Prepography
The Art & Study of Self-Reliance
Situational Awareness – An Introduction (1,343)
Don’t Be ‘That Prepper Guy’ (883)
Fan of the Ammo Can – Top 10 Uses (639)
Prepping with Garage Sales (569)
OCOKA – A Key Survival Acronym (513)
Top 10 Preparedness Uses of Mineral Oil (512)
Top 10 Initial Steps to Preparation (508)
Snake Eater – How to Field Dress a Snake (472)
Prepper SALUTE Report – An Observation and Reporting Tool (335)- Best Prepper Caliber? (319)
Jefferson’s Top 10 Commandments for Living (316)- Difference Between .223 Caliber & 5.56mm (311)
Perils
A Peril is the exposure to injury, loss, destruction, grave risk, jeopardy or danger. These are the dramatic and terrible things that can bring about The End Of The World As We Know It (TEOTWAWKI)…or maybe just The End Of The World As You Know It (TEOTWAYKI). We’re not talking about the end of the world…just dramatic changes from or to the systems that we live within. Systems like our financial, political, natural environment. etc/
Water or WARter – Today’s Quote
Water is the essence of life. But drinkable, fresh water is at a premium. Rising populations, poor water use and shortages in key areas are all major factors.
NATO Review Magazine via Water or WARter Video?
Physical Security and the Forms of Protection
From a security perspective, many preppers concern themselves primarily with tactics, techniques and procedures for use in a long term WROL (Without Rule of Law) situation but I believe that all preparedness functions (see Full Spectrum Preparedness) especially security preparedness should be considered in light of a continuum of a security environments from today’s rule of law (imperfect though it is) through increasingly degraded security situations, short term WROL situations and all the way to a full, long term, WROL environment. Even in today’s ‘normal’ your security environment may change several times each day. Knowing this, you should frequently assess your security environment. You can find yourself in several very different security environments just by driving across most U.S. cities or even while standing still as day turns to night or crowds dissipate. Today I’ll provide you with a the first part of a framework to assess and adapt to various physical security environments by considering the Principals of Protections and Forms of Protection that the U.S. Army uses to adapt to their physical security challenges.
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The Durants on Savagery and Civilization – Today’s Quote
Civilization is not inherited; it has to be learned and earned by each generation anew; if the transmission should be interrupted for one century, civilization would die, and we should be savages again.
Terrorism Strikes Home Again
Terrorism strikes home again! Although early reports from traumatic and violent events are often incorrect the location, timing and fact that there were two explosions targeting the finish line of the 117 year old Boston Marathon seem to confirm that it was a terror attack and not a gas explosion or other type of accident. Having experienced the horror of improvised explosive devices (IED’s) and rocket attacks my heart goes out to those who were victimized by or had loved ones victimized by this cowardly attack. Please keep the victims and the victim’s families in your thoughts and prayers as well.
Yesterday’s attack was a sad reminder that terror can strike here as it has so many times before. Consider this partial list of attacks on U.S. soil from InfoPlease:
EMP Threat – Today’s Quote
If terrorists do obtain a nuclear weapon, it will likely not be a one-kiloton weapon but a far more sophisticated one from Russia or a rogue state…
The “brain drain” from Russia enabled North Korea to make (and potentially test) “Super-EMP” low-yield nuclear weapons that can generate very powerful EMP fields over wide geographic areas…
Even a low-yield weapon could knock out the [electronics and electrical grid on the] entire Eastern seaboard if detonated from a higher altitude…
Jordan Harms via EMP Attack: The Threat Is Real
Obama on Ministry of Interior Troops – Today’s Quote
We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we’ve set. We’ve gotta have a civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded [as the U.S. military].
Then Candidate Barack Obama
Andrew’s Notes:
- I know…this organization sounds an awful lot like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) but DHS already existed in 2008 so what type of organization was the future President referring to?
- In communist and totalitarian regimes these forces are called ‘Ministry of Interior’ troops and are charged with internal security and suppression of dissent
- Forces that aren’t ‘military’ wouldn’t be limited by Posse Comitatus or the Constitution’s limitations on the use of Federal troops
- “just as powerful, just as strong…” Law Enforcement is charged with using the minimum force necessary… I don’t want a ‘civilian national security force’ using the old military doctrine of overwhelming force in a domestic setting (now the military uses appropriate force and other watered doctrines of force…can you imagine firebombing Tokyo or carpet bombing Dresden in the age if television, Twitter & Facebook?).
- “just as well funded…” how are we going to pay for that?
- What oath of office will Ministry of Interior Troops take…will it be to “support and defend the Constitution” like our military does?
Wiesenthal on Rememberance – Today’s Quote
There is no denying that Hitler and Stalin are alive today… they are waiting for us to forget, because this is what makes possible the resurrection of these two monsters.
Blood Agents – Chemical Warfare Agents
Andrew’s Note: Today’s discussion on Blood Agents, also known as Cyanogen Agents is from U.S. Army Field Manual FM 4-25.11, First Aid (Approved for Public Release). If you don’t think there’s any chance you’ll ever encounter a blood agent then think again. There are a number of commercial and industrial uses for these agents in addition to their use by foreign governments in chemical warfare. The most frightening use of these agents is by criminal or terrorist groups against an unprepared populace.
Cyanogen agents interfere with proper oxygen utilization in the body. Hydrogen cyanide (AC) and cyanogen chloride (CK) are the primary agents in this group.
Protective Measures Continue reading
Chamber of Big Brother
When did so many of our fellow citizens start expecting ‘Big Brother’ to make the majority of our decisions for us? I’ve written before about themes from George Orwell’s book 1984 that I see playing out in the world around me. Now… socialism isn’t anything new, and considering it’s complete and total failure whenever it’s been allowed to run its course you’d think that it would be relegated to the history books…but it continues to rear it’s head in some of the most unlikely places. One such place it reared up recently was my local Chamber of Commerce…or maybe we should begin calling it the Chamber of Big Brother.
I live and work in a small town. I didn’t always live here. I grew up in a good size metropolitan area and traveled the world before settling down here to raise my kids. One of the ways I went from being an outsider to becoming a ‘local’ was by getting involved in community groups that I shared values with. One of the first groups I joined after moving to my corner of God’s country was the local Chamber of Commerce.
If you’re not familiar with what a Chamber of Commerce does it’s basically a civic organization that supports the local business community as well as offering networking opportunities among businesspeople, local officials and members of other civic organizations. I’ve made good friends through my Chamber participation, learned which tradesmen can help me with I’m over my head on a project and worked on a number of civic projects that improve my community.
At a recent Chamber of Commerce leadership meeting we were presented with letter from a community member that both amazed and saddened me.
Book Review: American Sniper by Chris Kyle
I recently finished the book American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice. Kyle’s wife Taya wasn’t credited but also contributed significantly to the book.
When I bought the book I expected it to be an account of the weapons and tactics that led Chief Petty Office Chris Kyle of S.E.A.L. Team 3 to become the most ‘lethal’ U.S. sniper in history surpassing the legendary Marine Carlos Hathcock’s Vietnam era record by over 50%. I expected Kyle’s book to be very similar to Hathcock’s Carlos Hathcock: Marine Sniper : War Stories And Tactical Tips From The Master Sniper which is also a great read…but what I ended up with was a love story. Don’t get me wrong, Kyle’s book has lots of war stories and countless humorous anecdotes of his life as a Navy S.E.A.L., but he didn’t focus nearly as much on the mechanics of shooting as he did on the decisions, situations and loves that led him placed him in the positions that led to his lethal record.
I love a good military autobiography and the psychological makeup of snipers makes their stories particularly compelling. As I mentioned above I’ve read Hathcock’s book as well as the autobiography of Vassili Zaitsev, NOTES OF A RUSSIAN SNIPER
Kyle told the story of his life, his S.E.A.L training, peacetime duty, and his four tours of duty in Iraq (including his contributions to the Second Battle of Falluja, the Battle of Ramadi, as well as various incursions into Sadr City) interspersed with the story of and the conflicts between his three great loves.
Love of Profession Continue reading
You Didn’t Save That!
First “You didn’t build that” and now apparently you didn’t save that (or at least it’s not all yours anymore). Are your savings safe?
There’s value in monitoring what other governments around the world are doing… seeing what other governments do (and attempt) is often the best crystal ball to see what in our own future. European governments are particularly useful as our crystal ball as we continue to model U.S. governance and tax policies on post war European socialist models.
In a radical departure from previous aid packages, euro zone finance ministers want Cyprus savers to forfeit a portion of their deposits in return for a 10 billion euro ($13 billion) bailout for the island, which has been financially crippled by its exposure to neighboring Greece.
The decision, announced on Saturday morning, stunned Cypriots and caused a run on cash points, most of which were depleted within hours. Electronic transfers were stopped.
The originally proposed levies on deposits are 9.9 percent for those exceeding 100,000 euros and 6.7 percent on anything below that.
via Cyprus works on last-minute deal to soften bank levy | Reuters
Yes… you read that right! The European Union is asking Cyprus to seize up to 10% of private deposits in Cypriot banks in order to provide yet another European buyout. Remarkably, the news of the demand led to a bank run which will further damage the Cypriot economy.
The Real North Korean Threat
Frequent Prepography contributor Roger Reality wrote in to ask that I remind our readers that the 27 year old Leader of North Korea, Kim Jung-un just scrapped the 1953 Armistice that ended…really just hit the ‘pause button’ on the Korean War. His declaration technically returns us to state of open warfare with the Stalinist state.
This puts us in a state of war with another nuclear armed nation…the first time this has ever happened. I should also mention that this nuclear armed nation has also successfully launched a satellite into orbit demonstrating what is essentially an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capability. Put together ICBM and nuclear capabilities and we’ve got a whole new kind of threat to worry about…and it likely isn’t the one you’re thinking about right now. Continue reading
Michael Bloomberg Knows What’s Good For You
Michael Bloomberg is a former businessman, media magnate, the Mayor of New York City and the 10th richest person in the United States. He’s so sure that he knows what’s good for you that he’s willing to use all the power that he has at his control including his wealth (estimated at $25 billion net worth), his media darling status, his influence and the mechanisms of government he controls to make many of your everyday choices illegal.
Some of the decisions he doesn’t think you’re qualified to make for yourself include…. Continue reading
A Nuclear Axis of Evil
As I listened to the President’s State of the Union address last night I couldn’t help but remember the same speech eleven years ago when another President described the ‘Axis of Evil.’ If you’ll recall the Axis included Iraq, Iran and North Korea. The only thing worse than an Axis of Evil is a Nuclear Axis of Evil.
In case you’ve been on a low information diet this week… North Korea apparently detonated another nuclear weapon amid a blitz of anti-U.S. rhetoric.
Department of PreCrime
If Philip K. Dick
In the story a government agency called the Department of PreCrime is established to identify criminals before they commit their crimes and incarcerate them as a preventive measure against crimes they might commit in the future. As the book unfolds it becomes clear that the Precrime Agency which might have been developed out of the best of intentions, has become a tool of tyranny. The nice thing about fiction is that you can clearly identify the good guys and the bad guys…unfortunately in real life it’s more complicated.
Plato on the Nanny State – Today’s Quote
Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.
Middle East Escalation in a Dangerous World
The news reports have been particularly troubling lately especially considering our increasingly dangerous world. It almost makes you long for the stability of the Cold War and Détente. Here are a couple of examples out of the Middle East.
An apparent Israeli incursion into Syria…
Israel must defend itself but now we’re mixing Israel, Hezbollah, Iran, U.S. interests, European interests, Russian interests and the rest of the world interested to boot. Complicate that by having Persian, Shia’, Iran assisting Sunni, Arab (Ba’ath Party) Syria and the situation gets very volatile. Oil supplies are in jeopardy, there’s risk of violence escalating generally throughout the region and one of Israel’s other neighbors (Egypt) is being run by the Muslim Brotherhood…where there’s rioting in the streets.
Conflicting accounts emerged Wednesday over an apparent Israeli airstrike inside Syrian territory earlier in the day—with several regional and Western officials saying Israeli jets had struck a convoy of trucks carrying arms near the Lebanon-Syria border, while Syria’s state media described an Israeli strike on a military facility near Damascus.
via Syria Says Israel Struck Military Site, as Accounts Diverge – WSJ.com.
Iranian response for an attack on Syria?
Issuing Tehran’s strongest warning to date, a top Iranian official said Saturday that any attack on Syria would be deemed an attack on Iran, a sign that it will do all it can to protect embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Ali Akbar Velayati, an aide to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made his comments as Syrian troops conducted offensive air raids against rebels and discovered a trio of tunnels they were using to smuggle weapons in their fight to topple Assad.
Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Chicago, Libya, Mali, Philippines, oh my it’s a dangerous world! Are you prepared for this dangerous world?
Cannibalism and Centralized Planning
As any serious student of history knows, centralized planning leads to inefficient logistic and economic systems. It seems like a smart person or group of people would make better decisions than the creative chaos of the free market…but it’s just not the case. No one is smart enough to direct an economy and as anyone who’s ever served on a committee knows…committees tend to make worse decisions than any single person could make individually. My rule of thumb is the bigger the committee the worse the decision…but it takes the world’s longest running Stalinist regime to bring us cannibalism and centralized planning. How bad can centralized planning screw up a country…
Hungry parents in North Korea have been caught eating their children to avoid starvation.
via Starving North Korean parents ‘eating their children’ | The Sun
I know hunger changes brain chemistry but how hungry do you have to be to become this insane!
The article mentions a long running drought…but what’s really at work is called famine. Famine is a frequent companion when centralized planning meets farming decisions. If one farmer makes a bad farming decision…his family goes hungry…if a centralized planner makes a bad farming decision it starves the entire country. North Korea’s on it’s third generation of bad decisions.
Attenborough on Humans as Plague – Today’s Quote
We are a plague on the Earth… Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now
Sir David Attenborough
Andrew’s Note: While I understand population concerns… as soon as someone begins calling humans a ‘plague’ I worry what remedies that person or those inspired by him/her will seek.
Stearns on Terrorist Targets – Today’s Quote
Today’s terrorists are pursuing a distinct route. They are increasingly attacking civilians in symbolic targets, such as those of economic importance, or venues of bustling life like public transportation or entertainment, like nightclubs.
Rep and Air Force Veteran Cliff Stearns
