Call Up The Militia

January 6th Gulags

'I took seriously the rights bestowed on all citizens by our Constitution and our Bill of Rights, including the rights of a defendant to be told of the charges against them (Article V); the right to avoid excessive bail (Article VIII); the right to a speedy trial with the assistance of Counsel (Article VI); and the right not to be deprived of liberty in unreasonable conditions without due process of law (Article V).'

'Most of these people are at worst guilty of trespass or destruction of government property. But for crying out loud, charge them, arraign them, and bring them to trial with counsel of their choice. Stop simply confining them without respect for their rights as American citizens. Otherwise, they are no better off than if they were victims of a “star chamber” process that Kafka (“The Trial”) and Koestler (“Darkness at Noon”) warned us about. This atrocity must stop, and it must stop soon.' ~ Robert L. Livingston | Wednesday, November 10, 2021

'Contrary to what apologists have been saying since Carlson began airing the footage, all this material has not previously been made available to the J6 defendants, some of whom have been jailed without trial for two years, in violation of their constitutional right to a fair and speedy trial.'

'McBride says the J6 committee’s deceptions and pejorative comments about “MAGA Republicans” from President Biden “have poisoned the DC jury pool beyond repair,” which also is grounds for appeal.'

'A new book about the J6 prisoners, “Due Process Denied,” tells a tale of hell in the Washington, DC, “gulag,” the Central Detention Facility in southeast Washington where most have been housed.'

'Cynthia Hughes writes poignantly of one defendant who committed suicide rather than go back to jail.'

'The defendants have been kept in a separate unit with mold on the walls, brown water and generally unsanitary conditions, are subjected to 23 hours a day of solitary confinement, denied adequate food, medical treatment and religious services.'

“There was a dispute over a mask between a female guard and a Jan. 6 detainee. This female guard became so enraged with the detainee because he wouldn’t wear a mask that she unloaded several cans of Mace . . . and filled the entire pod with fumes. She had a gas mask on, but the men were dropping to their knees and several of them were taken out on stretchers.” ~ Miranda Devine | March 8, 2023

'The chief of the Capitol Police and its top intelligence officer personally approved permits for six demonstrations to be held on Jan. 6, 2021, despite signs that one of the applications was filed for an organization that didn't exist and that five of them were a proxy for a group staging large, violent protests across the country.'

'Pittman — who was named acting Capitol Police chief after Steven Sund resigned under pressure — did not disclose that she personally signed off on the One Nation Under God permit, along with those for the five other parties that planned demonstrations for that day.' ~ Jason Leopold | Posted on September 9, 2021 at 11:18 am ::: Updated on September 17, 2021 at 11:26 am

'DiBiase’s comments to the court are the first known acknowledgment from the Capitol Police of the extent of its cooperation with lawmakers investigating the attack. The notoriously secretive agency has said little about the extent of its cooperation with other entities and whether it had shared its materials with lawmakers until now. On Monday, two key House Appropriations Committee lawmakers — who oversee the Capitol Police budget — ripped the department for failing to provide more public details about its response to the Jan. 6 attack.'

'Despite the disclosure, DiBiase is silent on one crucial question: Whether the department has preserved a broader swath of Jan. 5 footage and shared it with lawmakers who have raised fears about potential “reconnaissance” efforts by would-be rioters the day before the Capitol breach. Democrats leveled the charge in the immediate aftermath of the attack, suggesting Republican lawmakers or aides may have aided the rioters, but have said little to back up their statements since.' ~ KYLE CHENEY | 09:48 PM EDT 3/29/2021

'Surveillance cameras captured more than 14,000 hours of footage between noon and 8 p.m. on Jan. 6. These videos would paint the most complete picture of what happened inside, but the US Capitol Police, backed by federal prosecutors, have strictly controlled who can see them and how much footage can be shared with the public.'

'The security concerns inherent in revealing the extent of the Capitol’s closed-circuit camera network have convinced at least one judge so far to keep videos sealed. But the ongoing investigations into Jan. 6 will continue to place pressure on the government’s desire to keep as much of this footage out of the public eye as possible.'

'Chuck Tobin, one of the lead attorneys representing the media coalition, said it was no secret what the Capitol looked like inside, and since officials had already said they were upgrading surveillance equipment after Jan. 6, information about the positioning of cameras during the riots was “obsolete or soon to be.”

“Despite the fact that the attack of the Capitol was broadcast on television — not just in the United States, but globally — and into the homes of millions of Americans, debate and dispute over what really happened that day continues,” Howell said. “In this context, it behooves the government to explain its prosecutorial decisions in how different kinds of conduct are being charged and resolved, and support those decisions with the evidence at hand.” ~ Zoe Tillman | Posted on August 30, 2021 at 10:39 am

Watch: Jan. 6 Video That Was Suppressed Shows Capitol Police Officer Waving Protesters Into Building | KYLENBECKER

Militias

"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials."

— George Mason, in Debates in Virginia Convention on Ratification of the Constitution, Elliot, Vol. 3, June 16, 1788

"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom? Congress shall have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birth-right of an American ... The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the People."

— Tench Coxe, 1788.

'Private militia groups are collections of like-minded residents of an area. In the U.S., traditionally, they are organized into county units with the county sheriff serving as county militia commander, if he is willing, or election of a commander by those who attend musters if not. Most private militia groups are armed or espouse the use of arms, however some groups (mostly U.S. groups) espouse political protest and more peaceful means of bringing about political change, and take up arms only for traditional or ideological reasons, or as a protest against restrictions on such activities.'

'There is a long history of militia in the United States, starting during the colonial era, with the colonial militias drawn from the body of adult white male citizens of a community, town, or local region.'

'Privately organized citizens-militias blossomed in the mid 1990s. These Constitutional Militia Movements, consisting of paramilitary militia groups not affiliated with any government organization though not necessarily illegal, are often suspicious of activities of government.' (Citations at bottom of original page.)

'Approximately half the states maintain laws regulating private militias. Generally, these laws prohibit the parading and exercising of armed private militias in public, but do not forbid the formation of private militias.'

'Many private militias are driven by the insurrection theory of the Second Amendment. Under this view, the Second Amendment grants an unconditional right to bear arms for SELF-DEFENSE and for rebellion against a tyrannical government—when a government turns oppressive, private citizens have a duty to "insurrect," or take up arms against it.'

'The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a qualified rejection of the insurrection theory. According to the Court in Dennis v. United States, 341 U.S. 494, 71 S. Ct. 857, 95 L. Ed. 1137 (1951), "[W]hatever theoretical merit there may be to the argument that there is a 'right' to rebellion against dictatorial governments is without force where the existing structure of the government provides for peaceful and orderly change."

'In the 1990s, the Freemen came to the attention of federal prosecutors after members of the group allegedly wrote worthless checks and money orders to pay taxes and to defraud banks and credit card companies. One Freeman had also allegedly threatened a federal judge, and some had allegedly refused to pay taxes for at least a decade.'

'The anti-militia law is currently not enforced, but legal experts say removing the statute would limit obstructions to private militias. Similar statutes have been used to prosecute paramilitary activity in other states.'

'The state law forbids “a body of men,” other than the National Guard, to “associate themselves together as a military company or organization, or parade in public with firearms in any city or town” in Idaho.'

'The U.S. Supreme Court and other lower courts have upheld similar anti-militia statutes in other states against First and Second Amendment challenges, the letter said.' ~ RYAN SUPPE | March 7, 2023

'The "Act to Regulate the Militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" passed 17 March 1777, and the the subsequent Militia Act passed March 20, 1780, together with their amendments, required all white men between the ages of 18 and 53 capable of bearing arms to serve two months of militia duty on a rotating basis. Refusal to turn out for military exercises would result in a fine, the proceeds from which were used to hire substitutes.'

'Though they held military titles, these were actually civilian officers not to be confused with the military officers holding the same ranks in the Continental Army. The County Lieutenants ensured that militia units turned out for military exercises, provided the militia units with arms and equipment at the expense of the state, located substitutes for those who declined to serve, and assessed and collected the militia fines. It should be noted that these fines were not necessarily intended to be punitive. Recognizing that personal circumstances might in some cases make it inconvenient or even impossible for a particular individual to serve, the fine system was in part devised to provide money in lieu of service in order to hire substitutes.'

'The men in each battalion elected their own field officers who carried the rank of colonel, lieutenant colonel and major and these officers were then commissioned by the state and expected to serve for three years.'

'The militia did provide a significant defensive force patrolling the south side of the Schuylkill River and engaged in occasional clashes with British outposts and scouting parties including heavy skirmishes at Whitemarsh on December 7.'

'The Militia Act of 1792, Passed May 8, 1792, providing federal standards for the organization of the Militia.'

'An ACT more effectually to provide for the National Defence, by establishing an Uniform Militia throughout the United States.'

'I. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That each and every free able-bodied white male citizen of the respective States, resident therein, who is or shall be of age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years (except as is herein after excepted) shall severally and respectively be enrolled in the militia, by the Captain or Commanding Officer of the company, within whose bounds such citizen shall reside, and that within twelve months after the passing of this Act. And it shall at all time hereafter be the duty of every such Captain or Commanding Officer of a company, to enroll every such citizen as aforesaid, and also those who shall, from time to time, arrive at the age of 18 years, or being at the age of 18 years, and under the age of 45 years (except as before excepted) shall come to reside within his bounds; and shall without delay notify such citizen of the said enrollment, by the proper non-commissioned Officer of the company, by whom such notice may be proved. That every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty four cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, and powder-horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder; and shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided, when called out to exercise or into service, except, that when called out on company days to exercise only, he may appear without a knapsack. That the commissioned Officers shall severally be armed with a sword or hanger, and espontoon; and that from and after five years from the passing of this Act, all muskets from arming the militia as is herein required, shall be of bores sufficient for balls of the eighteenth part of a pound; and every citizen so enrolled, and providing himself with the arms, ammunition and accoutrements, required as aforesaid, shall hold the same exempted from all suits, distresses, executions or sales, for debt or for the payment of taxes.'

'Most men exempted from training, including “Indians and Negroes” were still required to keep arms (or be provided by the master of the household) and were expected to have them inspected twice per year and to turn out in an emergency.'

'Serving in your town’s militia company was required by law. Minute man companies were raised by volunteer. Whereas militia companies trained 6 days each year, minute man companies trained two days each week. Minute men were also paid for training days, on average 1 shilling for each half day. Again, training with the militia was a requirement of law. Minute men also sometimes received arms and equipment from the town. Thus they tended to be better equipped than the militia. For example, many towns purchased cartridge pouches for their minute man companies, and sometimes bayonets.'

'Militiamen were required to be armed “as according to law.” This meant that they were to have “a well fixt Firelock Musket, of Musket (69-75 caliber) or Bastard Musket (50-60 caliber) Bore, the Barrel not less than Three Foot and a half long; or other good Fire Arms, to the Satisfaction of the commission officer of the company...” They were also expected to have twenty bullets fit to their gun, one pound of powder, twelve flints, and a cutting sword. Later, bayonets were required for at least half the men in each company. As with the training, fines were levied against those who failed to provide themselves with these arms.' ~ Ranger Jim | Last updated: November 6, 2021

'This video uses new reenactment footage to tell the story of the minute men; how were they organized, trained and equipped, and their role on the day of the first battle of the American Revolution, April 19, 1775.'

§246. Militia: composition and classes

(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

(b) The classes of the militia are—

(1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and
(2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.

SECTION 4. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AND OFFICERS

(a) The Governor is commander-in-chief of the organized militia, except when they are in the service of the United States. He may call them out to enforce the laws, suppress insurrection or repel invasion.
(b) The Governor shall commission militia officers who shall hold their commissions for such time as may be provided by law. (Source: Illinois Constitution.)

SECTION 5. PRIVILEGE FROM ARREST

Except in cases of treason, felony or breach of peace, persons going to, returning from or on militia duty are privileged from arrest. (Source: Illinois Constitution.)

'The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is a national organization dedicated to training and educating U. S. citizens in responsible uses of firearms and airguns through gun safety training, marksmanship training and competitions. The CMP is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) corporation that places its highest priority on serving youth through gun safety and marksmanship activities that encourage personal growth and build life skills.'

'Second, the police (state, fed or both!) will be compelled to investigate you to make sure you aren't a threat. And as was seen in the 1990's, when paid informants couldn't find any evidence of wrongdoing, they made some up. They needed to justify their long and expensive investigation. It's sad but true. No, that is not the right path. I felt we should do the opposite. We should be open with the public. There should be a liaison officer with the local county sheriff's departments.'

'Most state constitutions allow their governor to call up the state's militia (the people, armed). Idaho's constitution mandates that the legislature “shall provide by law for the enrolment, equipment and discipline of the militia, to conform as nearly as practicable to the regulations for the government of the armies of the United States, and pass such laws to promote volunteer organizations as may afford them effectual encouragement.” But they neglect their duties.'

'BUT, if you are a marxist, communist, socialist, neo-nazi or anachist, you are the enemy of our Federal Constitution because you are seeking to replace it with a different form of government.'

'We agreed to use the National Militia Standards (www.awrm.org) as our basic framework, which was quickly modified and customized with the result being the “Idaho Light Foot Militia Standards”.

'For training materials we've adopted two well made manuals. The first is the US Army Field Manual FM 21-75 “Combat Skills of the Soldier”. The second is “Light Infantry Tactics for Small Teams” by Christopher E. Larson. Both of these books can be found online at Ebay or Amazon.' ~ Jeff 'Stan'

'Finding members for your group can be easy or difficult, depending on the social and political climate in your area, and your group's mission.'

'Are you going to be running a civil defense organization, a revolutionary group, an armed militia, or a neighborhood watch? Each of these groups has different methods, training, goals, and purposes.'

'One of the best places to get training ideas from are the US Army field manuals, and Canadian military documents. These teach a variety of military subjects in simple language and can be excellent for subjects of relevance. The US Army manuals are in the public domain, and while the Canadian manuals are under Copyright, they are released freely on the Internet.'

'Realize that the police will be placing you under surveillance if they believe you have negative goals. It's your job to network with the police and make sure they understand you're not out to hurt anyone.' ~ TRADECRAFTFORSP | MAR 31, 2018

Looks like a military manual on building militias in a more clandestine manner under 'Red Dawn' or similar scenarios perhaps?

Guns

'While you’re at the shooting range or anywhere you handle a firearm safety ALWAYS comes first there are 10 Rules of Firearms Safety and the first four are the big ones.'

'You must constantly stress safety when handling firearms, especially to children and non-shooters. Beginners, in particular, must be closely supervised when handling firearms with which they may not be acquainted.'

'Sorry…but there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for the best home defense gun.'

'But don’t worry…we’re going to walk through all the most popular types of guns for home defense: pistol, rifle, and shotgun.'

'Then go through some other things you might not have considered yet like ammo, flashlights, quick access safes, suppressors, and self-defense insurance.' ~ ERIC HUNG | UPDATED MARCH 1, 2022

'Whether you believe it could happen to you or not, most can agree that it’s better to be prepared and not have to use it, than to be caught empty-handed. If a day does come when you need to defend yourself and your loved ones, you’ll want to grab more than a baseball bat — you’ll want the best home defense gun possible. So we’ve made this list.'

'Gravitate toward what you feel is the most comfortable and confident shooting. No matter what you choose, make sure it is going to be something you can operate under high stress. If you share a home with other adults who have access to a home defense gun, check with them to ensure they know how to properly use the firearm in the event you are unavailable or become incapacitated.'

'Once you’ve chosen your firearm, consider your defensive light source. Most home defense encounters happen at night, and to be able to positively ID a target, you have to be able to see it — so this is important. Whether or not your light will be mounted on your firearm may help dictate which gun you choose. If your weapon has the capability, you should mount a quality weapon light on the rail. Relying on an external light source introduces an unnecessary point of failure.' ~ Corey Long | AUGUST 25, 2022

'Even if you hit the range every weekend, it's critical to train for the specific situations you want to be prepared for. Fending off an intruder in the dark just moments after you've been jarred awake is nothing like shooting at paper targets while you're alert and focused.'

'Conduct a thorough survey of the layout of your home and think about the directions in which you're likely to be shooting in a home-defense scenario. Also, think about the position, distance, and layout of your neighbors' homes. Bullets — especially big ones — aren't always stopped by walls. You could be criminally or civilly liable if you accidentally shoot an innocent bystander while defending your home. You may want to choose a weapon less prone to overpenetration, particularly if there aren't many obstacles between you and your neighbors.'

'Finally, give some careful thought to where and how you'll store your home-defense weapons. You'll want to strike a balance between safe storage and quick accessibility. If you live alone, or with another responsible gun owner, it's generally okay to store your firearms in a drawer or closet. If you have children, though, the equation becomes more complicated. Investigate biometric gun safes or wall racks that can keep your guns out of little hands without significantly slowing your access to them. Remember always to keep firearm safety in mind.'

'Narrowing down the best gun for home defense can feel overwhelming. Between the advice at the gun store, the people online, and your friend’s brother’s buddy who used to be a cop, it can feel like too much information.'

'I don’t want to add to that noise, so we’ll keep this short and simple. Covering the pros and cons of the major platforms while giving some recommendations for specific models to take a look at.'

'Ideally, you want ammo that will get the job done in putting down the threat but will also over-penetrate as little as possible.'

'No matter what gun and what ammo you choose, train with it. Never stop training. Get to the range and drill. Attend classes. Take a critical look at your home and see where the corners are, find the blind spots, and make a plan for you and your family in the event of an incident.' ~ David Lane | August 30, 2022

'When discussing home defense, "home" could refer to a car or business that you own or even something like a temporary campsite in the wilderness. The threats to these areas can vary widely. Depending on your location, you may need to defend against burglars, rapists, bears, wolves, or any other potential intruder. The perfect home defense firearm can protect you against all of these threats reliably and effectively.'

'Speaking of adding things to a pistol, you may want to get a pistol that you can modify a little. Adding a red dot, or glow in the dark iron sights, to a pistol makes it a lot easier to aim, which will let you better identify a target and be more accurate. You can also get an extended mag for most pistols. Don't go crazy with a massive drum mag, but having a few extra rounds in the mag never hurts.'

'Rifles will produce greater velocity, distance, and accuracy than either a shotgun or a handgun. They are by far the best option to neutralize targets at long distances. Unfortunately, that makes them less practical for close-range situations like those in home defense situations.'

'There are arguments for and against every type of gun that you can possibly find on the market. While you should definitely take these characteristics and arguments into consideration, the best home defense firearm is the one that you can use safely and effectively.' ~ Randy Tucker | November 14, 2022

'As always, I feel the need to include a disclaimer: Everyone has lots of opinions. Some opinions are good, and some opinions are… I’ll be kind, not as good. Oftentimes, you might even find that people screaming the loudest have the least experience. This is especially true in today’s world of hyper-sensationalized social media.'

'For what is worth, here are my thoughts on the best guns for home defense.'

'Let’s take the best of both worlds and then combine them into one, solid home-defense platform.'

'Given that pistols tend to be the best type of guns for the home, let’s significantly level them up to an even better platform: a pistol-caliber carbine. Specifically, something along the lines of an AR-9. More to the point, an AR-9 with an 8-10″ barrel for better velocity and expansion on a hollow point round. Add a red-dot optic, sling, and gun light, and you are all set.'

'Our homes are our safe places, our family and friends’ place, and where we keep the world out. But when the world comes in, you need to be able to act — and act quickly and decisively. You will be nervous. Your heart will feel like it’s going to pound through your chest. You will feel the adrenaline and your breathing will increase. Your hands might get sweaty and your aim less steady. So you will need every advantage you can get.' ~ Dustin Gladwell | Sep 27, 2021

'The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is a national organization dedicated to training and educating U. S. citizens in responsible uses of firearms and airguns through gun safety training, marksmanship training and competitions. The CMP is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) corporation that places its highest priority on serving youth through gun safety and marksmanship activities that encourage personal growth and build life skills.'

Bulletproof Attire

'And before we run through our recommendations…we’ll walk you through the important technical aspects so you can choose the best armor for your end-use and budget.' ~ ALLISON | UPDATED MARCH 16, 2023

'Don’t get the wrong impression that by just by throwing on a bullet proof vest you’re suddenly invincible. There are different levels of protection depending on the materials used & thickness of the various products.'

'You need to remember that the main job of a bullet proof vest is to protect your vital organs and that everything else is still exposed. We had a friend who nearly lost his life after being shot in the leg, so in no way do these prevent bullets from finding a different entrance point.' ~ Jamie S. | circa 2014

'Thinking about buying a bulletproof vest but don't know where to begin? We get it. There are lots of choices to make when it comes to a ballistic vest: concealable or overt? Vest or plate carrier? What about protection level, material, and cost?' ~ ROBYN BLOCKER | FEBRUARY 10, 2022

'In this article: What is concealable body armor, and who wears it? How does it compare to overt body armor? What to look for when buying? Plus, our top picks of the latest and greatest covert body armor products on the market today!' ~ NICOLETTE ERESTAIN | FEBRUARY 21, 2022

'For this article, we reviewed five of the most concealable and lightweight body armor packages available on the market today. These are the best of the best. Choosing a ballistic vest is an investment and you should always ask yourself what a piece of lifesaving equipment is worth to you.' ~ Guest Contributor | Jun 20, 2022

'OpticsPlanet.com is the premiere online destination for Bulletproof Vests. Any time you can't choose which Body Armor & Bulletproof Vests to purchase then look at our Body Armor & Bulletproof Vests Reviews and compare top rated brands to choose a Bulletproof Vests that is suitable for you. Our customer written product reviews by verified purchasers feature recommendations, reviews, ratings and feedback. Get educated purchasing advice for all of our favored brands.'

Prepping

'There was an article a couple of years ago about a community of preppers in the U.S. who had turned citizen preparedness into an extreme, and very expensive, hobby.'

'Many countries in the world (including the U.S. and Finland), already advise people to prepare to survive for three days without help from authorities. For those who want to make a modest investment in preparedness, here are our top tips for the everyday family prepper:' ~ BETH SIZELAND AND VEERA PARKO | 02/14/23 2:30 PM ET

'Being prepared means being equipped with the proper supplies you may need in the event of an emergency or disaster. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry emergency preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate.'

'Get ready for emergencies ranging from daily life stuff to big disasters. The Prepared is the most trusted resource and largest community of modern, rational people preparing for whatever life throws their way. No politics or other craziness. Everyone is welcome.'

Various articles on prepping basics to be carried out in a reasonable manner.

Some survival pocket guides amongst other items sold at this site.

'Emergency preparedness is one of our specialties. At Cheaper Than Dirt!, we pride ourselves in having the very best selection at low prices. Build your own survival kit or buy pre-made; you’ll find everything you need for whatever you are prepping for.'

Innovative survival products.

Fresh water on hand is essential for survival.....

'Filtered drinking water for the home, office, travel, emergency preparedness'

'Berkey Systems equipped with Black Berkey Filters Mechanically extract waterborne pathogens while dramatically reducing protozoa, trihalomethanes, inorganic minerals, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, VOCs, petroleum products, perfluorinated chemicals, rust, silt, sediment and even radiologicals.'

'Berkey Water Filter systems are capable of filtering both treated water and untreated raw water from such sources as remote lakes, streams, stagnant ponds and water supplies in foreign countries, where regulations may be substandard at best. So powerful, this Berkey Filter system is able to remove red food coloring from water without removing the beneficial minerals your body needs. Perfect for everyday use and a must in hostile environments where electricity, water pressure or treated water may not be available.'

Black Berkey Red Food Food Coloring Test ~ Big Berkey Water Filters | Nov 15, 2016

'Learn how to perform a red food coloring test and watch it in action!'

'The red food coloring test will let you know whether your filters are working to design specifications. You can perform this test on the black berkeys at any time during it's life of use. If the red food coloring is removed, your filters are still working for you!'

'Any thoughts about stockpiling foods in the event of a catastrophic emergency are dominated by two simple words: Shelf life. Some foods lose their nutritional value over time; others can become rancid or even dangerous if microbial or fungal growth invades the food. Curiously, there also are foods that have a shelf life measured in decades, if not centuries.'

'We’re going to explore three general categories of foods that can be stored for various periods of time:' ~ Steve Nubie

'However, there are plenty of long shelf life foods perfect for filling your cupboards. Foods like these are great to have on hand for everyday cooking, of course, but also times when you just can’t get out of the house.' ~ Rachel Seis, Lisa Kaminski | Updated: Feb. 17, 2023

'Beat rising food costs by shopping now for long shelf life foods. These long lasting foods are ranked from those that last the longest – decades – to those that last for weeks.' ~ August Neverman | December 11, 2021

'So whether you're prepping for an emergency situation or you just don't want to go shopping more often than you need to, you'll be pleased to know that these groceries have long shelf lives.' ~ Taylor Rock | Updated: Jan. 17, 2023 1:41 pm EST

'Here you can view some of the various scams, snake oil claims and ripoffs that are so widely prevalent in the storable food industry. This is a really HUGE problem in this industry. Please read the following facts and stay informed!'

'Nearly all of the search return pages in Google link to these scam websites when you search for emergency food. Resellers have discovered that dishonesty and misrepresentation sells a lot more of their products then anything else. The end goal is always the same - generate sales. Customer and buyers need to beware of these tactics in order to be properly informed and avoid a costly financial mistake.'

'We are not aware of a single storable review website that we can recommend for accurate, complete and honest information. Not yet - and we've looked for over 25+ years.'

'Food bucket kits and totes are NOT recommended for most food storage programs. We've seperated the majority of these facts out into a dedicated page (essential reading).'

'I will go over how long the food will last using each method and how to find out which method makes the most sense for you. Preppers have lots of options, but here I will focus on the most practical and effective methods.'

'In my opinion, a varied approach is the best way to be truly prepared for any disaster and ensure your family is comfortable when trouble hits. Whether it be an earthquake, financial collapse, hurricane, civil unrest, super plague, pandemic, or flood.'

'I suggest you store some food from each category (dehydrated/dry foods, canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried foods). This will ensure you are diversified and ready for any situation. I suggest you go with a 40/30/20/10 percent split on the food (easy to remember as “The 4-3-2-1 Rule”). This split ensures that you will have a bit of each type of food stored away for an emergency.' ~ John Walter

Nuclear Survival

'A nuclear power plant accident, a nuclear explosion or a dirty bomb are examples of radiation emergencies. If something like this happens, you may be asked to get inside a building and take shelter for a period of time instead of leaving. The walls of your home can block much of the harmful radiation. Because radioactive materials become weaker over time, staying inside for at least 24 hours can protect you and your family until it is safe to leave the area. Getting inside of a building and staying there is called “sheltering in place.” ~ Last Reviewed: October 18, 2022

'But, perhaps the most important point to remember is that fallout is the inevitable result of practically any major nuclear event. It doesn’t matter whether you’re talking about a meltdown at one of the world’s 450 active nuclear facilities, a terrorist attack with a dirty bomb, or full-scale nuclear war, fallout will be a fact of life for anyone in the surrounding area.'

'Americans are starting to pay much closer attention to these kinds of considerations. Just a few years ago, the New York Times ran an article on How to Build a Fallout Shelter. So, these considerations are hardly Cold War relics.' ~ Matthew Collins

FEMA pamphlet on basics of dealing with a nuclear explosion.

'When a nuclear bomb explodes, multiple hazards make up the aftermath. A blast wave causes extensive death and destruction, and the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) they generate can kill the power grid and all communications. There’s also extreme heat, fire, and radiation.'

'Find out where your local public emergency shelters, like schools and community centers, are located. The basement is the safest place when sheltering at home, followed by a centrally located room with minimal windows to avoid radiation exposure.'

'A doomsday food supply should be canned, dried, and packaged products only. It’s safe to eat food that was inside a building during the initial nuclear blast but don’t consume food or drinks that were outdoors and uncovered. They’ve probably become radioactive.'

'Potassium iodide is a salt that’s become synonymous with nuclear war survival. In 1982, the Food and Drug Administration approved potassium iodide tablets to protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine, an element released by nuclear weapons that causes thyroid cancer. The tablets flood the gland with stable iodine, flushing out the radioactive stuff. Every well-rounded kit includes them.'

'The good news is, other than the items that have already been mentioned, the list is about the same as any disaster survival kit.'

“The only nuclear-specific item I think is useful for households would be emergency dosimeters,” Gannon said. “Which are small radiation detectors that can be worn on the body to monitor the accumulation of external radiation.” ~ Jade Eckardt | DECEMBER 20, 2022

'This manual was developed by the Office of Civil Defense within the Department of Defense. According to the note inside the manual written by Robert S. McNamara, Secretary of Defense, the goal of the publication is to provide the American people the facts they need to know about the dangers of a thermonuclear attack and what they can do to protect themselves. He goes on to say that "the factual information in this booklet has been verified by independent scientific authority."

Buckhead Secession

'The possibility of a secession from the city of Atlanta became a little more likely this week as the affluent area of Buckhead continued its attempt to peel off from the crime-ridden inner city.'

'The move faced initial opposition last year, when former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan put the kibosh on the effort, sending the secession bill to a committee comprised solely of urban Democrats who opposed the effort.'

'White, who officially filed to secede from the city in June of 2021, previously slammed Atlanta city leadership, including former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, accusing her of ignoring soaring crime in Buckhead and presiding over a demoralized and underfunded police department.'

'The affluent residents of Buckhead have grown weary of seeing members of their own community suffer gunshot wounds, home invasions and murders.'

'Burglaries, shoplifting and carjackings also rose significantly in the southern city.' ~ SOPHIE MANN | PUBLISHED: 20:36 EDT, 28 February 2023 ::: UPDATED: 08:27 EDT, 1 March 2023

'The move faced initial opposition last year, when former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan put the kibosh on the effort, sending the secession bill to a committee comprised solely of urban Democrats who opposed the effort.'

'The State Senate voted down March 2 a bill that proposed “The City of Buckhead City” and a referendum allowing residents of the community to vote on creating the municipality, effectively killing the cityhood movement for now. The vote is the most recent occurrence in the Buckhead City saga that started modestly in 2020 but quickly picked up steam as a notably polarizing issue among residents and business owners. It also sets up what could be a consequential battle for future cityhood efforts statewide.'

'Attempts to create a Buckhead municipality aren’t without precedence as a group of disgruntled residents first floated the idea in 2008, and cityhood was brought back into discussion in 2016 during former Mayor Kasim Reed’s last term in office, which was riddled with corruption. Those rumblings continued into 2017 after Keisha Lance Bottoms narrowly defeated Buckhead resident Mary Norwood in the Atlanta mayoral race. Simultaneously, a referendum for the Eagle’s Landing community to secede from Stockbridge failed but illustrated a path for Buckhead residents to potentially cast their own vote on cityhood.'

'The following are key moments in the cityhood movement leading to the bill’s failure and where the Buckhead City effort stands for the future.'

'The move from some of the state’s top GOP officials resulted in the state Senate not taking up the bill, and with passage required for both chambers to include the cityhood referendum on the 2022 ballot, the cityhood movement was not introduced in the State House.'

“It boils down to many years of Buckhead’s neglect by the city of Atlanta’s government,” Norwood wrote. She cited issues of unfulfilled requests for capital plans from the city’s government, misuse of TSPLOST funds, neglected roads, the denial of a study on potential traffic mitigation solutions, clearcutting from unchecked development and zoning complaints.'

'The incorporation of Buckhead City was killed for the 2023 legislative session on March 2 with SB 114 failing on the Senate floor. The measure was voted down 33-23 with all Democrats in opposition and 10 Republican representatives crossing the aisle to cast “nay” votes. On the same day, SB 113, another bill calling for Buckhead cityhood, was tabled by the chamber.' ~ Joe Parker | March 10, 2023

'The Buckhead City Committee (formerly the Buckhead Exploratory Committee) is a diverse group of Buckhead residents who have united to improve the quality of life in our community. Our goals are to make Buckhead safer, improve our schools, fix our infrastructure, protect single-family zoning, and deliver a better Buckhead for all residents. Join the thousands of Buckhead residents who want to live in Buckhead City!'

'The debate over the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center has been ongoing. The center is going to be used for specialized training for both law enforcement and fire department service workers.'

'City officials assert that the center could improve policing, while critics claim the effort is militarizing police and endangering communities.'

'The center will include an "auditorium for police/fire and public use," a "mock city for burn building training and urban police training," an "Emergency Vehicle Operator Course for emergency vehicle driver training," a K-9 unit kennel and training, according to the center's website. The first phase of the training center is scheduled to open in late 2023.'

'Protests escalated last week when a protester, Manuel Esteban Paez Terán, was shot and killed by police as they raided the campground occupied by demonstrators. Officials say the protester fired the first shot at a state trooper, and the officer responded with the fatal shot.'

'Authorities arrested six people on Jan. 21 when demonstrations over the proposed training ground for the Atlanta Police Department, which started peacefully, escalated to involve shooting fireworks, smashing windows and igniting a police cruiser once protesters reached downtown.' ~ Kiara Alfonseca | March 6, 2023, 12:03 PM

'The large group, described by authorities as “violent agitators,” were caught on a police helicopter’s heat-sensitive camera flooding into the under-construction Atlanta Public Safety Training Center — dubbed “Cop City” — on Sunday.'

'Moments later, the video — which was released late Monday — shows the throngs of protesters setting fire to construction equipment in what police have slammed as a “coordinated attack.'

“The agitators destroyed multiple pieces of construction equipment by fire and vandalism.”

'The majority of those nabbed hail from other parts of the US — and as far as France and Canada, according to police.' ~ Emily Crane | March 7, 2023 1:07pm :: Updated

Naval Corvettes

'In the past decade, the Navy has tried out-of-the-box thinking to address littoral needs with both the ship design and capabilities of the LCS, but it struck out miserably. Built to be a modular multirole platform, the LCS lacks capabilities in almost every aspect the Navy would want.'

'What the U.S. Navy lacks are small, fast, stealthy, highly lethal missile boats that perform best in the littorals—corvettes. The Navy has leased or tested several variants of these ships since scrapping the Pegasus class, but for one reason or another, it shied away from them. This was a mistake.'

'Corvette carriers could be of significant use in the South China Sea—where freedom of navigation is being threatened—as a counter to China’s growing blue-water navy and its fleet of Type 022 missile boats (Houbei class).'

'Small corvettes also offer additional capabilities to augment the Navy–Marine Corps team. Their speed and 76-mm cannon make them ideal escorts for amphibious assault ships. With room for a small launch, they could be delivery platforms for the Navy’s unmanned autonomous sea and undersea vehicles, offering a fast solution to get the vessels close to the area of operations to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.'

'The technology already exists and the cost is a fraction of new capital ships. Given a dedicated strategy to get corvettes into theater quickly, the Navy could project a littoral capability worldwide.' ~ Lieutenant Colonel Colin D. Smith, U.S. Marine Corps | June 2019

'The modern LCS designs and novel propulsion systems come at a price, however. In addition to the average cost per hull of about $500 million, per hull operating costs are running $50 million per year—staggering amounts for a small combatant.'

'If the Navy wants to grow the fleet (and replace the Cyclone-class PCs) with a capable, well-armed, inexpensive, small combatant, it should build Badr-class corvettes.'

'With mature sensors and weapons, the parts and infrastructure already exist to support these ships. New-construction corvettes could easily be upgraded with new sensors and weapons as needed. Though a Badr is a quarter the size of an LCS (and would likely cost a quarter of the price), it possesses comparable antisurface (ASUW) and antisubmarine (ASW) capabilities.' ~ Lieutenant Commander Grant Greenwell, U.S. Navy | July 2021

COMMENT SECTION: 'I see from the other comments that the typical mission creep of helo capacity and ‘longer legs’ is already underway. We have to stop designing ‘perfect ships’ that take 5+ years and half a Billion each to build, instead go with ‘pretty good,’ get them out fast and on station in numbers. It’s ironic this is a US built ship, typically I advocate that we build any one of the dozens of excellent NATO, Japanese or ROK designs just to avoid the standard US ‘back to the drawing board’ response.' ~ JimS_HazedGrey&Retired

'The Corvette is probably the second most common military vessel for navies in the 21st after frigates. That's mainly because corvettes can operate as multi-role vessels that can help the navy in many different ways and situations. They are cheaper and more versatile compared to other battleships and are also less expensive during operations.'

'Last but not least, the corvette that many officials consider the best in the world, the Visby class, serves the Swedish Navy since 2009. The class contains five active ships equipped with heavy armament. The vessel carry one Bofots 57 mm Mk3, eight RBS15 Mk2 anti-ship missiles, four 40mm torpedo launchers for Torped 45 torpedoes, ASW 127mm rocket-powered grenade launchers, mine, and depth charges. There is also a helicopter pad on the corvette. The interesting feature of the ship, its stealth profile, as its unique design reduces the radar cross-section and the infrared signature of the ship.' ~ GEORGIOS MAVRIDIS | DEC 3, 2021

'The Visby-class corvettes from Saab continues to set the world benchmark for littoral fighting ships. The innovative and powerful design allows for a surface combatant superior in stealth, speed and fighting power.'

'Combat advantages of the Visby-class corvette are higher speed for the same power as conventional metal ship of the same dimensions, as well as greater maneuverability and shallower draught – both important tactical considerations in littoral waters.'

'Even though the hull and superstructure is lighter than steel, it is still comparable for fire resistance and ballistic properties, and superior to steel for vulnerability to blast and underwater explosions.'

'In terms of life cycle costs, the carbon-fibre composite is entirely superior to steel and aluminium for fatigue. The superior corrosion resistance reduces the platform lifecycle costs even further.'