Every Fourth of July, the temptation for many writers within the liberty movement is to reflect on the despair of freedoms lost, the philosophical ideals of generations gone by and the rage we all feel at the tyrannical mechanizations of the power elite operating with impunity today. It is easy for us to get caught up in the analysis of the thing. It is easy for us to live within the theoretical and intellectual boundaries of our own heads, to debate the merits of that which has already come to pass and hypothesize over crises yet to come. As disturbing as the ongoing collapse of America truly is, for many people, experiencing it academically feels much safer and easier than placing our feet on the Earth and dealing with it in a concrete manner.
This Fourth of July, I grow weary of the intellectual mind games and political postulations of ideological purists and sunshine patriots. It has never been enough to simply fantasize about reduced government, free markets, third-party candidates, protected civil liberties, etc. It has never been enough to simply back a Libertarian candidate, march around with signs and slogans, or even march around open carrying one’s firearm. These are not solutions to the problem. They are not true acts of defiance, because they are all tactics that function only within the parameters of the game. To defy the game, one must stop playing the game. The activist methods currently in play today serve only to make ourselves feel better about the darker truth of our situation. They give us false hope, not real hope.
This Fourth of July, I’m not going to talk about what we have lost. At this point, anyone worth a damn already knows what we have lost. Those who remain oblivious, in light of the recent avalanche of government scandals being exposed and the brash and unapologetic admissions of the political elite, are oblivious because they wish to be so. They are a waste of time and oxygen. If they really wanted to know the fate of this country, then they would be reading this article now and working to change things for the better.
There is no excuse for ignorance today. The unadulterated facts are right at their fingertips, right out in the open air. The stench of criminality and corruption is curling the hairs in their noses and triggering their gag reflex. They know it is there instinctively. The churning in their stomachs tells them it is there. If they do nothing, they do so because it suits them. They do so because to do something tangible, to do something real, is either too frightening for their tiny spirits to handle or too exhausting for their weak bodies to pursue.
I want to talk about what you can do, right now, to change the course of the future. I want to challenge you to remove yourself from the game. I want to challenge you to stop waiting around for some white knight on a horse to come and save you from the shadows. I want to challenge you to stop waiting around for other people to give you a plan. I want to challenge you to create your own plan, build your own solutions and act as a legitimate individual for the sake of liberty. I want to ensure that you have at least the bare minimum tools you will need to set your own course and determine your own destiny.
I hear far too much talk lately within the movement of grand schemes, legal schemes, political schemes and activism schemes with no finite goals. These schemes rely on top-down strategies and centralize the energy and efforts of the movement into the hands of a few who in the end may or may not be trustworthy. It is this kind of apathy that put us in the terrible position we now wallow in.
We must stop waiting for other people, no matter how well-spoken or prominent, to fight our battles for us. With oligarchy and big-government despotism accelerating out of control, it is time for proponents of freedom to make themselves ready or shut-up. Anyone who has not, at the very least, taken these basic steps toward his own survival independence is in no position to complain about the state of the world, for he has done absolutely nothing to make himself ready to do anything about it.
These are the absolute minimum preparations you will need to fight back against the collapse of our nation and our culture.
Store A Six-Month Supply Of Food
There are far too many people, even within the liberty movement, who talk a big game when it comes to defeating tyranny, yet have little to no means of providing their own sustenance. I don’t care what your financial situation is. The world hasn’t fallen apart yet, and anyone can find a way to set aside enough money for a primary food source that will last half a year.
Six months of stored food is not much, but it will give you time to arrange for alternative sources as well as last you until growing season.
Those who focus only on ammo and firearms and forsake food storage believing that they will be able to “take what they need” or “hunt what they need” are already dead. They will do nothing to advance the cause of freedom and are, frankly, too stupid to survive. Sorry, but there it is.
Beginners should focus on the Mormon Four: hard red winter wheat, powdered milk, sugar or honey, and salt (not sea salt, look for iodized salt). It wouldn’t be fun, but a human being can indeed subsist on these four simple foodstuffs. Add in a few wild edibles or garden vegetables, and you will have all the nutrients and calories you need to live — and to make a difference. All of these items, or similar items, can be bought cheaply in bulk. There is no excuse not to have a six-month supply stored away.
Find A Water Source
Water filtration must be accompanied by a steady water source. If you have consistent rain in your region, then there is no problem. If you live in a place that stays dry for weeks on end, then you won’t last long. Find a water source now, or store 55-gallon drums in your home. A human being needs about 1 gallon of water per day just to stay hydrated, let alone clean. It takes only three to seven days for a person in need of water to die. Without clean water, you are useless to the fight. This means, at minimum, storing three 55-gallon drums of water per person for about a six-month supply of water.
Buy A Rifle
Plenty of people own a “gun.” But if you do not own a military caliber rifle, preferably of high capacity and accurate past 200 yards, you aren’t ready. Even with today’s exploding prices, if the average person gave up cable TV, his high-priced cellphone bill and a few other amenities, he could easily purchase one within a few months. If you can’t adequately defend yourself, then you cannot defend others, and you certainly can’t defend the dying principles of a nation.
Buy 1,000 Rounds Of Ammo
Anyone who shoots avidly, or who has been in actual combat, knows that 1000 rounds of ammo is not much, and could be easily expended in a single firefight. That said, it is the minimum you will need to live through an altercation during collapse; 500 rounds to practice before an event, 500 rounds for defense, and that’s only if your training is incredibly versatile. The practice is more important than the ammo stockpile.
Buy Proper Clothing
You must have at least one pair of waterproof or water-resistant boots, one strongly stitched cold-weather coat, two pairs of non-cotton utility pants, two non-cotton utility shirts, three pairs of wool socks, two sets of thermal layer clothes (if you live in a colder climate), one wool cap, two pairs of warm gloves (I recommend bow hunter’s gloves with Thinsulate), and one sleeping bag rated to the extremes of your particular area. These items should be earth-colored to draw little attention.
Sanitation
Take a look at the history of any modern collapse and you will find an immediate breakdown of infrastructure services, including electricity, water and sanitation. Planning a means of sanitation will allow you to remain healthy and give you and your family a sense of comfort. When people live like animals, they start to think and act like animals. They forget themselves and react stupidly, or desperately. The act of keeping oneself and one’s living environment clean could make all the difference in one’s overall success in a post-collapse world.
Grow A Garden
If you have a yard, you should have a garden. If you have a sliver of a yard, the entire sliver should be planted. If you live in an apartment building, you should have already asked the owners if you can start a raised-bed garden on the roof. If you have ample property, you should be ashamed if you do not already have ample vegetables growing right now. Again, there’s no excuse. Make it happen.
Find Two Neighbors Who Are On Board
I can’t count how many times I’ve heard people whine about operations security (OPSEC) and how no one should know anything about your prepping lifestyle for fear folks may come calling during collapse. My position and the position of anyone with any sense is that without mutual aid, no amount of OPSEC is going to save you. If you don’t have a neighborhood watch, you have nothing; and all your secrecy will have, in the end, sabotaged you.
Find two neighbors. They don’t have to live right next door. But they should be close by, and they should have their own preps. If they are on the fence, convince them otherwise. If they are on board but not stocking enough goods, show them this article and make them see the error of their ways. This doesn’t mean you have to give them the grand tour of your pantry or your gun safe, but you do have to share your philosophical position and at least some of your knowledge.
Find One Barter Partner
Find at least one other prepared person who also has a trade skill or who produces a viable necessity, and build a trade relationship with him now. It takes only two people to start a barter market. That core trade network will grow as the crisis grows. It is inevitable. Barter markets have become the primary trade markets in every country in the world in the midst of severe financial volatility today. They are the natural state of the free market and the only means by which the American economy could be rejuvenated.
Find One Retreat Location
There is no such thing as a perfectly secure homestead. There is no such thing as an infallible plan. A backup is not only practical, but essential. It should be far enough away from your current location to give you distance from the kind of threat that would actually drive you out of your home, yet close enough to be reached under labored conditions. There should be water nearby, as well as natural sheltering land features.
There is no shame in retreating from an unwinnable scenario and living to fight another day.
Bury One Survival Cache
There are no guarantees in survival except those guarantees we make for ourselves. Never assume that the gear you have in your hands will always be there. There may come a situation in which you could be separated from all of your goods. A cache makes this horrifying situation a survivable situation. Food, water, first aid, clothing and a means of self-defense should be included.
You Should Be No More Than 20 Pounds Beyond Your Ideal Weight
A small spare tire can give you extra energy in the event that food is scarce. A large spare tire is a liability that will make you slow, clumsy and easy to kill. You should know your ideal weight given your height, and you should never allow yourself to grow fat beyond a 20-pound limit. Without personal health, you have nothing.
The list above constitutes years of survival experience and knowledge coupled with my realization that most people tend to do the minimum required in any given situation. When it comes to prepping for collapse, however, many people do not know what the “minimum” actually is, so they do nothing. I’m sure there are plenty of other survivalists out there who would disagree with the requirements above and either increase or decrease them accordingly. I’m not interested. The time for debate is over.
At this point, the only thing that matters is whether each individual can make himself or herself ready to live without government aid (or the empty promise of aid), and thus capable of defying the objectives of a dangerous rogue establishment. This will be the TRUE test of one's ability to dissent. If every single American took the above steps (these very simple and easy-to-afford steps), I would have no concerns for the future of our society. In fact, I would be absolutely certain of the downfall of any entity seeking to undermine the freedoms and principles of this country. As a nation, we would be at least marginally equipped to handle any event, no matter how heinous. But to hope for every citizen in this day and age to take such measures is a pipe dream. My only goal now is to make sure that the people who preach the doctrine of freedom, the people of the liberty movement, are actually ready to turn their words into action.
You can contact Brandon Smith at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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written by Sergio , July 03, 2013
Brandon, I applaud the work you do.
I feel compelled to rise to the defense of the "unawakened," who are the targets of the third and fourth paragraphs above.
I am reminded of the Apostle Paul, who up until the point when the Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus was the chief persecutor of the church.
Before his conversion, God could have said, "This Saul guy is a waste of space, I should just let him die, and move on with my plans."
But God didn't say that. Instead, the Lord appeared to Paul, and brought about a change in his heart, and Paul became not just a shining example of conversion, but a champion of the cause as well.
Now obviously, the Liberty Movement is not Christianity. However, the same godly principles need to apply.
Rather than see ourselves as above or beyond those who have not been called to see the truth yet, we should forebear with their ignorance, and see them as children for whom the world is still small and confined.
Some of them will grow up. But we cannot risk alienating them unnecessarily by closing the doors on the ranks of liberty too soon.
Again, love what you're saying here generally, but truth without grace is a legalism that is no longer truth.
Bless you.
written by Salmal , July 03, 2013
Been working on this for years now. Whis I had a bug out location, but no money. That's hasn't stopped me from stocking up and growing my own food. Both plants and small animals. So for me it's bug in and make them pay dearly for trying to take me and mine. The guy nearby who has guns and plans to just take is the first to go.
written by Al Kipf , July 03, 2013
Sergio, re: " obviously, the Liberty Movement is not Christianity".
Foundational to the US Constitution is Natural Law, that ALL men are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. Regardless the state or country of birth ALL MEN are endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights.
That China or North Korea deny Natural Law does not mean it's citizens are not endowed with Liberty through Natural Law.
Foundational to Natural Law is Mosaic Law. As a result it is not so "obviously, the Liberty Movement is not Christianity".
Without Grace, we will never have Peace.
written by Macgyver011 , July 03, 2013
Thanks Brandon--great post. Have lately felt a greater need to cache supplies away from the homestead but having trouble coming up with ways to do larger amounts. 5 gallon buckets (lots) is where we're at. Can you write more on ways to do this?
written by William Hunter Duncan , July 03, 2013
"They are a waste of time and oxygen. If they really wanted to know the fate of this country, then they would be reading this article now and working to change things for the better"
Beware inflation, and cynicism about your fellow human, Christian. That will do as much for your survival, as your gearing and skilling shoulds and musts.
written by kciM , July 03, 2013
Brandon, I hope your words cause a sense of urgency in the liberty minded preppers spouting but not practicing. You see, we have become a society of watchers and talkers and no action. The illusion of action by so called mainstream leaders (politicians, CEO's) have filtered deep into most Americans psyche.
The minority of us who have prepped and practiced and altered our lifestyles in anticipation of this shitstorm-to-be will bear the weight of true leadership when the flare goes up. Most will not change until directly adversely affected for a perceived long term.
written by Brandon Smith , July 03, 2013
@William
Beware of a lack of realism and common sense, fellow American, because there comes a point for every man in which no amount of charity is going to save him if he is too ignorant to receive it. Never forget that. Your life depends on it.
written by COL Mike , July 03, 2013
This is great advise Brandon. The hard part is getting people on the fense into action! I've been telling people for years to get prepared. It's clear, times are certain to change rapidly, but human nature doesn't.
Get prepared or go hungry...
written by garden gritty , July 03, 2013
Well, Brandon, I can tick off about 8 items on your list I already have pretty well in hand. For an old gal on Social Security - (No, it is NOT an "entitlement" - I worked for it!!!) I think that's pretty darn good. Been noticing these events (along with Bible prophecy) for many years now. All is unfolding right before our eyes.
Unfortunately I have a son-in-law that wants to shoot first and steal what he thinks he'll need for my daughter and grandkids! Yes, indeed pretty stupid. He does garden, raise chickens and a few nasty attack geese and is a shooter so he's somewhat in the ball park and I think one day coming onboard - hopefully not too late.
Sadly, my daughter has named the chickens and geese and not up to making dinner of pets if need be. But then if one gets hungry enough...well...what's in a name, I always say.
As I am a Master Gardener and taught at our local college in Organic Gardening it's imperative that we learn all we can. And often we learn as we go. Starting is 1/2 way there!
The internet is a great wealth of information on gardening for our particular areas and knowing USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. Knowing that saves time, money and little waste.
Print out any and all information and make a notebook of all you find and learn. It's all there and will save time and effort later on when the internet may not be available. I am printing out so much material on line and saving for my grandkids to read to learn the history of this unprecedented time.
If Jesus tarries or I'm not alive, they will need know and understand this information and this time in their history!!
If we think Revisionist history has run amok now wait a few more years and see what all these events turn into....it will be a whole new type of DIS-INFORMATION!
Start a garden journal. Write down everything you do and plant and when. Write down temperatures and keep track of for a few years. Plant where there is good soil drainage, at least 8 hours of sun.
Learn how to make compost and to do without fertilizers that are toxic, expensive and kill off the beneficial soil insects and US! What we put into our soil and on our plants is taken up by the roots of the plant and what we ingest into our bodies. We were not created "chemically addicted" and our plants do not need to be either.
We have too many toxic chemicals from bombardment overhead, in our toxic soil and in our store bought foods. When we eat what we grow we can control our food to be safe.
When I was growing up with the family growing a garden and picking our lunch and dinner right from our garden no one ever got salmonella, e Coli, cancers, etc. as we have running rampant now.
Learn what are the warm season vegetables and the cold season vegetables and when to plant them for your temperature; learn succession planting and safe insect control (aka Integrated Pest Management). Let the good insects destroy the bad insects instead of using toxic chemical sprays.
Learn succession planting and what plants grow successfully with other plants and which do not. There are charts and lists galore online. Add everything to your notebook.
Order plant catalogue from good NON-Monsanto owned companies and buy only Heirloom seedsl- http://www.botanicalinterests.com and http://www.landredth.com and http://www.rareseeds.com.
Buy and plant only Heirloom seeds or seedlings. Learn how to save, clean, store and save these seeds.
Plant flowers and herbs. Nasturtiums grow well and deter insects around squash, cucumbers and zucchini; Marigold's grow well planted with watermelon.
Planting Basil enhances the flavor of tomatoes. We use them together in cooking so why not plant them together??
Learn all you can while you can. There is much to learn and the exercise of planting beats the gym, hands down. Get the kids involved in growing so they will be and stay healthy.
Teach your neighbors how to grow a garden. Teach your kids. Plant a community garden.
A good barter plan is to have a few neighbors grow fruit trees while others grow vegetables and herbs. You can trade, barter, have a block picnic cooking with foods right from your gardens.
Plant the longest growing things first like fruit trees which can take a few years to bare fruit.
Then there are long term vegetables like Asparagus, Rhubarb, Artichokes that cannot be harvested the first few years but will grow for 20 years!!
Compost, compost, compost. That's the best. Lots of information to look up, print out and add to your garden notebook.
Failures are a learning lesson. And yes something will not grow no matter what. The biggest deterrent to not growing is planting the seeds too deep into the soil. Read the seed packets. Buy a Sunset Western Garden Book. It is the best investment. Build a gardening library of plants, insects.
Start now to build your good soil for fall planting! Use kitchen waste - peelings, coffee grounds, rinsed egg shells, moldy veggies - anything that comes from the ground can go back into the ground. Do not compost meat scraps. Store under the kitchen sink in a covered container until full. Then take out into your designated planting area, dig a trench, dispose of the contents, cover over and keep the soil moist. In a few weeks you will see earthworms - garden gold! Keep feeding these important little critters as they go where the food is and break it all down in a few weeks into good, rich soil.
ABOVE ALL----- - do not let all of this information scare you off from learning and doing and growing. You will learn over time, with each success and failure.
written by Robinson , July 03, 2013
Brandon as usual you are entirely correct, I have my preps at about 50% which is not too bad as I have just moved and had to put my preps on hold for a month, when my garden matures it will take care of the other 50%, weapons and ammo are good to go, intead of wheat, I stocked up on rice. and Ramen noodles, Ramen may not be much but it will be better than a growling stomach.
written by garden gritty , July 05, 2013
http://www.covenantamerica.us/...diorama-2/
Page 18 is a stunner!
written by smithnjones , July 06, 2013
people are worried china is going to invade, but mexico already has.
written by Steve B , July 08, 2013
Something wicked this way comes, most certainly.
One thought: your food list lacks protein and fat sources. Wheat and sugar are actually good awful nutrient sources, though not to be dismissed in a survival context. However, whey protein and coconut oil/flakes will keep for long periods and are far more nutritious. The body needs protein and fats to survive, and there is no biochemical need for any carbohydrates.
