Uncategorized – The Laughing Wolf

Be Careful Out There, Winter 26 Edition

Well, planned posting isn’t taking place as Tuesday afternoon I had the Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) that is going around try to pay me a visit. More on that in a minute.

For all my friends down South, be careful out there. What a lot of Yankees don’t understand is that the South rarely gets snow (mountains excepted) and when it does fall it doesn’t stay snow for long but turns rapidly into ice. One can and does drive on snow. Driving on slick ice is a game for fools. Worse, instead of snow we often get freezing rain, which coats roads, power lines, tree limbs, etc. and brings the latter group crashing down (if not whole trees and light/power poles). Sleet is better than freezing rain (though not by much) as it isn’t as likely to bring down power lines, tree limbs, trees, etc.

I grew up in the South, but my Dad had spent time where there was snow, so taught me both to drive on snow and to recognize ice and not drive. When living in the South, I did have some fun watching northern-types go blazing out onto the “snow” covered roads only to find out they were ice. Low and slow is the way to go people, and if you are in the South and your state allows chains, use them.

As we’ve talked about before here, I don’t get the milk and bread thing. I had friends who never bought milk and bread in normal shopping rush out to buy gallons and loaves if the “s” word was mentioned on the news. My take is if you buy beef and bourbon, you are better off.

Seriously, if you have even a modicum of preparedness you will get by. The second time I was working (contractor) for NASA, we got hit pretty good. Power was out, but I pulled out a few things (mostly camping supplies) and had coffee, hot food, light, heat, etc. There was a knock on the door, and when I opened it there was a young lady from the apartment complex office there to let me know the clubhouse had been opened as an emergency shelter. She looked at the light, felt the heat, smelled the cooking food, and asked if she could come stay with me.

We are going to have cold and some snow, but it’s not going to hit us as hard as it will down South. We have plows, sand/salt trucks, and while we may lose a few limbs, the trees down south (particularly pine) are not used to that structural load. The South does not have the plows, sand/salt trucks, and other equipment and neither the grid nor the flora are used to such weather.

Be sure to drip those faucets! Sub-freezing weather is not the time to have to be trying to fix a frozen or busted pipe. And please don’t be stupid with how you try to thaw a frozen pipe: every year seemed to bring multiple stories of people setting their house on fire trying to use a torch to thaw a pipe. Also, please don’t try to stay warm by bringing your charcoal grill in and lighting it. Yes, that happens far too often still.

Be Prepared. Be Careful. Be Safe.

As for me and the URI, I’m bouncing back. Tuesday afternoon I started coughing a bit, so when I ran errands I picked up some things for that. I also ate a hot/spicy meal while out; but, by the time I got home I could feel things hitting. Started my normal routine of apple cider vinegar shots, extra C, and such. Chills set in fast, so I went to bed and bundled up to ride things out.

Fever is actually a response by the body to infection, an attempt to kill it by raising the thermostat. Problems with fever come from high-temps (particularly spiking) and high-temp over time. I’m not convinced the modern urge to stop fever at the start is entirely good for us. So, I deliberately roasted a bit overnight, trying to sweat the URI out.

Yesterday, I continued my normal routine for such (AC vinegar, extra C, cough tablets, hot/spicy food, etc.) but added in something recommended by my friend Snarksalot, Cold Calm. It is homeopathic and does not appear to have any interactions with anything else I’m taking, so gave it a try. Even though this is not a cold, it has helped and I plan to add it to my “war chest” for such things.

As for the vinegar and hot/spicy foods, years ago I was told that part of the life-cycle of most colds/flu/etc. was in the gut. Change the Ph even a modest amount, and you disrupt that part of the cycle. Since infections depend on viral/microbial load, breaking or reducing the chain drops the load so your body can finish things off. When it comes to the vinegar, you have some who claim the mother has various properties that help; others say it simply provides amino acids that help; or, that it just helps skew the Ph. I don’t really care which it is, it seems to work and the results are what matter to me.

So, be careful out there. Keep your friends and family close, and your things where you can find them in the dark. More soon I hope.

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.

A Date That Lives

On a sleepy Sunday morning more than 80 years ago (84 I believe), the sounds and sensations of paradise were shattered by those of guns, bombs, and war. The events not only shattered the old world order, but the lives of all Americans. The resulting war took the life of my uncle Foster; was responsible for the later death of my uncle James as the growth that got into his lungs as he floated around the Pacific after having a ship shot out from under him was responsible for his later death; and, altered the lives of my other uncles and my Dad.

FDR decreed it a date that would live in infamy. For a while, that was true. We were vigilant and determined not to sleep again at the dawn. Now, it is dawn again, and again at the dawn I fear we sleep. Just as last time, there are far too many who desire us to be asleep and remain asleep. Well before that dawn some sounded the alarm: among others, look up the name Richardson and what happened to him. Then look to not just current events, but the last four or so years.

Nor is it a single- or double-axis threat. Following the money can be easy in many cases; but, trying to follow the ideologies is much harder. And, yes, there is more than one paymaster and more than one ideology at work today. We face not two major enemies, but several; and, of them all the ideologies are the hardest for most to recognize as they wear masks that appeal to specific groups and demographics. Yet, many mask the same godless authority that even uses religious groups for its ends.

Nor was the enemy truly already within the gates then. Despite the racism and land-grab of FDR, there was no real internal threat (or at least not with the Japanese, arguments can be made in other cases). Today, well, if you’ve been reading me a while I think you can figure out my concerns. Or already share them.

The best we can do is pray, prepare, and continue to push for policy and military reforms. Meantime, Sal has a good thread up at X and there is a lot of other good food for thought going up at different places. As for me, I have done what I can and will spend at least some time today thinking about visiting the Arizona, the Punchbowl, and other places associated with that Day. I will most likely say a prayer for those involved. Take some time today and think and pray. I believe both are very much needed.

Thoughts On A Theological Smugging

Back in this post, kindly linked by Sarah A. Hoyt over at Instapundit, a response was left taking issue with the fact that a prayer I shared dared mention Mary the Mother of God/Theotokos. Since there was no response to the questions I asked in the comments (or to any comments), I e-mailed them and was unsurprised at the responses/non-responses.

It seems the person is in the habit of depositing such nuggets of what they deem wisdom in various punch bowls around the blogosphere. So much so that they can’t be bothered to keep up with all of them (according to one response). Apparently it is a busy life bravely dropping these nuggets on the fly (without even a glance in the rear view mirror).

However, what they regard as nuggets of wisdom can be seen as something else floating in the punchbowl. I also find the response to an old and much used prayer a bit churlish, inconsiderate, and even somewhat ignorant. My amusement at the refusal to answer the questions asked and bidding me “Good Day!” (I’m really surprised given the apparent dudgeon that I didn’t get the full “I said Good Day Sir!”) has sparked an idea for a series of posts.

What follows is not a refutation of the comment, per se; rather, it is an opportunity to lay out for your edification and my clarification some points about early Christianity and traditional faiths and how they differ from non-traditional Christianity. Given how many people there are out there today for whom history begins and ends with their own lifetime, it is good to review real history and how a number of things developed within it.

Please note that I am not a theologian and don’t claim to be one; rather, I am laying out some points and concepts for my own use and growth — a process previously started here and here. If these happen to help others, then that is a happy coincidence for which I am very glad.

Today, I want to look at the Bible, it’s development, and a bit on it’s use — along with other sources — in understanding Christian faith and the teachings of Jesus. Along the way, I think you may pick up on why I think it would be easy to make the case for Sola Scriptura as a heresy; but, I instead see it more as an idiocy. Some may see that as a bit harsh, but I think I can make a good case.

Let’s start with an honest question for you the reader: When did the Bible as we know it come into being? Was it extant before the Passion? Was it created immediately after? Was it created and accepted in the first century after the Passion? Was it created and accepted almost three hundred years afterwards? Was it created and accepted five hundred years afterwards? Is this a trick question?

The answer to the last question is: sorta. It’s not really a trick question except that it would depend on which part, Old Testament or New Testament, is being referred to above.

The proper Old Testament, as I have been taught of late, is the Septuagint. This is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, and was the Bible from which Jesus preached in the Temple and elsewhere. It has books not contained in the current Hebrew Bible because the Hebrew faith changed versions of the Old Testament because of the rise of Christianity.

While it is a bit of an over-simplification, what happened was that since Christianity claimed and used the Septuagint, the Hebrew faith elected to switch to a different version of the Old Testament. Of course it’s much more involved than that, but it’s a (fun) rabbit hole that is not terribly germane to the current discussion.

I will note for the record, however, that there are sources (mostly online, caveat emptor) that have different accounts of this. Not having taken formal courses on such (yet), I admit there could be some error in this presentation. It is one reason I very much would like to attend formal seminary training, though I note that given my history geekiness that if I get in and have the chance to dig into this to my heart’s content, you may need to use a nuclear shaped charge to get me out again.

As for the New Testament, it took a bit over three hundred years for a version to be formally accepted. Up until then, the different Churches and bishops used a variety of different sources. That said, I will note that one of the early Apostolic Fathers (the first generation of Church leaders trained by the Disciples) pretty well nailed the books that became the New Testament some 200 years before such was formally ratified.

Side Quest/Note: At least one book of what is currently accepted as the New Testament has never been formally ratified by the Eastern Orthodox Church (and possibly others). It also has not been formally rejected. That book is the book of Revelation. Make of that what you will.

Now, as for those works not included in the New Testament, some were rejected as not being canon. Others were rejected as not rising to the level of Gospel. A category not often discussed (IMO) are the books deemed duplicative. While they might have unique insights and information, the key points were duplicative of the other gospels. As such, they were not included, though some continued to be used as supplementary texts.

Keep in mind also that there were two levels of costs involved with adding texts to the Bible. One was the cost of production. Given that such had to be hand-written and/or illustrated, a single book of the Gospel could cost the equivalent of a year’s wages for a family. The second is the cost of memory, as most scripture was memorized.

Christianity was not based on written tradition; rather, it was based on oral tradition as were most academic and theological undertakings of the time. The fact is, most people — often including priests, Bishops, and others — were illiterate. It does not mean they were stupid, far from it. It simply means that they were not able to read or write. When you read the epistles in the New Testament, find a version and translation that includes the salutations and conclusions as these will have discussion of who wrote the actual letter and how to know it was a faithful rendition of what was said to them. Interesting note, often the actual writer was sent with the letter so they could be questioned and the recipients satisfied as to the accuracy of the epistle.

The fact is, most of the instruction of new priests, bishops, and such was oral. Which is why the Didache was created: it was the written supplement to the oral teachings of the Disciples and Apostolic Fathers. It is also worth noting that a good bit of time is spent reminding the readers (or those to whom it was being read) how to spot False Prophets, which came in two types. One spread false gospel and did not preach the gospel of the Lord, and the second would be described today as grifters, who were in it for money and other riches (including power). I would note that the tests provided can be applied to drive by smuggings even now.

It is also why a number of the epistles included in the New Testament were written (as were a number of those not included for being duplicative). When you look at them, many boil down to: diplomatic greeting; polite description of problem; discussion often about no that is not what the Lord said/meant, that is not what we said/meant, you young punks need to put back those who you removed from being over you and apologize, this is what we are supposed to do, this is how we are supposed to do it, and this is what we told you (did you even listen?); and, a polite conclusion inviting the recipients to get it in gear, straighten up, and fly right.

Such letters were necessary because of the oral teachings. Again, let me emphasize that being illiterate does not mean being stupid. In fact, I would put the average member of the Church then (and even many priests who were not literate) up against most current Christians in their ability to quote, analyze, and discuss Scripture and other related teachings. Fact is, many of them could, would, and did quote not just passages, but entire books of what became the New Testament as well as the Old. They could also chant or sing hymns and prayers that went with them.

One reason for the elaborate decorations in the early Churches was that they created in effect a picture Bible. Each picture sparked the appropriate scriptures, hymns, and prayers associated with the events and people depicted. You still find this in many Greek and Eastern Orthodox Churches (Coptic too I think), and even some Roman Catholic Churches. It was all there to support the oral teachings and traditions of the early Church as memory aids.

Now, those oral teachings and traditions included a lot of discussion not simply on what Jesus said, but what it meant. Just as Jesus explained many of the parables to the Disciples (and in the process to those who heard said teachings later as they were chanted/sung during worship), the Disciples and the Apostolic Fathers also explained meanings, symbolism, and more to their audience. And again, these were handed down in oral tradition for centuries.

Even after Gutenberg revolutionized Western printing, books remained expensive and it actually took some advances in paper making to get prices down where books could be afforded by a wider section of the population. Even so, memorizing large chunks if not whole books of the Bible continued to be a significant factor until roughly a hundred years ago.

When you look at it, Sola Scriptura is based off the idea of everyone having access to the printed word, and that word alone — without any of the supporting words, writings, hymns, and other inputs of the Disciples and Apostolic Fathers (or even major theologians since) — and that such is sufficient for people to find their own special meaning in scripture.

I find that a conceit on more than one level (and meaning). Among other things, it is the idea that only now are we sufficiently advanced to truly understand the Word (all on our own!) and, by implication, that all those who came before were not true recipients of God’s Grace and Salvation because they lacked the intellectual and moral sophistication of their betters who are only now arriving on the scene. Think about it a bit.

As a final thought for the day, consider also that from the original Bible every schism has removed books from both the Old and New Testaments. For that matter, with at least one schism underway now we are hitting a point where it appears line-item exclusion is in process. So, again, which version of the Bible are you using for Sola Scriptura? The entire and complete version? If not, which edited version of the Bible are you using?

Also, which translation as that very much matters. One of the things I enjoy about our Bible study class, as I’ve mentioned before, is that our Sub-Deacon often presents different translations of the same text so we can hear and/or see the differences. Some of those differences can be profound. Again, which version are you using? It does make a difference.

In the next post, unless I get a flash of inspiration to do something different, I plan to go into more of the oral tradition and even (I hope) share some of those early items for your consideration. Until then, God Bless and Keep you.

Question For My Regular Readers

I’ve got the chance to attend the Lightning Strike & Electric Shock Survivors annual conference this year. It will be held in Tennessee, and afterwards I would have the chance to go visit some friends and relatives in Tennessee and Georgia. Really do need/want to do the latter, as if I don’t go now, some of them…

Would this be something anyone would care to help me with? I will need to rent a car (full insurance as I have none right now), pay for hotels, fuel, etc. Bit out of my reach, but it is doable.

Let me know in comments what you think.

Looking ahead, there are only a few other trips I see as possibilities. I do want to do a religious pilgrimage to Eastern Europe and then to Mount Athos. I would love to do a pilgrimage to Israel, though if I got the chance for a quick visit to Jordan and Egypt I would hit them first then Israel. Outside of that, I want to do another trip out West in case things get to the point that I can move out there. Other than that, not seeing a lot of travel in my future for the next few years.

Otherwise, the only “big” plan I have for this year is moving into a place of my own. Been so busy this week I haven’t even had a chance to look around.

More soon.

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. 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 Soon

Running behind and lots going on. Not just on the world stage, but going to share a personal update soon. Also, working on a space post outlining some challenges and why I think we need to build of Elon’s Mars efforts to settle and harvest the asteroid belt and follow up on the suggestions of Dr. Yoji Kondo. Hang tight.

Thoughts And A Warning

May you live in interesting times. The opening of an alleged Chinese curse (I’m too tired to research it but seem to recall it was such) and a reminder that even rapid positive changes can be unsettling.

Unlike some, the last three weeks (roughly) have not been something where I’ve been scared that I would wake up and find it a dream. I’ve been far more scared that I will wake up and the enemy will have gotten it in one sock and is effectively fighting back. So far they haven’t, and I bow towards Donald Trump and his team.

I had a sneaking suspicion that things would be interesting as soon as I heard that the transition team would be privately funded and not working with the previous Regency as used to be the norm. When I didn’t hear the usual leaks, or even some of the usual behind-the-scenes chatter, suspicions intensified.

Wow. What was being planned was beyond my wildest imagination. There has been a blitz from the word go, and like all good blitzes it was meticulously planned, contingencies developed, great legal counsel was clearly involved, and the logistics were in place. It hit so many places at once the enemy couldn’t figure out where to fight back, and it was also clear that the Trump team was setting things up so that the enemy had to defend their worst assaults on freedom, liberty, and the Constitution in public.

Read this as an example, looking at just one of the EOs and actions. Then read this excellent take from David Strom. Then think of how much work went into the hundred plus (?) EOs piled up and ready to go that first night. That was quite the sight with them all on the desk to be signed, and more keep coming. It is worth noting that every time the enemy even starts to think about getting back on balance, out comes another major EO, often on a hot-button topic for the progressives, to throw them even further off balance. Right now, I’m not sure they can truly decide where to start and can’t handle the sheer volume of things to challenge.

Then, add in the extremely prudent acts in putting people on leave, locking them out of buildings and systems, etc. to prevent the open sabotage that was a hallmark during Trumps first term. I noted with approval that apparently one of the first acts done by DOGE was to mirror drives so that such sabotage would be easy to detect and deal with. That it also preserves a lot of data many would have liked to seen deleted before the audit is another good thing.

Yes, I do keep using the term “enemy” deliberately and advisedly. They are not the loyal opposition. What they have shown themselves to be are opponents of individual freedom, individual liberty, the Constitution, and even of civilization itself. They pretty much dropped all pretenses otherwise during the Biden Regency and declared war on the American people. Or, did you think all those SWAT raids that saw people judicially executed/murdered, and became one of the features of the J6 persecutions were an accident? Messages were being sent, and not just through the corrupted corporate and political media (and boy have the last couple of days been fun with the data coming out of USAID on that). Did you think the 80,000 IRS were going to go after anyone on the left? The Lois Lerner brigades had a target, and it was everyone not a progressive. I could go on, but the point is made. These were not and are not the actions of a loyal opposition, but a disloyal (to the Constitution) enemy.

I’m going to skip over a few things I’ve noticed as I am hoping Trump and DOGE can get several more weeks of accomplishment in before the enemy starts fighting back/fighting back effectively. I really hope the enemy does not figure some of it out and the grand rope-a-dope going on continues.

That said, it is not a time to drop your guard or your preparedness. The usual suspects have doxxed the DOGE team, and while the new leadership at DOJ is investigating that and a myriad of threats, it’s still a problem. It is a bigger one for the people doing this as within their bubbles they have no clue how PO’d the public is and how much (and how fast) that is growing as more corruption comes out. The public mood is far angrier than most realize, and far too many of our credentialed so-called elite really don’t get that this time they need to care. They have not caught up with the times, and still think violence (by their usual crew) is something to be controlled like a rheostat so as to make the controlled opposition behave. Reality is that for the majority of Americans, it’s a switch and nobody on any side should want to see that flipped. Violence against Trump, Vance, his cabinet, and the DOGE team is almost guaranteed to flip it though.

Again, they live such insular lives within their bubbles that they really don’t get that it is truly no longer the Republican party (and controlled opposition) they knew all their lives. What it is now is a mix of libertarian, conservative, and populist that used the existing structure because it was convenient. It’s no longer the group of squishes that would let them keep running things even when the party “won” an election. The concept that the winning team would govern and not let them keep on like always is, I suspect, a horrifying lèse-majesté that truly shocks them. The horror!

There may be a few of the enemy who get it, and understand where they are at right now. Most don’t. They can’t (or won’t) deal with reality and the changes underway. Which is where danger comes in. As noted above, violence against Trump and Company will have repercussions no sane person wants to see happen. Yet, the BlueSky crowd was busy doxxing and making threats early on. I’m hoping that legal consequences for same may cause some to hit the brakes a bit, but I think far too many are not going to calm down given how many rice bowls just got kicked over.

Cornered rats are very dangerous, and the credentialed so-called elites are several steps above that. They see the system that they grew up in and that has given them power, money, and more failing. The NGOs were sinecures for children, nieces, and nephews that guaranteed the money and power would stay in those families for generations. Quite a few of those types have no other marketable skill nor do they have alternate career plans even if they did have skills. Given that, I truly am worried we could see some nuclear-grade stupid.

I actually think there are plans already in place for such (note Trump’s “I’ve left instructions”), and even if not I would be saying restraint, restraint, restraint. Stupidity on their part does not demand stupidity in return.

Make no mistake: we are in a revolution. This type of revolution has very high odds for success and a return to a truly Constitutional Republic. As someone noted on X the other day, it’s not something you can shut off at this point. Fact is, it is burn the boats time and we need to go all in on DOGE and the efforts underway. We have even more to lose in some ways than the enemy, in that we can lose our gains and freedoms, as well as our souls. However, we also have far more to gain through a successful revolution/restoration than they will. Their way of life is gone no matter what.

Expect the unexpected; think, then act; and, sit back and enjoy the show. I think Sarah used an analogy recently of a roller coaster and it sure is a good descriptor of the last couple of weeks. It’s fun, more than slightly scary (occasionally even terrifying), and not something you can leave mid-ride. My inner geek keeps hearing Kosh from Babylon 5 saying “The avalanche has already started. It is too late for the pebbles to vote.” Apt, and there are some interesting parallels between what is going on and what went on in Babylon 5.

I am going to pray for success, sanity on all sides, and the best possible outcome. I am going to make sure I’m prepared for turbulence. Most of all, I’m going to try not to get whiplash from the rapid events and not laugh too hard at all that is happening. Feel free to join me in sitting back and enjoying the show.

Predictable, If Despicable

On cue, the attack has begun. I’m a little surprised that they chose to go after Pete rather than Matt Gaetz, but on reflection I think it reflects the fact that they see Pete, and the cleaning up of DoD, as the greater threat to the status quo. Besides, they fully believe that Gaetz is DOA in committee and will not advance to confirmation.

After all, it’s endless war and constant emergencies that enable massive looting of treasuries and money laundering that are essential to the status quo of the credentialed “elite” that see their control slipping. It is the excuse for draconian and other “emergency” measures to “deal with this unprecedented” crisis du jour. As such, having control of the DoD becomes paramount. It is through that control that things like Biden giving Ukraine permission to fire on Russia with U.S. made weapons (despite the rather clear mandate of the last election), or Blinken stating that they will send Ukraine as many supplies and funds as they can before Trump takes office.

Also, in my opinion, it has been the goal of Obama (and he is a key player in the Biden Regency, which is basically Obama III in policy terms) to gut the U.S. military for reasons of his own. Reasons not in the best interest of the Republic.

So, the legacy/corporate media, having already tossed aside any pretense of objectivity and professionalism over the last ten or so years (and particularly the last four years), jumps in with a predictable attack. The goal is to damage Pete Hegseth, or to create a chimera of unfitness, sufficient to allow establishment republicans and other craven cowards to avoid supporting him. Note that they don’t have to openly oppose him; rather, they simply have to express concern that he is tainted such that he isn’t a viable candidate. It allows them to focus on the appearance, the chimera, rather than the facts and it puts it on an emotional level beloved of progressives and those seeking to manipulate people.

And what better way to do that than to attack an institution they loathe: Christianity. Short version is that when one wants to reshape America (and the world) into a progressive socialist/communist entity, you have to destroy the philosophical underpinnings of that society. The cornerstone of much of the philosophy that undergirds the Republic comes from Christianity. The concept of the individual being capable of choosing the right path for themselves, individual freedom and liberty, and — importantly — individual responsibility all derive in part (or in whole) from the tenets of Christianity. Even informed consent derives from same. Christianity was also the driving force behind the elimination of slavery, an institution which frankly most progressives would like to see return (and given a different name).

Now, Pete is a proud, unrepentant, Evangelical Christian. That is enough to send progressives into a frothing rage on it’s own, but combine that with other positions he holds, and a strong desire and the ability to clean up DoD and return the focus to war fighting capabilities (rather than social experimentation and losing wars), and they fear him even more than they hate him. So, two birds with one stone by attacking him via his Christianity.

The key to the attack lies in lying about two tattoos he has (which are hard to miss). The main attack seems to be against the Jerusalem Cross, which has been a symbol of Jerusalem within the Roman Catholic church for a bit over a thousand years now. Depending on which source you go with, the four Greek crosses with the larger cross represent the five wounds of Christ (hands, feet, spear); Jesus and four apostles; and, I think there may be a couple of other interpretations floating around out there. Key is, it’s been in use within the Roman Catholic church and various protestant denominations for a while now. It is used to represent the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and is frequently used as a tattoo to signify a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the Holy Lands by Roman Catholics and others.

It is not a major symbol of white nationalism, white supremacy, or Christian nationalism. No doubt some fringe group(s) somewhere may have used it at some time, but the same can be said for almost any other symbol out there. To claim otherwise is a bunch of bovine excrement. Yeah, watching my language a bit…

Again, the media is lying but the talking point has gone forth. The idea is to create an impression of something amiss, a chimera of unfitness, since reality is otherwise. It is all to give cover to sellouts and cowards. Make a note of those who go with it, or even flirt with it: they need to be voted out ASAP. Yes, we got a reprieve this election, but it makes it even more urgent to take care of down-ballot offices in the midterms. If those are not fought and won, the big win may not have the long-term effects needed for the health and continuation of the Republic.

To be honest, I expect worse to come. There are fractures appearing lots of interesting places, here and abroad. The landslide on November 5th has revealed some here, and it has those depending on the status quo terrified. As I’ve said before, don’t expect them to just give up and go away. They are going to lash out, and fight to try to preserve their world for as long as they can. That said, they are on the way out and while it may not be fun, nice, or painless, we can win — as Sarah Hoyt frequently notes.

My thought right now is to not fall for this, to laugh and and openly mock (with facts even) those pushing the lie. Get the truth out, and make them dance naked before the world to emphasize that they are propagandists, not journalists. Point to real journalists on X and blogs, emphasize them, and note how often they are right versus legacy/corporate media. Back those people as well, by funds. I’ve decided to spend money on X by getting a checkmark again to provide financial support for X. While it is not yet a truly free speech platform (IMO), it is the best out there for free speech and needs the support to continue.

Also, contact your congresscritters and urge them to back Pete. I would be careful about adding anything about not supporting them if they don’t, but an implication of such is not amiss IMO. The idea behind the attack is to give cover to the craven, so let them know they have your support on this confirmation. If they get the message from enough people, they will also get “the message” if you will.

We are not out of the woods yet, but we have what I regard as a very unexpected opportunity. Make the most of it. Be prepared. Keep your 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, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, 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. 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.

Getting Bumpy

Lots going on in the world: Iran getting frisky, the markets not feeling frisky, turmoil in Bangladesh, English politicians seemed determined to foment a civil war, and I could go on. I will go into more soon, I hope. Right now, if you have investments, talk with a professional. My not-quite-as-joking-as-I-would-like-to-be is to buy canned goods, freeze dried, guns, and ammo. Oh, and edged weapons as they always come in handy.

More soon. Now that I’m recovered from the walk to-and-from my guitar lessons (and thank you all for them!!) with high humidity and heat indexes that were already into the 90s by about 0800 (really don’t want to know what it was when I came home at 1100) I have to head out again. It’s not a bad walk, being almost exactly 1.75 miles, but in the heat it is a bit much so I took the time to cool off, rehydrate, and recover. Need to run one more errand while I can, and then see about relaxing and practicing.

Buckle up, the ride is about to get interesting. So, be prepared and always keep your things where you can find them in the dark.

Amazon Wish List

I hate giving them any business, but… Some have asked about donating things rather than funds, and I like that idea. So, I have created a new Amazon Wish List that if I’ve done everything right should allow people to send things rather than money. It should be showing up in the top right under The Bard’s Jar but I’ve been having some weirdness where it shows up, then is gone, then shows back up.

On a few of the things on the list, I’ve noted things I think you may be needing in the days to come. With the loss of the petro-dollar and other systems dropping the dollar, on top of the hordes of military-aged males from so many countries coming across the border (and missing police uniforms, complete vehicle markings/wraps, etc. in NYC), now is a good time to stock up. If you can help me do so, much (MUCH) appreciated too.

More soon, been a busy day already dealing with lawyers, government, and more. Hoping to get to a real post up in a bit, but no guarantees as the infernal ones (lawyers and govt) get first dibs on attention today. 🙂

UPDATE: Think I noted on the list, but stock up on supplements now. Not only do disasters not wait, but keep in mind all the attempts to control food production and distribution. Also keep in mind that if they go after that, the previous war on supplements will be nothing compared to what comes next. Paranoid? Perhaps, but keep in mind the “conspiracy theorists” are batting about a thousand and the so-called experts about zero. I’m opting for the CTs on that basis alone.

UPDATE II: Getting Zombie Car ready to sell, but am calling off further work on that due to rain and the possibility of thunderstorms. Oddly enough, I’m quite content to come inside and hunker down in the basement where it is cool and at least semi-safe. 🙂 Really do want to get back to building underground, both as a thought experiment and to respond to the excellent comments. Think Old Paratrooper hit on something that may well work for me in reality rather than in thought experiment.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, 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. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Preparedness Pays II: LTS Containers

Long Term Storage (LTS) is a different game from storage for general preparedness. For the former, you are talking 20 or more years, while the latter is generally standard shelf life, or about 2-5 years. Yes, I am (over) simplifying things, but…

For me, I have two major reasons for doing LTS work. The first is that I think it a very good idea to have some basic stocks on hand for emergencies and disasters. I know I would like to eat during such, and that there might be others who do as well that I might can assist.

The second reason is that I am a cheap [male offspring of unwed parents — trying to clean up my act a bit as clergy and others may be reading this], er, Scottish, and like buying bulk. Let’s face it, times are tight for us all, and for me having to take early retirement (stupid lightning) puts me on a very tight budget. So, I buy bulk and don’t want to waste any of that food. Bit more on that discussion soon.

There are four major materials used for LTS containers: glass, metal, plastic, and concrete. Yes, I did say concrete. For now, let’s take them in that order and look at some of the pros and cons of each.

Glass, and pottery before it, has been a staple of LTS for literally eons. One still comes across articles detailing how a sealed bit of pottery was found to contain still-edible food (honey turns up fairly frequently) even after a thousand or so years. Glass, and the glass canning jar, really did revolutionize food storage with the advent of more modern types of rubber for sealing.

Glass is durable and has a long shelf-life of its own. Which means the jar you use today could be used by your child or grand-child many years from now. The clarity lets you keep an eye on what’s inside and spot problems before opening. The downside to glass (and pottery) is that it is quite brittle/fragile, which limits emergency utility.

Metal has also been around for a while, and offers great strength and protection to the contents. You have metal boxes and cans available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Above is a large can and an ammo box I repurposed as a humidor. Sadly, I am out of good cigars for it.

The drawbacks to metal include bulk/weight, expense, and that coatings are often required as some metals and/or the sealing agents used on them are toxic and/or will corrode easily. Some of the early cans had more than a little bit of lead in them, and poisoned those who ate their contents. Modern cans have little to no lead (depending on where you are in the world) and are often lined to prevent corrosion, especially from acids (think tomatoes for just one example).

Before I forget, I have a larger ammo can that can be used to store electronics and such that I want to shield from radiation of various types and intensities. This includes from sources man-made or from that huge fusion furnace that lights our world — the sun. You don’t have to get to the level of a Carrington Event (or worse) before it becomes good to tuck things away. Given some of the recent strong eruptions from the Sun (so far pointed away from us), might want to think about that.

Plastic is probably the most used modern material for LTS and general storage. It is travel cases, storage cases, coolers, food-safe buckets, mylar bags, and much, much more. There are many different types of plastic out there, and each has advantages and disadvantages.

On the pro side, plastic is relatively inexpensive, depending on formulation quite durable, stronger and more resistant to impact than glass, and lighter than metal or concrete. There are a number of food-safe options available for food and other storage. Just my take, but I tend to use food-safe for as much as possible so I can re-use it at need. For example, in an emergency or disaster, that storage container can be re-used for storage, washing, food prep (soaking, brining, etc), and more. Don’t just think of the initial use, consider that when one moves into disaster territory what you have may well be all you have for some time to come. Make it count.

The con side is that plastic can and and will shatter, often does not take well to sunlight and heat, and is not something you really want to stack, particularly 5-gallon or larger containers. Stacking will result in structural failure, so just don’t do it. Yes, I do speak from experience.

Oh, keep in mind modern coolers/ice chests can be used to store both food and non-food items. I know more than one person who uses them as a humidor for cigars. Load in boxes of cigars, throw in some humidity packs, seal the drain plug, and things are good for months before you have to think about replacing the humidity packs. Add in desiccant packs and you can store books, electronics, and much more in a controlled environment. That way, you not only have the contents, but you have those coolers for use in an emergency or disaster. Just a thought.

Our final category of material is concrete. No, not thinking concrete briefcases or such, but when looking at storage that involves less-than-optimal conditions, certain varieties of disaster, or the need to store things such that they are not obvious, concrete — especially pre-formed concrete products — can be a good way to go.

As I noted here, in the opening of Lucifer’s Hammer Niven and Pournelle had a character loading carefully packaged books into a modified pre-made septic tank. With the normal input/output openings sealed, such makes a very good and durable underground storage unit. I’ve even heard of people using several linked together for shelters. Thing is, with the number of pre-formed concrete pipes, cisterns, etc. you can find something of almost any size for your storage needs. Think also that burglars or other not-nice people are not going to think to check something that has pipes running in and out or appears to be an active septic tank within a basement or pump house, etc. The metal that is in most such pre-formed items is also going to diminish the effectiveness of metal detectors and such when used indoors. Something to think about for outdoor use. Just a thought.

Tomorrow, I hope to take a look at long-term food storage and a bit of my take on the subject. There is no one right way or system, individual tastes vary, but within that one does need to provide for complete and balanced nutrition. For me, I like to survive in style as much as possible, so I may have a few thoughts on how to make friends and have a bit for trade. More soon.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, 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. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.