Shhhhhh! They’re reading this – the computers . . . scanning for any juicy TEOTWAWKI gossip. Well, that’s what you could believe based on this article in the Washington Post that talks about a recent trade conference that was organized by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to promote open sources of information as part of their intelligence gathering process. Your tin foil hat won’t even protect you from this one. It wasn’t exactly clear what they intend to collect or how, but I imagine it’d be something that mines computers (much like Google) for internet sites, correspondence, etc. for certain key words and phrases. Then systems must follow links here, there and everywhere to get a picture on what is going on, could go on, or has gone on. Whether that be foreign terrorist threats or some threat at home. Trust me, they’re not using paid government employees to surf internet sites and take notes. It’s all automated, I’m sure.
Google was at the show, if you read the article. Sounds like they had a big crowd at the conference, and they refused to say exactly what they were offering for services.
Knowing that SHTFblog has probably been flagged quite often, I have mixed thoughts on this. On the one hand, I think “Hey, what’s the big idea!? I didn’t do anything wrong!” Then on the other hand, I think, “Well, it’s free, public information that I’m choosing to put out here, and who really cares? I haven’t done anything wrong, nor do I advocate anyone else do
anything wrong – so why bother caring?” I lean more towards the latter as I’ve stated time again that I’m not a big government conspiracy theorist. I think – generally speaking – the U.S. government truly wants to help its citizens. I may disagree on how that help should take shape, but whatever. People disagree all the time, and this is a democracy. The majority rules with individual rights (usually) protected (or at least taken into consideration). I don’t fear the government, but I fear the government’s inability to provide help in times of crisis, and I particularly fear the general public’s reliance on government when good times go bad. As I’ve said before, even the U.S. Government advocates a level of preparedness that far exceeds what the average American has. Three days of food and water is what they were telling people facing Hurricane Ike to have on hand. Then, after the hurricane hits, all the people that stayed behind were complaining that they needed help.
Which brings me to the day’s complaint. It’s a complaint about all of the people that CHOSE to stay behind and face Hurricane Ike – and then bitch about not getting help. HELLO! The government TOLD you to get the hell out WELL in advance. I have no pity on these people. Sense of adventure? Pfft! Whatever – your life is on the line, and you have ample time to remedy the situation by getting out of dodge, and you choose to stay instead? Give me a break. Then the government has to have a whole fleet of helicopters on hand to rescue people that shouldn’t have been there in the first place. This really annoys me.
I think that they should handle these post-hurricane rescues the SAME WAY they handle rescues of hikers stranded on mountains or lost in the woods. If shit really hit the fan, and you couldn’t do anything about it – sure, rescue them. If they were IDIOTS and chose not to heed warnings, and THEN need to be rescued – sure, rescue them – BUT CHARGE THEM FOR THE RESCUE! Why should my or anyone else’s tax dollars go to rescue idiots that purposefully chose to put themselves in harm’s way?
– Ranger Man
BTW: Thanks to the person that bought the Katadyn Pocket Filter from the SHTFblog Amazon “store” the other day. I don’t know who you are, and yet . . . I love you.
Remember, you can show love, too. Don’t find something through Amazon that I’ve listed? No matter, use the SHTFblog Amazon search bar, type in what you’re looking for, and then buy. Ranger Man gets a commission and consequently feels inspired to keep blogging. I don’t care what you buy, just do your Amazon buys here. Don’t give it all to Jeff Bezos. He doesn’t need it.
Lastly, thanks to “Hokie” for a link dropped at AR15.com.
10 comments
couldn’t have said that about the hurricane better myself. if you think that getting out of dodge is too big of an inconvenience, then why should the guard inconvenience themselves because of your stupidity? your house is gonna get f*d up any way. sorry people, but if you stayed and then needed rescue…. youre dumbasses
Mother nature can be a real tough on the unprepared to be sure. But many people are mere sheeple, lets face it. Living comfortably numb lives for 99% of the time, it is difficult for them to get off their duff even to save themselves. They believe that all you gotta do is simply dial “911” and help is on its way!
The last Hurricane that went through Houston (same year as Katrina…maybe someone will remember which Hurricane it was….Rita?), they didn’t show any building or infrastructure damage. All they showed was the flooding and said, “Oh, how horrible!” Having lived in Houston in my younger years, I just had to laugh…All it ever took was 1/2 inch of rain to get my neighbors to break out their canoe and go paddling down the street.
But yes…I do agree that the government is wholly incompitent. Oh, BTW, the Department of Homeland Security suggests having 2 weeks of emergency supplies on hand.
Im right there with you bud! OUR tax dollars are spent rescuing the mindless. The government dropped the ball on Katrina and learned from it. Too bad some US citizens did not. I noticed that most of the residents of New Orleans evacated with the last Hurricane.
Even with its flaws I feel the US Government is the finest the world has seen. I do not think they are conspiring against the people of the US, at all. There are some people who believe this and in some way want to topple the Government. Bad idea, about as good as waiting for a Cat. 3 Hurricane to come. If you want change, run for a political office and do it the RIGHT, DEMOCRATIC, CIVILIZED WAY.
Personally I think the Government should put me in charge of disaster preparedness or at least supply them. It is a position I would graciously accept but you know what they say about opinions.
I prep to leave my house. Plain and simple. It would be nice if I could stay but everything in my prep plan is portable for a few reasons. 1. I live on the coast. 2. I live in between two major cities, NYC and Philly. Both of which are less than an hour away. 3. I live in one of the most populated areas of the country that is not considered a city. 4. I live less than a mile from 2 very heavily travelled highways. Disasters can flourish here.
A truck or train full of chemicals can crash, a Hurricane can hit us, blackouts, terrorism, riots…they have all happened here and will again eventually. I will need to leave even if I dont like it.
Thanks for letting me share.
Respectfully, your position, “I haven’t done anything wrong, nor do I advocate anyone else do anything wrong – so why bother caring?” I lean more towards the latter…” is dangerous.
Linked is an outstanding two-part lecture on the 5th Amendment entitled “Eight reasons even the innocent shouldn’t talk to the police”, by Prof. James Duane of the Regent University School of Law. In it, he demonstrates that even with NO malice on the part of the police — just human failings and motivations — people can fall in to legal pitfalls even by telling the absolute TRUTH.
http://www.tuccille.com/blog/2008/07/eight-reasons-even-innocent-shouldnt.html
This is must viewing by you and your readers.
I take the time to write this post as I care; I am a tireless defender of our civil rights, blessings we received through struggle and prescience our our founding fathers. Lest we not forget.
for reference:
“No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless he or she is on presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation”
from wikipedia:
“The Fifth Amendment protects witnesses from being forced to incriminate themselves. To “plead the Fifth” is a refusal to answer a question because the response could form self-incriminating evidence.
Historically, the legal protection against self-incrimination is directly related to the question of torture for extracting information and confessions.[6][7] The legal shift from widespread use of torture and forced confession dates to turmoil of the late 16th and early 17th centuries in England. Anyone refusing to take the oath ex-officio (confessions or swearing of innocence, usually before hearing any charges) was taken for guilty. Suspected Puritans were pressed to take the oath and then reveal names of other Puritans. Coercion and torture were commonly employed to compel “cooperation.” Puritans, who were at the time fleeing to the New World, began a practice of refusing to cooperate with interrogations. In the most famous case John Lilburne refused to take the oath in 1637. His case and his call for “freeborn rights” were rallying points for reforms against forced oaths, forced self-incrimination, and other kinds of coercion. Oliver Cromwell’s revolution overturned the practice and incorporated protections, in response to a popular group of English citizens known as the Levellers. The Levellers presented The Humble Petition of Many Thousands to Parliament in 1647 with thirteen demands, of which the right against self-incrimination (in criminal cases only) was listed at number three. These protections were brought to the American shores by Puritans, and were later incorporated into the United States Constitution through its Bill of Rights.”
…everyone makes a mistake once in a while, hence surveillance is inherently dangerous to a free society.
Hi Ranger Man,
I have been reading your blog for awhile and like your insight. Another way to get by on the cheap and be prepared too.
We do NOT live in a democracy, our founding fathers figured out that is one of the worst forms of government. We live in a representative republic under the rule of law. If we lived in a democracy they could hack the vote and outlaw ALL guns in the next election, BUT since we live in a constitutional republic with a bill of rights, that can not happen……er it is not supposed to. One of my favorite quotes to describe a democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what’s for dinner. In a true democracy, the sheep would get eaten and in a representative republic, the sheep would be protected. (In a perfect world)
Keep on blogging……Thanks
Skip in Kansas City
You are welcome. I bought the water filter. Planned to use Amazon because it was easy and figured I might as well go through your search bar.
…sorry — couldn’t resist sharing this one:
“City uses DNA to fight dog poop”
http://uk.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUKLG37942520080916
So even Fido is going to be surveilled.
Orwell is spinning in his grave.
good post; and i love the cartoon.