Destiny Survival

Archive for February, 2008

            That is indeed the question, is it not?  Douglas Herman ponders this question in an article he has written.  He poses scenarios some would consider to be gloom and doom, but these things must be considered.  This isn’t the America we once thought it was.  This isn’t the world it was ten or twenty years ago.  We must think the unthinkable.

            While we must not let our guard down, we must also take action that turns negatives into positives.

            Would you be prepared for a power outage such as the one South Florida experienced Tuesday?  What if that outage lasted days or even weeks instead of hours?  Apparently others are thinking about such possible calamities we may face.  Ted Twietmeyer has written an article called “The Power Failure From Hell”, describing the difficulties we’ll experience if there is a major failure of electricity.  For instance, not only will your home lights and appliances be off, but you won’t be able to access your bank account or get gasoline in your car.

            Now is the time to prepare for such extreme situations.  Of course, you’ll stock up on rechargeable batteries and a solar battery charger from Real Goods.  You would also do yourself a big favor by getting a copy of the Solar Living Sourcebook from Real Goods.  This is the fully updated, 30th Anniversary Edition of the Solar Living Sourcebook, edited by Real Goods President and Founder John Schaeffer.  This 600 page softcover book is the ultimate resource on renewable energy, sustainable living, alternative construction, green building, homesteading, off-the-grid living and alternative transportation.  You get the latest nuts and bolts information on how to harvest renewable energy sources to power your home. Discover how to sell that renewable energy back to your utility company.  Also discover how to site and build your dream eco-home and how to minimize your use of fossil fuel, and more.

            This isn’t simply about conserving energy.  It’s about planning and taking action for your survival when there’s no electricity at all.  Click on the Real Goods logo and order the Solar Living Sourcebook while there’s still time.

            “Sam, I’m feeling the panic,” I said into the phone.  “When I see the headlines about the economy, I get scared that people who read my blog won’t buy anything.  It seems like people are putting the brakes on their purchases.”

            “You’re sensing something very important,” Survival Sam said calmly.  “Things are indeed bad and are likely to get worse.”

            “Thanks loads for cheering me up,” I said.

            “You know you can count on me,” Sam said.  “You have to keep in mind that those who look at your blog page come there for a reason.  They’re looking for ways to survive the economic downturn.  They’re motivated to buy things they need.  You’re not encouraging people to do something they aren’t already doing.  Even in times of depression, people need essentials like soap for bathing and laundry and food to put on the table.”

            “Yes,” I said, “but it still makes me nervous.”

            “Look at it this way,” Sam said.  “Let’s suppose you’re a carpenter building a house.  You need basic supplies and tools.  When you need nails, you buy nails.  And when you want to hammer in those nails, you don’t use a screwdriver.  You use a hammer.”

            “So?”

            “It isn’t possible for a carpenter to do his job without tools.  Furthermore, he uses the most efficient tools.  Having the right tools makes all the difference.  He’s not going to use a child’s one foot ruler to measure something several feet long.  He uses a good tape measure.  Or, a pipe cutter is much more convenient when working with PVC than trying to use a hacksaw.”

            “And you think people need the right tools for survival,” I said.

            “Certainly,” Sam replied.  “One of the right tools is the survival mindset or attitude we’ve  talked about in the past–being willing to color outside the lines, so to speak.  A wise person knows he or she needs certain provisions.  One key example is having a year’s supply of food on hand.”

            “You mean like what Nitro-Pak offers?”

            “Exactly,” said Sam.  “Nitro-Pak has Mountain House freeze dried food developed for those living in today’s fast paced world who can truly appreciate premium quality when they see it.  Everything is included for three square meals a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The food choices included are excellent, gourmet tasting items, too.  There’s not much involved in preparation either.  Just add hot water, wait a few minutes, and eat.”

            “That sounds great,” I said, “but isn’t the whole unit rather expensive?”

            “Not when you break it down,” Sam said.  “Each meal costs less than $3.11, which is cheaper than fast food meals these days.  Storage life is up to an incredible 25 years.  Anyone who reads your blog will want to make sure they’re getting the original complete ‘Ultimate Pak’ for their family, since there are knock offs out there nowadays.  But why settle for second best?”

            “That discriminating person can easily get their own ‘Ultimate Pak.’,” I said.  “All one has to do to get started is to click on the Mountain House Ultimate Pak logo to start the ordering process.”

            “And,” Sam said, “that person who is both wise and discriminating will do just that.”

            What would you do if you wanted to bake something, such as a dessert, but you didn’t have your Dutch oven along on a camping trip?  What if you don’t have a Dutch oven and the electricity is out at home for a long period?  You can’t very well use a skillet for baking because you need uniform heating throughout whatever you’re cooking, so why not use a large pot over your campfire or stove?

            Why not experiment with a little survival cooking before you’re forced into a situation where you need it?  Recently I read about one woman’s creative cooking for outdoor situations.  How about trying some apple desserts without an oven..

            You could start your cooking adventure with a medium or large stock pot from Lehman’s.  Click on the Lehman’s logo, then type 241712 in the search box for the large stock pot.  You could also type stock pot in the search box.  Either way you’ll see a great selection of pots and pans to choose from.  Try it.  Get prepared and have some culinary fun at the same time!

            “Sam, is there any way to warn my teenaged niece about not giving out too much information about herself on Facebook?” asked Duane.

            Survival Sam took a sip of coffee.  “You can try, but I doubt if you’ll get very far.”

            “That’s not helpful,” Duane frowned.

            “You could tell her,” said Sam, “that anything posted on Facebook is legally theirs.  They own it and can do with it as they please.  Photos and posts can have potential audiences of several hundred thousand people.  Many magazines and newspapers covet such numbers.  You could ask your niece if she wants so much personal information to go to that many unknowns, though it won’t likely mean anything to her.”

            “It scares the heck out of me,” said Duane.  “Why don’t you think it will mean anything to her.”

            “Young people who have grown up with online technology don’t fully understand the technology, its outreach, or the implications involved.  They don’t have sense enough to care about such things.  They’re used to putting information out there presumably to a certain network or niche.  They think only certain people are going to be looking, but as I said, there may be hundreds of thousands looking on.”

            “How much privacy can we really have these days anyway?” I asked.

            “First,” Sam said, “privacy doesn’t mean what it used to.  To most people these days, privacy no longer means being left alone, but controlling the information that’s out there.  Obviously, on social sharing sites and so many other areas of life today, the control we thinkwe have just doesn’t exist.”

            “I remember a financial guy on the radio several years ago,” said Duane, “saying that he could practically figure out your life story just by having your Social Security number.  I’m sure things haven’t gotten any safer or more secure for us today.  It’s amazing what someone can find out with just a few key strokes.”

            “I heard a man once say you shouldn’t put anything in an e-mail that you wouldn’t put on a postcard,” I said.  “I’ll bet postal workers learned plenty of juicy tidbits by reading postcards before e-mail became so dominant.”

            “Could be,” said Sam.  “I’ve never asked a mailman to reveal gossip.  What I do know is that e-mails and other online communications can potentially be monitored.  Whether they actually are in each individual’s case is another matter, but no one has the certainty that they’re not being monitored.  These days it may be safest to assume they are, and then write what you have to say accordingly.”

            “Nobody can monitor them all, can they?” I asked.

            “Some human being has to go through and find key words computers might be looking for,” said Sam.  “Fortunately, the Internet is still a relatively difficult place to control and censor.  However, be aware that Internet service providers and phone companies have clauses written into the user agreement you have with them that permits them to turn over any potentially incriminating information to the government.  By signing on with these companies, you implicitly agree, whether you know it or not, or whether you like it or not, that it’s OK with you if your communications are monitored.  You can’t get out of such agreements unless you stop all phone and Internet service ties with these companies.”

            “Never mind my niece keeping her privacy,” said Duane.  “You’re painting a bleak picture for all of us.”

            “Oh, that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface regarding loss of privacy,” Sam said.  “For example, if you pay for your groceries with a debit or credit card, that purchase is most certainly traceable.  If you have a loyalty card from the store, you can be sure someone is gathering information about your buying habits.  You can pay with cash and make it more difficult to track your purchases, but your face is probably on at least one surveillance camera in the store.  If you make a larger purchase than usual, or if you pay more on your credit card bill than usual, the banks notice it and may question you about it.”

            “That could work in my favor,” said Duane, “if someone’s trying to steal my identity and make unauthorized purchases on my card.”

            “Ah, yes,” Sam said, “but just be aware that irregularities do get noticed.  I’m no expert on cleaning up problems caused by identity theft, but you should make it a habit of checking your credit reports regularly to see if anything is going on that shouldn’t be.  It’s the law now that you can get a report from each of the three credit bureaus without charge once a year.”

            “True,” said Duane, “but if you avoid credit cards and make more purchases with cash and start flashing wads of it around, someone may wonder if you’re a drug dealer.”

            “It sounds like a no-win situation,” I said.

            “I think the bottom line,” said Sam, “is to be aware of the world we live in, and be wary.  Be on the alert.  Walk circumspectly.”

Click here to discover how to get tips for urban survival.

            A few weeks ago Duane, John and I discussed the likelihood of detention camps for Americans.  It’s a subject that’s apparently on the minds of others as well.  Within the past few days I’ve seen  articles concerned with whether there really are concentration camps and the plans already in place for the military to quell civil disturbances.

            I can’t say whether the authorities will have occasion to come for me or you, but police across the country have become more militaristic for some time now.  It’s always a good idea for one to keep his nose clean, so to speak.  Perhaps you believe you’ll be in the clear because you say you have nothing to hide.  What if that isn’t enough?  What if the government decides conditions warrant police or military intervention in a big way where you live?  Do you want to take the chance you won’t be caught up in the middle of something?  Might it be a good idea to skip town for a while until the situation calms down?  Shouldn’t you have escape plans ready?

            The absolute bare minimum to take with you, should you attempt to escape a hot spot, would be 72-hour kits for you and your family members.  Click on the QuakeKare banner on this page’s right sidebar and buy 72-hour Deluxe Survival Kits for home, car, school, and office.  QuakeKare has thoroughly thought through emergency preparedness when putting together these kits.  They’ve included food, water, and other essentials you need in a tight spot.  If you wait until you’re convinced you need them, it may already be too late.