A Shiny New War: At Home and Abroad

By: Terresa Monroe-Hamilton -  The NoisyRoom

Reuters/The Blaze: A marcher holds a U.S. flag bearing the image of President Barack Obama during the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington August 24, 2013.

Knowing that we would wind up here does not take a crystal ball. Many have predicted just this scenario, including myself. War is the ultimate solution of leaders who find themselves in a variety of rock and hard place situations. And Barack Obama has stuffed America in the hardest place of all, sealed us in with nuclear weapons and has lit a very short fuse.

Let’s start with the coming race war that the progressives at home are stoking for all they are worth. You saw the ginned up fiasco of the Zimmerman case where Obama claimed that Trayvon Martin could have been his son and then claimed he actually could have been Trayvon Martin — thereby personalizing the racial conflict out of a non-existent racial confrontation. Then we had the Australian, Chris Lane, being shot in the back while jogging last week by three teenagers – 2 black, one mixed. We had a WWII vet named Shorty (88 years-old) beaten to death with flashlights by 2 young black men in Spokane, Washington. Someone was set on fire in a parking lot in Memphis, Tennessee. A young white boy was savagely beaten on a school bus by several black kids and the list goes on and on. This doesn’t begin to list what has been happening for a while now with black on white crime. All of this can be laid directly at the feet of Barack Obama, Eric Holder, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Oprah Winfrey and a whole raft of race baiters who have an agenda that envisions race riots in the streets and a new order being born in America.

An employee named Ayo Kimathi, who is the Acquisitions Officer at ICE for the Department of Homeland Security, has a hate-filled, racially motivated site named War on the Horizon that talks about the coming race war. His handle is ‘Irritated Genie.’ The site had to be approved by DHS and the employee has been with the government agency since 2009. He is now on paid leave, which means nothing. It means at some point they will quietly bring this evil race monger back like nothing ever happened. The best part is that this person is the one who ordered ammo and guns for the DHS.

According to reports, this guy is unstable and everyone in the office is afraid of him. He calls President Obama a “treasonous mulatto scum dweller” and rants about whites and their ”effeminization of the black male.”

From The Blaze:

“The 21st century will either mark the return of Black resistance to white domination or global white-on-Black genocide leading to our complete extinction,” the website declares. “Warfare is eminent, and in order for Black people to survive the 21st century, we are going to have to kill a lot of whites – more than our christian hearts can possibly count.”

On its main page, War on the Horizon says preparing for racial warfare includes “intellectual, spiritual, psychological, and physical preparation for a global clash that will mean the end of white rule on this planet or the end of the Black Race as we know it. ”

And there is a lot more hate on this site to go around:

Under the June 2010 article “Goodbye Uncle Tom,” the website lists Rev. Al Sharpton, a “sadistic political white-sex offender…who advocates ‘homosexuality’ among Black people”; Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and former Secretary of State Colin (spelled “Colon”) Powell who will “indirectly assist in the genocide of Black people; Oprah Winfrey, a “wealthy lesbian mammy” who does “everything in her power to assist whites in destroying strong Black manhood; as well as “all rappers,” “all political homos” and “all promoters and supporters of interracial dating/marriage/sex.”

“We must become militant, hostile, violent, and deadly to those individuals and groups in our community who don’t comply to Black decency and Race First standards. We cannot continue to be Black people with white behavior. – Black Afrikans Only!” the website states. “…Once we have largely purged our Race of its Race traitors, war with our natural enemy, the white Race, will intensify and become the single most powerful motivating force in the lives of Afrikan people worldwide.”

Why would you knowingly have someone like this in a government agency with the responsibility and power this guy had? He has been with them four years and the site was approved — so regardless of what they claim, they knew of his inclinations. I would put forth that this is just the kind of individual they want around — one who is extreme and wants violence. One who hates America in general. The fact that he hates most African Americans as well is just a minor annoyance or a contrivance. This is what we have controlling our country now. We have radical Islamists, black power racists, progressives, Marxists, communists and every imaginable corrupt, evil recruit they can find. America has gone to the dark side and we are fighting in the shade. War is coming to America’s streets and neighborhoods and our leaders are the delivery boys.

Video:  Losing the American Way…

On to the war abroad…

By now everyone has heard of the supposed chemical attack by Assad in Syria on his own people. I have seen reports of up to 355 dead with 3600 sickened — many being women and children. If true, that is horrific. But there is serious doubt about it being true. The last reported chemical attack turned out to be false and numerous experts claim this one is too.

I have no love of Assad — he’s an evil man, heading an evil regime. But the rebels are composed of al Qaida and the Muslim Brotherhood and are every bit as evil. Much the same can be said of our current government as well. They want this war; it creates worldwide chaos that they desperately need to reset a looted and plundered monetary system and to reform governments closer to their heart’s desire. I’m not the only one who sees this either. From Michael Rivero:

1. Why would Syria’s Assad invite United Nations chemical weapons inspectors to Syria, then launch a chemical weapons attack against women and children on the very day they arrive, just miles from where they are staying?

2. If Assad were going to use chemical weapons, wouldn’t he use them against the hired mercenary army trying to oust him? What does he gain attacking women and children? Nothing! The gain is all on the side of the US Government desperate to get the war agenda going again.

As I type these words, US trained and equipped forces are already across the border into Syria, and US naval forces are sailing into position to launch a massive cruise missile attack into Syria that will surely kill more Syrians than were claimed to have died in the chemical attack.

And he is right. I would suggest there is a strong possibility here of a set-up and an agenda for a much needed war. I would not put it past Assad to use chemical weapons, but it looks too pat and doesn’t make sense. I have seen on the web many, many pictures of dead children from the chemical attacks playing on the sympathies of the world. This is an old, tried and true technique of garnering sympathy in order to do unspeakable things.

Just to be clear, these are the rebels we are backing — from The Blaze (warning: graphic video):

Make no mistake, employing the Doctrine of Responsibility to Protect, we are readying for an attack on Syria. Samantha Power, who missed the last UN meeting, was resting up for the conflict ahead. We are moving our warships closer to Syria in preparation for missile attacks when Obama gives his blessing.

Iran and Syria are warning that if we attack Syria, it will set the whole Middle East on fire. I fear that is true. Should we attack Syria, by proxy, we will be attacking Iran and Russia. Qatar and Saudi Arabia will back the US, but only so far and for so long. Hello all-out World War III. China will either wait to pick up the pieces or back Russia. Obama has gutted and severely weakened our military — a full-scale war will cause a further financial collapse in the US and the odds of us prevailing are very poor. Americans overwhelmingly oppose attacking Syria, not that it matters to our Islamist-in-Chief.

Now Britain and France are beating the war drums along with the US. They believe intervening in the Middle East and setting it on fire will cure the world’s economic woes. They have severely underestimated the Jihadists and the plans that Russia has set in motion. Russia must be over the moon with this because it gives them leeway to further their capture of the Middle Eastern territories for land, power, wealth and resources. And as an added bennie, they think they may rid themselves of the Jews and America. Maybe America, never the Jews. Russia is rising in the Middle East and making alliances in the void of leadership America is leaving behind. Already they have wooed Egypt — China is doing the same thing across the planet. Obama wants this — he can destroy America while credibly denying and blaming others. It’s the progressive way.

This all has the feel of the amateur video used as an excuse for Benghazi — it doesn’t pass the smell test. It’s the same players and the same board. Do you think our leaders really give a crap about 355 people supposedly dead in Syria? Come on! Thousands have died. It is way too convenient an excuse to go to war. So, while we point the finger at Assad and ready for war, Americans are besieged from every side with chaos and evil at home, so much so they don’t know what to do or what to think. Just the way Obama wants it.

If this war unfolds (as it will almost assuredly do), tighten your belts. Forget $10 a gallon gas, you’ll be lucky to get gas. And food? I hope you have some. Please prepare now. Things are about to get very interesting in a bad way. Israel has their finger on the ‘trigger’ and they won’t hesitate to defend themselves. We better get ready to defend ourselves as well. A pale horse brings war at home and abroad.

Judge Jeanine Pirro Opening Statement – Fool Me Once Shame On You, Fool Twice shame On Me – 8-24-13

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Personal Preparedness

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See the First Episode from New NRA Contributor Colion Noir! (And It Goes After Obama)

Video:  Colion Noir for NRA News: Episode 1

Colion Noir is the first of a group of new NRA News commentators, which will be revealed later this week. Look for weekly episodes on www.NRANews.com.

Read more at The Blaze…

Technorati Tags: NRA,Colion Noir,Second Amendment,2nd Amendment,survival,news and politics,NRA News

Wyoming House advances doomsday bill - Updated

CHEYENNE — State representatives on Friday advanced legislation to launch a study into what Wyoming should do in the event of a complete economic or political collapse in the United States.

House Bill 85 passed on first reading by a voice vote. It would create a state-run government continuity task force, which would study and prepare Wyoming for potential catastrophes, from disruptions in food and energy supplies to a complete meltdown of the federal government.

The task force would look at the feasibility of:

Wyoming issuing its own alternative currency, if needed. And House members approved an amendment Friday by state Rep. Kermit Brown, R-Laramie, to have the task force also examine conditions under which Wyoming would need to implement its own military draft, raise a standing army, and acquire strike aircraft and an aircraft carrier.

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. David Miller, R-Riverton, has said he doesn’t anticipate any major crises hitting America anytime soon. But with the national debt exceeding $15 trillion and protest movements growing around the country, Miller said Wyoming — which has a comparatively good economy and sound state finances — needs to make sure it’s protected should any unexpected emergency hit the U.S.

Several House members spoke in favor of the legislation, saying there was no harm in preparing for the worst.

“I don’t think there’s anyone in this room today what would come up here and say that this country is in good shape, that the world is stable and in good shape — because that is clearly not the case,” state Rep. Lorraine Quarberg, R-Thermopolis, said. “To put your head in the sand and think that nothing bad’s going to happen, and that we have no obligation to the citizens of the state of Wyoming to at least have the discussion, is not healthy.”

Wyoming’s Department of Homeland Security already has a statewide crisis management plan, but it doesn’t cover what the state should do in the event of an extreme nationwide political or economic collapse. In recent years, lawmakers in at least six states have introduced legislation to create a state currency, all unsuccessfully.

The task force would include state lawmakers, the director of the Wyoming Department of Homeland Security, the Wyoming attorney general and the Wyoming National Guard’s adjutant general, among others.

The bill must pass two more House votes before it would head to the Senate for consideration. The original bill appropriated $32,000 for the task force, though the Joint Appropriations Committee slashed that number in half earlier this week.

University of Wyoming political science professor Jim King said the potential for a complete unraveling of the U.S. government and economy is “astronomically remote” in the foreseeable future.

But King noted that the federal government set up a Continuity of Government Commission in 2002, of which former U.S. Sen. Al Simpson, R-Wyo., was co-chairman. However, King said he didn’t know of any states that had established a similar board.

Contact capital bureau reporter Jeremy Pelzer at 307-632-1244 or jeremy.pelzer@trib,com

Related at Before It is News

 h/t to John Rolls and AJ

Media mocks Wyoming for preparation & 'Doomsday Bill'

Glenn Beck praised the actions of a politician from Wyoming who is bringing something the media has dubbed the 'Doomsday Bill' to the table. Glenn is calling this perhaps one of the most responsible pieces of legislation because it calls for Wyoming to prepare for not only catastrophic natural disasters and terrorist attacks - but also in the event of a financial meltdown. Not surprisingly, the media mocked the bill. Glenn has the audio and reaction.

You can download and read the bill HERE

Preparedness and Survival

Video:  WV Response

"Preparedness 101" and some of the realities about survival that most people try to ignore

The Ultimate Step-By-Step guide to creating your 40 Day Plan:

After I’d been serious about preparedness and self reliance for a year or two, I realized that my buying, training, and planning had been based on whatever was the most exciting or urgent to me at the time. I’d go through a gun phase, then a food phase, then a natural medicine phase, but I didn’t have anything to tie it all together.

I want to go over a few things that have acted as a compass for my personal preparedness planning. Yours should be unique to you, but feel free to use mine as a jumping off point to create your own. We’ll get into more nuts-and-bolts stuff tomorrow, but this is an important place to start so that you know that we’re on the same page. There’s a lot of nuts out there. I’m not one of them. I’ve got a wife, two YOUNG boys, and my planning is based on reality and proven, tested techniques–not fantasy.

1. Self-Reliance vs. Bureaucratic “solutions”: I define survival/preparedness/self-reliance, in part, as the ability for my family to survive and possibly thrive during periods of civil breakdown without having to depend on government agencies or non-government agencies. This will be as a result of a combination of our family preparedness and because of relationships with friends who have also prepared in advance. I don’t hate government agencies. In fact, I’m a first responder under FEMA–but I’ve repeatedly seen how one bureaucrat can destroy the effectiveness of dozens of competent first responders.

2. Maintain Morals: We have decided in advance that we will make the necessary preparations so that we don’t have to compromise on our morals and values in civil breakdown situations. A large number of people’s survival planning involves stealing/looting after a disaster. Ours does not. Remember, at some point, some form of stability will return and you’ll have to live with the consequences of your actions.

3. Carpe diem–Enjoy The Journey: We are not so focused on potential disaster that we miss out on daily fun. We continually evaluate our decisions and purchases based on how they will play out, regardless of whether we ever have to live through civil breakdown. This keeps us balanced. As an example, we tend to buy large quantities of food that we already eat rather than large quantities of MREs that, truth be told, we really don’t like. We actually USE a lot of our survival supplies on a daily basis.

4. Enrich Your Daily Life: Preparedness planning should not only be useful in a disaster, but enrich your daily life. Increasing your situational awareness will cause you to see more beauty as well as more potential threats. Exercise will help you be more resilient in a disaster, but will also burn off stress hormones and help you sleep better every day. Learning trauma skills and natural health care will allow you to treat yourself when there are no doctors available and it will put you more in tune with your body.

5. Preparedness Planning Should be Realistic. I’m always amazed at the number of people I talk to who’s plan is STILL to “head to the hills” when “it” happens. I kind of laugh because if half of those people actually DO go to the wilderness, the wilderness is going to be hunted clear of food in no-time. Then all the people will die…except for the handful who actually know what they’re doing. The reality is, most people live in urban areas (even communities of a few thousand) and will have to survive disasters in those areas.

6. “Survival” is not Necessarily Romantic, Fun, or Comfortable. If it was, it would be “Primitive Living.” Understand it, prepare for it, practice it if you’re able, and if you are ever forced into a situation where you need your skills to survive, you’ll have a more realistic idea of what to expect.

7. Most People will Never Understand Why You Prepare. Whether you call yourself “self-reliant”, a “prepper”, a “survivalist”, or just practical and moderately observant…everyone is not going to share your passion. Fortunately, we have a community online that does share your passion.

8. You’ll never be 100% prepared for everything that could happen…deal with it. We’ve got dozens of natural and manmade threats to contend with. Dirty bombs, EMPs, earthquakes, hurricanes, mud-slides, cyberattacks, economic collapse, attacks on the electricity grid, local accidents, etc. etc. Don’t waste your time worrying about it…Just start taking steps to prepare.

If all of your gear is at home and an earthquake buries it while you’re at the store, you’re going to have to improvise, adapt, and overcome. (and maybe decide to set up some caches) Especially as you’re starting out, try to focus on the basics…food, fire, water, shelter and then medical, security, and tools. These are all things that will help you on a regular basis and will help you if you go through rough economic times. They’re also ways that you can get prepared that are more “tolerable” for relatives who aren’t on board yet.

9. You don’t have to be rich to get prepared. Focus on skills and double up on groceries as you’re able and you’ll be light years ahead of people who have a pallet of food in their garage but no manual can opener to get them open.

10. Plan To Survive Where You Are Right Now. Since most people live in urban areas, most people are going to have to survive disasters in urban areas. Some have no intention of leaving and feel honor-bound to stay. Full-time law enforcement and first responders, sheepdogs, CERT personnel, and others who aren’t willing to leave. It may not be ideal, but if your plan (or backup plan) for survival is to Survive In Place in an urban area, you aren’t going to be on your own. After every disaster, there will be remnants who are currently training to be able to help stabilize neighborhoods, cities, and regions if necessary.

The fact that you might HAVE to survive for a time in an urban area is the core of the 12 week SurviveInPlace.com Urban Survival Course. You don’t have to buy it to enjoy the free mini course, but I’ll give you an opportunity to sign up at the end of each email.

I have received several responses about the course and how much people got out of going through the exercises in the lessons.

Stayin' Alive,

David Morris -  SurviveInPlace.com  -  40-Days of Survival  -  To get a sneak peak of the Urban Survival Newsletter, you can go to: www.SecretsOfUrbanSurvival.com  -  Thanks to Glenn Beck and the Blaze~ >> Click here for instant access to my FREE SURVIVAL MINI COURSE

And then we have to help the Republic Survive!! Check out: The 2012 Check List for America’s Survival

Feds and Rumors of Feds

I read two very troubling posts today and I feel I have to comment. If they are true (and I have no reason to believe yet that they aren’t), then things are speeding up and it sends a cold shiver down my spine. Never a good sign.

Of the two, I’ll address the one on the feds going to a food cannery first as it bothers me the most. Oathkeepers put up an excellent post today: Federal Agents Demand Customer Lists From Mormon Food Storage Facility. They say this has already been verified to be true.

In short, the Feds went to a Mormon cannery in Tennessee and wanted the list of all those who had purchased bulk food. When the proprietor informed them that no such list exists, they asked for credit card receipts or anything else that would give them info on the customers who did business there. The owner then told them that it was a cash-and-carry business and they would not give them that info either. Good for them. It is none of the Feds business who is buying or how much. From Oathkeepers:

A fellow veteran contacted me concerning a new and disturbing development. He had been utilizing a Mormon cannery near his home to purchase bulk food supplies. The man that manages the facility related to him that federal agents had visited the facility and demanded a list of individuals that had been purchasing bulk food. The manager informed the agents that the facility kept no such records and that all transactions were conducted on a cash-and-carry basis. The agents pressed for any record of personal checks, credit card transactions, etc., but the manager could provide no such record. The agents appeared to become very agitated and after several minutes of questioning finally left with no information. I contacted the manager and personally confirmed this information.

I believe this is a precursor to accusing Americans of ‘hoarding’ food and passing regulation both prohibiting bulk food purchases and the seizure from homes of such food caches. This would be blatantly unconstitutional and fascist. It is a level of tyranny we have not seen in our lifetimes in the Land of the Free, but I fear it is almost upon us. Be very careful who you tell that you have stockpiles of food. Keep your private life quiet and protect your family and their future by being discrete.

The next troubling part of the report:

And here in Tennessee, we just learned that Nashville Metro Public Health and the Tennessee Department of Health are conducting “door-to-door assessment of disaster preparedness … using a tool designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to go door to door and check to see how disaster ready you are. .. in 30 neighborhoods in Davidson County [TN] that have been randomly selected to be the target of a door to door assessment.” I have confirmed that that is a state run effort.

This sounds like government and state reconnaissance of individual households to find out if they are hoarding food and/or weapons. Not good. The local government claims that they have good intentions – I don’t believe it. You cannot trust the government and the Feds. They are not doing any of this out of concern for you. I smell a rat, big time here. Oathkeepers states it flatly and correctly:

“Deprivation of food has long been a weapon of war and oppression, with millions intentionally starved to death by fascist and communist governments in the 20th Century alone.

Accordingly, we will not obey or facilitate orders to confiscate food and other essential supplies from the people, and we will consider all those who issue or carry out such orders to be the enemies of the people.”

If those who carry out such orders to confiscate food are enemies of the people, then that same label also fits anyone in the government compiling lists of Americans who store food. There is no legitimate reason for the Department of Homeland Security to compile such lists. Al Qaida suicide bombers are not known to store powdered milk and buckets of wheat. Nor are they known to store away dehydrated carrots and instant potatoes, or fruit punch mix for the kids. But the Mormons are known to do so, and so are many other Americans who have the common sense and maturity to take personal responsibility for ensuring that their families will have food, come what may.

It is part of Mormon Church religious doctrine to store food for hard times and emergencies, with a recommendation that each family store a year’s worth of basic dry goods along with three months worth of store-bought canned and boxed foods. To facilitate that practice, the Mormon Church runs its own food storage canneries selling powdered milk, wheat, flour, rice and beans, sugar, salt, and various other dry goods either in bulk 50 lb bags or in #10 cans for long term food storage (up to 30 years for some items). These Church canneries also often sell food storage items to non-church members, seeing it as both morally right and prudent to help their neighbors store food, whatever their faith. The cannery in Tennessee that was “visited” by federal agents follows that practice of helping the general public become better prepared.

On to the second post of interest. This is rumor and has not been confirmed, but where there is smoke there is usually fire. This is said to have occurred in the National Guard:

He just got home from a EDRE (emergency deployment readiness exercise) at the armory. He said that during the exercise 3 companies of infantry were polled by questionnaire about the drill and it’s purpose. One of the questions was, will you as a member of the Nat. Guard use lethal force against the American public if ordered to do so? One of the men stepped forward and refused to take the poll and explained that it was a moral judgment on his part and that he could not do so. He then placed his weapon on the ground and fell in behind the formation. Devon said it was like a waterfall, Every member laid their weapons on the deck and fell in beside the one lone specialist. This included ALL NCO’s, STAFF NCO’s and SENIOR NCO’s. The only people left in front of the original formation was 3 Capt’s. 2 Lt’s and the BN Commander who was so upset he started having chest pains from yelling and screaming about court martials and disbandment of the unit into other units.

The Specialist who first laid down his weapon was held in county jail by the Bn CMDR, awaiting a hearing under the UCMJ. He was there for a few hours and has been released. An investigation is being conducted into those who started the poll and no charges against the soldiers are being filed.

If this turns out to be true, it is very disturbing. I am gratified the soldiers behaved as they did, but why was this EVER asked of them? From Oathkeepers:

Again, this is unconfirmed, and we are working on confirming it. Please keep that in mind. But this is certainly the kind of mass, whole-unit stand-down that may well become necessary, especially in light of the treason of the US Senate, which voted 93-7 to authorize military detention and trial of U.S. citizens — claiming the power to apply the laws of war to the American people in the same way as they are used on a conquered, enemy population, like Iraq or Afghanistan. While National Guard units can, and have been used for riot control without violating their oath, we suspect that this survey was asking them about whether they would do something far worse than just keep the peace during riots. We will do our best to get to the bottom of this, and provide all details once confirmed.

If accurate, this is reminiscent of the stand-down during Katrina by SSGT Joshua May’s Utah National Guard Unit, where the whole unit let their commander know, in a peremptory refusal, that they would not participate in any gun confiscation.

The young man who originally posted this on Facebook will not be posting on it further out of respect for his friends and the fact that the military is now investigating this internally. I would really like to know for certain whether this happened or not, because if true, it is like the canary in the coalmine and baby, she’s blasting for all she’s worth if this occurred. I read the comments on this and people are upset and very concerned over it and rightly so.

There is soooo much going on that I can’t keep up with it. But I sense things are beginning to spiral out of control and next summer should be a doozy. Store food, get items to barter and buy guns and lead. Keep it to yourself and get ready for one hell of a ride. I’m sure we’ll hear much more on Feds and rumors of Feds…

Recommended Preparedness Resources:

http://www.providentliving.org/
http://www.survivalblog.com
http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com
http://www.opperationsleepinggiant.com

By: Terresa Monroe-Hamilton at the NoisyRoom

Related:

From Oath Keepers:

http://oathkeepers.org/oath/2011/12/08/oath-keepers-alert-federal-agents-demand-customer-lists-from-mormon-food-storage-facility/

http://oathkeepers.org/oath/2011/12/08/oath-keepers-receive-tip-of-national-guard-unit-stand-down-refusing-to-answer-questionaire-asking-if-they-would-use-force-against-the-american-people/

Ready for Life ‘Off the Grid’?: GBTV Launches Reality Show ‘Independence U.S.A.’

Here’s the news release:

GBTV LAUNCHES ITS FIRST REALITY SHOW- INDEPENDENCE U.S.A.

Video: Ready for Life ‘Off the Grid’?

This January 2012, Join the Belcastro Family as They Prepare for an Independent Life Off the Grid Co-Production Between GBTV and The WorkShop, L.L.C. Whose Team Has Produced Shows For History, ESPN, HGTV, Travel Channel, Lifetime, Discovery Channel and TLC, Among Others

(New York, NY December 13th, 2011) GBTV, Glenn Beck’s live streaming video network unveiled today its first reality show, Independence U.S.A. The show follows Frank Belcastro and his family as they try and become completely independent and prepare for life “off the grid.” Independence U.S.A. is being produced by GBTV and The WorkShop, L.L.C. whose team has produced shows for History, ESPN, ESPN Classic, Animal Planet, HGTV, trutv, Travel Channel, Lifetime, Discovery Channel, TLC, The Golf Channel, and Broadcast Syndication. The show will debut on January 18th 2012 and will air weekly on Wednesdays.

Concerned that the economy could collapse? Or that a natural disaster could wipe out our infrastructure? So is Frank, and he is doing something about it! Believing that America has become too reliant on a crumbling foundation, Frank is preparing his family for life “off the grid,” admiring the way people lived in the 19th century. Like them, he longs to become completely independent. So he is embarking on one project at a time hoping to prepare his family for the worst, such as building a car that runs on wood in case gasoline supplies are interrupted, becoming expert hunters when grocery stores are no longer in existence, and making his own alcohol for barter when the dollar collapses. Frank does it all with determination, intelligence, and good humor. He’ll need all that and more, as he attempts to motivate a family that neither shares his fervor nor wishes to sacrifice the comforts and conveniences of 21st century life. In the series premiere- “A Hunting We Will Go”- we meet the Belcastro’s as they set out on a journey to be a self-sufficient family. Frank wants the family to be able to hunt and kill their own food but not every one is on board. Starting with making their own weapons Frank and his son Adam really learn an appreciation for the hunt but wonder if they will succeed.

Joel Cheatwood, President of Programming at GBTV said: “Independence U.S.A. is the perfect way for GBTV to enter the reality genre and promises to be an entertaining and informative look at how one family tries to grapple with their concerns for America.”

Frank Belcastro said: “This show, for me, is a fun and sometimes funny way to get people to open their eyes and see what’s going on. Americans are so reliant on the infrastructure around them but when you can create something with your own hands and everybody works as a team, everybody does a part, you can focus on the positive of this. You can spend time with your family and your community.”

This announcement follows the recent news that GBTV signed a deal with Icebox, the innovative animation production company to jointly develop an animated comedy series. Since its launch, GBTV has already added a wide range of original programming including Liberty Tree House and the comedy news show The B.S. of A. GBTV features Glenn’s two-hour show, which is broadcast live weekdays from 5 to 7PM ET from a newly-built set designed by Glenn and his team at the iconic NEP Studios in Midtown Manhattan. The show, which will be moving to Dallas next year, features Glenn’s unique fusion of entertainment and enlightenment and includes contributors like Amy Holmes, Will Cain, S.E. Cupp and Raj Nair.

Learn More About The Belcastro Family:

Frank Belcastro
“The Man with the Plan”
A carpenter by trade, Frank’s not afraid to experiment in order to get his family one step closer to self-sufficiency but will he succeed? No idea is too big for Frank and he always sees them through. His family doesn’t always agree with him, but they’re always on his side.

Kim Belcastro
“The Skeptic”
Reluctant to accept change and always afraid of what she’s going to come home and find, Kim is always there to question Frank’s ideas. Afterall, it’s her house too and when you bring Frank’s ideas to life anything can happen!

Adam Belcastro
“The Wingman”
The youngest of the family, Adam is a local fire chief and Frank’s right hand man. No matter how crazy Frank’s idea is Adam is ready and willing to try it. Together this Father-Son team is unstoppable.

Emma Belcastro
“The Realist”
Emma is so comfortable in modern society that she doesn’t always see the point in her dad’s plans. She is always there to give Frank a hard time but at the end of the day she believes he has their best interest at heart.

About Mercury Radio Arts

Mercury Radio Arts is Glenn Beck’s fully integrated multi-media production company. Mercury produces all Glenn Beck related properties including The Glenn Beck Program, America’s third highest-rated radio show, Beck’s New York Times bestselling books, and his live stage-show business.

Mercury’s digital platforms now include GlennBeck.com, the fan portal; GBTV, the live streaming video network; Markdown.com, the e-commerce site for connecting consumers with valuable discounts; and TheBlaze.com, the News & Information network.

Founded in 2002, Mercury has a full time staff of over 100 employees and is based in New York, NY.

About The Workshop, L.L.C.

The WorkShop, L.L.C. is an independently owned production company that specializes in creating high quality professional content. Whether The WorkShop is producing a broadcast television series or a broadband “webisode” series, each client is guaranteed to work with our award winning team of professionals. This multimedia service approach allows our client to choose the distribution platform for their project and have it executed in a way that best suits their consumers. The management team at The WorkShop has produced shows for The Golf Channel, History, ESPN, ESPN Classic, Animal Planet, HGTV, trutv, Travel Channel, Lifetime, Discovery Channel, TLC, and Broadcast Syndication.

Source:  The Blaze

Apocalypse Nowish

I can’t take it any more. Did someone order an apocalypse? I know there is always one bearing down on us somewhere, but come on! Have you read the headlines lately? By Friday of last week, I was ready for a major meltdown. Looks like I wasn’t the only one:

Video on site.  Or… Here

Video on site or Here

 

Oh, how I can relate. (Massive screaming and hair pulling.) What the hell is wrong with us? Everything is upside down and backwards. Just the highlights:

1. Europe is melting down and about to fall into a black hole of debt which will draw us into the whirlpool right along with them. No one seems to really want to control their spending. It’s like the elite are paying all their crony friends, providing for themselves and knowingly bringing on the destruction of finances planet-wide. Screw the common man – they are taking the system for all it’s worth and then getting out before the implosion hits.

2. Our government — in secret — gave out 7.7 Trillion dollars worth of bailout money to banks – worldwide. Where the hell did they get it? I suspect, they just ‘digitized’ it and spread it around. It made NO difference, just forestalled the inevitable implosion. See #1 above. Say it with me: Weimar Republic.

Digitize me, Fred…

And it exploded…

3. Any time now, the Middle East is going to blow up and hello $200 a barrel for oil. It could be Iran and Israel (or Iran and us). It could be Syria. Hell, it could be Pakistan. WWIII is about to announce itself on the global stage and I’m not convinced we’ll be on the right side of the fight.

4. The minority inmates of the asylum are in control of our country, all the while claiming they are the 99%. (Really, does anyone in government look like a 99 percenter?)

5. Communism never went away… It has surged back thanks to the Progressives putting their comrades in positions of power throughout our nation. The red menace is back baby and it is within our own walls and halls, not to mention spreading across the globe again.

6. Hyperinflation is on it’s way as the world prints money trying to stave off a global depression. Never worked before, won’t work this time. Don’t these idiots ever learn?

7. Our government has gone rogue. They no longer fear having to pay for any transgressions from insider trading to falsifying testimony on things like, oh, I don’t know, running guns to Mexico. There are soooo many corrupt issues in our government these days, I just don’t even know where to start. Get rid of all of ‘em and start over.

8. Taxes, taxes, taxes…

9. Regulations out the wazoo. It’s Atlas Shrugged come to life. We literally can’t breath without violating one law or another.

10. God is being removed systematically from every part of our society. In it’s place, some of the most violent and horrific examples of barbarism are taking place right here in America and elsewhere that I have ever seen.

11. Antisemitism is raising is ghastly head once more. Those that stand against God’s chosen ones will surely fall from grace. Count on it.

12. The Constitution is being utterly ignored and circumvented by our politicians and elite Progressives on both sides of the aisle. I’ve just about had all I can take from these politicians. We must restore the original intent of the Constitution and the ideals our founders based this country on or we are toast.

And speaking of our current economic and political situation, this episode was badly written:

What’s happened to personal responsibility? What’s happened to independence and innovation? Where are morals and ethics any more? Maybe they are all still there, it’s just that the minority is in control and they have the morals of an alley cat and the ethics of, well, a politician. In fact, many of them are politicians. Isn’t it time America put people of character back in control of our homeland? Isn’t it time for the majority to say that’s enough, we aren’t going to take this crap any more? I really, really think so.

Can you blame people for panicking? Can you blame them for storing food, paying off debt and moving to a state that has some sanity left? Gun sales are the highest they have ever been and I personally believe that it has everything to do with what is happening in our country and worldwide today. No longer are survivalists being called crazy, everyone is at least attempting to prep. I’d say if you just read the headlines, you can’t help but think things are trending darkly – Apocalypse Nowish.

By: Terresa Monroe-Hamilton – the NoisyRoom

“The List” - What Can You Do to Prepare?

Brace for Impact and Please Take Some Time to Read This and Watch the GBTV Special

Thursday, Oct 13, 2011 at 5:43 PM EDT

Glenn explained on his Thursday 10.13.11 show on GBTV what you can do to prepare for for economic collapse… or for a natural disaster for that matter. What he believes is that we are approaching very difficult times.  (He had Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad Poor Dad fame on as a guest last week and Kioysoki believes the same as Beck, just if one can imagine, even more so. He and Donald Trump just wrote a new book called the Midas Touch and in a recent Newsweek article they warned that real unemployment is near depression era levels. And you can go through the list including Gerald Caliente, Bob Livingston etc. etc. are all saying the same thing). This list that he sent to his family and his producers is in raw form and was covered in detail on the show. You can tune in to catch this special for free by signing up for a two week free trial! It IS now available on demand.

Beck started out showing pictures of all the world leaders who are warning about the coming collapse now. It was pretty much all of them. They are all saying it in one way or another. That means a Global Economic Collapse... We'll wake up in the 1800's one morning, like it or not. Prepare the best you can while you still can. It could happen any day. If we are lucky it will be a year or two years off, if we are unlucky it could be tomorrow

One thing he didn't add to the list was Bandages and Medicines for humans and animals as well as animal feed (pet food). I added some verbiage in blue that he said in the video (I took notes) that was edited for posting on the site. It's a lot but the important thing is to start somewhere. Buy the B1G1 band-aids the next time they're on sale and stock up. Use coupons and you'll save a lot more. His list was interspersed with lots of preps for your mindset. There are many other lists on the 'net and in books of "stuff" you'll need. I look around and see what I use every day or need in sickness or emergency and buy extra. As for "money" it is now recommended that you have enough gold or sliver to pay your taxes for several years. Your IRA's, Mutuals, Savings and 401k's will be worthless when the dollar tanks. Get out of paper dollars. Pay off your house and car if you can. 

I know for some of you that this email is going out to are way on top  but I encourage you to at least look at Glenn's list and some of the other information here and ponder the possibility. It might change your mindset. Glenn says he didn't really write it - it just came to him to write (divinely implied).  Beck, like Robert Kiyosaki, both say the timing (when this will happen) is often wrong, but their accuracy

Here's the link to Beck’s list online. It is posted below with some updates from my notes and a few highlights and related links.

THE LIST

BUY FARM LAND  -  (BUY A HOUSE INSTEAD OF RENTING)  IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN

• GROW YOUR OWN FOOD
• LIVE NEAR PEOPLE AND BEGIN TO MAKE ALLIANCES OF SKILLS (BARTER)
• LIVE NEAR FARM LAND IF YOU DON’T OWN ANY THE LAND MUST HAVE WATER!

ELECTRONICS FREE

• MAKE PAPER COPIES OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
  KNOW WHERE YOUR DEEDS ARE AND TAKE THEM FOR EMERGENCY
• PRINT OUT PHOTOS THAT MEAN SOMETHING TO YOU AND FOR POSTERITY
  (RUSSIAN GANGS OR THE EQUIVELANT WILL MOVE INTO YOUR HOUSE IN THIS TYPE OF A DISASTER.  ILLEGAL TYPE HOMESTEADING HAS ALREADY STARTED ALL OVER AMERICA.)

COLLEGE/SCHOOL

APPRENTICESHIPS ARE THE FUTURE.
DISCUSS THE VALUE OF SCHOOL FOR WHAT YOU CAN EARN.
DO NOT LOOK FOR LABELS THEY WILL BECOME MEANINGLESS (YALE, HARVARD…)
FIND OTHER FORMS OF SCHOOL. ON LINE.
TEACH YOUNG CHILDREN NOW THAT COLLEGE IS NOT A GIVEN
DEMAND MERIT FROM SCHOOL AND STUDENT OR PULL YOUR TIME/ $
EDUCATE YOURSELF AT ALL TIMES. ALWAYS READ.
HAVE A HARD COPY OF IMPORTANT BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS
LEARN OLD AND OR LOST PRACTICES.
MENDING/CANNING/FARMING
LEARN TO FIX AN ENGINE
RE-LEARN READING A MAP
KNOW THE NEWS. LIFE CAN CHANGE QUICKLY.
BE ABLE TO DEFEND YOUR POSITIONS BY KNOWING THE OTHER SIDE

TRADITIONS
'PRESERVE’ WHAT IS IMPORTANT. SHED ALL OTHERS. CONSERVE AND
PRESERVE. RECLAIM AND RESTORE.  (HAVE PRINTS OF VALUE DOCUMENTS AND PHOTOS)

MONEY
GOLD, FOOD, CIGARETTES, LIQUOR, SUGAR, AMMUNITION, GUNS, SEEDS,
SKILLS (BARTER) KNOWLEDGE
HAVE 30 DAYS CASH ON HAND
BUY A HOUSE
STOP ALL EXCESS SPENDING. BUY QUALITY ONLY. FORGET FASHION ONLY
MEASURE TWICE – CUT ONCE. DO NOT WASTE.
CONSIDER A FUEL EFFICIENT – SUV/TRUCK/CAMPER
CONSIDER SOMETHING PRIOR TO 1979 FIX YOURSELF

LOCATION
LIVE NEAR LIKE MINDED PEOPLE. TEXAS, THE MOUNTAINS OR WHERE GOD STILL PLAYS A ROLE IN REAL LIFE
IF YOU CANNOT MOVE IT MEANS YOU ARE WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE (NO PLACE WILL BE UNTOUCHED) CREATE A NETWORK

BUSINESS/WORK
BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE. BE THE ONE EMPLOYEE NO ONE CAN FIRE
SMALL BIZ – BE THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE NO ONE CAN CANCEL
CONSERVE AND PRESERVE
LEARN FROM THE DEPRESSION 
ADVERTISE WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS: CHEVOLET
STAY IN BUSINESS BUT DOWNSIZE AND PRESERVE (ARCH)
HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND CHARITY.

BE GEORGE BAILEY
SPIT YOURSELF OUT OF THE SYSTEM. TURN UPSIDE DOWN NOW
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR HEART IS
DO BUSINESS IN SYMBIOTIC WAYS – WE NEED EACH OTHER
DO NOT TRY TO PUT OTHERS OUT OF BUSINESS, LET THEM DO IT.
GIMBLES VS MACYS EXAMPLE
NEVER BE THE SMARTEST MAN IN THE ROOM
TAKE CARE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES THE BEST YOU CAN.
TAKE LESS AND GIVE MORE
READ FRANKLIN AND WASHINGTON

LIFE
DO NOT PLAN YOUR LIFE AND THEN MOVE. PLAN, LISTEN AND OBEY
PRACTICE AT LEAST FRANKLINS AMERICAN RELIGION
SERVE
HONOR ALL OF YOUR OBLIGATIONS
PRESERVE – FOOD, TIME, MONEY, ENERGY
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THE BASICS. VALUES/PRINCIPLES

DO WITH LESS NOW. WILL BE LESS OF A SHOCK IF IT COMES LATER
SERVE/SHARE
JOIN A 9.12 GROUP. LINK ON LINE. EXCHANGE PHONE #’S AND LOCATIONS
HAVE A MEETING PLACE ESTABLISHED FOR FAMILY AND OR FRIENDS  
READ THE BIBLE DAILY
HAVE A GUN (AND AMMO) AND KNOW HOW TO SHOOT IT. (LEARN ABOUT ALTERNATE WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AS WELL)
RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES THAT ARE HOLDING YOU BACK (WE ALL HAVE THEM)
STOP ALL BEHAVIOR THAT DOES NOT EXPAND YOU OR OTHERS INTO GOOD
MAKE AMENDS FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE
FIND PEACE AND GET TO WORK
TEACH CHILDREN WORK ETHIC
TOLERATE NOTHING THAT YOU FEEL IS WRONG BY REMAINING SILENT
LET YOUR CHILDREN SEE YOU STAND (FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND YOU BELIEVE IN)
BE HONORABLE IN “ALL” OF YOUR DEALINGS
UNDERSTAND THAT ANGER IS A PART OF LIFE BUT NEVER FEED IT
THE FIRST LOOK IS NOT A PROBLEM. IT IS THE SECOND LOOK.
NEVER BE THE BEST MAN/WOMAN IN THE ROOM.
BE HAPPY AND OPTIMISTIC. LIFE WILL GO ON. MAKE PLANS FOR THE
FUTURE. GET MARRIED. HAVE CHILDREN.

SING SONGS… PASS ON YOUR STORIES AND TRADITIONS

Life as we have known it is changing… has already changed in many ways and will continuing changing.  America’s golden years are past and won’t be returning in our life times!

See: Check List For Hard Times

110 BARTER ITEMS

1.Coffee 2.Sugar 3.Salt 4.Pepper 5.Hard candy 6.Paperback Bibles 7.Kitchen Matches 8.Needles and sewing items 9.Nylon cord 10.Duct tape 11.Cigarettes 12.Pencils, paper,note pads 13.Toilet paper 14.Tooth paste 15.Soap 16.Rubbing alcohol 17.Peroxide 18.Aspirin 19.Baking soda 20.tooth brushes 21.Reading glasses 22.Liquor 23.Socks 24.Tarps 25.Tools for gardening 26.Condoms 27.Wooden matches 28.Skills 29.Hand Tools 30.Boyscout Manual 31.22.LR ammunition32.12-gauge shot shells 33.Water Filters 34.Firewood 35.Coleman Fuel 36.Knives 37.Manual Can Openers 38.Vegetable Oil (for cooking) 39.Lighter Fluid 40.Charcoal 41.Diapers 42.Washboard 43.Vitamins 44.Tampons 45.Thermal Underwear 46.Aluminum Foil 47.Garbage Bags 48.Paper Towels49.Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) 50.Clothes Pins 51.Fishing Line 52.Fish Hooks 53.First Aid Kits 54.Batteries 55.Spices 56.Solar Calculators 57.Belts 58.Flashlights 59.Lightsticks 60.Garbage Cans 61.Dental Floss 63. Clothesline 64.Mosquito Repellent 65.Duct Tape 66.Rope67.Candles 68.Sewing Supplies 69.Non Scented Bleach 70.Canning Jars and Lids 71.Knives 72.Sharpening Stones 73.Bicycle Tire Tubes 74.Bicycle Chains 75.Air Pump (don’t trade the pump trade the air) 78.Board Games 79.Playing Cards 80.Mousetraps 81.Baby Wipes 82.Razors 83.Tang 84.Gloves 85.Underwear 86.Glue 89.Broad Brim Hats 90.Files 91.Pad-Locks 92.Laundry Detergent 93.Kerosene 94.Tea95.Axes 96.Slingshots 97.Binoculars 98.Disposable Lighters 99.Magnesium fire starters 100.Plastic sheeting 101.Over The Counter Medications102. Suncreen 103. Sunglasses 104.Paperback Books 105.Pet Collars, Leashes or Harnesses 106.Food Items 107.Plastic Containers of all sizes 108.Toilet Paper 109.Survival Manuals 110. Small Toys

Water Tips:

You can still find good used (food grade) 55 gallon plastic blue drums (cheep) for water storage. Just remember to clean it out real good before you fill them and remember to put the 1/3 cup regular bleach in it before you cap it up. This will store for 6 months or longer. Remember to have plenty of small (2 gallon) plastic buckets to retrieve water from lakes and pour into the (5 gallon buckets with lids) that you already have sitting in your pull kiddy wagon. That way when you run out-- you are good go a long distance for water if you have too... And you can use the buckets to flush your toilets when the power goes out...

12-Months of Prepping, One Month at a Time

Personal Preparedness, The Leibowitz Society, Coming Collapse and how long things will last…

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FEMA: Include Pets in Your Preparedness

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Survival and Self-Sufficiency Tips

Go to www.gbtv.com sign up for free trial today and watch THURS 10/13  NOW!  FIRST half HOUR if NOTHING ELSE… You must see Jesse Jackson call for Obama to go around Congress and Obama joke about!

Going around Congress and Ruling by Executive Order and Edicts!  THIS IS NO JOKE!!!

Related:

Well… We All Knew This Was Coming:  EXECUTIVE DICTATORSHIP POWERS

And How About the Natural Disaster Predictions – Click here to read the time sensitive predictions made on the fate of the US in 2012...  -   Worth the Watch (It is an ad but the explanation that comes with it, is interesting!)

Frightening!! DOJ: Feds Can Tell Church WHO Its Ministers Will Be

The Stethoscope – Watch Video: You Will Be Pleasantly  Surprised

Video: ‘Rollover’ Movie (1981), predicts frightening worldwide currency crisis!

12 Months of Prepping, One Month at a Time

Last week Glenn Beck had wealth coach, author and investor Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad Poor Dad fame as a guest on his new network GBTV show. It was enlightening, frightening and a call to action. Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump just wrote a new book called the Midas Touch and in a recent Newsweek article they warned that real unemployment is near depression era levels.

The interview with Beck, left even Glenn a bit speechless. Robert Kiyosaki admitted that he is a huge fan of Glenn Beck’s and not only agrees with him on just about everything, but was even more gloom and doom than Beck on America’s future.  It really was the first time I’d seen Beck a bit speechless.

Kiyosaki is an absolute believer in preparedness and the 5-Gs:  Grub and Water, Gas, Gold and Silver (or things you can trade for), Guns and Ammo, Ground (Property) and of course Beck would add God, making it the 6-Gs.  When Glenn asked him if you had nothing in place where should someone start he responded, “With the Grub, Food!”

Kiyosaki and Beck both said they hoped they were wrong, but Kiyosaki said he thought this was going to be the greatest depression ever, it could be worldwide and predicted there would be violence.

Beck is doing a special on this Thursday 10.13.11 at 5p.m. on GBTV (also available afterward on Demand) on his solution.  He urges everyone to sign up at GBTV.com so you can watch the show… the first two weeks are free so you can cancel before having to pay if you decide it is not for you.

Gaye Levy, Contributing Writer  -  Activist Post

Once the prepping bug hits, it is easy to want to go for it.  You know what I mean:  Let’s do it and let’s do it all Right Now!

There are some problems with this.  First there are time constraints, and second there are money and budget issues.  But the biggest problem and undoubtedly the one that is overlooked in the initial flurry of readiness preparations, is that without reasonable care and thought given to the process, the tasks and the actual products involved, you can make some costly mistakes.  I say this from experience.  In my haste to get “stocked up” I bought gear that I don’t like and will never use.  I purchased foodstuffs I will never eat.  Stupid stupid stupid of me.  I should have taken my time, done my research, and made a well thought out and educated decision before I even got started.

Today I would like to help you break down the overwhelming task of emergency preparation by providing you with a month-by-month calendar of things to do, tasks to complete and items to purchase.  For the newbies, this gives you a manageable number of things to do in a short period of time.  Instead of looking at a task list 10 pages long, you have a short list that is eminently doable in 30 days or less.

And for the more experienced prepper?  You can start with month #1, look at the activities and tasks involved and fill in any gaps you may have in your own preparation.  In some cases you may see a need to update or rotate what you have on hand and in others, you may find the need to practice a particular skill.

I love lists.  So bear with me as I present a readiness calendar to guide your through twelve months of prepping.  Hopefully you will find that one month’s work is not too costly, not too time-consuming and not too difficult.  The most difficult part as I see it will be getting off your bum and starting.  So let’s do it!

MONTH 1

SUPPLIES & GEAR:

• Water-3 gallons per person and per pet
• Hand-operated can opener and bottle opener
• Canned meat, stew, or pasta meals – 5 per person
• 2 flashlights with batteries

TASKS:

• Inventory the disaster supplies you already have on hand, including your camping gear
• If you fill your own water containers, mark them with the date they were filled
• Date cans of food and food containers if you have not already done so

MONTH 2

SUPPLIES & GEAR:

• Canned vegetables – 4 per person
• Toilet paper – 3 rolls per person
• Sanitary napkins – 2 months’ supply
• Instant drinks (coffee, tea, powdered soft drinks)
• Family sized first aid kit

TASKS:

• Change the batteries  and test your smoke detectors.  Purchase and install smoke detectors if you don’t have them
• Make an inventory of home contents for insurance purposes. Take photographs (digital are easiest) of your house and contents. Store a copy away from your home.

We will protect your privacy...guaranteed!

MONTH 3

SUPPLIES & GEAR:

• Canned fruits – 3 cans per person
• Any foods for special dietary needs (enough for 3 days)
• A large plastic tub or bin for storage of food and other emergency supplies.

TASKS:

• Conduct a home fire drill
• Locate the gas meter and water shutoff points and attach/store a wrench or shutoff tool near them.  Also store special shutoff instruction, if any.
• Establish and out-of-state contact to call in case of an emergency
• Identify a location for your storage of plastic bin or tub.

MONTH 4

SUPPLIES & GEAR:

• Extra baby bottles, formula and diapers if needed
• Extra pet supplies; food, collar, leash, etc.
• A stash of at least $100 in small bills – more if  you can afford it
• Begin to stockpile extra supplies of critical prescription medications. Talk to your pharmacist for help in making this happen.

TASKS:

• Place a supply of prescription medicine(s) in a storage container and date the medicine(s) if not already indicated on its label
• Start putting supplies in storage container(s) and include blankets or sleeping bags for each family member

MONTH 5

SUPPLIES & GEAR:

• Canned, ready-to-eat soup – 4 per person
• Liquid dish soap
• Plain liquid bleach
• Portable am/FM radio with batteries
• Liquid hand soap and hand sanitizer
• Disposable hand wipes
• Disposable latex or nutile gloves

TASKS:

• Make two photocopies of important papers and put one in the storage container, and one away from your home.
• Talk with neighbors about organizing a neighborhood preparedness group.

MONTH 6

SUPPLIES & GEAR:

• Box of granola or power bars – 1 per person
• 6 rolls of paper towels
• Box of N-95 or N-100 face masks – 1 per person.

TASKS:

• Check to see if stored water has expired and needs to be replaced
• Put an extra pair of eyeglasses in the supply container
• Find out about your workplace disaster plans and the disaster plans at your children’s schools

Food Storage
Freeze Dried Food
Dehydrated Food
MRE
Survival Kits
Water Storage
Mountain House Food
MRE Meals
Emergency Supplies
Emergency Preparedness

MONTH 7

SUPPLIES & GEAR:

• NOAA Alert Weather Radio
• ABC fire extinguisher
• Jug of juice – 1 per person
• Adult and children’s vitamins
• A pair of pliers and/or vise grip
• 100 feet of rope or paracord

TASKS:

• Take a first aid/CPR class
• Show family members where and how to shut off utilities

MONTH 8

SUPPLIES & GEAR:

• Box of crackers or graham crackers – 1 per person
• Dry cereal or instant oatmeal – 1 weeks’ worth per person
• 1 box of large, heavy-duty garbage bags

TASKS:

• Make a small preparedness kit for your car. Include food, water, blanket, small first aid kit, a list of important phone numbers
• Secure water heaters to wall studs (if not already done)

MONTH 9

SUPPLIES & GEAR:

• Extra batteries for flashlights, radio and hearing aids (if needed)
• Duct tape
• Add an additional 3 days of water to your supply per person and per pet

TASKS:

• Follow up on efforts to organize your neighborhood
• Conduct an earthquake drill at home: stop, drop and hold, then go outside. (Remember, and earthquake can happen anywhere as recent events have demonstrated.)
• Replace prescription medicines as required by expiration dates

MONTH 10

SUPPLIES & GEAR:

• Take the month off from purchases. Yay!

TASKS:

• Secure shelves, cabinets and drawers to prevent them from falling and/or opening during earthquakes
• Imagine your house with no electricity. What more do you need?

MONTH 11

SUPPLIES & GEAR:

• Package of paper plates
• Package of napkins
• Package of eating utensils
• Package of paper cups

TASKS:

• Exchange work, home and emergency contact phone numbers with neighbors for use during an emergency

MONTH 12

SUPPLIES & GEAR:

• Heavy work gloves
• Begin to try to expand your food supply to twice of what you have on hand right now. Continue with this effort into coming 12 months.

TASKS:

• Check to see if your stored food and water needs to be replaced.

MONTH 13

Congratulations.  You have completed your year of preparations.  Now is a good time to go back to month 1 and review, replenish, rotate and drill.  Good job!

The Final Word

Once a month for the next twelve months I will feature an article devoted exclusively to the monthly tasks at hand, including suggested activities, recommended purchases, viable alternatives, budget saving strategies and references to more reading material.  Sometime I may deviate from the list a bit and other times I may enhance it.
The final word for today is this:

Emergency preparation is your journey and should be unique to your circumstances, your family, your geographical location and your financial resources.  Yes, it can be a chore.  But as I have said before, it should be a chore with a happy ending.

Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!

Gaye Levy, the SurvivalWoman, grew up and attended school in the Greater Seattle area. After spending many years as an executive in the software industry, she started a specialized accounting practice offering contract CFO work to emerging high tech and service industries. She has now abandoned city life and moved to a serenely beautiful rural area on an island in NW Washington State. She lives and teaches the principles of a sustainable, self-reliant and stylish lifestyle through emergency preparation and disaster planning through her website at BackdoorSurvival.com. SurvivalWoman speaks her mind and delivers her message with optimism and grace, regardless of mayhem swirling around us. Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!

Ask Marion~

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Personal Preparedness, The Leibowitz Society, Coming Collapse and how long things will last…

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FEMA: Include Pets in Your Preparedness

Handwriting on Wall: Texas Walmart Posts Food Shortage Signs in Store Window

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Handwriting On Wall: Texas Walmart Posts Food Shortage Signs In Store Window

Video:  Wal-mart admits to a National food shortage

Older:
July 28, 2011
2011 ~ WAL MART WARNING ~ *Expect Higher Food Price's August & September* ~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Mh_1mwQ3k&feature=player_embedded
July 22, 2011
Suburban preppers HUGE stockpile of food
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKS6Kj6MgSI&feature=player_embedded
March 27, 2011
Glenn Beck: Prepare For What is Coming - Food Prices on the Rise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMrokh7jBT8&feature=player_embedded
March 27, 2011
Massive Food Shortage 2011 - FOX NEWS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NJfjpu5oAU&feature=player_embedded
Dec. 30, 2010
Economic Collapse Survival Checklist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUJJDnciips&feature=player_embedded
Nov 9, 2010
Glenn Beck-Food Prices Will Rise 700% to 1000% or more in 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_VFGMnpKo&feature=player_embedded
Sept 23, 2010
MORE AMERICANS LIVING IN RV'S, DUMPING HUMAN WASTE 9-23-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ONi97srqdQ&feature=player_embedded
Sept 23, 2010
Prepare SHTF Beginning 2011 ! Wake Up Everyone , Get Ready !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SDO1QZzpqQ&feature=player_embedded
Sept. 22, 2010
DONALD TRUMP: "RICH PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE COUNTRY" 9-22-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKHyLNvZwpI&feature=player_embedded
August 1, 2010
The Coming Economic Implosion - It's a Set-Up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7QWA0g6vXM&feature=player_embedded

Personal Preparedness, The Leibowitz Society, Coming Collapse and how long things will last…

The Leibowitz Society - coming collapse...how long things will last…

The Leibowitz Society - This is the official blog of the Leibowitz Society, a loose-knit group of like minded people who foresee the coming collapse of human civilization and want to preserve as much knowledge as possible for when the time comes to rebuild in the future. There is no membership requirement, nothing to do but read, discuss and start putting aside knowledge in preparation for the next Dark Age.

To Prep or Not to Prep?

The posts which have received the most comments on the blog have been centered around "prepping" and the speed at which we expect collapse to occur, if we expect it to occur at all.  Prepping has long been a staple of the idea of personal survival, even if it hasn't always occurred in the framework of a breakdown of modern civilization.  After all, what's a root cellar but a means of putting food aside for when it might not be available in the future?

Prepping, itself, is just a modern, reasonable, interpretation of "storing up for winter," expect that we're storing up for when there's nothing left on grocery shelves and never will be left again.
The attitudes around it, either favoring prepping, or dismissing it, seem to really reflect our own personal views of how we think the course of civilization is most likely to proceed.  Logically, this makes a lot of sense.  If we think that we'll see a gradual decline, why would we spend a lot of time and effort on acquiring supplies that would likely never get used, when we could still obtain what we needed?  Likewise, if we expect that the bottom could fall out from things overnight, we would want to have all we would potentially need because we would think that we could not acquire it again.

Logic tends to point to this being the safer route.  The assumption has always been the collapse of industrial civilization through attrition of resources as being the most likely form of collapse, to the point where looking at anything else becomes somewhat "heretical."  The idea of a gradually decreasing slope on a curve of resource availability and industrial activity is just there to keep people from getting too nervous about the contraction.  The reality is that a best-fit isn't going to reflect what is most likely to happen -- a chaotic curve of fits and starts as we see pockets of collapse appear, followed by desperate human activity to try to restore some sense of normalcy (the "bailouts" in the past few years as evidence of this).  For a casual observer, that would be a blip on the radar, but for the person living through a food riot, it would be very real.

Collapse through de-industrialization would proceed in fits and starts, but what about a more sudden and profound sort of collapse?  A pandemic, resulting from the bird flu or somesuch, would be devastating and would quickly spell the end for our complex systems as people would not be able to maintain them.  War of some sort is always a specter waiting in the wings.  The poles shifting, pick something.  If we look at things from a mathematical perspective, the odds that there will be a civilization-ending event are almost certain, given enough time.

In the end, I think a reasonable case can be made for erring on the side of having more goods set aside, than not.  In a sense, this is a companion to Pascal's wager -- instead of dealing with the existence of God, we're dealing with the possibility of collapse.  Does it make more sense to prepare for a collapse that may not come within our lifetime or does it make more sense to assume it won't occur and then be left with only hoping that it doesn't?

I drew up the following list as an intellectual exercise to try to figure out how long things would last following a complete collapse, based on general expiration dates. Obviously, it's not complete, and these are just rough estimates. But, it's interesting to still think this through in terms of a generational exercise. If we accept the core principle behind the Leibowitz Society -- long term storage of knowledge -- then we also should accept the idea that the preparations we've made for ourselves to get through the coming collapse are also likely to be used by our descendants, and we should plan accordingly for them, too. Also… knowledge must be saved in the form or printed books and materials… printed photos… tangible things… art, crafts, etc. Everything you own that is electronic or digital could be lost if we really go into a dark age. *Consider going back to a film camera, have your photos printed and have negatives to save for posterity.

2 years:
Canned foods, medicines, seeds

5 years:
Gasoline, diesel, kerosene
Batteries (dry and wet cell, lipo)
Paint
Soap
Elastic
Non-leather shoes
Pens and ink

20 years:
Modern roofs, acidic paper

20-40 years:
Ammunition, preserved foods

50 years:
Metal tools

100 years:
Wooden furniture, wine, distilled liquor, firearms

While not inclusive, it would be interesting to hear of examples of people setting things aside for the long term, or if they can think of prepping supplies which don't have long shelf lives and or will be used up quickly and people will have to find substitutes for them.

Video: ‘Rollover’ Movie (1981), predicts frightening worldwide currency crisis!

Dramatic scene from the Movie "Rollover" (1981). A frightening worldwide currency crisis we should be prepared for in our lifetimes. The Dollar has lost 95% of it's value since the inception of The Federal Reserve system in 1913.

Preparedness Checklist for Hard Times

by Terence Gillespie - Contributor Marion Algier

(Editors note: Originally published at lewrockwell.com, this list supplements the Top 101 Things You Will Want In A Disaster Survival Situation)

As we approach what many say will be the “Greatest Depression” I was inspired to combine lists into items needed in hard times. What follows is a list of lists covering areas that sustain the average family.

Most U.S. families have no such checklist. Good times, as far as we can remember, don’t inspire planning for hard times. We’ve been immune from such worries for 65 years since the end of World War II. The average historical memory is probably only 20–30 years.

That lack of historical perspective is a handicap against what is currently happening to the U.S. economy. And, the U.S. is exporting their worst problems to the rest of the world. Ironically, “other” countries are facing hard times now, before the U.S.

My interest in optimizing all things leads me to prepare for good times and bad. I’m a natural optimist and believe that our Creator gave us the ability to overcome all obstacles. Checklists like this are proof of that ability. It was wise, not pessimistic of the Biblical Joseph to store seven years of grain before the famine.

To optimize one must first be thorough. When it comes to preparing for hard times that means making a thorough checklist. You may not have to purchase, store or do every item on the checklist. But, there’s many benefits to making one.

If your family could check off all the items on this list as either done,not applicable or have access to then you’ll be doing far better than average even in good times.

Benefits of The Checklist, Itself

Just making your own version of this checklist leaves you mindful of the many tools and things that sustain us. It may even point out some weaknesses you haven’t yet addressed or thought about.

Another benefit is realizing we don’t need to own everything on the list. Simple access to many items is fine, and sometimes better, than ownership. That’s where friends and community come into play: We trade and share to make life easier and to be smarter. Being more smart with what we have leads to needing less things to begin with.

Guideline:

1. You need them, anyway, so nothing goes to waste.
2. Buy them now, while they’re available.
3. Buy them before inflation raises their price (And your boss doesn’t raise your wages).
4. Get bulk discounts.
5. Less trips to the store is more efficient.
6. The cost of not having essentials is a “high price” to pay.
7. Thinking through this checklist tends to optimize your household which leads to needing less things.
8. Awareness of essentials gets your mind spinning on creative ways to obtain them.

You might say this is a good list for good times. And it’s a great list for hard times.

Gold, Guns, Groceries and God in Reverse

Gold comes last, not first.

“Before you buy gold, buy what you’ll need the gold for.”

We still have division of labor. That makes everything needed in hard times available for purchase now. If we get to a time when gold is needed to survive many essentials won’t be available at any price. Distribution channels for things that are available will be crippled. That will make their price rise even in gold terms.

By the way, have you seen the price of gold, lately? With one ounce in your pocket who will be able to make change for $1000 when you need milk and eggs at the store? It may be time to learn what our ancestors knew: Gold is for kings and Silver is for people.

The Checklist

Making this list forced me to recognize my limitations. As much as I value self-reliance being the sole provider of every item would be hard, if not impossible. For any truly hard times I’d want my family and friends around, at least. Any kind of optimal living, however, would need to go beyond that. That’s why I recommend adding one of the most urgent and crucial items onto your list in the ‘personal’ section: “Find people you can trust.”

Medical & Health

• hydrogen peroxide
• alcohol for sterilization
• Vitamins / Minerals / Herbs  (Protein Powder)
• Bandages
• hot water bottles
• Ice packs
• sterile pads
• slings/splints or raw material to make them
• tweezers
• hemostats
• sutures and needles
• clamps
• stethoscopes
• blood-pressure cuffs
• thermometers
• scalpels and blades
• non-disposable syringes and needles
• wound cleaning syringes
• Iodine
• Imodium
• anti-histamine
• aloe
• Mercurochrome
• Betadine
• “Bag Balm” (an antiseptic lotion)
• dental floss
• baking soda, instead of toothpaste
• Personal medications
• Augmentin / general antibiotics
• Get dental work up to date
• Painkillers, aspirin
• Anti-fungal spray
• DIY Dentistry kits (Oil of cloves, temporary filling kit, extraction tools)
• burn treatment supplies
• minor surgery kit (inexpensive Pakistani stainless steel instruments)

Water

• Install Whole House Water Filter (Chlorine)
• Install three-stage water filter under sink for drinking water
• Atmospheric Water Generator/Filter for water from the sky
• Rainwater catch from roof
• House downspout (Redirected with sheet metal into barrels)
• Water Containers for rainwater
• Clorox hypochlorite bleach for sterilization
• Berkley Water filters for rainwater/travel/car
• Water containers for car
• Water containers for barter
• Dig a well
• Install a cistern

Food

• Choose & Order 6-month supply of Freeze Dried food for entire family
• See Water section for rehydrating freeze dried food
• Decide on Storage Solution (Freeze dried makes that much easier)
• Purchase containers to store the food
• Designate cool & dry space for food storage
• Purchase DVD canning instructions
• Consider supplementing Freeze Dried storage with:
• Cereal
• Crackers
• Canned goods
• tuna
• salmon
• fruit
• vegetables
• soup
• chili
• milk – evaporated
• beans
• rice
• peanut butter
• popcorn
• Dried pasta
• olive oil
• coconut oil – Best for long term storage
• coffee or tea
• beer
• wine
• whiskey
• pet food
• protein bars
• baby food/formula
• spices (Makes all other list items taste better)
• salt – sea salt and some iodized
• seeds if you have land, water and ability to plant them
• if possible put in a garden now and begin canning

Food Preparation

• backup stove – BBQ Grill or portable Colemen or the like
• fuel for backup stove – 6 propane tanks, Sterno, white gas
• Grain mill if using flour or require grain grinding
• pots, pans, utensils, dishes
• paper towels
• Mylar bags
• Aluminum foil – Heavy (Can also be used for barter)
• Wax Paper
• pots and pans
• buckets
• mops
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• metal mixing bowls
• baking sheets
• roasting pans
• cleaning brushes
• canning jars with seals and lids
• baby food jars (excellent for storage)
• thermos bottles
• can openers
• potato peelers
• spray bottles

Hygiene/Sanitation

• Toilet Paper
• Paper Towels
• Razors
• Toothbrushes
• toothpaste
• lotions
• Soap (hand, dish, laundry, cleansers)
• Shampoo
• Hairbrush
• Ladies’ supplies
• Toothpaste (or powder)
• Floss
• Q-tips
• Sunscreen

House

• Electricity Generator
• call local utility company regarding solar panels
• decide on which source of fuel (gasoline, diesel, natural gas/propane)
• prepare city approval plans
• decide on contractor or self-install
• Consider only installing transfer switch and renting during emergency
• install generator
• test generator
• house inventory of tools and box contents
• garage sale items
• sort out what needs to be stored
• sort out what needs to be sold
• inventory box contents
• decide on storage for box contents
• Decide on barter storage space
• store barter items
• pellets for winter
• firewood
• LED lights for all rooms in the house
• lighters

Tools

• Socket sets
• pocket multi-tools
• wrench sets
• drill bits
• chisels (wood and metal working)
• files
• Allen wrenches
• screwdrivers
• driver bits (with manual drivers)
• cutters (side-cutters, end-cutters, snips)
• clamps
• hammers (of all sizes)
• pry-bars
• shovels
• rakes (the heavy gardening type)
• handsaws (hacksaws, crosscuts, etc.)
• axes
• oil
• grease
• WD-40
• graphite grease
• Gardening tools
• Auto mechanics tools
• Welding
• Bolt cutters
• Woodworking tools
• Gunsmithing tools
• work gloves
• wire of various gauges
• duct tape
• chain
• nails
• nuts and bolts
• weather stripping
• glue

Security

• Alarm System (Connected via wireless cell, not landline phone)
• Connect alarm system to smoke detectors
• 3rd-Party (ICE) contact for separated family members
• Handgun
• Shotgun
• Rifle
• Ammunition
• Magazines, speed loaders
• Gun cleaning kit
• Spare parts for all gun tools
• Gun Safe(s)
• DuraCoat
• Bullet making equipment
• eye and ear protection
• carrying cases
• bullet proof vests for all family members (even the pets)
• Many people are again building bomb or evacuation shelters and panic rooms with supplies

Firefighting

• Fire Extinguishers
• Upgrade to a metal roof?
• Clear brush around house
• 2″ water line from your gravity-fed storage tank (to provide large water volume for firefighting)
• Fire fighting rig with an adjustable stream/mist head.
• Smoke and CO Detectors

Business & Finance

• decide now on computer and hardware upgrades
• decide now on software upgrades
• Pay all vendors as far in advance as they will accept
• Pay all subscriptions (internet, software upgrades, etc.) in advance
• Pay all service providers in advance
• Pay off all high-interest loans within reason
• Keep money in a range of currencies or gold/silver
• Reduce exposure to US Dollar as much as feasible
• Consider 2nd backup business if primary is vulnerable
• Read The Hyperinflation Survival Guide: Strategies for American Businesses(Paperback)
• Spare copy of all crucial documents

Barter

• Water (From ecoloblue generator)
• Eggs (Freeze dried)
• Milk (Freeze dried)
• Salt
• Silver
• Gold
• Cooking spices
• Ammunition (9mm, .38, ,.357, .40, .45 ACP, .44 Mag, .223, .308)
• Rope
• Candles
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Whiskey
• Meds

Personal

• Make separate list for everyone in house
• Prescription and nonprescription medications
• Spare copy of all crucial documents
• Backup eyeglasses
• Backup reading glasses
• sunglasses
• Keep dentistry up to date
• Any elective surgery that you’ve been postponing
• Work off that gut
• Stay in shape
• Find people you can trust

Clothing

• jeans
• belts
• warm durable jackets
• wool sweaters
• wool work clothes
• T-shirts
• Jean shirts
• underwear
• work gloves
• boots
• sneakers
• sandals
• baseball caps
• hats for sun protection
• Web gear/Bullet proof vests?
• towels
• leashes and harnesses for pets

Books

• Bible or Spiritual Book
• Physician’s desk Reference (PDR) & or PDR for Herbal Medicines
• Gray’s Anatomy (not the TV show)
• The Holistic Health Guide Natural Care for the Whole Dog /Dog and Cat
• Carla Emery’s The Encyclopedia of Country Living
• A Patriot's History of the United States...
• The United States of America (Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc) and The Original Argument
• Favorite novels or non-fiction works
• Survival Handbooks
• How Things Work type books
• Recipes
• a Few Valuable Personal/Family Photo Prints or Albums, Negatives & a Photo Disc

Tactical

• Batteries of all types
• pencils and pens
• paper
• Mosquito repellent
• sleeping bags for each person
• flashlights
• penlights
• Escape route maps
• Topographic maps of your area
• Safe room areas mapped out for your house/neighborhood
• Home Invasion procedures & guidelines
• Spare Masterlocks

Communications

• AM/FM radios (crank power)
• shortwave for local communication and monitoring
• longwave for backup communications
• police band monitoring
• List of frequencies used in area

Transportation

• advance maintenance for cars
• replace tires that will wear out within 1 year
• make sure have spare tires for all cars
• emergency kits for each car
• Make sure bicycles are in shape

**Have an Emergency Bug out Bag for each member of family – packed and ready to go if you have to leave quickly without notice – These items should be separate from the items above if possible.  If not, make them your back-up items for the list above and include them in your use and storage rotation, if they are perishable or have expiration dates.  Also remember to include items for your dog or pets that you plan to take along.  Also include  the Bible or spiritual book, a pocket copy of the Constitution and few photos of your family and loved ones.**

What goes in a bug out bag?

Anticipating worst-case scenarios is never fun, but to properly pack your bug out bag with only the essential items, you must start here. Imagine no food, no electricity, no water, and no city services for days. What types of things would you need to survive?

1. A couple rations of food (I buy from MountainHouse.com). We have a big bag of rice, and several packs of packaged tuna with a two-years shelf life. Both have a lot of calories and are easy to prepare, but are relatively light to pack. (Also make sure you have food, water and supplies for any pets you plan to take.)
2. 3 Gallon Rigid Water Containers. Keep a couple of these on hand and toss them in your trunk before bugging out. At 3 gallons, it is not so heavy that the wife and kids couldn’t lug a couple in an emergency, or if I wasn’t there or was out of commission. These rigid style containers are more durable than gallon water jugs, so they are less likely to leak.
3. Flashlights. Be sure to pack at least one flashlight per bug out bag. And never burn more than one light at a time to preserve batteries. A hand-crank light can come in handy too, for battery-less operation.
4. Batteries.  Be sure to have the right size for your equipment, and pack plenty of extras.
5. Glow sticks. When flashlights fail, or when you don’t need a high concentration of direct light, glow sticks are a wise choice.
6. Hand-crank emergency radio.  Staying informed is a key to survival. A hand-cranked radio requires no batteries or electricity, and can provide news bulletins, weather updates, and information on evacuation routes, etc.
7. Multi-tool. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere without a multi-tool!
8. Knives. At a minimum, I’d recommend a folding camp knife with a saw edge, a Swiss Army knife with attachments, and a large, fixed-blade survival knife.
9. Rope/cord. Some 550 paracord is a must-have in your survival kit for tying up food, making a shelter, and plenty of other uses.
10. Change of clothes. This is not vital, as you can always wash/dry clothing in the field. If you have room, take along an extra set and lean towards cold weather gear.
11. Water purification tablets/drops. Boiling water is the most effective way to reduce the risk of ingesting a parasite. However, purification tablets are a close second when boiling isn’t practical. Of course, at home I’d just use my Berkey Light water filter.
12. Anti-diarrhea medication. Be sure to have this one hand in the event you or a family member does suffer from diarrhea, which can lead to life-threatening dehydration very quickly in a survival situation.
13. Stainless steel Kanteen. I like this stainless steel Kanteen for carrying water (no worries over BPA’s in plastic), and it can be heated by hanging above a flame through cord threaded through the screw-on cap.
14. Bottle of multi-vitamins. While on a survival diet, chances are you will be lacking the required nutrients from food alone. A good multi-vitamin will help keep your immune system up.
15. Emergency blankets. These Mylar blankets help hold in heat in an emergency. In addition to those in our bug out bag, we also have a couple in the glove compartment of our car, just in case.
16. Bug repellent. After water disasters (floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc.) there will likely be standing water nearby, which is great breeding ground for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes, and other insects, are known for helping transmit diseases in these conditions, so keep your skin protected at all times.
17. Compass. Nothing fancy needed here. Just look for a compass that can reliably provide a north heading.
18. Map of your surrounding area. Who needs a GPS? When it hits the fan, I’d rather have a map of my city and state than something that requires power and communication with a satellite.
19. Fire-starting materials. We have a butane torch lighter, water proof matches, a magnesium stick, kindling sticks, cotton balls and petroleum jelly.
20. Signal mirror. Putting a signal mirror’s reflection on a rescue pilot or boat captain is one of the best ways of attracting attention.
21. Sun block. If caught out in the open on a hot summer day, you’ll be glad you packed sun block to prevent the sun from cooking your exposed skin.
22. A safety whistle for each family member. Safety whistles can be used to attract attention from rescuers, and to communicate with family members if separated. Plus, they take a lot less energy and make a lot more noise than screaming.
23. Fishing lures and line. If you can get to a natural body of water, chances are there is a food source in there. It’s possible to catch fish without lures and line, but having it sure improves your chances!
24. Ziploc bags. Great for waterproofing items, rationing food, etc.
25. Hand sanitizer. We personally packed a few bottles of Purell hand sanitizer. If you shop the cheap stuff, just be sure it has a alcohol content between 60% and 95% to maximize germ-killing effectiveness.
26. Camp axe. Probably the most important tool when setting up a camp. A good camp axe can help clear a camp site, split firewood, and chop down small trees for shelter.
27. Folding shovel. It isn’t pleasant to think about, but you may have to bury waste, or have the less-gross task of digging a fire pit. Either way, a folding shovel will do the job.
28. First aid kit. I prefer the soft-sided kits here because they are more compact and flexible than the large, plastic box first aid kits.
29. Survival handbook. A good survival handbook should cover information such as how to make shelters, identify plants and animals to eat, and strategies to get rescued.
30. Roll of duct tape. Duct tape is the do-it-yourselfer’s best friend, at home and in an emergency situation.
31. Cash and coins. We keep a couple hundred dollars in cash in a waterproof tube (originally purposed to hold waterproof matches). Also consider taking along a roll of quarters for any coin-operated vending, or to make change.
32. Ponchos. When you have to leave shelter in search of food, or to move away from danger, keeping yourself dry greatly reduces the chances of getting sick from exposure to a cold rain.
33. Tarp. With a section of tarp and a little rope tied between two trees you can provide instant shelter in a survival situation.
34. Deck of cards (to fight boredom). Don’t discount the psychological aspects of survival. After a day or two, boredom will set in and you’ll be glad to have a deck of cards to pass the time.

We are living in unusual times and the best gift you can give yourself is preparedness!!  If things don’t get this bad, so that you need these supplies, you will be overly prepared for any emergency…. just look at all the natural disasters and weather emergencies we have experienced just this year.

Don’t think you will need this if our system collapses?

This photo is of the grocery store shelves in anticipation of Hurricane Irene

Empty Shelves:  Hurricane, Disasters, and Civil Unrest – a Contingency Plan

The Stethoscope – Watch Video:  You Will Be Pleasantly  Surprised  We must learn to put our trust in the right place while doing what we can for ourselves!!