From the Baltic border to the Strait of Hormuz: how one British shopping list connects Putin’s timeline, America’s shrinking footprint and the Iran deal.
Thanks Jack. When we lived in Minnesota, we really did not give this a thought, but now in Northern California - and having had to evacuate for a wildfire in 2020 - we have have a bag, cash, water and a plan ready at all times. I hate to think about having to use it for war…..
A wildfire taught it to you...faster than ANY government campaign could.
The bag doesn’t care WHY you grab it. Fire, outage, storm,...or something worse…the family that already has a plan...is the family that is NOT standing in a line.
I also had to evacuate due to a wildfire this summer. I was semi-prepared and learned a lot about having a plan (which I do). I also learned a lot about the importance of community and am thankful for ours. I am planning now so that I can be the helper rather than the one needing help. I also hate to think about the prospect of war.
We have a program in our community called Meet Your Neighbor. It helps neighborhood blocks organize and swap contact information. In an emergency like an earthquake, we know who has generators, who has first aide experience, who might need help, where all the gas shutoffs are on each house. etc. We are the volunteer leaders on our block. It’s a great program.
Our son’s best friend since 3rd grade, our other “son,” lives in Oxford with his wife and their daughter…I was messaging him last week about this, and they are prepared, even have a solar powered generator for their home! How very sad that we are all here because of Putin and the Russian asset sitting in The People’s House.
A solar generator in Oxford...puts them AHEAD of most of Britain...and WELL ahead of the government’s three-day baseline.
That’s what family does...the people we love...are the ones we check on FIRST.
And...Christie...you’re right that none of us should have to be having this conversation. Putin built the threat. What we DO about it...here and over there... is the part we STILL control.
Glad your “other son” is on it...and glad YOU...are here!
I'm waiting for the eruption. It would be very very out of character for our decimated wounded narcissistic psychopath in chief not to retaliate in some sort of astounding heinous manner on some front. I truly hope not...but..
I have to ask a question that is on my mind.. Everybody forgive me. What if Trump decides to ignore Congress altogether and govern solely on Exec orders? I have read that he has threatened this. I know exec orders can be challenged in the courts.. But I haven't seen that happening. I have seen him go around Congress.. It's how he started the Iran war... ( which he is somehow trying to deny....).
This sobering. Not generally known nor being mentioned anywhere. War or no war, the development of drones and the base nihilism of large groups of disaffected people makes the scenario more likely than not. This is why vetting leaders now is preparing for those leaders to be in place later.
The threat...isn’t ONLY a Russian column on the Baltic border. It’s cheap drones...soft infrastructure...and ENOUGH angry people...willing to be used.
That combination...doesn’t need a declaration of war to turn the lights off. You nailed it on the timing.
The leaders who will be in the room in 2030...are being chosen right NOW...in primaries most people aren’t watching. Vetting them today is the real preparedness.
Thank you, Douglas...for paying this kind of attention!
Unsettling…. and it’s always a good thing to be prepared as best we can. Especially with increasing volatility in the world….
The strange calmness coming from t makes me itchy. Definitely not his usual reaction so it rings my alarm bells….. just WTF will he do? Combine that with all the other things and well…. having supplies at least puts those worries a little more at ease…
Love that you read the patterns and signs to keep us prepared and informed, Jack….. Thank you.
“Locked and loaded, but maybe no reason to go” IS a very different register from the man we heard for nine months...and...a sudden change in tone...is itself...a SIGNAL.
Whether it means a deal is close...or something else is being decided...nobody outside that room knows yet. What you CAN control...is exactly what you’ve DONE.
The shelf is stocked...the plan is written...and the worry has somewhere to go. That’s not paranoia. That’s PEACE OF MIND... you bought on purpose.
As of late it is hard to read T. We know his mental faculties are diminished. He does seem to demonstrate some frontal temporal dementia decline symptoms- physical and cognitive. Add that on top of the fact that his malignant narcissism already made him a bit 🦇💩crazy.
Seems every day is a new day with T. That is what we (my siblings) said about our Mom as her dementia became more pronounced.
I’ve never dealt with dementia in a family member so this whole decline thing is completely out of my realm of experience. His changeable nature has def become more pronounced…. not the best of feelings knowing he has the power of the office…
So sorry about your mom… that could not have been easy.
She’d’, I don’t think we have had a false sense of security from the 2016 inauguration, lasting for four years, and from the second inauguration he experienced, forward. Many of us knew to expect most anything.
The feeling has never vanished completely. Even though some joys are mixed into the times, the over all awareness remains, and it magnifies.
My take? It's nothing useful for the United States...whatever it is. Not because I know exactly what he'll do...but because I know his patterns, and his patterns suggest: cover your ass.
Our son’s best friend since 3rd grade, our other “son,” lives in Oxford with his wife and their daughter…I was messaging him last week about this, and they are prepared, even have solar powered generator for their home! How very sad that we are here because of Putin and the Russian asset sitting in The People’s House.
So, will Trump pull back from the Gulf now that the election is over? Will the Democrats understand the necessity of keeping troops in Europe?
Will Hegseth quit so he can save face for the future?
Those of us in NH where First in the Nation primary rules still apply even if the DNC says they don't, we'll see who shows up from now till January to stake their early claim to front-runner status.
I lived in Germany when the threat of Russians coming through the Fulda Gap meant that we did a yearly Non-combatant Evacuation Exercise on our small Army post. I wonder if those plans still exist given how late family members were evacuated in the Middle East.
Tune in tomorrow for another episode of As the World Turns -- Upside Down.
Jack, thank you so much. To some extent, I think most of us work with readiness in mind, but as you explained, this preparation is not just for possible storms.
Those “Fox Fire Books”, “One Acre and Security”, Mother Earth News reading of the 1970s and making lists of ways people used to live, were always fascinating and made good sense, especially in early days of penny counting and listing each one spent. Preparing for storms, tornados, ice storms, no water, in addition to no power, and whatever may come has always made sense. However, not having a root cellar, a basement, or a bomb shelter and being aware of these uncertain times, particularly with an unpredictable, or a possibly an occasionally predictable personality with the craving of control and intent on revenge, as only part of the characterization, leaves much to ponder and still more to do.
Also, we need to keep address books again since cell phones have led us to forget many phone numbers and contact information.
Thanks Jack. When we lived in Minnesota, we really did not give this a thought, but now in Northern California - and having had to evacuate for a wildfire in 2020 - we have have a bag, cash, water and a plan ready at all times. I hate to think about having to use it for war…..
Diane...that’s exactly the point.
A wildfire taught it to you...faster than ANY government campaign could.
The bag doesn’t care WHY you grab it. Fire, outage, storm,...or something worse…the family that already has a plan...is the family that is NOT standing in a line.
You’re ahead of most of the country, Diane.
Thanks for reading and for being here.
-Jack
I also had to evacuate due to a wildfire this summer. I was semi-prepared and learned a lot about having a plan (which I do). I also learned a lot about the importance of community and am thankful for ours. I am planning now so that I can be the helper rather than the one needing help. I also hate to think about the prospect of war.
We have a program in our community called Meet Your Neighbor. It helps neighborhood blocks organize and swap contact information. In an emergency like an earthquake, we know who has generators, who has first aide experience, who might need help, where all the gas shutoffs are on each house. etc. We are the volunteer leaders on our block. It’s a great program.
Jack,
Our son’s best friend since 3rd grade, our other “son,” lives in Oxford with his wife and their daughter…I was messaging him last week about this, and they are prepared, even have a solar powered generator for their home! How very sad that we are all here because of Putin and the Russian asset sitting in The People’s House.
Christie...good for them!
A solar generator in Oxford...puts them AHEAD of most of Britain...and WELL ahead of the government’s three-day baseline.
That’s what family does...the people we love...are the ones we check on FIRST.
And...Christie...you’re right that none of us should have to be having this conversation. Putin built the threat. What we DO about it...here and over there... is the part we STILL control.
Glad your “other son” is on it...and glad YOU...are here!
-Jack
I'm waiting for the eruption. It would be very very out of character for our decimated wounded narcissistic psychopath in chief not to retaliate in some sort of astounding heinous manner on some front. I truly hope not...but..
Sher'...you're right. VERY.
-Jack
I have to ask a question that is on my mind.. Everybody forgive me. What if Trump decides to ignore Congress altogether and govern solely on Exec orders? I have read that he has threatened this. I know exec orders can be challenged in the courts.. But I haven't seen that happening. I have seen him go around Congress.. It's how he started the Iran war... ( which he is somehow trying to deny....).
This sobering. Not generally known nor being mentioned anywhere. War or no war, the development of drones and the base nihilism of large groups of disaffected people makes the scenario more likely than not. This is why vetting leaders now is preparing for those leaders to be in place later.
Douglas...that's the part most coverage skips.
The threat...isn’t ONLY a Russian column on the Baltic border. It’s cheap drones...soft infrastructure...and ENOUGH angry people...willing to be used.
That combination...doesn’t need a declaration of war to turn the lights off. You nailed it on the timing.
The leaders who will be in the room in 2030...are being chosen right NOW...in primaries most people aren’t watching. Vetting them today is the real preparedness.
Thank you, Douglas...for paying this kind of attention!
-Jack
Unsettling…. and it’s always a good thing to be prepared as best we can. Especially with increasing volatility in the world….
The strange calmness coming from t makes me itchy. Definitely not his usual reaction so it rings my alarm bells….. just WTF will he do? Combine that with all the other things and well…. having supplies at least puts those worries a little more at ease…
Love that you read the patterns and signs to keep us prepared and informed, Jack….. Thank you.
#HoldingFast
Deb...you’re not wrong to notice the quiet.
“Locked and loaded, but maybe no reason to go” IS a very different register from the man we heard for nine months...and...a sudden change in tone...is itself...a SIGNAL.
Whether it means a deal is close...or something else is being decided...nobody outside that room knows yet. What you CAN control...is exactly what you’ve DONE.
The shelf is stocked...the plan is written...and the worry has somewhere to go. That’s not paranoia. That’s PEACE OF MIND... you bought on purpose.
#KEEPHoldingFast...and thank you!
-Jack
As of late it is hard to read T. We know his mental faculties are diminished. He does seem to demonstrate some frontal temporal dementia decline symptoms- physical and cognitive. Add that on top of the fact that his malignant narcissism already made him a bit 🦇💩crazy.
Seems every day is a new day with T. That is what we (my siblings) said about our Mom as her dementia became more pronounced.
I’ve never dealt with dementia in a family member so this whole decline thing is completely out of my realm of experience. His changeable nature has def become more pronounced…. not the best of feelings knowing he has the power of the office…
So sorry about your mom… that could not have been easy.
With you on several points.
I'm all ears! We definitely should not be lulled into a sense of false security.
She’d’, I don’t think we have had a false sense of security from the 2016 inauguration, lasting for four years, and from the second inauguration he experienced, forward. Many of us knew to expect most anything.
The feeling has never vanished completely. Even though some joys are mixed into the times, the over all awareness remains, and it magnifies.
#HOLDFAST!
I get very concerned listening to the current Democratic "leadership".
True.
Sweden's manual is online in English. There's some good information in it. It can be downloaded and printed.
https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/the-brochure-in-case-of-crisis-or-war/download-and-order-the-brochure-in-case-of-crisis-or-war/
Thank you, Robot.
Good information to use!
@Frank Figliuzzi
Love Frank! I've had him on for two episodes of my podcast.
-Jack
We have a lot to do before 2030...
James...you said a mouthful. We DO!
-Jack
Damn….Just when I began breathing easy….
Getting my water supply ready
Getting some cash handy
Getting RTE meals
Damn that moron in the WH and Hegseth and all the rest of his cabinet
Grrrrrr
Chrissy...yep. In the words of my wife, "Well, shit! It's always something."
-Jack
I have been uncomfortable with the silence from the WH since Tuesday’s election results.
I just assumed that he had something up his sleeve
Chrissy...yeah, I hear you.
My take? It's nothing useful for the United States...whatever it is. Not because I know exactly what he'll do...but because I know his patterns, and his patterns suggest: cover your ass.
-Jack
I wonder if the false bomb threats that grounded dozens of plane in Europe today are part of this.
Patricia...I don't know, but...that's a great question.
-Jack
Jack,
Our son’s best friend since 3rd grade, our other “son,” lives in Oxford with his wife and their daughter…I was messaging him last week about this, and they are prepared, even have solar powered generator for their home! How very sad that we are here because of Putin and the Russian asset sitting in The People’s House.
So, will Trump pull back from the Gulf now that the election is over? Will the Democrats understand the necessity of keeping troops in Europe?
Will Hegseth quit so he can save face for the future?
Those of us in NH where First in the Nation primary rules still apply even if the DNC says they don't, we'll see who shows up from now till January to stake their early claim to front-runner status.
I lived in Germany when the threat of Russians coming through the Fulda Gap meant that we did a yearly Non-combatant Evacuation Exercise on our small Army post. I wonder if those plans still exist given how late family members were evacuated in the Middle East.
Tune in tomorrow for another episode of As the World Turns -- Upside Down.
As ever, thanks, Jack. #holdingFast
Tough times ahead 😞
Keep up the formatting in your articles, (I know you will anyway!) It has great value in helping me retain the pertinent info.
#HoldFast
Jack, thank you so much. To some extent, I think most of us work with readiness in mind, but as you explained, this preparation is not just for possible storms.
Those “Fox Fire Books”, “One Acre and Security”, Mother Earth News reading of the 1970s and making lists of ways people used to live, were always fascinating and made good sense, especially in early days of penny counting and listing each one spent. Preparing for storms, tornados, ice storms, no water, in addition to no power, and whatever may come has always made sense. However, not having a root cellar, a basement, or a bomb shelter and being aware of these uncertain times, particularly with an unpredictable, or a possibly an occasionally predictable personality with the craving of control and intent on revenge, as only part of the characterization, leaves much to ponder and still more to do.
Also, we need to keep address books again since cell phones have led us to forget many phone numbers and contact information.
May we each and all
#HOLDFAST! and STAY SAFE!