Big Brother is watching your Phone and our Online Activity!

Part 1

This past week it came out in the media that the government has been gathering information on everyone in the USA. By following Facebook picture posts ad checking who you call on your phone.

The government of the USA stated that this previously secret program was instigated to protect the people from terrorist attack.

First let me ask you some questions.

You really did not know the government was watching you? Tracking your life? Keeping a file about you? If you did not you must be one of the most naive people on the planet. Tracking people is easy.

Most of us however are too boring to track or even pay attention too. We live mundane lives of no real consequence to the global stage. The government will not be spending any resources watching us because in most peoples lives there is nothing to see. Watching people work, go home and then watch TV is not interesting to the Federal government.

The people who may need to worry about the governments ability to snoop are the ones who are doing the wrong things.

This brings us to a primary question of freedom. One of our most cherished rights. How do we define our freedom! What is its meaning. How do we go about being free?

When I was in high school an American history teacher discussed freedom and gave an American idea of freedom and a Communist idea of freedom. In the USA we at that time believed that we were free to do. The Communist nations were free from.

We in the USA could choose our own path in life. Free to work at the jobs we wanted. Free to live where we wanted. Free to marry who we wanted. Free to get higher education. Free to protect our homes. Free to own property. Free to have a private personal life. Free from government intervention. Free from unreasonable search.

The Soviet block nations were free from the responsibility of finding a job. Free from paying for health care. Free from hunger. Free from the cost of housing. Free from crime. Free from personal responsibility. Free to have the government examine your personal life. Free to be searched without cause.

Over the past few years I have seen a change in the mind set of the people of the USA. They are expecting much more from our government. The want to be free from the high cost of of health care. They want to be free from hunger. They want to be free from gun violence. They want to be free from terrorist attacks.They are willing to have themselves searched before getting on a plane. They say its OK to monitor phones and the Internet if it prevents a terrorist attack. It's OK to give up your guns it it could save one child.

How quickly we have changed from a people wanting to choose our own course in life. A people who took responsibility for our actions. To a people wanting to be taken care of, watched over, fed and protected by the government.

SO WHY ARE YOU COMPLAINING WHEN YOU FIND OUT THE GOVERNMENT IS WATCHING OVER YOU!!! If the government is going to take care of you they need to know what you need. To know what you need they will watch you. Then they can take care of you. Why is everyone so surprised. You have what you have been asking for.

Seriously do you think the government is concerned about you? They are not. They are only concerned about getting re-elected. They will do what people who donate to their campaign or vote want them to do.

PART 2

I can tell you who is concerned about you and who is watching you much more closely than the government ever has. People who have a vested interest in you, what you do and how you live.

It is Corporate America. Yes the big retail giants are watching you. Do you have any member cards? The one that gives you a discount every time you shop at their store? They are tracking you. They know what you like to eat, drink and sleep on. They keep a list of your favorites. They track all you do and when you will need something. How do I know? Have you ever gone shopping for your food and bought a multi-vitamin with 100 pills in it? Then in about 80 to 90 days latter received a coupon for a multi-vitamin? They track what you buy then send you a coupon for it when you are about to run out. Then you will come back into their store to buy it. That can form a habit of shopping there. All this is not that bad, they are watching over you, helping you and saving you money. Did you check to see if the coupon was for a more expensive item? A brand name vitamin? They are slick and know how to separate you from your money.

The people watching your every move, who know what you buy, what you eat, your choice of entertainment, your shoe size and when your car needs its oil changed is not the government. It is Corporate America. So when the government has a reason to look closely at you they do not expend their resources.  They simply call your credit card company, your phone company, check your Facebook,  your bank and local supermarket. They have so much information about what you have been up to.

Get use to the idea you are being watched and so is every one else. Try to keep it interesting the government is getting bored.

Keep up on your Garden.

Are you thinking it's a bit late to plant a garden?

You still have a lot of time. Hear in Utah I still have more than 120 days of growing before the first freeze.

Just get out and plant some seeds!

Now is the time to start some of your warm weather crops. Planting seeds for corn, squash and beans peppers, egg plant, carrots, beats, turnips, or any other root crop and anything else that needs warm weather. There is still lots of time for for planting.

It is exciting to try a few new crops each year. A lot of seeds are going on sale now so pick up something new and see how it produces and what it tastes like.

There is a lot of security in knowing where your food comes from and knowing how to grow it yourself.

Where are you bugging out to?

I have looked around, spoke with other preppers and listened to a lot of plans about the bug out. That fateful day when something happens, the sky falls, and Armageddon comes over the horizon. You grab your gear and head out.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING.

Your plan must include a place to go. If you are just leaving town you will end up with everyone else who is just leaving town. IN A GOVERNMENT RELOCATION CAMP! They will take your guns, your supplies and your independence. There you will live under marshal law. They will keep you safe.....well keep you anyway.

It is much wiser to have places you can go. It is better yet to have some good trustworthy people you can go to. It is best if you can find more than one place to go. It is a good bet that you will not be able to go everywhere you want to.

When you look for a place to bug out to, consider where your friends and family live and people who belief like you do. Are any of your people within one tank of gas from your start point? Is where they are better than where you are. Consider that your home may be their bug out place.

Evaluate the travel rout to each potential refuge. Will you be able to get there if there is troubles.
1. Population between here and there. The more people in between you and your goal the less likely you will reach it.
2. Distance to destination. The longer you have to travel your chance of reaching your destination decreases.
3. Are your people already there? An empty place is up for grabs for the first person to arrive and take the high ground. Even if you own it. If there is no law your place may be their place.
4. Open land, that secluded place in the woods? Who else will be competing for this spot. I know a place about 50 miles from my home that at least two well armed groups plan to bug out to. I will not be there.
5. Leave early. The road will be quickly blocked.
5. Have a rout B, C, and D. and a place B, C, D.

 I have a planed place to evacuate to in each direction. Some sites for bugging out to are better equipped than others. Some have better people than others. I belief that if you go to a place you have people you can trust with equipment and supplies, you have a higher potential to survive trouble.You will want to have a place that is defensible, has water and can resupply or self supply. AND one that no one uninvited will be there already as an unwelcoming committee.

Remember the place you live may be the best place. Only leave if you have to.

Be sure you have a plan.

Thinking about bugging in? Sheltering in place.

Some times the emergency you have prepared for is not some thing you can run from. Some times the best plan is to shelter in place.

This past week at the Boston marathon there were 2 bombings.  Three people died and many more were seriously injured.

As the identity of the bombers was made known a man hunt began. During the efforts to find the bombers the people of Boston were advised to shelter in place. It was said to be for their safety. With two men driving around Bean Town tossing grenades at police I can see the point of taking cover and sheltering in place.

There are many more reasons to shelter in place. Radioactive fall out, severe weather, social unrest, an epidemic or chemical contamination. Also if you were unable to evacuate for what ever reason you may be forced to shelter in place.

Having your 72 hour kit is a good start for sheltering in place. It can meet your basic needs for the short term.

Unfortunately it may take a lot longer than 72 hours to get help.  People who were hit by recent hurricanes found that it may be several days or even weeks before there is any sign of help.

It is a cold hard fact that if there is an event near you there is not going to be enough emergency personnel to meet the needs of the disaster.

So get more supplies for your home. If you have been living providently you will already have a supply of food that can last several weeks, months or even years. If you do not have a food supply for your home you should start one. You can start by picking up a few extra food items every time you shop or you can go out and buy a lot of supplies at one time if you have the money to do so.

If you have room store at least 50 gallons of water for each person in your home. If you are short of space make sure your water supply is your first priority.

Other things you will want for your home.

Large rolls of heavy plastic black and clear. This can be used to cover broken windows or create a waterproof shelter.
Some tarps, the blue kind you find at the home center. They can be placed on the roof if shingles are lost.
Large trash bags. There will be a lot of trash you may not be able to take out side.
Be sure you have plenty of toilet paper and paper towels.
A tent for shelter if your home is damaged.
Heat source.

Have some hand tools you know how to use. The claw hammer is a wonderful tool. it can be used to build, tear apart and dig. An axe, saw, shovel, nails, screws, screw driver crow bar, chain saw, duct tape, staple gun, generator, gasoline and good quality knife are very helpful in an emergency.

Next it is good to plan for what could happen.

Know what your most dangerous threat is, When it last happened and how ofter it has happened? Earthquake, hurricanes, floods and active volcano's represent natural disasters.

Industrial accidents, dirty bombs, biological attacks and other terrorist activities can also create a need to shelter in place.

Plan your supplies for what your disaster is most likely to be.

You may need to shelter in place for several hours to weeks. Having food, water, shelter and heat will make it a lot easier.

Thinking of Bugging Out?

For years I have been teaching people about their 72 hour kit. This is most often referred to as a bug out bag. The plan is to have a 72 hour supply to make do with until you can reach a safe place or until help arrives.

I have re worked my kit several times. The best way to know what you need is to use it. This means a camping trip and only use your bug out bag. If you are not into camping see how long you can live in your home with only your supplies. That means living out of your kit.

Quick review of basic kit.

Number one item for a kit is 3 gallons of water for each person in your home.
Second have 3 days of food that can be eaten without any extra preparation. Like canned food or MREs
Third any medications you need.

After these three things you will need to determine what works for you.  Shelter, bedding, tools.

Bugging out?

If things at your location are too dangerous to stay the plan must be to bug out. This would be any emergency that had an ordered evacuation or social situation that makes where you live unsafe. If there is a chance you will need to leave. Be sure you are one of the first ones on the road out. To be one of the first out you need to be ready. Always leave at the first suggested evacuation.

Have your car kit up to date. You should check your kit every month or so to be sure it is still intact. If you are at home grab your bug out kit and add it to your car kit. If your at work grab your work kit. Have a plan of what you will be taking. Water, food, shelter, important papers and money. Be able to bug out in less than 15 min.

Have a place to go. If possible have more than one place you can evacuate to. Going to the community shelter is not the most pleasant place to end up. Plan the routs you will leave on. Try to have a safe place to evacuate to that is less than one gas fill up for your vehicle from your home. If it is a large evacuation for a hurricane, radiation exposure or other regional disaster, a lot of people will be trying to leave. Some routs may be blocked so also have a plan b, plan c, d, etc.

Some things that will slow you down as you bug out.

Need gas? You must have gas in the car. You do not want to have to wait in line to buy gas. Keep your gas tank more than 1/2 full. If you have a safe place to store gasoline store several gallons so you can fill your tank quickly without going to a retail outlet. You may want to have a few cans of gas that you can take along so you can make it if you are caught in traffic.

Waiting for family. It is important that your family have a plan of what to do if every one is not together. Most of the time your family will not all be together. Each parent may be at work, children in different schools. Grandparents at their homes. The longer you wait the less chance you have to get out.  Plan a rendezvous point for the members of your family who can drive. Use an out of state contact to keep track of the exit plans and routs your family is taking. Make assignments of who will pick up which family members who do not drive. This will speed things up if everyone knows what is expected of them. You need to accept that all your family may not be able to evacuate together. If you have to wait for every one to be together at home the chance of you leaving early will be greatly diminished. It is better to have some leave early than for no one to leave.

Have everything you plan to take packed and ready to go. If you need to gather things up from around the house you will leave late. All your bug out equipment should be together. Have copies of important documents and a cash stash as part of your equipment. Keep the bug out equipment in the front of the place you store them. If you have to dig them out from the back of the garage you are loosing valuable time.

Once on the road, keep ahead of the crowd. Keep an eye on the gas gage. Watch for a gas station near the exit. If you need to stop for  gas, try to get it quickly. If you see a long line of cars waiting and still can keep going to the next exit, keep going. Do not get into line to buy things unless you absolutely have to.

Because you are on the road quickly you will be ahead of the rest of the people. This means you will have the best chance to maintain a good speed, buy gas, food and water along your evacuation rout. You will also have first pick of lodging when you reach your destination.

Making a car Bug Out Kit.

As the weather changes its time to look at our bug out kits. Sometimes referred to as a 72 hour kit.
It is a very good idea to have several kits. The first kit I check each year is the car kit. A car kit is for general use at anytime, any where you may be for any reason.

The number one need for any kit is water. Be sure you have a good water container. The recent commercial water bottles are for the most part very weak. They can break and leak easily. If they get your supplies wet the supplies may be ruined.

So start with strong water bottles. I like to use pop bottles. The pop bottle is much heavier plastic. The lids fit tight and they were made to hold higher pressure. Because it is getting warmer fill the water bottles to the top. You will want at least 2 gallons of water for each person you think will be in your car.

I like to add some flavoring for the water. After a few months in your car it will not taste very good. So some powdered sport drink or other flavoring like tang or cool-aid to make it taste better. If you mix it at 1/2 strength it will last longer and not increase your thirst.

Next you will want some kind of food for energy.  Most foods will spoil over time. The inside of car that gets hot and cold quickly car can make food spoil much faster. Do not use canned or bottled food in your car kit. The heating and freezing inside a car can make the containers leak. The best food energy source for a car kit is hard candy. It is pure sugar. It is not high in nutrition. If fact it is very low in nutrition. But hard candy is high in calories so it will give you plenty of energy. Any hard candy will do. I would have about 1 pound for each person in the car. Keep it in its original wrappers and then put it in a sealed bag. To keep the candy good and easy to use keep it dry.

Next have some tools in your car.

A flash light is the best tool if you have trouble at night.
A small shovel.
A small took kit for minor repairs is a good start.
A knife should be part of every kit they have many uses.
Have a basic first aid kit.

Other tools could include:
 A star lug nut wrench(many lug wrenches in common tire change kits are not very strong.
 A crow bar for digging or prying.
 An ax for chopping and cutting.

Now add a blanket one for each person who generally is traveling with you.

A tarp. If you break down you can use the tarp to cover the windows and keep the car cooler. It can also be made into a tent or canopy to provide shade, protection from rain. Also if you need to get under your car to fix something you can use the tarp to lay on. This is especially helpful if it happens to be wet under your car.

Now get a white handkerchief. A white flag tied to your car antenna is a signal for help.

I always have a bandanna in my kits. They are incredibly useful.

Last you need a container to keep your supplies in. You will want something that will hold it together. One of the best is a used suit case. You can go to a thrift store and find a old hard sided suit case for just a few dollars. You can also use a plastic tub, backpack or wood crate. You do not want your supplies rolling around in your trunk getting damaged.

Be sure to keep your kit covered so that no one can see it through the windows. You do not want to have your kit stolen.

If you think of other things that you would keep in your car for emergency use feel free to add make a comment.

Plant your peas.

Its time to plant the cool weather crops. As soon as you can dig into the earth you can plant your cool crops.

I like to plant peas first. This is the time to put them in the ground. I plant Green Arrow pea. It is a tall bush about 24 inches. It produces a lot of peas and keeps blooming and producing until mid June when the hot weather burns the blossoms.

To plant peas break up the earth. You can use a tiller or spade. I like to use a spade because my pea patches are only 6 feet by 3 feet. I have 2 pea patches. After I break up the earth I rake it smooth. Then using a hoe I carve a furrow into the ground. Each furrow is about 8 inches apart. I plant a pea every 2 inches between the furrows.  That's 2 rows between the furrows.  I plant them about 1 inch to 1.5 inch deep. Now just cover the seeds over and wait.

Peas are self fertile. They fertilize themselves before the blossom opens. You can have hybrids if you plant more than one kind, but it is not a frequent happening. Most peas are heirloom plants and you can save the seeds from year to year. Just let some of the pods stay on the plants until they are dry. Then pick them, pop the dry peas out of the pod, put the peas into a airtight bag or jar and put them in the freezer till next spring.

Next year do the same thing. You will never have to buy pea seeds again.