As an admitted geek, I have often tried to help people in understanding 
the importance of information security, especially when it comes to data storage and transmission. From what kind of software you run, to how you communicate with others your data can be vulnerable. From employers to government agencies, neighbors to hackers, what you say and keep can be taken and used in ways that you don’t want. But teaching everything people should know to keep themselves safe is often a long process, and something I often have to revisit to remind people. Continue reading “The Surveillance Self-Defense Site”
Carrying a Concealed Pistol in Utah
Who has the legal obligation to protect you and your family?
Given the following:
In the 2005 Castle Rock v. Gonzales case, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that Jessica Gonzales did not have a constitutional right to police protection, even in the presence of a restraining order.
it would seem that YOU are the only one who can or should be depended on to defend you and yours in a dangerous situation. Law enforcement is often minutes away when a life or death situation is over and done with (for better or worse) within seconds.
Continue reading “Carrying a Concealed Pistol in Utah”
DHS Preparedness Certification
Does anybody besides me get a bad feeling about this? DHS to push ‘certification’ of private sector preparedness efforts. 
That’s right, the Federal government creating another ANSI spec for us to follow, and the management of which will be driven by the same people that helped rescue folks after Katrina. Of course at first the certification will be completely voluntary, and have various degrees to which you can claim certification. But what happens afterwards? Just like any other federal program, it will grow until even simple blogs like this must somehow guard what we say, and be guarded by lawyers lest somebody disagree with our practices.
Now, I’m all for the concept of the government encouraging us to prepare, and to help people know how to prepare. But in looking at tools such as the DHS’s ready.gov compared to blogs such as us, or those in our blogroll, I know I can get a lot more practical information from the personal experience on the web. And it hasn’t been sanitized by every scared lawyer, by beuracracies such as the FDA. So speak up, and make sure this doesn’t become just another overarching act that limits peoples ability to share information.
Collecting Rain Water on YOUR Property a Crime?
As some Utah residents may be aware, current law prohibits collecting rain water on your own property unless you also own the water rights for that property. While this seems a clear violation of private property rights, there are some movements afoot to change this law. And the good new is YOU can help!
Continue reading “Collecting Rain Water on YOUR Property a Crime?”
The British called, they want their guns back.
Real world modern and historic data have shown that government efforts to suppress gun ownership negatively affects law abiding citizens while having little to no affect on criminals or the criminal use of firearms. Citizens of England and Australia have come to that realization, perhaps too late.
Listening to these people talk about the incremental way that their rights were first infringed upon, then completely taken away reminds me of a famous quote by Martin Niemöller:
“First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist, so I said nothing. Then they came for the Social Democrats, but I was not a Social Democrat, so I did nothing. Then came the trade unionists, but I was not a trade unionist. And then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew, so I did little. Then when they came for me, there was no one left to stand up for me.”
As liberty loving Americans we need to stand up for not only our Rights but the Rights of others.
Friend in need.
When I lived in Southern California, I began to get into long range target shooting. Through this hobby I met Tom Miller and Don Anderson, two of the nicest people you will ever meet. Tom is a retired ATF agent and FFL dealer. I bought my EDM Arms Windrunner through Tom as well as both of the Nightforce scopes that I own. His prices and most of all his friendly service are second to none.
Don was his right hand man, helping out at gun shows, but more than this, he was a regular at the monthly .50 cal shoot at Angeles Ranges. He allowed anyone interested to shoot his .50 cal, .408 CheyTac or .338 Lapua for free, just to promote interest in the sport. He invested in all the best equipment to reload .50 cal ammunition and would sell it to anyone at his cost to shoot in their own rifles. This of course represented a considerable amount of time he was giving away, just to help promote the sport.
About 2 years ago, a while after I left California, I found out that Don’s house had been raided by SWAT teams, the ATF and LA County Sheriffs. All his semi-automatic firearms were taken away. This was followed by two years of silence. Don had done nothing illegal and we all assumed that the DA and others were hoping they would be able to let it die without admitting they were wrong. Continue reading “Friend in need.”
Suzanna Gratia-Hupp: What the Second Amendment is REALLY For
Thanks to @cboyack for sending me this amazing video. A must watch, and must share about the 2nd ammendment.
You can vote AGAINST Gun Control RIGHT NOW!
This is important and will take you less than two minutes – and you don’t have to speak to a single person!
IMPORTANT – PLEASE VOTE ON GUN CONTROL BY PHONE AS DIRECTED BELOW ASAP! – TELL THEM YOU OPPOSE GUN CONTROL.
Subject: Gun control in Cook County, Illinois
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008
Continue reading “You can vote AGAINST Gun Control RIGHT NOW!”
Food storage confiscations?
The government had jailed people in the past for ‘hoarding’ food. While this may seem a thing of the past, the government’s current direction towards ‘redistribution’ makes this ever more likely. NY Times Archive
Is anybody else worried about this or am I just paranoid?