Why we prep
Here's another reason why you – and your friends and family – should prep:
Congress gives FBI power to hack computers of millions of Americans
Actually, the title of the above article is more than a little misleading. (Imagine that, a news source "pumping" a headline.) The feds already have the authority to hack the computers of millions of Americans. The rule changes making their way through Congress, as we speak, simply make it easier to shop for a compliant judge or magistrate to issue the warrant for a surreptitious search by no longer requiring that the judge be located in a legal district that contains the computer of interest.
TRENDING: St. Patrick's role on the 'external hard drive'
Nevertheless, it's another example of the camel sliding an additional inch into the tent. And before anyone "projects" a bit more of themselves on the incoming president, bear in mind the Trumpster has spoken glowingly in the past of a fondness for cyber-snooping. (Or least I think he has. Anyone who can tell me what The Donald really thinks has got to be living in Trump Tower and be married to a Slovene-born ex-super model).
So while I don't think this one incident calls for digging up your caches and gathering the clans, it's something to bear in mind. Early next year, I'll cover some aspects of personal cyber-security and bring in a couple of real-deal experts.
Knowing that someone has the capacity to do something is half the battle.
And that's one of the reasons we prep.
Last week I made some Christmas gift suggestions for prepper books I own and find quite helpful. I had thought to continue in that vein this week by listing some useful tools and the like. But then, at a function I recently attended (think of it as a prepper Christmas office party), an incident occurred that made me change my mind.
Now, I've been a prepper longer than a lot of my readers have been eating solid food. I bow to no one in my degree of distrust for the power-mad types who attach themselves, leech-like, to the body politic. And I proudly hold to the old maxim that "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean someone isn't out to get you."
But there is more to life than just black hats in the mist. And while scanning the sky for drones may be prudent, it doesn't mean you can't also recognize that the cloud above you looks a lot like Captain Hook's pirate ship.
In other words, there is more to life than dread alone.
All you old-time preppers who got that old because you didn't die of a heart attack, stroke, or terminal ulcers know what I'm talking about.
There was a guy at that gathering, call him Kevin, who was completely unable to "let go." When the sun broke through the clouds, it reminded him of chem-trails. Snow on the mountain tops brought out lectures on the coming nuclear winter. There wasn't a hint of happiness in the guy. He's walking around with a bull's eye on his back because he knows – just knows – the DHS has a hellfire missile with his name on it.
Honestly, you could tell what portion of the room he was in by the migration patterns.
Now, if you know a Kevin, and likely you do, the following is a letter you should send him at once, before the holiday season finds him alone and friendless, muttering "Bah humbug" and setting deadfall traps for Marley's ghost.
Dear Kevin (replace "Kevin" with your own recipient or you'll make him or her nervous):
It was so wonderful seeing you at the reunion/party/preppers convention/insert location here.
We really don't get to see each other as often as I'd like. You mean a great deal to me. But with love in my heart, I need to tell you I'm very concerned about you. I'm worried about your health and your emotional wellbeing, and I'd be a poor (insert relationship term here) if I didn't let you know.
Let me give you a few examples of the things I've seen that concern me. Do you remember when we were all gathered at the table/bar/buffet/underground lair and Bob started telling us about his new apartment? Julie said that it seemed like a decent neighborhood and Kim added that it must be nice to be able to walk to work. And that's when you jumped in and said, "It's all about Agenda 21! They want you trapped in the city!"
Do you recall how quiet it got?
Fred tried to get the conversation rolling again by telling a funny story about a sales clerk who couldn't figure out the correct change for a $1.73 purchase when presented with a $20 bill. You interrupted him and told everyone present that it didn't matter because "The UN will make all paper money illegal and only those with an implant will be allowed to buy things!"
And it wasn't just that one time, Kevin. Later, Charlie mentioned he was Christmas shopping for a hunting rifle for his son, and you warned him about the coming door-to-door confiscation. Or how about when you denounced that department store Santa as an agent of the NWO in front of all those kids?
Look brother/sister: yes, it's all true. I agree with you. There really are people out to get us. The world is a dangerous place, and there are those who desire the power to make others their slaves. But amidst all the evil, you do yourself and your righteous cause harm if you also fail to recognize the good or can't appreciate the great gifts God has given you.
So this holiday season, remember that all your friends love you. When you smile at your newborn nephew at that family Christmas gathering, put aside thoughts of Common Core for just awhile. And when your snotty-nosed, peace-nik, unemployed cousin says, "We have to ban guns. It's the only way to be really safe," refrain from stabbing her in the throat with your salad fork in a pointed demonstration of the need to prohibit the private ownership of cutlery. Rather, ask her to pass the biscuits and think lovingly about the AR-upper awaiting you under the Christmas tree at home.
If you have trouble letting go of your worries or fears, let me know. I can help. And whenever you feel yourself slipping into melancholy, think of these two things:
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." – Matthew 6: 33-34
and
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." – Luke 2:11
So be a happy warrior, my friend. The coming battles may be long and hard, but those with faith in God and his Son will win in the end.
Have a Merry Christmas. (Try it, you'll like it.)
Your friend, Pat McLene (your name here)
And God bless us everyone.
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