Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #153

Fellow Patriots,

Greetings and welcome to the Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #153. Thanks for stopping by to spend a few minutes with us. It is great to have you with the HFS family. We are doing our best to keep you informed and prepared for events that could impact your life daily.

Just when we thought things couldn't get any crazier, we see our gas prices escalating daily when we are a nation blessed with plenty of energy opportunities. We send billions of dollars to foreign countries while Americans continue to struggle coming out of two years of Covid-19 destruction and strangulation. The sad part is millions continue to believe things will get better through the hands of others instead of taking the bull by the horns and getting prepared. This doesn't mean stopping by your local 21 flavor happy stand for king sized cones of debt and corruption. If you haven't noticed, it's on every corner now.

It was a great week for HFS. We had a great group meeting with our local community where 12 preparedness minded Patriots gathered to move forward learning preparedness skills. It was great to meet our new neighbors from the local area. Then HFS conducted a satellite phone working group that evening to begin the framework for a HFS alerting system to keep fellow Patriots aware of essential events occurring around the nation. We have worked on the alerting system all week and hope to have it ready to deploy soon. Behind the scenes we also have working groups developing a HFS Food Calculator and HFS Group team leader development. It seems we never have a dull moment, and this is good. To cap things off, we celebrated Ms. Lucy's birthday with a nice dinner and praline cheesecake smothered in warm caramel. Then later in the week Ms. Lucy pulled a fresh roast beef out of the freezer that I haven't had time to can yet. She fixed a Mississippi Roast that beyond description. After a slow cooked day in the crock pot smothered in peppers, powered ranch dressing, and some seasoning, at serving time the roast would have made a vegetarian slobber. It was so good. Have you noticed I love talking about food?

Okay, let us move along.

Just for fun...

Can you break the code? If so, email me your answer. Do NOT put in the message block. Each week the coded puzzle will get harder.

This week's code is: #-%-@-@-@-@-$/%-#-!-!-%-!/@-#-!-!-@-$/%-@-@/@-!-#-!-@-#-%-!-@-@-$/%-#-!/$-!-!-@/#-!-!-#-!-@-2/%-!-#/$-!-@-$/!-!-#-#/%-!-!-@/@-!-!-#-%-$-!/

Good luck!!!

Congrats to our Patriot sister from North Alabama for breaking last weeks coded message. The message was: Have you built your five, five, five, plan yet?

Okay, let's move along. First a few business items and promoting HFS.

Thursday Zoom Rallies – No zoom rally was conducted this week. The next zoom rally will include discussions on the 8 pillars of preparedness, and the upcoming HFS Alerting platform near completion. The next Zoom rally will be conducted on March 17, 2022.

Communications: You can now follow HFS social media on the following outlets:

Facebook – Hope for Survival

YouTube Channel – Hope for Survival

MeWe: - //mewe.com/p/hopeforsurvival2

Odysee - Hope for Survival (odysee.com)

Parler - Preparedness101

Check out the newest HFS YouTube video at this link. If you have not, please hit subscribe and support our efforts to get the preparedness message out. Thanks. https://youtu.be/TKayDFymR7I

Connect and give me a shout. Share with family and friends.

Guest and Newcomers

If you are a guest or newcomer to the HFS journey, please check out this link for additional

information offered through HFS. https://www.hopeforsurvival.com/post/guest-and-newcomers-information-page

Hope for Survival books and HFS Thumb Drive for Emergency Documents -: You can obtain information on the two HFS books at this link: Survival, Preparedness, Disaster Management for individuals or family (hopeforsurvival.com)

Hope for Survival - How Food, Water, Shelter, and Security Could Save Your Life (Book 1)

Hope for Survival - The Mindset (Book 2)

HFS Thumb Drive for Emergency Documents - We just restocked the HFS Thumb drive and have them available now. Follow this link and you will see the add at the top of the page. Blog | Survival (hopeforsurvival.com)

Heritage Life Skills 2022 - Waynesville, NC, May 20-22 - Class schedule and signups are posted for your review and selection. Once again, the price for a full weekend attendance or single day visit can't be beat. This is a very affordable opportunity for loads of preparedness training and information. Not to mention, you will meet some amazing people who become friends for life in many cases. Here is the link to view this year's classes, class schedules, and instructor bios. Upcoming Events | Carolina Readiness | Preparedness & Camping Store If you have questions, please call the Carolina Readiness Supply at 828-456-5310.

If you would like to sign up for classes taught by Hope for Survival at this event, here's the posted HFS dates, times, and classes being taught.

Thursday, May 19, 2022 - HFS Potluck Dinner (time to be determined)

Friday, May 20, 2022 - 830 AM to 1130 AM - Preparedness 101

Friday, May 20, 2022 - 1 PM - 230 PM - Preparedness 102

Friday, May 20, 2022 - 3 PM - 430 PM - Vetting New Members (New Class)

Saturday, May 21, 2022 - 830 AM - 1130 AM - Preparedness 101

Saturday, May 21, 2022 - 1 PM - 230 PM - Preparedness 102

Saturday, May 21, 2022 - 3 PM - 430 PM - Psychological Preparedness (New Class)

Sunday, May 22, 2022 - 830 AM - 10 AM - Vetting New Members (New Class)

Sunday, May 22, 2022 - 10:30 AM - 1200 PM - Protecting Your Five Mile Radius

Sunday, May 22, 2022 - 1 PM - 230 PM - Psychological Preparedness (New Class)

HFS March Madness Donation Drive 2022 - We are starting week two of our annual donation drive and we are currently at 25% of our goal for this year. It is easy to visit a website and scroll through articles and participate in zoom rallies. From the HFS management end, all of these features cost money to keep in operations. Your donation helps us pay for licenses, fees, and equipment to keep the HFS mission moving forward. Thanks to everyone who donated to this cause to support the operations of HFS. Bless you.

We must make this brief public announcement to protect the innocent.

Ding, Ding, Ding....Attention HFS readers..... Opinions shared in this newsletter are just that, opinions, and nothing more. Read at your own risk. The owner and author of this site is not responsible for hurt feelings or thin-skinned readers. I do my best to show restraint and respect to the best extent possible. I take as many precautions as possible and try to remain as nonpolitical as possible, however, there are times when I just can't help but point certain things out. Occasionally I use words only Patriots recognize and understand. It's not personal against any non-Patriot. It's just the truth. Sometimes we must pull up our spenders and suck it up. Just saying. Stay the course, read what you want, and avoid the rest. Avoid fear porn as much as possible and the day will be okay. When all else fails… Keep the faith and always have Hope.

Let’s move along and get to some thoughts...

Thoughts for the week - Executive Orders - By Festus

Over the past few weeks Festus has been researching and putting together some information regarding Executive Orders historically. Why Executive Orders? They are important and it is a topic discussed recently in a HFS Thursday Zoom Rally. Often, we all encounter people totally frustrated with the federal system or can't understand why a federal decision is made on a topic of interest. We ask the million-dollar question "how can they do that?" Knowing existing Executive Orders, and laws will help us understand things, right or wrong.

Note:

Revoked = froze it. Amends = changed it

The trail of revokes and amends is provided by

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/executive-orders/1962.html

Most if not all of these EOs listed below have a series and trails of revokes and amends that get so numerous that it resembles a March Madness playoff chart. Very difficult and time consuming to follow from one end to the other and to track all the variations along the way (so I didn’t). I did go to the last revoke on record and typically it was moving the actions to the dept of homeland security.

A lot of these listed were under Kennedy and probably driven by the Cuban missIle crisis. The brief description of these EOs is usually technically true but are not in the spirit or context of the entire document. Also remember that a lot of changes have been made over the years and each change series would have to be entirely researched to actually know what is actually now covered and by what exact EO. But that may be the point. Have so many starts and stops and misleading trails that they cannot be followed.

The point is just because something is said or written does not mean it is true or not misleading. Doesn’t mean that it isn’t either. Own research is necessary to get the real picture. I just don’t have the time to do this in the excruciating detail necessary to get to track the original EO thru all the revokes and amends to get to the current EO and what it actually now says.

The internet description is shown with the EO number. My comments are highlighted.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 10990 allows the government to take over all modes of transportation and control of highways and seaports False. Kennedy Revoked by EO 12553 on 2/25/86.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 10995 allows the government to seize and control the communication media. False. Kennedy Revoked/amended by EO 12553.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 10997 allows the government to take over all electrical power, gas, petroleum, fuels and minerals. Appears to be true. Kennedy. Revoked/amended: EO 13286 on 2/28/03

EXECUTIVE ORDER 10998 allows the government to seize all means of transportation, including personal cars, trucks or vehicles of any kind and total control over all highways, seaports, and waterways. False. Kennedy. Deals with agriculture. Revoked/amended several times.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 10999 allows the government to take over all food resources and farms. True. 2/26/62. True. Kennedy. Includes construction material, airports. Revoked/amended several times.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 11000 allows the government to mobilize civilians into work brigades under government supervision. True. Kennedy. Revoked/amended several times.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 11001 allows the government to take over all health, education and welfare functions. True. Kennedy. Revoked/amended several times.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 11002 designates the Postmaster General to operate a national registration of all persons. True. Kennedy. Work with DOD. Revoked/amended several times.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 11003 allows the government to take over all airports and aircraft, including commercial aircraft. True. Kennedy. Revoked/amended several times.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 11004 allows the Housing and Finance Authority to relocate communities, build new housing with public funds, designate areas to be abandoned, and establish new locations for populations. True. Kennedy. Revoked/amended several times.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 11005 allows the government to take over railroads, inland waterways and public storage facilities. True. Kennedy. Revoked/amended several times. Now includes nuclear facilities.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 11051 specifies the responsibility of the Office of Emergency Planning and gives authorization to put all Executive Orders into effect in times of increased international tensions and economic or financial crisis. True. Kennedy. Revoked/amended several times.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 11310 grants authority to the Department of Justice to enforce the plans set out in Executive Orders, to institute industrial support, to establish judicial and legislative liaison, to control all aliens, to operate penal and correctional institutions, and to advise and assist the President. True. Johnson 1966. Revoked/amended several times. Nuclear has been added.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 11049 assigns emergency preparedness function to federal departments and agencies, consolidating 21 operative Executive Orders issued over a fifteen-year period. False. Kennedy. Actually, is to carry out the Public Works Acceleration Act. Later revoked (cancelled in entirety by EO 12553.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 11921 allows the Federal Emergency Preparedness Agency to develop plans to establish control over the mechanisms of production and distribution, of energy sources, wages, salaries, credit and the flow of money in U.S. financial institution (True to this point in verbiage.) in any undefined national emergency. It also provides that when a state of emergency is declared by the President, Congress cannot review the action for six months. False. Ford 1976

Non EO verbiage:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has broad powers in every aspect of the nation. General Frank Salzedo, chief of FEMA’s Civil Security Division stated in a 1983 conference that he saw FEMA’s role as a “new frontier in the protection of individual and governmental leaders from assassination, and of civil and military installations from sabotage and/or attack, as well as prevention of dissident groups from gaining access to U.S. opinion, or a global audience in times of crisis.” FEMA’s powers were consolidated by President Carter to incorporate the National Security Act of 1947. It allows for the strategic relocation of industries, services, government and other essential economic activities, and to rationalize the requirements for manpower, resources and production facilities.

1950 Defense Production Act gives the President sweeping powers over all aspects of the economy.

Act of August 29, 1916 authorizes the Secretary of the Army, in time of war, to take possession of any transportation system for transporting troops, material, or any other purpose related to the emergency.

International Emergency Economic Powers Act enables the President to seize the property of a foreign country or national. These powers were transferred to FEMA in a sweeping consolidation in 1979.

Let us now move on to the Emergency Powers Act:

Emergency Powers Act - USA 1976

Note: all info is taken from the sites listed. Highlights are my emphasis.

Info is painting a picture that shows all powers have already been created and are currently available to do whatever is desired by the powers that be. Did not include any of the Titles dealing with any of the armed forces. I encourage you to read the entire document and footnotes.

Laws are different from Executive Orders. The laws listed below pretty much cover everything that people who closely relate to the founding fathers are very concerned about. EOs in some cases add to the law or put the particular president’s personal touch on something and may try to expedite something, or update with new names or agencies that have been created.

From Wikopedia:

The National Emergencies Act (NEA) (Pub.L. 94–412, 90 Stat. 1255, enacted September 14, 1976, codified at 50 U.S.C. § 1601–1651) is a United States federal law passed to end all previous national emergencies and to formalize the emergency powers of the President.

The Act empowers the President to activate special powers during a crisis but imposes certain procedural formalities when invoking such powers. The perceived need for the law arose from the scope and number of laws granting special powers to the executive in times of national emergency. Congress can terminate an emergency declaration with a joint resolution enacted into law.[1] Powers available under this Act are limited to the 136 emergency powers Congress has defined by law.[2]

The legislation was signed by President Gerald Ford on September 14, 1976.[3] As of March 2020, 60 national emergencies have been declared, more than 30 of which remain in effect.[1][4]

From site:

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46379

(This site provided the best layout and most concise info of the several various sites I visited.)

Emergency Authorities Under the NEA, Stafford Act, and PHSA Congressional Research Service 1

The Supreme Court has explained that the President’s authority “must stem either from an act of Congress or from the Constitution itself.”1 Because Article II of the Constitution does not grant the Executive general emergency powers, the President generally must rely on Congress for such authority. Congress has historically given the President robust powers to actin times of crisis.

These emergency powers are scattered throughout the U.S. Code, and touch on matters ranging from international crises to public health emergencies to natural disasters, among other things. Many of these authorities are triggered from declarations made under three frameworks: the National Emergencies Act (NEA),2 the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and EmergencyAssistance Act (Stafford Act),3 and the Public Health Service Act (PHSA).4

These frameworks have played a significant role in the federal government’s response to a number of threats to U.S. security or to the health and welfare of the general public. On January 31, Secretary of HHS Alex Azar declared a public health emergency under Section 319 of the PHSA,5 dating back to January 27, 2020, to address the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic confronting the United States and other countries.6 On March 13, 2020, President Trump invoked the NEA to declare a national emergency concerning the pandemic.7 The declaration invokes Section 1135 of the Social Security Act8 to permit the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to waive or modify temporarily certain requirements of the Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children’s Health Insurance programs and of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Rule during the public health emergency. The President also announced in a letter dated March 13 that he was declaring an emergency under the Stafford Act.9 Subsequently, the President declared major disasters in a number of states, also under the Stafford Act.10 The President also invoked the Stafford Act to direct the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Homeland Security to coordinate and fund, respectively, certain National Guard efforts to mitigate the pandemic.11

Table 1. Statutory Authorities Triggered by a Presidential Declaration of a National Emergency

5 U.S.C. § 5303 Title 5: Govt organization and employees

Annual adjustments to pay schedules

Allows the President, “because of national emergency or serious economic conditions affecting the general welfare,” to alter the annual adjustment in pay schedules that would otherwise be effective for federal employees.

5 U.S.C. § 5304a Locality-based comparability payments

Allows the President, “because of national emergency or serious economic conditions affecting the general welfare,” to alter the locality-based comparability pay increases that would otherwise be effective.

7 U.S.C. § 4208 Title 7: Agriculture Limitations

Provides that the policies stated in the Farmland Protection Policy Act (7 U.S.C. §§ 4201- 4208) do not apply “to the acquisition or use of farmland for national defense purposes during a national emergency.”

17 U.S.C. § 710 Title 17: Copyrights

Emergency Relief Authority

If the Register of Copyrights determines that a national emergency declared by the President “generally disrupts or suspends the ordinary functioning of the copyright system . . . the Register may, on a temporary basis, toll, waive, adjust, or modify any timing provision . . . for no longer than the Register reasonably determines to be appropriate to mitigate the impact of the disruption caused by the national emergency.” This authority was added by the CARES Act and expires December 31, 2021.

40 U.S.C. § 905 Title 40: Public Buildings, property and works Waiver

Allows the GSA to waive the procedures otherwise applicable to the disposal or acquisition of real property in urban areas “during any period of national emergency proclaimed by the President”.

42 U.S.C. § 1320b-5 Title 42: Public Health and Welfare

Authority to waive requirements during national emergencies

Authorizes the Secretary of HHS to waive or modify certain requirements of Medicare, Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and other provisions related to certification or licensing of health care providers, sanctions related to physician referrals, patient transfers, deadlines and other penalties, in response to a public health emergency determined by the Secretary under Section 319 of the PHSA and either an emergency declared by the President pursuant to the NEA or an emergency or disaster under the Stafford Act

42 U.S.C. § 4625 Relocation planning, assistance coordination, and advisory services

Waives the requirement in the Uniform Relocation Assistance Act that a person displaced from their dwelling by a project of a federal agency or one undertaken with federal financial assistance not be required to move until afforded a reasonable opportunity to relocate to a comparable dwelling in the case of “a national emergency declared by the President:

46 U.S.C. § 56301 Title 46: Shipping General authority

Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to requisition or purchase any vessel or other watercraft owned by citizens of the United States “whenever the President shall proclaim that the security of the national defense makes it advisable or during any national emergency declared by proclamation of the President” and to transfer the possession or control of any such vessel or watercraft to any other department or agency of the government.

46 U.S.C. § 70051 Regulation of anchorage and movement of vessels during national emergency

Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, “whenever the President by proclamation or Executive order declares a national emergency to exist by reason of actual or threatened war, insurrection, invasion, or disturbance or threatened disturbance of the international relations of the United States,” to adopt rules and regulations governing the anchorage and movement of all vessels, foreign and domestic, in the territorial waters of the United States and, if necessary, to take possession of such vessels; and also authorizes the President, “whenever the President finds that the security of the United States is endangered by reason of actual or threatened war, or invasion, or insurrection or subversive activity, or of disturbances or threatened disturbances of the international relations of the United States,” to take steps to safeguard all vessels, harbors, ports, and waterfront facilities in the United States against destruction, loss, or injury.

47 U.S.C. § 606 Title 47: Telecommunications War powers of President

Permits the President, "upon proclamation . . . that there exists war or a threat of war, or a state of public peril or disaster or other national emergency" to suspend or amend the rules and regulations applicable to any or all stations or devices capable of emitting electromagnetic radiations within the jurisdiction of the United States, close any radio station or shut down certain transmission devices, or "authorize the use or control of any such station or device and/or its apparatus and equipment, by any department of the Government under such regulations as he may prescribe upon just compensation to the owners.”

49 U.S.C. § 114 Title 49: Transportation Security Administration

Gives the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration the authority “during a national emergency” to coordinate all domestic transportation and oversee the transportation-related responsibilities of other nonmilitary federal departments and agencies but states that this authority “shall not supersede” the authority of other federal departments and agencies related to transportation.

Stafford Act:

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, among other things, establishes various authorities that the executive branch may exercise in an “emergency.” The Act defines an “emergency” as any circumstance in which the President determines that federal assistance is necessary to supplement state and local efforts to protect public health and safety.

There are three situations in which a President may declare an “emergency” under the Stafford Act. First, subject to certain conditions and prerequisites, a state’s governor may ask the President to declare an “emergency” when the state and its localities lack the capability to respond to the situation at hand without federal assistance. Second, the chief executive of an Indian tribe may ask the President to declare an “emergency” subject to similar conditions. Third, in situations where the primary responsibility for responding to an emergency rest with the federal government, the President may declare an “emergency” without a request by a state or an Indian tribe.

Besides empowering the President to declare an “emergency,” the Stafford Act also authorizes the President to declare a “major disaster” under specified circumstances. The Act defines “major disaster” to include an array of catastrophic events requiring federal assistance, including hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and earthquakes. Declaring a “major disaster” triggers a distinct set of statutory authorities that partially overlaps with the authorities available during an “emergency.” As with “emergencies,” governors59 and chief executives of Indian tribes may ask the President to declare a “major disaster” subject to certain conditions and prerequisites. Unlike an “emergency” declaration, however, the President may not unilaterally declare a “major disaster”; the President may declare a “major disaster” only in response to a request by a state or Indian tribe.

Footnote 57: The statutory definition of “ major disaster” does not expressly include an incident, such as a communicable disease pandemic, that principally involves public health. See id. §5122(2); Lindsay & Lee, supra note 48. President Trumprecently issued major disaster declarations for several states in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which appears to be the first time a major disaster declaration has been authorized under current law in response to a public health incident See id. See Lindsay & Lee, supra note 48.

7 U.S.C. § 1427 Title 7: Agriculture Commodity Credit Corporation sales price restrictions

Authorizes the Commodity Credit Corporation to make available any farm commodity or product to relieve distress related to a “major disaster.

15 U.S.C. § 636d Title 15: Commerce and Trade

Disaster aid to major sources of employment

Authorizes the SBA and the Farmers Home Administration (which has been replaced by the Office of Rural Development and the Farm Service Agency) to provide loans to any industrial, commercial, agricultural, or other enterprise that has constituted a “major source of employment” in an area suffering a “major disaster” and that is no longer in “substantial operation” because of such a disaster.

Section 319 of the Public Health Service Ac t67

Various statutory provisions give executive agencies additional powers in the event of a “public health emergency.” Some of these authorities are tied to a declaration or determination made by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS Secretary) under Section 319 of the PHSA. That provision allows the HHS Secretary to determine that “a public health emergency” exists and “take such action as may be appropriate to respond to the public health emergency, including making grants, providing awards for expenses, and entering into contracts and conducting and supporting investigations into the cause, treatment, or prevention of a disease or disorder” as described in the provision. A public health emergency determination lasts for 90 days or until the Secretary determines the emergency no longer exists, whichever comes first, and the public health emergency determination may be renewed. The Secretary must notify Congress in writing within 48 hours of making or renewing a public health emergency determination. A determination under Section 31970 also triggers executive powers under other provisions of the U.S. Code.

Additional sites/info:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/63/text?r=88&s=1

HR 63: Introduced 1/4/21. Seeks to limit an emergency declared by the President to 30 days unless the declaration is made law by Congress.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rex_84

There are many links here that are worth following. An example:

Rex 84, short for Readiness Exercise 1984, was a classified scenario and drill developed by the United States federal government to detain large numbers of United States citizens deemed to be "national security threats" in the event that the president declared a National Emergency. The plan was first revealed in detail in a major daily newspaper by reporter Alfonso Chardy in the July 5, 1987, edition of the Miami Herald. Possible reasons for such a roundup were reported to be widespread opposition to a U.S. military invasion abroad, such as if the United States were to directly invade Central America.[1][2][3] To combat what the government perceived as "subversive activities", the plan also authorized the military to direct ordered movements of civilian populations at state and regional levels, according to Professor Diana Reynolds.[4]

Contingency plans by the US Government for rounding up people perceived by the government to be subversive or a threat to civil order have existed for many decades.[8] For example, from 1967 to 1971, the FBI kept a list of over 100,000 people to be rounded up as subversive, dubbed the "ADEX" list.[9]

https://www.fema.gov/disaster/defense-production-act

The Defense Production Act is the primary source of presidential authorities to expedite and expand the supply of materials and services from the U.S. industrial base needed to promote the national defense. DPA authorities are available to support: emergency preparedness activities conducted pursuant to title VI of the Stafford Act; protection or restoration of critical infrastructure; and efforts to prevent, reduce vulnerability to minimize damage from, and recover from acts of terrorism within the United States.

https://www.investopedia.com/defense-production-act-dpa-5187806

The Defense Production Act (DPA) is a law that gives the U.S. president the power to order companies to produce goods and supply services to support national defense. Originally passed in 1950, the law was first used during the Korean War.1 The law has been adapted over the past seven decades to respond to challenges beyond war preparations, having been enlisted to help the country recover from natural disasters, energy security, public health, and to protect against terrorism.

Next ...

Do hand over your personal check book to your kids or friends without accountability? Imagine running a business and your Chief Financial Officer (CFO) spends freely without telling you and you never know where the money goes? Would you allow your CFO to do such a thing? What if your family planned a big vacation without including you but you got to foot the bill? Why do we allow our elected government who works for we the people to do all the above? No accountability what so ever and we are now $1.5 trillion more in debt without accountability. I think we all need to start sneaking a few extra bucks each week into our grandkids Snuggles for their future taxes. Check this out.

Next ...

We are quickly approaching garden season and we all try to find smarter ways of doing business. Something I have grown interested in is what plants to plant near other plants. Below is a plant companion chart to show what plants are friendly growing partners. Check it out.

Do you like to make your own seasoning for cooking or long term storage? Here you go:

And those are my thoughts for the week.

Preparedness News –

1. From Preparedness Advice - Off Grid Living for Beginners: 7 Tips to Help You Get Started - PREPAREDNESS ADVICE - Good read. If there is anything I have learned and been reluctant to admit, age does come with continued limitations. As much as my brain tells me yes, my body tells me no. I think it is a dream for many in the preparedness world to have that perfect off-grid site where one can cut wood, build things, shoot guns, tend to animals, and all the rest of the stuff one dreams of living off grid. The reality is, it is work and age does impact one's ability to do it. This article really helps identify the work needed.

2. From Joseph Alton - Survival Medicine - Potassium Iodide Tablet Alternatives | Doom and Bloom (TM) - This is a good information article to print for your paper library. It is the opinion of the author and not advice from HFS to use or not use Iodide tablets. Anyone planning to use this product or any product out of their normal routine for medical purposes should confer with a medical physician.

3. From John Roarke - Modern Survival Online - How to Stockpile Emergency Toilet Paper (modernsurvivalonline.com) - I was talking preparedness recently with some non-preparer type people and they explained how they purchased lots of toilet paper during the early Covid-19 era. I commented that the step was great and in reality, it was being prepared. I commented how they need an average of 188 rolls per person for a year and I got the look of "you are crazy" aren't you? Having spent a lot of time outside the US of A in third world nations, having toilet paper is not always guaranteed unless it is part of the gear packed for the person. Let me just say this, I do not want to be without toilet paper if at all possible. You may wish to do the same.

4. From Tyler White - Survivopedia - VIDEO: How to Diagnose Burn Severity: The Rule of 9’s - Survivopedia - One can think of many types of medical emergencies they are unprepared to handle. A burn victim may be at or near the top of the list.

5. From Jason Dunn - American Preppers Online - Bushcraft Survival Guide: The A-Frame Shelter (Double Lean-To Wall) - American Preppers Online - Some will glance over this article and move along because they have no plans to live in a primitive fashion. I can think of ten reasons or more instantly to how a thinker of this type could be in a situation requiring knowledge to set up shelter to survive the elements.

6. From Dr. Eddy - DreddyMD - Survival tips: Dealing with depression after SHTF – Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD (dreddymd.com) - If you deal with depression or have a loved one who suffers from it, you want to check out this article. Psychological occurrences can impact the individual, home, team, and community in many ways. How do you plan to deal with it? This should not be taken lightly or ignored until it happens. This is real and painful for many. (Thanks to our Patriot sister from North Alabama for this submission)

Other News -

1. From Associated Press - Dasha Litinova - Russians start feeling the heat of Ukraine war sanctions (msn.com) - Most believed it wouldn't take long for Russian citizens to start feeling impacts of the Ukrainian war and international heat placed on Russia. War is sad for many reasons and one major reason is the downward spiral of impacts causing much hardship for the people, many who already survive day to day.

2. From Victor David Hanson - American Greatness - The Crowded Road to Kyiv › American Greatness (amgreatness.com) - Good read. Everyone has an opinion on the war, for both sides. It is great to see so many folks paying attention. It would be nice to see more people step back and see both sides in an objective manner. Maybe next time, huh?

3. From Andrew Stiles - Conservative Review - Poll: Most Democrats Would Not Defend Their Country Against Russian Aggression - Conservative Review - Does this surprise you? Really? No one should be surprised. Just look around at the nation and world we live in. I could write a novel here, but I think you can figure this one out on your own. Sad, isn't it? But it is reality and the world we are living in. It was not an accident to see what the world is today.

Drum roll...........

That's all my Patriot brothers and sisters.

Prayers - Please keep our great nation, our elected leaders, military and first responders in your thoughts and prayers. We pray for good health and wisdom. Please pray for our leadership to find answers and guidance to the problems facing our great nation. May your faith remain strong and answers to the unknown provided. God is good and may our prayers blanket and protect you and your circumstances. I pray for each, and every one of our Patriots.

May we pray for all the blessings and things in life to be thankful about and continued hope for revival around the world. We must continually pray for the unsaved, our family and friends who live each day without the protection for eternal life and salvation.

We pray for the nation of Ukraine, and all involved in the conflict with Russia. We pray for peace and a quick resolution for all involved.

Please keep a few of our HFS members in your prayers. We have several with physical injuries in North Alabama (ribs), Central Alabama (shoulder), Hickory, NC (back/hip),

Even with all the worldly challenges, struggles, and heartbreaks we must always give thanks for the blessings in our own life and our family each day. Life can be hard and sometimes unfair to us, but we still have many things to be thankful for each day. We must not forget them.

We all must pray strong and often for the citizens of our great nation. Many of our sisters and brothers are struggling daily with things they witness, encounter, and are surprised with out of the norm. Many times, we are in unchartered areas, however, we still must keep our faith and focus on the big picture. Our prayers and faithful strength together will be required often to battle the evils being thrown upon all of us minute by minute.

As Patriots we must stay strong and never give up. Our home, community, and nation need us now more than ever. Stay focused on your local community and things that will impact you around the nation. Don't allow the events around you to create fear in your life. Build your own self-reliance and focus on hope. Remember we are a blessed nation, and we must continue to be great people today and make a better tomorrow. Keep charging.

Blessings,

Bravo Echo Out,

Preparedness101@protonmail.com