DUH!! How stupid can I be. 'Intro Thread'..that means Us and not introducing the forum! No one ever called me overly bright, but I get it now.
I'm a 51 years young West Texas blue collar oilfield worker, who has been taken prisoner by a boss who hates computers and told to sit in front of one and go to work.
Darn it!
I was put onto Jack's Podcast around show 10 by someone blogging on another site. I don't remember which site, but I had been looking for a podcast who talks my language and wasn't trying to sell me something. Some of the Podcast out there are down right scary to boot. Jack has a great balance of news and how to and just plain encouragement.
He is also not afraid to speak his mind and does not try and talk above people, which I one of the best things about him.
Oh..I forgot..this is about me!
I have to say I've been prepping off and on since the Howard Ruff days of the 70's. Things were bad, but got better and I lost interest until the Y2K scare. Like a good little 'Pawn', I made plans and stockpiled equipment and supplies only to find that the world didn't end or worst..go back to the vacuum tube age!
After Y2K, I drifted off again into the latter days of the Chairman Clinton era. Getting fat and spending more money then I made..thank you so much Visa and Discover!
In a way I was lucky. I always had this little voice in the back of my head saying No..No..NO. One day I found myself $10,000 in debt and maxing out three cards. I was wondering if I should fill out the application for a fourth card...then 9/11 came.
Like many this hit me hard. What hit me harder was that a month later you never saw another replay of the jets crashing into the buildings again. A spark went off in my head. The powers that be weren't using this to call America to arms to fight the good fight. The powers that be were only going to use it to their advantage to gain power and wealth.
I started studying and came to the conclusion that this country needed a clean slate to return to the ideal we always dreamed of and there were only three ways this could happen. At the ballot box, at the point of a gun, or raising up from the ashes of a major breakdown and rebuilding from scratch.
I hoped beyond hope for the ballot box. I gave money and showed my support for the people who I had hoped would lead us down a new and better path. I was wrong.
I looked at the gun and said 'No Way'. My country right or wrong. That is unless, the Government starts to treat me and mine like cattle.
No Chip Will Ever Enter My Body. Jack is so right about that. I too have my Tin Foil Hat ready, but hopefully will never have to wear it.
That only leaves from the ashes.
I got myself out of debt...thank you Dave Ramsey. His books, workbooks and radio show gave me the strength to pay off $10,000 in 18 months. At the same time I started to build up my preps in small ways. Long Term Storage Food here. First Aid there. A many visits to gun shows in the area listening for those magic words...'No Papers'!
I collected books and information. Practices some of them and kept looking for that piece of property so far out in the boonies it would take an army to find me.
Then along came medical problems and family problems. Your know the kind I mean. Every one has the brother who never seems to make ends meet. The one who borrows and never pays back. The one who only brings his 5 kids over when he needs a loan. I dare anyone who can look kids in the face and say no. I was never so happy in my life when that brother moved to Washington state. Not that he can't 'touch' me from there, but his kids are growing up and not so cute anymore and it also seems the State of Washington has a better paying Welfare System. He has found his little piece of heaven, what good it will do him if things go bad. I try to tell him, but he doesn't listen.
Then the most amazing thing happened after he left, I had money again. No debt...no mooching brother...then I read one day about Derivatives. NOW I was worried. I knew in my heart it was only a matter of time when I would all come crashing down around our heads. I'm not as ready as I want to be, but if Silver goes up like it should, when this is all over...I'll be all right. Now...how to tell others.
Telling others is one of the best things about Jack. I can tell people his is a straight shooter without reservations. Just that he talks the talk and walks the walk. If you don't like his message or the way he says it...your free to go elsewere. No one will stop you, but please do listen. It might save your life, make it a bit easier...or if things come out okay...live a better life.
Thanks Jack....I'll be listening
