sufficient skills like these will be vital to get through this as well as the next 20 years. They will be high demand jobs later.  Bet on it because oil will not save us anymore.  More on that topic in future posts.  When there are problems, you prioritize by threat or time constraints.  One down.  Now is the time to have a pow-wow/town hall/family meeting regarding the next steps.  Do this soon and be prepared to move sooner.

Stock up on food and water.  Don’t wait.  Start with a three month supply.

This is imperative.  The cost of gas will continue to rise, and food prices will go up with it.  Weather events are causing wheat and grain prices to go up as well.  Many of the riots began in the middle east due to rising food costs.  This is because countries are going broke – America is no different.  Other countries have already rejected the dollar, which means – they know we’re broke too.  Government is too busy saving face so they can jockey for another political day at the races and mainstream media is the horse that’s bought and paid for.  Charlie Sheen doesn’t give a damn whether your local store shelves go bare after a market crash.  Whose the winner…?  Remember…it’s not the slow camper.

Stock up on essential supplies now like:

Rice, beans, peas, honey, sugar, salt, pepper, pasta, canned food/veg/sauces (check dates), peanut butter, dried fruit, canned salmon/sardines/tuna, canned milk or powdered – dairy cheeses, butter and breads can be frozen for later use – for baking, corn meal, flour, baking powder/soda (for other uses too), vinegar, cooking oil.  Meats can be frozen up to a certain time or dehydrated for longer.  A dehydrator will be  a good purchase now as well as a pressure cooker.  Other essentials: soap, candles, rubbing alcohol, first aid supplies, lighters/matches, extra toothbrushes, floss, eyeglasses, etc.

FYI: Chocolate is seeing a surge in price as well as coffee.

Stock up if you’re so inclined.

You can buy bottled water or use empty containers to fill up from the tap.  If you have a Brita pitcher or filtration system – all the better – save some money and avoid buying more plastic bottles to boot.  We’ll get to the importance of catching rainwater for sustainability later, another skill that will come in handy so do some research on installing rainwater containment systems (solar/wind installation, too).

SEEDS.  You will want to grow your own vegetables – make sure they are heirloom/organic.  Plan and start planting this spring.  Much more on gardening in future posts (urban too)…as well as permaculture methods, which I am currently studying.  If your skill set, space or soil is an issue, get to know your local farmers and farm markets for local fresh produce.  Herbal gardens will be important for medicinal purposes in future.

 [Reminded of Zombies?…you might have seen them this Black Friday.  Just saying.]

If you take medication that is vital to your health – stock up and buy in bulk if you can.

One thing you may not know about prescription drugs is that the capsule they are contained in is made from petroleum.  So not only will the cost of shipping your medication go up – there is a double-whammy in producing it as well.  Keep this in mind for your elderly family members or neighbors you may check on – offer to assist them if they need help picking up prescriptions.  If your doctor approved alternative therapies or dietary changes that will keep you off any prescription meds – I suggest you tell your doctor that you want to implement them now, under supervision, as opposed to later when this might not be feasible.  Much more on alternative therapies in future posts – I know many gifted people and plan to interview several about these topics soon.

If you have PHYSICAL silver or gold, do not sell it – hang on to it.

Right now, anything that you do not hold in your hand…you do not own.  If you swap tangible gold and silver for dollars – you might as well be swapping it for toilet paper, it will be of as much use soon enough.  More on this later – but don’t sell your precious metals or gemstones.  Dollars should be spent on goods you will need to have now.  If you have stocks, the best advice I have heard is to turn your virtual assets to physical assets before they lose almost all their value.  More on currency in future posts.  There are several states already discussing optional currency and many cities embracing barter systems.  I’ll be sharing a trending market news synopsis every week.

Crowd outside the Stock Exchange 1929, the biggest protests should be there now [UPDATE! BOOYAH!]

Transportation, heating, cooking

The less gas you use, the better – so motorcycles, scooters and bikes are good things to own.  Living in urban, densely populated areas could prove to be dangerous for this and many other reasons so if you have the option of being away from large cities – exercise that option.  Whatever vehicles you have, fill up and back up gas cans for emergencies stowed away.  If you own your home and can install a wood burning stove – do it.  Make sure it has a flat top for cooking.  Have wood and cutting supplies.  With oil costs going up, electricity costs will also so keep this in mind in case you lose power, you’ll be prepared.  Adding extra insulation is a good investment now.  If you’ve ever thought about outfitting your home with wind/solar capabilities and off the grid – think no more and act on it.  That really will be the best home investment you can make now – not to mention for your family.

There are many more topics to cover and a vast array of resources online to read but these are the top issues I think should be addressed sooner than later as the time ticks on the inevitable market failure to come.  Be a good scout and prepare – even if this seems an impossible thing to discuss with your family, prepare anyway.  They will thank you later.

This is not the end of the world, just the beginning of a different one.  A big factor that we have on our side is technology.  Used wisely, the coming challenges could be quite an adventure in creativity and ingenuity.

We have a lot of work to do.  Don’t trust insider beltway government to do it – their loyalties lie with financial criminals, not the American people.  In a race to arrogantly ‘win the future’ we cannot lose sight of the fact that it is not theirs to ‘win’.  It is ours to protect from short-sighted greed and willful ignorance. But first and foremost – we need to be informed so that we may protect and prepare ourselves and our loved ones.  This will help to insure our collective strength to fight another day.

 

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