An Era of Cognitive Dissonance

          

 

 

 

 

     What is cognitive dissonance ?  Simply put, this is the psychological term employed when an individual has two beliefs that coexist at the same time and that conflict with one another.  It is almost impossible for human beings to move throughout life without experiencing at least some of these conflicts.  Most of the time, when they occur, we experience some degree of mental discomfort until we eventually work out or reprocess such conflicts.

                 For example, a soldier from Europe is serving as a member of the European Forces under the United Nations. Some of the forces have been abusive both physically and sexually to the children and other citizens in the country in which the troops were sent to protect. The soldier reports the soldiers involved, but no action is taken against them, because the United Nations attributes his complaint to racism. He finds himself in an unworkable quandary. He believed in the idea of Europe policing other nations and avoiding some of the worst happenings of war. He believed in the mission of the United Nations in order to leave his own nation and risk his life of such missions. But he also believes that soldiers must not molest or rape the children of people they were sent there to protect. His unworkable situation or his cognitive dissonance with regard to this conflict, eventually leads him to leave the forces. In time, he becomes an outspoken critic of the United Nations and he calls for their being disbanded. He is also disillusioned and angry.

               Most people can look back on their lives and recall an incident or a period where two items they knew or believed flew in direct opposition to one another. This is unpleasant for most of us, and it can take time to sort out our feelings and even longer to plot a reasonable course correction.

               The last couple of years in the world have really been an Era of Cognitive Dissonance.  The United States experienced the most contentious election in recent memory.  People who trusted social media invested heavily in their statements about the election, and about the candidates. When the votes for President Trump piled up faster than was anticipated, a number of states closed counting, and waited for "other ballots coming".  Many people saw evidence of voting irregularities, yet were told by formerly mainstream media that "Biden had clearly received 84 million votes." Americans were shocked when the man who could not fill a parking lot at Waffle House with followers, was declared the winner.  This alone creates mistrust, confusion, anger in Americans, and now many of them don't trust their parties, the system, nor the man who occupies the role.

                Additionally, the COVID-19 episode pitted scientists, physicians and nurses against some of the bodies they have trusted all through their careers. The World Health Organization made untrue and misleading statements during COVID-19. The US CDC gave misleading and confusing information. A few hospitals were full of patients with COVID, but in the US, many of our community and university hospitals stood empty.

               Now, some universities and some employers are insisting upon their employees and students being administered one of the COVID injections. I hesitate to call these immunizations, because they do not meet the definition of such. In many parts of the world, those who have received such injections have died of unusual types of blood clots, allergic reactions, or the sloughing off of skin.  People below twenty have died of blood clots, myocarditis and heart failure or other unanticipated reactions. These vaccines did not do well in animal testing, and there are absolutely no long terms tests on human beings. In addition, there have been just under a thousand miscarriages or stillbirths among pregnant women, particularly nurses, who have received the "vaccine".

                As time passes, more and more respected scientists and noted physicians are expressing extreme regret that COVID injections were attempted at all.  These are experimental injections, and should not be required by anyone.

                 This week we saw some cognitive dissonance in my own house. Although members of my family had not arranged to get a COVID shot, their friends had.  My family members believed they were doing the right thing by not getting an experimental shot with a lot of reported difficulties, they were very upset when Nobel laureate Dr. Luc Montagnier said that "everyone who has received even one of these injections will die over time".   My family was horrified as they contemplated a world without many of the people they know.

                   If you are finding that you are sitting in a quandary of cognitive dissonance, I share your discomfort. It's hard to feel comfortable with regard to the future when it appears that everyone from government to media has betrayed the citizenry.  It's hard to listen to the WHO or the CDC when they have spouted a number of things which aren't consistent with anything the rest of us learned about virology, allergy or immunology.

                  With prayer, I hope that you, and the rest of us find clarity as we decide what to believe. Think carefully, if Montagnier and many many other physicians, veterinarians and scientists are correct, then the COVID shot escapade could be the worst public health disaster in the world's history.  Step carefully. The luxury of your confusion as a result of your cognitive dissonance could get you killed.

On "Havana Syndrome"

             

      

                                           US Embassy in Havana, Cuba

    It has long been suspected that many, if not most, nations have some manner of a focused energy weapon that could render the enemy nauseated, disoriented, suffering from a headache, balance and visual disturbances etc.  Such a weapon, a veritable "migraine machine" would be useful in war, particularly if you were outnumbered and particularly if an invading force were near a sensitive location and your nation needed to buy time. It might also be useful in espionage, if you were completing a sensitive operation and needed the staff of your opposition to be significantly distracted. The use of such a weapon could be a hard thing to trace, particularly if it were used only for a short period.

                   I first learned that a nation had likely used a focused energy weapon in 2016 when a few articles appeared in newspapers claiming that a number of staff from the US embassy in Cuba, both intelligence and diplomatic posts were complaining about headaches, nausea, dizziness, sleep disturbances, focus problems, etc. Some people were able to recall a hum they heard prior to such symptoms, while others reported a sensation of heat in their heads. US Security and Intelligence personnel eventually concluded that these symptoms were caused by some type of a focused energy weapon, possibly of microwave origin.  Some of these people were simply inconvenienced by these symptoms and improved afterward, but others have had more persistent and longer lasting symptoms and sequelae.  One of the theories on this occurrence was that the Russians were testing their new weapon, and that Cuba had been a good place to test it.

                 In December 2018, a large number of diplomats reported to Canada that they too were experiencing acute onset neurological symptoms which included those mentioned above and also included paralysis. They were told to stay quiet on the phenomenon and most everyone abandoned the Canadian Embassy. Until fairly recently, Canadian military police remained there, but now, they too have been removed. 

                There have been reports that our diplomatic staff in China suffered similar symptoms, but not much has been written about this. There is also a report of this from our diplomats in Uzbekistan.

                In 2020, there was an investigation of Havana Syndrome symptoms that involved a White House staffer in a Northern Virginia suburb, so indications are that someone in possession of this device is on the US East Coast, potentially in the DC area.

               We don't have a complete picture of this phenomenon, but thus far, some of our best minds have concluded that someone, probably agents of our enemies have been testing the settings and different versions of a focused energy or microwave weapon on our diplomats and White House staff. Experts believe that brain and neurological injuries that occur as a result of this weapon are similar to concussion injuries, and would probably respond to the treatments rendered for those.  Without being present during these attacks themselves, we do not know what frequencies are being used. Experts I know do not believe this to be a focused microwave energy, but another focused energy type. Possibly, this is a pulsed radio frequency energy.

               The medical implications of such injuries are not completely known. Someone who experienced a glancing or low level exposure would likely experience ear and balance challenges, like a Meniere's syndrome. At first, it might not even be recognized as a focused energy attack injury. The hope would be that such a person would recover gradually over time from the injury.  The greater the exposure or the greater the damage, the more likely it would be that the injury would be recognized for what it is. Treatment such as oral steroids to decrease inflammation and brain swelling may be used. A cool cap, the type used to treat conventional concussions and migraines could be useful. Antinauseant medications could be useful, and then medications to help with headache pain and sleep, might be used. Fortunately, overt paralysis seems to have been a rare symptom.  Just as repeated concussions may cause brain damage, depression, and violent behavior, it is possible that repeated unrecognized exposures to a focused energy weapon over time could produce similar effects.

                Most of us are interested in abatement. What could be done to protect us from these effects should be live in an area where such a weapon is being used for experimentation ?  Experts believe that the current weapon is bring focused from a distance of two miles or less from the location of its targets. They could focus it from farther away, but this would make delivery to a precise location more difficult, and it would also increase the power required to deliver the pulses. Increasing the power significantly would make identification of the site using the weapon much more possible, and so this is less likely. It would be possible to shield from such a weapon using the principles of a Faraday cage. When we built one of our garages, we learned that it would be easy to Faraday shield it during building using metal netting under the walls. This should be possible for sleeping and working rooms also. It is also possible to buy glass that has metallic netting between the glass, although this would be obvious.

                Although this is an interesting topic, thus far, such weapons have been used on diplomatic and intelligence workers as well as a White House staffer.  So far as we know, it has not yet been used on regular citizens.  For nurses and physicians, this is something we should know about, so that such a test would be detected quickly, upon seeing patients with such symptoms, so that we could not only adequately treat, but notify the correct authorities.

                President Trump, during his presidency, did accuse Cuba of using such a weapon on our diplomats. He may have had more evidence, but I think that any number of our enemies including Russia and China could have been experimenting in Cuba with such a weapon, in a place where Cuba was more likely to be blamed.  My current contacts believe that Russia is most likely to blame. My own theory is that either China or simple terrorists are behind the repeated use of such a weapon.

Data concerning detailed evaluations of the US Embassy employees in Havana

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5885885/

 

The latest data from BBC:

 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58396698?utm_source=pocket-newtab

 

 

 

 

           

 

      

A Word About Sharpening

                    

 

 

 

        Of all your preparedness supplies, it's not particularly interesting, romantic, or even particularly expensive, but it's an essential and it is frequently omitted or missed. Few preppers have enough of these.

                      Knives are an essential prepping tool, for the preparation for food, for preparing meat after hunting, and for camping, and many other uses. Different knives may need to be sharpened differently, but they do need to be sharpened. Keep in mind that many people are cut more often from a dull knife that is not effective when used, than they are by a sharpened one which performs as expected.

                      Rather than buying an electrical knife sharpener, I would like you to purchase a variety of sharpening stones that will allow you to privately and quickly sharpen the knives you need. Before these disappear in some type of shortage or stoppage in the Suez Canal etc., research and purchase the ones you need.   Put them in a safe place for future use.   Research other sharpening devices and decide what additional equipment you may need, including means of sharpening larger tools, chainsaws, gardening implements, etc.    Research also whether any oils are needed with your sharpening stones. Look up how best to sharpen the sharps you have.  Too many people part with a knife or a sharp device when all that was really necessary was a good sharpening.

(Lettering size increased to accommodate our readers who use a Smart Phone to access this blog.)

Sources:

   Sharpening stone

 

 

Sharpening supplies:

 

 

Some Uses for Alternative Structures

                   

 

   One of the most important skills we should cultivate in our interest in preparedness or in survivalism, is an ability to use something intended for one purpose, for another, perhaps even more important purpose. Most of us know that an American made trash can with a tightly fitting lid can be easily adapted to use as a Faraday cage, but this is not where such adaptations end.

 

                      Just recently, some people with whom I am acquainted, who have sold containers in the past, are liquidating something called Concrete Telecommunications Shelters. (Also known as Telecoms.)   One can buy these used structures and then pay to have these structures relocated to your rural property.  What would you use such a thing for, you ask ?

 

     1. I don't like to store diesel, gasoline, kerosene or anything flammable within a house or garage building. For years, I used a large empty wooden dog house with handiplank siding, with a dog door to store flammables.  The smallest structure could be used for flammable of pesticides storage, so long as you took steps to allow adequate ventilation, and didn't have it up against your house, garage, pricey RV, or old growth or mature forest. The second unit, or unit above might be useful for flammables storage.

 

    2. At many farms, especially in the South or the West, the animals and barns are a great distance from the house, so that horseflies and other insects don't invade the house. This means that during the hours your family members are working in the barn or with animals, that they are not protected against sudden storms, tornadoes, derechos, lightning storms, or other issues.  Siting a protective building out of view but near your animals and barn might be a wise idea. Human beings can seek shelter when needed, until storms have passed. Having one of these could save someone's life.

   3. Many farms, despite having barn cats, have difficulty keeping bears, mice, rats, raccoons, and other wild animals out of your pelleted animal feeds. Since many of us buy sufficient feed for all to make it through the Winter, we all need somewhere secure to store it. One of these buildings, if you got it inexpensively enough, could be designed and secured sufficiently to avoid rodent infestation. Some are large enough that you can drive up to it with a truck and stock it directly.

 

4. As most of us learned from local earthquakes, keeping your emergency supplies in only one place, is foolish. If your house or basement is impacted by flood or earthquake damage, your emergency supplies might not be accessible for a time. For this reason, I recommend that you keep a variety of emergency supplies in caches in multiple locations. (I am not specifically talking about guns or ammo, which I believe should always be stored in heated and cooled locations, and under lock and key)  However, if you did own large acreage, a telecom building, landscaped with arborvitae, cedars or other smaller trees common and inexpensive in your area, positioned on the back forty, and stocked with emergency supplies could also be a lifesaver someday.

                                

 5.  During their original use, these buildings were connected to and used conventional electricity. However, in their secondary and final use, they may be adapted to work for your own purpose as either a solar powered structure if you wish, or one powered by a diesel generator. You could also install a Xantrex or Outback inverter so that any electricity you generate through either a generator or solar collectors, could be stored and used silently from the inverters.

6.  Each Winter, I have either an elderly animal who needs to be in a heated protected environment for sub zero weather, or I have newborn mammals or fowl who need to be within a heated area. Some years ago I broke down and had a heated building built for such purposes. For those of you who have not done this, a smaller telecommunications building could do the trick.

                  We have touched on a number of possibilities and ideas within this post. I hope this posting has inspired you to consider all of the uses of items you might have access to, either inexpensively or sometimes even free.

Survival Under a New Regime

            

 

 

 

    In November, many Americans were upset at what we perceived as widespread voter fraud that would impact not only our local elections but our presidential one as well.  Our European friends kept telling us that we were all mistaken while Democrats called us crazy. Some of us were blocked on Twitter, or Facebook, and even on Linkedin. President Trump's team filed numerous lawsuits many of which the Supreme Court refused to hear.

                 Since this lawsuit was filed by a group other than President Trump's people, it actually got heard. The results are clear.  The last minute changes to Virginia election law in 2020, were illegal.  This is likely also true for other states where similar lawsuits remain pending.

https://www.westernjournal.com/judge-rules-last-minute-changes-states-election-law-illegal/?fbclid=IwAR1QxShHonpA1tMrnPvc2_MrhxnRH19PkQmiyyvISgllNImqsb-T6SfITvE

 

                As a result of numerous documented events of voter fraud in many states in this nation, the United States no longer has free and fair elections. This is true no matter what any other cursory or sloppy visiting body has had to say.  We now hold the distinction of being the first Banana Republic within North America.  Not only do we have an illegitimate regime holding the reins, but we also have a technology war raging.  Tech giants Twitter, Facebook with their children Instagram and Whatsapp have been blocking and removing those whose perspectives do not reflect their own, and they have done so mercilessly. I left these providers, finding a happy home in groups called Minds, Gab, Parler, and for a time in MeWe.  A short time after, Parler left the internet, as other high tech giants found a means by which to drop the lease for their servers. They are still looking for a way back. It is therefore becoming much more difficult to dissent, even politely online in the United States.

             During such times, what can normal people do ?

1.  Be clear on what you believe. I know that  I believe in free speech, freedom of movement for Americans within their own country. I do believe in the right of Americans without prior convictions to own firearms. I believe that we should be permitted to own property, and that there should be rights that convey with those properties. I believe in the US Constitution.  I do not believe in violence as a way of securing any of our rights. Although I believe that we have a responsibility to our nation, I do not believe that such responsibilities include violent uprising.  I do however, believe in self defense, particularly on one's own property.  I have given a sampling here of my beliefs, but you must be very clear on your own from here on out, and not allow yourself to be goaded into actions which open yourself to prosecution.

2. If you haven't already, move to a place with fewer people. With fewer people, people value their contacts and work to protect each other and they prevail against hard times.

3. Don't buy things you don't need. Keep a list. Buy nothing on impulse.

4. Find support with the like minded either online or in person.  Be careful here. Do not allow yourself to become distracted from the task of continuing to care for yourself and your family in the long term. Do not allow your energies to be diverted in the tasks of others or for those who may actually be domestic terrorists.

5. Our task is to out survive the present regime.

6. Please consider getting a Ham radio and license so that operation is legal.

 

7.  Lastly, for those of you who are new to this site, there are ten years of posts which discuss varietal aspects of preparedness and survivalism.  You can either search by subject, or you can simply click on "Older Posts" and read them as you go.  This would probably be a good time to do so.

In The Short Term, We Play The Cards We Are Dealt With; In The Medium Term, We Reshuffle The Deck; In The Long Term, We Change The Game... - Mark Carney

Do Not Despair This Christmas

               

 

 

 

            A lot of people I know are deeply discouraged.  Whether they were Republicans or Democrats, the idea that this election saw rampant voter fraud and numerous manipulations has been disturbing to many people. They know that once leaders are selected and then elections are massaged in order to get that individual in, that this does not change. If this is allowed to stand, then free and fair elections may be gone for the United States for a long time. This election may result in the end of our American Republic as we have known it.   Then, the Supreme Court for which we as Americans pay a great deal in order to keep our learned attorneys on the bench for a lifetime failed us by refusing to hear a case and therefore refusing to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Most people realize that conventional media has been bought and paid for, and is no longer publishing truth.

                Others are challenged by, at least, the local management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of them have lost businesses, and others sit on the edge of losing homes.  Others sit by unable to pay their taxes in this unprecedented mess while the aid so badly needed does not seem forthcoming.

 

                 In my own life I know that the times of greatest darkness, have also been the times in which I have been shown miracles.  If I think back in this year despite the terrible examples of people who claim to or who have been our leaders, I saw a number of heroes this year.   I saw the owner of a commercial building waive several months rent completely for a charity organization that aids those with drug problems.  I saw the owners of a very large business sell their estate in order to have the money to continue to pay their employees for an extended period during the pandemic. They did so because they considered this their obligation to their employee's families and because God had granted them all their business successes, and they believed He would again. 

 

                With record dog and cat abandonment in California and animal shelters closed due to the pandemic, there were record numbers of euthanizations, but there were also people who regularly moved Heaven and Earth to rescue as many animals as possible, and to find the animals homes all over the country.  Lastly, I recall a young mother who rose to the occasion beautifully when her baby daughter was found to have a serious lifelong disorder.  I am honored to have seen the actions of all these people, under this year's duress.

                Please know that there are lots of courageous people working on the issues which presently plague our country.  Although the systems we have trusted in the past do not appear to be working for us, there are good people among us. God will not fail the good people of the United States, and they are there, often living right alongside those who have made the proverbial deals with Satan. 

 

                 As one of my Scandinavian friends said today, Merry Yule.  This may be a Christmas different from all the others we have known, but it will be no less miraculous.  May God bless you, your family, and may God bless America, and its legitimate and honest leaders.

 

It's Not Over Yet

    

                                            From the Dallas News

 

 

 

   Keep close watch on events and please call your Congressmen and Senators.  Widespread voter fraud must not be allowed to stand in the United States.

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2020/12/09/trump-says-hell-join-texas-lawsuit-asking-supreme-court-to-block-62-biden-electors-from-four-states/

 

      And may God Bless Texas !