People singing Christmas songs at the mall and everybody sings along wonderful and touching
(Sgt Trainer: Decided to post two of these today because I couldn't wait to share this one!)
(Sgt Trainer: Decided to post two of these today because I couldn't wait to share this one!)
Where to go and what to Avoid When Food has Disappeared off of the Grocery Shelves
"Your “prepper” research has told you that most all Supermarkets have a 3 day stock of items on hand (under normal conditions) and in a typical, winter storm warning, most all staples will be gone in less than 4 hours after the end of normal business hours. What are your alternatives and options in order to help you navigate these treacherous waters in the few hours you have remaining before the chain of supply is tapped out?"
"Your “prepper” research has told you that most all Supermarkets have a 3 day stock of items on hand (under normal conditions) and in a typical, winter storm warning, most all staples will be gone in less than 4 hours after the end of normal business hours. What are your alternatives and options in order to help you navigate these treacherous waters in the few hours you have remaining before the chain of supply is tapped out?"

DHS: 100 Million Americans Could Lose Power in Major Sun Storm
"Millions of Americans face catastrophic loss of electrical power during a future magnetic space storm that will disrupt the electric grid and cause cascading infrastructure failures, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document. DHS’ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stated in an internal 2012 fact sheet outlining its response plan for severe “space weather” that the actual impact and damage from a future solar storm is not known. “An analysis of the space weather impacts indicates that the greatest challenge will be to provide life-saving and life-sustaining resources for large numbers of people that experience long-term power outage from damage to the U.S. electrical grid,” the FEMA document, dated March 1, 2012, states."
"Millions of Americans face catastrophic loss of electrical power during a future magnetic space storm that will disrupt the electric grid and cause cascading infrastructure failures, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document. DHS’ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stated in an internal 2012 fact sheet outlining its response plan for severe “space weather” that the actual impact and damage from a future solar storm is not known. “An analysis of the space weather impacts indicates that the greatest challenge will be to provide life-saving and life-sustaining resources for large numbers of people that experience long-term power outage from damage to the U.S. electrical grid,” the FEMA document, dated March 1, 2012, states."
Death By Over The Counter Supplements
"A report just submitted to the British Medical Journal cited Reynolds’ case as an example of the dangerous side effects associated with untested supplements. The FDA placed raspberry ketones on their “generally recognized as safe” list all the way back in the 1960s, but only for use in very small amounts in food as an additive, not as a weight-loss aid."
"A report just submitted to the British Medical Journal cited Reynolds’ case as an example of the dangerous side effects associated with untested supplements. The FDA placed raspberry ketones on their “generally recognized as safe” list all the way back in the 1960s, but only for use in very small amounts in food as an additive, not as a weight-loss aid."
Brilliant New Device Lets Protesters Jam Surveillance, Block Stingrays
"Reports about agents using a Stingray on protesters to unconstitutionally monitor their phones is circulating widely, and now protesters have a way to fight back. Earlier this week an anonymous leaked recording exposed the agents monitoring the protesters’ movements by tracking their phones. Stingrays were supposed to be used for “terrorists,” but now they’re being used against us locally — which is unconstitutional. And that’s where a new product called Tunnel enters the scene. We’ve known that the NSA spies on us ever since Edward Snowden blew the whistle on them. But have you ever wondered if it’s possible for somebody to spy back on the NSA? Well, the NSA has a special way of protecting itself against such a possibility. And you’ve probably never heard of it."
"Reports about agents using a Stingray on protesters to unconstitutionally monitor their phones is circulating widely, and now protesters have a way to fight back. Earlier this week an anonymous leaked recording exposed the agents monitoring the protesters’ movements by tracking their phones. Stingrays were supposed to be used for “terrorists,” but now they’re being used against us locally — which is unconstitutional. And that’s where a new product called Tunnel enters the scene. We’ve known that the NSA spies on us ever since Edward Snowden blew the whistle on them. But have you ever wondered if it’s possible for somebody to spy back on the NSA? Well, the NSA has a special way of protecting itself against such a possibility. And you’ve probably never heard of it."
DHS proposes ID and search rules for passengers on ocean-going ships
"In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published yesterday in the Federal Register, the Coast Guard has proposed that all so-called “cruise ship” ports be required to carry out airport-style searches (”screening) and check identity credentials of all embarking and disembarking passengers and any other visitors entering the port. Entities responsible for the operations of large passenger vessels and ports are already required to submit “security” plans to the Coast Guard. Because those current plans are filed in secret, it’s not entirely clear how the proposed requirements differ from current practices." (Sgt Trainer: You knew they'd get to this eventually.)
"In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published yesterday in the Federal Register, the Coast Guard has proposed that all so-called “cruise ship” ports be required to carry out airport-style searches (”screening) and check identity credentials of all embarking and disembarking passengers and any other visitors entering the port. Entities responsible for the operations of large passenger vessels and ports are already required to submit “security” plans to the Coast Guard. Because those current plans are filed in secret, it’s not entirely clear how the proposed requirements differ from current practices." (Sgt Trainer: You knew they'd get to this eventually.)

Project Coast: Who’s Behind the Recent Ebola Outbreak?
"The report issued by the World Health Organization states that the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa is the largest and most complex since the detection of the virus in 1976. This outbreak has reached an all time high in both the number infected with the virus and those deceased from it than in all the previous outbreaks combined. The outbreak started in March 2014 in Guinea and it soon jumped across the border to Sierra Leone and Liberia, and then the infected brought the virus via air and land transport to Nigeria and Senegal. But this time around, the virus was not simply spreading across Africa, but it had managed to reach other continents. However, if one is to study the facts carefully, then a question arises: how is it that a virus that was first identified in 1976 “suddenly” became so active and able to spread across the African continent and beyond? To get an answer one must study the history of US secret experiments in this area, although Washington strives to hide it from public attention."
"The report issued by the World Health Organization states that the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa is the largest and most complex since the detection of the virus in 1976. This outbreak has reached an all time high in both the number infected with the virus and those deceased from it than in all the previous outbreaks combined. The outbreak started in March 2014 in Guinea and it soon jumped across the border to Sierra Leone and Liberia, and then the infected brought the virus via air and land transport to Nigeria and Senegal. But this time around, the virus was not simply spreading across Africa, but it had managed to reach other continents. However, if one is to study the facts carefully, then a question arises: how is it that a virus that was first identified in 1976 “suddenly” became so active and able to spread across the African continent and beyond? To get an answer one must study the history of US secret experiments in this area, although Washington strives to hide it from public attention."
America’s Illusion of Free Will
"The mainstream U.S. news media’s narrow parameters, especially on foreign policy issues, give the American people little opportunity to engage in meaningful debate or to influence outcomes. Typically, public perceptions are managed and consensus is manufactured, as Lawrence Davidson writes. Most Americans believe they have a range of choices in their daily lives and that they may choose among them freely. That is, they intuitively believe that their choices are made autonomously and without outside interference. They would probably be surprised to learn that what they take for granted in this regard, the exercise of what is called free will, is a hotly debated topic among learned men and women in fields of study as widely separated as physics, philosophy and theology."
"The mainstream U.S. news media’s narrow parameters, especially on foreign policy issues, give the American people little opportunity to engage in meaningful debate or to influence outcomes. Typically, public perceptions are managed and consensus is manufactured, as Lawrence Davidson writes. Most Americans believe they have a range of choices in their daily lives and that they may choose among them freely. That is, they intuitively believe that their choices are made autonomously and without outside interference. They would probably be surprised to learn that what they take for granted in this regard, the exercise of what is called free will, is a hotly debated topic among learned men and women in fields of study as widely separated as physics, philosophy and theology."
Shaving with Stone Razors
"Flintknapper and primitive skills educator, Mike Cook of www.artofishi.com creates and shaves with obsidian blades."
"Flintknapper and primitive skills educator, Mike Cook of www.artofishi.com creates and shaves with obsidian blades."
Storm Shows Americans Are Totally Unprepared: “I have no food, I have no cash, so I’m trying to forage for something”
"As the biggest storm in five years took aim at California this week cities across the state distributed sandbags, cancelled school and warned residents to prepare for power outages. And though the storm didn’t really live up to the media hype, some people did take the warnings to heart and made last minute trips to the grocery store to stock up on foodstuffs and other supplies just so they wouldn’t have to go out in the rain. But not everyone was prepared. One San Francisco resident in particular highlights just how susceptible America is to disasters and what to expect in the event of a widespread emergency."
"As the biggest storm in five years took aim at California this week cities across the state distributed sandbags, cancelled school and warned residents to prepare for power outages. And though the storm didn’t really live up to the media hype, some people did take the warnings to heart and made last minute trips to the grocery store to stock up on foodstuffs and other supplies just so they wouldn’t have to go out in the rain. But not everyone was prepared. One San Francisco resident in particular highlights just how susceptible America is to disasters and what to expect in the event of a widespread emergency."
Your Layered Defensive Tools
"When it comes to your safety in this world, inside and outside your home, there should be no discounting anything that might offer deterrence, repelling, or the complete stoppage an attack on yourself, your loved ones, others around you, and your rightfully owned property. Anything that can be purchased, picked up, or re-purposed, should be considered in your efforts to protect life, liberty, and property. Whatever you can protect out, stab with, spray, or strike back with, should be utilized on your behalf and that of those you love."
"When it comes to your safety in this world, inside and outside your home, there should be no discounting anything that might offer deterrence, repelling, or the complete stoppage an attack on yourself, your loved ones, others around you, and your rightfully owned property. Anything that can be purchased, picked up, or re-purposed, should be considered in your efforts to protect life, liberty, and property. Whatever you can protect out, stab with, spray, or strike back with, should be utilized on your behalf and that of those you love."

Sun In Winter: What You Can’t Forget To Check When Leaving Your Cold Weather Home
"A cold weather home is a home that is used only part of the year by people who would rather hang in the sun. During the winter months you might migrate to states with warmer weather, and usually during this time you’ll enjoy yourself at a luxurious vacation home. Many people own cold weather homes they allow to sit vacant during the winter months in this way. But there are some problems with cold weather homes that need to be attended to before going on vacation for the winter. Included are some tips for the major things to check before leaving."
"A cold weather home is a home that is used only part of the year by people who would rather hang in the sun. During the winter months you might migrate to states with warmer weather, and usually during this time you’ll enjoy yourself at a luxurious vacation home. Many people own cold weather homes they allow to sit vacant during the winter months in this way. But there are some problems with cold weather homes that need to be attended to before going on vacation for the winter. Included are some tips for the major things to check before leaving."
Non-Attributional Wafare - Why Concealed Warfare Works
"I just read an interesting article entitled, “Epic Landpower Fail,” in which the author, a US Army Major and strategy professor at West Point, makes the point that today all landpower is attributional. What he means is that landpowers – armies – can be attributed to a specific country. You can’t just mass a force in a foreign country without the entire world knowing to whom it belongs. As we saw recently with Russians in Ukraine, even putting a small contingent of troops in a country is going to draw attention. They may look different, act differently, or exhibit all those ‘C’ factors (Contrasts) that good analysts look for when identifying threat characteristics. Those threat characteristics, or signatures, are going to lead analysts to believe that those men were/are Spetsnaz or FSB. But what about when we can’t tell our different enemies apart? The opposite – what we might call “nonattributional warfare” – is the fight against an enemy whose intent is to remain hidden or anonymous. This thought reminded of me being in Iraq and Afghanistan and trying to decipher which group, cell or leader perpetrated specific attacks. There were what we call ‘indicators’, which are Signatures."
"I just read an interesting article entitled, “Epic Landpower Fail,” in which the author, a US Army Major and strategy professor at West Point, makes the point that today all landpower is attributional. What he means is that landpowers – armies – can be attributed to a specific country. You can’t just mass a force in a foreign country without the entire world knowing to whom it belongs. As we saw recently with Russians in Ukraine, even putting a small contingent of troops in a country is going to draw attention. They may look different, act differently, or exhibit all those ‘C’ factors (Contrasts) that good analysts look for when identifying threat characteristics. Those threat characteristics, or signatures, are going to lead analysts to believe that those men were/are Spetsnaz or FSB. But what about when we can’t tell our different enemies apart? The opposite – what we might call “nonattributional warfare” – is the fight against an enemy whose intent is to remain hidden or anonymous. This thought reminded of me being in Iraq and Afghanistan and trying to decipher which group, cell or leader perpetrated specific attacks. There were what we call ‘indicators’, which are Signatures."
Crude Carnage Contagion: Biggest Stock Bloodbath In 3 Years, Credit Crashes
"Some serious intraday volatility this week as hope kept shining through but in the end, reality won. Despite spiking euphoria among US Consumers, concerns over Greek elections, Japanese elections, the GDP-plunge-driven collapse in oil prices (with neither OPEC nor non-OPEC willing to blink yet on cutting production), and contagion to high-yield finally caught up with stocks after they blindly followed the mainstream media narrative that low oil prices are unequivocally good for every muppet."
"Some serious intraday volatility this week as hope kept shining through but in the end, reality won. Despite spiking euphoria among US Consumers, concerns over Greek elections, Japanese elections, the GDP-plunge-driven collapse in oil prices (with neither OPEC nor non-OPEC willing to blink yet on cutting production), and contagion to high-yield finally caught up with stocks after they blindly followed the mainstream media narrative that low oil prices are unequivocally good for every muppet."
Arizona’s Largest Utility Plans Tax On Solar Leases
"This headline on solar leases from an investment site caught my eye: “Solar Leases Set To Become Toxic in Arizona.” Drawing free renewable energy from the sun sounds like a grand idea to many – but not if you happen to be a utility company operating with a business model based on the selling energy. Solar, which once had giant utilities standing tall as a champions of renewable energy, now no longer looks so good in the executive offices of the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, Arizona’s largest utility, known in short form as SRP. It is widely anticipated the utility will adopt changes on self-generated electricity, taxing solar lease providers and consumers."
"This headline on solar leases from an investment site caught my eye: “Solar Leases Set To Become Toxic in Arizona.” Drawing free renewable energy from the sun sounds like a grand idea to many – but not if you happen to be a utility company operating with a business model based on the selling energy. Solar, which once had giant utilities standing tall as a champions of renewable energy, now no longer looks so good in the executive offices of the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, Arizona’s largest utility, known in short form as SRP. It is widely anticipated the utility will adopt changes on self-generated electricity, taxing solar lease providers and consumers."