(Repost — Odd, part of this is missing. Either there was a mistake on this end, which is most likely, or… well, anyway, I will try to recreate it best I can. This is a repost March 6)

I was saying that the Obama Administration was backing down from confronting Iran, and Israel’s Netanyahu Administration seemed to be doing the same, and that Iran was probably not going to start a war, although they have been putting huge amounts of the

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machinery of war into production and on their front lines. But so has everyone else, and I do mean everyone, including Saudi Arabia.

So, on the surface, it seems that the war that almost was… isn’t going to happen.

But.

There are three factors that could tip the scales at any moment. (more…)

Sayyed Nasrallah went to dinner on Thursday. (more…)

First an overview, then the news. Most recent at the bottom of this post. (more…)

Risk taking is currently seen as a negative personality trait, right up there with a rigid morality.

It’s understandable, from a certain viewpoint. If you want to create a society that is malleable to the desires of those in power, then you do not want people taking actions on their own, or having opinions that do not conform to current mass thinking.

People are glad to buy into the illusion of stability and safety that goes along with that, because most people desire safety and sameness above all. I’d cite an example, but there really is no need. It’s easy to see in every part of life.

In an emergency or disaster, things are radically different. The rules that applied a few seconds ago are out the window.

As people in New Orleans and Haiti found out, you can’t (more…)

When an emergency situation arises, the chances are that some of the people around you at the time will be different from you.

Even if they have the same ethnic background, they may have a completely different moral compass, a completely different world view. Since you are reading this, you probably see helping people as a duty and a privilege. Some people that you would normally be very comfortable around may think that stopping to give aid is just stupid and wouldn’t consider it.

You might actually have more in common with someone of a different ethnicity. Or, put more bluntly, color.

This gets very personal, but I do not know any better way of making these points. It’s also long, so if you’re going to take this journey with me, sit back and relax.

I have had an interesting walk through prejudice. (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.

Before I even start, 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. Get a complete physical and your doctor’s permission before beginning any physical activity. All statements are only personal opinion, and have not been approved by any authority or agency or anyone else whatsoever. And read our disclaimer statement.

You’ve gotten enough rest and you’re ready to rumble.

So, what would be a good work out to prepare your body for an emergency situation?

First on the list… stamina. (more…)

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

You probably thought I’d start out by talking about running obstacle courses, or swimming through shark infested waters. That sort of thing.

But actually, the first thing you need to do is get enough rest. In the beginning, there was darkness, and then light. The Jewish day starts at sunset, so there is rest and sleep first…. and then later there is daytime and activity. That is so wise. Because that is the way we are made.

We need to build up before we can tear down and make stronger. We need rest before we can work out to maximum benefit.

That is why the method I propose is in at least one way superior to the best military training (more…)

Are you tough enough to survive an emergency situation?

We saw a movie last night where the main guy started out kinda mentally weak and physically unhardened, and as the hours went by, he got physically and mentally stronger, becoming a tougher, more can-do sort of guy. By the end of the movie, he was decisive and capable.

Bull.
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GhostCrab, an astute community member at MarketWatch, posted a thought or two last night that for some reason really resonated with me. I reproduce his post here with his permission.

I’m going to give you all one very, very large reason to kick preparations into high gear. My wife is starting to see eye-to-eye with me on the probabilities of a plethora of nasty scenarios that are unfolding, and that we are slowly but surely narrowing towards. She has been telling me to can it and been giving me “the eye” for at least two years. That she is getting on board, let alone my Dad, should be enough to worry anyone.
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