note: first appeared in October 2015

I was gone all this last week and had a time to get my head away from all things “prepper” and just focus on my job. However, during one of the meetings on risk management the speaker used the slogan “you get one chance to get it right.” I sat there and it hit me like a lightning bolt.

That applies so much to what we do, or will do, as preppers that it isn’t even funny. Then all this stuff started streaming into my head that I just have to share some of it. Stuff that I think could make a huge difference in living or dying should the grid go down.

I am not talking about less dramatic situations such as disasters and emergencies, although it could apply to those as well. What I am going to talk about is specifically “grid-down” level events. However, it does in-fact apply to lesser events such as disasters and emergencies, just not as dramatically.

So getting back to the point of this post –

You have one chance to get it right.

So here is the backdrop, an event occurs that could cause substantial disruption in the daily life of a large number of all citizens. The event could be an attack from an external threat such as Iran, or it could be an event such as an implementation of martial law due to the reaction from a crackdown on alleged right-wing militia groups. And then there is the run-of-the-mill financial collapse or EMP strike. You get the idea. But remember, this concept can apply to any lesser emergency or disaster as well.

So the event occurs, now what do you do?

Why is that question even important? Because you may only have one chance to get your response to the grid-down event right.

Yes, I am serious, you may have only a single chance to react correctly to the situation. How so? Envision something as mundane as a roadblock. Do you try and successfully navigate the roadblock or do you seek another way home? What about if they are searching vehicles, do you have anything that will give you undo or fatal attention?

What about filling up your SUV’s fuel tank on the way home after the event occurred? That may be the last of the fuel for the foreseeable future. Did you or your wife fill up the bath tub and every other container in the house while the water was still flowing?

There are a thousand questions that I could prompt you with to see if you are making, or going to make, the right decisions when an event occurs. My point is not to make you feel as if you will fail, rather it is meant to prompt you with, “Do you have a plan?” And, “Will you faithfully follow the plan?”

So, when an event occurs will your one chance to get it right find you successful? I am going to say that for the majority of people the answer will be “no.” I am thinking that “no” will be the answer for about 75% of all the people in the United States. So I do pray that the situation will allow us all a second chance to get it right. But that may not be possible.

So what can you do to get it right the first time? Well, honestly you are doing just that right now. You are aware that it might be a failing of yours and you are learning about mitigating the unfortunate reaction of getting it wrong. So awareness and learning are the first two most important things; so, congratulations!

Next I firmly believe you must have a plan. It doesn’t need to be overly complicated but a plan is a necessity.

Then it is imperative that you be able to recognize what is happening BEFORE it goes bad. And it doesn’t have to be a long time before, but just before to some adequate degree. That gives you time to take action while you still can. So Situational Awareness is absolutely needed. <read more about that by clicking here>

Then you must take some kind of action. That might sound kind of silly but I am dead serious. You would be surprised at the number of people that will not act during an emergency, even when their life depends on it. Don’t let that happen to you.

While you are waiting for the trigger event (or emergency/disaster) to occur use your time wisely, get training. Actually I should more accurately say, “Get the right training for the right people.” My wife will never be a sniper or a field medic, but training in first aid and getting her through a tactical carbine class was the “right” training. And please don’t forget the kids! Many kids have saved lives because they knew CPR.

Now let me share a few words on a phenomena that exists in some of the most risky professions in the world today. And that is –

“There are no new ways to screw-up, just new participants.”

And yes, I realize that could very well apply to life in general. But here I am talking about more fatality prevalent occupations. In the wildland firefighter business we have a few top contenders for the worst screw-ups that lead to fatalities, they are:

1. Vehicle accidents
2. Health/medical conditions
3. Burn-overs
4. Trees falling

Those four items account for about 90 – 95% of all wildland firefighter accidents resulting in deaths for the last 80 – 90 years. In the 1970’s we added aircraft accidents to the list but that category swings pretty substantially from year-to-year.

So we don’t really come up with new ways to kill people in my business, we just change participants. The same thing will be true for casualties during emergencies, disasters and especially “grid-down” events. Generally speaking, people will die from:

1. Violence
2. Lack of medicine or medical care
3. Inability to communicate
4. No organization
5. Dehydration
6. Exposure (to a much lesser degree)
7. Starving

Now what do you do? Well, to my simple way of thinking you mitigate the risks associated with each of those casualty inducing events. And that is “risk management” which I have written about. But for now just think, “How can I reduce the probability of those things occurring?” And, “If it does occur, how can I reduce the impact to my family?”

And that brings me right back to asking you the question, “Do you have a plan?”

Finally I want to touch on an interesting challenge I am going to hit you with, “Do you prepare with blinders on?”

Yeah, kinda of a weird question isn’t it? But it is meant to push you to think about what you are doing in regards to preparing for events that could challenge the safety and well-being of you and your family. Another way to ask the questions would be, “What bias is affecting your prepping?”

This is going to be a tough one to easily work on. Because as a prepper you have to make some assumptions on what to prepare for and you have your personal “history” affecting your judgement as well. But you must also challenge yourself by asking, “Am I locking myself into a single set of assumptions and missing something total different?”

Example: I know guys that are deep into prepping for EMP events. And they have cool Faraday Cages and such, but, they have neglected to buy and store heirloom seeds for planting a garden when their food storage runs out. Another guy I know has three generators of different sizes for use when the power grid goes out. And he stores one partially full 3-gallon can of gas without stabilizer in it. Then there are the folks who have large stores of food hid away. And not a single weapon to defend it all with.

So my final challenge to you is to remember that blinders (i.e. bias) can make you miss huge gaps in your prepping and make you screw-up that one chance to get it right.

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The Defender’s Creed

by John Farnam

I accept and understand that human predators exist. Criminal or terrorist, they take advantage of our civilized society to prey upon the weak. They represent evil and must be confronted and defeated.

I believe that self-defense is a moral imperative, and that illegitimate force and illegal violence must be met with righteous indignation and superior violence.

I will not rely on others for the security of myself, my family and my community. I proudly proclaim that I run with a like-minded pack. I do not amble through life with the mind-numbed herd.

I will train with my chosen weapons, maintain them and carry them in a condition of readiness at all times. I will be mentally prepared and physically equipped to effectively respond to an attack or emergency.

I will constantly test myself against realistic standards to discover my strengths and weaknesses. I will turn weakness into strength.

I will seek to learn new skills and techniques, and then teach what I have learned to other members of the pack. Be it with firearm or blade, empty hand or blunt object, I will hit my enemies hard, fast and true.

I will live a quiet and unobtrusive life, but I will develop and retain the capacity for swift and decisive violence. I recognize that I am the modern equivalent of the traditional Minuteman, and that I may be called to service at any time against heavily armed enemies. I will respond effectively.

I accept that I am a pariah among some of my countrymen, and a quaint anachronism to others.

I will not hold their ignorance against them.

I will win, or die trying.

I swear this creed before God, my family and my fellow citizens.

Predators Beware – I am a sheepdog.

note: article first appeared in May 2015, updated/edited in July 2019.

So the question that I get asked quite a bit is, “Should I have gold and/or silver and how much?”

Great question! And for me it is an easy answer, but maybe for different reasons than you might think.

So, what is the answer?

It is not a simple answer but I will get into the details but first, if this is a question you might have, I want you to answer this question,

“What would be (or is) the purpose for you owning (or wanting to own) precious metals?”

My answer – I want to have some “real” money if, (or I should say) when, the fake fiat paper money that the US Dollar is fails.

Really? Seriously?

Yes, to both. Let me explain, get a dollar bill out of your wallet or purse. Now look at the front of the bill (the side with Washington’s picture), what does it say up at the top of the paper? “FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE” (if you have a real dollar bill). What does that mean?

Ah, well my friends who is the Federal Reserve? Well, funny you should ask, the Federal Reserve (Fed) is the central bank of the United Sates…and it is made up of 12 commercial banks located in different regions around the country. The Federal Reserve is NOT part of the US government. The Fed has no government agency providing oversight, auditing or control. Everything the Fed does internally is secret from everyone, including the government. Yup!

And why is this important? Well, you see the term “note” means “loan” in the English language. So the $1.00 bill you are looking at is a loan (promissory note) to the Federal Reserve in the amount of $1.00.

So? That means the dollar bill is not truly money, it is receipt for a loan you have made to the Federal Reserve and that “note” like other loans can be defaulted on. And the US Government doesn’t have to stand behind (i.e. guarantee) that it will make good on that dollar bill should the Fed decide not to honor it as a note or loan.Yes, the dollar bill does say it is legal currency for all debts public and private. That simply means that you can exchange that note with other people to help identify the value of what you are exchanging. But remember, the note is only as good as the entity that is backing it. And should the entity decide to no longer back it, then consider what actual value does that dollar bill have. In any event, with what exactly would the government pay you for your dollar bill? In other words…what would they give you if you tried to redeem, or cash in, that Federal Reserve promissory note?

So you see the paper money you think you have in your wallet or purse is actually only a promise to pay a loan. A loan with absolutely ZERO assets to secure it with. Sounds pretty shady to me. US currency needs to be worth something tangible to make any sense, right? Coins used to be made out of silver and so they were actually worth something tangible. Paper currency used to be redeemable for precious metals, but no more.

So ask yourself, “Why did they stop backing currency with precious metals?”

Yeah, getting a little spooked yet?

But let’s talk about the money you have in your bank account, mutual fund, 401k, IRA, etc. How much is that worth? Well, it is only worth something if you can take it out and convert it into cash, right? So that “value” while in the bank or mutual fund company possession isn’t even worth Federal Reserve Notes at this point, it is only “digital” money existing in the computer world.

And think about the phrase “full faith and credit.” Yeah, that is what is supposedly backing up the US currency (Federal Reserve Note). The full faith and credit of the Unites States government. The same government that is currently $23,000,000,000,000 ($23trillion) in actually debt and another $120,000,000,000,000 ($100trillion) in unfunded liabilities.

I have laid the basic groundwork for my explanation of the value of precious metals to a “prepper.” But now I will lay out my mission for precious metals:

To have a source of a tangible currency of intrinsic value with which to bribe and buy during the initial stages of a “grid-down”, emergency, or disaster.

Yes, you read that correctly. I have not bought into the whole “investment” aspect of precious metals and I certainly don’t have enough assets to make me wealthy…hence, using it as a wealth preservation tool. Precious metals are a horrible investment because its value can be so erratic. If I was worth a million dollars I would probably have about $100,000 in gold. That would make it easy for me to retain some of my wealth in the event I was unable to access the bulk of my assets. If I had the need, I could transport my gold “insurance” rather easily since it would weigh less than 7 pounds.

Now let me explain to you my mission for precious metals the way it works for me. Let’s take the most extreme case, which is where I think the real purpose actually lies. So the grid goes down, most people don’t have a lot of cash on hand, so they will try to use a credit or debit card to panic buy “things” they think they need such as food. How long do you think that card accepting capability would continue working? I think debit and credit cards would be useless rather quickly. Cash would probably become unavailable rather quickly once people burned through what little they had on hand and the ATM machines ran out and the bank doors closed.

So what is left?

People with precious metals will get it out and start using it to buy the things that they need. The word will get around pretty quickly that there are people willing to pay for things in gold and silver vs. paper money. The people with “stuff”…who will want to sell that “stuff” to? Yup, people with gold and silver. Which then naturally becomes very valuable since it is the only true currency that is in demand. Hence, gold and silver has increasing value.

Remember I said “bribe and buy” and I laid out the case for “buy” in the preceding paragraph. How does the “bribe” come into play? Easy, people without gold and silver will want it. People that have ways in which to earn it will want as much gold and silver as they can acquire.

Remember my “power and money” concept?

• People with money want power and can buy the power.
• People with power want money so they use force or commerce to acquire money.

Yes, that is exactly how government and politicians work today. But we are talking a “grid-down” situation. Now simply substitute “money” with “gold.” How’s that working for you now?

Practical Example #1: You have $500 in cash from your gun safe and head to Sam’s Club to buy the last 20 gallons of olive oil and 100lbs of rice. You get there and the manager tells you the store is closing because they can’t transact credit or debit cards anymore. You tell him you have cash. He says he doesn’t care. You get out a 1/10th ounce solid gold US Mint coin. He says, “Welcome to Sam’s Club! How can I help you?”

Practical Example #2: You are trying to make it home and there is a roadblock. You are the second car in line and you hear them say that the road is closed and no one is getting through. You ask for the supervisor and ask to speak with him privately. While asking him to be let through you let him see the 1oz gold US Mint Eagle coin and assure him that his family would appreciate the help that gold would bring to their security. Fifteen minutes later you are 10 miles down the road having passed through the roadblock.

The examples could go on and on but you get my point. When paper money becomes worthless or scarce, precious metals will be in demand. And if you have some, then you will be able to buy power since you have real money.

Yes, there is a dangerous downside to having it. Other people may want it so badly they will simply try to take it from you. And they may hurt or kill you, or your family, in the process. So you do have to be smart about how you handle precious metals and who you try to bribe and buy from. But that is another topic – security.

Now, for the average prepper, what kind or precious metals and how much? Again, for me it is simple.

Silver – is the poor man’s gold. Silver is more easily purchased because you can do so in dollar amounts that is more compatible with most people’s budgets. An ounce of silver right now is in the mid-$15 range. Gold about mid-$1,500 range. And for “grid-down” situations buying I like “junk silver.” Technically that is only a nickname, junk silver are 90% silver coins. Silver coins are easy to recognize and calculate value since they come in dime, quarter, half-dollar, and dollar denominations.  And so that makes transactions easier, faster and more defined.

Silver “rounds” are 1oz silver coins put out by various mints. They sure are pretty and they are in demand. They are .999 pure, or should be. Then there is silver “bullion.” It is much harder to transact with bullion since the true purity and value is almost impossible to assess in the field. So I would buy 90% silver coins first. If I still had some extra money I would buy silver rounds in either 1oz or 1/4oz weights.

Gold – I like gold for a couple reasons, mostly just because of the “feel” in your hand or when it “clunks” on a hard stone surface. I would only recommend you buying US Mint coins. Yes, coins from South African, Australia and Canada are reliable and high quality, but I only want the US Mint stuff. And I don’t like full 1oz coins because they are so expensive to acquire. But mostly I am not crazy about them because when trying to make

a deal after grid-down. You have a full ounce of gold and do you really think you are going to be buying or bribing for something that valuable? So my solution is 1/10oz US Mint “eaglets.” They will run about 11 – 12% of the cost of a full one ounce coin and worth every penny. But, if I had enough wealth that I was going to try and transport then I would use the 1oz Eagles.

Now, how much precious metals to buy and have on-hand –

I will look at this as 100% valuation regardless of the $ amount you have available to purchase precious metals. So it doesn’t matter how much money you have to purchase precious metals, I will go by percentages of that amount.

The first $3,000 – here is my step-by-step method of acquiring precious metals:

1. 60% in junk silver, mostly dimes, then quarters, then fifty-cent pieces.
2. 20% in 1/4oz silver rounds.
3. 20% in 1oz silver rounds.

Any amount after the first $3,000 – here is the step-by-step:

1. 50% in 1/10oz US Mint gold eaglets.
2. 25% in in junk silver, mostly dimes, then quarters, then fifty-cent pieces.
3. 20% in 1oz silver rounds.
4. 5% in 1/4oz silver rounds.

This gives a person a very well rounded cache of precious metals. But notice that the first $3,000 purchased is all in silver. Then after that $3,000 I would include some gold. And finally finish it off with more silver.

Tips:

• Don’t buy it all from the same place or dealer.
• Don’t buy it all on-line.
• eBay is a decent place to buy silver coins and rounds if you watch for deals.
• Don’t store it all in one place.
  • Some in the gun safe.
  • Some in the garage.
  • Some in the ground.
• Don’t tell anyone but your spouse where you have hidden it.
• Buy it with cash whenever possible.
• Do not use credit cards or go into debt to buy precious metals.

Almost final thought –

I think there will be a small window of opportunity after a grid-down event when precious metals are worth the most. I am thinking maybe after the 3 – 7 day time-frame but before the 30th day of grid-down for sure. After about a month I think its value will go down considerably…or trying to use it to bribe and buy may become very dangerous. Then, after the worst of TEOTWAWKI is over, I think precious metals will become valuable again. But it could take years for that to happen, if it at all. And then there is always the possibility that even owning precious metals could become illegal and would be confiscated. Yes, it has happened before in the United State under a radical Progressive socialist President.

Final thought –

Precious metals should be the last thing you purchase for prepping. You should have your guns & ammo, your medical supplies, your water filtration and storage, your food storage (for at least a year), your communications gear, and your 3-year seed bank before you buy any precious metals. Once all that (the basics) is taken care of then you can consider precious metals as a “prepper” item. Until then…stay the heck away from precious metals, it isn’t worth the risk.

A thought for your consideration…

A wise man once said “You can’t eat gold.”

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Okay…let’s get the foundation laid first. I began writing about the coup against President Trump 2-1/2 years ago…long before anyone else was using the term “coup”…but a coup it was and is.

You can read my SitReps for background if you wish:

• SitRep – 2/16/2017
• SitRep – 3/16/2017
• SitRep – 5/16/2017

So on to the matter at hand…his testimony yesterday. Oh boy!

So let me be brief in explaining my optional views…he was:

• Feeble and disoriented or,
• Extremely uninformed and stupid or,
• Sly and cunning or,
• A useful idiot.

Yes, potentially he could have been a combination of several of those options listed.

But let’s first remember who Mueller is:

• Educated in extremely liberal universities.
• Appointed to all his government positions by globalists and extreme liberals.
• Former Director of the FBI. In 2001 he was appointed by President GW Bush (globalist & Ruling Class). President Obama (globalist & Marxist) retained Mueller as FBI Director.
• Employed by a law firm deeply connected to the the Washington DC elites. That law firm is (WilmerHale) and is rated as the most liberal law firm out of the biggest top 20 law firms in the country.
• He is a close personal friend of James Comey.
• He was a prime player substantiating the claim of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. That later proved to be false. Although used as the sole reason to attack/invade Iraq killing hundreds of thousands and costing trillions of dollars.

So there are some interesting insights to who this character is. But let’s get to his appearance in the hearings yesterday.

First off, Mueller clearly appeared to be unprepared for questions he was asked. I won’t bore you with the details but he gave little new information, virtually nothing outside of what was in his report. However, it is interesting to note:

1. He contradicted himself in his testimony vs the report. It could be called a lie. But, he did correct his testimony later in the day before he could be brought up on charges of perjury.
2. He was completely unaware of Fusion GPS. That is the firm that was hired by Hillary Clinton and produced a completely fabricated story against Trump. And the fabrication was done by a foreign agent with ties to Russia. And that foreign agent admitted, under oath, to British authorities that the report was completely false. And that fabricated report was the entire basis of the investigation against Trump in the first place. Again, a couple other questions…Why wasn’t Mueller aware of the investigation’s very foundation? Why wasn’t Clinton investigated for her role in the Russian conspiracy?
3. He claimed he was completely unaware of his primary staff’s rabid anti-Trump agenda when he hired them. Most notable was his lack of knowledge of FBI agent Peter Strzok and Strzok’s involvement in the coup against Trump along with a long list of other FBI personnel. While Mueller said he reassigned Strzok after he was made aware of it…that is now debatable based on facts of the timing. The main question…Why wasn’t Strzok then a target of Mueller’s investigation since Strzok was a primary advocate of the Fusion GPS report?
4. He originally lied about his friendship with James Comey, stating he was only a professional associate. When additional information was provided by the questioner, Mueller admitted that Comey was a close friend.
5. And here is a key point…it is not the role of a prosecutor to “exonerate” a suspect (i.e. the person being investigated). The prosecutor’s role is to bring charges, or not, based on evidence…period. Mueller used the report to lay out that failure to exonerate outside of the law…and strictly to fuel the coup.

So what is my opinion about Mueller…Based on his obvious background of his Ruling Class status, elitistism, and extremist liberalism:

• He was put into the prosecutor position as part of the coup and for his dependability to support the Ruling Class and co-conspirators in the coup against Trump.
• He hired the rabid anti-Trump investigation team knowing full well who they were and their participation in the coup.
• He is playing a role of being old, feeble, disoriented, etc. to mask his role in the coup and to divert the spotlight away from himself. His cover story if you will.
• He used the “can’t exonerate” term in the report and in his testimony knowing full well it was outside of the legal system to do so, and specifically to continue the propaganda war against Trump.
• He is as dirty as they come…and typical of the DOJ and FBI.

So where are we now?

We are in the exact same place…a coup against President Trump is taking place. It started after he was elected in November 2016 and continues today. And I am telling you point blank, as clearly as I can, they are not done!

Be careful in what you see, hear, and believe. Be prepared.

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While I may not have agreed with everything he said, or everything he did…I have to admit, President Ronald Reagan did get this right in 1981.

note: This is a political post. It is about the problems we have in our political system and our country today…and have had for many decades. If you don’t want to read about politics, don’t read this article. If you don’t want to get upset, don’t read this article. If you don’t want to be challenged, don’t read this article, If you don’t want to face some ugly truths, don’t read this article. If you are not open minded, don’t read this article. If you are a political ideologue, don’t read this article.There, you’ve been warned. Read at your own risk.

While Reagan was referring specifically in this particular speech to the economic troubles of the time period, it is 100% true in the world today…maybe more so than ever before. And, while it applies to our current economic problems, it also applies equally to just about every problem our country faces, and has faced, in the last 130 years.

And he said this while HE was the president…and he didn’t exclude himself or any other time when a Republican was a President…and neither do I.

Thomas Jefferson once declared to “question everything.” Some have incorrectly tried to make this sound as if he were trying to disprove the existence of God. Not so! Jefferson was simply trying to motivate folks to figure out who they are and what they believe. He was imploring them to discover actual truth vs. following blindly.

I am asking you to do the same thing…open your mind, challenge yourself, and listen for truth in what you are about to read.

Now, let me start the post with my point…Patriotism vs. Nationalism.

You see, one is evil, one is good. And it is far more important is to know which is which…and why.

Let me fully disclose to you right from the start…as always, this is purely my opinion. And, I don’t want you to believe a single word I am writing. I do want you to listen to what I have to say, then think it over, do your own research, and most of all…come to your own conclusions.

Why?  Ah yes…”Why?”

Because my friends, it will not be much longer until you will have to sort out exactly who you are, what you believe, what you are willing to stand up for, and more. Before long the outcome to those decisions will drive everything else in your life…and in the life of your family.

Now please, don’t become alarmed, nor think I am predicting some fast approaching dire apocalyptic event. Although, on any given day I would not be surprised to see such a thing.

Realistically, you will be faced more and more in the coming days, weeks, months, and years with these decisions in your life…or, at least their consequences. And without knowing certain fundamentals, you may well make the wrong decisions. And those wrong decisions could have very dismal consequences.

So, you might ask, “What are the right decisions?” Great question!!!  And I surely wish I knew the answers for you. I only know them for myself. It will be your job to figure out the right answers for you and your family.

Let’s start with nationalism. There are different definitions of nationalism, none of which are officially canonized anywhere in some all-powerful book of knowledge. Generally speaking though nationalism can be pretty well substantiated that it includes love of, and loyalty to country…more accurately, absolute love of country. That means whatever my country does or is I love it no matter what. And “country” in this respect is represented by government as well as its people. More plainly…I blindly love my country and support the government.

But, before we go any further with that explanation, let’s touch on patriotism. Interesting, when you track the origins of the word back into Greek and Roman era it sheds some fascinating insight. It becomes clear that the origins are love of the political conception of a country, associated with the love of the law and the common good. And it also includes a dedication to resist corruption and tyranny that threatens the law and the citizens it is meant to protect. That infers both a belief and required action.

So here I find a stimulating dichotomy in terms of the United States of America. Nationalism is the love of country, the government, and loyalty to it…a virtual unwillingness to question it or challenge it. Patriotism however means love of the founding principles of the USA (i.e. the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights), and being dedicated to protecting those founding principles against corruption and tyranny…regardless of the origins of that corruption and tyranny.

If you are a veteran or active duty you will recognize that concept in the swearing in oath we took when we entered the military…”…defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I bear true faith and allegiance to the same…”

Humor me. You may not believe my way of defining the two terms, nationalism and patriotism, but I think you will find that honest and objective research will prove me right. But, let’s say I am right just for this article. I want you to ask yourself a question, “Are you a nationalist or a patriot?”

Now wait! Before you answer that question, ask yourself this question, “Where our Founding Fathers nationalists or patriots?”

If they were nationalists by definition they would have supported England, King George, Parliament, the British army, and colonial rule. However, if they were patriots they would support individual rights first written about in such British founding documents such as the Magna Carta which outlined those individual rights, liberties, and freedoms.

So again…“Where our Founding Fathers nationalists or patriots?”

Now here is a hard question for you, “On the 4th of July did you celebrate our Declaration of Independence, which is based on the Magna Carta, as a document/declaration of open rebellion against tyranny and corruption?” or, “On the 4th of July did you celebrate the military, the government, the flag, fighting our wars, etc.?”

OK, so many of you are probably pretty mad at me about now.  Let me make it worse…

Let me test you…and your patience, “In 1770’s, if you would hear ‘British Colonies…Love it or leave it!’ who would have spoken those words? Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, or ????”

Yeah, the only folks that would have been speaking those words would have been British nationalists…commonly referred to as Tories. The likes of Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, etc. were working to try and fix the problems of their day based on patriotism (i.e. the love of the rights outlined in the Magna Carta and the rights then defined as natural rights (i.e. God-given).

So now…I want you to ask yourself a question, “Are you a nationalist or a patriot?”

I certainly hope you answered…”I am a patriot!”

And more importantly I hope you answered that way because you truly believe in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. That you believe in the beginnings of God-given rights that first appeared in the Magna Carta. That you have the courage to resist corruption and tyranny! I pray to God that this is part of your very soul!

It is easy in this day and age to get lost in the politics of it all. The word “compromise” has become synonymous with something good. But I tell you it is not! Compromise is what got us to this awful state that we find our country in today. Compromise between two parties… Republicans and Democrats. I make no distinction between the two in regards to their recklessness with the Constitution.

What?

Our Founding Fathers warned us against a two-party system…they tried to help us avoid the tyranny that we find ourselves in now. But, we allowed ourselves to be seduced into the grasps of powerful men whose only desire was power and wealth.

So we see clearly that our Founding Fathers vehemently despised a two-party system. Why? Because they knew eventually men would lust for power and dominion over each other…and political parties would enable that lust. Our Founding Fathers wanted us to believe in, debate, and come to a consensus in regards to principles NOT party dogma. And consensus is far, far, better than compromise!

So now try these two questions on…

What have the Democrats given us?

What have the Republicans given us?

There is no difference! To prove my point let me ask the question differently…What evil, tyranny, or injustice have the Republicans protected us from?

We still have crushing national debt and huge annual budget deficits. We still have abortion. We still suffer under staggering income tax burdens. We still have significant infringement of the Second Amendment. We still have popular election of Senators. We still have a monstrosity of federal government bureaucracy. We still have 10’s of thousands of federal laws on the books. We still have disregard of “due process” by the government. We still have a massive standing military that is strewn about the world, and virtual constant warfare for the last 100+ years. Need I go on?

But the Republicans are trying!!

Really?

When the Republicans controlled all three branches of government what anti-Constitutional laws did they repeal? When the Republicans controlled the House of Representatives and/or the Presidency tell me when they last had a balanced budget? When was the last time a Republican President shrank the actual power and reach of the federal government in any meaningful way?

But the Republican party is the party of Conservatism!

Ah yeah…that is what worries me.

Conservatism – (paraphrasing)

Encyclopedia Britannica – Conservatism is political doctrine that emphasizes the value of traditional institutions and practices. Conservatism is a preference for the historically inherited rather than the abstract and ideal.

Merriam-Webster: Conservatism disposition in politics to preserve what is established, a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change.

So how are you feeling about conservatism right about now?

Let me ask you another tough question, “Would our Founding Fathers have been considered ‘conservatives’?”

Time for another challenge…

Who is proud of our US military?

Well, I am for one. Actually, let me be more specific…I am very proud of the members of our military and their willingness to sacrifice for us. I have some knowledge of this since I am a vet…and my family is full of vets back to the Revolution. In WWI my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and 3 great-uncles all served at the same time…and many more of relatives as well. But, that is not my point…just a little information ahead of time to prevent a possible lynching.

So, what did the Founding Fathers think of the military?

During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, George Mason put a finer point on it:

“No man has a greater regard for the military gentlemen than I have. I admire their intrepidity, perseverance, and valor. But when once a standing army is established in any country, the people lose their liberty. When, against a regular and disciplined army, yeomanry are the only defence [sic], — yeomanry, unskilful and unarmed, — what chance is there for preserving freedom? Give me leave to recur to the page of history, to warn you of your present danger. Recollect the history of most nations of the world. What havoc, desolation, and destruction, have been perpetrated by standing armies!”

In the Federalist Papers Alexander Hamilton wrote, “If circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people while there is a large body of citizens, little, if at all, inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow-citizens. This appears to me the only substitute that can be devised for a standing army, and the best possible security against it, if it should exist.”

So why do I quote the Founding Father in regards to our military? Because they warned us of such things! They warned us of these threats to our Constitutional Republic.

No, I am not denigrating the members of our armed services and to think such is sheer stupidity. Yes, there will be some that jump to such an obscene and idiotic conclusion but they are to be dismissed as nothing more than a mentally ill provocateur.

My point being…conservatives (i.e. Republicans) adore a large standing army, navy and air force!

Now you have to wonder…if the Founding Fathers warned us against a large standing army and warned us against a two-party system…and they were patriots…what does that make Republicans and Conservatives?

OK, take a breath…seriously, breath for a minute.

Fortunately most people who claim to be conservatives are actually libertarians…or at least so to some degree. Let me share these two graphics with you…

As you read through the two charts, what do you find yourself identifying with?

Now try this one on…

Yes, libertarians of today are the “classical liberals” of yesterday.

Now, let me go back and ask you this, “Were our Founding Fathers Conservatives, Liberals, or Libertarian in their beliefs?”

And then again, “Were our Founding Fathers patriots or nationalists?”

And lastly, “Did our Founding Fathers want us to have Democrat and Republican parties?”

Many of us view our Founding Fathers as divinely inspired…I am one of them. If I were to guess, those of you reading this article would agree with me on that point.

So, for me…

• I am a patriot, not a nationalist.
• I am civil society libertarian in my political thinking, not a liberal or conservative.
• I am surely not a Republican, I am definitely not a Democrat.

Yup, that leaves me squarely and solely a person who views issues, ideas, thoughts, and problems from a purely principle position…not from a given political ideological perspective.

Now the real question is…Who are you?

Summary –

About now you are probably “Why did I write this article and what do I want from you?”

Well, just as Thomas Jefferson implored us to do, I wrote it to encourage you to challenge what your beliefs are. I want you to truly think about your principles and what they are based on…their foundation. I want you to become firm in those beliefs to prevent you from being blown about in the coming storm.

I want you to know that which is right to “stand for” and avoid the “fall for anything” traps that are here…and many, many more traps to come. There are people who have wrapped themselves in the flag and those who are carrying the Bible…and they are laying traps for you. How? They are using nationalism disguised at patriotism. And worse, they are using convoluted scripture from the Bible as justifications for their agenda. To do what? To get you to do those things that you would normally not ever do…that the real America would not do. They are learned men deceiving people by mingling some truths with their illicit and immoral plans. They are scheming for their own personal gain…power and money…and that of their political party.

I simply want you to know and understand truth as you have researched it. I want you to take action as you feel prompted to follow. To take those actions that you feel are right and based on a firm foundation of solid and actual truths. I don’t want you manipulated, tricked, and brought down.

America has an amazing, divine foundation. America’s Founding Fathers were divinely inspired men. America is an amazing country, the most fantastic country on earth, nothing like her exists.

America has problems in our past, but it does not define our future.

We are America’s future.

Stand Firm…Stand Tall !!

Your family needs you, America needs you, and God needs you.

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without expressed written permission from AHTrimble.com
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Independence Day (a.k.a. 4th of July) commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. July 4th is a day celebrating declaring independence from Great Britain. However, on July 2, 1776 the American Revolution leadership declared the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain after the American Congress had voted to do so. And the 4th is when they  actually signed the document. .

But remember, open warfare had broken out a year earlier between the tyrannical British forces and American freedom fighters.

So if this holiday, the 4th of July – Independence Day, is all about declaring independence and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. What is the Declaration of Independence all about?

Well, just take the first 18 words of the actual document –

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands…”

The Declaration of Independence was all about dissolving the tyranny that had been imposed upon them by the British ruling class. In other words, the Americans were fed-up with the tyranny they lived under and were finally doing something really serious about it. The Declaration of Independence was an explanation of what they were doing and why.

But you also have to understand by what “authority” they felt they had to take such drastic actions –

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…”

They stated unequivocally what the problem was with the British government –

“…the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States…”

If you are reading this post you are more than likely not a first visitor to this website. And that being the case, you know I am not some blogger that wants to be all warm and fuzzy. I don’t believe in sugar-coating currents events and I damn darn sure don’t want to give false hope and impressions of what is going on or where we as a country are headed. I always want to give you the straight talk and the straight, honest answers. But remember, these are only my opinions. Seek out, research, and come to your own conclusions of what is happening in our country today (the last 120 years actually) and why. In this day an age of misinformation I want you to trust no one but yourself, and hopefully your spouse. I am confident you can figure out this situation, I just want to share some thoughts that I think are important to where we are as a country right now.

The Declaration of Independence listed approximately 26 grievances against the government of Britain.  Among those I found these to be very interesting:

1. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
2. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
3. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
4. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
5. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
6. For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
7. For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
8. For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
9. For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
10. For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offenses.

Let me make a note of those just for conversation’s sake:

1. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. Judges now “make” law, are appointed by the President, serve for life, paid by the government (who sets their pay scale), and the Supreme Court is untouchable even when ruling against the Constitution. Even the most minor federal judge in the middle of nowhere can stop the President (the entire Executive Branch) from performing their Constitutional duties. Does that sound even remotely right?
2. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance. The layers of government local-to-federal now number in the 10’s of millions of employees. All serving in a system that can arbitrarily create policy and regulation that carry the force of law. And those laws can ruin people’s lives, destroy businesses, and devastate entire communities.
   
3. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. Not only do we have a huge standing Army, we have a huge standing Air Force, Navy, Marines and National Guard. We now have a situation that dwarfs what the Declaration of Independence complained about. And it cost us 100’s of billions of dollars every year. Money that we have to borrow, driving the country into bankruptcy.
   
4. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. Our military now has unlimited powers, via the NDAA, even within the borders of the US. Posse Comitatis is no longer recognized by the federal government or the military. The military is free to arrest, detain, ship to another country, or kill any US citizen within the borders of the USA by the simple order of the President, and in some cases, by local military commanders.
   
5. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: Our government has now subjugated US law to UN law, agreements, and in some cases even Sharia Law. That is in direct opposition to US Constitutional law. In some legal jurisdictions now, Sharia Law (Islamic religious law) is now recognized as superior to US law. 
   
6. For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: One only needs to look at the nearly 1.5million law enforcers stationed throughout every community, at every possible level of government, to understand this problem. There is little resemblance of yesterday’s peace officers to today’s fully militarized law enforcement officers who operate at the whim and will of federal guidance and political direction.
   
7. For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: The political class is virtually immune to arrest and prosecution for the crimes they commit. We see one politician after another commit serious crimes with absolute impunity. Such is the benefit of the political ruling class. We have a two-tier judicial system…the ruling class…and us.
   
8. For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: This goes without saying. But it is even worse than you might think at first pass. Not only does the government, at all levels, impose taxes on its citizens at will and without authority or permission…it also eliminates the payment of income taxes by those they wish to exempt. It has gotten so bad that over half of the country’s citizens pay no income taxes while the minority of the population support the entire country’s finances…including the immense welfare system that the majority non-taxpayers benefit from.
   
9. For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:  The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the previous Patriot Act, and the present Freedom Act…as well as a host of non-laws (Presidential Directives) have eliminated the effect of the Sixth Amendment found in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights. The government can, at its own discretion, deprive citizens of rights, property, money, and freedoms through the imposition of “policy” enforced by police. And they do so to the tune of 10’s of millions of dollars each year with impunity. There is little to no defense against such arbitrary civil forfeiture acts of government in today’s system. The Civil Asset Forfeiture laws allow property owned by citizens to be seized without due process, without even any criminal charges being filed. Law enforcement simply takes the property from citizens. This is done to the tune of millions and millions of dollars each year.
   
10. For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offenses. The policy currently in use and in force by the US government is called “rendition.”  The current policy of rendition is the government sponsored kidnapping and extrajudicial transfer of a person from one country to another to avoid the US legal system. And in so doing allows the torture and indefinite detention or execution of prisoners that the US federal government wishes to impose itself upon.

So, I guess some things haven’t changed.

Well, that isn’t exactly true:

• We are taxed by government far more heavily now than prior to the American Revolution.
• We are regulated by government far more so now than prior to the American Revolution.
• The ruling government is far more controlling over the population than prior to the American Revolution.
• As percentage of population, we have far more government officials, bureaucrats, and regulators than prior to the American Revolution.
• As a percentage of population, we have far more law enforcement officers than prior to the American Revolution.
• We have far more laws, regulations, rules, policies, and codes than prior to the American Revolution.
• As a percentage of population, we have far more politicians than prior to the American Revolution.
• As a percentage of population, we have far more people in jails and prisons than prior to the American Revolution.

Pretty much according to every negative aspect of life prior to the American Revolution, we have it tenfold worse here in our lives…in our good ol’ USA. Right here, right now…in our day and age!

So what does that mean? To answer that question let’s look at who signed the Declaration of Independence:

Adams, John
Adams, Samuel
Bartlett, Josiah
Braxton, Carter
Chase, Samuel
Clark, Abraham
Clymer, George
Ellery, William
Floyd, William
Franklin, Benjamin
Gerry, Elbridge
Gwinnett, Button
Hall, Lyman
Hancock, John
Harrison, Benjamin
Hart, John
Hewes, Joseph
Heyward Jr., Thomas
Hooper, William
Hopkins, Stephen
Hopkinson, Francis
Huntington, Samuel
Jefferson, Thomas
Lee, Francis Lightfoot
Lee, Richard Henry
Lewis, Francis
Livingston, Philip
Lynch Jr., Thomas
McKean, Thomas
Middleton, Arthur
Morris, Lewis
Morris, Robert
Morton, John
Nelson Jr., Thomas
Paca, William
Paine, Robert Treat
Penn, John
Read, George
Rodney, Caesar
Ross, George
Rush, Benjamin
Rutledge, Edward
Sherman, Roger
Smith, James
Stockton, Richard
Stone, Thomas
Taylor, George
Thornton, Matthew
Walton, George
Whipple, William
Williams, William
Wilson, James
Witherspoon, John
Wolcott, Oliver
Wythe, George

Collectively how do we refer to these men today?

We call them, or at least use to call them, patriots and Founding Fathers. We revere them, we honor them, we appreciate their great sacrifices that they made in founding our country and providing a rich heritage of freedom, rights and liberty.

But what if all of that Declaration of Independence stuff was all occurring in today’s world?

What if a group of well-known and honorable men got together, outlined a long list of unjust tyrannical actions of today’s federal government against US citizens?

And then these pillars of society declared that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish that government, and to institute new government. What would happen to these individuals?

Well, let’s look at what DHS and the FBI has to say about it.

You are considered a potential domestic terrorist if you are any of the following:

•    Americans who believe their “way of life” is under attack;
•    Americans who are “fiercely nationalistic (as opposed to universal and international in orientation)”;
•    People who consider themselves “anti-global” (presumably those who are wary of the loss of American sovereignty);
•    Americans who are “suspicious of centralized federal authority”;
•    Americans who are “reverent of individual liberty”;
•    People who “believe in conspiracy theories that involve grave threat to national sovereignty and/or personal liberty;”
•    Anti-abortion advocates (a.k.a. Pro-Life).
•    Bulk purchasers of food.
•    People who pay cash.
•    People who want internet privacy.
•    People who display “liberty” or “freedom” oriented bumper stickers.
•    People who display the American flag.

So there is little doubt if the Declaration of Independence was written and signed today, all of those original Founding Fathers, all those patriots, would be swept up in massive FBI raids, using no-knock warrants with fully-militarized SWAT forces.

What does that tell you about the condition of our country today?

What does that say of our freedoms, rights and liberties?

What does it say of our massive system of government, especially at the federal level?

What does it all have to do with an “emergency preparedness” website?

Let me make it real clear for you…A major threat to America today is the police state. No, not the threat of a police state…the growing police state that we live under right now. And that very same police state that grows ever stronger each and every day.

At some point an event will occur, and the country will be thrown into confusion and chaos the likes of which you have never ever seen before in history. And when that happens the grid will come smashing down and it will come down completely. When that happens I want you and your family to be prepared. Better yet I want you to have a group of preparedness advocates organized and supportive of each other. And best of all…if you could have a whole community ready for emergencies and disasters…that would be my dream!

Folks it is coming. I assure you of that. Our country, our government can’t survive much longer…history has proven that over and over again. Please prepare yourself and your family for the emergencies and disasters that are coming.

In the mean time, because your are prepared, you will be ready for wildfires, recessions, hurricanes, earthquakes, unemployment, retirement, and most other natural and man-made disasters as well. And because you are prepared you shall not fear.

Just please understand what we are dealing with right now…and what is coming in the near future. Please prepare yourself and your family. And while you’re at it…enjoy your 4th of July, Independence Day, by remembering what this day represents, who was there originally, why they were there, and what principles they believed in.

Please prepare!

Be a modern day patriot…be a Founding Father!

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without expressed written permission from AHTrimble.com
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Original post appeared on 2015, updated/edited 2019.

If you haven’t read part 1, read it from yesterday’s post.

Washington politicians, and most state-level politicians, have absolutely no desire to uphold the Constitution. Actually, most politicians have no true understanding of the Constitution to begin with. To Progressives the Constitution is a hindrance to their remake of society to match their vision; a vision that should scare the hell out of any thoughtful, reasonable and intelligent person. A vision that will make Communism and Nazism look like picnic partners. However, going into the details of their vision, or scaring you about its content, is not the intent of this post. I am here to tie today’s politicians into the support of the recent anti-Constitutional LGBT threat of violence and their destruction of all who stand in their way.

In my last post of this 2-part series I went into detail about how violent and destructive the LGBT extremists can be and how much of a threat they will be after a “grid-down” event. I cautioned you to not underestimate the violent LGBT element and their just as extreme Progressive co-conspirators. If you have not already read that article I would suggest you do.

So how do politicians tie into the LGBT community, the recent events in Indiana and how does that all threaten preppers?

Seriously? Really? I have to explain that?

OK, enough of my sarcastic approach to humor. I can explain it quite easily. Here we go…

Harry Reid – In 2012 Harry Reid claimed Romney hadn’t paid income taxes in 10 years. Reid knew at the time it wasn’t true and didn’t provide a single shred of evidence or name a source to prove that it was true. His outright lie contributed to the defeat of Romney in his Presidential bid to unseat Obama. Then in March of 2015 Harry Reid admitted he told that lie. And he went on to say he didn’t regret having said the lie. Then he admitted that the intention of the lie was to help defeat Romney. And finally he gloated about the fact that he had blatantly lied in order to influence a presidential outcome…and it worked. The last tidbit of information came in the fact that Reid told the lie on the floor of the Senate. Due to that fact Reid can never be prosecuted because there is a wavier for Senators lying while on the floor of the Senate…even outright, blatant  fraud.

Obama – The sheer volume of Obama’s lies is too long to list in this article. However, from Obamacare to Benghazi to Iran to a huge list of other subjects he has lied about – he is the consummate liar. He has lied about his childhood, his domestic terrorist ties, his radical Marxist beliefs, his college years, his church participation and everything in-between. It will take years to uncover all the lies this man has told in his lifetime. He is the perfect Progressive in every possible evil way you can imagine.

Hillary Clinton – In 2012 Hillary Clinton told an absolute undeniable lie about what happened in Benghazi the night our Ambassador and three others were killed. It was a lie then, she knew it was a lie and she told it multiple times since then. She got away with it. In 2009 she was appointed Secretary of State. Immediately she broke the law by establishing her own private email address and email server, then using it for official US government business. In 2015 she repeatedly lied about the contents of theemails, the server, and her use of both the server and her email account. However, she comes by lying honestly, she is married to an impeached President…Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton was a blatant liar throughout his entire political career; during his Presidency and was impeached for lying.

James Clapper – In March 2013 James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, denied that the NSA spied on Congress while testifying at a Senate hearing. In the fall of 2013 it was revealed by Clapper’s additional testimony that not only did he lie to Congress that the NSA does in-fact spy on Congressmen but that the White House is fully aware of the illegal spying and approved of it. Let me digress for a moment, in the 1990’s he held several key positions in intelligence agencies under President Bill Clinton. In 2010 President Obama appointed Clapper Director of National Intelligence which oversees the NSA. You have a man appointed by a known liar and perjurer to a powerful intelligence agency leadership role. Then 10 years later the most rabid Progressive extremist president appoints him to head the most powerful intelligence agency in the country. All three men involved are proven, known liars.

George W. Bush – A conversation about liars cannot be complete without a hefty reference to President George W. Bush. His use of the Patriot Act, secret FISA courts and the National Defense Authorization Act is well known to have killed most rights under the Constitution. And his repeated lies that it was all to keep Americans safe is the ultimate lie. His actions were nothing more than a well-orchestrated agenda to deny citizens some of our most basic and cherished Constitutional rights. He was the man who secretly grewthe NSA and the DHS  to the horrific monsters that they are today. The same NSA that Clapper is now in charge of. The same Clapper that was used by both Clinton and Obama. And then in February 2015 Jeb Bush (President George W. Bush’s brother) clearly expressed his unequivocal love and appreciation for the NSA and the work that they do. He also reiterated his unyielding support for the NSA and DHS missions.

I have touched on just a couple of folks in Washington D.C. politics. But I have tied them all together in their shadow world; the world of immense power to spy on and crush the American people at will. The same shadow agencies (DHS/FBI/NSA/CIA) that describe domestic terrorists in America as:

• Americans who believe their “way of life” is under attack;
• Americans who are “fiercely nationalistic (as opposed to universal and international in orientation)”;
• People who consider themselves “anti-global” (presumably those who are wary of the loss of American sovereignty);
• Americans who are “suspicious of centralized federal authority”;
• Americans who are “reverent of individual liberty”;
• People who “believe in conspiracy theories that involve grave threat to national sovereignty and/or personal liberty;”
• Anti-abortion advocates (aka Pro-Life);

And let us not forget the 2009 FBI report that had these listed as potential American domestic terrorists:

• Bulk purchasers of food;
• People who pay with cash;
• People who want internet privacy;
• People who display “liberty” or “freedom” oriented bumper stickers;
• And my personal favorite…”people who display the American flag.”

And the most despicable of all characterizations of potential right-wing domestic terrorists…”returning military veterans.”

Now, let’s go back to my first article wherein the LGBT extremists so easily targeted Indiana’s religious freedom law. Remember how the LGBT extremists were so successful in destroying a pizza shop owner and violently threatening not only the owner’s family, but the man who tried to help them. Look at all the long list of names of Progressives so ready and willing to stand by the hateful and violent LGBT community…and their desire to destroy not only the law but the lawmakers and the Christians that support it. Then look at the ties that the Progressives have with each other and the most powerful intelligence agencies and the Department of Justice. Then look at how they, the Progressives, have labeled the most patriotic Americans, those that believe in God, those that believe in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and those that believe in sanctity of life. Then look at the lists describing what our federal government and all the federal law enforcement agencies consider to be the prime domestic terrorist suspects.

“Preppers” are square in their sights as their prime terrorist suspects.

Why have they done that? It is a propaganda move as old as the use of propaganda itself. You demonize the enemy to make easier to kill them. Michael Bhatia in his book Terrorism and the Politics of Naming says, “Demonetization – In other words, portraying the enemy as malicious and repulsive creates feelings that makes killings easier.” But the practice actually goes back 2000+ years where Thucydides writes “It is a banal fact that political leaders of nations fighting wars habitually demonize the enemy.”

So why would our own government, law enforcement, and political leaders, along with the entire Progressive movement, label so many good patriotic American freedom-loving Christian Americans as potential domestic terrorists?

That has already been answered – they see themselves at war with us.

Now, consider for just a moment when the grid goes down who will they come for first? What will a government full of dangerous proven liars do?

Situational Awareness (SA) is key to understanding what is coming and when it will come. A “plan” is the key to surviving when it happens.

What is your plan?

Food for thought…Let me leave you with a visual on who the liberals, democrats and progressives really are deep in their heart –

2009 - 2019 Copyright © AHTrimble.com ~ All rights reserved
No reproduction or other use of this content 
without expressed written permission from AHTrimble.com
See Content Use Policy for more information.

originally published April 2015, updated/edited Apr 2019.

I wanted to take some time before commenting on the recent assault on religious freedom in the USA. It has now been long enough to allow the players to show their hand and allow the opposing sides to develop their strategy. It is now time for me to share my thoughts.

There is a lot more at play here and some other seemingly unrelated events and people that tie into it. In other words, I am trying to connect the dots. And some people won’t like it, some will refer to me with unpleasant names and many of you won’t read any further than this. And that is OK, I am writing to those that want to see a bigger, longer-term picture of what is happening in the world as we speak.

It has been all over the news for the last week or so that somehow Indiana has committed a heinous hate crime against those in our society that wish to practice sexual activities that many believe to be sinful, or at least not normal. And if you adhere to the word of God, the sexual activities of the group that I refer to, commonly called LGBT, are sinful. If you are any thoughtful, intelligent person you know that LGBT sexual activities are not normal. Yes, you heard me right. By their own admission the LGBT community is no more than 10% of the population at most. If you believe various poll and survey results, the LGBT community is actually only about 4 – 5%. Either way, when 90 – 96% of the country’s citizens behave one way, the other 4 – 10% is not the norm. Hence the phrase “not normal” is used in this context.

But, whether the LGBT folks are sinful or not-normal is not the focus of this post, I want to expose the danger LGBT and their supporters pose to the country in general and Christians specifically. And yes, I said “danger” without any qualification or hesitation. In my series “POST-DISASTER PERSONALITIES” I went into considerable detail explaining the kind of people that pose the most threat in a post-event, “grid-down” environment. The LGBT community fits into the “wolves in sheep clothing” category perfectly. Why?

Ah, yes, great question and one that must be asked and answered with full knowledge of what is to come. But first, why is there even a “LGBT” designation? Because they are a special interest group that desires to legitimize their behaviors. They want their abnormal behavior accepted by the overwhelming majority of people that don’t participate in their activities. Yes, simple as that, they are a special interest group that is advocating for their belief system and acceptance into the mainstream. Well, that and they also desire special treatment, rights, and protections under the law.

Again, why do they advocate? Because they want special attention, special protection and special rights that other citizens won’t and don’t have. And they want all of that by denying others their Constitutional rights. And that is the “rub” as the saying goes.

In my series of posts “Power, Politicians, People…and ‘Prepping’  I explained how “power”, as it relates to people and government, is not created, it moves from one person to another. Or, it can also move between people and government. That means for someone to gain power, someone has to lose it. If government gains power it does so by taking it from individuals; hence, people lose that power to the politicians and bureaucrats.

In this case it means that over the years the LGBT community has gained power through laws that they advocated for, lobbied for and purchased at the federal level and in the state legislatures. And in so doing other people lost power; namely, Christians. And the power the Christians lost are rights still guaranteed under the Constitutional Bill of Rights, namely the freedom of religion.

Now there was amazing event that took place in Indiana, rights protecting legislation was passed and signed into law. A law that reinforced Christians, and others of faith, to have their freedom of religion supported and guaranteed.  In other words, that freedom of religion would not be encroached upon by the legal system. And before the ink was dry the LGBT activists were in full-on war mode. They, along with their Progressive activist buddies, immediately attacked the legislation, the governor, the state, and anyone who even remotely supported the law. Companies threatened, and in some cases, pulled their business from Indiana. Another state forbid its employees from traveling there. And other financial extremists’ activities took place.

And exactly why again?  Religious freedom. And just for review purposes “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” (First Amendment Constitutional Bill of Rights)

Here we have a group of special interest activists, the LGBT folks, demanding that they be allowed special rights and privileges. Neither of which are granted via the Constitution. Those “rights”, empowered by law, will force Christians to behave in ways that are acceptable to the LGBT community. Then we have the religious folks who simply ask that they not have their free exercise of religion be restricted. And whose position is the very first right guaranteed in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights. So who should win and why?

The religious folks should win this fight without any hesitation or reservation, period. Their rights are far far more legally superior than those of some special interest group. How so? Because the LGBT community is not adversely impacted (i.e. they suffer no loss) as the religious community exercises their right of living their religion. So what happened and why?

All over the world we see Christians under intense persecution, literally. Christians are being slaughtered all over the middle-East and Africa, including death by crucifixion. Christianity is virtually non-existent in Europe. And here in the USA there is a very very intense war against anything Christian. And the LGBT extremists are at the leading edge of the battle against Christians here in the USA. And they do so through the court system, through the legislative system, and through financial and physical violence as well. Violence? Yes.

The owner of a small business in Indiana called Memories Pizza was interviewed by the media. In the interview they made a statement to the affect that it was against their religion to support gay marriage. Accordingly, they wouldn’t cater a gay marriage or reception if asked because it goes against their religious beliefs.That sounds perfectly legitimate and acceptable, don’t force anyone to do something that is against their religious beliefs. That is a Constitutional protected right.

However, as soon as the interview hit the air the hate from the LGBT community and other Progressives started. Then it escalated into threats of physical violence against the pizza shop family. The man was so concerned for the lives of his family that he closed his pizza shop because of the threats of physical harm from the Progressives and LGBT community. How’s that for your Progressive bunch? But hold on, it gets worse.

A well-intentioned man felt the shop owner was being unfairly treated and began a campaign to support the shop owner by starting a “go fund me” page raising funds for the pizza guy and his family. Well, that guy then immediately began being attacked and threatened. By who? Yup, the LGBT and their co-conspirator Progressive buddies. And FYI, the guy that started the “go fund me” page is black. So where are all the race advocates now?

How does any of this have anything to do with “prepping” and related activities? Absolutely nothing! But, it has everything to do with a post “grid-down” event which will affect “preppers.”

In this horrific example of power shifting from a Constitutional right of religious freedom of a group of Christian citizens…to a special interest group. A group that is demanding and advocating for special recognition and special privileges based on sexual lifestyle. Once again, the Constitution loses, religion loses, the citizenry loses, and the Progressives win. And it will continue to get worse, much worse.

Let me explain why it will get worse. Groups like the LGBT community and their fellow Progressive & liberal extremists are violent, very violent, by nature. Their intolerant view of the world emboldens them to feel that their rights and beliefs are superior to anyone and everyone’s else’s rights, even those rights guaranteed in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights. And those folks are perfectly capable of, and feel justified in using, financial warfare and physical violence against anyone who doesn’t bend, bow and submit to their vision of society. That makes them an extreme threat to worry about when the grid goes down. They will come for your food, your water, your gear, your equipment and they will stop at nothing to take it all. And they will not hesitate to threaten you, financially ruin you or kill you to do so. Or they may come after you simply because they see you as conservative, libertarian or any other group people they hate. The Progressives have no tolerance for anyone who thinks or behaves differently than they think and behave.

You must see liberals and Progressives (and their various sub-cultures) for who they are, and be prepared to deal with them. Know that they will stop at nothing, including force and violence, to get their way. They have proven that clearly over and over again. They do not respect “rights” of others and they will forsake the Constitution at their first opportunity. They have proven it again with the issue in Indiana. They have no problem using force, whether financial destruction or threat of, or actual physical violence, against Christian families. They will and do put their special interest desires above the Constitutional rights of Christians. And it will only be worse when the grid goes down.

The LGBT and Progressive violent extremists are a clear and present danger once the grid goes down. Do NOT underestimate their power and ability.  The Progressives and all their special interest groups have a huge numerical advantage over “preppers.”

So who are their Progressive buddies in Washington and why do they pose a threat? Read the next post in this 2-part series.

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Please make sure you have read the first three parts to this series of articles:

• Part 1 – Who are they?
• Part 2 – How to Identify Them In Today’s World
• Part 3 – The Hybrids

WARNING! – If any of you are reading this and you are an owner/master in sheep’s clothing just waiting for the right opportunity post-disaster to emerge and make a power play know this…you will be found out. And when you are found out you won’t like the way you are dealt with. People will not tolerate evil, and owner/masters are evil…current or latent.

For those of you that are sheep, I would strongly suggest you find a shepherd and get to know them well and join whatever organization they are currently leading; most probably a church. As a sheep you can be productive and useful, but only in the right group can you also be safe and happy. Consider taking the training to become a sheepdog. You probably have the capability inside you, it just needs to be nurtured and developed. At the very least…you become a better equipped sheep to deal with wolves.

For those of you that are currently herding dogs I would suggest you change your ways. You may not even realize that you are a herding dog, you may think you are a sheepdog. Please review the articles or judge yourself based on what you feel is right…your morals and ethics. But herding dogs have a hard time realizing who they are. It is tough looking in the mirror and making that call. It all boils down to attitude and who you are professionally doing that job for. If you say to yourself or others “Hey, I have to go home to my family at the end of the day.” Or “Hey I’m just doing my job.” Or “They are dirt bags and deserve it.” Or “I’m just following orders.” Or you look at everyone with suspicion, or believe that “stop & frisk” is a great police tactic. Or you think Civil Asset Forfeiture laws are great police tools…then you better question yourself.

If you look at the Constitution and Bill of Rights as a hindrance to doing your job you are probably a herding dog. If you think criminal defense lawyers are scumbags you are probably on thin ice. If all you worry about it overtime and retirement then you are for sure a herding dog. If you enjoy pulling people over for traffic tickets and enjoy DUI checkpoints then you are probably a herding dog. If you are “badge heavy” you better take a hard look at yourself,there is no doubt you are a herding dog. You might think that you will make a great sheepdog…well, don’t count on it. You will probably be even more of a herding dog…or wolf…post-SHTF.  And the worst of it, you will think you, as a herding dog, are doing a great service to the flock that you are part of.

If you don’t know that you are a sheepdog, that is OK. When the crap hits the fan some sheep will turn into sheepdogs because deep down inside they have been a sheepdog all along and there just was no opportunity for that to come out in today’s world. If you want to become a sheepdog, then go find one and do what he does. Let him mentor you and guide you. Although he may be reluctant to do so due to his humility.

If you are a predator your days are numbered. Sheepdogs will not tolerate any attack on the flock…and we will eliminate you. You will lose…quickly, maybe later…but eventually you will lose.

If you are a hybrid you better think twice, change your ways because sheepdogs won’t tolerate you for very long. You will either forsake your evil ways or sheepdogs will stop you.

If you are a politician and the grid goes down just shut-up and become a sheep. No one wants to hear any of your crap! It is probably your fault that got us into the mess to begin with. Once a politician, always a politician.  And politicians suck!

Same goes for an owner/master – we will stop you one way or another. It is best you try and change your ways now. But you won’t, your ego won’t let you. But sheepdogs will stop you when the time comes. Period!  Look for them, they will stop you. You should be afraid but you won’t be; your ego is just too huge.

If you are a sheepdog, don’t do anything, you don’t have to. You have your own sense of self-worth and feeling of accomplishment in this world and the one to come. Thank you!

If you are a shepherd you are a very blessed person and one who deserves a lot of thanks and appreciation. There are very very few of you. We need more. Those that are sheepdogs are looking for you. For sheepdogs to do their jobs to the best of their ability…they need you, a shepherd, to be leading the flock.

I hope this has been of some value to you giving you a perspective that maybe you haven’t considered before. If you would like to comment or discuss I would love to hear from you.

Thank you to all those in my life that have helped me to understand people and personalities.

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note: edited/updated July 2019

Now that we have gone over the basic categories of post-disaster personalities, let’s talk for a minute of a couple of situations that may occur, called “hybrids”. If you didn’t read yesterday’s post…now is a good time to do so.

Hybrids will start out as one personality type and morph into another; possibly without the person themselves even being aware of their true nature to begin with.  This morphing will generally not be to the betterment of the person. Another type of hybrid will be a latent personality who knows exactly who they really are inside but they are waiting for the right time to let their real personality surface.  Again, not considered a “good” change.

There will also be those that do morph into something better, some sheep will become sheepdogs. Some sheep may become shepherds.  Even a owner/master may repent and become a sheepdog or shepherd. And yes, some herding dogs may even become sheepdogs…but rarely, they are simply too used to power and authority. But I think those changes will be rare with the exception of sheep into sheepdogs. I think that particular evolutionary personality type may be more prominent than anticipated.  Society today does everything it can to train and breed out any sheepdog tendencies. Today’s Progressive, liberal, Democrat/Republican society wants sheep not sheepdogs. But the underlying goodness of many men will not be denied, they may well become sheepdogs when needed.

In the last post on this subject I went over identifying post-disaster personality types in today’s world by occupation and personality signs.  Being able to recognize the potential typical personality types is important to good Situational Awareness (SA).  It is even more important to know about the “hybrids” and the danger associated with them.  Don’t be blind-sided…be informed and aware.

A wolf in sheep’s clothing. We’ve all heard that expression before, there is a reason for it. These types of people are readily prevalent in daily life, and they will definitely be there, and even more apparent, in any post-disaster life. This will be a person that is well versed in deception. They deceive regularly every day in their marriage, their work, their personal relationships, and their interactions with people in general. They are probably going to be business people, especially sales people, also government workers and politicians. The key ingredient that keeps them from surfacing quickly as a predator is their lack of power or confidence in successfully getting away with predatory behavior. That lack of power can come in the form of lack of support from people or lack of resources (i.e. food, weapons, etc.). It boils down to they just don’t have enough “juice” at first.  They may recognize that fact and bide their time as they acquire their power and sufficient resources.  Only then they would feel confident that they are ready to make their move against flock members. This person will likely try to keep a low profile to ensure not being easily or quickly identified. They know that if they were identified before they had/have sufficient power that they would suffer retribution.  This person will be the one that steals from an individual family or the group.

Bradley Stone & wife – picture taken less than 1 year before he killed her and 5 other family members.

They will be capable of selling out (betraying) their own patrol to an enemy force if they think there is sufficient reward for doing so. They will most likely be identified only after a period of time where a number of their acts can finally be connected to crimes or betrayals. This is a very dangerous individual because they will keep escalating their types of crimes until they are forcibly stopped. This person will likely be a rapist. And they will also stop at nothing to avoid being caught or punished. This would be a person that would kill sheepdogs and shepherds to avoid being held accountable.

Also, there is a very real possibility that one of the “wolves” could masquerade as sheepdog. In this case they will portray themselves as powerful and not to be trifled with. They will be both defensive and aggressive, appearing to be a strong Type A personality. Watch for signs of them making lewd and inappropriate comments about members of the opposite sex. They are most likely to be males and come from a profession where they had power, virtually unquestioned authority. If a particular “wolf in sheep’s clothing” is a law enforcement person, they probably had a history of citizen complaints against them, including sexual harassment complaints. They may also hide behind religion. They may appear as a “defender of the faith” and criticizing/condemning a person not being religious enough, or not agreeing with their version of beliefs. In this particular situation think…Taliban-like behavior.

A herding dog masquerading as a sheepdog.  This could be a very hard situation to recognize. The two types of dogs are very similar and appear to have the same goal, protecting the flock. But the herding dog’s desire and intent is to “control” the flock more that protect. A herding dog that is hiding in the guise of a sheepdog will probably complain about the lack of discipline, lack of use of force, or lack of weapon or ammunition, or lack of action, etc. They will likely promote more use of force, especially when dealing with external threats. They will likely volunteer for the more the dangerous tasks or where violence would most likely be used or required. They can come from a military background, but not a successful or rewarding career in the military. The most probable of backgrounds would be troubled law enforcement personnel.

Most law enforcement personnel, by a large margin, currently are herding dogs; some very aggressively so.  They will tend to be younger, 20’s & 30’s or older late 50’s+.  They will tend to be single, muscular from strenuous physical training and steroid use. The steroid users will be the most dangerous subset of this group due to the resulting and increased aggression from steroid usage. Law enforcement personnel are trained in, and function in, an unquestioned authority system. And they expect instant compliance from those they deal with in daily life. They are also used to large supporting systems (i.e. courts, other agencies, unions, etc.) to back them up regardless of the situation. They will most likely expect unquestioned support from the flock and leadership regardless of their actions. This group of personality types will be very susceptible to being influenced by a owner/master or wolf hiding among the flock. They will gravitate to them because they crave and respect “power” and “authority”…and they are willing to commit violence to reacquire it.

All the while they will be thinking and saying they are doing it for the good of the flock, that they know best, it is to protect and serve. This individual can be extremely dangerous and vicious if confronted and challenged, or punishment is attempted. Once this person is exposed they will become very defensive and susceptible to latent owner/masters morphing.  If the group continues trying to hold them accountable, this personality type can become extremely dangerous and violent…a huge singular threat to the flock.

A owner/master in sheep’s clothing.  This person is similar to a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” and must be watched for with great vigilance.

This person can be very dangerous overall to the group. Left unchecked they will think that whatever power-grabbing scheme they are hatching is working.  They will feel certain that they can achieve their goal of becoming an owner/master. One key indicator will be they will tend to be a primary or constant source of conflict. Not a “complaining” type of conflict or assertively offering alternatives.  But these people will be more playing one person off against another in order to create doubt in people’s minds of someone else, probably the group leader. In others words…regularly creating conflict against or between people. This person is likely to lay low with the sheep until they can put together a sufficient power base and then move against existing leadership. They may try to gain some control over the sheep/herding dogs so they can have an opportunity to identify current or potential herding dogs. They would then use deception and promises of power/rewards to lure current or potential herding dogs into doing their bidding. Once a latent owner/master has established himself, he is likely to attempt (and succeeding in) surrounding himself with herding dogs. He may also be successful attracting some “wolves in sheep’s clothing” as well.  But this is likely to only occur should he appear to have a high probability of maintaining and growing his power. Herding dogs won’t want to be on the losing side.

The “wolves” would most likely be his “secret” weapon kept hidden while doing his dirty work for him. That would be different than his use of herding dogs which he would use as tools of intimidation. Once found out, a latent or rising owner/master is not likely to willingly give up his power base…or give up his quest for leadership. He may feign that move if needed, but it will only be a deception to buy him more time to grow stronger and improve his chances of success later. Once a latent owner/master makes a move against existing leadership he will be hard to deal with; he will know he will likely only have one real chance to establish himself as the new leader. He will place all of his efforts and resources into play once he makes his move. Watch for a hidden resource he keeps in reserve to be his “stop gap” or “last resort” option.

Hybrid Summary –

For hybrids healthy inter-personal relationships are difficult in normal times; they will become exponentially more so when you are talking post-disaster. If we are talking TEOTWAWKI it will be difficult to figure out who these people really are and what they are capable of. The reason being is our normal personal and societal boundaries, limitations, rules and morals will be absent, whether in actuality or only perception.

You, as well as all those in your family and/or group, will need to be hyper-vigilant in assessing people on a regular basis, especially “new-comers.” You will have to establish baseline behaviors for each person and then watch for deviations from that baseline. Situational Awareness of people, including your own people, will have to be spot-on recognizing deviant behavior.  Or you may suffer missing signs that could point to personality shifts. Worse yet, you could miss the signs that a person falls within one of the three dangerous hybrids mentioned above.

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