Blog Posts

The Rational Prepper - Avoid The Ring Of Fire

9/19/2022

A few weeks ago I published a couple of posts suggesting that prepping becomes much easier if you simply avoid locations that are prone to natural disasters, or close to man-made hazards.

Over the past few days Taiwan has been rocked by two large earthquakes and there was a large quake on the west coast of Mexico. Fortunately, there have been few fatalities.

Taiwan

Mexico

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The Great Reset and the Drought of 2022

9/18/2022

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Introduction
Over the past few weeks I wrote a 3-part segment called The Great Reset - Europe Is So Screwed.

Europe's 'Green Energy' policies have created the worst energy crisis since the Europeans began to use coal to replace dwindling forests and firewood in the 1200's. In other words, this is the most severe energy crisis (in Europe) in 900 years and it is self-inflicted.

The European energy crisis became a global energy crisis when Joe Biden became President and initiated his war on American energy.

Energy is the foundation of prosperity and any shortage in the supply has cascading effects. The most dire effect is a shortage of synthetic fertilizer (which is produced from Natural Gas) which will create a global food shortage.

Concurrent with the energy shortages, there are significant droughts in several important agricultural regions. Europe is particularly hard hit.

The UN predicts that the global population may surpass 8 BILLION this year. How will we feed 8 BILLION people?

The Drought of 2022 is Exaggerated
Like all the BS that comes from Climate Hysterians, the drought of 2022 is not as severe as the endless succession of previous droughts. What has changed is the enormous increase in population and the even greater increase in water use per person.

For example, the US Geological Survey has tracked American water use since 1950. Their most recent compilation from 2015 shows that the United States consumes 322 BILLION gallons of water per day. That is roughly 1000 gallons per person every single day.
www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-much-water-used-people-united-states

There are no statistics on how much water people consumed hundreds of years ago. However, prior to the Industrial Revolution, it was physically impossible for humans to carry or pump more than a few gallons per day. Sadly, in many parts of the world fetching a few gallons of water each day is still a full-time, lifelong occupation.

In the Industrial world, we are sucking our rivers, lakes and reservoirs dry and even a modest drought (historically speaking) becomes a crisis.

Drought In The United States
The United States is also suffering from drought this year, but it isn't nearly as extensive or severe as Europe. There are areas of serious drought in California, Nevada and Utah, but these are DESERTS and are in a perpetual state of drought. They suck water out of the Colorado River (and Lake Meade) to support their ever expanding populations. (click the pic)

There are also areas of drought in West Texas, Oklahoma, Western Kansas and parts of Nebraska. The rest of the country is doing OK. The USDA is, indeed, predicting lower crop yields this year... corn is expected to be about 8% lower than last year while soybeans are expected to be about 1.5% lower. This will certainly affect prices but it's hardly a crisis. DON'T PANIC!
www.meatpoultry.com/articles/27255-us-corn-soybean-numbers-take-analysts-by-surprise

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Starlink In The Forest - Part 1

9/17/2022

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Background
Like many people in the rural hinterlands, we get our internet service through Windstream. Our DSL service is limited to about 25 MBps, which is adequate for two people who aren't working from home.

Four - five years ago the service was only 10 MBps and was not too reliable. They have improved their speed and reliability since being bought out by Kinetic.

Though their service is adequate, we've noticed that they censure our e-mails so we've been looking at Starlink as an alternative.

Starlink Hype
Like any Elon Musk endeavor, Starlink is front-loaded with a lot of hype. Back in 2020 I paid my $99 deposit to get on the wait list for Starlink, which would be 'coming soon'.

I've been on the wait list for about two years. A few weeks ago I received a message that 'full service' will not be available here in Southern Appalachiastan until 2023 (or maybe even 2024). However, they offered me reduced "Best Effort" service for the non-discounted full-service price.

I iz a geek... so, of course I plunked down another $500 bucks to get inferior service for $110/month. YAY!!

Starlink is SO generous. When full Residential service finally becomes available they will upgrade my account for FREE. Oh, wait, I'm already paying full price.

Starlink Has Arrived
They weren't supposed to ship for two to three weeks but Starlink arrived in just a few days. The technology is really impressive. The dish (appropriately named 'Dishy') is compact, motorized and self-aiming. It is shipped in a 'Stowed' position and everything snaps together in less than a minute!

Starlink In The Forest
I honestly didn't think that Dishy would work here because it needs a clear view of the sky and we're in a dense forest. But that's OK because I have a few days to evaluate and send it back for a refund.

I won't go into the Setup process because it is totally automated.

Download the Starlink App to your phone
Put Dishy outside
Plug Dishy into the Router
Wait... wait... wait

The first thing Dishy does is point straight up and acquire its exact location from GPS satellites. I'm lazy so I put Dishy out on the deck for the inaugural test.

Dishy managed to get its precise location but, no surprise, it was unable to get any satisfactory connections to the Starlink satellite constellation. We had zero internet. I was thinking about sending it back for a refund.

Geeks Don't Give Up
I waited two years for my opportunity to give Starlink a try so I wasn't ready to throw in the towel. I made a roof mount out of aluminum bar and clamps... and hauled Dishy up to the highest point on the Great Room roof.

Note 1 - My homemade mount clamps to the standing seams so there are no penetrations into the roof. YAY!
Note 2 - I don't like being up on the roof.

Preliminary Results
It took Dishy several hours (overnight) to get oriented and resolve the satellites.

The results are not very promising. It indicates that the trees will cause an obstruction roughly every 44 seconds. It will definitely not work for live applications, such as Zoom meetings.

But I decided to try a speed test. After a short delay (caused by an obstruction) Dishy hooked up and we got 89MBps... more that 3X faster than Windstream!

This was encouraging. So I tried streaming a High-Def movie from Netflix. I was pleasantly surprised that the 2 hour movie played flawlessly despite having a 5-20 second interruption every minute.

YT also worked with no problems.

In spite of the frequent dropouts, I've decided to keep Dishy as a science-project (we will keep Windstream for now). We'll get our tree service to 'vista-prune' some of the trees and hope that our view of the sky will improve.

YAY SCIENCE!!

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Sustaining Liberty - The End of Self Defense

9/15/2022

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The following story is from Progressive, enlightened Denmark. However, it is a warning of what's coming to America if we allow the Democrats to continue their assault on the Constitution.

A 17 year-old woman used pepper spray to repel a rapist who assaulted her, knocked her to the ground and tried ripping her clothes off. Please note that pepper spray is non-lethal and the pain is serious but very short duration.

The attack occurred near a 'migrant asylum' but we will probably never know if the attacker was a migrant. You see, the police have not apprehended a suspect.

The young woman, however, is being charged for the crime of defending herself since pepper spray is illegal in Denmark! The fine is small (about $75) but it is still an assault on a person's right to defend themselves from harm.

First they take your guns, then they take away any possibility of defending yourself (body armor will be next.. then knives... then pepper spray). When you are completely helpless, then they will take away all your other rights.

Self defense is not merely some right granted by government... it is innate behavior to all living things. All animals will flee or fight to survive.

The overpowering instinct to survive has been understood since the very dawn of humanity. It was acknowledged and codified by Hammurabi almost 4,000 years ago. When the right of self defense is forfeit then civilization itself has come to an end.

Europe is failing and the Democrats are doing everything they can to bring failure to America.

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Sanctuary Chicago - LMAO

9/11/2022

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LOL, after Mayor LightWit proclaimed that sanctuary Chicago would welcome illegal aliens into her fair city, she is diverting them all to upscale Burr Ridge.

Hey, Illinois, you voted for Lightfoot and Pritzker. Enjoy!!
wgntv.com/news/chicago-welcomes-texas-migrants-then-sends-them-to-burr-ridge/

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Clown World

9/11/2022

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The Biden Cabinet says "Hello America"

Monkeypox
Please recall that the World Health Organization (WHO) and The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) claim that the name Monkeypox is stigmatizing toward gay men. They are on an urgent campaign to give the disease a new, more friendly name (like hMpv... much more better... yes?).

So, Biden has selected the most stigmatizing, ridiculous character to be the new Monkeypox Coordinator. (Do we really need a Monkeypox Coordinator?? Can't Fauci handle this??)

Please meet Demetre Daskalakis, gay, BDSD, Satanist. Apparently, Satan himself had other important duties and wasn't available to fill the newly created position.

Folks, I'm a Constitutionalist (It's a real word even if spell-check doesn't agree). I believe in a policy of individual freedom and tolerance... a policy of 'live and let live'. I do not care, AT ALL, about Demetre's private life. Perhaps he is the most qualified person to address Monkeypox (in a nation of almost 350 Million)... but this is the absolute worst choice if you are trying to de-stigmatize the disease.

I am disgusted that we have completely abandoned any pretense of hiring the most competent people based on accomplishment and merit... the Biden Administration has openly adopted a hiring policy based on race, sexuality and kink.

I'll repeat myself... I don't give a $hit what people do in their private lives. BUT I do not believe these folks were selected because they are the best and brightest America has to offer.

Hunger Games
OMG, while much of the world is actually facing hunger and starvation, mega-millionaire Jennifer Lawrence is seeing a 'shrink' because she has recurring nightmares about... Tucker Carlson!

Seriously, this is the actress who's astounding success is based on her relationship with slimy sexual predator Weinstein.

The woman who played the heroic role of Katniss Everdeen is terrified by a Conservative Commentator. I think she deserves much greater acclaim as a thespian... this mentally weak, pampered socialite could never, ever be a champion who fights for the downtrodden.

Click the pics for the stories on this Progressive hypocrite.

Squaw No More
Do you remember when Land O Lakes removed Mia, the lovely Native American Maiden, from the butter boxes? I do, I was heartbroken to see her go.

Well, the United States Department of the Interior has nothing to do so they have decided to rename every location and every geological feature that contains the word Squaw. I was very surprised that there are over 600 rivers, creeks, valleys and peaks named Squaw. (Here is the complete list: edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/all-official-sq-names

They have come up with really awesome names

Squaw Creek -> Izhape’ Naokwaide
Squaw Peak -> Tamayameh Kah Sta Mah
Squaw Gulch -> Jëjezhuu Tr'injàa Gulch
Squaw Tit -> Pkwo’-o-lo’ ‘ue-merkw (I think this translates to Girl With Big Bazookas)

Thousands of signs and millions of maps will have to be replaced at taxpayer expense.

Goodbye Mia... goodbye indigenous women... hello Pkwo’-o-lo’ ‘ue-merkw.

The Party of Unity and Enlightenment
Queen Elizabeth died a few days ago and intersectional Progressive victims are celebrating.

Dr. Uju Anya is an enlightened professor at Carnegie Mellon University. She teaches applied linguistics, critical sociolinguistics, and critical discourse studies primarily examining race, gender, sexual, and social class identities with a focus on social justice and translanguaging.

That's a real mouthful so I'll summarize... she teaches useless crap that won't help you get a job.

Here is what she had to say.... The raging victimhood of an elitist Progressive isn't really noteworthy. What's stunning (and Clown World worthy) is that her tweet received 11,600 'likes' before it was deleted by Twitter. AND Lyin' Biden says that Conservatives "embrace anger, thrive on chaos. Do not live in the light of truth, but in the shadow of lies.”

Click the pic to go to Professor Anya's web page.

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The Rational Prepper - Ultimate Bug-Out Estate

9/10/2022

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Admit it, you've always wanted a massive castle/fort with a moat... right?? Well now you can have your very own 19th century fort in beautiful Wales for only $500k. YAY!!

The fort was built in the 1840's and abandoned in the 1960's

The site occupies about 4.5 acres and the central courtyard is roughly 140 feet square (almost 1/2 acre). The entire compound is surrounded by a 16-foot deep moat that once had a drawbridge! I've always wanted a drawbridge!

Unfortunately, it does need a bit of renovation. The current owners estimate that it would cost about $500k just to replace the roof and about $7M to refurbish the whole complex.

hmmm... perhaps it isn't a Rational Prepper project after all.

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Democrat Leadership - Urban Utopia

9/10/2022

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Warning: This is a disturbing segment with a lot of disturbing imagery.

Last month I wrote about how the police in many cities are no longer defending property rights. Homeless people are allowed to squat in people's yards and driveways and the police do nothing. neoterra.us/blog/sustaining-liberty-the-end-of-private-property-part-2

This compelled me to take a look at how severe the urban homeless camps have become.

Homelessness and vagrancy have been chronic problems for many, many years.... so I'm not blaming Joe for the problem. However, the flood of unskilled, uneducated illegals and the torrent of fentanyl and opioids flowing across the southern border have made the situation dramatically worse.

I'm also angry that Biden and his Cabinet of Clowns lie about how great the economy is doing, demonize Conservatives and do nothing to address the crime and decline in Democrat-run cities. FJB.

Philadelphia

Los Angeles

San Francisco
Even the Democrat Mayor claims that fentanyl is making everything worse. Well, she did defund the police 'to reduce crime'.

Portland
Ha, Ha. Oregon decriminalized hard drugs shortly after Biden took office. PBS thinks it's a great idea. How's that working out folks?? www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/oregon-1st-state-to-decriminalize-possession-of-hard-drugs

Enough
I could go on and on. The simple FACT is that America is in serious decline because of Democrat Leadership and Democrat policies. We must take the House and the Senate in November to stop the madness.

Fentanyl and opioid deaths have soared since Joe took office. The number of deaths in the United States topped 100,00 per year for the first time in history in 2021. Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death among 18-45 year-olds and exceeds suicide and traffic accidents. www.dea.gov/stories/2022/2022-02/2022-02-16/fentanyl-deaths-climbing-dea-washington-continues-fight

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The Great Reset - Europe Is So Screwed Part 3

9/10/2022

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Recap
In the previous two segments I talked about the expanding energy crisis in Europe, which continues to get worse. Just last week Germany was forced to close two steel plants due to the skyrocketing cost of energy. As reported previously, fertilizer, glass, aluminum and chemical production have already been curtailed or shutdown. www.wsj.com/articles/arcelormittal-closes-two-steel-plants-amid-european-energy-crisis-11662136823

Mega-Drought In Europe
In addition to the energy crisis, Europe is now experiencing the worst drought in 500 years. Food production is being seriously impacted by:

Shortages of synthetic fertilizer (their fault)
Shortages of diesel for farm equipment (their fault)
Anti-agriculture policies from 'Green' governments (their fault)
Drought

Large, important rivers have become so depleted that barge traffic has been halted in many locations and electric production has been reduced at nuclear power plants in France due to a lack of cooling water. (click the pics for the story)

The drought is extensive and even affects the Nordic countries which primarily rely on hydro. Europe is so screwed. Climate Crazies are losing their (very small) minds. Click the pic.

Climate Change?
This has nothing to do with CO2. (oh that rhymes).

Europe experienced a period of heat and drought in the 1530s-1540. This corresponds to a period of increased sunspot activity (and warming) that occurred in the middle of the Little Ice Age in between the Spörer Minimum (1450–1540) and the the more severe Maunder Minimum (1645–1715). www.britannica.com/science/Little-Ice-Age#ref1111894

There was a drought (less severe) in Europe just a few years ago so the Climate Hysterians are claiming that two droughts in the span of just a few years is an unprecedented trend due to Climate Change. Which is total bullshit.

Despite appearances, the European mega-drought in 1540 was substantially worse than the current drought and lasted for an entire decade. Please keep in mind that the population of the entire planet was less than 500 Million in 1540 and is almost 8 BILLION today. The amount of water being sucked out of rivers and reservoirs for irrigation, industry, hot showers and flushing toilets is 100X greater now.

The current drought is, indeed, serious. Water levels have dropped so low that ancient 'Hunger Stones' have been revealed. These stones are carved warnings about impending starvation and death if the stones are exposed. The stone in the following picture is dated from an earlier mega drought in 1161... about 400 years earlier than the terrible drought of 1540.

It appears that these droughts have occurred in Europe every 400-500 years... long before humans discovered fossil fuels. In spite of historical evidence, Progressive media insists it is due to man-made Climate Change. (click the pic).

The extended winters and cold, wet summers that persisted for almost 300 years during the Little Ice Age caused crop failures, famine and plagues. Though the drought of 1540 was horrific, it was followed by a period of relative warmth that lasted for more than a generation.
www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-summers-drought-is-europes-worst-in-500-years-what-happened-last-time-180980711/

Conclusion
Europe is a mess and it is mostly their fault. The United States should learn from Europe's Green Energy disaster and reject the Green New Deal. The United States has abundant energy resources that can insure a prosperous, gradual transition to alternative, reliable energy.

Please watch the 2-minute video with Piers Corbyn, an accomplished astrophysicist and meteorologist. I know he speaks the truth because Wikipedia calls him a Climate Denier. LOL.

Click The Pic.

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Biden Declares WAR - On America

9/9/2022

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On Thursday, September 1st, 2022, Joe Biden took the stage at Independence Hall, the birthplace of the United States. With a blood red background, flanked by Military Guards, he delivered the most divisive and hate filled speech I have ever heard from any President (and I have heard every President going back 50 years).

A week earlier, Joe declared that Conservatives are dangerous 'Semi-fascists'. This basically condones ANTIFA and BLM violence against any and all Conservatives.

Even more outrageous, Progressive media and 'scholars' are applauding the 'semi-fascist' hate.

CNN political analyst and PBS NewsHour White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López asserted that academics not only condone the terminology, but have been wanting Biden to use it for some time, saying, "There’s a lot of historical lineage there and scholars have been waiting for the current President Biden to use those terms"

Following the 'Semi-fascist' indictment, his Press Secretary literally shredded the First Amendment by stating:

Translation: If you disagree with the Democrat Party you are an extremist.
(Don't just take my word, click the pic and here her say it)

On Thursday Joe ramped his divisive rhetoric all the way up to 11.. He quite literally suggested violence against the 80 million Conservatives. I know you can't believe Joe would literally imitate Adolph Hitler... so here ya go: (The quotes in green are directly from Joe's speech) Click the pic to read the transcript from the official White House page.

From the leader of the Democrat Party who supports ANTIFA, BLM and truly violent extremist groups:

“Too much of what’s happening in our country today is not normal. Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic"
“MAGA Republicans have made their choice. They embrace anger, they thrive on chaos. They live not in the light of truth, but in the shadow of lies.”

Here is a direct quote from the leader of the Democrat Party which ignores immigration law, defunded the police, and releases violent dangerous criminals back onto the streets.

“MAGA Republicans do not respect the Constitution, They do not believe in the rule of law. They do not recognize the will of the people."

From the party that condoned and encouraged arson, looting and even murder:

So I want to say this plain and simple: There is no place for political violence in America. Period. None. Ever. (Applause.)

Ever since I could first vote, I have viewed Lyndon Johnson as the worst, most vile President of my lifetime. On Thursday, Septmber 1st, 2022 Joe Biden now has top honors. FJB

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<<Previous

Forward>>

The Rational Prepper - Avoid The Ring Of Fire

The Great Reset and the Drought of 2022

Starlink In The Forest - Part 1

Sustaining Liberty - The End of Self Defense

Sanctuary Chicago - LMAO

Clown World

The Rational Prepper - Ultimate Bug-Out Estate

Democrat Leadership - Urban Utopia

The Great Reset - Europe Is So Screwed Part 3

Biden Declares WAR - On America

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