http://safecastle.blogspot.com/2007/01/newt-notes-looming-doom.html Wednesday, January 24, 2007 Newt Notes Looming Doom Last year, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was on prime time television with an hour-long program bringing the danger of the bird flu into the hearts and minds of America. His program probably did help reach a good many folks and raise awareness of the still lingering naturally occurring biological threat. Now, Newt has another cause to embrace and to impart to the unwary ... nuclear holocaust. You have GOT to read this story on an Israeli site, "Israel Faces Nuclear Holocaust Warns Gingrich." It's not only Israel that is staring down the barrel of the gun, says Newt, but America as well. "Israel is in the greatest danger it has been in since 1967. Prior to '67, many wondered if Israel would survive. After '67, Israel seemed military dominant, despite the '73 war. I would say we are (now) back to question of survival," Gingrich said. He added that the United States could "lose two or three cities to nuclear weapons, or more than a million to biological weapons." Gingrich added that in such a scenario, "freedom as we know it will disappear, and we will become a much grimmer, much more militarized, dictatorial society." "Three nuclear weapons are a second Holocaust," Gingrich declared, adding: "People are greatly underestimating how dangerous the world is becoming. I'll repeat it, three nuclear weapons are a second Holocaust. Our enemies are quite explicit in their desire to destroy us. They say it publicly? We are sleepwalking through this process as though it's only a problem of communication," Gingrich said. The article also quotes Newt this way: "We don't have right language, goals, structure, or operating speed, to defeat our enemies. My hope is that being this candid and direct, I could open a dialogue that will force people to come to grips with how serious this is, how real it is, how much we are threatened. If that fails, at least we will be intellectually prepared for the correct results once we have lost one or more cities," Gingrich added. He also said "citizens who do not wake up every morning and think about the possible catastrophic civilian casualties are deluding themselves." Well that's a fine how-do-you-do, isn't it? Get Ready, Seriously ... www.safecastleroyal.com Posted by JC Refuge at 8:07 AM Labels: Biological preparedness, Nuclear preparedness, Pandemic preparedness, Political realities, Radiological preparedness, Shelters, Terror preparedness, War, War on terror
So are the democrats... Agreed, but the guys got some great reading too... I don't believe anybody anymore...unfortunately that makes me rather unproductive...and less willing to form concrete positions.
Ahem ... Gary, do you know anything about me or is that a normal type of potshot you're taking there? Point one, for your edification--my blog is about espousing preparedness and NOT being afraid. Point two--"profiting" in my pursuit of helping people prepare at the lowest possible prices I can give, is a real stretch. I work a whole lot and make very little--trying to do little more than break even at what I do.
I think its important to consider any and all information presented as opportunities to educate yourself or others, consider, reconsider and adjust your own opinions, plans, approaches and statements. That goes both ways... I also believe fear to be the most powerful emotion and movitation. And I know that many if not all business models and strategies are based somewhat on some angle of motivation.... much of it associated with fear of something happening or not happening. Preparing for the future and thus the unknown has taken many forms in everyday seemingly acceptable forms... Health, car, life, fire insurances, investing, saving and even spending... IMHO.... I don't believe JCRefuge's motivation is profit through fear mongering. I have taken time to read his blog offerings over time, view his product offerings, purchased a few things and even talked and got to know him a bit... my conclusion is that his intentions are good. He is small business owner trying to make a living for his family, trying to embrace a set of ethics and values for his customers and long term success. Related educational offerings for consideration is part of a value-added feature he has chosen to pursue and frankly it makes sense to me. By the way... I also defend and believe in the right to express an opinion or response.... in a respectful manner.... That being said.... This whole forum is choked full of time consuming fear mongering and precious little realistic plans and solutions.... Sorry Melbo... you can slap me offline... JMHO .....
No JC I do not know much about you. The only thing I remember you posted a deal on katadyne filters that you said was all great and cheaper than anyone else, yet someone found REI had it for as much. When they questioned you said methinks "would you rather support a giant corporation?" that was not the point though. Informative survival oriented posts + a survival items catalog Fear mongering to sell gas masks or shelters and you might lose business from them sharper tacks. Needless to say I do not "buy" avian flu. The people selling it have financial interests in governments stocking up on Tamiflu. which has not proven to be effective, just speculated that it might work. Some really shady people in this very shady administration of ours are profiting from this RummyFlu. http://www.financialsense.com/fsu/editorials/2005/1101_b.html I exist stage left now before I dig it any further
I would rather see someone profit while educating others than educate and say they aren't making a profit. I can assure the the value of "free" is far less valuable than something for which you pay. JC offers a viewpoint and good analysis of international politics. You can find threads on survival monkey that have serious discussion on most of the issues JC writes about. Also, I saved $1,000 bucks on a 6 month supply of freeze dried food last year. JC has worked to sell many of the most common "preparedness" items at rock bottom prices. Gary Brun -- Remember that no where on JC's site does it say "non-profit" but I do believe he sells goods with minimal profit.
NEW Katadyn Vario I don't recall this reference you make, Gary or when .... but I can say this--REI is bound by the same MAP agreement with Katadyn as every other reseller. They cannot publicly advertise a price lower than the universal agreed level. Neither can I. But what I can and do do is privately arrange for the lowest price I can sell a product for. In the past, it was thru an informal "contact me for a quote" arrangement that worked very well for a lot of people. Now, we have made it more straightforward for folks who want those same deals. We have a private buyers club. In that club, we offer free shipping on everything, from water filters to bulk food to water barrels, and much more. PLUS, members get AT LEAST 20% off the posted prices of everything in the store, all the time. On top of that, we arrange for limited time special deals when it makes sense. Current Katadyn Special As it happens, as of yesterday, I just posted a Katadyn deal at our member site: www.safecastleroyal.com ... A package of 30 Micropur tabs for $1 with the purchase of any Katadyn filter (members of course get 20% off the filter and the $1 tab price). What spurred this offer? The intro of the brand new Katadyn Vario--a great dual-technology filter that is quickly going to be their numero uno product, in my view. Have a look if you're interested. Hope you don't mind me saying, I don't think you'll find a lower price anywhere.
Since there seems to be some interest (though I really don't know why), I should point out--SAFECASTLE for me is more a matter of principle and passion than anything else. Sure, I can hope that it will continue to grow and become some kind of factor in the overall state of preparedness in America (which is THE reason I started the company). After all, if it doesn't grow, it will die--it's a basic rule of life. For the record--about 95% of my living, my income, comes from my "day job"--corporate consulting. I put about 5% of my time into that. (Note that if I was driven by profit, I would obviously put more of my time into that area). I put literally almost 100 hours a week into Safecastle, for a bottom line that is really laughable when it all gets boiled down. But I feel that what I'm doing is worthwhile.
JC, you don't have to defend yourself here. We know you have a valuable service and product and I think I speak for most of us here, I appreciate you bringing these to the market and for the great deals you offer to us Monkeys. As a matter of fact I am in the design stages of building a new house and was going to contact you about your shelters.
Please excuse that little insensitivity;. I don't think gary actually expected to be challenged on his little jab...,,that kind of thing is common on the net..
I'd like to apologize. I am not a socialist and do not think anyone should work for free or anything of that sort. You provide a valuable service and need to be rewarded. All I am getting at is this. Do not increase the amount of fear. Provide valuable info. There is too much fear around as it is from corporate sponsored media outlets. They know that scaring people is good for the economy (them). It rubs off on you and me and our kids, loved ones and neighbors. Please do not be like the NEWS at 11. I judged you based on one data point. I do not read your blog.
Gary, I don't think there's any harm done here, I hope you don't shy away from this forum because of this thread. I don't think anyone (with any sense) will hold it against you. I'm sure JC understands (correct me if I'm wrong JC) that it is a perfectly reasonable albeit "kneejerk" reaction to assume somebody selling survival gear and blogging about dangers is selling fear. Selling fear has become the rule not the exception in these times, we've come to expect it. And Gary, being new, didn't have any experience with you to make a different judgement. JC, I'll admit myself, though I'm not one of the "old-timers" here, I'm not new either and I have wondered myself about you because I haven't seen much in the way of posts from you that didn't involve selling something. With that said, I'm willing to assume your not strictly about selling things as some senior forum members whom I respect have attested to your motives in this thread. And I also understand your reaction to having your motives called into question by a newcomer, in fact, it speaks well on your behalf that you didn't get really pissy about it. As it also speaks well of Gary that he was willing to re-evaluate his opinion the matter. It's one of the reasons I like this place, most everyone is very level-headed and respectful of others.
Ok. Now we have all kissed, made-up, etc, and hijacked a thread that has for more discussion potential the safecastle profits. With that in mind, what do you think of Newt's assessment and JC's comments?
No problem, Gary. The no-fear approach is a good one for all of us. Of course, there is a wide gray DMZ wherein folks debate what constitutes raising awareness vs. hyping fear. I worry little about those definitions since there is really little to fear if one is as prepped as they can be. That's what I preach--stay aware, do what you can to be ready for potential risks, then get a good night's sleep. (Of course preparedness comfort levels are different with everyone--whatever it is that makes you feel better is enough in my book.) No sense worrying about things you cannot control.
Agreed--no harm, no foul. I rather appreciate the opportunity to explain myself given the obvious doubts folks would have about Safecastle without having had some history on me/us. I just wanted to also reply to your point about my not posting things here other than sales items. Admittedly, it IS rare when I post here about anything else. Years ago, I spent a lot of time posting at forums like this. Eventually, I came to a personal realization that what I really wanted to do with my time and talents (rather than butt heads with opposing viewpoints in a total waste of my time) was to literally help folks with their preparedness the best way I could figure out how--getting them deals on good gear and product. I also do provide free personal consulting services on various topics to folks for the asking ... mostly with regard to my past as an intel analyst. When I say I work 100+ hours between Safecastle duties and my bread and butter corporate work, that doesn't leave much time for family, volunteerism, or for posting to forums. But I do materially patronize 6 or 8 preparedness related forums like this and do occasionally post when I feel the need. Time is the commodity that is most in need for me at this point. I'm doing what I think for me makes the most positive impact on American preparedness. (Not much of course, but it's something.)
Hi Clyde. I don't think I really said much of what I thought about Newt's perspective. Personally, I find his alarmism interesting. He occupies a space on the spectrum pretty much by himself today as far as political personalities go. Most of course are in the "moderate" camp or at the opposite extreme going about their business in a normal, don't ask-don't tell fashion. That said, I don't feel that anything I've seen of Newt's warnings have been off the mark. His TV program on H5N1 was at least basically educational for what you get in prime time. And the credit is partly his for waking some folks up about that threat. Newt's name gets attention, so when he talks about this being a critical time in history insofar as the control of WMDs go, I think he again is saying what needs to be said. It's not like it hasn't been said before. And nobody's panicked as a result. Sadly, I don't think any subsequent dialog has come of it in higher echelons. But if we in the street can talk it over and once again consider our own level of readiness for worst-case events, then that has to be a positive. It's about peace of mind more than anything else at our level. We need more folks in the public eye who can come out and state plain facts like this instead of dishing out more of the same boilerplate high-gloss spin that is designed to appeal to applicable voting niches.
