PARIS, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Within a week, French President Nicolas Sarkozy made a whirlwind visit to Germany, Britain, Russia and Brussels where EU leaders just had their summit, trying to tune up and harmonize European voices on international economic governance.
The attempt was made right before the G20 and G8 summits on economic governance.
Regarding bilateral issues of political ties, security consensus and business contracts, the French president got almost all he wanted, but in terms of Europe-wide economic governance and global financial regulation, Sarkozy had both gains and losses.
TURNING UP ACCORD
President Sarkozy made Berlin the first stop of his visit.
After months of rifts over financial regulations in Europe and national austerity measures, Sarkozy succeeded in reaching concrete consensus with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on global banking levies and financial transaction taxes in the postponed meeting.
With this common basis between the traditional European motors, the EU council meeting on the following day agreed on publishing "stress tests" of leading European banks by end-July, reflecting a pillar proposition in a joint letter by Sarkozy and Merkel to EU President Herman van Rompuy.
Just days before the G20 and G8 summits in Canada, Sarkozy rapidly stretched his visit to Britain and even outside the EU bloc to Russia.
Last Friday, Sarkozy also became the first French president to mark General Charles de Gaulle's speech date, a routine ceremony in France.
He was warmly welcomed by Prince Charles and accompanied by British Prime Minister David Cameron to pay tribute to soldiers of both countries. Cameron hailed the "great relationship" with France, which was well illustrated by a full-ceremonial troop parade.
Sarkozy's Saturday visit to Russia was highlighted by signing business contracts ranging from natural gas (GDF Suez) to space technology (Arianespace), amid strong appeals for closer ties on global economic arena.
The G20 summit should think about a new financial system, even a new international currency system, to replace the outdated one based on the Bretton Woods conference, Sarkozy told a joint conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who voiced his support and went even further by calling for more currencies as reserves other than the euro and the dollar.
TURNING DOWN RIFT
Clear rifts and nuance difference were played down during Sarkozy's visits.
Seeking for common ground in Europe, the French president yielded to Merkel's insistence that closer "economic government" should involve all 27members of the EU instead of just the 16 members of the eurozone, which means the economic "secretariat" advocated by French officials gave way to "a common vision" between France and Germany.
Sarkozy said he was convinced in a rarely low-key speech at a packed news conference in Berlin.
Most Vision.
European leaders, especially EU President van Rompuy, didn't buy France's "economic government"
"We must avoid dividing lines ... There is no need to create new institutions," he said at the European Council summit following the Sarkozy-Merkel meeting.
Besides the concession on the economic secretariat idea, French officials said that France and Germany would like to make more compromises on issues of restrained budget and tighter economic governance across Europe.
During his Paris tour, the British prime minister has expressed his reservations about the eurozone crisis, and even insisted on staying outside eurozone forever at the Brussels summit.
Britain and Germany's military presence in Afghanistan, their historical friendship and even the World Cup, obviously diluted the economic issues, but their top leaders' better-than-before personal ties are definitely a favourable start.
Franco-Russian cooperation focused more on business and trade ties, but their warship deals aroused criticism within the NATO bloc.
Without mentioning the value of over 20 bilateral contracts, the two leaders underlined the importance of G20, calling it "a group of 20 wealthy and developing nations."
BRACING FOR G20
On the resilience after the global economic crisis, France, as one of the main engines of European economy, is eager to take the lead in designing a new international financial system, supposedly a major task of the G20 talk in Canada this week.
However, Europe was lagging behind the global recovery and facing great risk in the wake of the Greece debt crisis, which made a coordinated platform in Europe imperative.
It was against this backdrop that Sarkozy's whirlpool visit to major European countries not only sought ways for faster recovery but also tried to sell France's financial proposals to floor a potential new system, which could include European stabilizer fund, global banking tax, stricter economic governance and others.
It seems that the French president is going to Toronto with at least a target in mind: if it misses the G20 summit in June, France will continue to work for the similar, if not bigger target after the country takes over the rotating presidency of the G20 and G8 in November.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Herman Van Rompuy's full name...
Here is an interesting piece of information: Herman Van Rompuy's full name is 'Herman Archille Van Rompuy.''
In Greek mythology, Achilles (Ancient Greek: Ἀχιλλεύς) was a Greek hero of the Trojan War, the central character and the greatest warrior of Homer's Iliad.
Achilles also has the attributes of being the most handsome of the heroes assembled against Troy.
Later legends (beginning with a poem by Statius in the first century AD) state that Achilles was invulnerable in all of his body except for his heel. Since he died due to an arrow shot into his heel, the "Achilles' heel" has come to mean a person's principal weakness.
Achilles was the son of the nymph Thetis and Peleus, the king of the Myrmidons. Zeus and Poseidon had been rivals for the hand of Thetis until Prometheus, the fire-bringer, warned Zeus of a prophecy that Thetis would bear a son greater than his father.
For this reason, the two gods withdrew their pursuit, and had her wed Peleus. As with most mythology there is a tale which offers an alternative version of these events: in Argonautica (iv.760) Hera alludes to Thetis's chaste resistance to the advances of Zeus, that Thetis was so loyal to Hera's marriage bond that she coolly rejected him. Thetis, although a daughter of the sea-god Nereus, was also brought up by Hera, further explaining her resistance to the advances of Zeus.
The Education of Achilles (ca. 1772), by James Barry
According to the Achilleid, written by Statius in the first century AD, and to no surviving previous sources, when Achilles was born Thetis tried to make him immortal by dipping him in the river Styx. However, he was left vulnerable at the part of the body she held him by, his heel. (See Achilles heel, Achilles' tendon.)
It is not clear if this version of events was known earlier. In another version of this story, Thetis anointed the boy in ambrosia and put him on top of a fire to burn away the mortal parts of his body. She was interrupted by Peleus and abandoned both father and son in a rage.
However none of the sources before Statius makes any reference to this general invulnerability. To the contrary, in the Iliad Homer mentions Achilles being wounded: in Book 21 the Paeonian hero Asteropaeus, son of Pelagon, challenged Achilles by the river Scamander. He cast two spears at once, one grazed Achilles' elbow, "drawing a spurt of blood."
Also in the fragmentary poems of the Epic Cycle in which we can find description of the hero's death, Kúpria (unknown author), Aithiopis by Arctinus of Miletus, Ilias Mikrá by Lesche of Mytilene, Iliou pérsis by Arctinus of Miletus, there is no trace of any reference to his general invulnerability or his famous weakness (heel); in the later vase-paintings presenting Achilles' death, the arrow (or in many cases, arrows) hit his body.
Peleus entrusted Achilles to Chiron the Centaur, on Mt. Pelion, to be raised
Sunday, June 20, 2010
If Jesus Came To Your House
If Jesus Came to your house to spend a day or two,If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you would do.Oh, I know you would give your nicest room to such an honoured guestAnd all the food you’d serve Him, would be the very best.And you would keep assuring Him you’re glad to have him there –That serving Him in your own home is joy beyond compare.
But – when you saw Him coming would you meet Him at the doorWith arms outstretched to your heavenly visitor?Or would you have to change your clothes before you let him in?Or hide some magazines and place the Bible where they had been?Would you turn off the radio and hope that He hadn’t heard?And wish that you hadn’t uttered that last, loud, nasty word?
Would you hide your worldly music, and put some hymnbooks out?Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?And I wonder – if the saviour spent a day or two with you,Would you go right on doing the same things you always do?Would you go right on saying the same things you always say?Would life continue for you as it does from day to day?
Would your family conversation keep up it’s usual pace?And would you find it hard at each meal to say a table grace?Would you sing the songs you always sing and read the books you always read?And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?Would you take Jesus everywhere you had planned to go?Or would you, maybe change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends?Or would you hope that they’d stay away until his visit ends?Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on?Or would you sigh with relief when at last he is gone?It might be interesting to know the things that you would do.If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you.
But – when you saw Him coming would you meet Him at the doorWith arms outstretched to your heavenly visitor?Or would you have to change your clothes before you let him in?Or hide some magazines and place the Bible where they had been?Would you turn off the radio and hope that He hadn’t heard?And wish that you hadn’t uttered that last, loud, nasty word?
Would you hide your worldly music, and put some hymnbooks out?Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?And I wonder – if the saviour spent a day or two with you,Would you go right on doing the same things you always do?Would you go right on saying the same things you always say?Would life continue for you as it does from day to day?
Would your family conversation keep up it’s usual pace?And would you find it hard at each meal to say a table grace?Would you sing the songs you always sing and read the books you always read?And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?Would you take Jesus everywhere you had planned to go?Or would you, maybe change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends?Or would you hope that they’d stay away until his visit ends?Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on?Or would you sigh with relief when at last he is gone?It might be interesting to know the things that you would do.If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you.
A step by step guide to surviving the coming Greater Depression
A Suggested Survival List
By Chuck Baldwin
This column was initially released last December. Without a doubt, this has been one of my most requested columns. So, in response to the large number of readers who have asked me to re-release this column, I do so today. And in doing so, I have added some new material to the original column.
One does not have to be a prophet to know that we are on the precipice of some potentially catastrophic--or at the very least, challenging--days. In fact, most of us are already in challenging days, and some are already enduring catastrophic events. That is, if one would call being out of work, losing one's home, facing life-threatening medical conditions without any prospect of medical insurance, several families being forced to live in one house due to homes being foreclosed, etc., catastrophic.
The potential for an escalation of cataclysmic events, however, is very real. Only a "blooming idiot" would call someone who attempts to prepare for "the day of adversity" a Chicken Little now. Anyone who does not see the storm clouds on the horizon isn't paying attention.
For example, can one imagine what would happen if terrorists nuked a major American city or cities? (Once again, I encourage readers to go get the videos of the CBS TV series "Jericho" to get an idea of how quickly life, and even civilization, could change.) Imagine if there was another 9/11-type event. What would happen if some form of Zimbabwe-style inflation hit the US? What would happen if anything disrupted the distribution of Welfare checks, or food to local grocers? Imagine a Hurricane Katrina-style natural disaster in your town. I think people everywhere are beginning to awaken to just how vulnerable we all really are.
As a result, people from virtually every walk of life have recently been asking my thoughts on how they should prepare. Therefore, I will attempt to share with my readers some of the counsel I have given these folks.
First, a disclaimer. I am not an economist; I am not a survival expert; I am not a firearms expert; I am not an attorney; I am not a physician. In fact, I am not an expert in anything! For several years, however, I have tried to learn from others. I am an avid reader. My work has allowed me to travel extensively. I have had the privilege of sitting at the feet of--and learning from--many of America's most learned, most trained, and most qualified "experts" in a variety of fields. What I write today, I have learned from others. I've formed my own opinions and priorities, of course, but everything I'm sharing has been said, or written about, before. But if I can share something in today's column that will help someone be better prepared for the days to come, then my goal will have been achieved.
Location:
First, analyze your living conditions. Where do you live? Do you live in an urban or rural environment? Is it a big city or small town? Do you live in an apartment or condominium? How close are your neighbors? Do you even know your neighbors? Would you trust them if the electricity was off and they were hungry? Could you grow your own food, if you had to? How easily could you secure your home? If you live in a cold weather environment, how long could you stay warm without electricity? These are the kinds of questions you need to ask yourself now.
Over the past several decades, masses of people have migrated into large metropolitan areas. More people live in urban areas than at any time in American history. While this may be well and good for times of prosperity, it is an absolute nightmare in any kind of disaster. Does anyone remember what New Orleans looked like after Hurricane Katrina came through? Can anyone recall what happened in downtown Los Angeles during the 1992 riots?
Needless to say, any inner-city environment could become a powder keg almost instantaneously, given the right (or wrong) circumstances. And the bigger the city, the bigger the potential problems.
If you live in the inner city, I suggest you consider moving to a more rural location. Obviously, now is a very good time to buy property (especially rural property), but the downside is, selling property is not as favorable.
If you can afford it, now is a great time to buy a "safe house" outside the city. If you are fortunate enough to have family or some true friends nearby, you might want to put your heads--and some resources--together in preparation for serious upheaval. Obviously, a team of prepared people is much better than being alone.
If you must stay in your urban location, have some commonsense plans in hand in the event of a major disaster. Get to know your neighbors: find out whom you can trust and whom you can't. Keep some extra gasoline on hand, in case you need to get in your car quickly and leave. Have several exit routes planned ahead of time, in case roads are blocked. Have a "bug-out" bag containing essential ingredients to live on for 3 or 4 days. If leaving is not an option, have a plan to secure your home as best you can. You'll need to think about things such as food, water, medicine, warmth, self-defense, etc. But at this point, to do nothing is absolute lunacy!
Provisions:
During a major disaster, food will quickly disappear. Living for over 3 decades on the Gulf Coast, I can tell you with absolute certainty that whenever disaster strikes (usually an approaching hurricane, for us), food and provisions at the store sell completely out in a matter of a few hours.
People panic, and within hours, you cannot find food, bottled water, ice, generators, batteries, candles, etc. In a matter of hours, every gas station in the area will be completely out of gas. Not days. Hours!
Furthermore, almost all disasters include a complete loss of electricity.
The water supply is compromised. Bottled water becomes more valuable than bank accounts. Dehydration becomes a very real and present danger. I remember witnessing a man offer an ice vendor $100 for an extra bag of ice during Hurricane Ivan. My wife and I went 2 weeks (14 days) without electricity in the aftermath of that hurricane. Believe me, I got a taste of just how precious bottled water, ice, batteries, generators, fuel, etc., can become.
I suggest you have a supply of food and water to last at least 2 weeks. A month would be even better. Personally, I can live a long time on tuna fish or peanut butter. You can purchase MREs from a variety of sources, as well as "camp-style" packaged food from stores such as Academy Sports & Outdoors.
Of course, bottled water is available everywhere during normal times. Stock up! Plus, I suggest you have some water purification tablets or a Katadyn water filter on hand. And, if you are able, prepare to grow your own food.
Canning food is another very helpful hedge against deprivation. If your parents were like mine, this was standard operating procedure.
Get a generator. Keep a supply of fuel on hand. Stay stocked up on batteries, candles, portable lights, first aid supplies, and personal hygiene items--especially toilet paper. Trust me, during times of intense and prolonged disaster, toilet paper could become more valuable than money.
I also suggest you never run out of lighters or matches. You never know when you'll need to build a fire, and during a prolonged survival situation, fire could save your life. If you live in a cold weather climate, you probably already have some sort of wood stove or fireplace.
Obviously, you need to take stock of your clothing. Do you have clothes suitable for extended outdoor activity? What about boots? During a disaster, you would trade your best suit from Neiman Marcus for a good pair of boots.
Do you have gloves? Insulated underwear? What about camouflage clothing?
These could become essential outerwear in the right conditions. Plus, any "bug-out" bag will need to include spare clothing.
Communication and medical provisions are also a high priority in any kind of emergency. How will you communicate with your loved ones when the phones (including cell phones) go down? A preordained rally point (or safe house) might be something to think about. And what about medical supplies? Do you have enough to take care of routine (and not-so-routine) emergencies? What about your prescription drugs? How long could you function if you were cut off from your druggist for any length of time? Think about it now.
And one more suggestion, while we're on this subject: the best resources in the world are of little use if one is physically incapable of making good use of them. In other words, GET IN SHAPE. During any kind of emergency situation, physical exertion and stamina become immensely important.
Commodities:
I suggest you have at least some cash on hand. Just about any and all disasters will result in banks being closed for extended periods of time.
That also means credit card purchases being suspended. You need to have enough cash to be able to purchase essential goods (if they are even available) for an undetermined amount of time.
Of course, some survival gurus insist that during any cataclysmic climate, precious metals will become the only reliable currency. But when most of us are trying to feed our families and pay our bills, it is difficult to get excited about buying gold and silver. Obviously, I would never recommend that anyone jeopardize the present on the altar of the future. My parents made it through the Great Depression with canned goods and garden vegetables; gold and silver were certainly not a priority with them. On the other hand, a little gold and silver could go a long way in a prolonged emergency--if you can afford it without jeopardizing present needs.
In fact, in a disaster, what is considered a valuable commodity can change rather quickly, as the barter system takes a life of its own. What is valuable is determined by what you need and how badly you need it. In a prolonged disaster, simple things such as toilet paper, canned goods, ammunition, and clothing could become extremely valuable; while cars, video games, televisions, etc., could be reduced to junk status. In antiquity, wars were fought over things such as salt.
Speaking of cars, remember that during a prolonged "national emergency" that might involve some sort of nuclear attack or widespread civil unrest, an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) might be employed; in which case, most every late model vehicle would be completely inoperable. Accordingly, if one can keep an older, pre-computer-age vehicle in good working order, he or she might be driving the only non-government vehicle
capable of going anywhere.
Self-Defense:
Needless to say, during any kind of disaster, your safety and protection will be completely up to you. If you really think that the police are going to be able to protect you during an upheaval, you are living in a dreamworld.
In both the New Orleans and Los Angeles disasters, police protection was non-existent. Lawless gangs quickly took control of the streets, and people were left to either defend themselves or swiftly become the helpless prey of violent marauders. In fact, in New Orleans, some of the policemen actually abandoned their oaths to uphold the law and joined with the criminals, turning their weapons upon the public.
Face it, folks: in any kind of disaster, you must be able to defend yourself, or you and your family will be meat for these animals of society that will quickly descend without mercy upon the unprepared, unsuspecting souls around them. This requires that you be armed! It also requires that you be skilled enough to be able to efficiently use your arms.
Therefore, I strongly suggest that you purchase firearms sufficient to keep you and your family safe, and also that you practice sufficiently to know how to use them.
Now, when it comes to a discussion of which firearms are preferable for self-defense, the suggestions are as varied as the people who proffer them.
These are my suggestions:
I believe every man (along with his wife and children of adequate age) should be proficient with the following weapons: a handgun in .38 caliber or above, a .22 rifle, a center-fire hunting rifle, a semi-automatic battle rifle, and a shotgun.
My personal preference for a self-defense handgun is either a .45 ACP 1911 (either Colt or Kimber) or a .40 S&W. In the .40 caliber, my favorite is a Glock 23. In the 1911, I like the Commander size configuration. I also like the Glock 21, 30, and 36 in .45 caliber. My wife prefers to carry a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver in the snub-nose, J-frame configuration. But this is primarily due to the reduced weight of these weapons for carry purposes. If needed, she could make a good accounting of herself with a Glock 19 in 9mm. If you are someone who has never owned and seldom fired a handgun, I recommend you buy a Glock. They are as simple as revolvers to operate, reliable, and almost indestructible. Plus, they provide increased magazine capacity, and are safe. They are also very easy to disassemble and clean. Of course, in dangerous game territory, you will need the power of a
.45 Long Colt, .44 Magnum, or even a .454 Casull. These calibers are not for the limp-wristed, but when one is facing a brown bear or mountain lion, it is what one will need to survive. Plus, when your life is on the line, you'll never feel the recoil.
For a .22 rifle, I really like the Ruger 10/22. For a hunting rifle, my suggestion is either a .270 or .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle. I prefer the Remington Model 700 BDL or Browning X-Bolt, but there are several fine weapons in this configuration and caliber by numerous manufacturers. In dangerous game territory, a Marlin .45-70 could be a lifesaver. For a battle rifle, I suggest an AR-15-style weapon (I prefer Bushmaster) in .223 caliber or a .308 Springfield M1A. For a shotgun, I suggest a 12-gauge pump. Here I prefer a Winchester Model 1300, which is not made anymore. So, you'll probably have to choose between Mossberg and Remington. For ladies, however, a 20-gauge shotgun is probably a better choice, and at "bad breath" range (where a shotgun shines, anyway), it is just as lethal.
Whatever you choose, practice with it to the point that you are able to use it proficiently. And be sure you stock up on ammunition. A gun without ammo is reduced to being either an expensive club or a cumbersome paperweight.
Go to your local independent sporting goods store (I don't recommend the large national chain stores to do your firearms shopping) and get to know your hometown firearms dealer. Most of these people are kind and helpful folks who will be more than happy to assist you in finding exactly what type of firearm is suitable for you and your family. If you live in the Pensacola, Florida, area, a visit with Rick Bankston at Buck and Bass on Pine Forest Road is highly recommended. He is a fine Christian gentleman and very knowledgeable in all things gun. His
phone number is 850-944-5692. Give him a call.
Spiritual Power:
I firmly believe that man is created to have fellowship with his Creator-God. I really don't know how people can face the uncertain future that we currently face without the spiritual knowledge, wisdom, comfort, and power that is made available through Jesus Christ. I believe the maxim is true: "Wise men still seek Him." I strongly suggest that you seek to possess a personal relationship with God's only begotten Son. In truth, spiritual preparation is far and away the most important preparation of all.
Accordingly, be sure to pack a copy of God's Word in your survival gear.
That we are facing challenging days is a certainty. Exactly what that means is yet to be determined. I trust that some of my suggestions will help you be better prepared for what lies before us. Plus, here is an excellent online Survival Blog chock-full of great suggestions and resources for all things survival.
By Chuck Baldwin
This column was initially released last December. Without a doubt, this has been one of my most requested columns. So, in response to the large number of readers who have asked me to re-release this column, I do so today. And in doing so, I have added some new material to the original column.
One does not have to be a prophet to know that we are on the precipice of some potentially catastrophic--or at the very least, challenging--days. In fact, most of us are already in challenging days, and some are already enduring catastrophic events. That is, if one would call being out of work, losing one's home, facing life-threatening medical conditions without any prospect of medical insurance, several families being forced to live in one house due to homes being foreclosed, etc., catastrophic.
The potential for an escalation of cataclysmic events, however, is very real. Only a "blooming idiot" would call someone who attempts to prepare for "the day of adversity" a Chicken Little now. Anyone who does not see the storm clouds on the horizon isn't paying attention.
For example, can one imagine what would happen if terrorists nuked a major American city or cities? (Once again, I encourage readers to go get the videos of the CBS TV series "Jericho" to get an idea of how quickly life, and even civilization, could change.) Imagine if there was another 9/11-type event. What would happen if some form of Zimbabwe-style inflation hit the US? What would happen if anything disrupted the distribution of Welfare checks, or food to local grocers? Imagine a Hurricane Katrina-style natural disaster in your town. I think people everywhere are beginning to awaken to just how vulnerable we all really are.
As a result, people from virtually every walk of life have recently been asking my thoughts on how they should prepare. Therefore, I will attempt to share with my readers some of the counsel I have given these folks.
First, a disclaimer. I am not an economist; I am not a survival expert; I am not a firearms expert; I am not an attorney; I am not a physician. In fact, I am not an expert in anything! For several years, however, I have tried to learn from others. I am an avid reader. My work has allowed me to travel extensively. I have had the privilege of sitting at the feet of--and learning from--many of America's most learned, most trained, and most qualified "experts" in a variety of fields. What I write today, I have learned from others. I've formed my own opinions and priorities, of course, but everything I'm sharing has been said, or written about, before. But if I can share something in today's column that will help someone be better prepared for the days to come, then my goal will have been achieved.
Location:
First, analyze your living conditions. Where do you live? Do you live in an urban or rural environment? Is it a big city or small town? Do you live in an apartment or condominium? How close are your neighbors? Do you even know your neighbors? Would you trust them if the electricity was off and they were hungry? Could you grow your own food, if you had to? How easily could you secure your home? If you live in a cold weather environment, how long could you stay warm without electricity? These are the kinds of questions you need to ask yourself now.
Over the past several decades, masses of people have migrated into large metropolitan areas. More people live in urban areas than at any time in American history. While this may be well and good for times of prosperity, it is an absolute nightmare in any kind of disaster. Does anyone remember what New Orleans looked like after Hurricane Katrina came through? Can anyone recall what happened in downtown Los Angeles during the 1992 riots?
Needless to say, any inner-city environment could become a powder keg almost instantaneously, given the right (or wrong) circumstances. And the bigger the city, the bigger the potential problems.
If you live in the inner city, I suggest you consider moving to a more rural location. Obviously, now is a very good time to buy property (especially rural property), but the downside is, selling property is not as favorable.
If you can afford it, now is a great time to buy a "safe house" outside the city. If you are fortunate enough to have family or some true friends nearby, you might want to put your heads--and some resources--together in preparation for serious upheaval. Obviously, a team of prepared people is much better than being alone.
If you must stay in your urban location, have some commonsense plans in hand in the event of a major disaster. Get to know your neighbors: find out whom you can trust and whom you can't. Keep some extra gasoline on hand, in case you need to get in your car quickly and leave. Have several exit routes planned ahead of time, in case roads are blocked. Have a "bug-out" bag containing essential ingredients to live on for 3 or 4 days. If leaving is not an option, have a plan to secure your home as best you can. You'll need to think about things such as food, water, medicine, warmth, self-defense, etc. But at this point, to do nothing is absolute lunacy!
Provisions:
During a major disaster, food will quickly disappear. Living for over 3 decades on the Gulf Coast, I can tell you with absolute certainty that whenever disaster strikes (usually an approaching hurricane, for us), food and provisions at the store sell completely out in a matter of a few hours.
People panic, and within hours, you cannot find food, bottled water, ice, generators, batteries, candles, etc. In a matter of hours, every gas station in the area will be completely out of gas. Not days. Hours!
Furthermore, almost all disasters include a complete loss of electricity.
The water supply is compromised. Bottled water becomes more valuable than bank accounts. Dehydration becomes a very real and present danger. I remember witnessing a man offer an ice vendor $100 for an extra bag of ice during Hurricane Ivan. My wife and I went 2 weeks (14 days) without electricity in the aftermath of that hurricane. Believe me, I got a taste of just how precious bottled water, ice, batteries, generators, fuel, etc., can become.
I suggest you have a supply of food and water to last at least 2 weeks. A month would be even better. Personally, I can live a long time on tuna fish or peanut butter. You can purchase MREs from a variety of sources, as well as "camp-style" packaged food from stores such as Academy Sports & Outdoors.
Of course, bottled water is available everywhere during normal times. Stock up! Plus, I suggest you have some water purification tablets or a Katadyn water filter on hand. And, if you are able, prepare to grow your own food.
Canning food is another very helpful hedge against deprivation. If your parents were like mine, this was standard operating procedure.
Get a generator. Keep a supply of fuel on hand. Stay stocked up on batteries, candles, portable lights, first aid supplies, and personal hygiene items--especially toilet paper. Trust me, during times of intense and prolonged disaster, toilet paper could become more valuable than money.
I also suggest you never run out of lighters or matches. You never know when you'll need to build a fire, and during a prolonged survival situation, fire could save your life. If you live in a cold weather climate, you probably already have some sort of wood stove or fireplace.
Obviously, you need to take stock of your clothing. Do you have clothes suitable for extended outdoor activity? What about boots? During a disaster, you would trade your best suit from Neiman Marcus for a good pair of boots.
Do you have gloves? Insulated underwear? What about camouflage clothing?
These could become essential outerwear in the right conditions. Plus, any "bug-out" bag will need to include spare clothing.
Communication and medical provisions are also a high priority in any kind of emergency. How will you communicate with your loved ones when the phones (including cell phones) go down? A preordained rally point (or safe house) might be something to think about. And what about medical supplies? Do you have enough to take care of routine (and not-so-routine) emergencies? What about your prescription drugs? How long could you function if you were cut off from your druggist for any length of time? Think about it now.
And one more suggestion, while we're on this subject: the best resources in the world are of little use if one is physically incapable of making good use of them. In other words, GET IN SHAPE. During any kind of emergency situation, physical exertion and stamina become immensely important.
Commodities:
I suggest you have at least some cash on hand. Just about any and all disasters will result in banks being closed for extended periods of time.
That also means credit card purchases being suspended. You need to have enough cash to be able to purchase essential goods (if they are even available) for an undetermined amount of time.
Of course, some survival gurus insist that during any cataclysmic climate, precious metals will become the only reliable currency. But when most of us are trying to feed our families and pay our bills, it is difficult to get excited about buying gold and silver. Obviously, I would never recommend that anyone jeopardize the present on the altar of the future. My parents made it through the Great Depression with canned goods and garden vegetables; gold and silver were certainly not a priority with them. On the other hand, a little gold and silver could go a long way in a prolonged emergency--if you can afford it without jeopardizing present needs.
In fact, in a disaster, what is considered a valuable commodity can change rather quickly, as the barter system takes a life of its own. What is valuable is determined by what you need and how badly you need it. In a prolonged disaster, simple things such as toilet paper, canned goods, ammunition, and clothing could become extremely valuable; while cars, video games, televisions, etc., could be reduced to junk status. In antiquity, wars were fought over things such as salt.
Speaking of cars, remember that during a prolonged "national emergency" that might involve some sort of nuclear attack or widespread civil unrest, an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) might be employed; in which case, most every late model vehicle would be completely inoperable. Accordingly, if one can keep an older, pre-computer-age vehicle in good working order, he or she might be driving the only non-government vehicle
capable of going anywhere.
Self-Defense:
Needless to say, during any kind of disaster, your safety and protection will be completely up to you. If you really think that the police are going to be able to protect you during an upheaval, you are living in a dreamworld.
In both the New Orleans and Los Angeles disasters, police protection was non-existent. Lawless gangs quickly took control of the streets, and people were left to either defend themselves or swiftly become the helpless prey of violent marauders. In fact, in New Orleans, some of the policemen actually abandoned their oaths to uphold the law and joined with the criminals, turning their weapons upon the public.
Face it, folks: in any kind of disaster, you must be able to defend yourself, or you and your family will be meat for these animals of society that will quickly descend without mercy upon the unprepared, unsuspecting souls around them. This requires that you be armed! It also requires that you be skilled enough to be able to efficiently use your arms.
Therefore, I strongly suggest that you purchase firearms sufficient to keep you and your family safe, and also that you practice sufficiently to know how to use them.
Now, when it comes to a discussion of which firearms are preferable for self-defense, the suggestions are as varied as the people who proffer them.
These are my suggestions:
I believe every man (along with his wife and children of adequate age) should be proficient with the following weapons: a handgun in .38 caliber or above, a .22 rifle, a center-fire hunting rifle, a semi-automatic battle rifle, and a shotgun.
My personal preference for a self-defense handgun is either a .45 ACP 1911 (either Colt or Kimber) or a .40 S&W. In the .40 caliber, my favorite is a Glock 23. In the 1911, I like the Commander size configuration. I also like the Glock 21, 30, and 36 in .45 caliber. My wife prefers to carry a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver in the snub-nose, J-frame configuration. But this is primarily due to the reduced weight of these weapons for carry purposes. If needed, she could make a good accounting of herself with a Glock 19 in 9mm. If you are someone who has never owned and seldom fired a handgun, I recommend you buy a Glock. They are as simple as revolvers to operate, reliable, and almost indestructible. Plus, they provide increased magazine capacity, and are safe. They are also very easy to disassemble and clean. Of course, in dangerous game territory, you will need the power of a
.45 Long Colt, .44 Magnum, or even a .454 Casull. These calibers are not for the limp-wristed, but when one is facing a brown bear or mountain lion, it is what one will need to survive. Plus, when your life is on the line, you'll never feel the recoil.
For a .22 rifle, I really like the Ruger 10/22. For a hunting rifle, my suggestion is either a .270 or .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle. I prefer the Remington Model 700 BDL or Browning X-Bolt, but there are several fine weapons in this configuration and caliber by numerous manufacturers. In dangerous game territory, a Marlin .45-70 could be a lifesaver. For a battle rifle, I suggest an AR-15-style weapon (I prefer Bushmaster) in .223 caliber or a .308 Springfield M1A. For a shotgun, I suggest a 12-gauge pump. Here I prefer a Winchester Model 1300, which is not made anymore. So, you'll probably have to choose between Mossberg and Remington. For ladies, however, a 20-gauge shotgun is probably a better choice, and at "bad breath" range (where a shotgun shines, anyway), it is just as lethal.
Whatever you choose, practice with it to the point that you are able to use it proficiently. And be sure you stock up on ammunition. A gun without ammo is reduced to being either an expensive club or a cumbersome paperweight.
Go to your local independent sporting goods store (I don't recommend the large national chain stores to do your firearms shopping) and get to know your hometown firearms dealer. Most of these people are kind and helpful folks who will be more than happy to assist you in finding exactly what type of firearm is suitable for you and your family. If you live in the Pensacola, Florida, area, a visit with Rick Bankston at Buck and Bass on Pine Forest Road is highly recommended. He is a fine Christian gentleman and very knowledgeable in all things gun. His
phone number is 850-944-5692. Give him a call.
Spiritual Power:
I firmly believe that man is created to have fellowship with his Creator-God. I really don't know how people can face the uncertain future that we currently face without the spiritual knowledge, wisdom, comfort, and power that is made available through Jesus Christ. I believe the maxim is true: "Wise men still seek Him." I strongly suggest that you seek to possess a personal relationship with God's only begotten Son. In truth, spiritual preparation is far and away the most important preparation of all.
Accordingly, be sure to pack a copy of God's Word in your survival gear.
That we are facing challenging days is a certainty. Exactly what that means is yet to be determined. I trust that some of my suggestions will help you be better prepared for what lies before us. Plus, here is an excellent online Survival Blog chock-full of great suggestions and resources for all things survival.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Bilderbergers and Van Rompuy make a power play for the control of the EU as Merkel pushes for changes in EU treaties.
By VERENA SCHMITT-ROSCHMANN (AP) – 3 days ago BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel pushed Thursday for changes in European treaties so that countries running excessive deficits or debts can be reprimanded.European President Herman van Rompuy said there was "no taboo" about discussing that option.
Merkel said after a meeting with van Rompuy in Berlin that clarifying what will happen to countries that do not adhere to the EU stability and growth pact might calm financial markets. "I am of the opinion that we need a change of the treaties," she said.
While van Rompuy stressed that "our priority is to work within the framework of the treaties," he added "there is no taboo to speak about treaty changes" if necessary.
The comments come before a meeting in Brussels next week in which EU leaders are expected to lay out broad plans to make their economies function better.
Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy wrote a joint letter this week to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso calling on Europe to redouble efforts to regulate financial markets and crack down on speculative trading by possibly banning so-called naked short selling across the trade bloc.
Short-selling occurs when traders sell shares or investments they do not own themselves. Merkel and Sarkozy said in the letter, released Wednesday, that "considering recent market developments, we believe there is an urgent need for the Commission to speed up its work to establish stricter control of markets."
Merkel said next week's EU meeting will launch a process that could lead to a permanent institution to deal with competitiveness and stability.
"I think it is necessary that the common European markets, the common issues of the stability and growth pact for all 27 member states are also talked about on the level of heads of government," she said.
Van Rompuy said tighter cooperation is indispensable. "Euro states share the same currency, which requires a high level of coordination," he said.
In separate comments, British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said after a meeting with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle that all EU governments need to bring "stability and balance to our government finances."
He said Britain's new government would soon initiate an "ambitious plan to bring greater stability in our public finances." Clegg, who was accompanied by British Foreign Minister William Hague, said the British government was convinced of the need for an overhaul of financial market regulation.
"The question is not whether we need to revisit regulation nor whether there is any need for further regulation: We accept that there is," he told reporters. "The question is what kind of regulation and what part of the financial services sector?"
He said regulation should focus on the "over-leveraged unsustainable lending practices in the banking system." Merkel would not comment on whether she expected France to come up with a package of budget cuts, saying each country had to decide on its own how to deal with deficits. "
I believe we all have pledged to adhere to the stability and growth pact again more or less by 2013," Merkel said. The pact calls for countries to keep government debt below 3 percent of GDP.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Pearls of Wisdom as Barry R Smith Speaks from Beyond the Veil
In late 1969 I was involved in a tragic bus accident. At that time, a powerful message from the Lord was written down for me, instructing me that this absolutely shattering experience was `no accident', and that I must not rely on any man, but on the Lord. For this reason, whilst in many cases I appreciate the gifting of God to certain men, I do not allow myself to be publicly linked with other ministries, which could polarize listeners. It's not about `my teaching' or `his teaching' (Paul OR Apollos). It's about encouraging people to develop a personal, unshakable faith in Christ Jesus `for themselves'. I freely admit that CWM and Moriel both have the right to preach what they believe is God's directive for them. Our God is a God of variety. I deliberately try not to criticize other ministries because of Jesus' Words, "Let the wheat and tares grow up together". We read that God will send angels to root out the tares or weeds at the appointed time. We are warned in the scriptures, that in the process of trying to pull out the tares, we may in fact pull out the wheat. For this purpose God reserved the right to fulfil this particular task Himself. Observations of churches who have majored in this area of trying to rectify all wrongs have lead me to believe that often, all that is left are congregations of bitter people, examining every ministry and Christian persons' life with a fine tooth comb — instead of enjoying the message of the Word of God which breaths life. Certainly we need discernment to keep our own Christian lives on track, but in my case I feel it safer to address doctrine, rather than attacking names. Further, if we bite and devour each other, we shall be consumed one of another. In simple English, "If I eat you, and you eat me, there will be on one left to preach the gospel".I must note here that others see this differently, and state that even the apostle Paul named those he considered to be enemies of the gospel. I personally feel that it is a huge call to name other men negatively. There are different ministry emphases — but this one is not mine. Years ago I was asked what I thought about a certain ministry. The phrase attributed to DL Moody I felt was applicable: "I like the way he's doing it better than the way I'm not". I still use that phrase today.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
European Parliament hears about Bilderberger one-world government plans
What if the U.S. Congress invited a speaker to address the conspiracy issue of 'a secretive global government' -- would that be surprising? Today? Probably yes. Surprising or not, the European Parliament did just that.I also shouldn't need to stress the fact that the newly elected EU president Herman Van Rompuy is a member of the Bilderbergers.
As WorldNetDaily reported yesterday...
"The goal of the Bilderbergers, those powerful elite who are invited annually to a private and protected meeting from which world events are steered, is power, plain and simple, according to an author who spoke on the subject today before the European Parliament. But Daniel Estulin, author of the hot-selling book, "The True Story of the Bilderberger Group," said in the text of his remarks that he believes the very efforts by the power-hungry to manipulate the world economy is awakening the masses, who now have an opportunity to change history and give mankind back its future. Estulin was invited to speak to the European Parliament, considered one of the most powerful legislative bodies in the world, by Mario Borghezio, Italy's most senior member, about what many have considered a "conspiracy" or "secretive cabal."Well, whether you believe the Bilderbergers, the CFR or the 'internationalists' are working to control the world or not, our guest on today's show says someone(s) other than U.S. constitutionalists are at work to create regional gov'ts, of which the NAU (North American Union) is a part, in order to move the U.S. closer to global government. He said the members simply want to control. Read about those who would plan your future for you, in "The True Story of the Bilderberg Group" by Daniel Estulin. "These people want an empire," he said. "That's what globalization is. … Too many people believe that in order to have an empire, you need money. You have all heard of the phrase – the money[ed] elite. But money is not a determinant of wealth and the economy. Money does not make the world go around." He explained it is the power that derives from money and the ability to make decisions affecting other person that is central.
"The idea behind each and every Bilderberger meeting is to create what they themselves call the aristocracy of purpose between European and North American elites on the best way to manage the planet. In other words, the creation of a global network of giant cartels, more powerful than any nation on Earth, destined to control the necessities of life of the rest of humanity, obviously from their vantage point, for our own good and in our benefit – the great unwashed as they call us," he said. Sometimes, he said, this power comes through the destruction of economies. "They are destroying the world economy on purpose," he explained. "This isn't the first time either. This was done in the 14th century New Dark Age: 30 percent of the population wiped out."
But there is a light, he asserted. "We are now in a position to change history. I finally believe that mankind has a future. A once-demoralized population with no moral purpose is coming out of [a] prolonged slumber. In this general awakening, people are beginning to ask the right questions," he said. "It's no longer, 'What will I get out of it?' but rather 'What's right?' It's an international phenomenon of response and reaction to a … perception that the entire world is doomed to catastrophe unless we the people do something about it." He said the concept of the Bilderbergers is easy to understand. "In the world of international finance, there are those who steer the events and those who react to the events. While the latter are better known, greater in numbers, and seemingly more powerful, the true power rests with the former," he said. He explained the Bilderberger organization is dynamic, "in that it changes with the times, absorbs and creates new parts while excreting the remains of the decaying parts. Members come and go, but the system itself has not changed." "It is a self-perpetuating system, a virtual spider web of interlocked financial, political, economic and industry interests," he said. Actually, it's not much of a secret any longer and not much conspiracy, said Estulin. "It's a meeting of people who represent a certain ideology," he said. "The ideology is of a one world company limited. "Bilderberger is a medium of bringing together financial institutions which are the world's most powerful and most predatory financial interests. And at this time, it is that combination which is the worst enemy of humanity," he said. He said the citizens of the world have forced the higher level of awareness about the plots and plans "by becoming very aware that presidents and prime ministers and your little shrinking queens and kings are puppets of powerful forces working from behind the scenes." He said that's where the door to success may open. "Something has happened to us, the people in the midst of this general economic collapse. People at large are gripped by something they don't always understand. But, it compels them to act in a certain way, in their own interest. That's what they are doing in Greece. That's what they are doing in Spain, in the United States. It's called the anthropic principle. It's like a tidal movement came upon us and washed our fears away. As people realize that their existence is threatened, they have lost their fear, and Bilderberger and others sense it," he said. "Perhaps that's why at a recent Council on Foreign Relations speech in Montreal, Zbigniew Brzezinski … warned that a 'global political awakening,' in combination with infighting amongst the elite, was threatening to derail the move towards a one world government," he said. "What I am talking about is not a scientific problem or economic question, but rather a morality question, a question of immortality. Do we as nation states, as people of the planet believe in the future of mankind? And what kind of future will we have 100 or 200 years in the future. What about 10,000 years from now? Do we have a right to dream? If we have a sense of purpose for being here, then the bad guys can't win," he said. The Bilderberger Group is an annual, invitation-only conference usually with more than 100 of the globe's most influential leaders, including heads of state and business tycoons. It always is closed to the public and press, a privacy frequently ensured by armed agents. WND reported attendance at last year's event included U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner; Larry Summers, the director of the U.S. National Economic Council; Richard Holbrooke, the Obama administration's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan; World Bank President Robert Zoellick; European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet and European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso. "Bilderberger is not a bogeyman," Estulin told WND before his parliamentary address, "but it is a powerful organization. It's a medium for bringing together financial institutions – the largest, predatory institutions in the world – which acts in ways that are now the worst enemy of society." He said the elite consider the national resources their own, not "everyone's." "They want us to work for them, where our children and our children's children work for an elite group, the oligarchy," he said. He has cited David Rockefeller's own admission. Rockefeller, a Bilderberger member, wrote: "Some even believe we are part of a secret cabal working against the best interests of the United States, characterizing my family and me as 'internationalists' and of conspiring with others around the world to build a more integrated global political and economic structure – one world, if you will. If that's the charge, I stand guilty, and I am proud of it." Estulin's book, "The True Story of the Bilderberg Group," is based on years of his work as a Madrid-based journalist and investigative reporter. He connected the dots between the Bilderberger Group, world events, politicians and corporate tycoons over a period of 15 years. Estulin revealed how the web of people and organizations has become a "shadow government whose top priority is to erase the sovereignty of all nation-states and supplant them with global corporate control of their economies under the surveillance of 'an electronic global police state.'" He says not all members of the group are "bad," explaining that membership is structured like concentric circles, with varying responsibilities and relationships. But it includes almost every famous player in politics and finance, such as George W. Bush, George Soros, George McGovern and Jimmy Carter. Estulin writes: "This parallel world remains unseen in the daily struggles of most of humanity, but, believe me, it is there: a cesspool of duplicity and lies and double-speak and innuendo and blackmail and bribery. It is a surreal world of double and triple agents, of changing loyalties, of professional psychotic assassins, brainwashed black ops agents, soldiers of fortune and mercenaries, whose primary sources of income are the dirtiest and most despicable government-run subversive missions - the kind that can never be exposed." The conference this year is scheduled June 3-6 in Sitges, Spain. Former British cabinet minister Lord Denis Healey, one of the founders of the group, explained the purpose of the group to Jon Ronson of the Guardian. "Those of us in Bilderberger felt we couldn't go on forever fighting one another for nothing and killing people and rendering millions homeless," he said. "So we felt that a single community throughout the world would be a good thing." Estulin reports the following items will be on the Bilderberger Group's 2010 agenda:
What Some of the Other Bloggers Are Saying Over the Recent Israeli Aggression
I must be missing something; here we have the Israelis launching an illegal and vicious assault on predominately unarmed activists, butchering well over a score of them and yet there are so many supposed Christian websites and blogs saying that Israeli was justified in the slaughter because they had a God given right to defend themselves just because God supposedly loves Israel and the Jews well over and above every other race or nationality, and that fact alone gives them the license to act in the manner they have.Here is what one such site came out and said: God's Omen of Protection is hovering over Israel today just as it did in Ancient Israel. No weapon can destroy God's nation, or God's promises will be proven to be impotent and He a liar -- which is utterly impossible!
In response to that statement I would like those concerned behind this blasphemous and unholy statement to openly come out and provide scriptural evidence to backup their conjectures. They won’t be able to provide that because evidence suggested simply because it does not exist.
That same site also said: “Born-again Christians not only have the love of Jesus Christ in their hearts, they also have a love of Israel and of the Jews, whom they consider to still be God's Chosen Nation.”
How about if they were to speak for themselves and not the majority of Christians when they make statements such as the one mentioned above. I have been a Born Again Christian practically all of my life and even though Jesus Christ in my heart I do not have the love of Israel or the Jews in my heart and I do not consider the Jews to be God’s chosen people any more so than any other race, nationality of belief system. Accordingly that statement is nothing more than complete and utter bunk.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The Israeli Attack on the Defencelsss Gaza Flotilla
The mainstream news by certain supposed Christian websites relative to the attack on the defenseless Gaza flotilla supports Israel’s actions in butchering unarmed and defenseless citizens. I hold a different viewpoint and here is my reaction to one such blog. The video you supplied is absolute bunk; it’s all darkened and all one can hear is voices of the passengers as they are being attacked by the Israeli soldiers, and not vice versa. If the passengers on board were as heavily armed and were firing on the commandos as you suggest when there were boarding the ship where is the photographic evidence in support of such a claim. The only evidence you are able to supply is a photograph of knives and a few sticks. They simply were unarmed and no match for cowardly Israeli soldiers who were in turn, heavily armed. That is the way I see it and that is the way the world views Israel’s actions
That is not to say I expected you to react towards the carnage any differently than what you have simply because of your own Jewish nature - but how can you be right by more or less saying the actions of Israel was justified when the preponderance of the world’s leaders have condemned the actions of Israel? Therefore, if I may pose the question is the world wrong and you are right?
It’s a pity you cannot come out with the truth instead of trying to twist and warp events to suite your own biased attitude that the Jews are God’s chosen people when there is nowhere in the Bible that even comes close to suggesting this is the case.
My first reaction when seeing the carnage that the Israeli soldiers had inflicted upon unarmed and mainly defenseless people was that this was a deliberately staged event to draw adverse reaction from the world’s leaders against Israeli, and as we both know it has worked, and worked in abundance. This may have even been a deliberately organized ploy by the Antichrist so that he could force Israel into a peace treaty? If this is the case then you may be sure that even though the Jews rejected Christ by handing him over for crucifixion they certainly have accepted his counterfeit component.
How can you say that by butchering the number of people that they did they were acting in a manner of self defense when quite clearly they could have simply rendered their assailants inoperative by firing shots over head or simply shooting them in the lower areas of the body such as the legs?
Having had military experience myself I know that if these were properly trained commandos they would have been fully compliant with the strategy suggested and would not have reacted in the manner they did; instead they chose to option randomly open fire slaughtering a dozen or so defenseless people.
There can be no excuse for the actions of Israeli commandos no matter what biased evidence you are able to come up with in support of the Jewish state.
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