There is tremendously significant news out of Washington as of this hour, July 31, 2009, 6:22 AM PDT

The Obama administration has been talking for nearly a week with many segments of the Israeli government, about the nuclear threat caused by Iran’s continuation of their nuclear program.

Here’s the short story of what looks like has been agreed upon by both Washington and Tel Aviv. It takes Israel off the hook, and puts the US squarely opposed to Iran.

A. The US will keep trying diplomacy, probably until early September.

B. If no progress, there will be increasingly ‘harsh sanctions’.

C. If Iran continues their progress in the nuclear realm despite the sanctions, the US will go to the military option.

The problem with B, however, is that the sanctions may include an embargo and a blockade on Iran’s ports. Iran has already stated clearly that they will see those actions as a declaration of war by the United States. From what I have read of International Law, we will technically be at war with Iran the moment we board an Iranian ship in a blockade situation. Iran has promised to shut down the Strait of Hormuz the moment war begins.

We have seen this possible scenario mentioned in past months by various sources. And elements of the US Armed Forces have had a training exercise that looked a lot like a blockade of Iran some months ago along the narrows of the Cape Fear River. But today is the first time it has been officially declared to the world, according to early reports, by US defense secretary Robert Gates and national security adviser James Jones.

If true, and it looks like it is true, then we seem to be headed to the brink of war.

More about this as information become available.

Today the Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. General ‘Gaby’ Ashkenazy denied seeing “war clouds in the north”. But he added that the Israel Defense Forces were keeping watch on the situation.

That mixed message caused the Army of Lebanon to place all their units on along the Israel Lebanon border on full alert status. They are said to be ready to “meet any Israeli aggression.”

Earlier, Lebanese media reported Israeli military movement along the border, including Chariot class tanks and Air Force jets flying over the Western Beqaa Valley in Southern Lebanon.

In response to this dangerous confusion, the United Nations forces along the border increased their alert status, monitoring the actions of both sides. This is both a bit comical and a bit tragic. (more…)

One of the most difficult categories of food to stock as emergency supplies is protein. In the past, there was a lot of powdered egg and milk. Today there is a much wider choice of good tasting, protein-rich entries from companies that supply emergency food, most notably the top-rated maker of freeze-dried food, Mountain House.

But I’ve found something else I also like very much: Cytosport™ Pure Protein,Tangerine flavor (none of the other flavors even come close). Pure Protein contains 40 grams of whey protein that somehow manages to taste sort of like the old-time Orange Julius drinks they used to make fresh with orange juice. (more…)

I know it’s not usual to post a comment as a post in itself. But this one perfectly describes the feelings of those of us who think that getting prepared for an emergency situation should not be put at the far end of our ‘to do’ list.

I wish I could make the rest of our community see what is happening. every time I try to tell them I end up looking like a nutjob because I get so passionate about the survival of my loved ones. what to do? Keep the faith with my Immediate family and do the best I can with the others around me. thank you for your website, it has been an immeasurable help in committing my wife and kids into food storage and sustainability, although we still have a long way to go, I know we are better prepared than probably 95% of the population. may God be with you, and all your weevils be garlic flavoured :).
Robin

(I think the reference to garlic weevils comes from a post we did that talked about Storing Grains, and the additional information in the comments below it.)

Robin, if this site has helped your family join with you in getting ready to survive whatever comes… that makes my day. Thanks.

I have to say that you must talk with your doctor and find out whether your use of any of the products or activities mentioned in this post, or indeed anywhere on this site, is appropriate for you. All statements are personal opinion only, and have not been approved by any authority or agency or anyone else whatsoever. And read our disclaimer statement.

This post is going to ramble on for a little while before it gets to the real point, so you might want to sit back and enjoy the ride.

It’s guaranteed to leave you in ’stitches’.

I was in Southern California at my daughter’s wedding a couple of weeks ago. At the reception, I went over to a table where my brother-in-law was sitting. He happens to be my best friend from third grade, and it was he who introduced me to the woman who became my wife.

My wife just happens to be the twin sister of his wife. I don’t want to confuse things too much, but I must mention that my wife’s brother, whom I roomed with after high school, never told me about her. I suppose he had good reason for hiding her from me. But some things are just meant to be.

Anyway, sitting at the table was a common friend of ours from high school, and his beautiful wife Janet. As I sat down, he asked me about the scar that was forming above my right eye. He wondered what had happened to cause it. (more…)

Do we have anything to be concerned about?

Vice President Biden gives the Israelis the green light to invade Iran with an airstrike against their nuclear facilities. President Obama says ‘absolutely not’ the next day. Iranian President Ahmadinejad
tells the world that if anything penetrates their airspace, the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz will stop suddenly, for starters. The US Joint Chief of Staff officially admit that the Iranians can actually do that for at least a short period of time, or perhaps for quite some length of time.

No one knows what will happen once missiles and jets and weapons of all types start flying around in the powder keg that is the Middle East. Tanks and elite troops are poised to bear down Israel on all sides, looking for an opening to put an end to the Jewish homeland. The US has promised to defend Israel’s borders. Israeli submarines armed with nukes are transiting the Suez Canal toward the Persian Gulf.

Perhaps we have quite a bit to be concerned about.

And that’s not taking into account the mysterious machinations of North Korea. (more…)