Letter: Posse Comitatus Won’t Save You From The U.S. Military

HJL,

The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 (Pub. L. 18 USC P 1385) was supposed to keep the U.S. Military from enforcing local and federal law, or assisting local law enforcement in that duty. Well before the Posse Comitatus Act was passed, Congress passed the Insurrection Act of 1807 (Pub. L. 10 USC 331 thru 335), which was a “set of laws that govern the ability of the President to deploy U.S. troops on American soil.” Such deployment could only come at the request of a governor of the state in which an event was taking place requiring a larger military force. This all changed after Hurricane Katrina, where the Louisiana governor did not request federal troops to restore order. Congress went ahead and modified the Insurrection Act as follows:

“Section 1076 of the law changed Sec. 333 of the ‘Insurrection Act,’ and widened the President’s ability to deploy troops within the United States to enforce the laws. Under this act, the President may also deploy troops as a police force during a natural disaster, epidemic, serious public health emergency, terrorist attack, or other condition, when the President determines that the authorities of the state are incapable of maintaining public order. The bill also modified Sec. 334 of the Insurrection Act, giving the President authority to order the dispersal of either insurgents or ‘those obstructing the enforcement of the laws.’ The law changed the name of the chapter from ‘Insurrection’ to ‘Enforcement of the Laws to Restore Public Order.'”

The Insurrection Act is the most important legal authority for the President to authorize the use of federal troops to enforce the law. The Insurrection Act (there is really no single ‘Insurrection Act’ per se, but this name has been applied collectively to the four statutes noted below) consists of four statutes enacted at different times for different reasons that, when considered as a whole, provide the power that Presidents have used many times as the legal basis for using troops to enforce the law. The four sections of the act are as follows:

• Title 10, Section 331 was enacted in 1792 in response to challenges to the taxing power of the federal government. It allows the President, at the request of a governor or state legislature, to put down an insurrection by calling into federal service sufficient militia to “suppress the insurrection.”

• Title 10, Section 332 was enacted in 1861 at the outset of the Civil War. It allows the President to use the armed forces to enforce the laws or suppress a rebellion whenever, in his opinion, unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblages or rebellion against the authority of the United States make it impractical to enforce the laws using the course of judicial proceedings.

• Title 10, Section 333 was enacted in 1869 during the Reconstruction Era. It allows the President to use the armed forces or militia to respond to insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracies that prevent a state government from enforcing the laws.

• Title 10, Section 334 was enacted in 1861. It prescribes that the President shall issue a proclamation calling on insurgents to disperse before using the militia or armed forces to enforce the law.

The Insurrection Act is the most sweeping authority for the President to authorize and order the use of the federal troops for domestic operations. The President may not act on warning or even at the start of an incident, but must wait until the governor or a state legislature asks for federal assistance. This tends to discourage advance preparations and movements of troops-although Presidents have authorized such actions. This tiered approach in which the federal government acts only after local and state governments have failed, was workable when the cost of delayed response was acceptable, but it is inappropriate for the current situation.

Retrieved from http://www.newswithviews.com/Ewart/ron199.htm

Economics and Investing:

IRS Budget Cuts: Tax Administration v. Tax Handouts – PLC

o o o

Most new US jobs are in vulnerable industries — food, drink, office temp, transactional stuff like banking, etc. — and it’s hard to see where tomorrow’s debt service payments will come from.

o o o

Wal-Mart’s ex-CEO Mike Duke joins private equity firm Carlyle. – RBS

o o o

THE U.S. GOLD MARKET: Completely Insane

o o o

Meet the latest country with negative interest rates. – S.B.

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:23-24 (KJV)

Notes for Saturday – April 18, 2015

Today, we present another entry for Round 58 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value),
  2. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  3. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR type rifle to have quick change barrel, which can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools, and a compact carry capability in a hard case or 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  4. Gun Mag Warehouse is providing 20 Magpul pmags 30rd Magazines (a value of $300) and a Gun Mag Warehouse T-Shirt. (An equivalent prize will be awarded for residents in states with magazine restrictions.),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A pre-selected assortment of military surplus gear from CJL Enterprize (a $300 value),
  7. A Model 120 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $340 value),
  8. A $300 gift certificate from Freeze Dry Guy,
  9. A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo,
  10. KellyKettleUSA.com is donating both an AquaBrick water filtration kit and a Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit with a combined retail value of $304,
  11. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $300 gift certificate, and
  12. Two cases of meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Second Prize:

  1. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  2. A FloJak EarthStraw “Code Red” 100-foot well pump system (a $500 value), courtesy of FloJak.com,
  3. Acorn Supplies is donating a Deluxe Food Storage Survival Kit with a retail value of $350,
  4. The Ark Institute is donating a non-GMO, non-hybrid vegetable seed package–enough for two families of four, seed storage materials, a CD-ROM of Geri Guidetti’s book “Build Your Ark! How to Prepare for Self Reliance in Uncertain Times”, and two bottles of Potassium Iodate– a $325 retail value,
  5. A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials,
  6. Twenty Five books, of the winners choice, of any books published by PrepperPress.com (a $270 value),
  7. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $150 gift certificate, and
  8. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. *Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances,
  6. APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit,
  7. Montie Gear is donating a Y-Shot Slingshot and a Locking Rifle Rack (a $379 value), and
  8. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).

Round 58 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

The Reluctant Prepper, by M.R.

Most of us, “preppers”, know that all our time, money, and hard work will only pay off if we are able to keep, use, and protect what we have. My prepping beginnings came in a somewhat odd way. It began with a small kit to keep in my SUV after following a major news story here in the Pacific northwest about a family from California who got lost in the backwoods while trying to drive from California to Oregon using back roads in the dead of winter.

Slowly as the pieces were put together it was learned that the family– a mother, father, toddler, and infant– had picked up some maps from an information center and mentioned the route they wanted to take. Against the warnings of the staff who gave them the maps (supposedly the family were told that route was impossible to make with the winter snow and locked gates), they decided they could make it. So with some snacks they bought at a gas station, they set off on their wonderful and exciting adventure. Sadly only three would survive long enough to be found by search and rescue. There were many valuable lessons in this unfortunate situation.

While stuck in the snow, the mother decided that she should attempt to breastfeed both children, even though the toddler was well past the breast feeding age (contrary to those over at Newsweek). So now the family technically have two mouths to feed as the mother feeds the two children.

As they waited for someone to find them, the father decided to light the spare tire on fire in hopes that with all the black smoke emitted, it would be noticed. Once all tires were burned the father followed with burning as much of the car as possible. Fearing no one was coming the father decided he would try and walk out and get help. Sadly, not long after he left, the family were spotted by air and rescued. The father was found a few miles away dead from hypothermia.

I am sure all of you who read this will see the lessons one can take from the poor family’s nightmare. Shortly after they were found I began replaying the situation in my mind, as if it were me. From there I soon found myself inside REI putting together, while not knowingly, my “get home bag/box”. From there it snowballed, and soon my family started teasing me and nicknamed me Dale Gribble.

Now I had a kit for each season and decided I should have kits for my house. I had officially fallen down the rabbit hole.

After a few years of slowly building up my preps, I found some teotwawki books and was hooked. JWR’s three books were the start. Needless to say the teasing really took off.

Soon I became truly fearful for those around me who would be “up the creek” and I would be right beside them, because I love them and would not nor could not turn them away. Hey, I am fighting every day to pay my own bills and keep my head above water, but I do have a few years of food, water, medicine, defense materials, and pet food for my pets and me.

From there I became a bit angry with those closest to me, seeing as I am beyond poor compared to them and I was able to do all this without a single hand out from them or the government. I soon decided that instead of staying mad I could begin working out ways to get them prepared without me buying it for them and without them knowing they were prepping.

Take my older sister, Sarah, who was the one who started the Dale Gribble name calling. She works in downtown Portland, spends more on shoes and clothes than I can even fathom, has horrible asthma, and even an allergy to the cold. That’s no joke! Take her down the frozen food isle and if she hasn’t taken an allergy pill, the girl breaks out in hives and blows up like the blueberry girl in Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. After I have almost peed my pants laughing at the sight of her, I pull out her epi pin and enjoy the fact that I get to stab her in the butt with it. It’s so satisfying! The last time I had to do that to her, I decided I could use this to my advantage.

I told her to give me $50 so I can go to Costco and buy her five years’ worth of off brand Claritin. Bam, that’s one item off her emergency preps.

In July she gave birth to her first child– the love of my life, Cora. After 10 minutes of digging, I learned that Sarah is scared of the fact that we are due for a major quake. So imagine my shock when I get a text from her asking me what she can do to ease her fears.

Now Miss Prissy Pants has “earthquake comfort bags” in all their family cars set up for her, Cora, and her husband that are filled with clothes, food, baby items, and a few grown up wine juice boxes that will take care of them for 10 days.

From there, I was able to get her house moving in the right direction. They now have food, formula, medicine, dog food, and a few other preps that are not unlike mine.

I even found a way to convince her to take some classes and get her CHL. I was able to accomplish this miracle by texting her every local news story about crimes happening downtown near where she lived that could have ended differently had the “damsel in distress” been a trained CHL holder. However, if you ask her if she is a prepper, you will get a goofy look from her and she will tell you, “Heck no! I am not crazy.”

Next up is my dad and step mom. We run a family business going on 80 plus years, and the guy has never even held a BB gun. So after a year of failed attempts to sell one of the old work vans, I asked him if it was okay to trade it for an AR15 that comes with 30 magazines and 2,000 rounds. He looked at me like I was insane, but after explaining I could turn around and sell the AR in 15 minutes, he reluctantly gave in.

I forgot to tell him I would not sell the gun. Six months later someone tried to break in to his house. His reaction? Call 911.

Shockingly, the police told him over the phone to fill out a report online. Needless to say, I showed up an hour later with the AR and three hours later he was learning to field strip and clean it. That AR opened the preps door a half an inch, and now he has two closets full of preps, rain barrels, two generators, and he is buying an old Ford truck that is an EMP-proof bugout beast. However, if you ask him if he is a prepper, you will get the same response as from my sister. Although I think he knows he is one, because we sure spend a lot of time hiding all of this from my step mom. Please don’t tell her!

Next were the neighbors. All it took to get their minds moving in the right direction was my crazy insane garden. Well, it’s a small version of what I have in the backyard, but it’s set up in the front yard. It was that, combined with a can or two of my stewed tomatoes, pickled beans, and raspberry jam. Then came the icing on the cake– a boil water emergency deceleration.  Within one hour, you couldn’t find a bottle of water to save your life. Before I knew it, I had my one million gallon water  filter set up in my neighbor’s front yard (someone else can pay that water bill), and people from three blocks away were lined up the day they ran out of their bottled water.

Most of them now own the same filter. While filtering their water, I took the time to talk with them about gardening, and many took me up on my offer of free raspberry, onion, and pepper starts. I have even done a few canning classes for them after they asked. It’s funny how a small garden and a few hours spent in my front yard ended up opening a door to getting to meet many awesome people, literally in my front yard. All of this from a girl, who is proud to be called Dale Gribble.

I feel I should mention a few oddities I have noticed since I set up my front yard micro garden. I am a renter who lives in a very seedy neighborhood. During my first year living there, I kept my shades closed and my head down. I figured there was no real point in getting to know my neighbors.

In that first year I had my car and home broken into and even managed to upset one person so deeply with my “I Don’t Believe The Liberal Media” bumper sticker that they decided they should spray paint the whole back end of my Honda Element. Sadly the mint green spray paint only managed to highlight it.

I soon began noticing different tags showing up on the fences around my house and decided to google them. It turns out some members or wannabes of MS13 and the 18th Street Gang were well represented. In doing some research, I feel I was pretty good at picking out who belongs to what, and in the time I spent in my garden after work I began just saying “hi” to everyone who walked past. Figuring after everything that had happened, what did I have to lose? After a few weeks, most of those who I profiled into those two groups would make it a point to stop and chat with me about the different veggies I am growing.

Then I decided to make a few calculated moves in regards to what I was growing, and during the time spent in my yard I began getting to know those who frequented my street.

It turns out the MS boss had just brought up his grandma from California and she is now living with him. He brought her by one summer evening to look at my peppers, and an hour later they left with a goody bag of spicy peppers that are almost a comfort food in their household.

Next was the 18th Street. They are mostly Pacific Islanders who are members in my neighborhood, and their leader I swear outweighs me by 200 lbs. I began to see him every once in a while walking what I had to guess was maybe a younger niece who has Down Syndrome to the park a few blocks away. When we would see each other outside he always stops to admire my beautiful hibiscus plant, which I keep in a large pot.

One day he brought her over to look at it. Noticing she had a fake flower behind her ear, I quickly cut off a bloom and handed it to her. I swear you would have thought I gave the girl a gold bar based on her reaction. Thus began our friendship.

Since then, the tagging in my neighborhood has ended completely. No one has had a break-in in 16 months, and I don’t think I have once had to wheel my trash can up the driveway. I truly understand my moves were risky, and I am a 29 year old blue-eyed blonde who lives alone. I am also pretty sure at one point in time all who stop to talk to me as I garden has discreetly seen my concealed glock 26 and know if they try to break in and come for me, they will have to go through my ruthless 100-lb German Shepard Poodle, Dagny, and my glock.

This change could also be because word spread really quickly about an encounter with the neighbor’s pit bull, who went after my Boston terrier, but ended up fighting me and Dagny. Dagny ended up with 30 stitches. I had seven, but I also removed its eyeball with my bare hands, before caving its head in with a shovel.

A few of the guys I suspect as gang members heard my screams that day, and after the dust had settled there stood a handful of each standing side by side with mouths open in shock. It turns out that both groups came running to my screams and were dumbfounded by what they saw. I guess my screams traveled all the way to the park that day.

It was pretty amazing to see both groups helping me sit down while two called 911. When the police showed up, they thought it was a gang fight, until they saw the super dead pit bull, me covered in blood still clutching the eyeball while two guys– one MS and one 18th– were holding shirts to Dagny’s neck while trying to keep my dog calm. Even the local gang task force came to get my statement. It seems they had noticed the crime drop off in my neighborhood.

The highlight came a few days later when a couple of the MS guys came by to check on me. One guy, Jose, became really quiet and then asked me why I didn’t just shoot the dog.

It took me a minute to respond, because the truth was that in the heat of the battle I honestly forgot I had it holstered inside my waist band. So after a few minutes the only lie I could come up with was that I did not want to waste the bullet.

Okay, sorry. I’m getting back on track now. For those people around you who you feel could possibly be like minded or those who you know would most likely become preppers, if they had the idea, may I recommend buying a few copies of your favorite SHTF novels and giving them as gifts or simply lending a copy to a friend while telling them how good the book was?

Finally, I now give you my solo attempt at reaching strangers. Here, in Portland, there is an odd trend of people setting up small little lending libraries in their front yards usually with a cute little note saying “take a book and leave a book”. Unlike the others I have seen, I stock mine with everything from Atlas Shrugged to One Second After, even a copy or two of Patriots.

I go into my local Goodwill weekly and always pick up a few books that I think will help foster the idea of self-reliance, faith, and a few helpful how-to books. Here’s an interesting side note; a few months after I put up my library, I saw on the side of a mini mart that someone painted in huge block letters “I AM JOHN GALT!” I will selfishly believe that came from someone reading a copy of the book from my little library. (I am not condoning destruction of other people’s property, however.)

I hope this will give you a few ideas on how to help prepare those around you. Please know that the more those around you are prepared, even just a little, the easier it will be on you. Just take a few minutes to feel out each person and attack it from an angle they understand or accept, and start laying that foundation one brick, pretty flower, spicy pepper earthquake, break-in, or water emergency at a time.

Good luck!

Letter Re: Strike Anywhere Matches

HJL,

With all this talk about Strike Anywhere matches, I have to point out the obvious– that’s old technology. If you want to start a fire (anywhere), use a Benzomatic self-igniting torch. Various models are available at big box stores for between $24.97 and $42.97. I’ve used one to start our wood fireplace for about five years before I had to switch out the gas cylinder. You can set soaking wet wood on fire with one. – G.G.

HJL Replies: I can see the benefits of using such a device from the home or vehicle. However, when backpacking, it’s tough to beat a Bic lighter or a storm-proof match. The weight of the torch is a distinct drawback when you have to carry everything on your back. The butane lighters work for most every application, except high winds or very high altitudes, in which case the storm-proof matches do the job. I do carry a small waterproof case of Strike Anywhere matches, just because the weight penalty is so small and you never know when you might need plan C or plan D.

Economics and Investing:

One of our largest firms involved in oil extraction! Schlumberger slashes 11,000 jobs. – H.L.

o o o

Why even high earners are struggling to save. – G.G.

o o o

Items from Mr. Econocobas:

“We’re All Frogs In Boiling Water” Santelli Says After Lacy Hunt Warns “This Is Far From Over”

Is May 9 The Grexit Date? – Interesting Take

Stocks Slammed – Dow Tumbles 350 Points Into Red Year-To-Date

US Rig Count Drops For Record 19th Week In A Row

Odds ‘n Sods:

Conspiracy Theorists, Bloggers Compared To ISIS During Congressional Hearing. – H.L.

o o o

Your car’s hidden ‘black box’ and how to keep it private. – JBG

o o o

‘Intelligent’ Streetlights to ‘Watch’ Florida Residents. – G.P.

HJL notes: Currently, this implementation is rather benign, but the company already lists the technology on their web site for a much more Orwellian experience.

o o o

Dry Wells Plague California as Drought Has Water Tables Plunging 1800′ wells for water! – P.S.

o o o

Video: Make Your Own $7 Ultimate Bushcraft Axe. – RBS

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: who shall offer it before the Lord, and make an atonement for her” Leviticus 12:6&7a (KJV)

Notes for Friday – April 17, 2015

On April 17, 1961, about 1,500 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in a failed attempt to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro. Due to the Cuba/Soviet intelligence network as well as loose talk by members of the brigade, which was repeated in U.S. and foreign newspaper reports, the Cuban government knew, in advance, of the planned invasion. The Washington Post also reported that the Soviets knew the exact date of the attack, that the CIA was aware that they knew, and that the CIA did not inform president Kennedy.

o o o

Today, we present another entry for Round 58 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value),
  2. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  3. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR type rifle to have quick change barrel, which can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools, and a compact carry capability in a hard case or 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  4. Gun Mag Warehouse is providing 20 Magpul pmags 30rd Magazines (a value of $300) and a Gun Mag Warehouse T-Shirt. (An equivalent prize will be awarded for residents in states with magazine restrictions.),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A pre-selected assortment of military surplus gear from CJL Enterprize (a $300 value),
  7. A Model 120 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $340 value),
  8. A $300 gift certificate from Freeze Dry Guy,
  9. A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo,
  10. KellyKettleUSA.com is donating both an AquaBrick water filtration kit and a Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit with a combined retail value of $304,
  11. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $300 gift certificate, and
  12. Two cases of meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Second Prize:

  1. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  2. A FloJak EarthStraw “Code Red” 100-foot well pump system (a $500 value), courtesy of FloJak.com,
  3. Acorn Supplies is donating a Deluxe Food Storage Survival Kit with a retail value of $350,
  4. The Ark Institute is donating a non-GMO, non-hybrid vegetable seed package–enough for two families of four, seed storage materials, a CD-ROM of Geri Guidetti’s book “Build Your Ark! How to Prepare for Self Reliance in Uncertain Times”, and two bottles of Potassium Iodate– a $325 retail value,
  5. A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials,
  6. Twenty Five books, of the winners choice, of any books published by PrepperPress.com (a $270 value),
  7. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $150 gift certificate, and
  8. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. *Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances,
  6. APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit,
  7. Montie Gear is donating a Y-Shot Slingshot and a Locking Rifle Rack (a $379 value), and
  8. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).

Round 58 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

The Power of Steam – Part 4, by A.Y.

For problems on the engine itself, visual inspections are again the best way to look for problems. Loose bolts, loose or worn bearings, signs of overheating, and clanking and knocking sounds can attest to problems. Signs of overheated metal on the engine can include scarring, discoloration, scraping sounds, and emitting lots of heat from a bearing while in operation. Overheating on the engine itself can usually be attributed to not enough lubrication, so it must be determined why oil and grease are not getting to the affected part. Some engines have mechanical and hydrostatic lubricators that drive oil to moving parts, and these must be cleaned and inspected frequently to keep them performing properly. As stated before, adding a little more oil and grease is less expensive and less of a headache than having a part wear out quickly or fail and need repair. Eventually, bearings will wear out no matter how well lubricated they are; they will begin to knock and clank as the metal bangs together. When rods and cranks begin to knock, it is an indication that the bearings need to be disassembled and rebuilt to their proper tolerance. A competent machinist can perform this task.

Last on the subject of repair is a list of common tools needed to work on boilers and steam engines. Different size welders and cutting torches and the knowledge of using them are a must, when working with steel and iron. A good general tool set with wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, et cetera is also needed. Some parts on these engines are large, so keep in mind that large tools will be needed to work on them. Specific boiler tools such as tube (flue) rollers, staybolt reamers and taps, pipe and boiler taps, and dies are also needed when repairing and maintaining a boiler and engine. Access to a machine shop (powered by lineshaft steam of course) with lathes and presses will also be of tremendous help, so that worn parts can be repaired and new ones made. When operating, gloves should always be worn to help protect hands, and heavy clothing should be worn to protect the body. Photographs of farm hands or engineers and firemen will show overalls, long sleeves, gloves, handkerchiefs, boots, and hats to keep the heat and cinders at bay.

OPSEC

Yet one more problem needs to be addressed, and it is one common to preparedness-minded individuals. If hungry, desperate people see smoke or hear noise and assume that where there is fire and activity there are also supplies, warmth, and protection or a community to be exploited, depending on how moral they are. Steam engines will obviously produce smoke, since they burn large amounts of wood, coal, or oil. However, there are tricks to reduce the amount of smoke generated. In general, the hotter the fire is burning inside the firebox, the less smoke will be emitted from the smokestack. This is because the entire amount of material is consumed by the fire, and all that is left is hot clear gases escaping out of the stack. Also, if a careful, even firing is used, a lesser amount of smoke will be emitted, as the constantly hot fire will consume the smoke. However, if a lot of “green” coal or “green” wood (fresh fuel) is loaded onto the fire, it will not burn as well or as hot and will produce a lot of smoke. If you carefully observe a fireman on a steam engine, you can tell when he or she adds a lot of new fuel to the fire by observing the color of the smoke. A good fireman will try to use the least amount of fuel distributed the most even way to maintain even heat and not waste fuel. Good firing can be accomplished by experience, trial and error, and mentoring by an experienced person.

Another big problem with OPSEC, related to using steam engines, is noise. When the hustle and bustle of society stops, noise can be heard over a surprisingly long distance. The most common noises on steam engines are the chuff, whistles, safety valves, and motion of machinery. However, there are also ways to mitigate these issues. Keeping the moving machinery well lubricated and in good repair will reduce the amount of noise it makes, and the safety valve can be prevented from going off by not overfiring the boiler. The safety valve should be “popped” every now and then to insure safe operation, but this can be done when circumstances are deemed appropriate. The chuff on a steam engine is created when steam is forced out of the cylinders and up into the smokebox. It is propelled up the stack by an exhaust nozzle, and it creates essential draft on the fire while being shot out the stack. How much noise it makes is very much dependant on how hard the engine is working. If the engine has a very heavy load, the chuff will be very loud. If the engine has no load, it will be almost silent. If loud noise is a concern, care should be taken to not place extremely heavy loads on the engine. If it is impossible to restrict the load on the engine, then the exhaust steam can be rerouted and exhausted elsewhere to dampen the sound. If this is done however, a form of artificial draft will have to be used to keep the fire burning hot in the firebox. All boilers should already have a device on them called a blower, which shoots steam up the stack and can be varied in strength to accomplish this task without any new fabrication.

The last large problem with OPSEC is the size of the engine and boiler itself and the tracks it will make if it moves. The smallest traction engines can be as small as a tractor, while the largest can be two stories tall! Obviously, size limitation must be an important factor when choosing an engine for your community, if the engine needs to be hidden. Also, being made almost entirely of steel, it will sink into the ground and make tracks wherever it goes. This can be somewhat remedied by placing wide boards underneath the wheels as it moves, to spread out ground pressure. Cleats can be removed from the wheels if practicable, and it will reduce the amount of earth being torn up by the engine. Operation over solid ground instead of soft earth will also help alleviate this problem, and reduce the chance of getting it stuck. For railroad locomotives, however, there is absolutely no possible way to conceal its railroad track. A standard patrol measure could be used for operating the locomotive over distance, with lookouts proceeding ahead of the train and people stationed on the front of the engine to look for track problems, sabotage, or ambushes. The best time to use these engines though is when society brings itself out of the fighting stage and enters the rebuilding stage, when towns and communities want to trade with each other again. A good tactical coordinator or OPSEC manager can also find creative ways of protecting all these engines, and plans should be arranged before the balloon goes up.

While this article has hopefully enlightened you as to the choices and operation of boilers and steam engines, it is by no means a comprehensive study. There are tons of resources out in the world that can help teach and give experience about these wonderful machines. Books, old mechanic magazines, and the Internet make available lots of paper knowledge and can be obtained at shows, on eBay, libraries, and by various other sources. However, the absolute best way to learn about steam engines is to work on them and run them yourself. There are antique boiler shows and farm shows scattered all across the United States and other countries, and most of the people are friendly and are very willing to teach new people about this technology. Railroad museums with steam programs are also excellent places to obtain knowledge and experience, and even if your plan is not to acquire or run a railroad locomotive, the experience gained on them can be translated to their smaller cousins of traction engines and portables. In all, working on and operating these machines can be a very gratifying practice and can contribute a rare, needed skill to the community when society has its reset. Please remember, however, that these are NOT toys to be neglected. It seems like a cliché, but a good piece of advice I was told when I first began to work on traction engines and railroad boilers was to treat them like a fine lady. If you treat her well, she in turn will work her hardest for you and rarely let you down. If you neglect her and treat her poorly, she will make your life miserable and even take it in the most extreme circumstance. To conclude, let us remember that survival is not just about the cataclysmic moment, but it is also the story of the aftermath and the rebuilding of society. Steam built this great nation from the ground up once already, and there is absolutely no doubt that it can do it again when called upon.

Letter Re: LE Criticism

HJL,

I believe there are a few points being lost in the ongoing debate concerning law enforcement’s attitude towards their job and the public. Time and time again the blanket statement levied in support of law enforcement’s defense is “ Not all cops are bad”. I agree with this wholeheartedly, and I think any sane person would also agree with this.

However, as a person who exercises critical thinking, I have to wonder, where are the “good cops”? Where are the whistleblowers? Good cops don’t allow flagrant abuse of police powers, good cops don’t blindly follow, Good cops don’t stand idly by and watch while their uniformed brothers have a momentary lapse of reason and judgment, good cops have integrity and self respect, they police not only the public but also themselves, and they project respect for the law rather than fear. I have had many a discussion on this issue, Including with my wife, who works in LE and has for the past 15 years in a support staff capacity. My wife’s opinion is that training is the primary force behind their attitude. I say fine, Does the training include supressing the abuse of police powers? and doesn’t that make the ‘good cop’ now a not so good cop? It seems to me that the current spotlight on police wouldn’t shine as bright as it does if they would take some of their own advice. If you see something, say something. – L.O.

o o o

HJL,

When a LEO does step over the line, in the past very little happened to him because the department didn’t want to give ammunition to the plaintiff’s attorney. When the plaintiff won the case, who pays? Well, the department (taxpayers), of course from their deep pockets. Because of the concept of qualified immunity, the LEO has very little “skin” in the game; he isn’t betting his house, boat, and cars that he totally understands everything he thinks he knows. – JWM

HJL Responds: I believe these two letters address part of the problem. The vast majority of people actually support and respect the law enforcement officers that are in their communities. The mass media has a tendency to sensationalize issues that break what we deem normal in the name of the ratings game. Let’s face it: normal doesn’t sell, abnormal does. Extreme sells extremely well. Bill O’Reilly said it well on April 15th, 2015 in his talking points when he stated that “Along with ‘arrest authority’ comes ‘deep responsiblity’.” He continues to state that everyone expects the criminals to behave badly, but we expect the police to behave normal. Where he misses the point is by tying issue to the modern prevalence of video cameras. The issue has existed all along; it’s just much harder for an LE to get away with it now. As I see it, there are two issues that seriously hamper the LE officer in dealing with the public:

  1. The “us” versus “them” mentality, which is sometimes also expressed as “the thin blue line”. While I admire a boss or coworker who is loyal, I admire a boss or coworker who is ethical even more. The uniform is not a reason to hide wrong-doing or criminal activity. In addition, these are people who we trust with the authority and responsibility to use force, up to and including deadly force, to enforce laws, so it is only right and appropriate that they are held to a higher standard of ethical and moral behavior than the average person. However, in the end, the LE officer is still just one of “us”. If you break the law, you should be prepared to suffer the consequences of that action, no matter who you are. When the LE community is seen as unfairly protecting an officer or enforcing bad policies (like quotas), it creates mistrust with the community.
  2. The militarization of the police. From early civilization on, the civilian population understood that an organized army is necessary for national defense and policy. However, that same population also understands the danger of that same army being used against it. The Posse Comitatus Act is the U.S. response to those concerns. I truly believe that the U.S. military policy of donating surplus military gear, the DHS policy of granting millions of dollars to local LE for military hardware and military training, and the tendency of every local, state, and federal agency desiring their very own tactical SWAT is nothing short of an end run around this very issue. The LE officer is a civilian, just like me, but the military training and hardware deepens the problematic “us” vs “them” mentality and destroys trust.

The LE community will have to work much harder to overcome the ease with which abuses are discovered, the media biases against them, and the lust for tacti-cool military equipment and training to stop the downward spiral of problematic public relations. There are good officers out there. I believe they are in the majority, but they must step up to the plate, in every jurisdiction. They must take the lead in forging a relationship with the community that they protect.

Odds ‘n Sods:

Leaked Document From Mayor to Police: Your Paycheck Depends on How Many Tickets You Write. – H.L.

o o o

ISIS-trained man arrested in U.S., DOJ says. – D.S.

o o o

California’s Green Drought. How bad policies are compounding the state’s water shortage. – T.P.

o o o

Judge opens door for cops to storm your home. – D.S.

o o o

I’ve been reading John Mosby’s blog for a bit now and have watched with interest as he has joined with Forward Observer Magazine. Their focus is Intelligence and they have some very good articles. I think SurvivalBlog readers might like the site. Check them out at www.readfomag.com