Preparing Without Panicking

  Do not panic!  I know it's hard.  The elections, war all over, high prices, things in disarray, it seems a good time to freak out.  But do not.  When I was in combat, the worst thing you could do was panic!  It's difficult when everything in your head says "run" and what you need to do is stay.  But staying is the scariest thing you've ever done.  Preparedness is similar. First and foremost, don't give into the normalcy bias.

Normalcy bias is a cognitive bias which leads people to disbelieve or minimize threat warnings. Consequently, individuals underestimate the likelihood of a disaster or violence, when it might affect them, and its potential adverse effects.  It’s the “it can’t happen here” syndrome so we don’t need to prepare for it.  The problem is, “it” does happen.

Take heart, all is not lost.  You start to prepare in small ways.  Assess the likely problems that may come your way.  If you live near the ocean maybe a hurricane is in your future.  If you live near a river maybe flooding would be likely.  We are all susceptible to high prices and the effects of economy.  As you realistically think about this and discuss it write down these events.  Then for each perceived event write down solutions.  Then write down priorities of what needs to be done.  It’s important to understand that training is more valuable than gear.  It’s often more important to have medical training than to have medical gear.  Things can be improvised.  It’s great to have both, but I believe training trumps gear. 

Not to toot my own horn, but I will.  I’ve had the opportunity to grow up in a prepared home.  I had the familiar yellow Walton Feed bags of grain under my bed.  Walton Feed is a big feed store (I’ve never actually been there) in Idaho.  They have expanded into Rainy Day Foods and still do bulk orders.  When I got married my young wife brought in wheat buckets to our closet starting over 40 years of gathering, storing, and cooking with food storage.  When we left the military we did what is called a DITY move where you are paid to do it yourself.  According to rank, you have a certain amount of weight that the military will pay for.  We loaded up our food storage, and we quickly met our limit.  At least the military paid us to move our food storage!  But we have been living with preparedness for a long time.  We know what works for us and what does not.  I notice that things change also.  We used to store our water in drums.  We did that for decades.  We have just switched to tanks.  Those 400 gallon cubes in a cage?  You know the ones.  That seems to work better at this time.  So your preparedness evolves as your needs and situations change.  We have one cube in our tree and garden area close to the planting we do and chicken coup.  We have stored water for our animals as well as our garden.  We also have a water catchment system that keeps the cube filled.

Start with your priority list.  When I have taught preparedness I teach the ASWiFS acronym to prioritize prepping.  Air, Shelter, Water, Food, Fire, Security.  It’s a starting point.  Often water is a good place to start.  Most of us have shelter and air under control.  For air you may want masks or air purifiers.  Maybe even gas masks. But you have to decide what is a priority. Do some research on whatever you do.  Find a competent source.

There are many ways to prepare but by all means, don’t go into debt!  Preparing happens a little at a time.  It adds up quickly.  Food for instance can be just a few extra cans of whatever you eat or use to cook.  Water can be stored in many containers but make sure the containers you choose are not plastic that contained toxic or smelly things.  We got ahold of several pickle containers that we could not get the smell of pickles out of.  Be creative where you store your items.  Food should be in a temperature-controlled space, flammable liquids or gas should be stored away from your residence.  These and many other details can be learned from competent sources.

Survival skills are good to know, but self sufficiency and preparedness is not necessarily survival.

When getting prepared look for sales and bulk especially concerning food.  You can be creative in where you store your preps.

“If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” says the D&C.  Start now and you’ll be surprised how it all adds up fast.

Many countries are urging their citizens to prepare.  The military is testing their preparedness.  The Church has been asking their members since 1936.  It’s time.  Get started.

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

Learning To Live With Guns

 This is a portion of an article by an Army Lieutenant

I’ve felt this for years as a military small arms instructor. 

 

Many years ago, while attending The US Army Command and General Staff College at Ft Leavenworth, KS, I submitted a paper entitled, “Living With Guns”. In it, I described my sometimes exasperating experiences as an infantry second lieutenant, platoon commander in Vietnam in 1968. I observed that, during that War, although we all had been theoretically trained to operate small arms, nobody had ever taught us how to actually live with them!
I submitted that individual soldiers need experiences that prepare them, not only to operate, but to actually live with, loaded guns during prolonged periods of intermittent (and sometimes continuous) fighting. One may argue that such training is dangerous, but without it I contended, our soldiers will continue to accidentally shoot themselves and each other with distressing frequency the moment they enter an area of active fighting.

 

"In Country, I had personally observed many cases of careless gun handling, several of which resulted in NDs, and, as is the case currently in Iraq, there was no shortage of incidents where an ND caused a serious injury or death to one of our own people. However, despite the fact that such catastrophes were scandalously common, they usually elicited little more than a sarcastic chuckle (or a yawn) from battalion-level brass. They seemed to write off such episodes as “inevitable”. They would remark, “These people have been trained in safe gun-handling. It shouldn’t happen”.
But it kept happening, and it struck me that sterile, abstract training in “safe gun-handling” did not suffice to prevent it.
In Stateside training, individual soldiers were rarely provided with experiences that prepared them for when they would have loaded and ready-to-fire rifles and pistols with them constantly. It was not enough, I contended, to merely train people how to operate small arms, then hysterically snatch the guns away and lock them up in a vault the other ninety-nine percent of the time.
In training, for example, we never actually carried loaded weapons. We handled them, but they were always empty except on those rare occasions where we actually fired live ammunition on a range. But, even on the range, circumstances were stilted, artificial, and largely theoretical.
However, the moment I arrived in Vietnam, we not only carried loaded firearms, but we slept with them, ate with them, went to the head with them, flew on aircraft with them, etc. Your small arms were your constant companions, and they were always loaded and ready to fire. All that we had to learn on the fly! None of it was ever even mentioned during our Stateside “training.”
We learned the hard way that is does not suffice merely to train people how to operate guns. We have to make them into professional gunmen, not just gun-operators, but gunmen! Anyway, if you’re familiar with USMC and US Army bureaucracy, you can imagine how far my ideas got. Even today, this issue has still not been addressed in any meaningful way. Soldiers today are instructed to be (on rare occasions) warriors, and naive sheep the rest of the time.
In short, incompetent small-arms training was, and still is, “condition-based.” It is predicated on the false notion that unloaded guns are safe, and loaded guns are dangerous. Within this mendacious system of thinking, “safe” guns are routinely handled carelessly (no matter what you try to say to the contrary), and “dangerous” guns (on those rare occasions when they are actually handled at all), are apprehensively treated as if they were coated with poison. The rest of the time, we carry sterile guns and pretend to be armed.
Conversely, competent small-arms training is “system-based.” There is only one system for handling guns, as all guns are considered dangerous, all the time. All guns are handled the same way, regardless of their ostensible condition. In other words, a gun’s suppositional “condition” has no bearing on the way it is handled. We have no safe guns! We carry loaded guns on our person at every opportunity, taking full advantage of every chance to experience “being armed” (not just pretending).
In exactly the say way, sharp knives are not only more useful than dull ones, but they are also actually safer, once people learn to handle them correctly.
This fearless and audacious system of gun-handling, combined with good judgement, and common sense will enable you to live with loaded guns daily and never experience even your first accident. Professional gunmen are distinguished from pretenders by four main points.
(1) We’re always armed. Yes, we really live it.
(1) We don’t have accidents with guns.
(2) We don’t hesitate
(3) We don’t miss.
Unfortunately, Western Civilization, even its armies, is rapidly deteriorating from a proud foundation of logic, reason and courage to an unenlightened state of nescient fear and ignorant mysticism, truly a recipe for chaos. Details may differ slightly, but the philosophy is indistinguishable from the Dark Ages.
As HL Mencken put it, “I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. Of course, this makes me forever ineligible for public office.”
… and, it would seem, promotion!
 

Be safe and learn to live with guns!

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

Ordering Bulk Food Storage

 

First, an explanation:  Why would you want to go through the mass project of putting in your own grain order?  For those of you who live far from heavily LDS populated areas, you probably understand.  If you live in the middle of Salt Lake City what use could this be to you?  I grew up in Mesa, Arizona and sometimes it was more economical to get items straight from their source.  These instructions should make the ordering process less stressful.  Sometimes great deals can be found in bulk orders.  Adapt any portion of these instructions to your particular area or order and we’re confident you’ll be successful!

1. Find Interest

Distribute a survey.  Here is a sample:

“We are considering doing a bulk food storage order.  If you’d be interested in participating in this order, please check the box below and return to the representative you received this form from.

The more people involved, the better prices we will receive.  This is a good opportunity to start or enhance your food storage program.             

Would you be interested?              Yes   No”

Additionally, there are many organizations and non-members who would be interested.  Homeschool groups are a good source.  Often, those who participate the most may be non-members.  You may make this as large as you’d like, but remember, the bigger the order, the bigger place you’ll need for a drop off or storage place.  If your response is great, consider a Ward project rather than a Stake one.  Remember to protect the Church’s non-profit status by not using Church property unless authorized.  Keep business names off of flyers, price lists, etc. distributed on Church property, and not fund raising for your orders.  Stay in close contact with unit leaders (Bishops and Stake Presidents) and keep them informed.  They can give counsel concerning the above restrictions.

2. Find a Distributor  

There are many companies out there that sell food storage and preparedness items.  Find one that carries bulk grain and either freeze dried, dry packed food or MRE’s (military “meals ready to eat”).  It would be nice if the company you choose sells other preparedness items as well.  The company we’ve used for over 20 years is Rainy Day Foods formerly Walton Feed in Montpelier, Idaho .  We mention them specifically only because they carry all the items you’ll need, and because they have served us so well for so long.  Choose which ever company that will serve you best. Talk with the owner if possible.  Tell them what you’re doing and ask for their help or suggestions.  A good relationship with your distributor will make a great difference in service and the status of your current order.  Knowing your distributor will help work shipping and discounts.

3. Policies                                                                   

We established many different policies to help things to run smoothly over the years.  Some have worked well and others we dropped.  Each area will need different policies adapted individually and according to whoever is running the order.  Here are a few we use and feel are universal:                                                                         

Orders must be accompanied by payment.  Don’t wait until the order arrives or is distributed.  You may want to open a separate savings account for this money or keep it in a safe place.  You’ll need to pay the bill!

Orders must be in writing and on “official” order forms.  Make a simple order form on a computer.  This makes life easier for you when everything is uniform.  Make sure there is plenty of room on your form.                                                                        

We charge an unloading fee to all and then return it to those who help unload and inventory an order.  We’re reasonable though.  If someone will be out of town, or can’t help physically, we waive the fee.  Make the fee enough of an amount that people will make an effort to be there to help unload. This fee should be at least $20.00 or more to achieve this.  People will show up if they know they are saving money.

If returns are possible, make sure you give a deadline.  If there are mistakes in distribution, also give a deadline on switches.  This is work for you to figure out who has what and many times people procrastinate letting you know.  It’s harder to figure out what happened a month ago.

4. Drop-off Point

Usually this can be the home of someone participating in the order or your home.  Be sure there’s room (large driveway) and room for a tractor-trailer to maneuver.  It’s a good idea to have a covered carport or garage if some items need to be stored.  If someone involved has access to, or owns, a warehouse this would work well.  Be sure not to take advantage of someone concerning their employment or business.  Make sure they are comfortable with the use of their business.  Remember consideration if places of business are offered.

5. Advertising   

Remember the importance of not being a “for profit” venture.  Advertise as the “annual” or “bi-annual grain order”.  Flyers, posters, announcements, even local public cable access are good ideas if you’d like to include the community. We would recommend including the community if possible. 

6. Print and Distribute Price Lists

You can print your price lists and flyers yourself or ask someone to donate their copier if you supply the paper.  They should be able to write off any donation they give you so be ready with a receipt.  Your Ward or Stake may be willing to this, but be sure the unit leader is aware and has approved such an action.  Distribution can be mostly by hand, but you may have to mail a list to non-local participants.

7. Unloading and Storing

This is not a problem if delivery is in the evening.  Many carriers will be a little flexible with the time, but some need to move on to another delivery.  During the evening most people with orders can help unload.  If during the day, it may be more difficult to find help.  Most drivers can’t help because of company policies but can be paid to help unload.  We’ve had missionaries help from time-to-time but don’t do this too often.  That’s not their job, although they do need service hours each week.  Try to make other arrangements. 

Storing is not a problem with the right drop off point.  We have everyone pick up their orders after we inventory it and divide the items into orders.  This way there’s very little to store.

8. Inventory and Distribution

The order should come with an invoice.  As you unload, try to put similar items together (i.e. bags of wheat, buckets of wheat, etc.).  Then go through the invoice checking each item off.  Separate everything by orders after you inventory marking each with customers name on tape.  We try to fill the orders of those who are helping first.  Inventory and filling orders are easy if you have help.  If you need to refund money because certain items didn’t get shipped, do this at a later time.  Not during unloading and inventory.  Items you’ll need for inventory: scissors, knife, markers, masking and packing tape, and Sharpie-like pens.

9. Paying the Bill

If there are discrepancies with what actually came on the order and what the bill says, work this out quickly with the distributor.  Pay the bill as promptly as possible.  This promotes good will with your distributor and finalizes the order.

10. Prepare for the next order

Keep names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for contacts on the next order.  We have those who order fill out the order form’s information section completely for this reason.  It’s also a good idea to critique the order to see what can be improved for the next order.

We originally started our local grain order because we wanted our own food storage and wanted to cut costs.  Our order has fluctuated from about 5,000 pounds to 30,000 pounds. We’ve spread to other parts of our area but have helped others in other states.  We want to help as many as want or need the help.  We hope this will give y’all out there a good start.   

Prepare now!

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn.

A Story of Preparedness and Not Drawing

 I think I've told this story before, but it bears repeating.

 Very early in the morning while stopping at a gas station to put air in my tire, I was approached by a stranger. The first words out of his mouth were to ask if I was from around here, immediately sending me into condition orange.

It’s interesting to note that this happened just a day after I got into a good discussion about mugging, vehicle thefts and how you’d react during those situations.

We all have our preconceived notions of how we’d react in a violent encounter, but the truth is that we’ll never truly know until we’re put in that exact situation.

3/4/14 threat Cons and Training

I’d like to explain my statement earlier about condition orange and provide a brief example of the Cooper Color Code here for reference.  Colonel Jeff Cooper is known for advocating a color code to describe a person’s state of mind. Not so much in regard to a level of alertness, but purely the mental state.

The following comes from his book, Principles of Personal Defense:

Condition White - You are unprepared and unready to take lethal action. If you are attacked in White, you will probably die unless your adversary is totally inept.

Condition Yellow - You bring yourself to the understanding that your life may be in danger and that you may have to do something about it.

Condition Orange - You have determined upon a specific adversary and are prepared to take action which may result in his death, but you are not in a lethal mode.

Condition Red - You are in a lethal mode and will shoot if circumstances warrant.

Condition Orange is what my body kicked into when presented with this stranger that approached me in the parking lot of the gas station. I’d like to explain one more principle of what occurred to me though, before going into the rest of the story.

Body Alarm Response

The body alarm response is what naturally happens to your body during an elevated state of awareness and the adrenaline dump that comes along with it. This is typically referred to as “fight or flight,” but more appropriately described as BAR.

During a body alarm response, the characteristics exhibited are rapid heartbeat and its counterpart, rapid breathing; tingling of the extremities, degradation in fine motor skills, tunnel vision and that sinking sensation in your stomach. You should embrace these characteristics as your body’s early warning system and be glad, they’re working, not let them control you and succumb to the “fear” you might think this means.

As blood is drawn into your core from your extremities (that tingling sensation and possibly numbness), you may recall the smallest of details during this heightened level of awareness. Blood being drawn away is also what can cause loss of fine motor skills, which aren’t as “fine” as you might expect. 

There are ways to control body alarm response though, meaning that through training and preparing yourself, you can mitigate its effects.

Now back to my story. What happened is, as I was walking inside to get change for the air pump at the gas station, I was approached by a cleanly-dressed stranger. He had come from the direction of a nicer vehicle that was parked alongside the convenience store building of the gas station. I immediately assumed that it was his vehicle, but I quickly flipped through a memory of just a few seconds ago where I’d noticed him floating around a gas pump.

As he approached my path to the convenience store entrance, my plan was to ignore him and keep walking inside. This plan quickly went out the window, as he encroached rapidly while asking the question, “Are you from around here?” That particular question, along with the quick approach into my personal space, immediately sent me into condition orange.

My first reaction, even before answering him, was to look at his hands and start walking backwards. I’m actually really proud of myself, as this is what I’ve been over repeatedly with in my head, “watch their hands, watch their hands.” I’ll ding myself on walking backwards rather than stopping prior to when I did, but I think a lot of that is how we realistically encounter people every day.

In a perfect world, I’d like to say that I follow the 21 ft. rule.   It states that a healthy adult male can cover the distance of 7 yards (about 21 ft.) in 1.5 seconds. Coincidently, that’s also about how many seconds it takes to draw a sidearm and put two rounds center mass on a human-size target at 7 yards.

You make that quickly approaching adult male an armed attacker and you can see why it’s called the 21 ft. rule. Realistically, we allow people within this 21 ft. perimeter each and every day; for me this day was no exception.

Putting distance between myself and this stranger was also something I was proud of, although moving backwards is never a good thing. “If you’re moving in reverse, things come from behind.”

As I put distance between myself and the stranger I answered yes to his question. At this point he continued to approach with his hands down by his side, while stating “Do you know if there’s a Walmart around”, I cut into his statement, putting up my left hand and saying, “Just wait right there and I’ll answer your question.” My right hand also moved backwards towards my gun. I never placed my hand on it, or gave away its position, I was just cognizant of where I was moving my hand to.

His immediate response was to put both his hands up and say “Ok, I was just trying to find the Walmart, I found the HEB, I just can’t find the Walmart.” By now I think he realized that I didn’t like him invading my personal space and he finally seemed aware of me putting distance between us.

I gave him some simple directions to Walmart, but was very short with him, continuing to watch his body position. After he said thanks for the directions, he turned around and walked off as I walked closer to the building’s door. I noticed him walk right past the car I had assumed belonged to him and round the corner behind the building. After paying for my gas, I exited the building.

Ensuring to keep my head on a swivel all the way back to my vehicle I didn’t see the stranger again. I brushed off the encounter until I was back in my vehicle and on the road. It was then that I really took stock of what happened and the indicators that warranted my elevated condition. I truly feel that my actions prevented me from becoming a victim or at least made me appear to be a hard target. I think this was an innocent event.  I think he honestly needed directions.

I wanted to share my story with you, because I think it helps to reinforce how important it is to listen to the Spirit, what some call your gut feeling, and an example of how your conditioning can take over, even when you don’t plan for it. I think that If I hadn’t mentally rehearsed this scenario thousands of times in my head and been exposed to it during my training, the outcome would have been dramatically different.

 

Carrying a gun is a big responsibility.  Knowing when to draw, and when not to draw your weapon is sometimes tricky.  You must make the correct decision.  Use wisdom and do not react to emotion.  Act, don’t react. Train well and work scenarios out in your head.

 

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

Beirut and Remembrances

 

Remember the Beirut bombing! On the 23rd of October 1983, 305 servicemen of the U.S. and France, and civilians, were killed when a vehicle with a 21,000-pound TNT bomb ran into their barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.
We need to remember these cowardly acts and the brave men and women who defend us!

This incident has been used to train and secure U.S. military and civilian members for years. At least their senseless sacrifice was not in vain.

Pray for the families of those who lost loved ones and for our current military members and first responders in harm's way! They need our support and prayers.

I know that I am biased from my own experiences, but I felt this way about the military ever since I was a little boy.  My grandfather was in the Navy reserves building ships for the Navy during WWI.  He was in his 40's and had a family.  My Father served in the Navy during WWII in the pacific.  He told me he got his draft notice for the Army infantry 2 days after he enlisted.  I served several years in the military and have worked on military bases for 40+ years.  I should be retiring soon. 

So, my respect of those who serve is highly regarded.  My wife worked in a hospital when I married her, and I have a son who is an EMT and a son-in-law who works in mental health. My regard of first responders is equally as high.

Please remember their sacrifices. 

Godspeed brothers and sisters!

Secure Schools Need To Take Note, It's Not Enough!

 

Again another school shooting.  This time in Bend, Oregon.  Oregon’s laws also make it a crime for the citizen who stopped the killer.  As of today nothing is known about whether this will affect the citizen who saved lives in spite of the law that told him he couldn’t.  Law makers just don’t get it.  I don’t know why they think laws stop criminals.  I mean, the definition of a criminal is someone who breaks laws.  So these laws they have made to keep bad guys with guns away from schools seem to do the opposite.  Like any thinking person would knows, laws don’t stop the lawless. 

Also, this begs to make school boards get serious about school security.  I have many children.  But all of those children are no longer school age.  I have two who are finishing their higher scholastic degrees.  But my experience with public school is the same I had with the military.  When I left the military I could see it changing.  I knew that I could not deal with those changes.  It’s similar to public schools.  When our oldest was in kindergarten my wife FLAG and I could see the writing on the wall for public schools of which we both experienced as kids in two different states.  We wanted our children to have something different so we started home schooling.  This was when home schooling had a stigma of being substandard.  It is not.  Never has been.  Now since COVID educating online and at home has become the norm for many families.  When I was in high school, I had some friends who drove pickups with rifle racks in them.  Those racks had loaded rifles and shotguns in them.  No one cared and it wasn’t an issue.  Now with kids that are not being raised to be resilient, who can’t seem to handle life, shooting up a school is sadly common.  Yet the schools don’t understand the seriousness of this and are a little light on security.  They say they don’t want schools to resemble prisons.  In Oregon this kid shot his way through their security and started to kill.  If it wasn’t for a guy serious about his own security, then more kids and staff would have been killed, I’m sure.  The police were on site in 3 minutes.  3 Minutes!  3 Children and 1 teacher were killed, others were injured.  And the police were there in 3 minutes!  Think of that.  One nut case with a shotgun, not an assault weapon, went through security doors and started to kill.  A father with 2 kids at the school shot and killed the killer.  He broke the law to do it.  What’s wrong with that picture?  The police had just been through active killer training.  They just trained for what they were called to.  The father was not trained in active killer tactics.  He was right behind the killer yet 3 kids, 1 teacher, and at least 2 others were shot in that short time.  School Districts take note.

Watch this Colion Noir video:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RBKoms2T9o  Colion lays it out quite nicely.

If you want to know how to protect schools learn from Israel.  They have immense experience!

 Israeli law currently requires a guard in schools of 100 or more students. These guards are generally employed by private security companies, while the Israel Police (the country's civilian police force) have overall responsibility for guidance, oversight, and control for the entire security system of educational institutions, from kindergartens through universities. The law permits certain individuals to carry firearms in schools.

By law, the guard must check the school site 30 minutes before school starts. He or she then checks people and vehicles entering the school and can permit or refuse entry to unauthorized people. The guard is generally stationed at the school entrance and is responsible for security outside the school (but not internal security issues, like fights between students). In the event of actual hostile activity (essentially terrorist in nature), the guard must engage with the attacker or attackers.

Many Americans think everyone is a gun owner in Israel.  This not true.  In fact it’s easier to get and carry a gun in the U.S. than Israel.  But their schools are secure.  They are serious about the safety of their schools.  And it shows in the amount of attacks they have experienced.  There have been attacks but rarely and rarely are these few attacks successful. 

I want U.S. children to have a good experience in school.  My opinion of public schools is not that great.  Some have become a babysitting system that lasts 13 or 14 years long.  Extra curricular activities I think are out of hand including sports.  Public schools need to teach more and play less.  Schools need to teach and stop including politics and stupid social commentary.  Part of the problem in parenting is that the schools do too much of it.  Parents need to cowboy up and parent!  Stop coddling your little “babies” and teach them to be good citizens and good students.  Many will dump on me and call me sexist but I don’t really care.  I know times are difficult but Mother’s come home.  Two incomes are not necessary if you plan, sacrifice, and learn to live within your means.  Stay out of debt!  It can be done and should be.  Mothers need to nurture their kids and Fathers need to provide.  I realize there are some who think this can’t be done.  But I think it can.  Anyway, if some families would stop giving into society and what society thinks, we’d have stronger families.  I know that home schooling is not easy.  It costs more and requires more time and effort.  My wife taught our children for 36 years!  Sorry about that gigantic opinion fest I just experienced.

Public schools need to be serious about their security.  Law makers need to actually make laws that help that security.  I think my church also needs to take our security seriously too but that’s another article.

My heart goes out to those families that were affected by this killing.  I hope they can be comforted and strengthened.  My heart also goes out the brave guy who killed this killer.  He will have to deal with having killed another human regardless of the need.  I’ve experienced this difficulty.  I hope he too is comforted and strengthened.

I hope U.S. school systems, including institutions of higher learning, will change their weak position on security and decide to protect our kids.  I also hope law makers will stop this crazy fight between left and right concerning guns.  Our country and its freedoms were conceived and maintained by guns and righteous force.  Let’s stop fighting and be realistic in making laws.  No other country has a God given right of its citizens written into its laws. It’s there for a reason.  Let’s stop trying to undermine the document that grants us the freedom to do so.  Let’s strengthen ourselves and learn to live with defense and to grant others that same right.   

I’ve written about this before in 2018 and 2022.

Check out: Reprint From 2018:  Do We Want Our Schools Secure, Or Not? 5/27/22

Do We Want Our Schools Secure, Or Not?  5/22/18

Sorry this was a bit of a rant...

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn