Preparedness Notes for Monday — March 23, 2020

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Today is the anniversary of Patrick Henry’s famous Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death speech. It was delivered to the Second Virginia Revolutionary Convention meeting at St. John’s Church, Richmond, on March 23, 1775.

This is also the birthday of Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. He directed 30 films. His samurai films (many of them starring Toshiro Mifune) such as Yojimbo, Sanjuro, The Hidden Fortress, Rashomon, The Seven Samurai, Kagemusha, and Ran are considered legendary in the cinema world.

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Now that I’m back at the ranch, I have reactivated the ordering system for Elk Creek Company.  Thanks for your patience. You’ll notice a lot of new listings. With the current nationwide rush to buy guns, I’m sure that my small inventory will sell quickly.  I’ve read that there are many planned and a few already implemented state and local sales restrictions because of unconstitutional decrees and “expansions” to COVID-19 lockdowns. (Bellingham, Washington, New Orleans, San Jose, Fresno, et cetera.) There have also been some foul-ups with completing NICS background checks, and the state of New Jersey intentionally stopped all NICs processing. But thankfully, none of those have any impact on my ability to quickly get pre-1899 guns shipped to most of you reading this. The restrictions don’t apply to pre-1899s–because they are not “firearms”!

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Some eastern liberals attempt to explain prepper fiction, in the NPR radio show On The Media: In Prepper Fiction, The Preppers Always Win.  I should mention that in the 9-minute segment they started out with slur that my novel has “…just a touch of The Turner Diaries.” This implied that my novel was racist.  But Patriots–and all of my writings–are distinctly anti-racist. In the segment, they relied heavily on clips from the audio book of my first novel, Patriots.  Somehow, without any explanation, they included a rather bloodthirsty-sounding clip of an audio book from a different author, and a different narrator. I consider that much worse than someone quoting from my writings, out of context.

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Today, we return to regular product reviews by our Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio.


31 Comments

  2. My husband was able to come home yesterday morning! We are locked down except one more trip to the pharmacy as they didn’t have all of the Levenox blood thinning injections available. I am taking precautions I have read on this site to keep the risk lower of bring home Covid-19.
    Thank you for your prayers. I’m so happy to have him home! He’s doing very well. I’m so thankful.
    Avalanche Lily I’m glad you have your husband home. It just feels better having loved ones near.
    Blessings to all here on this site.

    1. Hallelu yah CD!

      So glad to hear that you and your husband are home. May he heal very quickly and stay clear of the Virus! God is so good, all of the time! I am still praying for you, two! It is comforting to know that Jim is home. We’re looking forward to the day when he can come back in the house. In the meantime, he is very busy writing and editing SurvivalBlog and operating Elk Creek Company.

      Blessings,

      Lily

  3. “In the segment, they relied heavily on clips from the audio book of my first novel, Patriots. Somehow, without any explanation, they included a rather bloodthirsty-sounding clip of an audio book from a different author, and a different narrator. I consider that much worse than someone quoting from my writings, out of context.”

    I’m no legal expert. And much of what we laypeople understand about the law – gleaned from TV shows such as ‘Law & Order’ and ‘Night Court’ – has no relation to how things actually work.

    And those of us who have been ground through the legal system – whether Criminal or Civil – quickly learn that “equality before the law” and “rule of law” are cruel jokes told to us as children in order to keep us in line and accept the injustices suffered upon us throughout our adult lives.

    But I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering if you’re looking into legal action against N.P.R. for libel.

    No need to answer, because if you are I’m sure you don’t want to play your hand yet. Besides, there’s enough keyboard lawyers who will gladly offer advice and insight.

    1. I enjoy listening to On The Media for many of the same reasons I read SB. They take on “conventional wisdom” and openly challenge it. In similar ways that JWR and all us commenters often do. From a left slant, sure. It is all part of my education.

      So, having missed that segment on Sunday, I went to the website primed to post an objection to their mischaracterization of Patriots.

      Here is a link to what I listened to: https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/prepper-fiction-preppers-always-win

      At :40, the host begins the intro that includes a reference to The Nat Turner Diaries. The interviewed author immediately defends you, James. Listen to about 1:05. I thought she skillfully slapped away the niggling reference the host made. Later, at about 6:35, she does a fine job of actually complimenting our lifestyle and admits that after reading the book, she looks at her world in a more awakened way.

      The entire podcast is about eight minutes. Check it out.

      Carry on, in grace

      1. Got ‘er done. My letter is below.

        I have so enjoyed listening to OTM for over a decade (I think). I have trusted your reporting. Now, I have some doubt.

        As part of my education, I read the work of James Wesley, Rawles and his Survivalblog site. Today, he noted this: In the segment, they relied heavily on clips from the audio book of my first novel, Patriots. Somehow, without any explanation, they included a rather bloodthirsty-sounding clip of an audio book from a different author, and a different narrator. I consider that much worse than someone quoting from my writings, out of context.

        So I went and listened to your podcast with Bob, Brace forImpact. I agree with Mr. Rawles, and I object to you using a different audiobook to make a point.

        If I’m wrong, please send me a citation of where in the book by Mr. Rawles he talks about wanting to kill while lying under a playset.

        I hold everyone to the same high standard of truth and veracity.

        Carry on, in grace

  4. First Baptist Church in Ocala holds Drive-in worship service for congregation
    By Landon Harrar
    Posted: Sun 11:42 PM, Mar 22, 2020
    OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) —
    https://www.wcjb.com/content/news/First-Baptist-Church-in-Ocala-holds-Drive-in-worship-service-for-congregation-569012131.html

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CGVHJ32/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00CGVHJ32&linkCode=as2&tag=j3st3r13-20&linkId=6f9aa15586d8433ac181bf8f618d813c

  5. Just wanted to give a big THANK YOU to our TRUCKERS! As always you continue to keep our nation going. God bless em! many are working 24/7 right now.

  6. Just couple of thoughts.
    I can picture JWR in his cabin working away on the Elk Creek Company and the blog.
    Sitting there in his favorite flannel shirt and blue jeans with a wood stove blazing away, old table converted to a desk, and an old dog at his feet. Frequently getting up to peek out the window or steal a few minutes standing on the porch. Getting the opportunity to breathe in that mountain fresh air is not taken for granted.

    I believe that any firearm purchased from Elk Creek Company will have added future provenance from being hand selected by JWR.

    This is my experience and opinion on the subject of racism.
    Anyone that I know who has served in the military,or worked with our great Sailors and Soldiers as civilians in my case, come out with a great appreciation of the contributions made by all members.
    We do not and did not see race. We saw patriots all working in unison to protect this nation. Of course there are exceptions to the rule and some of us may have cultural bias. When you are are busting your butt next to another worker or military member race is not a consideration. This perception of value and contribution sticks with you.
    JWR, your fictional novels follow true to form reflecting what to many is or may be present in real life.
    This ability to paint that picture in an honest and sometimes uncomfortable way is what makes you an author, not a racist. Thank you for your books.

    God bless all on this blog and God bless the USA.

  7. Thank you JWR for remembering to post Patrick Henry’s speech, Liberty or Death.
    I’m another year older, staying safe here at the ranch.
    Paul A.

  8. James. Getting home. Back to the retreat. Resuming the God given plan to be the chief protector of your family. It is good.

    The horde fled Seattle…actually from King County and other places…. in RVs and with campers or just SUVs as tens of thousands occupied all state and county parks or just plain blocked roads, peoples driveways and small coastal towns on the Olympic Peninsula

    Residents there report pandemonium. Small town mayors and Indian tribes are posting closed signs and telling travelers to leave. People (whom I call the Rectally Insane) stole all the hand sanitizer dispensers and toilet paper from restrooms and portapotties. Of course, all stores around here are sold out of what we Montana cowboys used to call bum fodder.

    Every morning sees a crowd rushing into our sole county COSTCO, as locals and a good bunch of folks travelling 60 miles across the ferry boat system and the 6,000 foot long Hood Canal bridge come to strip certain ground of items. Stacked rows of pallets were set up to create fences and barriers outside the entry way.

    I gave away three rolls of TP yesterday. Today I plan to sell, for a nice profit, a tactical shotgun from the collection I have been collecting for the purpose of bartering.

    I have focused on collecting the unloved semi-automatic tube-fed .22s, (but selling here now requires legal transfer) and plan to make a great profit on what I had purchased for prices between $75 and $100. The profit margin is far better than PMs.

    Our CERT team members have called me to demand a radio network check test so we did that yeaterday.

    People in the hundreds of thousands in Washington State ignored official demands to avoid spreading the virus, and in fact did increased human dissemination of the virus over the past week of closed businesses.

    I don’t worry about masks, I work more to wash frequently, wear disposable gloves everywhere, and wash and gel frequently.

    Our daughter has two tiny ones who got sick from a Non-Covid 19 virus last week so they keep their house locked so I am their delivery man for anything they need.

    Thanks to all the great advice from this group, I am not worried about being prepared, but I am very sobered at seeing each phase of societal breakdown just as described in many people fiction novel series.

    The financial collapse will be horrendous in scope and duration. One FED already announced on 60 minutes last night announced they will print as many Fed Reserve notes as needed, without end, to satiate people into thinking the paper will hold value.

    As for me, I am holding onto Job 13:15 and Isaiah Chapter 9.

    May our gracious Lord grace your lives and the power of the Spirit give you strength and come onto you in mighty power to accomplish great things that glorify His Name.

    1. “The horde fled Seattle…actually from King County and other places…. in RVs and with campers or just SUVs as tens of thousands occupied all state and county parks or just plain blocked roads, peoples driveways and small coastal towns on the Olympic Peninsula

      Residents there report pandemonium. Small town mayors and Indian tribes are posting closed signs and telling travelers to leave. ”

      Sort of figured this would happen- discussed this very issue in an article I’ve written for SB that will be posted at some point.

      Here in VT, the ski areas closed and assumed people would head back home but many didn’t. They felt “safer” here in VT than NYC, MA, NJ CT etc which is where many come from (other than the Canadians). It’s been problematic as some brought the virus in with them. The state had been publishing numbers of infected Vermonters and infected non-residents but stopped; now it’s just one number and as most can’t get tested it’s not accurate anyway. The health dept is aware of the increased numbers staying in their ski condos etc; it could be a real strain on the local hospitals etc. It’s still winter here(and buried in snow up north where I live) so people aren’t showing up to camp outside(yet). If this virus continues I fully expect to see the hordes start coming up to the state parks and campgrounds soon, starting in the southern part of the state and working their way north as the weather gets milder. Plus of course all of the seasonal cabins/camps.

      1. Our county asked our seasonal residents. not to return yet as it would put a burden on our tiny health care system.

        Our governor announced today that he will announce tomorrow a ‘safer at home’ advisory. We were sheltering at home yesterday because of hubby’s cancer but he has been able to go ice fishing. Would someone try to stop him from going ice fishing? Good luck – I haven’t had any success in 46+ years.

        Besides, isn’t ice fishing kinda like going to the grocery store?

        1. Wormlady,

          I love it! Your husband is living the life despite his health issue and the threat of the virus. Ice fishing is a social distancing sport! NO problem there! 😉

          Many Blessings,

          Lily

        4. Someone was telling me about what her son saw in Manchester VT which is a tourist mecca. There were several cars with NY plates and people loading multiple shopping carts(about 6) of food and other stuff into them and the locals were none too pleased. We are just not equipped to feed all of these people coming here plus many of them have enough money to buy large quantities and many Vermonters are on a pretty limited budget. Wish we could block the interstate! Our governor would probably not tell the out-of-staters to stay home though.

          So this makes me wonder both about what is to come plus for those of you that have “bug out” locations, I hope you’re already there and had plenty of stuff stashed away. I suspect the locals might not appreciate all of the out-of-staters descending on them and buying out the stores!

    2. From your post: “Thanks to all the great advice from this group, I am not worried about being prepared, but I am very sobered at seeing each phase of societal breakdown…”

      We see the signs, and we’re feeling it too. Our #1 son who lives “one state over” from us was visiting with a friend late one evening in his driveway. He lives in a charming little community not too far from a larger town, but in a very rural area surrounded by lots of horse ranches. A vehicle drove by yelling something about the apocalypse (expletives added). Our son, his wife, and the family friend were up for some hours on an armed night watch, fearing the return of these ne’er do wells. It doesn’t take long. Needless to say, they may be headed in our direction shortly, and for the duration.

  9. I have a question for all. I have a reasonable supply of N95 masks but I think that they will run out before this thing gets over. Does anyone have an idea how to make N95 masks? I am sure that I am not the only one that would like to know that. Thanks

    1. I have wondered the same thing. Maybe using activated charcoal, and if I recall correctly there were instructions for that here on SB a few years back.

    1. I believe it will be a “pipe dream” bill that gets introduced with no hope of passing but gives the author talking points during his reelection scam and certainly ups his credibility with the radical left power brokers.

  11. NPR excerpt:

    “Do I believe that people stripped of civilization’s affordances will turn on one other—that the strong will prey on the weak? I used to have more faith in human nature, but now (is it the prepper binge, or the Age of Trump?) I believe it. Can I turn the corner with these authors and console myself with the thought that I could save myself and my loved ones through my own forethought and willingness to kill? I can’t. And that’s the darkest timeline of all.”

    I think she will think otherwise as generation old hardwired survival instinct kicks in, fueled by her maternal reflex. Just like those former gun control and anti-gun advocates who presently are panic buying firearms and ammunition despite not know which end is which–And frustrated by the delays they themselves voted for.

  12. We hope that a letter of correction will arrive at the office of the appropriate NPR official… It might include the stern suggestion that the error be appropriately corrected, warn against future infractions, suggest any available and potential legal remedies, and close with the following valediction: “Govern yourselves accordingly…” It might even be signed by JWR’s personal attorney, a nice touch.

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