Monday, February 28, 2011

Top 100 Items to Have During National Emergency

I found this list on the Internet and thought it would be a good reminder for each of us to take a minute to see how "prepared" we are.

I grew up in Minnesota and we were always prepared for the weather to give us some challenges. It probably didn't hurt that I grew up with parent who lived through WWII either and my mother survived the war in Vienna, Austria.  She knew war and she taught us to be prepared.  I understand that some of these items on the list are more for war-like scenarios but each of us will probably realize that we are not as prepared to take care of our own as we should be.  Lately there has been a thinking coming over our land that it is the governments responsibility to "help" in time of need.  Well, it is not.  It is each or our responsibility to be about the task of being adults.

Again, there is no way to be totally prepared for any crisis - that's why we need each other, but we can be diligent to take steps to be wise and in turn being prepared.  We live in such a culture that most people don't know how to do things that our grandparents did just to survive.

Remember that this list is geared toward a National Emergency and the list addresses the top 100 items that disappear first during times of emergency.

1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy…target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 – 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice – Beans – Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY – note – food grade if for drinking.
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.)
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk – Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes…buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {“Strike Anywhere” preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, “No. 76 Dietz” Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting – if with wheels)
49. Men’s Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles…Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. “Survival-in-a-Can”
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress’s
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Livestock

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Social Media Revolution

With the passage of new legislation (fully implemented this week - see post on February 20th) which fully empowers the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) by the Net Neutrality Act giving authorization to our government to "kill" our Internet whenever and however they so choose one would ask why?  Why does our government want this power?  What are they afraid of?  What is the big deal?  Right?

Well this clip on the Social Media Revolution will show you what our government already knows...YOU are a power that they needed to control.  The Internet has basically been running on it's own, with no control from the powers that be and this was a "problem" that needed a solution.

It is amazing the statistics that are posted here.  The numbers are very revealing.  Hope you see the power that you have and how our government has made moves to silence you.  The world watched in horror as Egypt's leader (Hosni Mubarak) shut off their countries ability to communicate with the outside world; well, that could happen here now as well.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Act Like a Patriot!

Many of us have heard about the Patriot Act and you may or may not know all that it deals with or what exactly is it suppose to do. 

Well, here is a light-hearted clip to get you up to speed with some of what is contained in the Patriot Act.  I believe this legislation needs a second look.  Let your US representatives know how you feel about it.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

the Internet and the Power of the Government

As many of you watched, Hosni Mubarak's administration "pulled the plug" on the Internet during the beginning of the uprisings that took place in Egypt recently.  Many in the country could hardly believe as we watched the citizens there get thrown back into total communication darkness.  The reporters there were the only voices that were able to get the story playing there in that country to the rest of the world.  The citizens were unable to communicate to each other via wireless means yet alone to the world.

Why is this news today to you?  Well because the Obama administration has successfully empowered the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) with the Net Neutrality Act.  This Act was voted on December 21, 2010 and was passed by a 3-2 majority (along party lines) which gives the authorization to our government to "kill" our Internet.  The full impact of this Act was not to take place until 60 days after the date of passing or this February 21 of 2011.

So tomorrow our United States Federal Government will have the authority to control the Internet if they so choose.  The Government will have the ability to regulate the Internet and other interstate communication services they choose, WITHOUT Congressional oversight or input.

As Americans, we need to join together to challenge this Act and that is being organized right now.  The Conservative Action Alert is organizing the faxes.   Please FAX your representatives in the US Congress.  There are 100 Senators, 246 Democrat or Independent Congressmen & Senators, 289 Republican Congressmen & Senators or you can contact all 435 Congressmen.  Here is a map for you to use to find out the number for YOUR representation.


Here is a sample FAX to send:

[TITLE] [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME] 
The Capitol 
RE: REIN IN THE FCC! 
Dear [TITLE] [LAST NAME] 
Please look into the FCC's unconstitutional and unprecedented power grab, including the potentially devastating Internet "Kill-Switch" regulation. I urge you to introduce whatever legislation is needed to reverse what Obama and the FCC have done to-date. 
I do not want my freedom to use the Internet taken away, or restricted, by the FCC or by Mr. Obama. 
The Obama administration feels that they have the right to regulate what I can do, what I can say, and what I can see on the Internet. Already, as you know, the FCC has started the implementation of its power over our Internet. 
I totally disagree with these new rules and regulations by the FCC, that were arbitrarily decided by an "aye" vote by three of the five FCC Commissioners, who lacked the authority to even have such a vote. 
Freedom and openness should continue to be the governing principles of the Internet. Already, three different federal judges, in three different court cases, have ruled that the Internet deserves the same First Amendment freedoms as printed material. And, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has told the FCC that they have no Congressional or Constitutional standing to regulate the Internet. 
Please, ACT NOW---before we experience demonstrations like we're now seeing in Egypt. The Internet shutdown was key to what is going on there; and, in America, the Internet must be kept free, for our Constitutional freedoms to flourish. 
Thank you for your time, and for your consideration and support, 
[YOUR NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP] 

Thursday, February 10, 2011

the Star Spangled Banner

So this last week-end our country celebrated a relatively modern ritual called the Super Bowl.  The big football game where the two leagues that compete in the USA get down to the final game of the season. It has become a BIG deal and this year the event was held here, in my neighborhood (relatively speaking) in Arlington, Texas.

With many great sports event that we celebrate in this country we begin the game with a tribute to our Nation with the signing of the National Anthem.  You would think that a song that every American has sung hundreds of time would be burned into our memory and that words would be like breathing, something we know and do without thinking but not so this year.  Christina Aguilera (a modern rock star) was selected to sing at this event.  I use the word "sing" rather loosely because what she did was not exactly something I call singing.

What a shame that that people who live in the land of the free and the home of brave can't get the words right to their National Anthem....she couldn't even stay on pitch.  What ever happened to the good old days when we just enjoyed a simple rendition of the US National Anthem as done by the Academy Choirs.