Category: Current Events

He’s Right You Know

Over at Instapundit this morning, I saw this post in regards the sleeper cells in the U.S. There have been some comments, and even a bit of pressure to deny them and to derail/deride the idea that four battalions of such may have found their way into the U.S. I stand by the four battalions, and in fact will be most pleasantly surprised if that is all that came in from various places (including the “Orient” cough cough). That none have activated so far is miraculous IMO.

Do not forget about them, or that they may coordinate with other interesting people and groups including domestic. The ideas in Kurt Schlichter’s The Attack are not yet off the table. For all that a number of ideologies and such are on the ropes does not mean they are harmless and a lot of damage can still be done — especially if we are complacent.

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Prognostication, Pt. 2

A while back, in this post, I offered the start to some prognostications of the future — at least in Europe. Now what I was doing ties into this post and this post on NATO and the need for a new non-military NATO. I stand by my comments on the need to get out of NATO, and why we need to be looking at a new approach and even location.

While I had intended to do detailed run-downs on several countries, and to note some potential inflection points, I fear the time for that has passed. At least it has passed for me and where I am headed on my own personal journey. That said, I want to look at some of the possible futures I see while noting that there are things that can happen to prevent or change the direction of events. These deflection points are going to depend on individuals and their actions, as such has the power to change the world.

First up, the EU is an evil organization and, to my mind, represents the face of the yoke of the godless authority. It is anti-freedom, anti-nationalism, and anti-individualism. It is also a drain on it’s member nations and is doing all it can to destroy them as individual countries. It is a group of WEF communist/socialist flunkies who crave power and wield it like a junkie after a fix. Possibly harsh, but keep that in mind as I go through the following.

England, whatever you call it, is lost. As I’ve noted in previous posts, the still-increasing number of mainly Muslim migrants who are not assimilating but seeking to make it a Muslim country are outgrowing and out-breeding the natives. Law enforcement has gone all-in on promoting and protecting that effort and those behind it, and all-in on persecuting if not terrorizing average citizens who dare object in any way, shape, or form. The courts have gone all-in on a two-tier system of justice where native Britons/average citizens are given harsh and even draconian punishments for not being willing serfs while the new masters of Britain are given slaps on the wrist at worst for far more horrific crimes like rape and murder. Speak up against it and you will be in jail for years, where the rapist or murderer you objected to gets little or no jail time.

Demographics are against England. So are the politics as while the current Labor government is cracking down as hard and fast as it can (and even trying to censor Americans and American companies), the rest of the lot including Reform isn’t much better. While Tommy Robinson may be a viable alternative, I suspect the current government will succeed in killing him within a year via more trumped-up charges and false imprisonment where the dirty work can be done by others. Hope I’m wrong on that, but not going to put a bet that I am.

With elections still several years away on the normal cycle, I don’t think they offer much of a chance. In fact, if things keep going as they are, I don’t think such elections will matter at all. See some of my previous writings for my thoughts on why an uprising is not likely to succeed. Absent arms and other supplies, a revolt against tyranny is not in the cards. If we are not laying the groundwork and making plans to secure England’s nukes when it falls, the staff at the Pentagon is failing at their jobs.

Germany is in much the same boat. The government is continuing the immigration policies started under Merkel but adding their own thuggish touch to them. They are looking to outlaw the growing AfD party and I note with interest the recent sudden deaths of six or so members of the party who were already on ballots but also who could not be replaced before the elections, preventing any AfD victories. Add in a two-tier justice system on the English model, and much tighter governmental controls, and the deck is stacked against the native citizens of Germany. Also, again, demographics is a bear with a declining birthrate on one hand and a rising birthrate on the part of the immigrants not painting a good picture.

While Germany has not yet internalized and accepted the industrial-level of grooming and rape of children as have the English (and it is worth remembering that members of law enforcement and government were paid off with use of the children for years, as well as by political votes and support), it is still tolerated by the courts (and to a lesser extent LE) though not by the citizens. There is a reason for the growth of the AfD…

That said, Germany looks to fall just as England has. If the public suddenly stands up against the government, they may have a chance. Again, however, the odds are against it and, again, they have given up any and all means to revolt against a tyranny. I think Germany will hold on longer than England, but face the same fate absent sudden, radical change.

Now, let’s turn to France. In some respects, France is further along the fall than most realize, thanks to Macaroon and company. France has a huge immigrant problem, and Paris is not the only city that has large-and-growing no-go areas. The French Government and French media for the most part have waged a fairly successful effort to keep bad news suppressed, especially to external audiences. I more than halfway suspect that Macaroon’s shameless pandering to Hamass was an effort to curry favor with the majority Muslim invaders.

Keep in mind that Macaroon and company are still in power because they have refused to accept election results that would put them out of power and Ms. LePen and her populists into power. They are also doing all they can to trump up charges to keep her out of power in the mistaken belief that if they block her the rest will fall away. They would rather see France fall, to the point of becoming a Muslim nation, than accept the will of the people.

Which means France may have a chance. More than once the people of France have taken pragmatic action themselves when the government would not. Given the laissez-faire attitude of many of the citizens of France to various laws (including weapons laws), they may deal with the problem such that the government is handed a fait accompli which can be regretted in public while celebrated in private.

Problem is, once again, demographics. The French are being out bred even as more and more immigrants pour in on top of that. Given the actions of the current French government in fighting their political enemies, there is a very real chance that they will focus on them and not on the larger threat. So, while I think there may be a greater chance there than in England or Germany, I don’t see it happening outside a significant and unexpected event or events. Also, again, we need to be laying groundwork and making plans to secure French nukes when it happens.

Spain may have a chance, if the current group of loons is voted out and someone with some sense voted in. The mood in the Spanish public does seem to be shifting far faster and far greater than those in power realize. However, I think it likely to fall as it is a prime target for the Islamists who want it for historic reasons (and propaganda). Lot going on there now, largely out of view, but it is one of the few countries I think could end up holding on for a while.

Italy is one of the few countries I think has a chance of survival, though it may be in parts. Given both internal Italian politics and the outsized role of the EU in blocking Italian government efforts to control immigration (and more), I have the suspicion we may see the Risorgimento rolled back with mostly the region from Rome north holding. As for Sicily, it may hold out by dint of going full-Sicilian on all immigrants.

As for Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, etc., even if they hold out at first, they will be overwhelmed by numbers. Absent a fanatic defense requiring a LOT of outside assistance, they will fall soon after the larger countries.

Switzerland should be able to hold, though outside aid will be needed long-term. In fact, I can see the mountainous regions of Germany, France, Austria, and Italy being a redoubt around it if and when the rest of same falls. I can see the mountains of Spain being a no-go zone for the Caliphate, and portions of the Scottish Highlands and isles as a redoubt in England. The problem will be sufficient agriculture to feed the population, and sufficient manufacturing of weapons and other needful things. Absent ground logistics, air will be a poor alternative. Sea logistics will be interesting for most of the areas save England.

Which is why I think it would be wise to go with a new, non-military NATO as I discussed in the linked posts above. If we build up Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia, Slovenia, and Croatia. Yes, I know there are some issues with some of the countries, but I also think that such can be dealt with. Fact is, if you have most or all of those countries, you have a solid bulkwark to contain the new Caliphate and provide ground logistics to northern Italy and Switzerland.

You would also have some Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) which are going to be essential. Of course, those are contingent on keeping the straights of Gibraltar open, but again it can be done. I wouldn’t count on the Bosphorus as right now I would put my money on Erdogan going all-in on the side of the Islamists. That again is a good reason to beef things up in the traditional areas that have opposed invasions from Istanbul for a thousand years or so.

There is a lot more behind what I have proposed, but I lack the time to get into all the details. It’s not as off-the-wall as some might think, and there are some historic details hidden beneath the surface. Besides, it’s not a battle I’m likely to fight; so, I put this out for others to consider.

Thing is, the future is not yet written. I can already see some things that could happen to prevent the worst case, which is what my discussion centers around. Thing is, many of those events are as likely to be as catastrophic as the individual countries falling. In a majority of the cases where native citizens rise up not only against their own governments, but to repel the invasion of the immigrants, it will likely be the bloodiest event(s) in human history. It’s why no sane person wants Civil War 2.0 here.

While there are a few chances for a more peaceful resolution of things, the odds are that even if they survive and survive as a Western government built on the foundations of Western civilization, it will not be the country we once knew. If they don’t survive as a Western government built on the foundations of Western civilization, they will be so far removed from what they were as to be unrecognizable.

It’s why we need to start now working to save not only our own Republic (an effort already well underway), but to reform and/or replace those governments that have turned against their own people. The best way for that to happen is from within, by the people and through the ballot box. If we do anything, it should be to ensure free and fair elections do take place and to stomp hard and fast on efforts to push censorship, legislation, and unrest from abroad. We need to use our economic clout to reward governments that do right by their people and their treaty obligations, and to punish those who do not. Some of that is already underway, the only question is will it be enough and in time.

What I present here is the worst case, but it also what I see taking place before us. I truly do fear England is lost, but hope that it may yet save itself without losing itself. All it could take is that one spark, that one unexpected person and event that opens a door for events. Otherwise, I fear that most of Europe will live out Tom Kratman’s Caliphate. Pray that we, and the rest of the world, don’t.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Dear Vladimir,

I write this to you sincerely, though I doubt you know me or remember me from Adam’s housecat, as what may be one of the last overtly political posts on this blog. For all that I plan to talk about politics in some different contexts, my time in other discussions of politics is at an end as I move into a truly new life of Faith.

I hope you will get this, intact even, as there is still at least one person in the Kremlin openly reading me pretty much daily. And, yes, I know that was a bit of a message too. I was and am actually glad of it as I hope some of my messages got through, at least in part.

This letter is sparked in part by Stephen Green at Instapundit, who wrote that “This would be a great time for peace, Vladimir.” And, he is right: this would indeed be a great time for peace.

As you know, I’ve opposed the current war in Ukraine and thought it to be a major mistake. However, I also know that a number of your friends and advisors felt otherwise but history has shown their words to be empty and false, a village built on lies worthy of a Potemkin. Very few people have had the courage to tell you to your face that those words were wrong and to oppose the war. You would do well to consider that they may be your true friends and some of the only honest people around you.

Yes, I do know that Russkiy Mir, and your legacy in regard it, is a driver of and for you. I’ve also been most honest in my opposition to it. I would, however, make the case that a voluntary union for such would be far stronger and more capable than a restive and rebellious forced conglomeration. I would further note that most major Christian denominations posit that forced conversion is not only invalid, but immoral and an abomination. I would then note that the Eastern Orthodox Churches have never been all that big on forced conversion. It has happened, but such is both an aberration and an abomination before God.

God is granting you the opportunity to be a truly great statesman and not only accept peace, but to forge new pathways for the betterment of all in the process. If my small and insignificant voice can help in that, and perhaps bring some thoughts from outside the circle of those constantly around you, I will be glad to do so in person. All I would ask is safe passage, and — if possible — the chance to visit the graves of St. Xenia of Petersburg and St. Seraphim of Sarov, and for us to do so together with prayers for guidance.

My words are as those of a lone wolf far in the distance of the wilderness. I doubt you will hear them or even of them, and I especially doubt you will hear them whole as I have presented them. Such is not mine to control, but if they are just and proper I must have the faith that they will indeed reach you.

May God guide you to do what is right now and in the days ahead, and may his mercy be upon you, your people, and all the peoples of the world. It is time Vladimir for peace. Go with God and the Theotokos on this new, and even scary, path.

In Christ,

LW

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

The Living Are Home

I honestly didn’t expect this absent a massive series of raids by Israel. The remaining living hostages in Gaza have been returned to Israel. All male, as outside of those already returned, Hamass raped and murdered any female hostages. Never forget Hamass started this war with an unprovoked attack aimed a maximum civilian casualties and atrocity. The recent release of orders from leadership confirms this.

Already there seem to be some games with the bodies of the dead. That would be a mistake I think, as it will trigger not only responses from Israel and the U.S., but there is reason to believe it also triggers actions by other Muslim countries involved in the process. Hamass not being a rational actor, however, does not fill me with a lot of optimism. We will see.

The hope I mentioned the other day in this post has been met, for which I do truly give thanks to God. Again, I’ve never expected to get this many of the remaining hostages out alive. For all I’ve prayed for it, I’m also too well aware of the reality that is Hamass (and Hezballess) and what around 90-95 percent of the population of Gaza support and has consistently supported since around 2005 (and the surveys started). They do not want peace, they do not want an independent state (which they effectively had), they want the eradication of Israel and all Jews. You will probably find that within that population that same 90-95 percent are good with the statement “First the Saturday people, then the Sunday.”

I must admit to two rather uncharitable and un-Christian thoughts. The first is that the peace accord seems to have a number of hidden components, which indicate that failure to abide may have catastrophic consequences and not just from Israel and the U.S. One can hope at any rate. The second is that I would find it most interesting (and amusing) if Israel had been able to plant trackers/tracers on the terrorsts being released to secure the hostages.

It would be a true pity if they were able to track them, note who they met with and where, and built up a map similar to what led to the destruction of Hezballess. Given what was done earlier with Hezballess and others (including inside Iran), if I were in Gaza I would keep those returned terrorists at arms length for that reason and because Israel has a good track record of turning people. Just a thought.

Long-term, I still think that Hamass sees this as hudna and harbors plans accordingly. Again, while I do wonder about some of the apparently hidden protocols and agreements in place, I would be amazed if Hamass (sadly the elected government of Gaza for those who still don’t realize that) didn’t see it this way. Add in that they have been instilling their desire to eliminate all Jews (not just Israel) into toddlers, it will take generations to leach that poison out of them. That said, I expect this peace to last less than a year simply because Hamass won’t give up.

I will pray for peace, and that I am wrong. I would love to be wrong. But, I just don’t see Hamass (or even Hezballess) giving up its spots anytime soon. Then again, that nasty part of me wonders if that hasn’t already been considered. That if they fail to honor the agreement, they will be eliminated fully and completely. That such might be led/started by nations other than Israel and the U.S. There are enough whiffs of unofficial and/or “unrelated” agreements here to make me suspect a bit.

Time will tell. For now, for all my money is on hudna and taqiyya, I will hope and pray for something more, something better, and something that eliminates a huge threat to Israel and the U.S. (which originates in Iran). For all that this has been crippled, or at least knocked back for a time, I would love to see the threat eliminated, for as long as it exists true and just peace is not likely.

Today, however, I celebrate the return of the living. I mourn and remember the dead. I pray for the dead, and the survivors and their families. I celebrate a day I did not truly expect to see. Tomorrow will come soon enough, and tomorrow I leave to the Lord.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, or help me with my pilgrimage next year, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Hope, Hudna, And Taqiyya

This morning, I’m splurging in letting myself feel some hope. Against all odds, it appears that Hamas (the sadly legitimate government of Gaza) may finally be releasing most of the living hostages. Probably not all, and none of the dead so far (keep in mind they kidnapped bodies for ransom and such), but a goodly number. It is a good start and a good thing. It would be nice if it were all the living and the dead, but this is a fallen world.

The upbeat part of me is looking forward to their return. The cynical part of me is waiting for Hamas to yet again yank the football away right as Charlie Brown goes to kick it. It’s been their MO all along, and the only thing that might keep them from so doing is that Trump et cie have gotten most of the Muslim nations that have been sheltering and supporting Hamas to tell them to do this or else.

Given that it would take force majeure to put Hamas to the point of agreeing to give up power, there had to be some significant “conversations” between those countries and Hamas. Hamas is determined to stay in power and to wipe out all Jews (for a start, remember the Sunday people are next), and is perfectly willing to sacrifice the entire population of Gaza for that. Even when faced with complete destruction (which is the stick to the carrot of peace), they would rather sacrifice all — which is easy when top leadership and I’m willing to bet a majority of funds are NOT in Gaza.

Which is why I hope (probably in vain) that a majority of people in the West are familiar with the terms taqiyya and hudna. In short, taqiyya can be thought of as ‘the honorable lie’ or the required lie, or the acceptable lie. It is a lie told to infidels (including people who don’t follow your brand of Islam, see Sunni vs. Shia, etc.) to placate them. To disarm them. To get them to let their guard down. To gain an advantage. It is allowed (encouraged) when Islam is at a disadvantage, so that it can lead to hudna.

Hudna is often presented to infidels as meaning “peace.” It is an offer of peace, full of taqiyya. It is not a permanent and lasting peace in the Western sense; rather, it is a temporary truce presented in grander guise to buy time. Why? To give time to build up an overwhelming advantage so that when hostilities resume the target is destroyed utterly and completely. Think of it in context of “nice doggy” while you get not just a rock, but a few truckloads of rocks delivered.

Now, do I strongly suspect that Hamas is engaging in taqiyya and hudna? You bet your bippy I do. The only thing that might truly give peace a chance is that for now at least, support for Hamas (other than Iran) has been cut off, and that everyone outside of Hamas gets that if this falls through the “stick” of utterly destroying Hamas is indeed on the table.

I’m not sure Hamas really gets that, but they would not be the first to underestimate Trump et cie. Fact is, Israel would have been more than justified in razing Gaza to the ground after Oct. 7, to the point of turning it into a sheet of glowing glass. That they did not do so is a testament to restraint and reason. They have held to an extraordinarily high standard of avoiding civilian casualties (despite the theatrical screams otherwise).

The other Muslim countries that are tied into this peace plan DO understand that both Trump and Israel are serious: if this falls through, Hamas will be completely and utterly destroyed. Not just in one spot, but everywhere. There will be no sanctuary and the useful idiots will not be able to help or save them. In such a case, the gloves will come off, and not just militarily. Hamas and those who support or protect them will not enjoy that experience.

Others get that even if Hamas doesn’t. It may be enough, but I’m willing to bet dollars to donuts that Hamas still sees this as a time of taqiyya and hudna. They are mistaken, but may they hold off on finding out how very mistaken they are until all the hostages, living and dead, are returned home.

For now, I will let a bit of hope shine through though my prayers for the hostages will continue. I will also continue to pray for peace, for a just peace would do wonders for the entire world and not just for the Middle East.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

It’s Not Just Here

Over at Instapundit this moring, Sarah A. Hoyt linked to a good post at Behind The Black on how the left has only a little time left to stop the violence. Sarah noted that she hoped we might yet walk the knife edge and avoid the horrible alternative. She’s right about that, as such will change not just us, but the world.

The problem is, we are not just walking a knife edge here. The President just noted earlier that the violence is because they (the progressives) are out of other options and the public is rather overwhelmingly in favor of the actions being taken (deportation of criminals being but one). Which is why Portland, Chicago, and other locations are trying their best to claim the mantle of George S. James, and Pritzker seems to see himself as Jefferson Davis.

I would argue that he is at least five Jefferson Davis’s, at least in volume. I would further argue that despite their delusions, neither Pritzker, Noisome, nor any others involved are anywhere close to being Gen. Beauregard. I futher agree with Victor Davis Hanson that Pritzker et al are indeed “neo-confederate nullificationists.” If they keep going, they are likely to find out what happened to the real Davis, Walker, and others. The problem is, neither we nor the U.S. will be the same afterwards. The odds are good that if it gets out of hand, it won’t stay limited and no sane person wants Civil War 2.0.

But, the progressives are not sane by reasonable standards. They see power slipping away, funds drying up, and are already sold on violence being acceptable to force their twisted dreams into something resembling (vaguely) reality.

Big problem is, it’s not just here. Look at all the places where violence has started up after the Trump Gaza peace deal. Bree A. Dail noted it on X and she is right. Look at what is going on in England right now (for all that there is some hope, I truly do think it lost), not to mention Germany and France (strong lack of coverage here). The only places it isn’t flaring up are those countries that have been bucking the EU on forced immigration (cough Hungary cough). It really does look like a large-scale effort at revolution, or if they can’t be successful, ensuring the rest of us go down with them. And, yes, I do think those behind this are just that spiteful.

To add to the fun, consider also that Russia is getting increasingly desperate. Rather, in many respects, Vladimir is getting more and more desperate. Right now, I’m not sure what is going on with the power struggle as there are a lot of smoke and mirrors, a lot of disinformation (most aimed internal IMO), and a fair bit of confusion. If one thing I have heard is true, a long-time trusted advisor to Vladimir has been sacked and if true (note caveat) it is not good as that person opposed the invasion of Ukraine and has also opposed nuclear sabre-rattling and options. If he is indeed gone, that’s not good and Defcon Warning Systems is right with some of their concerns.

For all that I am still in the 20 percent club in regards traditional powers/stockpiles, any attempted use or even strong threat is going to have very bad results. There is no such thing as limited use, and given the growing membership in the nuclear club there is an increased chance of someone responding without consultation. That way lies madness.

But madness can seem at least borderline sane when you are facing a reversal of fortunes on the conventional front, growing manpower problems, growing attacks that are disrupting energy, transportation, agriculture, and more. Add in an unhappy populace and growing restiveness in the ranks of those who would like to replace you and… Desperate people do desperate things, and when your last pipeline to thoughts and information carefully kept outside your information bubble, which is in a silo and both are inside yet more bubbles, and decisions that have no connection with reality are easy to make.

I’m not so sure that the 20 percent club applies to newer nuclear powers either, such as China. Keep in mind that China is facing a lot of challenges and in his own way Winnie the Xi is growing as desperate at Vladimir. I think he’s got a better chance of holding on for now, but he’s fast approaching some go/no-go decisions on everything from Taiwan on to other economic and territorial ambitions. We are ill prepared to deal with any go decisions. Oh, and to add to the fun, if Vladimir and Russia get further into trouble, Xi would be more than happy to reclaim a good and important chunk of the Russian far east for China. They have long wanted it, and the resources, back.

In short, things could get hairy. We’ve been very lucky walking the knife blade so far. Fact is, aside from pointing things out and urging people to not respond to the provocations in a direct way, there’s not much I can do or that any of us can do. We can try to keep cool heads, and urge our leaders to the same. Other than that, the only option is prayer.

And, yes, I do pray not just for us to stay on the knife edge, but for us to get past things and move forward. If we don’t slip, there are some amazing things and times ahead of us. So, I turn the future over to the Lord and pray that he get us through this. I pray for peace, just peace, in the world. Among the several prayers I try to say everyday is one I modified a while back. It was originally done for one country under communism, but I think almost every European country that ended up under communism had it’s own version. Mine is:

Prayer for the Salvation of Earth

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, forgive our iniquities. Through the interceessions of Thy most pure Mother, save the suffering people of Earth from the yoke of the godless authority. Amen.

For those who don’t know, the “yoke of the godless authority” is that of communism, which means communism and socialism of all types as they are simply parts of the same coin. Doesn’t matter if “true” communism, Soviet “socialism” that was communism, National Socialism, or any other facet of the ultra-leftest creed that is envy, despair, and slavery. The woke, aka progressive left, WEF-types, etc. are all of the same coin, and they are all the godless authority who seek to destroy freedom and religion. Hence, my prayer which I’ve been saying since before the last election. I hope you might join me in it.

Yes, things are happening all over and the push to foment violence and violent response is not limited to just the U.S. There are other flashpoints that exist, but they are also linked in many ways to this desperate progressive push.

Against it, let me quote “Hold the Line!” There is likely to be a blood-price paid, but with God’s Grace we can walk the knife edge to safer and better times. Pray that we do, and that we retain cool heads no matter what. I really do need to do a post one day soon on all the good things I see coming if we can but hold the line. We truly can have a golden age, if we can hold on through these interesting times.

Pray, have Faith, and hang in there. As part of that, be prepared. Keep your family and friends close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Unfortunately, It Makes Sense

I think I got this from Sarah at Instapundit the other day, and it is one to share far and wide. I’ve read it, pondered, and read a bit more, and it makes sense. Why are so many people of a progressive stripe lying about so many things? It’s not that they don’t know that they lie, or that we the readers don’t know they are lying. For they know, and we know.

What if it is for a different and very dangerous reason? What if they are lying in order to poison AI learning efforts? Go read this for yourself and ponder it a bit.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Links And Food For Thought

Sorry, dragging this morning as yesterday was a full and amazing day. As I’ve said before, my Sundays usually start about 0245 and yesterday it ran until well after 2000 hours as we had a picnic and more hosted by our Priest and his wife. It was great to see all the kids playing together (and burning off energy), and I was highly amused watching a 2-year-old young lady going flat out on everything from chasing the free-range chickens (some of whom were bigger than she was) to pushing other children on carts and tricycles. We even had a bit of a sing-along with a couple of people bringing guitars and getting into a variety of music. Good but long day.

The idea of euthanasia horrifies me on its own, but the growing partnership between such and the transplant industry is actually terrifying. Nevermind that it is ALWAYS a matter of “right to die” being a euphemism for “obligation to die” when in the hands of the state (both it and abortion are murder, period, full stop). For more on part of this and why I am no longer an organ donor, see here.

Today, I offer you two very good bits of food for thought. It was a coin toss on who went first, and so we start with this piece from Ian at the Law Dog Files/Bugscuffle Gazette. Then, go read this post from Vodka Pundit at PJ Media. I will also note that Vodka Pundit has been all over this topic for a while.

Organ transplantation has saved lives, restored sight, and done many other things that have had positive impact on many, many lives. The growing linkage between it and the evil of euthanasia can, and will, not merely taint things but turn transplantation into an outright and unmitigated evil. I think we went over that slippery slope a while back. All we are seeing now is that the slope has been well greased.

More soon I hope.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

More Medical Thoughts

In the comments to this post, GWB mentions his get-home bag. He was kind enough to e-mail me with more info, and I want to share what he sent:

“Container is a small bag I got with an Ammunition Depot order. I ordered another one, later, when I put together the second bag.

It has a shoulder strap you can disconnect on one end and stow in the open pocket on the back of the bag. It also has a velcro belt loop on the back, and a handle on the top. The main compartment is about 5x6x9. It has a zippered pouch on the front about 3x5x6. On the front of that is a zippered slit pouch. There are molle straps across the front and on the sides and a small bungee cord setup above that smaller pouch.

Outside is where I keep my flashlight (on/in a molle strap) (and which I need to replace).

On the other side, threaded through the molle straps is 100′ of parachute cord, held together at the bottom by a couple of small carabiners (not climbing rated).

Inside that zippered slit pouch are 2 emergency ponchos. Yes, the cheap kind. Useful for all sorts of things.

Inside the small zippered pouch are:

An all-weather 3×5 notebook

A pack of Grime Boss wipes

A Leatherman

A cyalume light stick

A little marker (fine point, bought at Home Depot)

There should also be a lighter/torch in there, but I can’t carry it onboard an airplane in my luggage… so looking for a better solution*

Inside the main compartment is:

A Trauma Pak from Adventure Medical Kits, containing Quik Clot, trauma pad, nitrile gloves, duct tape, triangular bandage, some gauze dressings, a “conforming gauze” bandage, antiseptic wipes, and the resealable bag can be used for sucking chest wounds

3 emergency water supply pouches (the ones for keeping on boats)**

An orange tourniquet (with the write-on label, hence the marker)

A baggie with some larger band-aid type bandages

3 Millennium energy bars (400 kcal each)

A paper bit on “Tips for Survival” by Marvin B Lark (that I can use to start a fire)

2 Burn-Fix 4×4 burn dressings

An un-sharpened carpenter’s pencil (red)

An emergency blanket

A roll-up splint

A large red or orange bandana

A pair of nomex gloves

* I do carry a book of paper matches when I fly, since that seems to be the only thing TSA will allow. Any other suggestions for a non-primitive method of fire-starting I could carry/pack on aircraft are welcome. (Somewhere I have one of those fire-starters that uses air compression to produce heat.)

** The water pouches serve two purposes: drinking and irrigation of wounds. If you cut a small enough corner off the pouch, you can get a decent stream of water when you squeeze it. Not for antiseptic purposes, but get dirt away from the wound and clear off some of the blood.

When I had a car, I had in it what I called a Bailout Bag, as it was intended to get me home or to safety in the event of an emergency. What GWB has put together here puts my old bag to shame, and is an excellent guide for those just thinking about such things.

It has some trauma gear; it has some boo-boo gear; multiple sources of light; the ability to make fire at need; food; and, water. All in a small, easy to store and carry package. There are any number of things that can happen that result in your having to leave your vehicle behind, and having something like this helps ensure you can get home or to safety at need.

All the gear in the world does you no good if it is not with you when you need it. Having smaller kits like this ensures you do have it/have access to it when needed.

Also, note that he has burn supplies in his bag. That’s something I need to add to my pouch and gear. When I did my embeds, the largest burn threat came from EFPs and all the burn cream in the world won’t do much for those. Need to get that back into the system as life today has many other sources where burn bandages and such would be very useful.

In addition to the bailout bag, my car also had a full-sized first aid kit skewed towards use in traffic accidents. Having both gave me flexibility and options, including the ability to pull from the large kit into the small if I did have to bail out.

So, it’s not just one kit. It’s having different kits of different sizes to cover different needs. It’s making sure you have access to at least some first aid gear at all times.

One final thought for your bailout/get-home bag. Consider having some air-activated hand and toe warmers in it. If you have to leave the car behind in winter, such will help protect your hands and feet. If you have to stay in the car without heat, they will help you there too. Just a thought.

My thanks to GWB for sharing this. May it help you in your preparedness.

As always, be prepared. Keep your family and friends close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.