The Texas Ring

Common Sense In A Ridiculous World

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76 comments on “Something’s Changed”

1. 
   Kurt says:
   June 25th, 2010
   7:51 am
   

   You are perceptive, this much is evident. It is almost time as you have guesstimated, and real soon, things are going to get ugly. I have been suspecting that Obama is the last American president, and will be the first, and probably last, American dictator. I’m guesstimating that we have months left, no more. But that is just a guess. The next few years are going to get real ugly, and then get worse. First comes a total loss of even lip service to freedoms and rights, with Americans being rounded up and put into camps by the millions, some being executed even. Then when the Chinese figure out that they have been stiffed for the huge pile of I.O.U.s that they will be lucky to get paid back in worthless scrip, if that, they will get even more pissed. Between them and the Muslims who the the American Government seems bend on ticking off, the US will only survive as a sovereign nation by a direct miracle from God Himself. Oops, didn’t the US just kick Him out?

2. 
   PeterPansDad says:
   June 25th, 2010
   8:30 am
   

   Not only do you have a lifetime supply of horses but a lifetime supply of manure for your garden.

   I wouldn’t say I’m buying silver at every opportunity but I’m buying frequently. Shopping list has expanded to include a new (newer) 870, a 10/22 and a larger fire safe. Prices seem to be coming down so I keep delaying. We sold our house (at a profit), moved back to the family farm, are raising chickens profitably and just got a goat. Garden is coming along nicely. Need more jars and lids. Cucumbers are just coming on and I need a big crock. Blueberries are in the freezer, dewberries and raspberries are ripening nicely along the fences.

   If I were to continue my shopping list I would add more saws, chisels, axes, etc. Maybe check flea markets this weekend. We need extra mousetraps, wife wants some more fabric, need our passports and paperwork at the ready and cash on hand. I could go on. Not sure where it stops. I don’t really understand what you mean by “maintenance phase”. Maybe it’s because I’m not there yet.

3. 
   James the Wanderer says:
   June 25th, 2010
   1:17 pm
   

   I expect, with the current “soak the rich” mentality and “infinite tax rate” mindset, that we will see a Crunch, and not too far off. I might need to send the family to Canada while the patriots reclaim the country, since I think fighting communists is easier when you’re not worried about hostages. Once the nightmare is over and things settle back down, they can come home and help rebuild … but that nightmare stage is nothing I’d wish on uninformed civilians. Or loved ones.
   There’ll be plenty of land once the Imperial Federal Government is rebuilt along Constitutional lines. There won’t be nearly as many unemployed, since the unproductive will have starved to death and the productive forced to fend for themselves. This all sounds really bleak and dismal and cynical, but I’m not, really … once the unproductive disappear, we can mourn the ones we loved and move on to build greatness again.
   Back to work…. the paper needs writing, it won’t write itself, and I’ve a degree to finish.
   Cheers!
   james

4. 
   Desertrat says:
   June 25th, 2010
   2:02 pm
   

   Ed Steer’s free daily email column, published by the Dough Casey folks, regularly speaks of “Da Boyz”, JP Morgan and three other banks who manipulate the gold and silver market prices. They’ve been able to hold the rise down to a slow pace, but not stop the rise. At some point their efforts will most likely prove fruitless.

   Platinum and palladium prices seem to be more driven by marketplace uses as catalysts.

   In my usual browse of Kitco.com I ran across this Jim Willie article about the future of the Euro and by extension, the dollar.

   http://www.kitco.com/ind/willie/jun252010.html

   Long, but I think worth the read.

   I’m a numbers guy, which forces me to be a gloomerdoomer whether or not I want to be. What I’m not is a seer, having any clue about the when of it all beyond, “It can’t be very much longer.” When the monetary leadership (Pardon my abuse of the word.) is headed 180 degrees off-course, it’s only a matter of time…

   ‘Rat

5. 
   Steven Foste says:
   June 25th, 2010
   5:20 pm
   

   Something has changed, but I don’t know what for sure. I am not buying gold or silver, the price is based on a fiat currency, so what are they really worth? I also cannot eat them.

   I am a little behind the curve and a little late to the survival game, I am working on the food, and transportation, I don’t have an acreage to produce on if it came to that, so I figure with the right amount of food and gear and a way to move it I could find a safe haven and provide skills and protection and not be a burden on my benefactors. Linda moving all that food and gear and around 4 people 1000 miles might be a challenge, but we would be worth our weight in Gold, skills and abilities and protection.

   Like Rat, I am not a see’er, but my take is that we will survive for a few more years as this continues to build to a climax. 2011 is going to be an interesting year, heck 2010 is an interesting year. My take is that food and shelter and medical and survival plans are the best hedge against the coming inflation or sudden collapse. My take is that the government can survive for a number of years printing money, then,if not before,steal all the savings of the people for support, and continue to put in place the plans for control of the people, bit by bit. I really don’t see sudden collapse, I do see a slow and continued deterioration, more and more unemployed, more crime, more destitute people, the elderly passing early, and a increase in opportunistic crime.

   I think the biggest problem we will face is the growing face of the unemployed, fewer available products and sustenance, Russia in the early 1900’s.

   We complain that we are becoming a socialistic society, hey we are already there. No matter how you look at it the banks are already under control of the central government, 50 percent of this nation is dependent on government handouts, all of our business is already subject to more taxes and government programs from city, county, state and federal programs. With the new taxes from the addition of to income of your employer sponsored health care and the non extension of the Bush tax cuts the middle class tax increase may be as much as 20 percent of what a person paid in 2009.

   This with all the racial divide, immigrants, over populated urban areas, demands of an unskilled youth, future interruptions of the distribution system, a failing infrastructure in time will bring this country to the brink of destruction.

   But I do believe we will survive. It will just be different. I just hope it isn’t a new world order.

6. 
   Desertrat says:
   June 25th, 2010
   6:28 pm
   

   “No matter how you look at it the banks are already under control of the central government, 50 percent of this nation is dependent on government handouts, all of our business is already subject to more taxes and government programs from city, county, state and federal programs.”

   Atlas may shrug, albeit involuntarily. “Probably be a wee trifle of social unrest,” he said, in the understatement of the century…

7. 
   Desertrat says:
   June 26th, 2010
   1:08 pm
   

   “The United States had become a horrible place for risk investment, with its unpopular governments, powerful unions, bad schools and confiscatory taxes.”

   Jerry Pournelle science fiction short story, 1974.

   Plus ça change, plus ça meme chose.

   I was driving along I-10 between Deming and Lordsburg, back around 1987. I noticed a 1956 Ford Victoria at the other side of the Interstate, with the hood up. A trucker came on the CB: “Well, they don’t get better with age.”

   Countries, either.

8. 
   Greg Ward says:
   June 26th, 2010
   8:51 pm
   

   Linda, See what actions are taken in the gulf states during this coming hurricane also how will the states handle the new fiscal year better yet how is the Federal Government going to handle the states underwater finances. The change will come overnight when it does. You’re a good person that cares about others and it’s good to hear that you are in a sustainable position. I’m down in LA Calif and the family doesn’t see that things will be as bad as I see them to turn out. I have emergency plans but the timing will be as close as a gnats a**. It’s good to know that critical thinkers such as you and your family will stand a better than even chance of pulling out of this cluster. Hopefully Gary Gibson gets out with his skin too. As long as the internet isn’t censored keep up your writings they are outstanding. All my best Greg

9. 
   Dave says:
   June 27th, 2010
   12:26 am
   

   Perhaps my biggest fear is it will collapse literally overnight. The warning bells are indeed getting louder with each new announcement of “presidential decree”. Land here is out of my price range and even if I had it would I be allowed to keep it? I will gather my weapons, seeds,livestock, PM’s, family and trusted friends around and head for the woods. Remember totalitarian regimes have ALWAYS used food as a weapon. Those of you able to have land may become targets not just of the desparate but also of presidential decree. What totalitarian regime has convientiently over looked land redistrabution?
   Linda, thank you so much for all you do. Your writings offer sanity and help me rest assured I am not alone in seeing the coming storm. Sincerely, thank you. Dave

10. 
    Dave says:
    June 27th, 2010
    2:36 am
    

    And pass along to the old salt DBF. SS-576

11. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 27th, 2010
    3:33 am
    

    Kurt, thank you very much for the comment, and for understanding and putting a little more clearly what I’m feeling. I thought there was a fairly good chance it would cross Dubya’s mind that he could be the first king if he wanted to. Everything is in place for a coup, and at best most of us here in our little world are prepared for everything except dictatorship. There ISN’T any way to prepare for that. (Speaking of which, what happened to the apostrophe in my title?) Our founding fathers had no way of foreseeing how technology would change everything, and thought they had shackled the Feds when it didn’t turn out that way.

    We need to trust our instincts without panicking. Dear Charles came home today with a brand new auger! Wow, that’s the only new piece of farm machinery we own. The rest has been accumulated one piece at a time off Craig’s List. The difference between new and used was about 20% and we didn’t have to make a lengthy drive to get it, but mostly Charles, too, feels there is no time to waste. Maybe this is how an aware Egyptian felt in the 7th year of Joseph’s stewardship? Things seemed good, but Joseph had said all along that we had to save as much as possible…

    Yeah…time to get crankcase oil and three-way light bulbs by the case, to stock up on animal antibiotics, to finish up the little things we could need, like a year’s supply of canned cat food. Her imperious majesty is going to be unbearable if she doesn’t get her half can morning and evening, and when she complains, she does it until she gets what she wants.

    I always enjoy your comments, Kurt. Keep it up, please. Linda

12. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 27th, 2010
    4:03 am
    

    Dear Peter Pan’s Dad: Way to go! The cows, horses, goats, and chickens wander around fertilizing at random, and horse manure is vital for growing mushrooms. We may have to live through hard times, but I really don’t want to do it without fungi…so I guess I had better buy spores, hadn’t I? Are you using my method of buying sterling flatware on e-Bay? I finished a year ago, and even then most offers included weight. If the world rights itself in time my silver will be worth more as eating utensils again, but in a good, heavy pattern you can figure about an ounce per piece other than demitasse or jelly spoons. If you buy coins or ingots tax, mintage, or fabrication will run the price up 15 or 20%. You get a lot more silver for your money–or I did, anyway. If in doubt, stick to spoons and forks because they’re the heaviest. Be sure you have a good scale in case you literally have to whack off a hunk of a salad fork for an ounce of silver!

    FAN-tastic on selling the house and moving back to the farm, and what kind of goat?! Breed, that is. Are you having fun milking? Have you made vinegar cheese, yet? (Heat 1 gallon fresh milk to 185; stir in 1/2 cup vinegar quickly and remove from heat. Let sit at least 10 minutes and pour through cheesecloth-lined strainer. You can add a couple of teaspoons of salt and some garlic or herbs while it is resting. VERY nice, and if your goat gives more milk than your refrigerator can hold a good way to condense it. The final step is to gather the cheesecloth up and hang the cheese to continue draining. I put the ends over the handle of a 1-quart plastic measuring cup and use a big “bubber rand” to suspend the cheese by securing the cloth to the handle. DO go to http://www.fiascofarms.com for good, funny, advice, and find about the fabulous Dr. Fankhauser who’ll tell you all you need to know about making all sorts of cheeses. What blows me away is that if you catch the liquid that runs off you can make mozzerella out of it! TWO kinds of cheese out of one batch of milk?) No such thing as enough jars and lids. We’re behind on berries.

    You’re in good shape judging by your “to get” list. Extra carrot seeds because chances are your goats will like carrots, and remember she should have about a pound of feed each time you milk her. From time to time check her gums and inside her eyelids; if they aren’t nice and pink she needs worming. A handful of nipples from the feed store (they fit fine over a standard 16 oz water or soft drink bottle) because it is imperative that you feed your little goat girls by hand–and it is an excellent idea to feed every newborn kid a couple of times the first couple of days. It takes about three months, starting with every six hours, to 3X day, then 2 X, but that’s how you get sweet goats that love people and aren’t hard to catch or milk. Take the little doe(s) within 24-hours. Goats need their hooves trimmed about every four months so get some heavy shears.

    “Maintenance phase” is what I would call “sustainable,” perhaps. Where you’re pretty sure you’ve got everything you need and enough to tide you through your best guess of how long the emergency may be. Over time, people used things you may not have known about, or things disappear…extra work gloves, GOOD ones. A way to sharpen your chain saw blades? What’s the goat going to eat in harsh weather other than brush? Goats need to be sheltered from cold and wet because they get pneumonia easily. One of the great things about them is that other than when very young (if the milk is super rich or they get greedy) they almost never get diarrhea, so when the little girls drop “raisins” on the floor, or an older doe leaves “olives” behind, they don’t smell and aren’t icky to clean up. Your local feed store will have standard medications, like penicillin. Oh, I hope your family is having a grand time!

13. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 27th, 2010
    4:10 am
    

    Wonderful, as always, James, but sending the womenfolk to Canada is a luxury few can afford, and some of us would refuse to go. I agree with your assessment all down the line, including that there will be a lot of “ownerless” land if things get really bad. When will you be through with your degree? The rest of you, C. S. Stirling has a great series of novels on parallel lines after a mysterious event leaves just the Americans on Martha’s Vineyard alive in the Middle Ages, and the other about TEOTWAWKI in a world where most machinery and firearms don’t work, which I enjoyed a lot more. What is fascinating is how he works out what sorts of social structures could come into being…churches, gangsta pols, baronies…I’m trying to prepare to be at least a baroness, myself! Later, hug, Linda

14. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 27th, 2010
    4:14 am
    

    Dear, dear Rat, PLEASE explain to me better HOW they are controlling the market. Because then we’ll know how to bet to take advantage of it, of course. In a well-organized world we’d all live together on adjoining fiefdoms…

15. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 27th, 2010
    4:48 am
    

    Steven, dear, you know that you are on my list of those for whom a place has been prepared. Write me privately and tell me more about the others. Don’t worry about what you can bring with you if we decide Der Tag is any time soon. MY obvious sign is the day the FIRST riot breaks out. At that time, with luck and two drivers a thousand miles (especially if you have gas in cans) is about eighteen hours. I will need personnel with skills, character, and drive FAR more than I need many things you would want to go it alone. IF it happens, throw people and pets in the car and just hit the road, trying not to stop for anything other than a secluded place to refuel–not a roadside park that probably has bandits in the trees. Don’t trust ANYONE. Accumulate good maps for the whole way off the internet, because one of the first actions will probably be to block the Interstates. Avoid cities with loops at all cost. As things start to go bad start packing the biggest vehicle you’ve got with the obvious–ammo, canned goods, your laptop, whatever matters to you most, clothes for light freezing weather and that in the nineties, minimum lares and penates, food and drink for the trip, an empty coffee can with a lid for a portapotty, your trade goods (coffee, alcohol, nails, seeds) and above all tell the others and MEAN it when you’re pulling out of Dodge. More people will die from waiting for Daddy to get home from work or trying to do last-minute shopping than from many other causes. Get OUT of that death trap where you live and on the road. If you have to, travel slowly, at night, holing up in the daytime. Not even gas stations will be safe when desperate people see your car and supplies. (Towels or newspaper and duct tape?) A moment’s inattention and you could find yourself bleeding on the concrete while someone drives off with everything. This could be very, very common. You know what your gas mileage is, so work out what you need plus a cushion for the longest route you can devise and have that on hand with stabilizer in it. Yes, that will cut down on what you can bring, but it will do much to keep you safe. Again, don’t worry about things like tents, canoes, charcoal grills, pots, or TV sets. All the toilet paper you can cram in, sure, but don’t waste space on paper plates or a shop vac. If you can’t eat it or defend yourself with it you don’t need it. With the right group we can get through almost anything, and while a motor home or travel trailer may not be luxury, fresh eggs and milk will be, and I have plenty of both. Who was it wrote around here that the guest list was short, it was 1/4 mile to the road, and that drive was defended? Take a while and draw up a plan along these lines and we’ll talk it over.

    SURPRISE! Remember what you asked me to see if I could arrange? It isn’t totally done, but the answer is good. Talk to you later, Linda

16. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 27th, 2010
    5:03 am
    

    Thanks, Greg, and keep working on your family. They can be tough! My son is near Seattle but I finally got him to really look at how things are and now he is prepared to leave when I say “go.” He’s such a long way from home, but he just might make it with what he’s got and two friends chosen for their characters…my daughter still thinks Mama is more than mildly loony, but she agreed to stock a month’s food and I managed to take care of the emergency money problem by getting her to accept two sets of sterling and some “skeet” guns. All we can do is what we can do, and harsh as it is going to sound, I think all the sensible person in a divided family can do is say–and mean–”I’m leaving under these circumstances. You can be ready or not.” I can’t see how getting yourself killed would help matters, and while there are conditions under which I would die for my family sheer, willful stupidity isn’t one of them! I would head NE in your position, I think, aiming for Utah, avoiding cities and areas likely to be full of illegals or their sympathizers…I hope very much you know someone in a place of comparative safety who will welcome you if you show up with willingness to help and some reasonable supplies. Best wishes, Linda

17. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 27th, 2010
    5:27 am
    

    Dave, you’re another asset I’d love to have, and it wouldn’t hurt for you to do as I told Steve to do. It’s always good to have a backup plan, and strength lies in unity, not diversity. You and I (and I and some of the others) have become friends over lengthy periods, and you would take me in as readily if I were in your area when everything imploded. The next six months are full of danger points, in particular the elections and their aftermath. IF there are any elections, of course. I think there will be, but I suspect the very lame duck Congress will be in session nonstop from the victory parties until the 23rd of January, at best, passing one horror after another. We really need to get it through our heads that those people have nothing left to lose. They were willing to forfeit as much as both houses of Congress to ram Obama Care down our gullets, and the first Tuesday in November will be their Emancipation Day. That is also the world’s worst time to have martial law/riots/chaos because it will be a full year to the next harvest, as I am certain Rahm Emmanual will realize. Our dear Tony and his bride are now within three hundred miles of us, and he ought to know I expect him to have worked out a circuitous route here already. We’re mostly about the same age within five or six years, and you fellows are in pretty good shape mentally and physically. You all have CHARACTER (As Tony would probably quip, I just am one.) and I’ve got a couple of young men to do what little heavy stuff there is–and all sorts of winches, hoists, and machinery. You know I wouldn’t issue an invitation I didn’t mean. Hey, I can always feed you to the pigs if it doesn’t work out! Nah…do your fair share, don’t complain, no jealousy, no temper tantrums, common sense and good manners and a fair amount of luck…maybe deification for me, something simple to show your appreciation for my forethought and rising four years of working day in and day out. I have put together almost everything I think will be needed to be pretty self-sufficient even if they chop the electricity, the Internet, and the ‘phone systems, but I really do need some sensible, companionable, stout-hearted men. MUST quit, it is after dawn, again, and here comes a disapproving Charles, because he knows I’ll sleep most of the day. Linda

18. 
    PeterPansDad says:
    June 27th, 2010
    5:37 am
    

    Goats and chickens dropping manure randomly? Not enough room for that. I section off portions of the yard and run them around the house and the shed. It takes around 45 days for them to make a complete circuit. I also run broilers in the front yard. The pasture (yard) has plenty of time to recover before it gets munched, trampled and manured again.

    Silver? Found a suitable set of flatware at the local pawn shop. Couldn’t agree on a price. I’ve been buying peace and morgan dollars. I also make it a point to liberate currency from our children’s piggy banks to buy them silver as well. We keep good records of how much we steward for each child so if I’m wrong I’ll just buy them out.

    Cheese from a gallon of milk? We get a quart each milking and it’s usually gone before the next milking. 4 children in the house.

    Wife milks in the morning, the goat kids have access to mom all day then we separate in the evening. That may be less than optimal but it’s where we’re at right now.

    Even if politicians give up and go home, there are still ice storms (where I live), trucking strikes, fuel shortages, boil water orders and E. coli peanut butter. I find it fascinating that the press demands we live in fear of contaminated peanut butter and flu but ignore currency failure and falling housing prices. Oil in the gulf will kill the fish and birds. Persians will destroy western civilization (how many thousands of years have we heard that?). Live in fear!!! Pay no attention to the policies behind the curtain.

    We sold our house because we saw the writing on the wall. We moved home to be close to our parents and so we can keep livestock. I store things I like to eat because I like to eat. Fear is not our motivation.

    If one is afraid of the government, he should vote with his feet. We are a nation founded on the tradition of flipping the bird to all we love and moving west. Moving may be the most patriotic thing we can do. This isn’t the ‘America’ in the brochure anyway.

19. 
    PeterPansDad says:
    June 27th, 2010
    5:40 am
    

    Steven Fostse,
    Of course you can’t eat silver. It’s money. Real money. It’s a placeholder of value. You can’t eat axes either. Or gasoline. Silver is easy to carry and gold easier still. Rather than maintain a stockpile of federal reserve paper (the paper is already written on and won’t burn long) why not gather some goods that are good? Debt repayment first followed by food, tools and real money. When the next currency comes around you can trade your money for that currency if you want. Currency failure happens. Our currency is a little long in the tooth. If not silver or gold…what?

    I’m with Linda. Buy flatware. If we’re wrong we can still have an elegant meal.

20. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 27th, 2010
    5:43 am
    

    Dave…There were four kinds of Darters; was yours one with a good engine? How were things in Pearl the last time you were there? Hug, Linda

21. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 27th, 2010
    5:49 am
    

    There’s a reunion of seven different ones coming up in Ft. Mitchell, KY, the end of August! When Charles researches, Dave, he researches.

22. 
    David Franklin says:
    June 27th, 2010
    7:23 am
    

    Dear TTR,

    The historical reality is that when “things” begin to really get ugly, the professional class of criminals in D.C. will act with the same astuteness towards the US, as they did with AIG. When the “KING of America” accepted his second term of office, that informed me “THEY” intend to maintain their power (Real Wealth for no Thing) at all costs–to the American public.

    For “THEM”, just like AIG, America will be “too big to fail”, so expect “Them” to pull out all possible stops to “save” the CONfidence Banking system. You can expect the issuance of a purely electronic currency. Cash will be banned and required to be turned in. There will be severe penalties for dealing in cash and Real Wealth. Those dealing in cash or specie will be demonized as “Black Market”, unpatriotic and traitors to “Homeland” (you know, the Fater Land just like with Hitler)security.

    All Real Wealth barter will be banned and required by Executive Order to be turned in. There will be severe penalties for dealing in Real Wealth without electronically reporting it. But there will be very nice rewards for reporting those who deal in barter.

    Rationing will be imposed, just like WWI, will all the same accompanying corruption. As “THEY” own the wire that carries all news and market prices, the price of Gold et all will be artifically “crashed”, effectively putting it far beneath actual Real World value.

    The vast majority have already been conditioned to “obey” by years of TV & radio propaganda “conditioning”.

    Just like the “Brown Shirts” used by Goebbels and Hitler, expect Youth brigades, police and military to be mobilized to patrol for economic insurgents.

    Expect “rolling or total blackouts” to areas of the country that do not comply.

    I know I am painting the worst of pictures, but I am being realistic as opposed to optimistic. All these kinds of things or things like them will happen BECAUSE: the American people have forgotten their Liberty Heritage, and have willing pass “THEIR” electronic digits
    that purchase and use THE PEOPLE’s own real wealth against them.

    I’ll stop here for lack of more time. If you see any blank topics above, I KNOW… every One reading this has the intelligence to fill them in for themselves.

    Kind Regards,
    Dave Franklin

23. 
    Desertrat says:
    June 27th, 2010
    9:09 am
    

    Linda, If I read you correctly, you seem to be asking about the investment market. One control would be in the realm of energy. California is requiring a percentage to be provided by “alternate” forms–and geo-thermal seems to be one of the coming things. So, judicious investment in one or two of the startup companies, based on their experience and cash on hand.

    Brazil is developing some 80 million acres for agriculture, so supplies and service to food producers will be remunerative over the long run. Folks always have to eat. As long as governments can print paper, somebody will pay some inflated price for food.

    Do some search about the “Plunge Protection Team” insofar as the overall manipulation of the stock market is concerned. That’s the informal nickname of an actual governmental working group, Treasury plus some of Da Big Boyz in finance. It’s also why I shun the more common popular trends in the stock market–particularly the financials. (Financials were good from 3/09 til recently, but not now.)

    Developing nations have real growth in their GDPs which is not dependent on governmental deficit spending. So, financial power is continuing its movement toward Asia, away from the West. Those countries which export into such as China will do well. Australia, Canada, Chile, Brazil, e.g. Companies like Gucci, Rolex and Mercedes already have China as their largest customer.

24. 
    Kurt says:
    June 27th, 2010
    1:50 pm
    

    Dave, I have never found anybody else who believes an electronic, cashless, system is coming. Everybody else thinks I’m nuts, that it could not work. I know it’s coming though, the same way I know an object will fall if I drop it.

    Rat, I would dearly love to invest in some Brazilian farm land. There is no way I can go there anytime soon though to do so. You know of how one could get in on it without leaving home? Any good contacts in South or even Central America that can help with investments? Preferably over the phone or internet? Many offshore financial entities will no longer deal with Americans, because of the US government.

25. 
    Desertrat says:
    June 27th, 2010
    6:28 pm
    

    Kurt, the problem I see with this cashless society idea is that it’s difficult to send the kid to the corner grocery for a limited amount of items, without him adding a bunch of candy.

    We’ve already seen the trouble people can get into with credit cards, insofar as personal debt.

    Further, the whole system would rely on being able to rely on it: Even in the face of computer fraud–not to mention a loss in electric power for any length of time.

    I read about the Brazil deal in a Doug Casey newsletter. Those with subscriptions could probably find out more information through the archives there. I haven’t looked for info via Google.

26. 
    Lynne says:
    June 27th, 2010
    7:46 pm
    

    Steve, read Linda’s You can’t eat gold post. I was looking at your post and it was about moving 1000 miles to get there. But I bet if you live in an “Urban area” 50 miles tops will put you in if not country at least suburban area. You don’t want to be a refugee when SHTF. Could you make 1000 miles on a couple of tanks of gas. What if gas pumps don’t work? Do you have gas on hand? Do you have trade items? Could you work your way? Don’t think you get to a ranch of any sort and think it’s like a cowboy movie. You will be covered in dust, dirt, Grain(I really hate this) and blood and bruises. It’s not easy, no sprinklers on the back 40 without hard work. Linda (or anyone) could use a blacksmith or someone that can build tack. A little cowboying experience would be helpful and doctoring animals.
    I’m not telling you to get critters. If you don’t know critter you are better off getting a freezer, a smoker, salting and learning preserving skills.
    You have so many options open to you. Learn primitive skills. Get a cheap RV. the Conestoga wagon of today. Learn agriculture and animal husbandry now.
    The glass can be half full or half empty. I assume the best and plan for the worst. I am trying to build my neighborhood for the worst. I give my neighbor a sprinkler or a soaker hose out not cause I expect payback, Because it is a good thing to do and if folks can feed themselves I win.

27. 
    Lynne says:
    June 27th, 2010
    7:57 pm
    

    Kurt, as bad as the USA sucks it’s 10-100 times better than most Latin American countries. If you want a challenge go to Alaska or the west and buy some land.

28. 
    Lynne says:
    June 27th, 2010
    8:02 pm
    

    Linda on your boy send him here to me if SHTF. I’ll work him but I’ll do my best to keep him safe. I can at least get him 400 miles closer to you. Not much, but at least he’ll eat well, have a bed and be ready to set off again.

29. 
    Lynne says:
    June 27th, 2010
    8:06 pm
    

    Actually I can’t work him to hard I’ve gotten on top of things. But if you need help? shoot me an e-mail. We will make it happen!

30. 
    Lynne says:
    June 27th, 2010
    10:31 pm
    

    Steve on fiat currency google “Weimar Republic” I think we are hosed no matter what but I would prefer an inflation of currency and “Pensions/SS ” before a deflation. But if your paycheck was deflated by 40% what would you do? Your payments and costs are all the same. Yet your paper money only gets you 60 cents on the old dollar. Can you live on 40% pay cut? Gas prices go up to $7.00 per gallon. Food prices go up 50% across the board.
    Let’s say you are smart you have a budget and you live within your means. Now all gas, energy and food cost double. The Dollar has been devalued or inflation hits. Either way you have some choices to make. Tell me then what all those pieces of paper with dead guys are worth.
    I don’t know market but I saw the crash of real estate. I know what banks are doing. Limiting risk, and building cash reserves. I’d do the same thing. That’s the smart thing to do in this environment.
    I think it will get ugly next spring economically.I’m afraid what we are facing economically will make make “Custer’s Last Stand” look like a “Love In” . I truly hope I’m wrong.

31. 
    Dave says:
    June 28th, 2010
    5:05 am
    

    I only knew of two. One is still on Bombay Shoals the other SS-576 was sunk by a MK 48 torpedo shot from the USS Tautaug. She was by far the best boat I ever served on. When I saw the video of her sinking I cried.
    I live out on the North SHore of Oahu and try to stay away from Pearl Harbor. I ran in to a guy that used to work for me (now Cheif!!) and he described a Navy layered with even more red tape to accomplish simple maintenance.
    I retired in 98 when a CO insisted I go to a mueseum in a foreign port. I exchanged cultural relations with the local population in a little place with a dirt floor, a pool table, a juke box and friendly folks. The Navy had changed. It was time to go.
    I am now an emergency room RN. Saving lives and handing out tuna sandwiches. Again thanks for all you do. It helps just knowing I’m not alone. Thanks

32. 
    Dave says:
    June 28th, 2010
    5:51 am
    

    Sorry Linda, Just for clarification, The Darter I had the privledge of serving on had 3 diesal engines in 1 engine room, a modified Guppy 2(?). Sorry its been a couple of years. 6 tubes forward, 2 aft. I was a torpedoman that stood watch underway as an electrician. No showers at sea,all the fresh water made went for the engines and cooking. Airconditioning in the northern seas and a robust heater in the southern seas. Climate control? When you couldn’t light a kitchen match because the O2 was so low, the smoking lamp was out.

33. 
    Desertrat says:
    June 28th, 2010
    7:42 am
    

    Here’s some commentary about the monetary future from one of the sharper knives in the drawer:

    http://www.lewrockwell.com/schiff/schiff96.1.html

34. 
    Kurt says:
    June 28th, 2010
    1:55 pm
    

    I escaped Alaska heading south, got stuck here in the west lol. The long cold dark nights, combined with white stuff on the ground for 6 months of the year(and could start falling at almost any point in the year) that ranged from an inch to several feet deep, kinda sorta got on my nerves after too many decades lol. I want some place warmer. I’m not saying Latin America is a perfect place, but I have to look at the overall, long term prospects. Brazil is getting better economically, freer, less violent, while the US has peaked and starting down, getting less free. And where is the murder capital of the world? Is it in a place like Nicaragua, or Washington DC? Would my daughter be safer in New York, or Argentina?

    The US now faces the prospects of a dictator real soon, and very real social unrest(rioting even). I can repair machinery, having been a mechanic for years in my earlier days. Will the government or looters even leave me any tools to work with though? I can work on computers and electronics. What good will that be if there is no electricity? I have learned quite a bit about some things medical, but if the electricity goes out, many medical devices won’t work and things like insulin go bad real fast. I was pretty good with a weapon, but how many looters can I hold off? 100? 1000? 10,000? I might be good, but there is a limit. And if the government orders in even one tank I have no recourse but to evade. I’m getting too old to be wanting to fight the system. I prepare because I have to, not because I look forward to what’s coming. If I could avoid some of what’s coming, by simply moving south, wouldn’t that be much wiser and more preferable? Especially if it means my loved ones are safer?

    That being said, just because I would like to move south, doesn’t mean I will be doing so. I feel a bit stuck here. I feel like the Lord wants me to remain here, at least partly for the sake of those same loved ones. Most of them think I’m nuts and want no part of going. So in order to help them through it I would have to remain near to them. This does not mean I would not mind finding a farm project down there to invest in though. I figure it is far safer of an investment than a farm project in the US, where the government is likely to nationalize it soon, relieving me of the burden of what ever I have managed to invest in it. I have very little money. In fact, I would bet that every person frequenting this site has more than me. But what I have is no burden to me, I’d like to keep it for now if possible lol.

    I do subscribe to one of Doug Casey’s newsletters, I forget which one but it has dealt with some mining stocks. I have not seen anything in it concerning with farmland though, so I’m assuming it’s in a different one lol. You remember which one of his newsletters you saw it in? I love this one, but I think I’m going to let it drop when the current subscription is out. I’m not convinced that owning much in the way of precious metals and mining stocks is going to help me personally. Others perhaps, but me personally, no. If he has one out that covers things like farm land and food production, I would be interested in that one though.

35. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 28th, 2010
    3:45 pm
    

    Fabulous people, what wonderful–and so many–responses! Which I will get to after “cow” time. Dave, Charles chortled “stinky boat sailor!”

36. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 29th, 2010
    2:03 am
    

    Kurt, what a great post. We have all pondered and faced just those issues and still are. The trap keeps closing around us, but we aren’t inclined to give up easily. All we can do is what we can do, and while we don’t get side-tracked into religion over here most of us ARE Christians. Kristen is a minister’s wife, and I tease Michael that he’s a rotten Mormon because he has only one–very cherished–wife. Essie is a big prepper and saves all sorts of things so that she won’t have to turn people away empty-handed “if.” Do any of your loved ones like to read? Could you get one to read Forstchen’s great “One Second After?” “Lights Out” is available free on the ‘net. The worst aren’t the ones who think we’re crazy but those who won’t even consider the possibilities. I don’t usually pass on the more…uh…conspiracy theories, maybe? the more daring of the things I hear, and I try to keep pretty low key about the experts I have accumulated as friends over the years, including some in banking circles. IF this comes to pass it will be too late to do anything about it, but at least consider the ramifications if no more Federal Reserve Notes were printed and the money coming into circulation from the central banks said…I don’t know what! “For domestic use only,” or “registered trademark of Parker Brothers,” or “I’d like to teach the world to sing.” North Koreans, THIS YEAR, didn’t expect their dear leader to print all new currency and only allow them to exchange the equivalent of $300′ worth. Venezuelans THIS YEAR did not anticipate a two-tiered system where what their money was worth depended upon what they were buying with it. They didn’t expect armed guards in their stores to keep the owners from raising prices. I don’t know that this WILL come to pass, but it could easily, and cash might retain higher value than the new notes for at least a while. Kim Jong Il just made it a crime to use the old currency and it couldn’t be traded anywhere else. Maybe we should invent a Prepper’s Game where we accumulate goods and skills and face various hazards!

    Kurt, most of us here on the Ring don’t have a great deal of money, so we substitute intelligence, hard work, forethought, and imagination. One of us said, “I can’t afford a place in the country, but I can hunt a nice secluded place ahead of time and just squat.” VERY good thinking. After “it” happens, if it does, we can armchair quarterback for decades over what we should have done, but hardly anyone is too broke to accumulate three months’ worth of food, a weapon, a plan on where to ride out the worst of it, and some things that are inexpensive now but will be prized highly “if.” I never turn down coffee at $5/pound. I can’t stand the stuff, but most adults love it–and I’m quite willing to swap it for other things, doled out in tiny ziplock bags. A “brick” of 22 shells is still only about $15, but that is perhaps the most common caliber and we can all but guarantee in a James Wesley, Rawles (sic) world even small ammo will be very tradeable indeed. We’re all willing to share our knowledge and theories, so ask all the questions you want to. I’d go on the theory that when the rioting starts and the power goes down your family will get a lot more cooperative, fast. They have to, because I remain convinced that the most urgent task is to get away from big cities fast. I cracked up recently reading about a “vast” unsettled area in Malibu, 55 acres. Uh…The pasture right across my closest fence is 55 acres and we grow hay on it. One of my frequent purchases is a bag of EAS protein powder (the most nutritious, best-testing I could find) at Sam’s for about $33. An adult could sustain life very boringly (chocolate or vanilla) for a month on what’s in those silver bags. Mix with any liquid. Go to a feed store and get calves milk replacer instead of far more costly powdered milk. It is perfectly wholesome, a little sweeter than regular milk, and would add a lot of nutrition to those shakes. Calcium Citrite is inexpensive and a great way to purify water and kill bacteria and even some viruses. Either that or a GOOD water filter (I chose Berkey) is vital. Check out MMS on the net, which does about the same thing as the calcium citrite. Where you are, the dangers are going to be people, foul water, sewage, garbage stacking up, and governments out of control…I think we’re fine until at least the elections, but I make no promises come 20 January. God bless us all.

37. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 29th, 2010
    2:06 am
    

    Lynne, great posts, and thanks for offering to be a possible way station for Andrew. He’s young, strong, very bright, not lazy, and everybody likes him. They always have. If he passes through your life you’ll both be better for it and safer. BIG hug, Linda

38. 
    Steve Foste says:
    June 29th, 2010
    6:27 am
    

    Wow, I hit a hot spot with some of you. Will write some replys when I get some time.

    So many great idea’s and thoughts and variables.

    About gold and silver. It is the last thing on my list, I am just not buying now, Prioity is family, food, transportation, and a safe haven, I have a blog maybe I will elaborate more on my current position and planning there for all to see and then post the link here.

    Oh lynne great comments, you see I was born and raised on a farm, have a few of the mentioned skills, am not a blacksmith, am working on the leather working tools and information. Worked in a feedlot, as well as the farming, am familiar with the preservation skills, just need a place to implement them.

39. 
    Steve Foste says:
    June 29th, 2010
    12:22 pm
    

    Peter Pan Dad,

    Thanks for the insight, part of the reason for not buying gold and silver is the availability of funds. If I could buy 50000 dollars worth, it may be worth it. But outside of barter in a collapsed economy and collapsed currency what real value is it, maybe once things have begun to rebuild it may be good for purching land. If a person had been accumulating silver and gold for years it has been a great deal at the right price, I just don’t think it is that great a deal at the current price levels, even if silver went to 100 dollars and gold to 5000.

    Yes it is real money, and it’s greatest advantage would be portability for barter, that in itself may be the #1 reason to have at least some on hand in small denomination junk silver.

    So available funds is the real issue, and I just feel that things such as food, land, butcher tools, leather tools, a peddle pusher sewing machine, my favorite item a 7 cu ft solar powered refrigerator and freezer( medical storage), canning jars and lids. All the necessities to maintain a reasonable standard of living if Teotwawki becomes a reality. If I had to shoot and butcher an elk to survive I would sure like to put part of that meet in may solar powered freezer rather than trying to have enough salt around to try and preserve it the old fashioned way.

    I wonder how much a freezer full of frozen beef would be to someone who really wanted it. Maybe worth someones ranch that wasn’t prepared. Maybe not that much but hey ya never know.

40. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 29th, 2010
    3:28 pm
    

    Steve, your last post is full of great ideas. Treadle sewing machines will be incredibly valuable after most of the shooting stops, but they’re hard to find. The modern source sends most of them to India and has been sold out for months. A fair number of older machines could be modified by a fellow good at field fixes to work off a treadle. Quite seriously, we could be back to 1880 when a lady saved and saved to get $25 for a “modern” Singer and then made clothes for her whole little town.

    Can’t have too much salt or too many ways to make jerky. A freezer full of beef costs about a thousand dollars now, not counting the freezer, but in times of war or even greatly diminished shipping capabilities the value is incalculable. I don’t suppose you could get a stocked ranch for it, but quite a bit of land should be quite do-able.

    I’m going to rat you out: Steve was the one who said to pick out a nice, quiet, secluded place to squat! I think that’s brilliant. This could play out so many ways, and surviving in increments is how we’ll do it. The first 5 seconds, the first 5 minutes, the first week (if you get that far, things are looking up), the first six weeks…by that time sheer attrition will have simplified a lot of problems. We think we grasp it, but we probably do not really understand how many could die even without suitcase nukes or an EMP burst. Plain old anarchy, hunger, and opportunism would thin the cities dismayingly. The old fashioned diseases…cholera, typhoid, tetanus, whooping cough has returned…tuberculosis has mutated to where only one medication is still effective. People forget (or never knew) that TB was THE big killer of the 1800’s. My paternal grandmother and my father’s only sister died of it. It lay dormant in my father was in his mid-thirties, and Uncle H.B. died early, but not of TB.

    Stop worrying about money, crew. Spend what you can afford on things that will keep and matter “if” and be worth far, far more than ingots of gold. Those are only for long after, when we can rebuild. I’ll make you a bet: those of us who are friends here, no matter how much we fret over having not done “enough,” are very likely to survive (barring dictatorship or too many bandits to hold off at once), and better than that we are going to be stinking, filthy rich compared to those around us. Figuratively, at first, and then literally, of course, if we’ve got any talent for barter. You can’t eat gold, silver, diamonds, or land, and spoiled Americans have no sense of proportion. Can you get an ounce of silver for enough coffee to make two pots of coffee? Maybe even one? I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised. Humor me and buy at least ten pounds which will run you $50 on sale. That will give you 160 ounces and I THINK an ounce will make a pot, won’t it? Grounds are reused in times of war, you know. So what if it takes two ounces, if you can swap your ten pounds for 80 ounces of silver? For one thing, it emphasizes the relative value of vices and things that can be eaten. What’s a portion of a five buck can of snuff worth to someone in severe nicotine shakes? I don’t know, but I bought tobacco seeds. You can gather the supplies and knowledge to make a still, because to many alcohol is a “must” and it can be used to disinfect wounds. Start thinking in terms of what you can get inexpensively now that will be in very short supply? How about going to Garden Ridge, which carries very nice sharp knives (kitchen type) for about a buck? People have no SENSE, and when they flee the cities are going to pack ridiculous things and omit obvious necessities. Back later, hugs, Linda

41. 
    Steve Foste says:
    June 29th, 2010
    4:41 pm
    

    Hi Group,

    Has anyone out there gained the perspective that all the Stock market Gurus have all abandoned the the fundamental principal of buy ahd hold. None of them are looking for long term investments. They seem to vasilate day to day to control risk. But they really can’t seem to find anything that’s safe.

    What do you think this implies?

42. 
    Steve Foste says:
    June 29th, 2010
    4:59 pm
    

    LOL Linda,

    Squater’s rights. I just don’t know if I want to by a motor home or a teepee. Teepee or is it tipi, would be great, I haven’t figured out how to haul those 30′ poles, maybe some small Aspens and the Tree saw, A teepee with a stone fire pit, kind of romantic. Dances with Wolves comes to mind. Any squaws out there looking for a warm tipi?
    lol

43. 
    Lynne says:
    June 29th, 2010
    5:28 pm
    

    I do agree with you Steve on getting your basics first and I don’t count silver, gold as a basic. You are also right on having some ready cash available. I just hate the idea of anyone being a refugee of any sort. As you alluded to, there are items you must have; and items that are nice to have on hand.
    I do my prep using a lot of staples bought in 50# bags. I get my food safe buckets for $1.00 at a couple of local grocery store’s bakeries.

    Thank God my Mom is working on prep as well. We confer about what we have, what we can share. We have become more than the sum of our parts. She has chickens, I have bunnies. I have good established Fruit trees and she has a great garden. I can smoke and cure and she has a canning setup for hot water and pressure canning. We try to split some of the costs on some of the more expensive equipment. It’s not what do I need, it’s what do we need?

    Linda a good barter item to go with your coffee would be some old stove top percolators or French Press coffee makers. When was the last time you saw anyone make coffee on a stove top? I really like the French Press design instead of a percolator, uses less fuel.

    One of my friends that is trying to grow tobacco as well he will be sending me updates. He has some info on the curing and processing of it into a loose leaf chew and cigar/cigarette tobacco.

    I’ve done a few batches of beer. The 2nd batch turned out pretty good. I am going to try some wine this fall. I have a little more equipment to buy, but I should be able to do all that and some Ginger beer and soda pop.

    I know it’s tough to stay positive with all that is happening right now in the world. But I’m really enjoy learning these “new skills” and I will have them no matter what happens good, bad or neutral.

44. 
    Desertrat says:
    June 29th, 2010
    5:29 pm
    

    Steve, ‘buy and hold’ went away twenty years ago–or more. Used to be, from the 1940s onward, it was expected that GM would be here forever. Same for network TV and for the NYT. Oh, the NYT? The cost of a Sunday edition has been (still is?) higher than the price of a share of stock. Nowadays, nothing is forever, particularly with so much government involvement with business.

    With computer trading, the big investment funds buy and sell in milliseconds.

    Little-guy investors will buy a stock and ride it up to some point of profit and then sell all or part. For instance, if a stock doubles, sell half and own half for free–hoping for more increase in the price. The Agora group folks tend to follow this buy-and-hold “until” pattern, and have been very successful in the overall track record since the mid-1980s.

45. 
    Steve Foste says:
    June 29th, 2010
    6:14 pm
    

    Rat,

    But isn’t that the basis of the probelm over the last 20 years. The repeal of glass-Stengle act, the merger of investment companies and banks. Isn’t the problem that has expanded the derrivative trades. Wall street wanted more products to take risk and manipulate, and the designed Insurance products and swaps to cover their risk.

    It is one of the things if not the major driving force of the system that churns the money, and the big boys have manage to rape the public via the central banks and pocket all the cash.

    It is this tradeing game that has broken the system. There is no investing in companies for the sake of production and profits. The game is to manipulate a the stock price to your favor. The average invester does not have a chance.

    And the 401(k) plans and employer plans invested in mutual fund products and Bonds is a sucker game for the American public.

    Equities, bonds, currencies, options, futures markets, It just strikes me that there is no place that has sustainable value anymore, We invest in these product for growth, sustainability and production and great management. But it seems that none of that is true anymore, the only basis of all investing is how fast you can grab the cash. NOT THE BUILDING OF LONG TERM VALUE AND RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL.

46. 
    Kurt says:
    June 29th, 2010
    6:18 pm
    

    I’m not in a spot where I could do it, but here is an idea for somebody who would be interested. The idea sort of popped into my head when I read about tobacco seeds. I have a daughter addicted to the stuff and probably should see if I can figure out where to pick up some of them to grow later if need requires.

    But here is the idea I just had though: There is a plant that is just starting in recent years to be used for making bio diesel called Jatropha. It grows on land you might not wish to cultivate for food for some reason or other, and produces sizable quantities of oil that can be used in making bio diesel. Might be usable to somebody to start up a bio diesel plant in the future. I’ve seen the seeds on eBay pretty cheap in the past.

    Got a question though for those who might know. How long can coffee be stored for and still be good? I was thinking the idea of storing some as possible barter, plus one of my daughters loves the stuff. But checking the expiration date on some of the containers it looks rather short term to me, including the vac packs on the shelf. In fact, some of those vac packs looked like they were starting to puff out rather than in. Would it be better in a can? I would not have any need for the rank stuff myself. I made the mistake of making coffee at work one day. I kept dumping it in. They said 2 things about it. First, that they diluted it with it’s own volume of water and it would still get up and slap you in the face. Second, that if I ever ventured near the coffee pot again, I would disappear, never to be seen again. So you can imagine how much experience I have with the nasty tasting stuff, but it might be a decent barter item. Maybe a few cases of cigs as well, a case or 3 of whiskey, etc. Hmmmmmm, in fact, if I stored some cigs, I could probably get my daughter to listen to me better. “Do what I tell you to do, or no more cigs.” The idea has merit. And if she reads this, it’s been nice knowing you all ROTFL.

47. 
    Lynne says:
    June 29th, 2010
    7:16 pm
    

    If you want to store coffee long term “Green Coffee Beans” is the way to do it. They last for years instead of months like most ground coffee beans. Whole roasted beans are still pretty short term. But can last a bit longer in the fridge. Not sure if freezing helps or hurts the flavor in the long term. Roasting is very easy to do and you can go from mild to robust flavors depending on the “Crack” of your roast.
    I’m cruising the web looking for a cheap source of the Green beans. Most green coffee beans I’ve found are in the $7.00-8.00 per pound range.
    As for storing tobacco it can go off in flavors as well. I’d store Cigar Tobacco it was missed in the Tax hike so is pretty cheap. A few pipes and lot’s of rolling papers. Store the bags in a freezer if possible, if not cool,dry and dark place.
    Keep Tobacco and tomato plants well separated. Also if you handle tobacco always wash your hands in a mild bleach solution before handling any other plants. Tobacco is a great insecticide. You can spread it in the area around the garden and house and make an insect barrier.

48. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 29th, 2010
    7:48 pm
    

    Steve, you pervert, stop looking for squaws! The smallest motor home or towable trailer will be better and easier to work with than a teepee, as much as we all appreciate romance. (And if any of you don’t, start.) Besides, Ah done tole you to git yo’se’f on th’ road with yo’ best stuff kommt Der Tag and you’ll be here in under 18 hours. (Ooooh! My new toy from Charles is a delight, the ‘88 Jaguar Vanden Plas, the Mark X of her year. Yes, we not only have Grey Poupon, we have something better. She’s the sort where she’s so quiet and smooth you find yourself at eighty or ninety without noticing. Steering so gorgeously tight…Sigh. Bliss. Joy.) Where’s my private letter telling me about your family? Y’all know I’m ranchLT4@gmail.com, and if you don’t, now you do. Oh, it was so beautiful that we sat outside tonight until dark basking in the cool, moist air Alex is sending up, laughing over the young horses playing, buried in goat girls…seeing the white dotted lines on half a dozen prime steers that are NOT for sale. Again…we don’t need money; we need survival supplies. If you figure a pound of meat a day (that’s the standard 3/4 pound uncooked for dinner and a meager 1/4 pound for lunch) each of you will eat half a large steer every year! Do I want increasingly worthless money, or do I want to know to know that if Lynne and Steve, for example, make it here I can feed them half a year for each one? Silly question. Money doesn’t buy happiness, loves. Money buys security and great toys.

49. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 29th, 2010
    8:02 pm
    

    Nice advice, Lynne. Not being a coffee drinker, myself (bitter is the only taste I can’t abide), I don’t worry about how well the coffee keeps because to me it is a money-maker, nothing more. I’ll pay attention and get beans to freeze for Charles, thank you, because he DOES want a couple of cups in the morning. We keep some supplies under AC, and I guess the coffee should be added. The Yuban can says to refrigerate it and that 33 ounces will make 240-270 servings starting from their suggestion of 1 T per 6 oz of water and increase coffee to bug-eyed from caffein, I guess. I have no idea where one gets chicory, a standard war time expedient, but I know that toasted bread crumbs and acorns have been used to cut it in the past. Hmmm…if I can turn $5 dollars into 40 ziplock bags that I can sell for even half an ounce of silver…will I take advantage of my fellow man? Only if given a chance! SUGAR, guys. Americans are addicted to it, and it is going up fast. It is also necessary for your still.

    Tobacco is good for worming animals, too.

    Use your brilliant minds to seek things that are inexpensive now that survivors will swap things we want for. I have no trouble envisioning land, gold, silver, diamonds, and fine cars going for eggs, milk, cheese, fresh meat, sausage, and produce. No more wine for me, tonight! I’m envisioning being a robber baronness…

50. 
    Lynne says:
    June 29th, 2010
    8:04 pm
    

    I’m so jealous Linda. My 2 dream cars are a Jag and a 67′ Merc Cougar with a 351 Windsor motor. Now I really have to take good care of your boy so I can get a rid in the Jag.

51. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 29th, 2010
    8:15 pm
    

    Kurt, loved your latest (I’m working from the bottom up) and I sympathize with your daughter. e-Bay carries tobacco seeds quite inexpensively from a nice fellow in Canada who provides instructions, too. MY problem is not having worked out how to handle the menthol, which is probably what I’m addicted to. I’d love to hear more about the Jatropha, and make it a habit to save all used cooking oil; strain it and throw it into your drum of diesel. I am convinced totally that “expiration dates” are just another Statist wealth-destroying ploy. If it isn’t rancid, it’s fine. In 70 years I have never seen a single puffed can that might have botulinus in it, and if I had I’d have saved it in case I came up with a good use for botulism. I buy tomato products in the #10 cans (they run less than $2.50 at Sam’s) for early on, and in the form of spaghetti sauce in glass jars for longer term. (If you have never made your own tom sauce…wow. Unfortunately, the energy requirements are prodigious.) That is sweeter and blander, but it won’t eat through the cans. I’ve got at least 150 jars, I guess, to use for soups, stews, spaghetti, and even pizza. Again, a friend who went all out for Y-2K is just now using the last of his supplies and ALL of them were good other than four or five cans of som sauce that had started to eat through the tin. If we aren’t self-sufficient within ten years we aren’t ever going to make it. Newbies, do you have access to a chinaberry tree? When the yellow berries are dried, wrap a handful in something like nylon net or old panty hose and put them in flour and rice products. This is very old technology for deterring bugs.

52. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 29th, 2010
    8:24 pm
    

    Lynnie, dear, you and your Mom would be welcome any time, you would adore it, here, and I’d “grandmother” you happily. I wouldn’t rest until we had a way you could get around the pastures, even if that were a goat cart or a go-cart. There is no quit in you, Baby, and with a custom kitchen you’d be worth your weight in gold handling the cheese-making operation. Seems to me we spent about ten bucks on an old-fashioned percolator at Wal*Mart last year. Those, too, could be a good thing to stock for those–like you–who are well along towards self-sufficiency. In time small general stores will come into being. We should raid the local thrift shops for fabric, sweat suits, inexpensive jackets, used shoes and boots, all the things people will want. Hugs, L

53. 
    Lynne says:
    June 29th, 2010
    8:33 pm
    

    Food grade DE is great for all bulk foods. It’s a drying agent,dewormer, insecticide, flea killer (adults not eggs). Great for manure and keeping down smells in an outhouse. Only Food grade not that stuff for pools. Bay leaf is also good for keeping the bugs out of your pantry and cabinets. Throw a leaf or 2 in your flour and sugar to keep out bugs. I haven’t noticed whole bay leaf imparting any taste or odors.

54. 
    Desertrat says:
    June 29th, 2010
    8:45 pm
    

    Ah, Jag-u-ah! I was at LeMans in 1956 and again in 1957. Yea, D-type! I always wanted an XK-SS. I lost interest in Jags after they moved on from the XK-E; a gorgeous car even if that in-line six WAS a boat anchor. Back in my Chev-Healey daze I had great fun in upsetting all the Vette and Jag folks, as well as the Porsche crowd. But I never went over 150 on the street. I behaved myself. Sometimes.

    Getting bigger is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

55. 
    Lynne says:
    June 29th, 2010
    8:54 pm
    

    Mine was the XJS. Damn what a pretty car. I didn’t know much about the rest of the car and it’s problems. Of course my dream cars never have problems.

56. 
    Kurt says:
    June 29th, 2010
    10:38 pm
    

    I used to own an old Gremlin of all things, that I loved. I took it places I would hesitate to take a 4×4. It got t-boned, but I saw something else I knew I would love even more. I saw an AMC Eagle, with the exact same body as my old Gremlin, but this one WAS 4×4. OK, enough, I’m salivating now….

    Here is the guy on eBay who is selling the Jatropha seeds.

    http://shop.ebay.com/tribalfigures/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=200

    Don’t know how accurate the info is, but I think he was claiming that you can get more oil per square acre of Jatropha than from the same of Soybeans. Apparently it’s possible to produce a bit of fuel from these things. But it’s not edible, only for fuel. If only I had a few square miles of land, I could eat my own fruit, veggies, cows, and have fuel to burn, and sell the surplus at high prices when peeps were willing to pay dear.

    And just for the record, some of us ain’t married, and are allowed to look for squaws. Wouldn’t mind finding one myself lol.

57. 
    Kurt says:
    June 29th, 2010
    10:42 pm
    

    Uh rat? don’t say that growing up is optional too loud. Wouldn’t want my family to hear that. I refuse to grow up, and they might get a bit irritable with me if they knew I could if I wanted to, but don’t.

58. 
    Desertrat says:
    June 30th, 2010
    5:52 am
    

    My claim to fame is that I’ve pushed adolescence beyond all previous limits. My wife agrees…

59. 
    Kevin says:
    June 30th, 2010
    6:43 am
    

    Greetings Linda, and others. Yikes I’m late to this thread, and I must admit I’ve been dreadfully absent from theTexasRing for a few months. Thought I would add a few ideas for prep that have been keeping me busy. Virtually all of these fall in the Knowledge category.
    1. learning to fabricate items the old fashioned way. The main reason I’ve been so absent is my spare time has been spent learning to work steel on a charcoal forge. I’m knocking together another anvil attempt right now. I could buy one, but the building is teaching me way to much. My next step is to find a solid hand crank blower. A great resource is http://www.lindsaybks.com/ for those old time methods sometimes with some modern thoughts in it.
    2. Been spending some time with the crazy greenies. Even though most of them are a bunch of socialists it’s amazing some of the knowledge in getting small scale solar and wind up and running. This means your bug out place can have everything stashed and ready to roll out in a couple of days to get at least some power up and running.
    3. Plan your bug out path and drive it a few times. Have alternates. Make friends along the way. Oh and count the bridges. Geography matters.

    Other then that I also agree something has changed. However I don’t think we’re going to fall into dictatorship. I suspect fracturing along regional lines. This craziness with boycotting Arizona, shows how fragile the union is.
    Also never be afraid that barter will go away. It is the true free market. Will control freaks try to hinder it sure, but that’s where skills come in. Besides it’s easy to stash a little whiskey and tobacco once it’s prepared. And building a temporary still from a pressure cooker is childs play.
    A new concept that’s also been keeping me busy is guerilla gardening. Find a park or other out of bounds area and go plant some stuff. Personally I like herbs because I have regular garden space, but some folks have been known to put out squash and potato’s.

60. 
    Kevin says:
    June 30th, 2010
    7:05 am
    

    Salt. DOH!! I completely forgot about stashing salt. Being far removed from easy sources that would go fast. Going to have to start stashing some.

61. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 30th, 2010
    7:50 am
    

    Kevin, I adore your last comment! One of my nightmares is that I KNOW I have forgotten something vital. I just don’t know what it is, and when I find out it will be too late. At the very least we’re going to hit the rueful, “That was on our list…” Sam’s has 4 pound boxes of Morton’s kosher for less than a dollar, I think. Salt is necessary for survival so it will be a good trade item, but we’re thinking more in terms of preserving meat. Deer and cattle will walk 25 miles to get to a salt lick! Ten or twelve bucks spent on a couple of big commercial salt blocks would be an excellent idea if your hideaway is in game country. Wild hogs have a passion for soured dry corn (get it wet and leave it alone) and some say they put a little diesel on it. Never worry about coming late to the party here. Michael has it set up so that articles never really go away.

62. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 30th, 2010
    7:52 am
    

    GREAT post, Kevin, and good to see you back. What useful skills you have been mastering, and thanks for the site. I like the idea of seeing what is available from the Greenies, like Steve telling us recently about his solar-powered freezer.

63. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    June 30th, 2010
    8:09 am
    

    We took the Vanden Plas for a quick run to town yesterday. Aaaaaah, to be back in a decent vehicle that turns even bad roads to silk and has a deliciously tight steering ratio. Charles blinked (poor Jeep lover) when he realized he was up to 80 because everything was so quiet and smooth. One slight problem makes us a little more conspicuous: getting over six feet of Texan behind the wheel. His knee hits the horn button so we honk discretely and the lights flash. “Looky me! Looky me!” Hey, if I had trouble with standing out in the crowd I’d drive a sub-compact. I also have an ‘89 Chevy Silverado extended cab I swear I’m more proud of than the original owner was. George (Patton, of course) bears the honorable scars of thousands of tough jobs done well. That ain’t no sissy El Camino pretending to be a convertible, that thar’s a TRUCK. We call it the Vroom-Vroom truck because of the deep, throaty roar, and the only reason I don’t drive it to town is that we only use it on the ranch. Even the guys can call it that without embarrassment. Chuckle. Show-off that I am in my second-adolescence heart, some days I consider taking George to town and having the ranch brand and name painted on the door, along with the city and state. THAT would turn confused heads. Usually ’round heah we do that on horse trailers, possibly because by the time you have a trailer, a big pickup, and horses all together you’re talking a fair chunk of change. Well, you used to. (Okay, it’s to help your friends find you at shows or to advertise studs or sales.) All of those things are down wonderfully if you’re buying. Other days I consider having a trailer hitch put on one of the Cats, but I still haven’t figured out if that is heresy or Texas humor.

64. 
    Kevin says:
    June 30th, 2010
    9:45 am
    

    Linda,
    Yeah I noticed the articles stay up. Which is good, there is always fine thought put into them. Had one more thought on what to stash… Vanilla and other spices that you find handy. Since my wife and I have already started making our own (because it’s so much tastier) we’ve had to get a large rotation.
    I’d hold back on saying that I’ve “mastered” anything. Just practicing, and besides it’s fun. Another thing I like from the greens is earth building. Specifically earth bag building. Sure a trailer can be had cheap right now. But if you put an earth wall around it, it will also be bullet proof. And I’m sure folks can see where that might be a need.

65. 
    Kevin says:
    June 30th, 2010
    9:48 am
    

    Oh and just because it’s interesting I thought I’d share this link:
    http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2008/06may_carringtonflare/
    That would be one way to short out the world.

66. 
    PeterPansDad says:
    June 30th, 2010
    12:00 pm
    

    Linda: “From time to time check her gums and inside her eyelids; if they aren’t nice and pink she needs worming. ”

    Thanks. She needs dewormed. I’ll contact the vet.

    Linda: “Goats need their hooves trimmed about every four months so get some heavy shears.”

    We’re on board. We’ve been trimming a bit more every week. She was badly overgrown and we took our time. Lots to learn.

    Linda: “‘Maintenance phase’ is what I would call ’sustainable,’ perhaps. Where you’re pretty sure you’ve got everything you need and enough to tide you through your best guess of how long the emergency may be.”

    Funny how that works. We started out by monitoring our grocery list closely. Then we bought 6 months worth of normal groceries (minus fresh fruit, veggies and milk). What we found out is by having more food in the house we just eat more. Further, rather than monitor our supplies and replenish monthly we just estimate our inventory then act surprised when we run out of something.

    Also, I have to agree with a Mormon blog I found, “If people don’t notice your shopping cart and think you’re crazy, go back for more.”

    Linda: “Stop worrying about money, crew. Spend what you can afford on things that will keep and matter “if” and be worth far, far more than ingots of gold. [...] Can you get an ounce of silver for enough coffee to make two pots of coffee?”

    I know that right now you can get a case of mason jars for just under the price of an ounce of silver. Strikes me as a good deal. But if the question is, “Should I squirrel away mason jars or silver” then answer is “Yes”. Seek to own something of lasting value.

    All nine of us seem to agree about this. I’m just re-stating it for my own benefit.

67. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    July 1st, 2010
    8:56 pm
    

    PPD: If you can’t find a case of Mason jars for closer to half an ounce of silver you’re shopping in the wrong place. I always wonder how serious the injunction ALWAYS to use a new lid is. Seems to me the worst that could happen would be that it didn’t seal tight, and that’s easy to check. Still…I tend to buy more lids than jars.

    Nice thing to know about trimming goat hooves, which terrified all of us for a year: if you cut a little too deeply by accident and get a smear of blood you will feel like a monster for about half a second, by which time you will realize the goat didn’t even feel it. I had to watch it done three times, and I think the final teacher got that drop on purpose just to show me that it’s like the first time the baby rolls off the bed. You don’t want it to happen if you can help it, but you’ll both live through it. The thing to remember is WHY you have to trim hooves, and it is not just because the goat starts to walk funny. The outer edge of the hoof grows and curls under the bottom. I’m sure you, Chris, already know that there is a channel down the middle of the hoof and that you pick out any dirt that is in there. Hang on, ’cause this is gross but important: if you don’t do this little bit of routine maintenance it is POSSIBLE (not commonplace, but it does happen) for the goat to get an infection up in there, leading to necrotic flesh, leading to a hoof full of maggots. I’ve never seen it (Thenk You, Lord.) but I can imagine what a monster I would feel like. If the tidbit’s giving you any trouble at all, put her on her milking stand. A goat you don’t handle much (like a male) will scream bloody murder, but you aren’t hurting him; he’s outraged because he has been captured and confined. As an alternative, two adults do it. Put the goat on its back, and one of you hold it down. (This could be exciting, depending upon the size of the goat. They’re STRONG.) Finally, for a neater looking foot clip just a bit off the front edges to square the toes up. And…while I haven’t tried it…the girls would probably get a real kick out of painting the hooves with a little flower or two at least once.

    Restating basics is good for all of us, because what can be “obvious” to some is an eye-popper to another. Michael Rough gave me a great idea about a compressor meant to fill SCUBA tanks, last night. Then you have a source of compressed air to run tools away from your shop. I go on about goats all the time because if you could have just one thing bigger than chickens a milk goat will be the most valuable. The does are grand companions–PPD, would you mind sending the photo I have to Michael to stick up? I don’t know who looks happiest, the tiny blond cuddling the little goat girl or the doeling because she’s got girls to love her. Very small goats can be a bit rambunctious, but by about five months they probably won’t jump in your lap any more! At least cuddling and preferably bottle-feeding is how you end up with goats who think you’re Mom and Dad and get up on the stand nicely to be milked. A goat who has been raised without hands-on CAN be caught and milked, but it is a real wrestling match. They’re fast and have to be tackled. No, they don’t bite, and they only have teeth on the bottom, but catching a goat even in a small pen requires perseverance.

    Just for fun, everybody go to http://www.fiascofarms.com. The lady who writes there is interesting and funny, and there is all sorts of useful information, beginning with instructions on how to milk a goat. You don’t pull! Trap and squeeze. As they say, though, “This isn’t rocket science, just milk the dam’ goat!” First I learned how to get the milk out of the goat and then I learned how to get it in the bucket. The goat thought I was crazy but she was very good natured while I squirted her, myself, the ground, the stand…You may never own a goat, but if the worst happens a dairy goat will be a reliable source of milk 300 days out of each year.

68. 
    Linda Brady Traynham says:
    July 1st, 2010
    9:12 pm
    

    Kevin! What a GREAT post. How about a three-sentence course in bags (make? buy? Use empty dogfood bags? Fill heavy black plastic at the site you want them? How thick does the dirt barrier have to be?) I suppose you’re talking about growing your own herbs, a long-time passion of mine? If you’re anywhere close to Mexico pick up several bottles of La Vencedora. The real stuff (comes from orchids) grows there and even a liter is very cheap; little is as lovely as real, first-class vanilla. So long as the goats don’t eat them a sage bush will grow year around and a lot of things will grow indoors under lights. There are recipes available for making liqueurs. We all need to learn more about medicinal herbs. VINEGAR is another thing that should be stocked heavily, including apple cider (many, many uses) and balsalmic (the prince of vinegars.) Growing our own onions, garlic, and shallots, starting now…horseradish is easy to grow (confine it in a bucket or it will take over the world), although I have never had any luck with ginger root. I’ve copied the site to check later, thanks.

69. 
    Kevin says:
    July 2nd, 2010
    7:11 am
    

    Linda,
    The best info I can give you on earth bags is this site here: http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/earthbag.htm
    He also has great articles on other ways of building with earth. If you recall the story Lights Out the community had problems with new structures for folks that had moved in. Well since dirt is pretty abundant in most areas it would make an excellent way to house folks. Also after looking at some of the traditional methods it’s amazing how structurally sound they are.
    We make our vanilla with vodka and beans we buy off ebay. Mexican vanilla is excellent, but a little off the beaten path for me. Whereas the beans are cheap to buy and ship.

70. 
    Kevin says:
    July 2nd, 2010
    10:56 am
    

    Sorry I also kind of missed your point above. There is a lot of spring flooding in my area so I get sand bags cheap. Other folks prefer mislabeled plastic bags. Things to keep in mind: A little barbed wire fencing in between will help stabilize. Almost all the bags will break down in UV so coating with something is a must (I find mud to be plentiful). Walls must be perfectly plumb. It’s labor intensive, but really is solid when done.

71. 
    C Harriger says:
    July 3rd, 2010
    12:57 pm
    

    Something’s Changed but it changed out of our line of sight. We will gradually see the results over a period of time running through this summer and especially into the fall and winter months. If anyone thinks they have a year or two to prepare they better do some more research very soon. For the remainder of this year at least have food and water laid back. For 2011 and 2012 ‘move’away from populated areas and especially the Gulf area. I am old enough to not just remember a different life but also hear it and smell it. The generation i helped create is now insulated from that life and can only read about it. That is what makes it so hard to convince people of the coming difficulties. My children only know comfort and plenty and there are days when old Pop looks pretty crazy. I hope i am wrong but i doubt it. Linda is in a good spot and gives good advice. Listen to her.

72. 
    Lynne says:
    July 3rd, 2010
    7:13 pm
    

    I think we all hope we are wrong that an “Economic” or some other types collapse can come in the future. At least I hope the powers that be will wake up. Maybe they will but I’m still prepared for a bad snow storm, a tornado, an earthquake or a volcanic eruption. Governments can be stupid, Mother nature can be a bitch. I’ll be prepared in any case. Plus I save so much money cause I have enough to get by until sales happen. I try never to pay full price and use coupons or stalk those “Loss Leaders” in grocery stores.
    Prepping does not need an economic collapse to make sense. Unemployment, a big bill for medical or a transmission or an engine needs replaced on a car. Hey you don’t need to shop for 2-6 months of groceries.
    Think about what you spend on all groceries. Not just food but toothpaste, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies and meds. Not food but you need those items to keep a household going.
    Now think about those items bought on sale and maybe with a few coupons. You will need detergent and toilet paper! Now lets build a stock of basics. So you can hit sales only to rebuild stocks. Plus you have trade/barter goods.
    Do you have a 6 month supply of toliet paper? Could you survive at least 3 months on stored food and water? 1 pound of rice or beans has 10 servings. How many pounds have you stored? Do you have meds? An alternate way of heat or cooking? Could you take a spit bath? Can you stay clean? Water filtered or stored for 3 months? Are you ready?
    Books, puzzle and games? No TV or power, time to work on card games maybe dice games to entertain yourselves. I love books amd can be entertained by them, but if you or your kids need movies or TV programs. Get a laptop and a solar charger. Make prep work for you. I’m happy with a book or card games. You maybe happy with PC’s and TV. Plan for it and make it happen. I’m always learning stuff and trying stuff out.

    Let’s say for giggles all stores only take cash? You are allowed 1 ATM transaction. Just a little test for you to try for a week. You must pay cash on all your purchases. If you have precious metals on hand you may withdraw up to 5 oz. of it worth to buy what you need on this test. Now my 5 oz of silver is worth around $100.00 USD 5 oz of gold is worth around $6000.00. Think about how you would spend real money that has value and not based in “faith”.

73. 
    Lynne says:
    July 3rd, 2010
    8:33 pm
    

    I won’t tell you what to store as food, or doing crritters or what to grow in your garden. Unlike many in the “Nanny State”. Grow and build what you want to eat. I may tell you about some basic buys to get. But it’s your family, you know what you like to eat. Plus what is important to you. I know what works for me and hopefully you get ideas that work for you. There is no right answer on prep though there are some basics you can start with and build on.
    Just to run a few basic scenarios. A dirty bomb set off within 5 miles of your house. Or no grocery deliverys to your store for 6 days. no water or sewage service for 6 days. Then no power to your house for 6 days.
    Could you survive after turning off the main power breaker to your house? No heat, no air conditioning. No stove or freezer, heat or air conditioning. No oven and fridge and freezer is defrosting.
    What about water do you have enough for 90 days? If you don’t have you decided who will die? and not get water? You may have to make that choice. I don’t want to that’s why I store water.
    What will you do when folks camp on your front lawn? Assume the worst and hope for the best; and little extra security never hurts.

74. 
    VJ says:
    July 5th, 2010
    9:23 pm
    

    Ran across this interesting link at SurvivalBlog.com. It is for a plant that is supposed to be superior for bio diesel.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Jatropha-Curcas-seeds-1200-grams-approx-2100-seeds-/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230493866527

    I’ve never heard of the Jatropha plant before but if the claims are for real it sounds like a potentially valuable long term survival item. Thought you all might be interested.

    “The ONLY difference between a Patriot and a traitor is who wins the war and writes the history.”

75. 
    Oldmanriver says:
    July 6th, 2010
    11:50 am
    

    Jatropha is planted extensively in tropical climates for biofuels. Not sure how well it would grow in a temperate climate. Might be able to grow it in Texas or florida. I dont know anything about its yield potential for biodiesel.

76. 
    Lynne says:
    July 18th, 2010
    6:12 pm
    

    I found a site from the UN (please don’t let that scare you they do employ a lot of good researchers). Let’s not reinvent the wheel, but great data none the less. restarting Apprenticeships and all kinds of info on what would rebuild the world economy. Great stuff for setting up real world/practical stuff we need. As much as I hate the UN they have gathered a lot of real world solutions data. I just wish they’d implement them. Well heck and other bad words. They won’t implement the studies I will, moving onward and upwards until the Feds try and shut me down.
    The feds think I can’t trade and by barter only? Hell they couldn’t shut down alcohol in the “Prohibition era. They can’t shut down drugs or illegal immigrants. Lets see how successful they are shutting down the internet? Gardens, Hah, lets see you enforce “Commerce clause” then. I do understand that the “Tea par-tiers are seen as a threat to your government. But it’s not your government it’s ours. It belongs to WE THE PEOPLE. You rule because we let you, not cause you are so smart or better than us. It can change in a heartbeat, We gave you shot Obama and you failed. You have sown the wind, Now you will reap the whirlwind.