As time seems to pick up speed, we choose according to priority as we just can't get to everything.  As my grandfather warned, "we die with things to do".  There's just no way around it.  The real trick, after all our endeavors in daily living, is to end up with something to show for it when the dust settles.  A gain for all our toil.  If not something tangible, at the least, knowledge and experience.

In the end, "I was meaning to get to it" might not have any effect on the outcome.  For all the business of daily life, the practice of survival skills is not something that could be called expendable.  But where does one find the time?

Though it may seem at times like we're hairless hamsters running on a wheel and getting nowhere, there are ways to cut corners if we just give it a little thought.  For example, in a survival situation, what is most likely going to be the top priority in a general survival situation where you will have to spend at least one over-night on location?  Fire, right?  No fire, no boiled water, cooked food, warmth when the temp dips at night.  So start there.

Since a person can die without means of a heat source faster than any of the other elements of the rule of 3s (assuming that breathing is a given) throughout most of the year (if not the entire year depending on the reason for the fire in the first place), it only makes sense to know fire so well that there seems to be a bond.  Almost to the point that it seems to call out and tells you what it needs. 

Sound strange?  It,s not.  As Musashi would have said, "the spirit of the thing itself" will teach you.  Sound easy?  It,s not.  I've witnessed folks light fire after fire only to have them smolder into oblivion.  In a real survival situation, they could have easily died.

They had some good fire making gear, had their petroleum jelly cotton balls, yet had no idea how to set a base on wet ground or how to find dry enough tinder and/or prepare less than dry fuel for their fire(s).  No experience with freezing temperatures will reward a person with a fire that lights quickly until the core temperature of the wood begins to melt the frozen crystals of ice and the wood hisses itself out.  Something that seems so easy can leave you out in the cold.....all because a person never took the time to get to know their best friend. 

How about water?  Out in the wild is a difficult place to decide to try out water purification tablets.  The murky lumpy water that's supposed to keep you alive might have been a little more palatable if purification had been tried a couple of times at home first.  In the kitchen even.  

Looking at the local swamp water in the comfort of your own kitchen would lead one immediately to at least a coffee filter to remove lumps.  This in turn would lead one to pack a few in their kit. Short of coffee filters, improvisation would be next.  I'm certain that a person would run bog water through a dirty gym sock a thousand times over before having to chew their drinking water.  A dirty sock filled with sand, even better.  But these things are learned by doing.  It makes little difference where.  

Then, there's the shelter.  Certainly one having a computer with which to read a post on the Internet has a doorknob.  Several, even.  String some cordage and build your shelter.  Sleep on the floor for a couple of nights.  Bedding will soon begin to fill your dreams.  This in turn will begin turning the wheels of improvisation in your mind.  This is good.

The bottom line, practice your skills and get to know your gear.  Learn the limits of your gear and yourself....safely.  Camp out in the backyard in a rainstorm.  Cook your meals outside; it keeps your kitchen cooler in the summer, helps your fire skills and can be virtually without cost.  Try a few nights without any power whatsoever.  Order, familiarity and alternate lighting will be among the first lessons learned.

All the interest in the world makes no difference if a person ends up with nothing to show for it.  I know folks who can talk all the basics of survival, they've read how to perform more than a few survival skills, but have never done them.  Ever.  This puts them at a great disadvantage as there are multitudes of details that just "go with" a particular skill.  These are the finer points that you learn as you do them.  How and why to hold something a certain way, what happens if you don't, the best order in which to perform the segments of a complex task.  

When a person wishes to build a fire, one necessarily has to think in reverse.  The last thing a person should be doing is creating the spark or the ember.  That being the case, the first thing a person should get good at is gathering the right materials.  Though it sounds easy to gather sticks, it's a different story when a person has to build and maintain a fire with the materials they gather.  Folks who have done it countless times aren't even conscious about most of what they do.  It's second nature and to them, explaining such things is like having to explain how to breathe.  

Practicing skills doesn't have to mean taking long excursions or prolonged or frequent vacations.  It doesn't have to cost any money and it doesn't have to be done in one day.   

No place to light a fire?  Check out your local parks.  Find a cheap used charcoal grill.  If your city allows it, use a burn barrel, elevated fire pit or reasonable facsimile.  Use your imagination.  I prefer a BBQ grill as I'm all about dual function.  I'm of the school of thought that if a person can cook their meal proficiently with a wood fire, they can do just about anything else they need with a fire too.

The idea is not to know everything about a subject, rather, to know what you are doing....even if it's only a little.  There's a reason that basics are called basics.  It's the least one needs to know to succeed.

For those who don't have the luxury of delving full time into wilderness skills and living, learn the basics.....and stick to the basics.  Know the basics inside and out, and practice them until they as natural as breathing.  It won't be long before you're trying out your skills a little farther from home.

 

 

You can't miss somebody, somewhere these days, talking about the "end" as a result of our government's "staggering deficit".  If you understand that the currency commonly used by the masses is no different than children playing in the yard, there will be less confusion.

Kids playing in the yard will make up a game. It's not real. It's just a game. Mom and Dad are inside the house managing the real game. So here we play, making up rules as we go, until through a chain of events, the kids aren't really playing the way they should, nobody's abiding by the rules and therefore, things are getting unrecognizable. Then one of the kids yells out, "let's play another game!"

This is pretty much what's going to happen with currency of the masses. How else does one think we can all get on the same global purchasing plan? All currencies have to fail....then a new.....global currency must be instated. A new fiction to replace the old. This one.....even, all across the board with no regard to sovereignty of country....with the world banks running the show. Folks shouldn't be looking at the crash of the "dollar" as the end of the world any more than the ending of their favorite sitcom on TV. It's the stampede of the terrified sheep that will be the greater danger.

The governments of the world don't trade in fiat. Why does one think the "prices" (fiat exchange) continually goes up and down with regard to commodities? They're completely different universes, though the one seems connected to the other...it's connected only in the minds of those who think it's connected. After all, we've seen that our paper can trade for items of value....therefore, by all rights it should have value.....but it doesn't. Like anything else....the hardest change comes in our minds.

The apparent value came from a slow introduction over time. The human mind likes to fill in gaps and use previously established platforms....there is no relevance to being real or imagined. I give you, evolution, global warming....and fiat, just for starters. "There is a way that seems right to man...."

Coined currency is the only lawful means according to the Constitution. The rich, having lots of (very heavy, very bulky and steal-able) gold and silver, used to travel from bank to bank with a private note (not issued by the U.S. Government) that said, "pay to the bearer on demand" in whatever amount of gold/silver they had decided. This saved them lots of weight as well as robbery from illiterate would be thieves.

Even in the event of an educated thief, they would most likely be ignorant of the meaning of the note....if they happened across it....though it would be doubtful. One could hide a paper vastly more easily than a pouch or chest of gold. Not to mention the bank may, at it's own discretion....say, by alert via telegraph.....refuse payment on the note. Now the thief had all the consequences and none of the gold. (Starting to sound familiar? Do we not bear all the consequences and none of the gold?)

The bankers noticed something; the more notes, the less actual trading of gold. Their customers (richer folk) were trading notes instead....after all, it was "pay to the bearer".....not specific. So the banks decided to issue their own notes based on percentages....say, 10% paper overall, backed by the 90% gold in their vaults. (Is it starting to make more sense now why the old time bank robbers robbed the trains carrying actual gold or the banks themselves? They didn't want the paper. The banks reserved the right to refuse payment on a note.....which they frequently did during a run.....which also ruined their good standing in the eyes of the public.) Over all, not a bad scam. "Give us your tired gold and we'll issue you crisp paper!"

As the years passed, the popularity of paper trading grew, since, each paper represented actual gold. However, the banks, instead of issuing paper at a fraction, or even equal to the amount of gold they had, they issued in a deficit of gold....now, 90% paper for the 10% gold in their banks. Hence the "run" on the bank. To make haste and exchange paper for actual gold before the supply ran out....whenever the panic should arise.

In time, formulas for operating on a fiction were perfected, then the gold was removed from the system altogether. It was a separation of Government coined gold from the Private Banker's Notes.  Actually Constitutional. 

The government then, continued with it's own minting and use, while destroying our ability to operate on the same exchange; legal, though not Constitutionally lawful.  This resulted in TWO currencies.  One that the government/rich/bankers used, and one for the masses.  Their value of their currency (gold) remained constant, ours (paper) tanked....and has been all over the board ever since. (This, by the way, also gave more opportunity to take advantage of the ups and downs of our currency.)

Incidentally, the banks, once the paper was removed from the gold standard, simply KEPT ALL THE GOLD!!! Legally speaking, to whom would they give the gold when all the notes demanding payment in gold had been replaced with notes of no value? The reality is, not one banker has ever been charged in the greatest robbery in U.S. HISTORY. 

Then it was a matter of balance. Money printed, money in circulation, money removed from circulation (whether destroyed or stored/saved [mattresses/caches]). One might begin to see the reason for the $400 hammers purchased by the government when one thinks in terms of mathematical equations. Why does the government operate in "allotments" of currency (AKA budgets...think government programs....have to spend it, or don't get it next year)? It's easier to manage the numbers, that is, the flow of paper, from the top in larger allotments, resulting in a smoothly operating economy; valueless in nature.  The only value fueling it's use being the faith of the masses using it.

Like any electrical circuit, the secret of appliances doesn't simply rely on potential (voltage), it relies on current (amperage).  The same can be said of economy.  It's not how much folks have or don't have....it's how much changes hands.  A cash "current" or flow.  

Why has every President over the last 30 years been operating in a deficit?  Because there's no real potential behind the paper.  Therefore, the only relevance to keeping the fiat economy floating is the "flow".  Keep printing it and they'll keep spending it.  Folk's faith that their fiat will purchase something of value is the only deciding factor.  The deficit doesn't matter.  It isn't real.  The governments of the world trade in commodities, not fiat....worthless paper. (Don't forget that each country is in direct control of their own gold mines, agriculture, resources, labor, etc.)  Only the masses are kept fat and happy by trading worthless paper for goods.

Think about it; the Federal Reserve prints the money, then taxes you for it's use.  What does the FR do with your worthless fiat?  The government operates in commodities.  As the dollar falls, it takes more fiat to equal what the government is doing anyway on the gold standard.  So the FR has to print more money and operate in a deficit to match.  It's all a fiction, folks.

You want some good advice regarding an economic collapse?  "When you see these things come to pass, look up...."  Only the greatest of fools would jump from a building over the loss of an imaginary fortune in paper.....though I suspect we'll see such a demonstration in our lifetimes.

 

 

There are those who see our freedoms eroding on a daily basis. 

But then, these folks probably think our worthless fiat economy "is in great danger" too.  Folks, it's time to wake up.  Our freedoms are alive and well.  All we are seeing are, quite possibly, the last days of the free ride of their expression....the costless swaggering of how "brave" we are. 

As politicians arbitrarily change wording in legal documents, regardless of their Constitutionally valid or invalid nature, we have choices to make.  Those choices are either to comply or not to comply.  That choice does not decide our freedom.  That choice is our freedom.  The courage of one's convictions is the demonstration of how brave we really are.  That is not to say one has no need of discretion.

But understand this; it's always easiest to become angry with that we do not understand.  Ultimately, choosing the easy way of anger with that which we don't understand, does not give us understanding, nor does it bring remedy to the situation with which we are angry.  In addition to being of no value with regard to the mystery itself, there are additional dangers along the way as, "the easy way is always mined". 

When facing a problematic situation that perhaps, I don't fully understand, I much prefer to ask myself, "Why is it a mystery and how does it work?"....especially if the alternative is running and hiding like a criminal over an arbitrary decision by a group of lawyers acting in contrary to the law.....but trying desperately to get people to simply accept it as though it were law. Case and point, if we do not act or react properly, and in a timely manner, we give them implied assent to do whatever they wish.

Implied Assent: That which is presumed by law, and proved by the conduct of the parties. Black's Law Dictionary

Assent: Compliance; approval of something done; a declaration of willingness to do something in compliance with a request; acquiescence; agreement. To approve, ratify and confirm. It implies a conscious approval of facts actually known, as distinguished from mere neglect to ascertain facts. Sometimes it is equivalent to "authorize". Black's Law Dictionary

What this really boils down to in the common man's language is, "if you don't demonstrate your freedom, we will assume you don't want it and we'll just take it away for you."

Those who think they'll simply "Bug" when things get too sporty might give such definitions some serious thought. One might even get the idea why our Founding Fathers didn't just "bug West."

To say nothing and back it up with a lack of action is a legal presumption of compliance and approval of something done. This is especially true when one has been officially notified.  (Ever wonder why there's talk in the media long before an "official vote" is taken?  It's called "testing the water".) Timely response is everything. Why again do prosecuting attorneys establish that a woman raped actually said "no" and gave some form of struggle? We might do well to learn from such an example.

A word to the wise, do not think in extremes (i.e. one or the other). There is lots of room in between the two. However, the proof of non compliance is in the conduct.  That "calling your senators and congressmen" and writing you opposition that some folks think is a waste of time....well, it's legal "conduct".  It's important.  Don't let them con you into believing, that because they give you a standard letter stating, more or less, that what you think doesn't matter.  They respond this way in  hopes to reduce the legal demonstration of non assent by their response to you.

A good rule of thumb when it comes to conduct is, "Be quick to listen, quick to learn and slow (but timely) to act."   A word of warning for folks who think a radical approach may be a shortcut, remember that there are lots of false leads in the legal maze that will take you to a dead end.  I recommend putting in the effort now, with regard to knowledge, as opposed to sitting back and waiting to "cut to the chase".  Less effort = "the easy way"  "The easy way is always mined."

Some folks think they can use the legal system to out-maneuver those who make the rules. (One will have great difficulty out-conning the conman.) When in fact, the way to use the system is to recognize when you are in a legal "battle".

Like any battle, if "they" are stepping to the left to better position themselves, you step to the left. When they step to the right, you step to the right. It's all about footwork. But you have to know it to use it.  Countering an attack is the demonstration by conduct of non-assent. Timely response and proper procedures are tantamount to victory in the ring and in the courtroom.  One of the tricks lawyers like to use is to tire you out.  Make them know that they don't have what it takes to wear you out.  They'll waste their life's efforts on folks like you.

For those who think it's just too much work, understand this; the fight will come. Which is tougher; learning some basic footwork or licking the wounds inflicted by a bully?

Make no mistake about what a bully is; "A swaggering, quarrelsome, usually cowardly person who terrorizes weaker people." Therefore, it's in our best interest to identify our nation's true enemy at the top..... Lest All Who Yearn Elitism Reflect Such.

For folks who believe that some politician can actually decide the future of freedom, let me remind you that the future, being a tad on the difficult side to predict....let alone control, has plans all it's own.

To understand the dynamics of what we are seeing acted out in the media, folks must keep in mind a few things, which, if thoroughly understood, could put an end to it in a hurry. Hence the reason for secrecy and confusion by the major players). Here are the basics;

1. All money issues are fiat in nature...not actual gold. (Fiat money: Paper currency not backed by gold or silver. Black's Law) Enemies of the state are not allowed to handle gold currency....only bullion which can be confiscated....lawful tender cannot. This also creates the need for more than one ledger; one for the masses and the real one by which the bankers, government and the mega rich operate. It's not known how much gold each country actually has. (Probability suggests more than they'll ever need....each country controls their gold mine production.)

2. The balance of power has been circumvented by flooding all branches and levels of Federal and state governments with attorneys who are interested in one thing; (Attorney, which comes from the word Attornment, means;)

The agreement of a person to recognize a third party as a permissible successor party to a contract; most often, the agreement of a tenant to pay rent to a new landlord, especially a mortgagee who has foreclosed.

3. Understand that lawyers are notorious for using fictions.  Tricks, ruses. In this case, their only purpose is to trick folks into paying rent or allegiance to a new landlord.  Paying rent on your land means that you are not the owner.  Hardly Constitutional Black's Law Dictionary.

4. They operate by the letter of international law. Whether we understand their riddles, secrets, programming, etc. or not, they CANNOT usurp power and be a legitimate government, which is their intended goal. So they will continue any means of confusion, distortion, media bombardment, disinformation, fear mongering, secrecy......whatever it takes to make people voluntarily act or react in a desired manor.

Usurp: To seize and hold (the office, rights, or powers of another) without right or legal authority; to take arrogantly, as if by right.

5. The difference between Usurpation and Attornment depends on whether or not the target populace can be convinced that they are in agreement. To say nothing or do nothing is implied "assent"....the desired action/reaction the usurpers are hoping for.

Starting to make sense? If one says nothing and does nothing....even by cause of fear....the legal presumption is assent.  It doesn't make it absolutely just, but then, who has ever accused lawyers of being absolutely just?

Our Founding Fathers didn't Bug Out....that is, they not only voiced their opposition, but demonstrated it with everything they had.....and we have it easier than they. Where their fight was with regard to breaking from their legitimate, though tyrannical government, we only have to voice/demonstrate/prove by our conduct that we do not give our assent (expressed or implied) to bad laws and political conduct thereby retaining those freedoms for which we have fought and defended for two centuries.

So don't sit back and complain about the "erosion of freedom" in this country.  In effect, our complaints do nothing.  The lack of official disagreement is giving you the greatest opportunity to complain.....by aiding the usurper in the legal presumption of our assent.

The deciding factor regarding the ease of the exercise of our freedoms will not be by the stroke of a pen by some political usurper, but by the clarity with which the people of this country make their non-assent known......today.