Remember Our Troups - Yesterday & Today

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we think of how they have followed in the footsteps of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please hold our service men and women in your strong arms. Cover them with your sheltering grace and presence as they stand in the gap for our protection.

We also remember the families of our troops, and ask for your unique blessings to fill their homes and your peace, provision and strength to fill their lives.

May the members of our armed forces be filled with courage to face each day and may they trust in the Lord's mighty power to accomplish each task. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Follow this link for a prayer you can send: http://www.slideshare.net/bmw53/prayer-for-our-soldiers-presentation

Eternal God,
Creator of years, of centuries,
Lord of whatever is beyond time,
Maker of all species and master of all history --
How shall we speak to you
from our smallness and inconsequence?
Except that you have called us to worship you
in spirit and in truth;
You have dignified us with loves and loyalties;
You have lifted us up with your lovingkindnesses.
Therefore we are bold to come before you without groveling
[though we sometimes feel that low]
and without fear
[though we are often anxious].
We sing with spirit and pray with courage
because you have dignified us;
You have redeemed us from the aimlessness
of things' going meaninglessly well.
God, lift the hearts of those
for whom this holiday is not just diversion,
but painful memory and continued deprivation.
Bless those whose dear ones have died
needlessly, wastefully [as it seems]
in accident or misadventure.
We remember with compassion those who have died
serving their countries
in the futility of combat.
There is none of us but must come to bereavement and separation,
when all the answers we are offered
fail the question death asks of each of us.
We believe that you will provide for us
as others have been provided with the fulfillment of
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

I thank you one and all ...

You Could Win!

There has been a huge response from bloggers and webmasters thanking me for sponsoring this contest, with 56 entries to date.

This contest is open to anyone with a blog or website – regardless of content or subject and best of all it’s free to enter, so you have absolutely nothing to lose.

And you could win a Go Berkey Water Filter System (a $139.00 value).

It’s simple, all you have to do is post the following paragraph on your blog or website (all links and link text must be included) then send me an email with a link back to your post.

If everything is as it should be your name will be thrown in for the drawing on June 3, 2010.

M.D. Creekmore over at the The Survivalist Blog – a survival blog dedicated to helping others prepare for and survive disaster – with articles on bug out bag contents, survival knife choices and a wealth of other survival information is giving away a Go Berkey Water Filter System (a $139.00 value)! To enter, you just have to post about it on your blog. This is my entry. Visit The Survivalist Blog for the details.

"No man who is not willing to help himself has any right to apply to his friends, or to the gods." Demosthenes

From a 50 Something, soon to be rural homesteading, Prepper ;-}

Read, Think, Plan and Do: The Scarcity of Skills

Read, Think, Plan and Do ...

Yes, Virginia history does teach us invaluable lessons.

A must read: The Scarcity of Skills By Kellene Bishop

"Today is the Tomorrow that you worried about Yesterday"

From a 50 Something, soon to be rural homesteading, Prepper ;-}

Prepping for Animals, Pets & Livestock

Disaster planning is a “what if” game – what if you were at work, away from home shopping, etc and your pets or livestock were at home with no one else there? What if a sudden disaster occurred in the middle of the night? Would you be able to fully accomplish everything you needed to and safely evacuate in time? Your plans for you and yours should be based on this kind of advance thinking. Basically this will be the same for your Animals, Pets and Livestock as it is for you and your family.

Like any preparedness exercise, you need a plan; an inventory of what you have and what you need (skills & goods); an emergency go-bag, including a first aid kit; food, water and shelter; an Animal Documentation Book and a budget to accomplish it all. Your animals, pets and livestock are no different.

From my research the top 2, the very best and second to none, downloadable information PDF’s are:

Saving the Whole Family by the American Veterinary Medical Association at http://www.avma.org/disaster/saving_family_brochure.pdf . This covers the most variety of both Pets and Livestock.

Emergency Planning Workbook by the Equine University at http://www.thehorse.com/pdf/emergency/emergency.pdf. This includes forms for planning and your documentation book. Although geared to the horse, just substitute your pet or other livestock and use the above PDF for the detailed stuff on each particular type of animal.

A good basic site for general animal, pet & livestock preparedness downloadable information is: http://www.accem.org/animalprep.html

Your local humane organization, agricultural extension agent, or local emergency management agency may be able to provide you with information about your community’s disaster response plans. For general information about animal disaster preparedness, write to Disaster Services,
The Humane Society of the United States,
2100 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20037;
call 202-452-1100; or visit www.hsus.org.

For Community Pet Preparedness see Ready.GOV (part of Homeland Security/FEMA) for some basic and mind provoking ideas (Yes basic, cause this is the government, but they do have this interesting section called Lessons Learned - humm) at:

http://www.ready.gov/america/toolkit_pets/
http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/toolkit_pets/PetPreparednessToolkit_100429.doc


Disaster Readiness Tips for OWNERS OF SERVICE ANIMALS from the National Organization on Disability (www.nod.org/emergency or http://www.accem.org/pdf/serviceanimalspets.pdf )

In your Documentation Book have a Pet Record sheet for each pet, service animal or livestock. If you are raising livestock, have a Documentation Book for your livestock containing the basic medical history and identification information. You can also have a CD/DVD that holds more detailed records such as breeding history, inoculations and the like.

Sample found at http://www.accem.org/pdf/individuapetrecord.pdf

General Tips:

Make a disaster plan to protect your property, your facilities, and your animals. Create a list of emergency telephone numbers, including those of your employees, neighbors, veterinarian, state veterinarian, poison control, local animal shelter, animal care and control, county extension service, local agricultural schools, trailering resources, and local volunteers. Include a contact person outside the disaster area. Make sure all this information is written down and that everyone has a copy.

Arrange for a place to shelter your animals. Plan ahead and work within your community to establish safe shelters for farm animals. Potential facilities include fairgrounds, other farms, racetracks, humane societies, convention centers, and any other safe and appropriate facilities you can find. Survey your community and potential host communities along your planned evacuation route.

Contact your local emergency management authority and become familiar with at least two possible evacuation routes well in advance.

Check in advance for hotels, motels and shelters, in a 30, 60, 90 mile radius, that take pets and what their requirements are. Many require pre-registration of some sort. Check the following websites before an evacuation to make your plans in advance:

• Visit hotel Internet search sites like www.hotels.com or www.travelocity.com (click "pets allowed" in the search criteria)
• www.petfriendlytravel.com/pet_shelters
• www.aspcapro.org/pet-friendly-evacuation-sheltering.php
• http://www.emergencysuppliesblog.com/pet-emergency-supplies/186-pet-friendly-hotels-for-emergency-evacuation/
• www.takeyourpet.com
• www.petswelcome.com
• www.LetsGoPets.com
• www.petfriendlyhotels.com0
• www.petfriendlytravel.com
• www.1clickpethotels.com
• www.travelpets.com
• www.dogfriendly.com
• www.OfficialPetHotels.com
• www.petscanstay.com/
• www.choicehotels.com/en/pet-friendly-hotels
• www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/guides/us/storm.shtml

The American Automobile Association (AAA) publishes "Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA Pet Book". It lists, by state and city, 13,000 locations that will accommodate pets in an emergency. The PetBook is available in many AAA club offices, at better bookstores or online at Barnes and Noble.

Find local animal shelters (http://www.petfinder.com/shelters.html )prepared to provide emergency shelter for displaced pets. Government run shelters will be listed in the blue pages of the phone book, and non-profit animal shelters in the yellow pages.

Have a list of local PET SHELTERS

Remember AMERICAN RED CROSS Shelters DO NOT allow animals!

Know your areas POST-DISASTER ANIMAL COLLECTION SITES in case you are separated from your pet.

Talk to your veterinarian about boarding facilities. Do they have a plan?

Coordinate with your local Humane Society ahead of time.

Your pets’ vaccinations should be current and documentation available.

Talk with your family or friends; are they a resource?

Do you have current photographs of you and your pets together?

Do your pets have identification collars, tags, tattoos, chips?

Do you have a properly sized pet carrier for each animal? Carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around comfortably.

Work with your pet so the first time they go into the carrier is NOT during an emergency.

Make sure every animal has durable and visible identification.

Ensure that poultry have access to high areas in which to perch, if they are in a flood-prone area, as well as to food and clean water.

Reinforce your house, barn, and outbuildings with hurricane straps and other measures. Perform regular safety checks on all utilities, buildings, and facilities on your farm/ranch.

Use only native and deep-rooted plants and trees in landscaping (nonnative plants are less durable and hardy in your climate and may become dislodged by high winds or broken by ice and snow).

Remove all barbed wire, and consider rerouting permanent fencing so that animals may move to high ground in a flood and to low-lying areas in high-wind events.

Install a hand pump and obtain enough large containers to water your animals for at least a week (municipal water supplies and wells are often contaminated during a disaster).

Identify alternate water and power sources. A generator with a safely stored supply of fuel may be essential, especially if you have electrical equipment necessary to the well-being of your animals.

Secure or remove anything that could become blowing debris; make a habit of securing trailers, propane tanks, and other large objects. If you have boats, feed troughs, or other large containers, fill them with water before any high-wind event. This prevents them from blowing around and also gives you an additional supply of water.

If you use heat lamps or other electrical machinery, make sure the wiring is safe and that any heat source is clear of flammable debris.

Label hazardous materials and place them all in the same safe area. Provide local fire and rescue and emergency management authorities with information about the location of any hazardous materials on your property.

Remove old buried trash—a potential source of hazardous materials during flooding that may leech into crops, feed supplies, water sources, and pasture.

If evacuation is not possible, a decision must be made whether to confine large animals to an available shelter on your farm or leave them out in pastures. Owners may believe that their animals are safer inside barns, but in many circumstances, confinement takes away the animals’ ability to protect themselves. This decision should be based on the type of disaster and the soundness and location of the sheltering building.

Survey your property for the best location for animal sheltering. If your pasture area meets the following criteria, your large animals may be better off out in the pasture than being evacuated:

No exotic (nonnative) trees, which uproot easily
No overhead power lines or poles
No debris or sources of blowing debris
No barbed-wire fencing (woven-wire fencing is best)
Not less than one acre in size (if less than an acre, your livestock may not be able to avoid blowing debris).

If your pasture area does not meet these criteria, you should evacuate. Whether you evacuate or shelter in place, make sure that you have adequate and safe fencing or pens to separate and group animals appropriately.

Work with your state department of agriculture and county extension service. If your animals cannot be evacuated, these agencies may be able to provide on-farm oversight. Contact them well in advance to learn their capabilities and the most effective communication procedure.

Evacuate animals as soon as possible. Be ready to leave once the evacuation is ordered.
In a slowly evolving disaster, such as a hurricane, leave no later than 72 hours before anticipated landfall, especially if you will be hauling a high-profile trailer such as a horse trailer. Remember: Even a fire truck fully loaded with water is considered “out of service” in winds exceeding 40 mph. If there are already high winds, it may not be possible to evacuate safely.

Set up safe transportation. Trucks, trailers, and other vehicles suitable for transporting livestock (appropriate for transporting each specific type of animal) should be available, along with experienced handlers and drivers.

Take all your disaster supplies with you or make sure they will be available at your evacuation site. You should have or be able to readily obtain feed, water, veterinary supplies, handling equipment, tools, and generators if necessary.

If your animals are sheltered off your property, make sure that they remain in the groupings they are used to. Also, be sure they are securely contained and sheltered from the elements if necessary, whether in cages, fenced-in areas, or buildings.

Review and update your disaster plan, supplies, and information regularly.

Recap

Make a Plan for what you will do in an emergency.

Plan in advance what you will do in an emergency. Be prepared to assess the situation. Use common sense and whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself and ensure your pet’s safety during an emergency.

Evacuate. Plan how you will assemble your pets and anticipate where you will go. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you, if practical. If you go to a public shelter, keep in mind your pets may not be allowed inside. Secure appropriate lodging in advance depending on the number and type of animals in your care. Consider family or friends outside your immediate area who would be willing to take in you and your pets in an emergency. Other options may include: a hotel or motel that takes pets or some sort of boarding facility, such as a kennel or veterinary hospital that is near an evacuation facility or your family’s meeting place. Find out before an emergency happens if any of these facilities in your area might be viable options for you and your pets.

Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your evacuation plans and show them where you keep your pet’s emergency supply kit. Also designate specific locations, one in your immediate neighborhood and other farther away, where you will meet in an emergency.

Talk to your pet’s veterinarian about emergency planning. Discuss the types of things you should include in your pet’s emergency first aid kit. Get the names of vets or veterinary hospitals in other cities where you might need to seek temporary shelter. Also talk with your veterinarian about microchipping. If you and your pet are separated, this permanent implant for your pet and corresponding enrollment in a recovery database can help a veterinarian or shelter identify your animal. If your pet is microchipped, keeping your emergency contact informa¬tion up to date and listed with a reliable recovery database is essential to you and your pet being reunited.

Gather contact information for emergency animal treatment. Make a list of contact information and ad¬dresses of area animal control agencies including the Humane Society or ASPCA and emergency veterinary hospitals. Keep one copy of these phone numbers with you, and one in your pet’s emergency supply kit. Obtain “Pets Inside” stickers and place them on your doors or windows, including information on the number and types of pets in your home to alert firefighters and rescue workers. Consider putting a phone number on the sticker where you could be reached in an emergency. And, if time permits, remember to write the words “Evacuated with Pets” across the stickers, should you evacuate your home with your pets.

Get a Kit of pet emergency supplies.

Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival, particularly food and water.

• • Food: Keep at least three days of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
• • Water: Store at least three days of water specifically for your pets, in addition to water you need for yourself and your family.
• • Medicines and medical records: Keep an extra supply of medicines your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container.
• • First aid kit: Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs. Most kits should include cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Include a pet first aid reference book.
• • Collar with ID tag, harness or leash: Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag in your pet’s emergency supply kit.
• • Important documents: Place copies of your pet’s registration information, adoption papers, vaccination documents and medical records in a clean plastic bag or waterproof container and also add them to your kit.
• • Crate or other pet carrier: If you need to evacuate in an emergency situation take your pets and animals with you, provided that it is practical to do so.
• • Sanitation: Include pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs. You can use bleach as a disinfectant (dilute nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an emergency you can also use it to purify water. Use 8 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon
• • of water, stir well and let it stand for 30 minutes before use. Do not use scented or color safe bleaches or those with added cleaners.
• • A picture of you and your pet together: If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet. Include detailed information about species, breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics.
• • Familiar items: Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.

Consider two kits. In one, put everything your pets will need to stay where you are and make it on your own. The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you and your pets have to get away.

Be Prepared for what might happen.

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an emergency supply kit for yourself, your family and your pets, is the same regardless of the type of emergency. However, it’s important to say informed about what might happen and know what types of emergencies are likely to affect your region.

Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instruc¬tions received from authorities on the scene. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unex¬pected. Those who take the time to prepare themselves and their pets will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry. Take the time now to get yourself and your pet ready.

Resources:

Disaster Preparedness Kit Checklist www.petfinder.com/disaster/preparednesschecklist.html
Animal First Aid Kit www.petfinder.com/disaster/firstaid.html
Animal Disaster Preparedness Plan www.petfinder.com/disaster
AVMA www.avma.org
Humane Society USA: http://www.hsus.org/
American Society for the Cruelty to Animals: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer
Shortcut to: FEMA WEB site: http://www.fema.gov/preparedness/animals_and_disasters.shtm
American kennel Club: http://www.akc.org/enewsletter/taking_command/2005/november/prepare.cfm
Noah’s Wish: http://www.noahswish.org/
Best Friends: http://bestfriends.org/
“Animals in Disaster” is offered by DEMA as a module in Community Emergency Response Training. For information about attending this course or this module visit: http://www.state.de.us/dema/default.shtml. Click on Citizen Corps then CERT. Although specific to Delaware, it has some great information.

For detailed information and starter lists see the links above or download the full article at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/31791013/Prepping-for-Animals-Pets-and-Livestock

Keep On Preppin’

From a 50 Something, soon to be rural homesteading, Prepper ;-}

21 Free Prepping E-books!

Hey folks - Take a look at this from APN !!!

Get 21 free Prepping E-books!

This is all you have to do.

1) Visit The Wilder Boys Blog
2) Click Become a follower
3) Leave a comment on their blog.
4) Post about this giveaway on your blog or email your friends and tell them.
You can copy and post this link: http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.com/2010/05/21-free-prepping-e-books.html

Subjects include:

• Recipe Books and Food Storage
• Gardening
• Animals and Livestock
• Building Plans
• Survival Books

(The Furriers Friend & Cutting Lamb have reversed links)

Today is the Tomorrow that you worried about Yesterday

From a 50 Something, soon to be rural homesteading, Prepper ;-}

Prepping With Children

Check out this great post at TheSurvivalistBlog on Prepping With Children

"" ... Getting your child involved in the process will ensure that your child is comfortable with the future. The more you include your child in the process, the more comfortable with the concepts of prepping he will be and he will not be as frightened by the SHTF. ..."

Prep On

Today is the Tomorrow that you worried about Yesterday

From a 50 Something, soon to be rural homesteading, Prepper ;-}

When Do You Bug-Out or stay Put?

In order to determine if you should shelter in place or evacuate/bug-out you will need to answer a series of questions – kinda like a decision tree. To effectively ask those questions, you will need to be aware of what is happening around you – local, state, national and international; you will need to have a plan to account for each possible scenario that may occur in your area – already in place.

Also keep in mind that if a government entity suggests or orders an evacuation, then they have most likely waited until the last possible moment to issue the order – so don’t tally! You, the evacuees, are solely responsible to pack and go, not your employer (even if they tell you to stay), not the government and not your neighbor or in-laws – You Alone Are Responsible for You and Yours.

In fact studies have shown that in times of crisis about 30-45% of the police, fire, rescue and military personnel will go home and take care of their own families first, especially if they are nearby.

If you decide to NOT evacuate and you then need help these same police, fire, rescue and military personnel will go to the areas that were NOT ordered to evacuate BEFORE they go to help people in areas that were told to evacuate.

You CANNOT count on any government or emergency agency to come to your rescue in a timely fashion. The only things you can count on are yourself (physical, emotional & spiritual), your knowledge, skills and the supplies and tools you have on hand – at that moment!

Have regular practice exercises where you have only 30 minutes to an hour to pack and go. Time yourselves and make the drill fun with rewards and the like.

The advantage that we Preppers have is that we have a set of well thought out plans. We have our gear and supplies in easy reach from 72-hour bags to caches and shelters. We have at least one bug-out retreat if not three, besides our primary residence. All are stocked for at least 30-60 days. If we must bug-out we have at least 3 different routes and rendezvous/meet locations along each possible route we may take. We have put alternative communication and transportation plans into effect. We will not be a statistic - Which will put us in a position where we might be the only ones able to assist the authorities.

Be Aware

Knowledge is essential in any type of disaster or evacuation scenario. The sooner you can determine the answers to the questions below, the less the people around you will be running around like chickens with their heads cut off getting in your way and the less traffic on the roads if evacuation is ordered.

To be aware take advantage of every possible type of communication type in your area. Newspapers, TV, Radio, HAM, CB, Scanners, internet, weather alerts and the like. The more sources of information, the faster you will be able to determine if you can stay put or must bug-out.

The more information you have, the better you can “read the signs” around you. Some signs are:

• A rush or long lines at banks, gas stations or grocery and home improvement stores
• An increase in police, fire, rescue and military personnel
• Lines at sporting, camping and gun stores
• There is more traffic leaving your area than approaching
• An increase in barrel & barricade trucks and or military, fire and law enforcement vehicles
• Ambulances and medical personnel are flocking to the hospitals

If you have been monitoring your communication and news sources then you will know if this is a city Preparedness Drill, a massive toxic spill, hurricane or whatever.

The 12 Key Questions to Ask & Plan for are: (Thank You TheSurvivalPodcast.com)

• Which choice gives you the best chance of survival for the scenario at hand? (this is not always clear)
• How well prepared are you to shelter in place?
• What exactly are you prepared for? (a forest fire is far different from local rioting)
• Have evacuation orders been given or suggested?
• What is the nature and probable duration of the threat?
• Well staying put change anything as far as “saving your home”?
• Where will you go and how will you get there?
• Do you own a bug out location or have double up plans or no place to go at all?
• Will you be able to help your community if you stay?
• What will the impact of staying or going be on your family, can they handle what you can?
• What can you take with you and what must you leave behind?
• If you leave what exactly is waiting for you at your destination?

The Government

According to the Disaster Evacuation and Displacement Policy the government has the right to force someone out of their home:

“Dependent upon state and local law, [the local executive] has extraordinary powers to suspend local laws and ordinances, such as to establish curfew, direct evacuations, and, in coordination with the local health authority, to order quarantine.”

For details see: Disaster Evacuation and Displacement Policy for Congress at: http://digital.library.unt.edu/govdocs/crs/permalink/meta-crs-7643:1

When you plan for these questions, remember that depending on the crisis the following could play a role in your answer to stay or go.

• Civil Upheaval/Crime
• Lasting Health Issues
• Lasting Supply Issues

Remember Katrina – it’s not If – it’s When

There are also some Pro’s and Con’s to your decision.

Pro’s

• The food in your refrigerator and pantry can supplement your survival stash
• If you lose power, you can quickly cook much of your food and monitor the temperature of your freezer (frozen food will usually keep at least 24 hours)
• You'll have more time to improve your home's chances of survival (move items to high ground, put plywood over windows, etc.)
• It offers shelter against most elements
• You'll have access to all your clothing, bedding and other comforts
• You won't suffer from boredom as much as you might in a shelter (unless your retreat is well stocked)
• You possibly can protect your stuff from looters
• You have more room to store emergency supplies

Con’s

• If you decide to evacuate later, it may be too late. Traffic, clogged roads, roadblocks, etc will be a hindrance
• Without heat, electricity, hot water or other services, home just isn't the same, unless you have backup energy
• There is no sense of community, unless other neighbors or members of your local survival group stay home, too. You may feel cut off and alone
• If a mandatory evacuation has been ordered, you may be prosecuted by local authorities (although this rarely happens); at the very least your area will be the last place getting aid or search& rescue
• You and yours may become a liability to S&R.

Recommended Reading and Listening

There an excellent podcast about this called: Bug In or Bug Out - 12 Questions to Ask - Episode-289 found at: http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/bug-in-or-bug-out-12-questions-to-ask It is about 30 minutes long and well worth your time.

A great article called When to Bug Out: Knowing the Signs can be found at: http://readynutrition.com/resources/when-to-bug-out-knowing-the-signs_10012010/

Another good one is Heed the Disaster, Know the Dangers at: http://readynutrition.com/resources/heed-the-disaster-know-the-danger_25012010/ “…The Effects and Damage Could Be More Than One Envisioned …”

Bug Out or Batten Down? Should you Stay or Go? by Captain Dave at: http://www.captaindaves.com/guide/bugout.htm is fantastic “…We all have a strong desire to protect what's ours. Regardless of whether you own the largest house in the neighborhood or rent a ramshackle shack, home is where the heart is, not to mention all the rest of your stuff! And Captain Dave knows you've worked long and hard to accumulate that stuff, so abandoning it and running for safety may stick in your craw. …”

Bottom line: The needs and agendas of governments are different than that of the citizens.

It’s your choice and yours alone. Only you can determine the ultimate consequences of staying or going, for you and yours.

“It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.”
Whitney M Young Jr

From a 50 Something, soon to be homesteading Prepper ;-}

Americans Have No Right to Unfettered Food of All Kinds !?!

From APN Newsletter 05 12 10 @ http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.com/2010/05/you-have-no-natural-right-to-food.html

Read, follow the links, then weep ;-{

APN Quote:

No matter what your stance is politically, you are human. You eat and drink as a matter of survival, but as humans we consume as social beings. No one has the right to take away food found in it's natural state. However the FDA thinks that we should not be allowed to eat and drink what we so desire. Another agency that wishes to save us from ourselves.

From Natural News;

The FTCLDF (http://www.ftcldf.org/ Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defence Fund) highlighted a few of the key phrases from the FDA's response document in a recent email to its supporters. They include the following two statements from the FDA:

"There is no 'deeply rooted' historical tradition of unfettered access to foods of all kinds." [p. 26]

"Plaintiffs' assertion of a 'fundamental right to their own bodily and physical health, which includes what foods they do and do not choose to consume for themselves and their families' is similarly unavailing because plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to obtain any food they wish." [p.26]

There's a lot more in the document, which primarily addresses the raw milk issue, but these statements alone clearly reveal how the FDA views the concept of health freedom. Essentially, the FDA does not believe in health freedom at all. It believes that it is the only entity granted the authority to decide for you what you are able to eat and drink.

The State, in other words, may override your food decisions and deny you free access to the foods and beverages you wish to consume. And the State may do this for completely unscientific reasons -- even just political reasons -- all at their whim.

******
But it gets even worse. On page 27 of the dismissal, the FDA also states that Americans do not have a fundamental right to enter into private contractual agreements with one another, either.

Read entire article here>>>> http://www.naturalnews.com/028757_raw_milk_FDA.html Raw milk battle reveals FDA abandonment of basic human right to choose your food

I found some more tidbits

Here>>> http://www.newswithviews.com/Hannes/doreen103.htm FDA WANTS TO CONTROL EVERYTHING YOUR FAMILY EATS

There is No Right to Consume or Feed Children Any Particular Food (pg25)

There is No Generalized Right to Bodily and Physical Health. (pg26)

There is No Fundamental Right to Freedom of Contract (pg 27)

Posted by Phelan at 8:44 AM

----- End APN Quote -----------------

Legislation

A. S 510: FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (S510-RS) http://www.ftcldf.org/refdocs/s510_rs_121809-getdoccgi.pdf as reported in the Senate by Sen. Harkin with an amendment "in the nature of a substitute" and placed on Senate Legislative Calendar as No. 247. Introduced by Sen. Durbin on March 3, 2009. Obtained 22 April 2010 at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:s510rs.txt.pdf
Status of the bill is posted at http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:S.0510:

B. HR 2749: Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749-RFS) http://www.ftcldf.org/refdocs/hr2749_rfs_080309-getdoccgi.pdf as engrossed and assigned to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) on August 3, 2009 after passing in the House of Representatives on July 31, 2009. Formally introduced by Rep. Dingell on June 8, 2009. Obtained 22 April 2010 at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2749rfs.txt.pdf
Status of the bill is posted at http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2749:

-----------------

Related Articles:

S 510 the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:S.0510:
HR 2749 the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.r.02749:
Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (http://www.ftcldf.org/) http://www.ftcldf.org/news/news-foodsafety.htm "... S.510 and HR 2749 represent landmark legislation that will significantly increase the federal government's power to regulate intrastate commerce while hurting this country's ability to produce safe food and to become self-sufficient in food production. ..."

Food Safety: The Worst of Both Bills (HR 2749 & S 510) "... In reality, neither bill would improve food safety; in fact, the new requirements would cause an increase in imported food, a major source of the food safety problems in this country. Either bill would diminish the freedom and liberty Americans currently have to obtain the food of their choice from the source of their choice. What follows is a review of the more damaging provisions of the two bills under the following subheadings:
• A. National Agriculture and Food Defense Strategy
• B. Authority over Movement of Food
• C. Criminal and Civil Penalties
• D. HACCP Plans
• E. Food Traceability
• F. Safety Standards for Produce
..."

the original June 2009 review of HR 2749 http://www.ftcldf.org/docs/hr2749-Geographic%20Quarantine.htm

Food Safety - Can FDA Be Trusted? http://www.ftcldf.org/news/news-29jan2010-food_safety.html

Raw milk battle reveals FDA abandonment of basic human right to choose your food http://www.naturalnews.com/028757_raw_milk_FDA.html

FDA WANTS TO CONTROL EVERYTHING YOUR FAMILY EATS http://www.newswithviews.com/Hannes/doreen103.htm "... The legal brief by the FDA actually has the audacity to proclaim in the table of contents such things as:
There is No Right to Consume or Feed Children Any Particular Food (pg25)
There is No Generalized Right to Bodily and Physical Health. (pg26)
There is No Fundamental Right to Freedom of Contract (pg 27)
FDA’s Regulations Rationally Advance The Agency’s Public Health Mission (pg27) ...Finally, even if such a right did exist, it would not render FDA’s regulations unconstitutional because prohibiting the interstate sale and distribution of unpasteurized milk promotes “bodily and physical health.”..."

White House Seeks to Controls your Food to save the children http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20004653-503544.html

White House: Stop Marketing Unhealthy Foods to Kids – http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20004653-503544.html Vote @ this site too!!!!!

"...A White House report warns "The childhood obesity epidemic in America is a national health crisis." ... The review by the Task Force on Childhood Obesity says one out of every three children is overweight or obese. The task force is a key part of First Lady Michelle Obama's campaign (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20001944-503544.html ) to solve the problem of obesity within a generation. ... "We have a roadmap for implementing our plan across our government and across the country," Michelle Obama told reporters ..."

The Food Rights Firestorm Spreads: Is Big Dairy Helping Regulators Use MA As Test to Bust Raw Milk Buying Clubs? http://www.thecompletepatient.com/journal/2010/4/30/the-food-rights-firestorm-spreads-is-big-dairy-helping-regul.html#comments

Too Much of a Good Thing? MA Regulators Begin to Turn Against Raw Milk Sales By Cracking Down on Buying Groups http://www.thecompletepatient.com/journal/2010/1/31/too-much-of-a-good-thing-ma-regulators-begin-to-turn-against.html

Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) of Massachusetts released a study http://www.thecompletepatient.com/journal/2009/6/23/a-new-survey-helps-us-understand-why-raw-milk-is-the-new-go.html

The Raw Milk Revolution, described @ http://www.thecompletepatient.com/journal/2009/9/30/why-wi-authorities-are-pushing-hard-on-zinniker-farm-milk-ou.html

Dozens Plead, Cajole, Argue for Hands Off Raw Milk Buying Clubs, But Commish Hears a Different Story http://www.thecompletepatient.com/ see press release: http://www.mass.gov/agr/news/pr/330CRM27-announcement-050710.pdf and Organic Pastures Dairy Co. http://www.organicpastures.com/ and local MA television report http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/cow-in-boston-common-for-raw-milk-enthusiasts-20100510

---------------

Referenced Sources

1. DHS. “The Department of Homeland Security’s Role in Food Defense and Critical Infrastructure Protection” http://www.ftcldf.org/refdocs/DHS_Role_in_Food_Defense--OIG_07-33_Feb07.pdf (OIG-07-33), February 2007. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General. Obtained 28 Apr 2010 online at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_07-33_Feb07.pdf
Link to report also posted at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/rpts/gc_1193965173651.shtm

2. Acheson, David. “Food Defense, CARVER+Shock”. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) Training Video captioned in English, French, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Spanish (48:00 minutes; circa August 2007). Posted May 14, 2009. Accessed 28 Apr 2010 at http://www.fda.gov/Food/InternationalActivities/ucm151737.htm
Links to view (captioned in various languages) or download video for offline use (62.8 MB) http://www.fda.gov/Food/InternationalActivities/ucm172583.htm

3. Mead, Paul S., et al. “Food-Related Illness and Death in the United States” (http://www.fda.gov/Food/InternationalActivities/ucm151737.htm ). Emerging Infectious Diseases, vol. 5, 1999, pp. 607-25. Synopses, published monthly by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Obtained online 2 Feb. 2008 at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol5no5/pdf/mead.pdf
Published online at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol5no5/mead.htm

4. GAO. “Much Is Being Done to Protect Agriculture from a Terrorist Attack but Important Challenges Remain” http://www.ftcldf.org/refdocs/gao_much_is_being_done_report-d05214.pdf (GAO-05-214), March 2005. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to Congressional Requesters. Obtained 28 Apr 2010 online at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05214.pdf
Links to the “Highlights” (http://www.ftcldf.org/refdocs/gao_much_is_being_done_highlights-d05214high.pdf ) and “Recommendations” (http://www.ftcldf.org/refdocs/gao_much_is_being_done-webpage.pdf ) are posted at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-05-214

5. Munsell, John. “HACCP: USDA’s Current Style of Meat Inspection”( http://www.ftcldf.org/refdocs/Munsell_Pwrpt_HACCP_FDAs_style_Jan_2010.pdf ). PowerPoint presentation, January 2010. Received 25 Jan 2010 by email “with absolutely no restrictions on its dissemination”.
View online as a PDF file http://www.ftcldf.org/refdocs/Munsell_Pwrpt_HACCP_FDAs_style_Jan_2010.pdf or download as a PowerPoint file http://www.ftcldf.org/refdocs/Munsell_Pwrpt_HACCP_FDA%27s_style_Jan_2010.ppt

6. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). “CBP Completes First Regional Installation of Nationwide Trade Processing System in Western Washington”. (http://www.ftcldf.org/refdocs/CBP_News_061505--ACE_installation.pdf )News Release June 15, 2005. Obtained 6 May 2010 at link http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/archives/2005_press_releases/062005/06152005_2.xml
Also appears as a footnote on page 9, referencing http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/about/modernization -
Rodysill, Jade. “High Performance: Ensuring global freight security” (http://www.ftcldf.org/refdocs/FreightSecurityViewpointFINAL.pdf ). Supply Chain Management Viewpoint. Published by Accenture. Accessed 5 May 2010 at http://www.accenture.com/NR/rdonlyres/CF6BD051-198D-4F50-B7FC-8039ABAC5A46/0/FreightSecurityViewpointFINAL.pdf

7. Corbo, Tony. “Remarks for the FSRC Workshops: ‘Assuring Safety of Imported Food’” http://www.ftcldf.org/refdocs/fsrc-import-s1-06_corbo.pdf . February 1, 2010. Posted by the Food Safety Research Consortium (FSRC) for the 2010 conference: “Assuring Safety of Imported Food: Public and Private Roles in a Risk-Based System”. Obtained 2 May 2010 online at http://www.thefsrc.org/importsafety/FSRC-import-S1-06_Corbo.pdf
To view the agenda from the conference, http://www.ftcldf.org/refdocs/fsrc-workshop_-assuring-safety-webpage.pdf , as accessed 2 May 2010 at http://www.thefsrc.org/importsafety.htm

8. Redmond, Judith. “Food Safety” (http://www.growingproduce.com/americanvegetablegrower/?storyid=380 ). American Vegetable Grower, February 2008. Accessed 16 May 2009 at http://www.growingproduce.com/americanvegetablegrower/?storyid=380#
Also posted at http://www.growingproduce.com/production/foodsafety/?storyid=380

9. DeLind, Laura B. and Philip H. Howard. “Safe at any scale? Food scares, food regulation, and scaled alternatives” (http://www.springerlink.com/content/4422g52r15066362/ ). Journal of Agriculture and Human Values (2008), vol. 25: pp. 301-317. Available through SpringerLink for download purchase at http://www.springerlink.com/content/4422g52r15066362/

10. Fantle, Will quoted in “National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Could Harm Local, Family-scale and Organic Growers”. Cornucopia News, September 22, 2009. The Cornucopia Institute. Accessed 5 May 2010 at http://www.cornucopia.org/2009/09/national-leafy-greens-marketing-agreement-could-harm-local-family-scale-and-organic-growers/

11. Eddy, David. “Minimizing Wildlife“. American Vegetable Grower, July 2008. Accessed 16 May 2009 at http://www.growingproduce.com/americanvegetablegrower/?storyid=297
Also posted at http://www.growingproduce.com/production/foodsafety/?storyid=297

12. Lieberman, Lisa. “Spotlight on Food Safety”. American Vegetable Grower, March 2008. Accessed 16 May 2009 at http://www.growingproduce.com/americanvegetablegrower/?storyid=419#
Also posted at http://www.growingproduce.com/production/foodsafety/?storyid=419

----------------

Read the key articles @ http://www.scribd.com/doc/31266955/Americans-Have-No-Right-to-Unfettered-Food-of-All-Kinds-APN-Newsletter-05-12-10

Prep On

50 Something, soon to be rural homesteading, Prepper ;-}

Preparing Your Emergency Documentation Book-Binder

Although your Preparedness Plan is your top priority, having an Emergency Documentation Binder or Book is your next most important task.

This binder represents You and Your Family’s Life – Yep, all the nitty-gritty paperwork that tells the world not only who you are, but who your immediate family members are, as well as, what you own, where to find this vital information, brief medical background and whom to contact concerning you, yours and your possessions, in an emergency/disaster.

If you have to evacuate or bug-out, there most likely will NOT be enough time to run around and collect all this information. If the emergency is severe enough, your primary residence, bank, etc., could be destroyed taking this information with it, so you will need it to “rebuild” your life once the crisis passes.

“Preparedness is not just about stockpiling, it's about having an actual plan.” Mike Ryan

Start with a Plan

All of the suggested reading below will tell you to determine what disasters you feel may occur in your area, how long you think they may last, where you might be when it occurs and the scope of involvement.

Categories of Disasters or Emergencies

• Natural – Floods, Tornados, Hurricanes, Mud Slide, Avalanche, Drought, Severe Winter Storm, Pandemic, Extraterrestrial (sunspots, asteroid, comet), Earthquake, Volcano and the like
• Man-Made – Economical, Social, Ecological, Bio-toxin, Pandemic (can be natural or human induced), Nuclear, Civil Unrest, War, Riot, EMP (electromagnetic pulse), Terrorism, Blackouts , Lack of Energy, Water or Food (Yes this can occur due to nature too, but are often human induced), Toxic Spill and the like
• Bad Luck – Accidents, Getting Lost, General Clumsiness, Disease, Illness, Injury and the like
• Spiritual – Armageddon, Rapture, Revelation, Mayan Calendar, Nostradamus and like prophecies

Duration

• Short Term – One to 7 days
• Mid Term – One week to one month
• Long Term – Months, Years

Scope of Involvement

• Local
• Regional
• National
• Worldwide

Location

• Where you are when the crisis occurs
• Bug-out – Relocation or Evacuation is required or Stay Put

As you build your plan remember to account for both sheltering in place and having to evacuate for each of the possibilities you have determined.

The two most detailed, yet general “build your plan” documents I have found are: Home Emergency Preparedness Workbook by Pandion-LLC. Although I can’t seem to find the original web site I have uploaded the PDF to: http://www.scribd.com/doc/27403530/Home-Emergency-Preparedness-Workbook-Pandion-LLC-15798502 and the 26 Weeks to Emergency Preparedness Workbook by Cowichan Valley of British Columbia, Canada found at: http://www.cvrd.bc.ca/documents/Public%20Safety%20Services/Emergency%20Preparedness/CVEPWorkbook.PDF

For a “Down’n’Dirty” Quickie Checklist for a Making a Plan and accumulating needed information: PDF Format: http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/fsme/docs/emergencyplanpdf.pdf; Excel Format: http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/getting-started/ then select the Excel version.

Another good starter is the Emergency Preparedness Checklist at: http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/babystep-checklists/ or http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/babystep-checklists/ for BabyStep Checklist Email Program – Biweekly emails sent to you with detailed checklists to walk you through our BabySteps in a one year FREE program. You will need to sign up for the free email checklists.

A great “all purpose” get started sample plan that includes your pets (just substitute equine for your pet) can be downloaded from: http://www.thehorse.com/pdf/emergency/emergency.pdf

“Chance favors the prepared mind.” Louis Pasteur

Build the Specific Sections to your Documentation Book

I have a copy of each important document in my Documentation Book and the originals stored in a copy of the Documentation Book in a fireproof locked box. This lock box is about the size of a small or “cube” office file storage box. If I must bug out, I am hoping I can take this lock box with me. If I can’t, well at least I have copies of all of these things in my Documentation Book.

General Things You Will Need

• 3 ring Binder
• Tab Dividers
• Permanent Marker (large and regular)

General Things You May Need

• Pocket Folders or Letter Sized Clasp Envelopes (to put in the 3 ring binder and hold odd and or loose important items)
• 3 Hole Punch
• Pencil, Paper, Sharpener
• Add anything else you feel you need

I strongly suggest you print the following and have it as the First Page of your binder/book. Then make a reduced copy for each family member to keep in their wallet, purse, backpack, go-bag and one for each vehicle (car, truck, RV, boat, plane). I have this list copied on the back of my important emergency contact/information card and laminated.

If disaster strikes these are your immediate first questions to ask and items to collect. You cannot count on memory in times of stress and possible shock. This list will jog your memory, snap you out of the shock and the binder will provide any additional detailed reminders and information.

Questions to always ask immediately after the Disaster/Emergency occurs

• Food
• Water
• Clothing
• Shelter
• Illness or Injury needs
• Defense
• Bug-out or Stay Put
• Basic Tools to achieve and maintain the above necessities to life

Binder Section Dividers Can’t seem to find the original link for this but have uploaded it to: http://www.scribd.com/doc/31181276/Documentation-Book-Organization-Binder-for-Home-Food-Preparedness-Information-25075850

Quick Household Reference Sheet & Important Papers & Numbers Forms can be found at http://www.theideadoor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=979 or
http://www.theideadoor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=980 with a great set of downloadable forms and checklists. A good one to start with is: http://www.theideadoor.com/Preparedness/BINDER%20%20RED%20DOC%20rev%201008.pdf These are checklists that remind you to have copies of various important documents like birth certificates, property deeds, insurance papers and important phone numbers for each family member.

Important Papers Quick Checklist: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/Quick%20household%20reference.doc

Location Directory - List the location of all important documents: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/LOCATION%20DIRECTORY.doc

Important Papers: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/IMPORTANT%20PAPERS%202.doc

Important Phone Numbers: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/EMERGENCY%20PHONE%20NUMBERS.doc

Emergency Contact Cards: http://www.pep.bc.ca/hazard_preparedness/Emergency_Contact_Card.pdf

Medical Emergency Contact Forms – General and for Child(ren):
(General) http://www.agis.com/SqlFileResource.axd?id=33&resource=pdf
Child(ren) permission http://www.theideadoor.com/Directory.html scroll down to Preparedness, then select TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN or http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/TO%20WHOM%20IT%20MAY%20CONCERN.doc.

Medical History: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/MEDICAL%20HISTORY.doc

List Of Current Medications Form http://www.agis.com/SqlFileResource.axd?id=36&resource=pdf

Health Insurance: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/HEALTH%20INSURANCE.doc

Estate Information Guide Form by (CNI) CodeNameInsight found at: http://www.codenameinsight.com/files/ESTATE%20INFORMATION%20GUIDE.pdf This holds the names/DOB/Place of Birth/SS/Date and Place of Marriage, Bank Accounts, Creditors, Utilities, Investment Accounts, Insurance and if you have certain Legal Documents; Who should be notified in case of Death or Emergency and the like.

Household Inventory - Detailed list of important and or valuable possessions. Include photos, receipts and the like if possible: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/HOUSEHOLD%20INVENTORY.doc

Investments Form: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/INVESTMENTS.doc

Credit Cards: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/CREDIT%20CARDS.doc

Real Estate Form: http://www.theideadoor.com/Directory.html scroll down to Preparedness, then select REAL ESTATE or http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/REAL%20ESTATE.doc This will hold a list of all your property and its locations.

Car/Vehicle Insurance: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/CAR%20INSURANCE.doc

Property Insurance: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/PROPERTY%20INSURANCE.doc

Individual Life Insurance: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/INDIVIDUAL%20LIFE%20INSURANCE.doc

Insurance Company Quick Directory Form: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/INSURANCE%20QUICK%20DIRECTORY.doc

Group Life and Retirement Plan Policies: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/GROUP%20LIFE%20and%20RETIREMENT%20PLAN%20POLICIES.doc

Help – OK Signs: http://www.pep.bc.ca/hazard_preparedness/HELP-OK_sign.pdf

The Following Have Evacuated Form found at:
http://www.codenameinsight.com/files/Evac%20poster.pdf Use only if you want everyone to know where y’all have gone. Otherwise make a simple letter sized sign that says “Evacuated” or “House Empty” to save the Search and Rescue people time. Of course an “X” painted on the door or front of the house seems to be rather universal too. Either way, be kind to S&R and leave some kind of notice that you are gone. This could help law enforcement too by alerting them that your vacated house is now occupied by someone else.

Phone Log Documentation Form: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/PHONE%20LOG.xls For if you are in a shelter or for keeping track of which family and or important people you have contacted since the emergency.

Food Brought Into the retreat/shelter: Can use this to keep track of your food storage too. http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/FOOD%20BROUGHT%20IN.xls

Registration and Identification Sheets - (CRI) Child and (ARI) Adult: These are for lost adults and or children or in the case of separation during evacuation. Always keep a current photo for each individual.
(CRI) http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/CRI%20SHEET.doc and
(ARI) http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/ARI%20Sheet.doc

A good checklist of Things that Must Be Done in case a loved one dies:
http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/THINGS%20THAT%20MUST%20BE%20DONE.doc

Letter of Instruction for loved ones in case You die: http://www.theideadoor.com/Document%20Organizer/LETTER%20OF%20INSTRUCTION.doc

OK time to get cracking and make your plans and collect all of your important documents into your Emergency Book. The time spent doing this will save you a ton of hardship and tribulation should a disaster strike.

"What we anticipate seldom occurs; what we least expect generally happens." Benjamin Disraeli

Additional Related Resources: http://www.codenameinsight.com/resources.htm

• Monthly Preparedness "To Do" List January
• Monthly Preparedness "To Do" List February
• Monthly Preparedness "To Do" List March
• Monthly Preparedness "To Do" List April
• Monthly Preparedness "To Do" List May
• Monthly Preparedness "To Do" List June
• Monthly Preparedness "To Do" List July
• Monthly Preparedness "To Do" List August
• Monthly Preparedness "To Do" List September
• Monthly Preparedness "To Do" List October
• Monthly Preparedness "To Do" List November
• Monthly Preparedness "To Do" List December
• Preparedness Survival Drills
• 31 Day Survival Plan
• Estate Information Guide
• Evacuation Poster
• Are You Prepared Survey
• Sample Emergency Plan
• Blackjack
• The CONET Primer
• The Convoy Handbook
• Tactical Convoy Handbook
• The Joys of Sweeping
• A Military Guide to Terrorism
• The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terror
• National Security Emergencies
• OPSEC Primer
• Basic Security Awareness
• Enemy TTP & Recommendations
• Emergency Guidelines for Schools
• Lessons from Anthrax Attacks
• Prevention Against Nuclear Attacks
• Shopping Mall Shooter: A Defensive Response
• Survival Article

Read the entire letter and view sample book pages @ http://www.scribd.com/doc/31215099/Preparing-Your-Emergency-Documentation-Book-Binder

Keep On Preppin’

The precious things in life are hard to find and obtain; otherwise they would only be worth a dime a dozen and not so very precious.

From a 50 Something, soon to be homesteading Prepper ;-}