major word spill ahead.

Uberpost time. I promised and I shall deliver.(Fair warning, this post is a meandering one, Kinda like a wine, you have to swirl it around in your mouth to get the full effect)

Lets talk about TEOTWAWKI.

Are you feeling it yet?
Have you figured out that the Great Experiment has failed?

We aren't in the end times as some have predicted. At least not yet. I won't say that we won't see a nuclear exodus or a third world war; we may yet. I am keyed specifically to that great and wonderful experiment of individual liberty and freedom. The one we all talk about but I don't think any of us have ever truly experienced.
For me, TEOTWAWKI took place 3 years ago during the break up of a, then I thought, beautiful relationship. When things went south, I spent about a year in serious contemplation and exploration of things around me. It was then that I realized that everything I had ever thought or been taught was a sham. The entire way I looked at how government worked, how money was created, even how enslaved I was to the system(and still am to a point) was shaken up, mixed, and I was able to see just how putrid that mix was.

I had an awakening.

And it HURT! And in the process, pretty much alienated all of my 'friends'.


I was always something of a conservative while masquerading as a liberal retard. I knew that there was always something inherently wrong with the 'social contract' that liberals are always harping on. I despised seeing so much money just given away to those without concern for their own welfare; I just hadn't made the connections internally as to 'why'.

I am still something of a social liberal. I don't care if two people, no matter what gender, wish to form a lifelong bond. If it works for them, they are capable of fending for any offspring(the key point of any union in my mind) and they are hurting no one outside of their little tryst: who am I, or anyone else for that matter, to say its 'wrong'? I won't lie, I don't get the whole homosexual bent, but I could care less so long as they are hurting no one in the process. KEY POINT: No one else is harmed!

I also don't think the State or Federal Government should have ANY say in a union of two people. This is something that is between them and God. All others, butt out! (this applies to the polygamists too. If all parties involved are happy with the arrangement, and all progeny are well cared for, why should an outsider have any say in the matter. Again, not my cup of tea but I am sure that there are others that would enjoy that lifestyle.)

SO, I had an epiphany of life, realized that everything I thought I knew was bogus and had to step back to the table of learning. I never stepped away really, I only had to look at the information from a different perspective. The history I was taught was infested with mis-truths, or lack of information. They say that history is written by the winners. Obviously, the liberals had been re-writing history at the basest of levels. Indoctrination of the young is the easiest way to 'sway public opinion'. Teach 'em what to think and you don't have to worry about how they think. Dewey was one of the biggest socialists this country has ever seen and he was also one of the biggest proponents of Government Controlled Public Education. He knew the way to win in socialism is to teach it as a norm.

I am a product of that Education System. I am not what they intended though. I have always been something of a rebel, an individualist if you will. That was why, even though I lived a liberals lie, I knew that something was wrong.

We are witnessing the Slow Shambling fall of a drunken giant. One that is drunk on an economy as ephemeral as fog. Our biggest economists KNOW that the system is at fault. You can tell by the terms they use. Inflation, deflation, bubbles, etc. Our economy is as tangible as air. Anymore it smells like a rancid fart This is nothing new to those that are aware that the system is done. The whole point of our society was based upon freedom. The way the economy is set up, there can be no freedom. A currency based strictly upon debt, is not one that would allow for freedom. Not for long anyway. When this country was first founded, the debt of the nation was not within the people but the Federal Government to the States and other nations. The Bonds sold were borrowed to pay that debt off and the growth of the nation was the established method of payoff(generally speaking). Our nation is not growing any longer. We have reached our boundaries upon the continent. Our only option is outward. Either in other third world countries( further armed conflict that will arouse the Ire of other nations) or towards the stars. Our technologies would only permit local expansion in that direction. Of course this would ensue another space race: One I am not sure we could win this time around. (especially while there are liberals in charge that are more concerned about 'feel good politics')

Where we sit now is like a bad imitation of the Eiffel Tower. One built upon solid granite foundations but the actual body is made up of toothpicks and cheap paper paste. One good rain and the whole thing slips out of alignment and starts to fall. We have witnessed the shift in alignment. The one where people were concerned with getting ahead in life but not by sacrificing their neighbors efforts. The one were people understood that they were responsible for their own safety, not some cheap suit 1000 miles away.

All great nations come to an end eventually. I don't think there is anyway around it. These things are mere reflections of human nature. Individually, we care about our family, ourselves and the future. As a collective, things get a bit more convoluted, distorted into socialism. Its the nature of the beast. The Founders wanted a Republic because they had historical reference to what happens in Democracies. Little did they know that Republics are little more than mutated Democracies. Entropy WILL set in, its only a matter of time.

Entropy is where we are. Every little focus group is trying to get the most with the least amount of energy. Even the TEA party is guilty of this. How many people are a part of the TEA party but won't do much more than show up and wave the poster board or wave a flag, only to go home to watch the big game on that wide screen plasma. THAT is what they want to preserve. THAT is what they consider freedom. (and in some ways, not far from the truth. Freedom is a bit more involved than creature comforts though)
How many would stick a gun in the face of a Federal Agent at their door? How many cheat on Taxes and fear the reaper while doing it? How many actually break laws in defiance of encroaching tyranny?
Do they really want Liberty? Or do they just wish to be left alone?

I know I fall into the list of “just want to be left alone”. Most of us do.

How many of us can claim the willingness to fight for freedom?

With that thought; I turn now to where my thoughts started this morning.

How many of us have taken the time to go out with our chosen long arm to 'see what ol'bessie can do?'
I state this out of a special point someone has made before. How many of us understand the concepts of “Cover” and “Concealment”? Do you know if you would be safe behind a 24” oak if the opposition is using an M-4 or some variant thereof? What about an AK-47? Or even a ubiquitous Glock 17?

I have taken various weapons out to see what they can do. I am happy to report that the PSL I own makes cover a rare thing. At 370 yards, the 'Cheap Yugo' steel cores WILL punch through apx 24” of sandstone and still leave a fist sized hole in a watermelon on the other side. The bullet was found and what was left of it was impressive considering what it just went through. I say it held about 75% weight retention. Not too bad considering I paid about 32 cents a round for the cases I bought.

I kind of doubt that a 5.56 round can claim that level of performance. Not even at 100 yards. Don't get me wrong, I shot the M16-A2 while in the Corps. I shot Expert 4 years running with said rifle. 10/10 in the black at 500 yards. No mean feat I can tell you. My only question was and still is: How affective is a 60 grain bullet at that range. I never had a chance to find out. I am not sure I would want to find out either. I will take my chances with a proven heavy hitter at that range, if given a choice.

Have you taken your hand gun out to see how far you can shoot effectively. I am not talking the 2” pattern that you are holding at the range either. Can you hit an 8” balloon at 100 paces? Remember, distance is your best friend. There is nothing wrong with the bravery of being out of range IF your range is greater. Especially if you are a lone wolf. There is nothing wrong with a rifle that only holds 10 rounds/magazine IF you are able to hit, every time, what you are aiming at.
I don't know about the rest of you but I am not a rich man. I never will be. I don't have an unlimited budget to spend on the latest and greatest arms. I have to find “cheap” imports or inexpensive locally grown stuff. Yes I have a couple of Hi-point pistols. They work, they are fairly accurate(actually VERY accurate) and I have never had a jam. That is much more than I can say for that high priced .40 I had that I won't name. That thing wouldn't hit the broadside of truck at 25yards. Even from a stable rest. My Firestorm 1911 (cheap import ) is smooth running, fast and Yes, I can hit that 8” balloon at 100 paces; Consistently. WWB 230gr FMJ but who cares when it comes to that kind of accuracy. NO, I don't attempt that shot from a standing position but from a seated or prone. Remember that cover thing? At that range, you should be able to get behind something pretty stout. I practice the way I think I will be shooting, no matter if that weapon is hand gun or long gun.

Its a skill you may never need. As Col. Cooper states, “ Your handgun is to fight your way back to the rifle you shouldn't have put down.” Even so, if you don't know you can, you don't want to find out the hard way that you can't. Period. That is practical advice on ANYTHING in life.

Now, knowing that the economy is crap, people are looking for work, or taking cuts in pay to make sure they still have a job: Firearms are not a commodity that many would consider as a necessity. I disagree. I am sure that many that read this blog would agree with me. The real question is, What can you afford? Most people I know would have a seriously hard time coming up with the 1200-1800 that some of the 'race guns' are collecting now. I know that when I am making a purchase, I figure no more than a total of two paychecks to pay off the balance or the piece is out of my range. I may take more than that to make the purchase but the grand total won't be more than that. That comes to under $1000.00 Tax included. I prefer to purchase from private owners but I find that to be more of a liability around here. You never know if the item is 'hot'. I may not like the laws, but to keep your head off the skyline, you need to pay attention to certain ones. Getting picked up for receiving stolen property is pretty easy to avoid.

To those that haven't started getting prepped, get what you can afford. Do a bit of research on it and keep in mind that there are those that will trash ANY gun simply due to false information. They may also have a bias from Large Purchase Syndrome. The one where they payed 3 times what they should have for a POS but hate to admit it. Personally I am quite happy with my 'Cheap' Russian surplus stuff. My Mosin-Nagant kicks ass(and shoulders), My cheapy Filipino 1911 is better than the Colt I carried in the Corps. My PSL/Scope package is absolute TITS in my eyes. I don't care for the weight but by God, it will out shoot anything short of an M14 or other dedicated sniper weapon. The true value of the weapon is in your perspective. Markets may dictate whats expensive, but only you can determine if its worth it to you.

Fact of the matter is, IN THE RIGHT HANDS any and all firearms are deadly. Some more than others but Dead is dead, whether its by a .311 bullet at 2600fps or a dinky .22 at 1100fps.

Are your hands the right ones? Have you made an effort to make them so if not? Remember this though, No matter how accurate you are, if you are to worn out to pick up the rifle, accuracy is moot. Getting in shape is a priority too. Try holding your rifle at arms length for awhile. Most people can't last more than a minute, even with the AR platform. Its much harder than you think.

We may not be in a shooting war but are you prepared to take that chance? I am not. We are seeing far too many signs of this country being torn apart internally and far too many outside influences that would like a piece of this pie. There are many that would like to see this country fall on its face and will do anything to make that come about. Some of them are even in the employ of the people of this country. Being prepared means planning ahead for ANY contingency. Doing so practically is the challenge. The forces are work ripping this country down will try to make this even harder as time goes by. Our having firearms keep them walking on glass, for now.

These are the things I think about on a daily basis. Where are we headed and in how many different possibilities? What will we do when X happens? How do we pick up the pieces after the fact? I have stated multiple times that as an individual, I know that I can't affect the outcomes of the first two. Maybe, just maybe, I can have an influence on the outcome of the third. Assuming of course that I live that long. Even so, I plan and prep as best as possible, being broke and all. I get what I can when I can, keep a list of what I need, and make do all the while. The funny thing is, the more I learn, the less I need.

And on that note. Good night.

PS: Thanks for all of the Happy Hatch day comments.