Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #70

Fellow Patriots,

Welcome to the Patriot Express Newsletter (PENL) Edition #70. Thanks for being here. Thank you for your time invested with Hope for Survival. To those of you who come back week after week, month after month, we appreciate your support. Can you believe the PENL has survived and posted through 70 straight weeks? Personally, I’m amazed. When I started this adventure about 15 months ago, I never really thought of 15 months into the future and simply focused on the current week and then each week forward. The time involved can be a challenge but the promise I made from the start, “to have fun” is still active” so the PENL will continue as long as you show up to read and my ink in the keyboard doesn’t dry up. Though the topics can be deep and troubling, I try to add a bit of humor when possible to keep the boat above water.

The foundation of Hope for Survival is my book, by the same title. If you would like to get a copy of Hope for Survival – How Food, Water, Shelter, and Security, Could Save Your Life, please follow this link. https://www.hopeforsurvival.com/?siteRevision=17

Hope for Survival Mission – To help individuals and families get prepared.

Hope for Survival Goal – Help people as possible become self-reliant.

The book is a basic framework to get you started in Preparedness, but you should continue to build upon the basic-foundation and processes. Hope for Survival is built around the book, with the PENL, the HFS website containing over 330 articles and folders set up for specific topics, online and in-resident training, and Zoom rallies conducted each Thursday evening. My approach is to help the individual, the family and team, and the community. Why? Who covers your back while you sleep? Who protects you while you work in your garden or tend to livestock or work on your ham radio antenna? Do you plan to sleep with one eye open like Festus?

Another big thank you to everyone who purchased my book and sent in emails this week. Your support is what keeps this adventure in motion. It also helps humanize the names going back and forth. I’m honored that I know and have met probably 80 to 90% of the folks who are regular supporters. It feels like one big family from my end. Thank you so much. We appreciate your support.

HFS would like to welcome new readers from Oregon, California, Washington, and Texas. Welcome and make yourself at home. Stay as long as you wish, bring family and friends with you.

TRAINING:

Hope for Survival Podcast – One of the areas HFS provides training opportunities is through the HFS YouTube channel. We currently have about 24 short training type Podcast on the Hope for Survival YouTube channel covering numerous topics of interest to help in your preparedness planning. One thing I have learned during the past year is some folks prefer to read and others enjoy listening while doing other task. Consider bringing a friend or family member and check it out. If you like what you viewed, hit “like” and consider subscribing so you are notified when I post something new. The number of subscribers and likes helps me determine trends and where folks spend time.

You can visit the Hope for Survival YouTube page at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxzpwOcydroW96rFBd2Vvw?view_as=subscriber

Thursday Zoom Rallies – HFS continues the Thursday HFS Zoom Virtual rallies weekly. We completed week 18 with a great Zoom meeting which was supported by many. We cover news during the week, some preparedness topics and answer questions on the topics. Once the short briefs are completed, we have our weekly “Chatter that Matters” session with the attendees.

If you have interest in attending a Thursday evening “Hope for Survival” Zoom virtual training event please email me at preparedness101@protonmail.com to get on the distribution list for attendance information. This is a great group and platform to learn and build friendships. The virtual conference room access information will not be posted in open on the website for OPSEC reasons.

Additional training: I have sent out emails letting HFS readers know about doing preparedness classes. We have completed four classes to date and will continue a couple more classes after a brief summer break as time permits. I do plan to add a new class soon covering Intelligence and building it in to your plans. I hope to have this class online and ready by early September.

As I transition from training into the news, I want to point this out. If you are new or a young preparer with questions, I’m trying to inform you about every opportunity to move forward with help and support. This isn’t because I am bored with nothing to do. It is because I believe this heavily in the need to prepare for what I believe could be ahead of us in the near future.

Moving along …

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

Ding, Ding, Ding...."Attention HFS visitors..... Opinions shared in this newsletter are just that, opinions, and nothing more. Read at your own risk. The owner and author of this site are 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. 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."

Thoughts for the week –

I led off this week’s “thoughts for the week” with this picture depiction of the wolf with the powerful quote you see. This is important my fellow Patriots. From day one, I have consistently encouraged folks to stay grounded and focused on the impact of events vs spending their time focused on storylines and the many forecast of possibilities. It is more important you have food, water, shelter, security, medicine, and plans than to worry about how many folks will be arrested and sent to GITMO or federal trials around America. We can “what if” our current circumstances to death and until we lose complete focus on what will save us and keep us alive.

In several of the recent Thursday Zoom rallies we have had long discussions on the potential of existing rogue elements tormenting many American cities. If half of American gunowners step out and resist to protect their communities, then what? How long will they have free reign to terminate these rogue threats before the Federal Government or State Government steps in and now the armed American’s become the target and focus. A question was asked to how many people are known to be Antifa and/or BLM members? The total is unknown but estimated in the thousands. We are seeing elements of these organizations floating around our nation causing disruption and major damage to city buildings. The loss of life has been minimal and the impact to critical infrastructure has been near zero. Get that? They are not attacking critical infrastructure, yet. It’s about a message and peace, right?

It is my opinion these thugs are operating with a higher direction and goal to sustain their current events to keep their story alive and in the news. Most Americans tire of ongoing news stories quickly. As the days are passing, notice how the media has slowly withdrawn as the story continues and the violence spreads from state to state. You are only hearing about Portland, Seattle, Chicago, and one or two others. You aren’t hearing of the violence in other cities across our southern border states such as Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and others continues.

Stories are much more promotable and attention getting when hundreds or thousands gather to protest, burn, destroy, and fight the system. My concern is not so much the large numbers, but the five or ten who are trained and start targeting critical infrastructure. This has not happened yet and I hope towns and cities are already prepared to reinforce existing plans and security measures to protect what is most important aside their residences. Utilities, water, electric, sewage, hospitals, and then warehouses housing regional food storage. These are all resources that are critical to the care, physical and psychological, to the well being of a home, town, city, region, or state. Five rogue individuals can cause far more pain and damage to you than these muffin cakes protesting at will. I don’t agree with them or their actions. What I’m suggesting to you is to stay focused on priorities of resources being targeted.

One thousand protestors march in the street as a group and control the narrative and news. One single protestor hiding on the roof with a high-powered rifle and scope will do more damage than the 1,000 protestors on the street. Why? When the first shot is fired into a crowd of protestors, either side, the spark has been delivered to ignite this multi-month boiling problem. Oh, this sounds totally absurd and crazy. I know. I would agree, except, I know these rogue elements are sending individuals to foreign countries to be trained as snipers. Remember, many of these individuals hate America. For whatever reason they have used their silver spoon down in the basement to warp their brains and now field hatred and anger against you, me, the system.

Anyone who believes the witnessed protestors will remain in city environments should think again. As I recently shared with some fellow Patriots, these organizations already identified names and addresses of prominent conservative politicians, mayors, governors and city officials, as well as outspoken citizens. They plan to uptick their voices and attempted altering of daily life. Tensions are going to grow and will we make it to the election before a spark is lit? Time will tell. (Thanks for our Patriot sister for sending providing this Millie the Millennial video to support my point).

Now, to the good news. This isn’t fear porn. This is pure truth and honesty. You still have some time, but not much. It is up to you to decide what you do with this information. My point here is to suggest to you to stay focused on your preparedness. I, nor others, can do it for you. This is up to you to make the mental adjustment into preparedness mode and learn to be self-reliant. I can’t and will not convince you of it. Only you can. There are many who continue reading preparedness books, website, and blogs, yet they are still on the recliner watching Red Dawn. No offense my friends, I’m just sharing what I witness almost daily. I’m not criticizing these folks because its their business. I’m simply trying to encourage folks to get up and get started because your time is most likely running out.

Wouldn’t you have a better chance of surviving what could be ahead by stocking some essentials and getting prepared vs remaining reliant on a system that has allowed this mess to fester in the first place? Do you want to place your life in their hands? I will remind you of this. Have you been in a grocery story, Wal Mart, box store, Bass Pro or sporting good store lately? Stock is depleted and restocking resources is slow to no.

I was having dinner with some fellow Patriots last evening and they shared how they had been to a local Bass Pro this week looking to add more critical resources to their stock. Things such as fishing poles, hooks, weights, artificial bate and so forth. Guess what? Minimal to none. Depleted. Empty. I have been randomly stopping to check in stores across the areas I travel to monitor stock levels and restocking ability. From May through present date the stock has slowed, and many stores are having trouble filling the shelves. It is not happening. Boats and campers. Sold and hard to come by. Think about that one. Why would people be buying boats and campers? Lots of vacations during the Covid-19 era? Maybe. How about folks making plans to leave suburbia? I don’t know.

For those of you who believe your local police officers will be at your door as quick as you call 911, I remind you of this. Most, if not all, police organization mission statement says the police are obligated to protect the Mayor. Not you. So we see depleted shelves and minimal law enforcement response. Oh, and we have cities voting to defund the police. Just saying… Think about that. Good luck.

Next …

After church Sunday I quickly departed northern Alabama heading across Tennessee towards the Cumberland Plateau to spend the day with Festus to celebrate his birthday. After leaving the interstate and hitting the backroads through the countryside and small communities, which I enjoy, something started becoming noticeable to me. For just the 60 to 75-mile stretch, America was alive. It was between 11 AM and noon and Americans appeared everywhere. Church parking lots filled every few miles. The annual multi-mile yard sale through the southern states along a specific route was starting and vendors and shoppers flooded the fields and parking lots. Thousands of large flags flew from town to town. Red, white, and blue whipping in the breeze and huge Donald Trump flags flooded my vision along the country roads. “Make America Great Again”. Yes indeed. It was beautiful to see. If I didn’t know better, I would think Covid-19 was a city thing and these rural folks, tough as they are, turned off the television when the restrictions got posted because these folks certainly came out in force on this day.

Next…

I arrived at Festus home a few minutes late due to the unexpected small-town traffic out for the yard sales. As always, his three four legged horses come running out with their familiar deep “woof-woof-woof” alarm they alerted. Company has arrived. It was great to be back on Blueberry Hill with Festus, Mrs. Festus, daughter Festus and her boy friend, TazLady who journeyed over from a few hours away, and two other fellow Patriots. It was a great day together. Mrs. Festus put out a wonderful spread to share together followed by a birthday cake with goodies. I’ve never viewed so many candles in my life. I didn’t realize Festus had that many years behind him. (Smile) Calm down Festus, just kidding ya. It’s always a blessing to be with fellow Patriots because they are like family. Like brothers and sisters uniting again. It is really hard when folks start to depart because for that period of time it is like the world stops and we are all safe together.

We shared some good conversations together. Ms. TazLady caught us up on her adventures on her farm and daily life around her. I’m always inspired by her stories and calmness when sharing things taking place. She always displays a pleasant relaxing smile. It was great to see you again, Taz, and I know the Festus family certainly enjoyed and appreciated your efforts to come join their celebration.

We did get some time to talk preparedness and planning during the time together. Personally, I enjoy seeing and hearing what is on other people’s minds and cross-check them with my own. Most often we hold off on certain topics and depth of conversations until we are together to avoid putting them over the phone or via email. We discussed team building, communications, national issues and local county politics and positions and views held by the county sheriff. Do you have these conversations with friends or family during your meet ups? It’s a great time to cross-check thoughts and learn things.

When I drove off from the Festus farm, I swear it looked like ol Festus was leaning against an old Oak tree and Wilson was on the ground holding or playing with some dropped nuts of sorts. Until next time, hold down the fort and enjoy the peace of the farmland.

Next …

Have you ever wondered how frustrating and degrading it must be to be Hillary Clinton? Both party and national losses as the presidential candidate to the United States of America. Even worse is she had to step down to candidate Obama and then to the Republican nominee named Trump, a former family friend. It’s 2020 and she is not on the ticket. Think this is a bigger blow? Imagine, Joe Biden names Hillary Clinton as his running mate, steps down because of health issues, HC steps into the Presidential candidate role with Kamala Harris as her running mate. We now have two females, white and Jamaican Indian on the ticket. It is possible. I’m not sure how Jamaican Indian equals black but I digress. I believe this plan could be in place and most Dems in high power realize JB can’t be their candidate. Grab your popcorn and chocolate milk and be ready. It’s going to be an interesting election season. Thoughts?

Next …

I received an interesting email this week from a fellow Patriot with a great question and possible dilemma in the weight of the backpack and ingredients within. The question involved the Bug-out-Bag and traveling a distance away from home.

This is a great question to share so you can consider this question for your own situation. I do believe this is a case by case situation and your circumstance, age, body size, health, distance, and mission at hand. You must also consider areas to be traveled through, possible threats, and your ability to possibly avoid these areas. Here is the question posed and my response to how I approach it. You may have your own way as well.

Question: “Do you have a long gun in your bag that you would use to transverse long distances? I'm trying to cut down on size and weight of mine and having a lot of trouble getting it under 39 lbs. 7lb of that is a foldup rifle. In addition, it will be hard to carry it with taking up hands full time as slings won't work with a frame or frameless pack. Water filtration, food, weather protection, and light first aid are covered. Current weight is a hinderance. I'm thinking maybe remove rifle and add water storage capability. I hate to lose the strong benefits of the long rifle though. Your thoughts?

My response: Great question. I'm sure many who are serious preparers encounter some of the same issues and questions. My bag is 49 lbs but it's my 240 mile bag. I have a second bag which is my EDC or local bag. That is my close to home or close to my vehicle bag. The heavy one is my Bug Out Bag. That is my "I'm not coming back home" soon bag. My question to you would be which case is yours? Are you leaving and coming back? Or, for around your community? Or, this is my BoB and I’m not coming home bag?

Personally, I would rather have extra water filtration, tablets and the ability to cleanse water and still keep my rifle. Why? Water is 8 lbs per gallon. How much other stuff can you fit in 8 lbs of space? I keep a water mule with me so I can fill with water and carry it with straps separate from my BoB or EDC. I can reverse it around to have the weight on my chest and not my back. This is still weight on my legs though. It also is a hindrance if you are wanting to wear armor with your gear.

So, the trick is to determine your threat, distance you will be from home or vehicle, and then base your needs on the answers. Every day is not business as usual and you must be able to adapt and adjust to your own situation. My bag is heavy because I have some tools in my bag. If I'm heading out by vehicle or foot within a day walk to my home, I'm going with my smaller bag which I also have the breakdown long range rifle (as needed). Another item you should consider if you do not have is a TAC vest with Coms and Ammo storage capability on the vest. This is so you can drop your bag and go prone or move out, close by to engage threats, and have your basic survival gear on you. Ammo, first aid, water filter maybe, back up handgun, flex cuffs, smoke grenades and/or flash bangs, whistle, knife, light...

As you can see, there are multiple set ups to address and consider with multiple needs possible on each item. It is impossible to wear body armor, tac vest, mule, backpack all at once. For most humans, you can't do it, but, you need have access to it as needed. You could consider prepositioning some stuff around a few points of the perimeter of your property. Water, protein, filters or drops, fire starter, maybe some ammo and so forth. The most likely place you will be is on your property or close by. So the risk analysis of it would be put the resources near where you will most likely be. After you do more planning and put together options, then adjust your resources or add to them.

In some cases, maybe you are on a trip and covering distance is your objective and in other cases timeliness to get out of your house to meet and stop the threat is the objective. The 3 AM wake up alerting you to a threat at your perimeter or within your layered security. Maybe take some time and think out the top five or ten reasons you would need each bag, then decide which gear you may want vs need or both. If it is summer season you may wish to replace some gear with additional water. If it’s winter season, you replace some water with winter gear. These are personal choices the backpack carrier must decide based on their own circumstances.

Next …

Did you hear anything about this? A Derecho swept across a 700-mile path of midwestern states on Monday causing massive destruction as 100 mph straight line winds destroyed homes, businesses, crops, and utilities. On Tuesday it was estimated roughly 800,000 people remained without electricity. No power, no water or sewage, or the finer things in life such as air conditioning during the hot and humid days of August in the Midwest. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/08/11/derecho-inland-hurricane-destruction-midwest-iowa-illinois-indiana/3343472001/

Several folks told me they had not heard of these storms. This event could lead to further crop issues later into autumn impacting availability of food in the stores in the coming months. Add this to the list of ongoing food processing and distribution issues.

Next ….

Each week is always busy with life, family, a day job, and HFS. No matter how busy it may be, it is always a great week when I get to see my Patriot brothers and sisters across this great land. Even if just for an hour, the brother and sisterhood shared during the time together is priceless. I was blessed this week to share time in Alabama, Tennessee in two locations, and North Carolina as well.

I needed a few supplies so I made a quick trip to Waynesville, N.C. and stopped by Carolina Readiness Supply to visit Ms. Jan and Mr. Bill which is always my pleasure and opportunity to discuss products, supply availability, news for the area, and any other topic that may be surface. I needed a few supplies which I was pleased to see in stock. If you are needing to start your preparedness efforts or add to your existing stock, CRS has received new shipments of food supplies and other preparedness resources. So if you are in the market for additional food supplies please give these fine folks a call and consider supporting them with a purchase. They are true Patriots and would appreciate your business. Here is the link to their website:https://carolinareadiness.com/. If you are in the area and can stop by in person, tell them you are followers of Hope for Survival and introduce yourself.

Just as I was leaving CRS and approached the door, one of our fellow HFS Patriot brothers from Hendersonville, NC walked through the door. Funny thing is, it was within 25 feet of where we originally met a few weeks before when I invited him to visit HFS. He is also a Thursday evening Zoom regular participant. Small world, huh? We had a great quick discussion and caught up on his most recent preparedness decisions and efforts to be better prepared. It was great to see you. Always a pleasure.

I was able to put together a quick lunch with a Patriot sister which is always a pleasure. I know many Patriots would be discussing their newest firearm purchases and connecting via Ham radio. Yet, it was so neat to hear topics such as a first garden, status of the fruit orchard, and property security. Not only is this hard work in the summer heat of the southern states, it is also rewarding work.

It is amazing how much togetherness and sharing of information that takes place in such a short time.

Okay, my Patriot friends, the show must move on.

Preparedness News –

1. From Mike Adams – Natural News - https://www.naturalnews.com/2020-08-10-antifa-terrorists-austin-portland-weapons.html – I’m not sure if this is the same shipment delivery or a new one that was reported last week. Regardless, this is not good.

2. From Francis – Survival Blog - https://survivalblog.com/abandoning-home-francis/ - This is a good read on Bugging Out in modern day terms. Good input by the author.

3. Sanctuary Sedona - https://www.sanctuary.net/ - I haven’t had the time to look in to this site with great depth but it offers several different areas for addiction, mood swings, trauma, and continued care. This may be worth checking out for non-pharma care.

4. From Tyler Durden – Zero Hedge - https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/budget-deficit-hits-record-us-spends-100-more-it-collects-ytd – If this alone isn’t enough to get one out of the chair and preparing I don’t know what will. Our dependence on free and hand outs is getting larger and our ability to pay down the debt is vanishing. Soon free will become gone.

Other News –

1. From Monica Showalter – American Thinker - https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2020/08/hillary_recrudescence_bidens_choice_of_kamala_harris_represents_return_of_democrats_hillary_wing.html- This is a good read and on target. The selection of Kamala Harris, the child of a Jamaican father and Indian mother, story books an old life story of a Hillary Clinton in many ways. Ideology. Minimal merit but promoted and pushed to the top by other influences. This woman could be one breath away from the President of the United States. If this doesn’t churn your stomach and make your head spin.

2. From Ken Jorgustin – Modern Survival - https://modernsurvivalblog.com/systemic-risk/economic-red-lights-are-flashing/ - Many in the alternative media place the current work force rate at 50% of the total available to work. The government is spending money as fast as the printers can spit it out. Think of it this way. We are all on an air balloon floating across the nation and our balloon is filled with holes. All of us see the holes and worry about the outcome but the operator continually sticks band aids on the holes. The operator is now out of band aids is using old band aids over and over. Eventually the glue fails and the air leaks out faster and faster. This isn’t fear porn my friends, this is reality. You can’t spend your way out of debt. Especially when the value of your printed paper grows worthless. Think smart and prepare.

3. From John Whitehead – The Rutherford Institute - https://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/john_whiteheads_commentary/this_is_amerika_where_fascism_totalitarianism_and_militarism_go_hand_in_hand - As tensions in America rise and tensions escalate, what comes next? Are we seeing repeat riots being escalated with lessons learned from previous riots from prior history? JW offers some good insight to where we are today.

4. From Mass Private - http://massprivatei.blogspot.com/2020/08/newspapers-fusion-centers-have-secretly.html - This is a must site and article to read. It seems DHS has built upon the initial freedom invasions since 911. Watch your P’s and Q’s my friends.

5. From Brandon Smith – Alt-Market - https://www.alt-market.com/index.php/msm/4294-federal-reserve-official-calls-for-hard-economic-lockdown - Numbers up, numbers down, bails out in, employees out, checks sent out, deposits delayed. In the world we live today, I would encourage anyone and everyone to get their finances in order as soon as possible.

6. From J.D. Heyes – Natural News - https://www.naturalnews.com/2020-08-12-ag-barr-lawless-antifa-engaging-urban-guerilla-warfare-bolsheviks.html – This was a very revealing interview and I could only imagine what AG Barr really wanted to say but stayed professional.

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

That's all my Patriot brothers and sisters. Stay alert and strong.

Thanks much for your time to read the PENL and hanging with us at Hope for Survival for a few minutes. We all have different desires in news and what we read at different points in our day. Hopefully HFS has provided information to stimulate your thinking and the realities around us. It is important for you to keep your feet and minds grounded as the world continues towards an unknown destination. Keep the faith and continue doing great things for yourself and others. Keep the emails flowing. Bring new friends and help spread the word on Preparedness. I appreciate you sharing the great things you are doing with your plans and progress moving you forward. Keep charging ahead.

Prayers - Please keep our great nation, our elected leaders, military and first responders in your thoughts and prayers. Remember to pray for the kids, teachers, and parents as they adjust to the new school year and all the Covid-19 restrictions being worked around. Please pray for our leadership to find answers and guidance to the problems facing our great nation. I pray for each, and every one of our Patriots. May we all be protected from the growing evils surrounding and attacking our families daily. May we pray for all the blessings and things in life to be thankful about and continued hope for revival around the world.

Amen. Thank you.

Keep charging and have a safe week. Always remember, we are blessed people. Don’t allow the events around us to create fear in your life. Build your own self-reliance and focus on hope.

Blessings,

Bravo Echo Out,

Preparedness101@protonmail.com