Emergency Preparedness

Do you have enough food and supplies to keep yourself and your family healthy in case of an emergency? I am not talking about M16s for every member of the family, and enough ammo to keep away hordes of looters (although that isn't a bad idea). I am talking about food (that doesn't need refrigeration), water, heating/cooking fuel, medical supplies, and the like. A natural disaster can hit any part of the world at any time. Governmental and social disasters can also hit anywhere there are other people. You should keep enough food to feed your whole family for a week or two at least. If anyone in your house is dependent on any medical supplies, be sure to keep ahead on purchasing them, as well. As has been shown rather graphically time after time, government will not come to your rescue, and may actually make the problem much worse as it did in New Orleans after Katrina.

You should also get a kit together in the event of having to leave your house without warning. Called a "Bug-Out Bag" this should have enough to keep you going for at least 72 hours. Even some of the mainstream media have begun to mention disaster preparedness as something Americans should think about. You are responsible for your own safety. No government cares as much about you as you do. Any preparations are better than none.

Here is a partial listing of the contents of my personal Bug-Out Bag:

BACKPACK to carry it all
Shelter: wool blanket
Water: Purification tablets
6 Bottles of water
Food:Jerky
Parched corn
6 energy bars
Fire: Magnesium fire starter
6 Candles
3 Sterno
Dry tinder
Fatwood
Health: Toilet paper
BandAids
Antibiotic ointment
Listerine
Aspirin
Extra clothing
Cotton Balls
Q-Tips
Baking Soda
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Security: Folding knife
Sharpening stone
Hand-powered flashlight
Wind-up alarm clock
Money

The Roswell Lies

The story is that a flying saucer crashed in Roswell, New Mexico on July 2, 1947. Did it happen or not? I first heard the story in the early 1970's while I lived in Waco, Texas (the scene of more notorious lies by the US gov decades later) so I know the story did not start circulating in the mid 1980's as I have heard it claimed. Ignoring the sensational aspects of the story, the only thing that I believe we can ever know for certain is that the US government has been caught lying about this event time after time. Initially gov stated that it had captured a flying saucer. Then changed the story to say it was a weather balloon. Then said that it was a balloon from Project Mogul, and that the "alien bodies" were crash test dummies that were dropped on the area almost a decade after the event. Whether you believe in UFOs or The Roswell Incident, the one undeniable thing is that the US government lied about this time and again, and made liars out of the military people who they fingered to spread each subsequent version of their story. This is not the action of an honorable group who deserve any loyalty. We have been invaded by aliens, and they are the humans who run and worship government. Take back our planet for the real, free, human race.

The FCC: Owners of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

When I think of all the useless government agencies out there, one shining example of utter waste comes to mind. The FCC. Originally conceived to keep radio stations from overlapping their signals (at least, this was the excuse used), this agency now seems to think it owns all of the atmosphere around America. The "overlapping signal" was a counterfeit problem to begin with. It is not in the interest of radio stations to have a frequency too close to another nearby station. Who would want to listen if there were two stations broadcasting on the same frequency? Try it by tuning into some distant AM stations and see how long you would listen to that. The stations had already privately solved this before government came rushing in to rescue them.

Their censors have bewildering standards. If I were not a libertarian and I were trying to keep the airwaves "decent" I would not let half of the garbage be broadcast that they allow. Yet they levy huge fines for nonsense violations of the bizarre rules that they do have. The First Amendment reminds government that it has zero authority to regulate the press or to control free speech. Regardless of "public sensibilities". Popular speech needs no protection. No one is forced to own a radio or television. The stations do a pretty good job of advertising the type of programming you are likely to see or hear when you tune them in. If you are afraid of seeing bare flesh, don't watch Cinemax. If you don't wish to hear certain words, don't watch HBO. If somewhat milder stuff offends you, don't watch CBS, NBC, FOX, or.... You do not have a right to not be offended.

Radio waves are nothing but a form of electromagnetic radiation; like light. Government can't own light. FCC licensing is absurd. Ham radio operators are "required" to get a license, and they seem to think it is a honor to bow to the requirement. Does government really think that unlicensed radio signals are a threat to America? In Great Britain, the royal subjects must license their TV sets. How much longer until the FCC, in order to protect us, starts requiring the same? Support any "pirate" broadcasters in your area.

The Constitution

I hear a lot of libertarians argue that the Constitution is irrelevent. That it is either directly responsible for the police state we now live under, or that it did nothing to prevent it. Perhaps. It is still the only thing that even the worst jabbuts (jack-booted thugs) pretend to operate under. This is why we must constantly remind them that they do not even obey their own laws. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights are this country's highest law. They outrank all others. Even the corrupt Supreme Court has ruled that no one is under any obligation to obey any "law" which is prohibited by these documents. Of course, they will almost never say that a "law" is unconstitutional; especially when it would bring down a whole sector of the government and leave them open to imprisonment and execution, such as victim disarmament "laws".

I think it goes even deeper. Government must be reminded and shown that if it operates outside its authority and does not honor the Constitution, then it is no longer upholding its end of the bargain. It has ceased being legitimate and has become an occupying government of criminals. Remind them often.

Yes, I realize that no one alive agreed to be bound by the Constitution. I never agreed to be bound by the "laws" that are passed daily in any government hive. Government can not be allowed to continue ignoring the laws that apply to them, but then insisting that we, the people, must live under the "laws" they inflict on us. That is a recipe for their own destruction.

Delusions of Grandeur

I have no illusions or delusions about my importance in the presidential race, or even in life. Very, very few people read my blogs. Few people visit my webpage. No world "leaders" are worried that I would be in a position to help America shake off its authoritarian chains. Most of the time, I don't really mind. Freedom is not a popular goal. If it were, there would be no need for people such as myself to run for president. If even 10 or 20% of Americans were really hungering for liberty the way I do, America would be a free country. Too many of us believe that government will protect us, without seeing that government is the vampire draining our life-blood, while it pretends to keep the ghosts from getting us. I don't know if this will change in my lifetime, though I can always hope. Will I play a part in the change if it occurs? I really can't say. With the internet, these posts will be available for future readers. Perhaps something I wrote will reach the right person at the right time. Will this blog lead to a "Kent Presidency"? Not unless some universe-altering quantum fluctuation occurs. I am afraid that any libertarian (or Libertarian) president we would be likely to elect will be more like the authoritarians we already struggle under. It is still worth the effort, though. Freedom is worth it. America deserves to be free.

I Missed a Major News Story!

Yesterday, I somehow missed the fact that it was Friday the 13th! How could I have let such a momentous event pass unnoticed? Because I am not paraskevidekatriaphobic. I am astonished that people even think about these things. But then I see otherwise intelligent people who are superstitious about everything under the sun. Superstition is the belief that mysterious, unseen forces guide your life and control your destiny. These "forces" can be appeased by doing certain "rituals" or saying magical words at the right time. I suppose it can be comforting to some to believe that they do not really have control over most of the things that happen in their lives, or that they can appeal to the universe to favor them. It is harder to accept responsibility. Stay alert. Stay awake, and don't blame mysterious forces when things don't go the way you want. The blame (and the credit) usually lies with the person who looks at you from the mirror.

Sex

Consentual sex between adults is none of my business, nor is it any of your business. Unless someone chooses to make it your business, but even in that case, you have no authority to enforce your moral code on the other person. I can't understand the notion that it is fair game for government busy-bodies to pry into. If you are the recipient of unwanted sexual advances, say "no". There is no need to get violent or hateful. Forced sex is never right and you have every right to defend yourself against it with as much force as it takes to stop the threat. "Age of consent" is strictly a government notion. One size does not fit all, because biology is not constrained by "law", but sexual activity IS constrained by biology, so children are always off-limits. Most people are decent, and whether they are homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, polyamorous, or asexual does not change that fact. If you wish to rent or trade your sexual favors, that is your business(literally). Discrimination based on a person's sex life is stupid and wrong, but there should not be "laws" punishing discrimination. Stupidity is not, or should not be, illegal. Nowhere in the Bill of Rights does it suggest that these Rights apply to "everyone except ____________ ". Violate the rights of another person, and you are guilty. Sexual lifestyle does not figure into the equation anywhere. If marriage (of any kind) is your desire, do it without government approval. You do not need it. Government has zero authority in that area unless you willingly give it to them. Don't.

Government Dog-Kickers

Rights supercede any laws issued by any "authority". Any legitimacy a law has comes only from the Right which the law is enacted to protect. Any "law" which seeks to violate, infringe, regulate, license, limit or downplay any Right is abhorrent and must be most vigorously opposed.

The United States has too many "laws". Every time someone has any difficulty, they seem to think it is their right to have a law to protect them from this indignity. After centuries of this idiocy, we now have a "legal" code that it would be absolutely impossible to know, even if you did nothing else but read the "laws" every day for your entire life. This will backfire. If you have a dog and you make up random or ridiculous rules for him to live by, and kick him everytime he doesn't, will you have a well-behaved dog? No, you will have an aggressive dog that will be a grave danger to you and anyone else he views as a threat. Government has been lucky, so far, that humans are more compliant and forgiving than dogs. Perhaps they will continue to be lucky, but I doubt it. I don't think government believes their luck will continue, either. This is why new, even more draconian "laws" get passed constantly. They are desperate to get anyone who might oppose them disarmed and in "the system" where they can be more thoroughly controlled. It may work for a time. But...They can't control us all.

Governing While Intoxicated

While driving around today I saw one of those "public service" billboards which seem to be everywhere promoting socialist ideals. It said "Buzzed driving is drunk driving". My response: No, it is not. I don't know of anyone, even hardcore alcoholics, who think it is a good idea to drive while you are drunk. The problem is that the government has defined "drunk" so broadly that it is now completely meaningless. If someone does not act drunk, it does not matter what their blood-alcohol level is; they are not drunk. What is the issue is how they act and react, not whether there is alcohol in their bloodstream. Back in 1999 in the middle of the night, I watched a cop give a kid "sobriety tests" in Gunnison CO for over a half hour. The guy passed every single test that the bad(ge) guy threw at him. At least until the crooked cop had exhausted the poor man, and he finally slipped up on one test; then it was hand-cuffs and into the car for him. This is criminal behavior "authorized" by a badge and a gun. If cops want people to have respect for them, and for real laws, they must stop enforcing counterfeit "laws" such as this.

Goin' Nuclear

Maybe North Korea has "the Bomb", and maybe not. There are a lot of governments which do; does one more really make a difference? It would be better if no one had nuclear weapons, but just as with many things, that is only a "what if". The reality is that nuclear weapons do exist. Now the question is whether it is as terrible as the media makes it sound IF N.Korea has a nuke. My guess is that it doesn't make any difference. The biggest, most aggressive government in existence has had nukes for over 60 years. Why do they think that it is OK for them to stockpile these weapons, but no one else should? It is the same reason that they keep fully automatic rifles, but almost totally forbid private ownership of the same guns; they wish to be able to have their way with you or anyone anywhere on the planet. Government is a spoiled child who can destroy worlds at the push of a button. But here is the main thing to keep in mind: is it likely that Koreans would target and kill you, personally, with any kind of weapon? Not at all. You have much, much more to fear from the agents of the US government. Americans are more likely to be killed by a cop than by (other kinds of) terrorists. Think about that in light of the Homeland Security fear-mongering. Neither of these risks is even in the "top 10" anyway. Don't be distracted from living free by media induced panic.

Busywork

Have you noticed how much of your time you must spend in order to stay "legal"? I think this is a way government gets you to use up a lot of your energy that you could otherwise be using to oppose them. They keep you so busy that you don't really notice what they are doing. Don't allow yourself to be distracted by this tactic. Always remember that the busywork is not legal in most cases. Remember who is forcing you to do it. What types of things am I talking about? You must fill out tax forms, and make sure you keep the records. Keep your car registration up to date or the Bad(ge) Guys will have an excuse to pull you over and molest you. Are all your official papers in order? Do you have all the permits the Storm Troopers require? There are thousands of nonsensical busywork-type things we are forced to do and then keep up with. It cheapens life to be forced to deal with all this garbage. The real problem comes from the punishments dealt out to us when we are not careful enough in dotting "I"s or crossing "T"s. Government can, will, and does destroy lives, steal homes and possessions, and murder innocent people who did nothing more "evil" than sloppy paperworking. Government only has the authority to inflict requirements on you that you allow them to inflict. Stop allowing it. Withdraw consent to be governed by criminal gangs.

Pop Culture

I frequently hear intelligent people brag that they don't know who such-and-such celebrity is, or that they NEVER watch TV or something similar. It is as if not knowing anything about pop culture is a badge of honor. L. Neil Smith says you can't fight something you have no knowledge of. My brain stores a lot of useless junk that I don't even remember being exposed to, so I do know a lot of pop culture info. I don't dwell on it, or even normally think about it, though. Pop culture and the media (and sports)have a way of giving common ground where it is scarce, then you can find other commonalities when you dig deeper. I enjoy some mainstream things and some very obscure things. Everyone does unless they have the depth of an oil slick on a puddle. There is a lot of garbage out there in the media, and there are a few diamonds. Recognize the difference, but don't let anyone put you down because of what you enjoy. It is, after all, your life.

Boot the BATFE

Help JPFO get the BATFE out of America.

MountainMan Wisdom

Accepting government handouts is like milking a grizzly bear: it may keep you fed for a while, but you will get mauled eventually.

Preaching Liberty

From time to time in our lives, we come across someone whose beliefs are very different, or even diametrically opposed to ours. It can be fun debating these people, as long as no one becomes angry in the process. This happens most frequently in the realms of religion and politics. It is usually pointless to try to really "convert" the other person, as in both of these areas, we "know what we know" and no amount of logic is likely to get through all of our mental defenses. Once, in debating someone, over a course of days, after making all of the points I could think of, the other person finally admitted, "What you say makes sense, but I am gonna believe what I want to". I was struck by this admission. I came to realize that when someone has a great deal invested in a belief system, be it political or religious, they can not afford to simply walk away from it. I don't blame them; I am the same way. You could trumpet the benefits of government control over every facet of our personal lives; show me examples backing up your claims, and I would know at my very core that you were wrong, and that freedom and liberty are better. So what can a liberty minded freedom outlaw do? Lead by example. Do not abandon your libertarian principles when it becomes difficult to live them. Show how much better personal responsibility is as a life style. Do not fall into the government handout trap. Do not initiate force. Do not back away from defending yourself and your family. Do not apologize for living by your principles. It time, others will notice your life. Then you can welcome them to liberty, beyond the reach of government thugs. When enough people see government for the farce it is, we will have won our freedom.

Free to Live and Ignore the Terrorists

What is a peaceful person to do? Counterfeit "laws" threaten us daily; the police have been militarized and taught that it is "them against us" from their first day of training; the Torturer-in-Chief and his minions in government at all levels think the Constitution and Bill of Rights are "just a %@#&%@$ed piece of paper" to be ignored unless it is in their interest to reference them; and almost without exception, Americans don't care. I am reading the book Unintended Consequenses and enjoying it very much. The author, John Ross, did his research. I wish we had more Americans like the heroes of this book. Perhaps even admitting this labels me a "gun-nut". I have watched freedoms being ripped away by a government out of control throughout my adult life. I recognize criminal behavior when I see it, as I am sure you do. I have watched politicians and bureaucrats acting as though they are the masters and we are their pawns, to use as they wish. I have seen extreme crimes of government go unpunished, and the thugs even rewarded and praised in many cases. And, through it all, I have seen almost all of America accept this as OK or even good. I am afraid that when government tightens the noose to the point the average American feels it, just before the trap door opens, it will be too late. It may have been too late when the Supreme Court staged the coup and stole the power to decide Constitutional issues unilaterally. My advice is: just ignore government to the best of your ability. A retired sheriff's deputy told me a few years ago, "by the time you eat breakfast in the morning, you have broken some law. Anyone can be arrested at any time. Just don't worry about it and get on with your life." I guess what I am trying to say is, don't worship the parasites; don't shoot them unless they attack you; don't even waste the energy to flip them off, unless it enriches your day to do so. Just find ways around them when you need to, and ignore their idiocy the rest of the time. Government is not worth your time. If it pleases you, vote for me or someone like me who is an avowed enemy to the present police state. Get libertarians into for every office you can vote for. If voting is against your principles, then try to convert as many police state groupies as you can to your side. And just keep living free despite the best efforts of federal terrorists, and their local terror cells.

Letters to Editors

I just spent my morning sending letters to editors of newspapers throughout the state regarding the recent school shootings. I took my two blogs on the subject and combined them into what I hope was a cogent letter. I have some reservations about writing newspapers. I have seen many letters that, while I basically agree with the writer, seem like they were written by a howling mad lunatic. I hope I did not fall into that trap. Also, I watched once as a letter writer (whom I knew) was arrested soon after his letter advocating liberty and knocking counterfeit "laws" was published. It may have been coincidental, but it makes me wonder. Government does not like to be reminded that it is no longer a legitimate authority. They do not like to have that fact pointed out publicly.

If you are willing to take the risk, please send some letters to editors. If you wish to, feel free to use my blog entries as a starting point for your own letters. Just change them enough that they are not obviously the same. The pro-government extremists are busy writing; we, with our more reasonable position, need to do the same.

White House Forms Panel on School Violence

There is no problem so bad that it can't be made orders of magnitude worse by adding government. So here they go again.

Help Me Fix the World

I don't know whether you, the reader, agrees with me or not. I would guess that most of you instinctively know that America is on the wrong path, even if you don't think I am pointing in the right direction. Whatever direction you think America should be heading, you are the most powerful force for that change. Your life belongs to you, and America (and the world) is built of the individual lives of you and me, and people just like us. The only way to really fix the world is one person at a time. If you are drawn to political action, do it. Just realize that forcing your views on others is never right. If you just want to be left alone to live as you see fit; that is great, too. Do not let anyone make you feel guilty for living your own life. If you think my views have any validity, please pass the word to others who might enjoy reading these blogs. Even if they would only enjoy reading in order to ridicule me.

Abdication of Self Defense Responsibility

The Amish school shooting (sigh) shows another side of the guns in schools issue. Guns do you no good if you have a moral prohibition against self defense. To me, self defense denial is equal to saying that your life or the lives of your family are not worth protecting. This is abominable. To me, those little Amish girls were worth dying (or going to prison for violating counterfeit "laws") to save.

I also repeat my sentiments of September 28 and add to it: Watch out for copy-cat crimes anytime a tragedy occurs. Sick evil people need little provocation to set them off. That is why these things always happen in clusters.