Category Archives: Blog

Schools Teach Conformity Quote

Jack Spirko: “Schools Teach Conformity”

“Schools teach conformity.  Schools are not designed to educate.  Education is about teaching people to learn.  Schools are designed to breed conformity.

Everybody sit in a desk in a nice straight line.  Put your head down and take a nap when you’re told.  Be on time or you’re in trouble.  Learn at the same speed as the person next to you – even if the person next to you is a friggin’ moron!  It’s fair, it’s fair that Johnny is a dumb ass and Timmy is smart and that Timmy has to slow down his learning unless Timmy goes into a special place for the accelerated gifted child.  Where he will work harder and get the same.”

– Jack Spirko / The Survival Podcast episode 1269

High River Gun Grab

Updates to my thoughts on the High River gun grab

I had previously published some softer thoughts on the flooding in Alberta and the High River gun grab.  I still don’t want to make this into the usual cop-bashing “right to bear arms” rant, but I am more troubled by this than I was before.

 

What has changed in me?

Well first I want to say that we are allowed to change our minds, or even just allow our opinions to evolve somewhat.  In fact, I encourage it.  Not being open-minded and just sticking to your opinion because you’re afraid to keep looking at facts is just plain bad.  This is what leads to bigotry.

I definitely feel more negative about this RCMP gun grab than I did in the past.  Mostly because I have taken the CFSC & CRFSC – Canadian (Restricted) Firearms Safety Course.  The rules surrounding firearm storage are exact and easily understood.

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Christmas Gift Ideas

It’s that time of the year again where we are constantly looking for good Christmas gift ideas.

But what should you the the loved ones in your life?  Things that they will enjoy and will help promote self-sufficiency.  They may not be a homesteader, prepare, modern survivalist, etc – and they don’t have to be to make the most of the right gifts.

However, a gift is pretty useless if it doesn’t appeal to the person you give it to.  Choose wisely!

Some of my Christmas gift ideas:

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5.11 Tactical Rush MOAB 10 Unboxing & First Look

My first impressions of the Rush MOAB 10

Over the years I have tried a number of different bags for my everyday carry and laptop.

Messenger style shoulder bags, backpacks, and laptop sleeves – I’ve tried a lot of different combinations.  Things are more difficult because I have a 17″ MacBook Laptop – many packs and bags are meant more for 15″ units.  For about the past five years, I have used a Targus backpack that would take my large laptop.  It’s EDC capabilities were ok, but it was gear more just for the laptop, a book, and some documents.

I’ve also had a decent Oggi EDC backpack that my employer gave me.  I was better for carrying items (first aid, food, small jacket, flash light, multitool, etc.) and was pretty heavy-duty.  But the layout still wasn’t quite what I was looking for.  Plus my laptop wouldn’t fit, so I had to use a sleeve with handles.

So I decided to take a close look at the Rush MOAB 10 by 5.11 Tactical

Click here for Pricing and Reviews from Amazon

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Shooting the Smith & Wesson 500 Magnum

Here is a short video I posted to YouTube of me Shooting the Smith & Wesson 500 Magnum.

On my first trip to a shooting range, we finished up the session with a few shots of the big 500.

It sure was a blast and I’m definitely looking forward to getting a shot at some of the other big boys they have there: .460 and the .454 Casull, along with the famous Desert Eagle 50.

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Black Friday Sales

Black Friday Sales to take advantage of

Black Friday is a national holiday to our American friends, but up here in Canada there are also deals to be had.  Retailers noticed that Canadians cross the border each year to take part in the madness across the line.  As much fun is it is to do hand-to-hand combat over a Tickle me Elmo in a Walmart, I sure am glad that retailers here are taking part in the shopping action.

Check out Canadian Tire, Princess Auto, Cabela’s, and Amazon.ca

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Time to get my PAL

It is time for me to get a PAL

Yes I could use more friends, but that isn’t what I meant.  No, the PAL is the Possession and Acquisition Licence and you require this to purchase firearms or ammunition in Canada.

Formerly know as the FAC (Firearms Acquisition Certificate), obtaining a PAL is an involved process.  Here I will outline what I know of it before going through.  Later I will write the definitive process for you to also get your licence.

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Podcasts 02 November

If you missed it, these are last week’s episodes

Here are my recommendations for podcasts 02 November:

Lew Rockwell Episode 371 – Street Smarts with Jim Rogers – Jim Rodgers KNOWS money and investing.  We all should at least listen to what he has to say.  In this podcast Jim & Lew discuss Roger’s book: Street Smarts.

Lew Rockwell Episode 372 – Wheat Belly with Dr. William Davis – Lose the wheat, lose the weight.  Dr. William Davis discusses how bad modern wheat is for us.  This combines paleo and gluten free concepts.

Lew Rockwell Episode 373 – Homeschooling, War, and Banking with Ron Paul – I don’t have to describe this one.  If it has Dr. Paul in it, you should listen.  This episode if chock-full of wisdom.

Modern Self Protection 72 – Testing You – Criminals and Terrorists are out there testing your capabilities and vulnerabilities all of the time.  Ben discusses how to recognize this, how to react, and how to know when you are being threatened.

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Shooting Range Visit

Thoughts from my second shooting range visit

On Halloween I ended up with the evening free to myself.  I could have gone to the gym, watched movies, or even eaten candy.  But instead, I decided on an indoor shooting range visit since it was over a month since I had been there.  Plus there was a great deal on at the time that I couldn’t resist.

As you may have read, my first visit to the shooting range was a real eye opener.  I came out of it with both confidence and respect.

Below I report on the firearms I used and my thought on each for this shooting range visit:

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The Numerous Benefits of Vacation

We are always busy: working, family, running around, shopping, etc. But when we take some time for ourselves, we can experience the numerous benefits of vacation.

Some of us travel and experience new cultures, while others rest on the beach. Some visit family, and sometimes we have the opportunity to travel halfway around the world. None of these approaches to vacations are wrong – all forms of vacation can be highly beneficial.

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