I have recently read two articles on the Oslo Incident that call for some reflective thought. The first comes from Fox News, and it presents what I would call an Establishment Conservative version of Homeland Security's line on terrorism and terrorists.
The very last sentence gives away the purpose of the piece as propaganda for the Conservative statist point of view. You can read it here:
Why Terrorism is a New Wave of Warfare
The second article comes from American Thinker, and it exposes the anti-Christian hysteria of the Liberal mainscream media -- and Establishment Conservative me-tooers -- for what it is: a hatchet job designed to divert the uncritical masses' attention from the real terrorists (and I'm not thinking primarily of al Qaeda here) to followers of Christ.
As you read the following article, you might want to ask yourself, "Am I a patriot or a nationalist?" If you don't know the diff, you definitely need to read the article.
The Protocols of the Elders of Liberalism
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
The Non-Christian Christianity of the Norwegian Shooter
Police and the media have labeled terrorist Anders B. Breivik as a Christian fundamentalist. Sadly, this is the kind of hysterical reporting we have come to expect from the main-scream media.
Ken Ham's blog, however, reveals that Breivik called himself a Christian even though he did not believe in Christ. Sound weird? Well, nobody accused mass murderers of clear thinking.
Here's the relevant section from Mr. Ham's blog post:
On pages 1307–1308 of his manifesto, for example, he distinguishes between what he calls cultural Christendom and religious Christendom, stating that “a majority of so called agnostics and atheists in Europe are cultural conservative Christians without even knowing it.” He attempts to explain the difference, and then states his own personal belief:
"If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God then you are a religious Christian. Myself and many more like me do not necessarily have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God. We do however believe in Christianity as a cultural, social, identity and moral platform. This makes us Christian."
Someone who believes in Christ is a Christian. A Christian who also believes in Christendom -- Christ's rightful dominion over the nations as in Psalm 2 et al. -- is a Biblically consistent Christian. Someone who believes in Christendom without Christ believes an inherent contradiction.
(Thanks to my wife for sending me the link to Ken Ham's post.)
Ken Ham's blog, however, reveals that Breivik called himself a Christian even though he did not believe in Christ. Sound weird? Well, nobody accused mass murderers of clear thinking.
Here's the relevant section from Mr. Ham's blog post:
On pages 1307–1308 of his manifesto, for example, he distinguishes between what he calls cultural Christendom and religious Christendom, stating that “a majority of so called agnostics and atheists in Europe are cultural conservative Christians without even knowing it.” He attempts to explain the difference, and then states his own personal belief:
"If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God then you are a religious Christian. Myself and many more like me do not necessarily have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God. We do however believe in Christianity as a cultural, social, identity and moral platform. This makes us Christian."
Someone who believes in Christ is a Christian. A Christian who also believes in Christendom -- Christ's rightful dominion over the nations as in Psalm 2 et al. -- is a Biblically consistent Christian. Someone who believes in Christendom without Christ believes an inherent contradiction.
(Thanks to my wife for sending me the link to Ken Ham's post.)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The Scots' Christian Warrior Culture: For Christ's Crown & Covenant
In May, we attended the annual Greenville Highland Games. I love the atmosphere, the games and the all-pervasive music of the 'pipes. The only thing missing is a frank and forthright representation of Scotland's Christian warrior culture: for Christ's Crown and Covenant.
(Thanks to my daughter Merrianna for the link to this video.)
Here's a video that presents a nearly-forgotten aspect of Scottish culture. Preachers, soldiers, martyrs -- all of them warriors for the King.
(Thanks to my daughter Merrianna for the link to this video.)
Here's a video that presents a nearly-forgotten aspect of Scottish culture. Preachers, soldiers, martyrs -- all of them warriors for the King.
Monday, July 25, 2011
From the Barber's Chair: When Reality and Training Overlap,2
Continued from "From the Barber's Chair: When Reality and Training Overlap"
My barber's post-combat debrief clearly reveals the crossover between shooting raccoons in the barn and training to confront human predators:
I train with the shotgun. The training kicked in.
Have a battery of weapons. One size does not fit all.
I train to hit a six-inch moving target daily. That training paid off.
If at all possible, wear pants when engaging in a shooting. Standing in a barn with your [most vulnerable area] protected by a flimsy piece of cotton,while possibly rabid animals are scurrying about,did not increase my combat effectiveness.
Even while a furry cat brushed my exposed leg during the melee,I maintined focus on the targets. Situational awareness.
Be prepared for multiple targets. you cannot always see how many targets are present.
I train on multiple targets daily. That training kicked in.
When the threat is down,keep up your scans for more targets. Clear the area.
I trained to use breathing control to dump adrenaline. It works. Use it.
You never know when a fight will come upon you. Spool-up quickly to the threat level.
There is value in trining,and debriefing....
My barber's post-combat debrief clearly reveals the crossover between shooting raccoons in the barn and training to confront human predators:
I train with the shotgun. The training kicked in.
Have a battery of weapons. One size does not fit all.
I train to hit a six-inch moving target daily. That training paid off.
If at all possible, wear pants when engaging in a shooting. Standing in a barn with your [most vulnerable area] protected by a flimsy piece of cotton,while possibly rabid animals are scurrying about,did not increase my combat effectiveness.
Even while a furry cat brushed my exposed leg during the melee,I maintined focus on the targets. Situational awareness.
Be prepared for multiple targets. you cannot always see how many targets are present.
I train on multiple targets daily. That training kicked in.
When the threat is down,keep up your scans for more targets. Clear the area.
I trained to use breathing control to dump adrenaline. It works. Use it.
You never know when a fight will come upon you. Spool-up quickly to the threat level.
There is value in trining,and debriefing....
Friday, July 22, 2011
Bureaucrats Define Potential Terrorist Activities
I'm thankful that I'm one of a small minority of Americans who does not own a cell phone. Why? Because, according to a recent Homeland Security film, almost anything I do with it may be construed as "suspicious" and a potentially terroristic threat.
Prison Planet provided the link to the video below.Before you watch the video I recommend you read this excerpt from Prison Planet's accompanying article to see if its descriptions are accurate:
In the course of the 10 minute clip, a myriad of different behaviors are characterized as terrorism, including opposing surveillance, using a video camera, talking to police officers, wearing hoodies, driving vans, writing on a piece of paper, and using a cell phone recording application.
Despite encouraging viewers not to pay attention to a person’s race in determining whether or not they may be a terrorist, almost all of the scenarios in the clip proceed to portray white people as the most likely terrorists. Bizarrely, nearly every single one of the “patriotic” Americans who reports on their fellow citizen is either black, Asian or Arab. Imagine if the video had portrayed every terrorist as an Arab and every patriotic snoop as white, there’d be an outcry and rightly so, but this strange reversal must have been deliberate on the part of the DHS, but why? Is this merely political correctness taken to the extreme or is something deeper at work?
Are the people who made the film racists? In my opinion, probably so.
But the saddest part of this video is that those who produced it are, in my opinion, entirely sincere. They see people like me as enemies, but not just because of my race.
My ideas, convictions and beliefs, based on Scripture as they are, challenge the naked power and idolatry of statism. In the end, the power elite sees this as an infinitely greater threat than hordes of Muslim jihadists with guns and bombs.
Thanks to my barber who first drew my attention to this.
Prison Planet provided the link to the video below.Before you watch the video I recommend you read this excerpt from Prison Planet's accompanying article to see if its descriptions are accurate:
In the course of the 10 minute clip, a myriad of different behaviors are characterized as terrorism, including opposing surveillance, using a video camera, talking to police officers, wearing hoodies, driving vans, writing on a piece of paper, and using a cell phone recording application.
Despite encouraging viewers not to pay attention to a person’s race in determining whether or not they may be a terrorist, almost all of the scenarios in the clip proceed to portray white people as the most likely terrorists. Bizarrely, nearly every single one of the “patriotic” Americans who reports on their fellow citizen is either black, Asian or Arab. Imagine if the video had portrayed every terrorist as an Arab and every patriotic snoop as white, there’d be an outcry and rightly so, but this strange reversal must have been deliberate on the part of the DHS, but why? Is this merely political correctness taken to the extreme or is something deeper at work?
Are the people who made the film racists? In my opinion, probably so.
But the saddest part of this video is that those who produced it are, in my opinion, entirely sincere. They see people like me as enemies, but not just because of my race.
My ideas, convictions and beliefs, based on Scripture as they are, challenge the naked power and idolatry of statism. In the end, the power elite sees this as an infinitely greater threat than hordes of Muslim jihadists with guns and bombs.
Thanks to my barber who first drew my attention to this.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
From the Barber's Chair: When Reality and Training Overlap
I received the following email from my barber a few days ago. Note how a real, middle-of-the-night response to four-legged pests serves as a scenario to test one's training for the two-legged variety.
As you all know,while [my wife] is rehabing after knee surgery,I have assumed all her outside duties. Someone or something has been attacking our barn,destroying feed boxes,and has killed several chickens lately,during nightime hours. We set a havahart live trap in the barn. We caught,and dispatched a possum last week. We kept the trap baited. This morning,I arose at 0530,and entered the barn. Wearing shorts and a t-shirt,I flipped the light on. The trap had been sprung,a large amount of grey fur was visible inside the trap, and a racoon was looking at me from behind a barrel in the corner! I ran to the house ,returning with my tactical 12 guage,uploading on the run. I realized that impressive damage would occur by discharging the 12 inside the barn walls. I returned with the .410,loaded with 3-inch 9shot loads. The coon stuck his head out from behind the barrel. Headshot. A second coon came barelling out from behind the barell!!!! With barn cats flying in all directions,I engaged him as he ran. Headshot. That left one rather large coon in the trap looking at me. I repaired to the house,returned with the .17 rimfire rifle. Another headshot. Three suspects down,no injuries to responding units. They were,as the saying goes,code 4.
Continued
As you all know,while [my wife] is rehabing after knee surgery,I have assumed all her outside duties. Someone or something has been attacking our barn,destroying feed boxes,and has killed several chickens lately,during nightime hours. We set a havahart live trap in the barn. We caught,and dispatched a possum last week. We kept the trap baited. This morning,I arose at 0530,and entered the barn. Wearing shorts and a t-shirt,I flipped the light on. The trap had been sprung,a large amount of grey fur was visible inside the trap, and a racoon was looking at me from behind a barrel in the corner! I ran to the house ,returning with my tactical 12 guage,uploading on the run. I realized that impressive damage would occur by discharging the 12 inside the barn walls. I returned with the .410,loaded with 3-inch 9shot loads. The coon stuck his head out from behind the barrel. Headshot. A second coon came barelling out from behind the barell!!!! With barn cats flying in all directions,I engaged him as he ran. Headshot. That left one rather large coon in the trap looking at me. I repaired to the house,returned with the .17 rimfire rifle. Another headshot. Three suspects down,no injuries to responding units. They were,as the saying goes,code 4.
Continued
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Excellent Cartoon
This cartoon comes from Patriot Update, and it does double duty by rubbing the noses of both the Federal bureaucrats and the anti-gun crowd in their own mess.
Just in case you don't understand what the cartoon is about, you can be brought up to speed by reading . . .
this article by Chuck Norris . . .
and this article by Patrick Richardson
Friday, July 15, 2011
Defend Your Children from Big Pharma
Why do you even need to think about defending your children from the pharmaceutical industry? Every few years a story breaks about some egregious acts of giant pharmaceutical companies in total disregard of public health and safety. The story causes a shakeup at the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), which results in someone's dismissal and a promise that they will do better in the future.
John Q. Public buys the story, and goes back to his football and video games as Big Pharma's hand-in-glove relationship to the FDA continues. A recent story about chicken pox vaccines provides a case in point.
Before I get to my major point, let me give you a quote from Joseph Mercola, M.D.
When I graduated medical school in the early '80s autism was not covered in my pediatrics rotation that I could recall.
Why?
Well it only affected about one in 100,000 children when I was in medical school. Since then there has been a dramatic increase to one in 150 and more recently autism rates in the United States have conservatively increased to 1 in 63. And this number is FOUR years old. (click here for source)
Another article on Dr. Mercola's site reveals a fact uncovered by a scientist that used to work for a drug company:
Former drug company scientist Helen Ratajczak recently created a firestorm of debate from all sides of the vaccine-autism issue when she published her comprehensive review of autism research. However, her 79-page review contains one detail that could easily go unnoticed—five words that reveal one of the most shocking secrets Big Pharma has ever kept from you.
"…Grown in human fetal tissue."
The line reads (page 70):
"An additional increased spike in incidence of autism occurred in 1995 when the chicken pox vaccine was grown in human fetal tissue."
If you are struggling to recall how you could have missed this important fact when signing your vaccine consent form, it wasn't your error—because it wasn't disclosed on any consent form. Most people are unaware that human cell cultures derived from aborted human fetuses have been used extensively in vaccine production for decades. And vaccine makers are happy that most of the public has remained ignorant of this fact, as awareness of it could blow up in their faces.
Setting aside, for the moment, unknown long-term health consequences of DNA contamination and religious beliefs about use of aborted fetal tissues—the ethics of nondisclosure are reprehensible. Drug companies and vaccine policy-makers should not be allowed to decide whether or not to share this information with you. This is information you should have received PRIOR to making a choice about whether or not to vaccinate.
Well, I for one am not going to lay my religious convictions or my concern about the health of my offspring aside. Just what is the proper response to government jackboots who threaten you with lethal force and/or possible loss of your children if you refuse to let them stick a hypodermic needle into your child that contains dangerous DNA from murdered babies?
John Q. Public buys the story, and goes back to his football and video games as Big Pharma's hand-in-glove relationship to the FDA continues. A recent story about chicken pox vaccines provides a case in point.
Before I get to my major point, let me give you a quote from Joseph Mercola, M.D.
When I graduated medical school in the early '80s autism was not covered in my pediatrics rotation that I could recall.
Why?
Well it only affected about one in 100,000 children when I was in medical school. Since then there has been a dramatic increase to one in 150 and more recently autism rates in the United States have conservatively increased to 1 in 63. And this number is FOUR years old. (click here for source)
Another article on Dr. Mercola's site reveals a fact uncovered by a scientist that used to work for a drug company:
Former drug company scientist Helen Ratajczak recently created a firestorm of debate from all sides of the vaccine-autism issue when she published her comprehensive review of autism research. However, her 79-page review contains one detail that could easily go unnoticed—five words that reveal one of the most shocking secrets Big Pharma has ever kept from you.
"…Grown in human fetal tissue."
The line reads (page 70):
"An additional increased spike in incidence of autism occurred in 1995 when the chicken pox vaccine was grown in human fetal tissue."
If you are struggling to recall how you could have missed this important fact when signing your vaccine consent form, it wasn't your error—because it wasn't disclosed on any consent form. Most people are unaware that human cell cultures derived from aborted human fetuses have been used extensively in vaccine production for decades. And vaccine makers are happy that most of the public has remained ignorant of this fact, as awareness of it could blow up in their faces.
Setting aside, for the moment, unknown long-term health consequences of DNA contamination and religious beliefs about use of aborted fetal tissues—the ethics of nondisclosure are reprehensible. Drug companies and vaccine policy-makers should not be allowed to decide whether or not to share this information with you. This is information you should have received PRIOR to making a choice about whether or not to vaccinate.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Terror Threat to U.S. Churches
The Warrior sent me a link to the June 30th article "Terror Threat -- U.S. Churches in Danger" at onenewsnow.com. The article reports:
In a video released by al-Qaeda spokesman Adam Gadahn, the American-born Muslim asks jihadists to quickly obtain guns and carry out terrorist attacks against the West. He states that Muslims are placed in the region to "do major damage to the enemies of Islam, waging war on their religion, sacred places, and things and brethren."
You may read the whole article here:
Terror Threat
In a video released by al-Qaeda spokesman Adam Gadahn, the American-born Muslim asks jihadists to quickly obtain guns and carry out terrorist attacks against the West. He states that Muslims are placed in the region to "do major damage to the enemies of Islam, waging war on their religion, sacred places, and things and brethren."
You may read the whole article here:
Terror Threat
Monday, July 11, 2011
Gravelbelly Meets Baguazhong Practitioner
My family &I enjoy English Country Dancing one Friday each month. This past Friday, I met a practitioner of Baquazhong, one of the Chinese arts.
The practitioner (I'll call him "Buck") showed me some of the principles of his art. As he demonstrated, his movements easily took my balance.
Buck was a nice guy, though. As he showed me his art's version of push hands, he let me unbalance him.
He's back in Florida now, but he has sent me the link to the video below which lays out basics of the art.
There are three things I'd like to point out about the video -- all are pluses.
The practitioner (I'll call him "Buck") showed me some of the principles of his art. As he demonstrated, his movements easily took my balance.
Buck was a nice guy, though. As he showed me his art's version of push hands, he let me unbalance him.
He's back in Florida now, but he has sent me the link to the video below which lays out basics of the art.
There are three things I'd like to point out about the video -- all are pluses.
- When the demonstrator shows the application of his movements against an opponent, you can see that those movements could easily be launched from the startle response position. Indeed, the demonstrator seems to do so more than once, whether by his design or not.
- Notice the movements that are very similar to what I call the combat wedge, which I describe here.
- The exercises look as though they are designed to promote focus, control and sensitivity as well as proprioception.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Wrist Stretches: Gateway to Solo Training
I hope that you are on Keith Pascal's mailing list. Perhaps you've heard the expression, "He's forgotten more about martial arts than most people know." That would probably be true of Keith, but for one thing: he hasn't forgotten.
Here is his video on some of the prime values of wrist stretching. After you watch it, I'd like to present what I believe is an even more important value.
As usual, Keith's advice is spot on. However, I'd like to supplement his advice with something my Jiu-Jitsu (old spelling) instructor taught me.
One day, we were discussing practicing wrist locks, when he pointed something out that I had not noticed before. He told me that every wrist stretch we practiced was also wrist lock.
For me, it was one of those "Aha!" moments. One of the big difficulties with practicing joint locks is that you need a practice partner -- you can't do it solo (or so I thought).
Below is a series of photos taken in the summer of 2009. (As an aside, my belly has shrunk somewhat since then, and now I just have the two chins.) The photos show one wrist stretch followed its application as a wrist lock.
My third daughter Raquel appears in the pics with me, and my fourth daughter Merrianna took the pics. Thanks to them both for their help.
First, a close-up of this particular wrist stretch:
Jiu-Jitsu girl meets The Incredible Bulk:
Rather than thinking of this as a technique, I think it's better to consider it one application of this particular mode of stressing the wrist joint:
Utmost concentration! When your attacker is that much bigger than you, you don't want to get it worng (intentional joke).
I want to put these photos (and others, showing different angles and more transition phases) into an e-book. The book would detail four wrist stretches that can also be applied as wrist locks.
I'd appreciate your input as to whether you think this would be a worthwhile project.
Here is his video on some of the prime values of wrist stretching. After you watch it, I'd like to present what I believe is an even more important value.
As usual, Keith's advice is spot on. However, I'd like to supplement his advice with something my Jiu-Jitsu (old spelling) instructor taught me.
One day, we were discussing practicing wrist locks, when he pointed something out that I had not noticed before. He told me that every wrist stretch we practiced was also wrist lock.
For me, it was one of those "Aha!" moments. One of the big difficulties with practicing joint locks is that you need a practice partner -- you can't do it solo (or so I thought).
Below is a series of photos taken in the summer of 2009. (As an aside, my belly has shrunk somewhat since then, and now I just have the two chins.) The photos show one wrist stretch followed its application as a wrist lock.
My third daughter Raquel appears in the pics with me, and my fourth daughter Merrianna took the pics. Thanks to them both for their help.
First, a close-up of this particular wrist stretch:
Jiu-Jitsu girl meets The Incredible Bulk:
Rather than thinking of this as a technique, I think it's better to consider it one application of this particular mode of stressing the wrist joint:
Utmost concentration! When your attacker is that much bigger than you, you don't want to get it worng (intentional joke).
I want to put these photos (and others, showing different angles and more transition phases) into an e-book. The book would detail four wrist stretches that can also be applied as wrist locks.
I'd appreciate your input as to whether you think this would be a worthwhile project.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Followup to "Can You Tell Me What's Wrong with This?"
Continued from "Can You Tell Me What's Wrong with This?"
Thanks to Bruce and the Warrior for the good points they made. Now, let me add some of my own thoughts.
First off, I don't know where the author conducted his survey, but it would surprise me if violent predators across the nation have simultaneously adopted grappling techniques in their attacks. That's not to say it couldn't happen, but if so, it would really surprise me.
Second, as a self-defense rule of thumb, you should not play your attacker's game. Don't box a boxer, don't grapple with a grappler, etc.
If someone opens an attack by going for a take-down, he'll come in low with his arms apart to encircle your legs. In the post "Self Defense: Technical or Tactical?", Steve Golden made the point that you strike the target that's open.
What's open on an attacker going for the take-down? Just about everything!
Palm heel to the forehead, nose or chin, judo chop to the neck or throat, combat slap to the side of the head, are just a few possibilities. If he manages to get to the inside before you can react, you can resort to a knee to the chin or thumbs in the eye sockets.
Finally, the article's emphasis on grappling the grappler puts emphasis on training to go to the ground. While such an outcome is possible, my philosophy is
"Don't go to the ground with your attacker; send your attacker to the ground."
Thanks to Bruce and the Warrior for the good points they made. Now, let me add some of my own thoughts.
First off, I don't know where the author conducted his survey, but it would surprise me if violent predators across the nation have simultaneously adopted grappling techniques in their attacks. That's not to say it couldn't happen, but if so, it would really surprise me.
Second, as a self-defense rule of thumb, you should not play your attacker's game. Don't box a boxer, don't grapple with a grappler, etc.
If someone opens an attack by going for a take-down, he'll come in low with his arms apart to encircle your legs. In the post "Self Defense: Technical or Tactical?", Steve Golden made the point that you strike the target that's open.
What's open on an attacker going for the take-down? Just about everything!
Palm heel to the forehead, nose or chin, judo chop to the neck or throat, combat slap to the side of the head, are just a few possibilities. If he manages to get to the inside before you can react, you can resort to a knee to the chin or thumbs in the eye sockets.
Finally, the article's emphasis on grappling the grappler puts emphasis on training to go to the ground. While such an outcome is possible, my philosophy is
"Don't go to the ground with your attacker; send your attacker to the ground."
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Can You Tell Me What's Wrong With This?
I received an email with a link to this page:
How to Train to Defeat the #1 Street Fight Takedown
While I'm sure this teacher is knowledgeable and his training is worthwhile, I found his advice on this subject seems lacking. So, it's time to do a little analysis and list the things you find wrong with his article in the comments section.
How to Train to Defeat the #1 Street Fight Takedown
While I'm sure this teacher is knowledgeable and his training is worthwhile, I found his advice on this subject seems lacking. So, it's time to do a little analysis and list the things you find wrong with his article in the comments section.
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