There Is No Homeland Security!

Preparedness is your insurance policy.
You hope you never need to use it,
but it could save your life if you do.

The U.S. is Ripe with Soft Targets

While the steps being taken to secure our power grid against cyber-attack are important, these steps only protect one of many attack vectors. Hundreds of miles of critical power transmission lines run through remote, rural areas. A reasonably well-practiced shooter with a scope and .223 or greater caliber rifle can take these out with little effort, and even less risk. A coordinated ‘low tech’ attack by as few as six people could easily and simultaneously take out the power to most major cities.
A few pounds of scrap steel, a welding machine and a couple of large “C” clamps are all that are required to build a pair of “derailleurs,” designed to take rail cars off the track. As long as there are unsecured rail crossings and tracks, [forever] the rail system will remain vulnerable.
There are signs prohibiting photography of many bridges in New York City, but anyone can see a set of plans at the library.
All of the X-Ray and high-tech devices in the world will not keep weapons, explosives and other contraband from planes as long as it’s possible to throw an object over a fence for an “inside man” to retrieve. [forever]
Small aircraft will remain a threat as long as there are unsecured general aviation airports and private airfields. [forever]
It is historically demonstrated that no amount of gun control or prohibitive laws can keep weapons ranging from small arms to grenade launchers out of the hands of criminals and terrorists.
Mexico routinely moves tons of illegal drugs into the United States. How hard do you think it would be for them to smuggle in a couple of suitcase sized “dirty bombs.”
Ricin, used in the past as a bio terrorism weapon, remains a serious threat. Ricin is one of the most toxic plant toxins, and is produced from the common Castor Bean.
Industrial Ammonia mixed with swimming pool tablets releases clouds of deadly Chlorine gas.
Gunpowder is made from three readily available chemicals.


	+		+		=
Potassium Nitrate	+	Sulfur	+	Charcoal	=	Gunpowder

	+		=
Swimming Pool Tablets	+	Ammonia	=	Chlorine Gas

Castor Beans are a common lawn and garden ornamental Ricin, one of the most toxic and easily produced of all plant toxins, has been used in the past as a terrorism weapon and remains a serious threat. If injected, a pin-head sized dose of ricin could be enough to kill an adult. Research indicates that similar amounts could be lethal when inhaled. Despite ricin’s exceptional toxicity and utility as an agent of chemical/biological warfare, it is extremely difficult to limit production of the toxin. Under both the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention and the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, ricin is listed as a schedule 1 controlled substance. Despite this, more than 1 million tons of castor beans are processed each year, and approximately 5% of the total is rendered into a waste containing high concentrations of ricin toxin. [Wikipedia] Common beneficial uses of the Castor plant are lubricants, automotive uses and of course, every child’s friend, Castor Oil.

Considering the toxic cargo carried by many rail lines, a train derailment could be a major disaster. At the least, it would be costly in lives, disruption and direct monetary damages. This image (left) shows a permanently mounted derail device. Portable, clamp-on derail devices are commercially available, and are also simple to manufacture with a few pieces of steel and a large “C” clamp. With proper camouflage paint, a pair of derail devices would be difficult for an engineer to detect, even in daylight. Mother Nature Can Be A Terrorist! Your definition of ‘Bad Things’ shouldn’t be limited to the evil acts of mankind, Mother Nature is also out to get you if you aren’t prepared, and on occasion, when you are. 2011 had the 7th worst tornado season since they started keeping the records, and we’ve recently had tornadoes in places where they don’t normally have tornadoes. 2012, however, in spite of a violent start, ended as one of the least busy seasons overall. The point: Nobody can predict nature. Earthquakes, hurricanes, forest fires, floods, blizzards, avalanches, sink holes, bridge collapses, train wrecks, chemical disasters and epidemics are either recent events, or just over the horizon. The Yosemite basin is well overdue for a major volcanic eruption and many of our older bridges and dams are in disrepair. In other words, Man up, even the unlikeliest of crap happens! I’m not being paranoid, I’m merely brutal and unapologetic for my realism. When the bad things do happen, be prepared. Since little to nothing can be done to prevent random attacks by crazies and natural disasters, post-event survival, damage control and mitigation must be priorities.. Some of the most important things that you can do to prepare for the major events we all hope will never happen are: Prepare and practice a contingency plan. Know the shortest exit from every room of your home or apartment and practice getting to it blindfolded. Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers are your friends. It’s your responsibility to see that not only yourself, but every responsible member of your family attend a certified class in at least CPR, and preferably Emergency First Aid. Sending your child to school may save their career, but sending them to First Aid Training might just save their life, or yours. It’s your responsibility to ensure that your family members are “drown proofed.” I don’t care if the nearest body of water is a Thousand miles away, you are neglecting your duty as a parent if you don’t share the fun of learning how to swim with all of your children. If you don’t save their life, they just might save someone else’s. Establish a family “gathering place” where you, your family and loved ones will meet if you are separated during an emergency. Cell Phones may not work in an emergency. Obtain and learn how to safely store, carry and effectively use a firearm. Make sure that your spouse is trained, and as they reach the proper age, gun proof your children. If your child’s school or community center offers an NRA sponsored Eddie Eagle? program on ‘gun safety and avoidance be sure your children attend. If you or a relative have an interest in Amateur Radio, please get your license and some gear. Morse code is no longer required for some of the newer licenses, but still a good idea. Like a firearm, if you only need it once in your lifetime, it could extend that lifetime considerably. At a minimum you should have a Citizen’s Band and/or GMRS Mobile Radio in addition to your standard AM/FM/SW Receiver. Keep at least Three weeks of emergency food and water on-hand. Surplus MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) are often on sale as Military Surplus and last for years. Rotate your supply of canned foods, using the oldest first and replenishing the supply of any staple when it dwindles to one week. The way food prices are increasing, just about any staple that you will consume before its expiration date is an investment. Maintain a “Cash Stash” if ATM’s and/or banks are not available. In the unlikely event of a long-term emergency, cash will lose its value. Keep your vehicle’s fuel tank full. Keep emergency flares, a fire extinguisher and a few warm blankets in each vehicle. Keep up-to-date maps handy, showing back roads and shortcuts. Major highways may be impassable in area-wide emergencies and you can’t rely on your Internet connection or cellular GPS. Be certain to have a Propane stove with fuel, they serve a multitude of purposes. Don’t forget to toss in a half-dozen or so Butane lighters for obvious reasons. Ordinary chlorine bleach can disinfect fresh water after it is strained. Let it sit open overnight to allow the chlorine to dissipate before giving it a second straining and it’s ready for drinking. (though it may look disgusting) If there is a dew overnight you can collect a surprising amount of fresh water with a roll of plastic or Aluminum foil. Keep a few large, lightweight plastic tarps on hand. These serve a variety of purposes, from patching a hole in a roof to building an emergency shelter. A Hundred feet or so of 1200lb test (minimum) Nylon rope. Obtain and maintain an emergency power generator. If possible two are ideal. One larger one (5500 Watts or greater) to run the refrigerator and other necessities, and a smaller, portable one. When not using it in an emergency you’ll be surprised at the ‘ordinary’ uses you’ll find for it. (Satellite TV at the Campsite for example, but get a quiet one.) Tell your physician that you are assembling an emergency kit, and ask them for prescriptions for a broad-spectrum antibiotic and penicillin. (Assuming no one is allergic) Most physicians will do so on an annual or semi-annual basis, and may suggest a few other ointments, notions and potions that you should consider. Please replace them when they are outdated and always dispose of outdated pharmaceuticals properly. Your emergency kit of first aid supplies, lights, batteries, lighters, portable radio, medications, ammunition and other absolute necessities should always be freshly stocked and ready to use or go. Preparedness is your insurance policy. You hope that you never need to use it, but it could save your life if you do.

My Eggclectic Interests II

Home of The Original Eggman

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