Know Your Enemy
A number of friends advised me, and a few 'adversaries' strongly warned me not to post this because "we don't want to give 'them' any ideas."
I'm sure you've heard that one before -- don't give "them" any ideas.
One of the biggest mistakes one can make in any conflict is underestimating one's enemy.
Many people see the typical "Terrorist Warrior" as an uneducated camel jockey, living in a mud hut, walking barefoot down a dirt street. This may be true for the average man in the street, but where the leaders are concerned nothing could be further from the truth.
The leaders of Al Qaeda, Taliban, Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations are generally well educated and extremely sophisticated. Many leaders and soldiers (I use the term loosely) bear advanced degrees in subjects from engineering and chemistry to political science and communications from European and American universities.
Our own homegrown wackos have the additional advantage of growing up and living here, plus they are already in the country.
While I consider myself a fairly bright guy, I am certain that there are terrorist higher-ups whose IQs would put mine to shame. I don't think I have to worry about telling them anything that they don't already know or haven't already guessed.
Bad Things Will Happen
 Regardless of what the "powers that be" want you to believe, true security is an illusion. It is a "feeling" that something is being done when in fact, there is little anyone can realistically do.
Though various agencies have been successful in foiling a number of terror plots, many of which we may never know about, bad things will still happen.
Bad things will continue to happen because of factors beyond anyone's control, and as in the pioneer days, you are both your own first line of defense, and resource of last resort.
While attacks by sophisticated overseas terrorist networks are probable, attacks are just as likely to originate from "Home Grown Nuts." These are people with political, social or personal agendas who dwell in the outer fringes of the sanity bell curve.
Two "rules" that you will often see here are:
- Percentage wise, there are so few psychopathic sociopaths in the world as to be almost statistically insignificant.
- It only takes one.
 It only requires One Bin Laden, McVeigh or Unibomber to wreak havoc. Today's media environment and the desire for instant fame [or infamy] will continue to drive some of these worms out of the woodwork, so we must be prepared.
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 a minimum of effort, and even less risk. A coordinated 'low tech' attack by a team of five or six people could easily and simultaneously take out the power to many 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 "derailers," 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 off of aircraft as long as it's possible to throw an object over a fence for an "inside man" to retrieve. [forever
- Breaking News: - New TSA 'Enhanced' Pat Downs Can Be Easily Defeated [Hypothetically?]
- 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 bioterrorism 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.
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Sulfur |
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| Swimming Pool Tablets |
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Ammonia |
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Chlorine Gas |
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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 dose of ricin about the size of the head of a pin 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 the 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.
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Considering the toxic cargo carried by many rail lines, a train derailment could be a major disaster. At a minimum, 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 has seen 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 tornados.
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 brutally and unapologetically realistic.
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 Detctors and Fire Extinguishers are your friends.
- It is your responsibility to see that not only yourself, but every member of your family, assuming they are old enough, attends 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 the Red Cross might save their life.
- It is your responsibility to ensure that all of 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 in case you are separated during an emergency.
- Remember, 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 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 have been increasing just about any staple that you will consume before its expiration date is an investment.
- Maintain a "Cash Stash" in case ATM's and/or banks are not available.
- 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.
- 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 (5500Watts 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.)
- 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 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 be freshly stocked and ready to use or go at all times.
Preparedness is your insurance policy. You hope that you never need to use it, but it could save your life if you do.
See Also: T.S.A. Enhanced Pat Downs are Easily Defeated
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