Homeland Insecurity

Book Review: Homeland Insecurity
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Every day, busy Americans scurry about attending to the needs of daily life. With pressures of family and work, most don’t have the time it takes to think about let alone fully understand the vast government bureaucracy that they trust to take care of everything else that affects them. This bureaucracy remains cloaked behind a veil of secrecy designed to keep inquisitors on the outside at arm’s length.

Those “in the know” that operate behind the veil aren’t saying anything beyond the problem that is periodically fed to media sources to either document the latest agency achievement or to manage full-on damage control.

Within the pages of HOMELAND INSECURITY, we will examine: What is the truth behind federal agency reputations and relationships? From the government’s own findings, which agencies contributed to the failure to stop the attacks of 9/11? Has anything changed? How is the US responding to border threats? How is the government protecting its agents? What are the realities of illegal immigration? Why are US graduates failing to compete with foreign skilled workers? What role did DHS play in ATF’s failed “Operation Fast and Furious”? Where are the whistleblowers and why aren’t more coming forward?

Born and raised in International Falls, Minnesota, a US/Canada border town, Brett Braaten has had lifelong experiences with all phases of life along the border. That by itself gives him a unique perspective in discussing the evolving demands of homeland security on American citizens and their government. Following a successful twenty-nine-year career in federal law enforcement, Brett relates his observations, experiences, and opinions to the reader so that they might determine for themselves if the taxes they have paid and the sacrifices that they have made have been worth it.

I had Brett on my Shepherd School Show on the Preparedness Radio network so I could talk with him about his insights, and how his viewpoint can help “preppers” and all those of an independent mindset learn more about how the system actually works.

The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives

Book Review: The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives
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If you are interested in pyrotechnics, then The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives is a good starting place. It is an older title but it is still relevant, as are all classics.

This book does a great job of explaining the chemistry behind energetic materials. If you have an interest in this area then you need to read his book.

It has a really nest section on making fireworks, a large section on black powder, Manufacture of single based propellants, various nitrates and nitric esters, primary explosive compounds, and great history of this field.

As I stated earlier, this is an older book, but the great thing about chemistry is that the laws don’t change according to whim. We might discover more things we can do, but the basics remain the same.

Now, the caveat, while I do think that knowledge of how this works ans the skill at doing it are important and necessary to both the security of a free state as well as vital to the industrialization of a nation, I do not condone violations of the law.

I think you should definitely buy The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives, read it, study it, and even seek out legal classes if you have the desire, but do not build anything with this knowledge until you have the proper permits, licenses, and safety protocols in place.

The Preparatory Manual of Explosives 3rd Edition

Book Review: The Preparatory Manual of Explosives 3rd Edition
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Knowledge is like guns. It is a tool that in itself has no moral values. It is how it is used that makes it good or evil, or similarly (but not quite alternatively) lawful or unlawful.

The Preparatory Manual of Explosives 3rd Edition is a valuable reference book, full of great information rarely found elsewhere, however, it is also highly illegal to actually construct, or plan to construct anything in this book without the proper licenses.

It is particularly difficult to acquire those licenses, however, if you can legally create the compounds in this manual, then this is a great professional reference.

This is no “anarchist cookbook” of slapped together ideas with dubious credibility – this is a book for professionals and should be treated as such.

Once again, as I have said repeatedly, you should never make anything found in this book or other explosive cookbooks without the proper licenses, permits, and safety protocols in place.  Not only can you kill yourself or innocent people, you can go to jail for a long time.  Alternatively, if you are a terrorist and make bombs, you will deserve to get shot in the face by the police or armed citizen.

Total Money Makeover

Book Review: Total Money Makeover
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I am a big fan of Dave Ramsey, about the only time I don’t listen to his show is when I have either just done, or are planning to do, something with my money that I know doesn’t fit in my budget. (like borrowing from my 401k to buy homestead land).  There is a psychological lesson in that statement….

Dave is the real deal when it comes to financial management.  He is a self made millionaire who has made and lost fortunes.  This has caused him to learn two seperate and equally important lessons, how to make money, and how to keep it.

I find that his book,  Total Money Makeover, is especially useful for preppers.

In general, Preppers already know how to save, and how to discipline ourselves in the short term for long term success, but we might not have the tools to make good choices with out money.

Dave has a simple system that is proven to work if you commit yourself to following the steps. We follow his system at our house, and think that as a part of a larger plan his baby steps are a essential to becoming self reliant.

U.S. Marine Guidebook

Book Review: U.S. Marine Guidebook
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Everything there is to know about the essentials of life as a Marine is found in U.S. Marine Guidebook. From fitness to first aid to firing positions, this book covers all subjects in which every troop, regardless of rank, must maintain proficiency. Learn the Military’s Code of Conduct, understand the Dos and Don’ts of surviving as a POW, and grasp the foundation of military law. Find out about Marine customs, uniforms, and drills. Follow the Marine Corps fitness routines to get into the best shape of your life. Read the detailed section on first aid and learn how to perform CPR, make braces for broken limbs, dress and bandage wounds, improvise slings, and transport injured victims. Find out about the symptoms and treatment of chemical agents and learn how to safely travel through a contaminated area. Also included in the U.S. Marine Guidebook are marksmanship requirements; navigation tactics; and nuclear, biological, and chemical defense.

The U.S. Marine Guidebook details procedure during combat, including code of conduct in war and when to use deadly force. Because these subjects are first taught and tested during recruit training, they are the distinctive qualities of a Marine and his training. Anyone who is interested in what makes a Marine the strong, brave, and skilled individual he or she must be will find this book fascinating. 200 B&W

This guide is an updated version of the one issued to me when I was at Paris Island in the 90’s, but it is still a great tool to get up to speed on defensive and offensive maneuvers, as well as all things military.