The Shutdown

If it were only that easy. Just pull the plug and it all stops! The endless laws that curtail freedom, the least of our society living off the best, The best feeding off the least, the subjugation of our lives and wealth all ended at the flick of the switch. We have found out that none of that is true, and it's becoming increasingly obvious that the inverse is reality.

Our rulers have decided, (without influence from the electorate) that it's best for the country to feel the "shutdown" as an affliction instead of a stumbling block. They have seen fit to spend more money locking people out of parks and making the shutdown felt as roughly as possible. Instead of the federal police and rangers patrolling the sites and ensuring a safe place to enjoy the parks that were bought and paid for with public money, they have decided to shut them off to spite everyone, paying overtime and renting barricades to ensure the (still taxed) public is kept at bay. This is shameful to say the least, and criminal at best.

If you remember the horrible "Sequester" cuts that came and passed without much notice, you will remember that the powers that be did their best to make sure that the cuts were felt as deeply as possible. The sequester cuts were also meant to inflict as much pain as possible so that our leaders could have a little solace in not getting their way. "We'll show them" has become the mantra of the elitist ruling class. The only ones not affected are those deemed politically motivating to the establishment. 

Why have the bankruptcy advocates (Congress) made the Affordable Care Act out as the scapegoat? In all reality, the ACA is just another entitlement program that will further impoverish the country. Sooner or later bankrupting us and our children into the 3rd world country we deserve to be for squandering the greatest wealth the world will ever see. We will all feel the pain eventually, there is no way to avoid it! Our society cannot sustain itself.

Our country is further divided ideologically, and our "benefactors" in Washington continue to feed on that division with a diabolical efficiency. The people are their own worst enemy for believing in the hate and foul behavior of the electorate. That division gives them the power they need to ensure that the moderates will never control the government. Only rabid left or right wing idealists will be chosen to keep the country on the brink of civil war for the foreseeable future. The complicit media is riding shotgun for this joyride to the brink of disaster and is (currently) exempt from any form of responsibility for the outcome.

Everyone is so busy pointing fingers and muttering the words so eloquently prefaced in any of Rand's novels, "It's not my fault, there was nothing I could do!"  that they have no interest in the tragic events that are about to befall this once great nation.

This country is STILL legally required to spend more money than it takes in. There is no way to stop that slide unless everyone s willing to take control of their destiny. We all want to get as much tax money as possible back under our purview as possible. It's the American way! We have all become experts on how to spend other people's money, how best to bankrupt those opposed to us. The middle class wants to keep their money, bankrupting just about everyone! The poor, rich and electorate want to suck the middle class dry because they are the biggest demographic. The problem is that the middle class is shrinking due to the taxation and regulation of industry and small business. Not just at the federal level, but in many localities, the city and state government is soaking them for as much tax money as possible.

Where does this lead us? Let's look at the facts. Shrinking tax base, higher taxes. More poor, higher taxes. More bailouts and pork barrel spending, higher taxes. Illegal aliens demanding benefits, higher taxes. Electorate raises, higher taxes. More government employees, higher taxes. All this leads to a shrinking tax base and an unending cycle of failure.

There's a certain point where we will have a shutdown because there will no longer be lenders willing to borrow from. Then what? Just like in current times, the electorate and elitists will choose to make the middle class suffer the hardest. New revenue sources will be required to keep the unruly beast in Washington fed. They will squeeze until they are told to stop, then they will squeeze harder, with no pretense on helping American families. At that point we will have to remove them from the population in order to survive.

People will suffer, the economy will suffer as well if we end the debt cycle. The renewed economic cycle will allow the economy and the people to heal. Federal jobs will be lost on a wholesale scale. Unemployment will skyrocket and there will be a huge depression. That same unemployment will be the greatest thing to happen to America since the industrial revolution. Once again, family businesses and a cottage industry will begin to reign supreme. Quality products and foods will once again find their way to market. The same types of businesses that started this nation will once again be the backbone of society. Work hard and prosper!

We have a choice, pay now or pay more later. In order to pay now, we must remove political parties from the landscape of politics, with whatever means necessary. We have to take a good hard look in the mirror and decide to let the government falter at the federal level. States must have more rights and responsibilities to govern the people within the framework of the constitution. The federal government's role MUST be held to those required responsibilities listed in the constitution. All others are left to the people, or the states. The constitution must be the only Agenda in the thoughts and minds of those in power in Washington.

The further we've gotten away from the ideals of the founding fathers, the worse our quality of life has been. In order to be free, we must throw off the chains of financial servitude to the ruling class. They will "Make it hurt" every chance they get.

Do your part, run for office as an independent and vote for independents. The last option we have requires effort and good marksmanship. Let's not go there unless we have no other choice.

Knowledge is power, so let's make it illegal.

Indiana Man gets eight months for lie detector fraud

The powers that be build a physiological test, and then use it to judge your employ-ability. You "Study" for the test and they throw the teacher in jail for fraud because his methods work. In what alternate reality can you consider disseminating non classified knowledge as a crime?

This is the epitome of tyranny. When the authorities use a tool against the citizens, and then the citizens utilize the same tool as a countermeasure, it's decidedly illegal. When the time comes and the people use the same tactics of silencing those that oppose them, (4GW) what happens then? As with the Reese Family federal destruction campaign, the oppressors will use unlimited resources to overcome you. They will do so legally and there is nothing you can do about it. Well, there are things you can do, but I'm not sure the powers at be will be ready for those unintended consequences. After all, we do outnumber our masters.

The tyrannical continue to back people into a corner, and when they utilize knowledge, skill, cunning, and morality to defeat the tyrannical, what happens? The tyrannical fight back using the media, legal sabotage and seizure laws to overcome the opposition at any cost. When the morally just are backed into a corner, they have 2 choices. Give up or fight back. If they choose the first option, all is lost.Sometimes, a person decides they have nothing left to lose. When that happens, the hunted can become the hunter. Unintended consequences is the evil stepmother to the tyrants. The truth eventually comes out.

Hannah Senesh was a Jewish POW in Budapest. During her court hearing, she accused the Hungarians of conspiring with the Nazi's and told the judges that their enemies were at the gates and the truth of what happened there would someday come out. They needed to consider that before passing judgement. She was executed shortly before Budapest was liberated.

Demonizing the Righteous is a long standing tradition amongst the oppressors throughout history. As with the current regime, they target groups that oppose them using every avenue they can, regardless of the legality. All those alphabet soup agencies descend upon the righteous and investigate them into oblivion. Even if charges are dropped, never issued or you are cleared, you will never again be the same person. They will cost you your reputation, livelihood, tax status, civil rights, privacy and confidence.

We all must exercise the moral imperative to defy, resist evade and smuggle. Sometime we must smuggle information, sometimes it's religion, other times it's the tools required to overcome tyranny. Embrace the obligation to question authority. It's what makes for a good American and a great Patriot.

Your Smallest and Greatest Security Risk

I'm an avid Smartphone user. Due to my vocation, it's a necessary evil that I must use to schedule, Email, text and invoice customers and students. Without it, my day would be longer and I would have less fluidity with my customers. They like immediate responses to Email and phone calls. Technology today has brought communication on any medium to a seamless procession of information. This (when used properly) can make you more productive and more popular than the competition.

Unfortunately, it can also make you a target. There are mass reports of stolen passwords and Email accounts, deceptive hotspots, government spying, malware, spyware and many other issues that can make the smartphone your greatest enemy. The greatest threat to is to your personal security.

How many times do you see someone walking while using their phone? Zero situational awareness, danger avoidance or situational control. You might as well close your eyes and walk into traffic! Even the simplest things can be dangerous. Light poles, bollards, curbs, shrubs, and uneven surfaces can bring you great pain. These wouldn't be a bother if you would get your head out of your phone!

A few tricks to keeping your phone safe. Turn off the bluetooth transponder and never use an open WiFi hotspot. Many are fakes that are there to steal your login info and send inappropriate Emails to your contacts. Never leave the phone out in public. Some phones have known faults that can allow hackers to access it. If they see what type of phone you have, they might be able to access one of those faults.

Password protect your phone. Change the password every month. Secure your phone with a protection application that takes a picture of anyone who enters a wrong password. This will help identify a possible security threat.

Another threat is to have yourself filmed saying something inappropriate. In today's society, we have a large chance of being filmed when we least expect it. I've used this tactic myself when I was entering into a gentleman's agreement with another party that I felt wasn't going to be honored. Upon first learning of the breach of contract, I simply sent the person an Email with a youtube link of the conversation. Problem solved. Check your local laws on this, they aren't the same everywhere.

Text messages and Emails are forever. They can be accessed by civil and private entities at any time. Never text or Email something you don't want people to know about at a later date. This includes medical or psychological information about family members. Any communication is fair game these days.

I've long bemoaned the use of a phone over polite conversation, especially at an eating establishment or family outing. I can't tell you how many times I've seen 4 people sitting down to eat and all 4 are on their phones instead of talking. Small talk will be a lost art in 20 years.

A smartphone is an invaluable tool for today's economic and social environment due to it's ability to multitask and help the user keep on schedule and in contact. As long as you are careful and always vigilant, you should be safe. My emergency kit doesn't have a traceable smart phone, it has an untraceable dumb phone.

Gear Review: HK Epidemic Auto Knife

With the recent law change that allows the fine citizens of Indiana to carry auto knives again, I decided to go ahead and upgrade my knife. The options were endless for side opening and out the front models. The Benchmade Infidel was a top choice, but I don't care for a double edged blade. The side autos I saw seemed too easily opened unless it had a safety that defeated the idea of an auto opening blade. If I want an auto, I want a fast, one hand opening unit that will last. After looking at many options, I chose the HK Epidemic auto knife for daily carry duty.

This quality knife has several features I really liked, and some I wasn't aware of until I received it. The action is fast and strong. If you hit something while opening it, all you have to do is flick your wrist to get it all the way out. The button action is sturdy, so there is very little chance of inadvertently opening the knife in your pocket. The pocket clip is extremely solid, it can be difficult to get it in your pocket if you have reinforced pocket tops. Getting it out of your pocket is always smooth. The side actuating button is another feature I liked over the Infidel, it leaves the hand in a more natural position after you've opened the knife. It also makes incidental operation less likely because you can't lean against something and hit the button against your leg, where it might be uncomfortable even if it doesn't actuate.

The blade itself is D2 tool steel. It's a very strong steel that holds an edge very well. Corrosion resistance isn't as good as I would like, but it's more than fine for most people. I didn't have to sharpen the knife for over a month when I started using it. That's 2x longer than most knives I've used. I should have come to expect this from a knife made by Benchmade, they make great stuff! Oh, I guess I forgot to mention that! Yes, this knife is entirely made by Benchmade and sells for less than half the MSRP of the Infidel.

The only drawbacks I've found on this knife is the large case. It's not as slim as I like but not so bad as to be bothersome while wearing pants or athletic shorts. The case is a little boxy and has some sharp edges on the inlay machining, but nothing that bothers me while using the knife. The anodizing has begun to wear off, but that's to be expected on a tool I use as much as I do a knife.

Overall, this knife is a sure winner in the auto market. It's durable with good quality steel and a stout clip that should last for years. This one's a keeper!

Gear Review: Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Hammock

The scout troop I'm an adult leader for made a trip to a mosquito infested swamp that was once a strip coal mine. On that trip, the mosquitoes were so bad that many were kept awake at night due to the constant buzzing in your ears. I have a small life hack that helps, but it was still miserable. 80+ degrees, raining and buggy as it gets makes for a long night. If I was covered in my patrol bag, I was hot and sweaty. If I chose to uncover, my deet wouldn't last very long and I'd be awakened by constant biting. It was really a no win situation.

At the time I was using a Grand Trunk lightweight hammock and it worked great for normal conditions. A simple tarp was used to cover my sleeping area. This picture is from another stay a month or so before the fated swamp stay. Same equipment though. The only thing that kept me sane was a small head net and a baseball cap to keep it off my face while I slept.

 After that weekend of little sleep and many bites, I decided to look into a way to keep the little buggers off me and out of my ears while I slept. I searched the web for an option and even looked at the army surplus stores. After much research, the Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Pro was on the radar. I waited until Amazon had a sale and snagged one at a decent discount. I'm sure they will have them on discount in the off season this year.

The Skeeter Beeter hammock has a 400lb capacity and is big enough to fit two people if you're in a pinch. The material is a similar consistency to the standard lightweight units, but this one is constructed of at least two different color fabrics. The netting is super small matrix mesh netting with elastic banding sewn into the netting. One side has a very well made and easy to use zipper for entry/exit. It goes 80% of the way down the side of the hammock to make entry a breeze. You can even use a toe to open the zipper by pushing it down the side with your foot! The sides are high walled and keep the light and wind from intruding into the hammock.

 The unit comes with a couple pieces of rope and some elastic cord to hold the netting up above the hammock and off the user. The rope is fairly small, and if you have a decent size tree, it will be difficult, if not impossible to get it  around the tree. Being a high walled design, it's not the best for the more flat style, offset sleeping some can be used for. You definitely sleep in it, not on it. If you stretch it tight, side sleeping is fairly comfortable.

Overall, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a summertime hammock that effectively keeps the bugs off and is durable for extended use. I've used the item many times now and will continue to do so as long as the bugs are out. Once the bugs go away, I'll go back to the lightweight unit I use regularly. It's lighter and better for side sleeping. It has the same bug issue that most hammocks do, they can bite through the bottom and get you that way. You will need to get something under you to protect yourself.

The Pros: Big, with a high weight limit. Comes ready to set up, no extra stuff needed. It works well and sleeps comfortably. I've never had to worry about bugs keeping me awake while using it.

The Cons: Not great for side sleeping. Slightly heavier and bigger than a standard model. Could use longer ropes than the ones it comes with. Slower setup than a standard model.

This Item was purchased with my own money and is intended for my personal use. I was not paid to review the item, nor have I been offered any deals for a favorable review.

Witless Protection

Why has our society become so fascinated with failure? Every day we hear of the atrocities committed on other humans at the hands of their family, neighbors, community and government. This atmosphere of complete failure continues to make "The pursuit of happiness" an impossible task due to the pressure of the world coming to bear on the shoulders of prudent citizens. The honest, hard working citizen of the United States is responsible for funding so many failure based policies and contingencies that they cannot cope with the financial or moral burden they are carrying. The seemingly best way to cope is to ignore it all. Ignore the money stolen from your check, ignore the fact that the cities they support cannot afford to keep criminals in jail due to bloated budgets and political greed. Criminals have more rights than the people that support them. Failure wins again!

Let's look at the causes of the societal failures. Who has the right to life in our society? Everyone once they fall out of a vagina within the US and her territories. As a society we have laws stating that each of us is created equal in the eyes of the law. Unfortunately that idea and rule of law has been twisted to the point that it's no longer recognizable to us. The right to life has been expanded to the point that they have the right to live at your expense. That means their right to life trumps your right to life if you have enough to share. Rewarding failure becomes common place.

Our fiscal policies reward failure. The more dependent upon the government we become, the more they take from us. Individual liberties are being stripped from us at an alarming rate in recent history. This practice is failure based, to protect the people from themselves. The less free we are, the better we become at mediocrity. The more gifted a student or entrepreneur, the more they are depended upon to provide for the less fortunate or less gifted.

Criminals have more rights than I do. They have the right to eat 3 times a day, the right to cable TV and a free place to stay with a stipend for good behavior. I get none of these things guaranteed to me, I have to work for them. I rarely get a lunch break, I don't have cable TV and I have to pay for the roof over my head. Failure rules supreme!

If you've failed so miserably that you cannot feed, house, or cloth yourself- No worries, we've got you covered. We will further reward you if you have children you can't afford! Yes folks, this is how we do it here in the USA. Let's not stop there, lets look at the other side of the same coin. Businesses are also failing to provide profits, so instead, they buy a politician to insert language into a law that will subsidize their bottom line. Rewarding failure, once again.

The government subsidizes alternative energy companies instead of the universities that have fresh minds to solve problems. The companies then continue to fail because if they succeed, they will be penalized. They aren't held accountable for the funds, so the investment disappears. Why not let the market decide which innovation is worth investing in? Crazy to think anything else is the prudent path.

We will continue to fail as long as we choose to reward failure. The political elite, corporations and the destitute don't have any real consequences to their actions, the honest citizens get to pick up the tab and clean up the mess. What a reward for being the backbone of society. If you screw up bad enough, you might even get your own reality show!

Lightweight Backpacking.

Of the many skills a prepared person or group can master, I find that backpacking is the culmination of the preparedness mindset. You take everything you will need and throw it in a pack and take off into the wilderness to test your skills. We are taught to plan for every possible issue, but doing so while backpacking can cause one to be terribly overloaded. This leaves us to ponder what we can do to maximize our load with gear that is truly multipurpose and lightweight. I've been looking at Brian Green's backpacking Blog at http://briangreen.net/ for some great information on the subject. Another great place to look for info is on different blogs used to track the progress of hikers on the Appalachian trail. You can do a search anywhere to find useful information on what works and what doesn't from the people doing 10 miles a day every day for months.

In my limited experience, I've found that many rather economical items are more than serviceable. Over thinking the items you choose or over packing is a huge issue.The simplest items can be the best choices for overcoming a situation. Never leave the basics behind. Paracord, gorilla tape, extra clasps, clothes pins, lashings and extra lightweight tent stakes are invaluable when needed.


My economical lightweight packing list:

"The big 3"
Shelter
-Ultralight hammock by Grand Trunk-$24.19 at Amazon
-6x8 lightweight tarp- $4.99 at Menards
-Stansport tree savers
Sleeping bag
-USGI surplus patrol sleeping bag-$16.98 from Arnygear.net
-cocoon inflatable pillow
Pack
-NC star VISM backpack- $28.72 from amazon

Added equipment:
-Camelback bladder with Mil Spec attachments and big bite mouthpiece and cover.
-98% DEET bug spray
-Write in the rain spiral notepad and golf pencil
-old garmin GPS w/ extra batteries
-First aid kit
-Dopp kit
-Headband light w/ extra batteries
-Shemaugh
-Katadyn Hiker Pro water filter
-2 cup stainless steel camping cup
- Esbit folding camp stove with fuel tabs
- Aluminum mess kit
-Head net
-Microfiber towel
-paracord

Food:
Mountain house meals
Tea & Coffee
Sugar
Spice kit
Trail mix

Without extra scout gear and a backup water filter I'm sitting at 17lbs without water. Pretty good without going high end. With high end gear you can drop another 4-6 pounds.



I'm an adult leader with a local scout program and I personally set up the trek for this weekend in very rugged terrain. I handed out my heavier extra gear to some of the scouts that had none as well as my kids lightweight gear since they couldn't attend. The Friday night before we set out on our adventure, myself and the other adult leader tore through packs and dropped an average of 5 lbs from everyone's pack. It seems that every kid in the troop was packing for a weeks hike.

You have to get past that mentality. Every hike, every weekend trip, evaluate your gear. Drop what you don't need or use. Especially that big manly knife you carry. It's not often you will need anything longer than 2".